MISSING IN THE DEADROOM: IOWA MOTHER HIDES HUSBAND’S SKELETAL REMAINS

In this chilling episode of Midwest Murder: True Crime Stories, hosts Jonah Lantto and Dawn Palumbo take viewers inside one of Iowa’s most disturbing true crime cases. When Scott Shannahan vanished in the summer of 2002, no one in the small town of Defiance seemed particularly concerned. Known for his violent and abusive behavior toward his wife Dixie, Scott had few allies and even fewer mourners. His sudden disappearance barely raised eyebrows—until the horrifying truth came to light a year later.
As rumors spread and suspicions grew, the county sheriff’s office was finally compelled to investigate. What they uncovered inside the Shannahan home shocked even seasoned officers: Scott’s skeletal remains hidden in the very house where Dixie continued to raise their two children. The discovery raised haunting questions—how did no one know? How could such darkness be concealed for so long in such a small town?
Jonah and Dawn peel back the layers of fear, silence, and survival that defined Dixie’s life, and explore how a woman living in constant abuse reached her breaking point. This episode is a gripping reminder that behind every closed door, especially in quiet towns, lies a story worth telling—and sometimes, uncovering the truth means confronting the unthinkable.