The Murder of Amanda Riley | Ohio County, Kentucky

In this episode of Buried in the Bluegrass, we travel to Ohio County to examine the 2016 murder of Amanda Riley.

What began as concern over a missing woman quickly escalated into a homicide investigation involving cellphone evidence, witness statements, forensic evidence, and years of courtroom battles.

Investigators eventually focused on Donald Lynch, who was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison. But even after conviction, the legal fight continued through appeals and post-conviction filings.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Ohio County and the Peabody Wildlife Management Area
• Amanda Riley’s background and community ties
• The timeline leading to the discovery of her body
• The investigation and evidence
• Trial testimony and prosecution arguments
• The conviction and sentencing
• Appeals and legal challenges
• The impact the case had on a rural Kentucky community

Listener Warning

This episode contains discussion of:

• homicide
• violence against women
• drug use
• sexual assault allegations and testimony
• graphic forensic details
• abuse of a corpse
• strong language

Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Sources

County & Background Information

• Ohio County Fiscal Court
• Ohio County, Kentucky historical and census data
• Peabody Wildlife Management Area information

Victim Information

• Amanda Riley obituary via Tucker Funeral Home
• Family statements and media interviews

News Coverage

• 14 News
• KFVS12
• TriStateHomepage

Court Records & Legal Documents

• Kentucky Supreme Court opinion
• Kentucky Court of Appeals opinion
• Federal court filings
• CaseMine legal summaries

About the Show

Buried in the Bluegrass is part of the OGM Podcast Network from Ole Gerg Media LLC.

The show explores murders, disappearances, corruption, and unresolved mysteries from across Kentucky — combining court records, public documents, local reporting, and community history to tell the stories buried beneath the surface of the Bluegrass State.

Cult of the Unknown Tongues — Episode Notes

Buried in the Bluegrass — Episode 7 An Ole Gerg Media / OGM Podcast Network Production

In this episode, Greg examines one of the strangest and most disturbing religious crime stories in Kentucky history — the 1933 “Cult of the Unknown Tongues” case from Tomahawk in Martin County, Kentucky.

What began as a Pentecostal-style religious revival reportedly spiraled into hysteria, fear, alleged demonic possession, and ultimately the death of 72-year-old Lucinda Mills. Newspapers across the country sensationalized the story as a “human sacrifice,” helping create one of the most infamous Appalachian cult legends ever reported.

This episode explores:

• The isolated religious culture of eastern Kentucky in the 1930s
• The week-long revival tied to the Mills family
• Reports of speaking in tongues and spiritual possession
• The death of Lucinda Mills
• Arrests and media coverage following the incident
• How Appalachian communities were often sensationalized by national media
• Themes of group hysteria, manipulation, and religious extremism
• Analysis connected to Tongues of Deception by Harry H. Reed

⚠️ Listener discretion advised: This episode contains discussion of violence, alleged abuse, coercive religious practices, and disturbing historical events.

Sources

• Tongues of Deception — Harry H. Reed
• Contemporary newspaper archives covering the 1933 Tomahawk, Kentucky case
• Historical reporting on the “Cult of the Unknown Tongues” / Mills Family case
• Martin County, Kentucky historical references and archived regional reporting
• Appalachian religious history resources regarding Pentecostal revival movements in the early 20th century

🎙️ Buried in the Bluegrass covers Kentucky true crime, corruption, folklore, mysteries, and the stories still haunting the Commonwealth.

#BuriedInTheBluegrass #TrueCrime #Kentucky #Cult #MartinCounty #Appalachia #OGMPodcastNetwork #Religion #SpeakingInTongues #KentuckyHistory

Calloway County: A Fire to Cover Murder

On November 17, 2015, what appeared to be a tragic house fire in rural Calloway County, Kentucky quickly turned into one of the most disturbing murder cases in western Kentucky history.

When firefighters responded to a burning home along KY-121 South near Murray, they discovered the bodies of a young family of four inside. But as investigators dug deeper, it became clear the fire wasn’t the cause of death—it was meant to hide it.

In this episode of Buried in the Bluegrass, we break down the brutal killings, the family connection behind the suspect, and how a calculated attempt to destroy evidence ultimately failed.

🧾 CASE DETAILS

Date: November 17, 2015 Location: KY-121 South, Calloway County, KY

Victims:

• Bulmaro Arellano, 29
• Marisol Hernandez, 24
• 5-year-old son
• 18-month-old daughter

Key Findings:

• Fire was intentionally set to conceal the crime
• Adult victims died from gunshot wounds
• Children died from smoke inhalation
• The 5-year-old also suffered a fatal throat wound

🚔 INVESTIGATION

Kentucky State Police quickly determined the fire was suspicious and began a homicide investigation.

Within days, attention turned to:

Pascasio Pacheco (aka Pacheco Arellano)

• Age 21 at the time
• From Mayfield, Kentucky
• Nephew of victim Bulmaro Arellano

Evidence included:

• Visible injuries consistent with a struggle
• Blood-stained clothing
• Physical evidence recovered from a vehicle

Pacheco was arrested on November 23, 2015.

⚖️ LEGAL OUTCOME

• Charged with:
  • 4 counts of murder
  • First-degree arson
  • First-degree burglary
  • Tampering with physical evidence
• December 2018: Entered guilty plea to avoid the death penalty
• February 2019: Sentenced to life in prison without parole

This case was notable as it was considered one of the first potential death penalty prosecutions in Calloway County in nearly 100 years.

🎧 IN THIS EPISODE

• The timeline of the fire and discovery
• How investigators determined it was staged
• The family connection that changed the case
• The disturbing details revealed during autopsy
• The suspect’s mindset and reported assumptions
• How the case was resolved in court

🔗 SOURCES

• WPSD Local 6 – Coverage of the fire and investigation
• WKMS – Reporting on suspect background and statements
• West Kentucky Star – Court proceedings and sentencing
• Kentucky State Police – Official investigation details

⚠️ CONTENT WARNING

This episode contains discussion of:

• Violent homicide
• Crimes involving children
• Graphic investigative details

Listener discretion is advised.

🎙️ ABOUT THE SHOW

Buried in the Bluegrass is part of Ole Gerg Media, covering real crimes, real cases, and real accountability across Kentucky.