OH NO: Radio Segment Goes Awry: Listener Confesses to Witnessing Murder!!!

Phoenix police are investigating a possible break in a 20-year-old murder case that was called in on a morning radio show Wednesday. According to Officer James Holmes with the Phoenix police department, a person called in to KISS FM radio during its “Confession Wednesday” segment, and told of witnessing a murder two decades ago. KISS FM (KZZP FM) airs the “Confession Wednesday” segment on the Johnjay and Rich morning show. Holmes said the Phoenix police department has been “overwhelmed” with calls regarding the incident since it occurred and have been looking into the situation, Holmes said. Holmes has been in touch with the station and said that they have been cooperating with police to investigate the call. A note on the radio station’s Web site Thursday morning read, in part: “During the Confession Wednesday segment on the Johnjay and Rich Show, a caller allegedly confessed to witnessing a murder . . . We are cooperating fully with both local and federal law enforcement authorities. We will provide more information as this story develops.” It’s not the first time that on-the-air crime confession has caused a stir in the Valley. An El Mirage woman was charged with false reporting to police after she told a nationally-syndicated radio show that she shot and killed her boyfriend. She had first reported the death as a suicide. The woman, later identified as Megan Suzanne Vice, called talk-show host Tom Leykis in 2006, saying she had shot boyfriend Tortsen Rockwood in 2001 in their Phoenix apartment. Vice picked up the nickname “Ahwatukee Sue” from Leykis listeners. Police investigated and suggested Vice be charged with first-degree murder and obstructing a criminal investigation in a report submitted to Maricopa County Attorney’s Office last year. Thomas declined. Vice instead was charged with false reporting, a misdemeanor. An autopsy had ruled that the death was a suicide and Thomas said there was no credible evidence to show otherwise.