• Restaurants + Bars
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Society
  • City Life
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Real Estate
  • Home + Design
  • Innovation
  • Travel
  • City Guide
  • Events
  • Charity Guide
  • Subscribe
  • Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
culturemap logo
  • Restaurants + Bars

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Phillips: Austin Restaurant Weeks dishes out dates and details for delicious return
    Foodie Fundraiser
    Austin Restaurant Weeks dishes dates and details for delicious return
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Hannah J. Phillips: Beloved East Austin bar Nickel City pours out Houston expansion
    In the nickel of time
    Beloved East Austin bar Nickel City pours out Houston expansion
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Brianna Caleri: Tiny Austin dessert shop slices out a new piece of the pie for Waco
    tiny steps across texas
    Tiny Austin dessert shop slices out a new piece of the pie for Waco
    By Brianna Caleri

    SPONSORED BY

  • Entertainment

    THE LATEST

    Alex Bentley: Emergency takes college friends through one dark and funny night
    Movie Review
    Emergency takes college friends through one dark, funny night
    By Alex Bentley
    Steven Devadanam: Texas baseball legend Nolan Ryan's new documentary hits Austin for one night only
    all aboard the express
    Baseball legend Nolan Ryan's new film hits Austin for one night only
    By Steven Devadanam
    Brianna Caleri: Austin's acclaimed burlesque troupe returns to stage for first time since pandemic
    Super Troupers
    Austin's internationally acclaimed burlesque troupe returns to stage
    By Brianna Caleri

    SPONSORED BY

  • Arts

    THE LATEST

    Alex Bentley: Art of Banksy comes to Austin in immersive event with signature secrecy
    Traveling Street Art
    Art of Banksy comes to Austin in immersive event with big secrecy
    By Alex Bentley
    John Egan: Texas philanthropist's art collection hauls in $363.1 million at Christie's auction
    Big sale in the Big Apple
    Texas philanthropist's art collection hauls in $363.1M at auction
    By John Egan
    : Texas author thrills with new romance and murder mystery titles set in the Lone Star State
    made in texas
    Texas author thrills with 2 new titles set in the Lone Star State
    By Natalie Harms

    SPONSORED BY

  • Society

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Phillips: Austinites gather to toast, taste, and crown top culinary talent at the Tastemakers
    A Delicious Celebration
    Austinites toast, taste, and crown top culinary talent at Tastemakers
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Katey Psencik Outka: Founder of boozy Austin brand weds local singer in destination event
    Ranch Rider
    Founder of boozy Austin brand weds local singer in destination event
    By Katey Psencik Outka
    Katey Psencik Outka: Local music legend's niece ties the knot in romantic Austin ceremony
    Real Wedding
    Local music legend's niece ties the knot in romantic Austin ceremony
    By Katey Psencik Outka

    SPONSORED BY

  • City Guide

    THE LATEST

    : Spiderhouse Ballroom
    Entertainment
    Spiderhouse Ballroom
    : Vic Mathias Shores
    Entertainment
    Vic Mathias Shores
    : Scottish Rite Theater
    Entertainment
    Scottish Rite Theater

    SPONSORED BY

  • Events

    THE LATEST

    : The Driskill Hotel Finley’s Pop-Up Barber Shop
    5.26.22 | 9:00 am
    The Driskill Hotel Finley’s Pop-Up Barber Shop
    : Blanton Museum of Art presents Cosmic Dialogues with Ventana Ballet
    5.25.22 | 12:00 pm
    Blanton Museum of Art presents Cosmic Dialogues with Ventana Ballet
    : Savory Farmers Market at Goodnight Ranch
    6.22.22 | 3:00 pm
    Savory Farmers Market at Goodnight Ranch

