MURDERED: Mary Yoder

Summary of MURDERED: Mary Yoder

by Audiochuck

34m•March 16, 2026
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Overview of MURDERED: Mary Yoder

This Crime Junkie episode (Audiochuck) tells the first half of the Mary Yoder case — a sudden 2015 death in Utica, NY that began as a medical mystery and became a poisoning investigation. The medical examiner eventually identified a lethal colchicine overdose. The episode covers the family dynamic, suspicious behavior by Mary’s husband (Bill), an explosive anonymous letter accusing their son (Adam), the startling discovery of a bottle of colchicine in Adam’s Jeep, and emerging doubts that the evidence might have been planted. The story ends on a cliffhanger pointing to Part 2, which explores who might have written the anonymous letter and other threads investigators pursue.

Key people

  • Mary Yoder — 60-year-old chiropractor; died July 22, 2015 after rapid collapse.
  • Bill Yoder — husband of nearly 40 years, co-owner of the practice; later announced a relationship with Mary’s sister Kathleen.
  • Adam Yoder — 25-year-old son, initially accused in an anonymous letter.
  • Leanna and Tamron — Mary’s daughters (Leanna is a physician).
  • Janine, Sharon, Sally, Kathleen — Mary’s sisters (Kathleen later becomes romantically involved with Bill).
  • Dr. Kenneth Clark — medical examiner who performed the autopsy.
  • Lt. Robert Nelson & Investigator Mark Van Namy — Oneida County investigators.
  • Caitlin (Katie) Conley — office manager at the Yoders’ practice and Adam’s ex-girlfriend (later a person of interest).

Timeline (concise)

  • July 20, 2015: Mary feels sudden nausea/vomiting at work; goes home, spends night ill.
  • July 21: Admitted to hospital; initially appears somewhat improved; husband Bill leaves for the night.
  • July 22: Mary rapidly deteriorates, is moved to ICU, is resuscitated repeatedly (seven codes) and pronounced dead at 2:54 p.m.
  • Late summer–September 2015: Autopsy and toxicology identify colchicine as cause of death.
  • November 20–23, 2015: Identical anonymous, typewritten letters sent to the ME and Sheriff’s Office accusing Adam of poisoning his mother and saying the bottle was in his Jeep.
  • December 8, 2015: Adam is interviewed and police search his Jeep; a small glass bottle of colchicine and a receipt (January purchase showing an email address similar to Adam’s and shipping to the Yoder practice) are found.
  • Mid-December 2015: Investigators interview Caitlin Conley; inconsistencies and similarities between her statements and the anonymous letter draw investigators’ attention.

Important evidence & forensic findings

  • Autopsy by Dr. Clark: organs discolored, tissue changes consistent with massive toxic insult; tox screens ultimately positive for colchicine — a prescription gout medication with a very low lethal dose.
  • Colchicine sources investigated and common accidental routes (garden/plants, supplement contamination) ruled out after testing.
  • The Yoder family had supplements and a gardening hobby; these were tested and came back clean.
  • Anonymous letter providing detailed accusation and precise location of bottle, received by both the ME and Sheriff.
  • Bottle of colchicine physically found under the front passenger seat of Adam’s Jeep, with a receipt showing a January purchase and an email address (MrAdamYoder1990@gmail.com) and shipment to the family’s practice.
  • Phone/toll records supported Adam’s claim he was in Long Island before Mary got sick (an alibi).

Main investigative threads & theories

  • Accidental poisoning (plant/supplement contamination): initially considered and tested, largely ruled out.
  • Homicide by someone close (opportunity and access): investigators first focus on Bill because of access, odd behavior during hospitalization, and a rapid post-death relationship with Mary’s sister Kathleen.
  • Motive possibilities considered: new relationship (Bill + Kathleen), financial considerations (Bill received inheritance; comments about money), family tensions.
  • Anonymous letter theory: either genuine tip from someone close to Adam, OR a planted narrative to frame Adam. The letter’s precise information and the later physical discovery of the bottle exactly where the letter said it would be raised red flags for investigators who suspected the scene might have been staged.
  • Caitlin Conley emerges as a potentially key figure: her knowledge of events, prior police report against Adam (2014), and statements that echo details in the anonymous letter made investigators investigate whether she authored the letter or otherwise influenced evidence.

Notable quotes / moments

  • The doctor at the practice, when questioned by Mary’s sister, reacted: “That was never a real diagnosis… they were still waiting for toxicology.” (This highlights that the family had been given incomplete or inaccurate early explanations.)
  • Anonymous letter excerpt: “If the toxin found in her was colchicine, Adam Yoder, her son, is responsible. He told me he did, and moreover, he told me how and where he put the rest of the toxin.”

Unresolved questions highlighted by Part 1

  • Who legally procured the colchicine and how was it obtained (prescription/online)? Who placed the online order?
  • Was Adam actually guilty or framed? If framed, who planted the bottle and why choose Adam?
  • Did Bill and Kathleen’s relationship start before Mary’s death? Could it provide motive?
  • Why did Bill leave the hospital the night Mary initially appeared to be improving, put his phone in another room, and take an hour to get to the hospital after troopers woke him?
  • Why was the ME’s identification of colchicine not promptly communicated to law enforcement (investigators hadn’t opened a case until family asked)?
  • Who wrote the anonymous letter and why was it typewritten and sent to both offices?

What this episode promises / next steps

  • Part 2 (advertised at episode end) will deep-dive into the anonymous letter, Caitlin Conley’s role, investigators’ analysis of who stands to benefit and who had access, and whether the initial physical evidence was manipulated.
  • Sources and original materials are available at crimejunkie.com (as mentioned in the episode).

Main takeaways

  • Mary Yoder died very quickly from a highly toxic, prescription-only medication (colchicine), not a routine infection.
  • The case rapidly became personal and messy: family fractures, an unexpected post-death relationship between Bill and Mary’s sister, and an anonymous accusation that produced what appeared to be direct physical evidence.
  • Investigators did not accept an easy explanation; the discovery that the anonymous letter’s details matched the Jeep find raised the possibility of staging and redirected the probe toward who had motive and access to frame someone.
  • The full truth remains unresolved in Part 1; listeners are left with multiple plausible suspects and critical unanswered forensic and motive questions to be addressed in Part 2.

Further reading / sources: the episode points listeners to Crime Junkie’s website for source material and to the next episode (Part 2) for developments.