Nicole M. Saylor & Kayla M. Harris (7 & 8 of Hearts, Indiana)
Dive into a harrowing true-crime saga with "The Deck," where hosts Ashley Flowers, Brian Martin, Carrie Fries, and Tiffany Butler meticulously piece together the harrowing events that led to a tragic night in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The episode carefully recounts the story of Nicole Saylor and Kayla Harris—whose fates were cruelly sealed by an unfathomable act of violence—and the extraordinary resilience of Danielle Carter, who miraculously survives the ordeal despite harrowing odds.
With a blend of investigative rigor and compassionate storytelling, "The Deck" navigates through the maze of an ongoing investigation, examining potential suspects with ties to the victims. The podcast expertly posits theories about possible motives rooted in past abuse, financial disputes, and threats, even as it contemplates the mysteries left unsolved due to the untimely death of a key suspect. This episode lays bare the aftermath of a monumental tragedy, revealing how those closest to the victims grapple with loss and the complexities of emotional healing and legal battles in its wake.
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1-Page Summary
The murders and attempted murder
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, an ambush shooting claims the lives of Nicole Saylor and Kayla Harris, while severely injuring Danielle Carter. Nicole is found dead at the scene, and Kayla succumbs to her injuries after being transported to the hospital. Danielle, shot ten times, survives with extensive wounds.
The investigation and suspects
The probe into the shooting investigates several potential suspects, including Kayla's abusive ex, designated as X, and her estranged husband, Z. Detectives uncover threats from X and consider financial or dispute-related motives from Z. A third suspect, Y, fitting a witness description, dies before further questioning, hindering the investigation's progress.
The devastating impacts
The atrocity leaves enduring scars, with Nicole's teenage daughter relocating to escape her grief. Kayla's family, mourning her loss, struggles in a custody battle for her son. Danielle endures a prolonged recovery and adapts to life after sustaining significant physical and emotional trauma.
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The murders and attempted murder
The ambush shooting leaves two dead and one clinging to life
After a long night at their job, friends Kayla Harris, Danielle Carter, and Nicole Saylor experienced a tragedy that took the lives of two women and left another fighting for survival.
Nicole is shot and killed immediately
In the early hours, Fort Wayne, Indiana, was rocked by a brutal shooting reported by emergency services. At the scene, Nicole Saylor, 36 years old, was found near the porch, motionless in a pool of blood. She was declared dead at the scene, a victim of the ambush who was killed instantly.
Kayla is critically injured and later dies at the hospital
The attack also critically wounded Kayla Harris. Kayla, the 24-year-old cousin of Danielle, was still alive after the attack and had managed to speak to Danielle before succumbing to her injuries. She hinted at suspecting someone being behind the violent act. Despite the medical team's efforts, Kayla passed away after her arrival at t ...
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The investigation and suspects
In the ongoing investigation into Kayla's shooting, detectives have been scrutinizing several potential suspects, including her abusive ex, referred to as X, and estranged husband, known as Z, with the emergence of a third figure only mentioned as Y.
Suspicions point to Kayla's abusive ex X and estranged husband Z
Evidence has come to light that both X and Z had previously threatened Kayla regarding the custody of her son. Kayla had received threatening text messages from X stating that she would get their baby back "over her dead body." X also made explicit threats to kill Kayla rather than allow her to have custody of their son. X posited that Z might have been involved, suggesting that narcotics could have been a factor given Z's past narcotics sales.
Despite these threats, there were several complications in directly linking either X or Z to the shooting. For one, X provided an alibi that initially seemed to check out, and he appeared to be extremely upset by the situation. Furthermore, X believed that Z was incarcerated at the time of the shooting, which would make it impossible for him to be the shooter. However, X could not confirm his incarceration status. Brian Martin, a detective on the case, brought forth the theory that Z could still be involved by arranging a hit on Kayla, with motives speculated to revolve around financial gain or settling a dispute.
Detectives identify another suspect, Y, who may have been hired
Detectives had been working with a description of the shooter provided by a witness nam ...
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The investigation and suspects
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- The timeline leading up to the shooting of Kayla involves threats from her abusive ex, X, and estranged husband, Z, regarding custody of their son. X threatened Kayla with messages indicating she would not get custody alive, while Z's potential involvement was suggested due to his past criminal activities. The emergence of a third suspect, Y, who matched the description of the shooter provided by a witness, added complexity to the investigation. However, Y's unexpected death hindered further inquiries into his potential role in the shooting.
- In criminal investigations, inconsistencies in alibis can raise suspicions about a suspect's involvement in a crime. Detectives scrutinize alibis to verify their accuracy and determine if they hold up under scrutiny. Conflicting information or gaps in an alibi can lead investigators to question a suspect's credibility and potential role in the crime. Resolving these inconsistencies is crucial in piecing together the timeline of events and identifying the true perpetrator.
- The motive behind the shooting remains unclear due to the complex relationships and conflicting alibis of the potential suspects. Suspicions point towards custody disputes, financial gain, or settling personal disputes as possible motives. The involvement of a third suspect, Y, adds another layer of complexity to understand ...
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The devastating impacts
The lives of those touched by tragedy continue to bear the scars, with each person coping in their own way. Loss, custody battles, and the arduous journey of recovery mark their paths.
Nicole's 17-year-old daughter struggles with the loss
Nicole's daughter, at only 17 years old, faces harrowing grief in the wake of loss. Overwhelmed by the memories that haunt her, she decides to move away from Fort Wayne, seeking respite from the pervasive reminders of the past—a place she now associates with too many ghosts.
Kayla's mother and family grieve her and fight for custody of her son
Carrie Fries, alongside Tiffany Butler, mourns the loss of Kayla, remembered fondly as a loving mother with aspirations to nurture and care for her baby. Tragedy befalls them as Kayla's son is taken in by her ex's family in the aftermath of her untimely death. Shrouded in uncertainty, Kayla's family is left without contact; her son's condition and whereabouts remain unknown to them. Distraught, Kerry—presumed to be Kayla's mother—longs for justice, not only for Kayla but also for her orphaned grandson, who she believes still feels his mother's affection in tender nightly forehead kisses.
Danielle has lasting physical and emotional trauma
Danielle, surviving a gunshot, recounts a tale of harrowing resilience. She comes to in the safety of protective custody within the intensive care unit, bolting awake, ready to cooperate with investigators despite the recent horror. No speci ...
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