    SPONSORED BY

  • Subscribe
  • City Life

    THE LATEST

    Teresa Gubbins: Austin rides to top of new list of most bike-friendly cities in the U.S.
    Bicycling News
    Austin rides to the top of new list of most bike-friendly cities
    By Teresa Gubbins
    : Austin hospitals score top Texas rankings in new report
    good heatlh
    Austin hospitals score top Texas rankings in new report
    By John Egan, InnovationMap
    Hannah J. Phillips: Global fitness brand Barry’s brings the heat with first Austin location
    Barry good news
    Global fitness brand Barry’s brings the heat with first Austin studio
    By Hannah J. Phillips

    SPONSORED BY

  • Fashion + Beauty

    THE LATEST

    Hannah J. Phillips: Austin jewelry star Kendra Scott shines with dazzling engagement ring collection
    Great Scott
    Austin jewelry star Kendra Scott debuts dazzling new engagement rings
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Kristen O'Brien: Iconic French fashion house Hermès unwraps elegant Austin store
    Hermès Home
    Iconic French fashion house Hermès unwraps elegant Austin store
    By Kristen O'Brien
    Steven Devadanam: Texas superstar Simone Biles unveils new clothing line full of girl power
    GOAT GEAR
    Texas superstar Simone Biles unveils clothing line full of girl power
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Real Estate

    THE LATEST

    John Egan: Austin booms among top real estate markets for new homes, report says
    Building boom
    Austin booms among top real estate markets for new homes, report says
    By John Egan
    Arden Ward: City of Austin home price soars to record-breaking $640,000
    Housing Report
    City of Austin home price soars to record-breaking $640,000
    By Arden Ward
    John Egan: Heavenly South Austin condo goes on the market for $1.4 million
    Church-to-condo conversion
    Heavenly South Austin condo goes on the market for $1.4 million
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Home + Design

    THE LATEST

    Holly Beretto: Step back in time inside 9 grand and historic Galveston homes on popular tour
    living history
    Step back in time inside 9 grand and historic homes on Galveston tour
    By Holly Beretto
    David Phillips: Sustainable outdoor furniture brand selects Austin for first Texas showroom
    Become a Yardbird
    Sustainable outdoor furniture brand selects Austin for Texas debut
    By David Phillips
    Katey Psencik Outka: Tie the knot in style with these unique Austin wedding rental houses
    Setting the scene for the perfect day
    Tie the knot in style with these unique Austin wedding rental houses
    By Katey Psencik Outka

    SPONSORED BY

  • Innovation

    THE LATEST

    : University of Texas researchers make game-changing discovery for plastic recycling
    Breaking it down
    UT researchers make game-changing discovery for plastic recycling
    By Bryce Newberry, KVUE
    John Egan: UT Austin seeks to hook status as ‘most impactful’ public research university
    Long(horn)-range plan
    UT seeks to hook status as ‘most impactful’ public research university
    By John Egan
    : First look at designs for Austin light rail from Lady Bird Lake into downtown
    Light Speed
    Designs revealed for Austin light rail from Lady Bird Lake to downtown
    By Drew Knight, Bryce Newberry, KVUE

    SPONSORED BY

  • Travel

    THE LATEST

    John Egan: This Hill Country hot spot cashes in with $40 million in Airbnb income
    Robust rentals
    This Hill Country hot spot cashes in with $40 million in Airbnb income
    By John Egan
    Teresa Gubbins: Texas-based Southwest Airlines unrolls big suite of service upgrades
    Airplane News
    Texas-based Southwest Airlines unrolls big suite of service upgrades
    By Teresa Gubbins
    John Egan: Austin airport expansion set to take off with new gates in 2024
    Broadening the horizon
    Austin airport expansion set to take off with new gates in 2024
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Charity Guide
  • Tastemaker Awards
Promoted articles are produced by CultureMap sponsors and not by the editorial staff.
Home » Entertainment
Movie Review
Together Together explores surrogacy in unique and funny manner
THAT’S THE TICKET
Tickets now available as Formula 1 races back into Austin’s COTA
LATEST NEWS
Austin's internationally acclaimed burlesque troupe returns to stage
A Must Listen

