Undetermined: The Death of Molly Young

Trigger warning, this episode contains extensive discussion on suicide.

When 21-year-old artist Molly Young was found dead from a gunshot wound in her ex-boyfriend’s bedroom in Carbondale, Illinois, the explanation seemed to arrive before investigators did: “She just committed suicide.” 

But nothing about the scene — or the timeline — ever truly added up. No fingerprints on the gun. No gunshot residue on anyone in the apartment. Fresh scratches on Molly’s ex. A 4-hour delay before 911 was called. And a crime scene that raised more questions than answers.

Was Molly in a moment of despair when she pulled the trigger?

Or was she the victim of an intimate homicide — concealed, mishandled, and dismissed?

In this episode we analyze conflicting evidence and explore how her death — officially ruled “undetermined” — ignited a decade-long fight by her family for truth, transparency, and justice, ultimately leading to legislative change in Illinois known as Molly’s Law.

Listen now to learn more about Molly, this case that has experts and investigators divided to this day, and decide for yourself what you think happened in the middle of the night back in 2012.

To see more about this case, as well as the sources used to create this episode, visit our Blog Here.