New true crime podcast with CultureMap ties dives deep into baffling case

New true crime podcast with CultureMap ties dives into baffling case

By CultureMap Create
Apr 30, 2021, 12:00 pm
Enlarge
Slideshow
Claire St. Amant
Original CultureMap Dallas managing editor Claire St. Amant. Courtesy photo
Final Days on Earth podcast
The podcast airs weekly through July 6. Courtesy photo
Dammion Heard
Dammion Heard Photo by Claire St. Amant
Claire St. Amant
Final Days on Earth podcast
Dammion Heard

If you've got a true crime addiction (and don't we all?), here's another podcast to add to your list. Final Days on Earth comes from investigative journalist Claire St. Amant, a development producer for CBS News who just happens to be a former CultureMap Dallas editor.

St. Amant has produced over 20 episodes of the true-crime television show 48 Hours since she joined CBS News in 2014, along with a handful of stories for 60 Minutes. But she began researching her latest subject while at CultureMap, where Texas-based murders and mysteries were often part of her beat.

Final Days on Earth premiered on April 20 and focuses on Dammion Heard, a college wrestler who vanished after a party in 2014 in Gunnison, Colorado. After a six-month investigation, Gunnison Police ruled Heard's death a suicide, but his friends and family have always wondered if foul play was involved.

The 12-part podcast from Cold Case Productions and PodcastOne covers his baffling disappearance through police interviews with witnesses from the party and Dammion's friends in 2014, as well as original interviews conducted in real time as the podcast is being produced. It debuted at No. 30 on the true crime podcast charts, and is sure to keep climbing.

We chatted with St. Amant about her foray into podcasting, why this case has stuck with her all these years, and why she's hopeful that new witnesses will come forward to shed light on Heard's death.

CultureMap: How did you first become interested in the Dammion Heard case?

CSA: I was actually the managing editor of CultureMap Dallas when Dammion's story first came across my desk in April 2014. It was a compelling story to me because of how suddenly Dammion's life was turned upside down. One day, he's a rising star on the wrestling team, with tons of friends and close relationships with his family, and then he just disappears out of thin air.

The college freshman walked into a party and had no idea it would be the last night of his life. It's just such a tragic turn of events on a seemingly normal night that I had to know more about who Dammion was and what events led up to his disappearance and death.

I never imagined my reporting journey would last this long — seven years and counting — but believe I'm closer than ever to getting the answers that Dammion's family has been looking for ever since his death.

CM: How did the podcast come about?

CSA: I was contacted by a recruiter in 2018 about hosting a true crime podcast and she pitched me on a bunch of different cases, but none of them felt like the right fit for me. I already focus on true crime cases for CBS News, so I have a pretty high threshold of what kinds of cases that I find interesting.

There was a local newspaper poll that came out after Gunnison Police ruled Dammion's case as a suicide, and 85 percent of respondents said they did not believe that police were justified in closing the investigation. I realized it wasn't only Dammion's family who had questions about the suicide ruling, and I wanted to see if I could help find some answers.

Dammion's story had so much material — the Gunnison Police Department conducted 47 recorded interviews with witnesses in the case — and it had never been heard by the public. When I got ahold of that raw audio, it was a jaw dropping moment. I realized it was a podcast waiting to happen, and I wanted to be the one to put it together.

CM: What extra reporting have you done for the podcast?

CSA: I've conducted over 35 interviews of my own for the podcast, and in June 2020, I roadtripped to Gunnison and spent a week reporting on location. The cornerstone of my reporting was putting together a timeline of Dammion's final days on earth and the ones following his disappearance, before police found his body.

The police file on Dammion's case was 187 pages long, but it was just a listing of individual reports from three different investigators. No one had ever taken the time to go through everything and put all the events in order.

Using eyewitness statements, bank records, cellphone data, and information from Western Colorado University about Dammion's ID card usage, I constructed a timeline that paints a much clearer picture than anyone has ever seen in this case.

CM: What was the experience of putting it together like?

CSA: It was a lot harder and took a lot longer than I ever could have imagined when I started the process back in 2018. But I've learned so much about every aspect of podcast production. In the beginning, it took me a week to put together one episode, and it was so stressful handling all the technical aspects of audio editing. But around the third episode, I really hit my stride and got into a rhythm.

CM: Did you discover anything new while making it?

CSA: Absolutely. You'll have to listen to the full season to get all the details, but suffice it to say I've found new witnesses and consulted experts from all over the world, as close as McKinney and as far away as Germany, to get insight and answers that no one else has about Dammion's case.

CM: Do you think this case could benefit from increased exposure and renewed interest from the public?

CSA: Definitely. There are key witnesses in Dammion's case who have never been identified, even though there are vehicle descriptions and other pieces of identifying information available. We need the public's help to get these descriptions out there and hopefully compel someone to come forward and share what they know about Dammion's case.

CM: What are some of your favorite podcasts?

CSA: Oh man, so many! The classics for me will always be season one of Serial and season one of Up and Vanished. More recently, my favorite podcasts of 2020-2021 were season two of American Nightmare; Murder in a Safe Place with Paul Wagner; and Tom Brown's Body, the first podcast from Skip Hollandsworth at Texas Monthly.

---

New episodes of Final Days on Earth with Claire St. Amant are released every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other podcast listening platforms. The 12-episode series runs through July 6.

Read These Next
Regina Ting Chen
University of Texas alum shines in new season of Stranger Things
Barrel racing rodeo
Saddle up for a summer of rodeo fun in Bandera, the Cowboy Capital
ATX_401 Black Wolf Run
Contemporary Lakeway home sports a dream kitchen and backyard oasis
Regina Ting Chen
University of Texas alum shines in new season of Stranger Things
Barrel racing rodeo
Saddle up for a summer of rodeo fun in Bandera, the Cowboy Capital
ATX_401 Black Wolf Run
Contemporary Lakeway home sports a dream kitchen and backyard oasis
  • Latest News
  • Most Popular
  • University of Texas alum shines in new season of Stranger Things
  • Saddle up for a summer of rodeo fun in Bandera, the Cowboy Capital
    - promoted -
  • In his role as investor, Matthew McConaughey backs Austin startup
  • 'Floating' Texas waterfront home drifts onto market for $3.75 million
  • Austin declared the No. 1 city for grads to land entry-level jobs
See All Latest News >
  • Art of Banksy comes to Austin in immersive event with big secrecy
  • Austin rides to the top of new list of most bike-friendly cities
  • In his role as investor, Matthew McConaughey backs Austin startup
  • UT researchers make game-changing discovery for plastic recycling
  • Beloved East Austin bar Nickel City pours out Houston expansion
Vote Now
Austin Tastemaker Awards 2022
5/2
Austinites toast, taste, and crown top culinary talent at Tastemakers
4/28
Austin's best restaurant and chef revealed at 2022 Tastemaker Awards
4/25
8 top Austin chefs cooking with passion and feeding the city's soul
Austin First-time Homebuyers Guide 2022
5/20
Austin booms among top real estate markets for new homes, report says
5/18
City of Austin home price soars to record-breaking $640,000
4/29
Austin sees biggest spike in mortgage payments in U.S., says Zillow
Where to Eat Austin
3/11
Where to eat in Austin: 12 hot spots to feed your face during SXSW
10/1
Where to eat in Austin right now: 10 spots near ACL Fest to feast on
8/13
Where to eat in Austin right now: 10 best restaurants for summer bites
Home | About Us | News Tips & Suggestions | Submit An Event | Submit A Charity | Advertise | Media Sponsorship | Jobs | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
© 2022 CultureMap LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Be A CultureMap Insider
Get Our Emails
Sign Up

We will not share or sell your email address

Newsletters for exploring your city

Thank you for signing up Please verify your e-mail by following the link we just sent you.
Look for an e-mail from CultureMap <info@culturemap.com>