The Unsolved Murder of Elizabeth Mackintosh | A Review of the “True Believer” Podcast

Note to Readers: While this review does not contain descriptions of violence, the podcast it reviews contains this content in certain episodes. These episodes clearly note when this content will be present. Please listen with care. 

In December 2023, producers TJ Ingrassia and Ruth Serven Smith published episode 1 of the podcast “True Believer”, which dives into the unsolved murder of Elizabeth Mackintosh, a student at Covenant Theological Seminary. As I listened to over 15 episodes of well-researched content, I was struck by the story of Elizabeth’s unsolved murder, as well as the institutional failure demonstrated by Covenant Seminary, particularly their dishonesty with students and lack of honor of Elizabeth’s memory. 

In order to not spoil much of the content of the podcast (it’s worth your time listening!), I’ll stick to broader themes I observed while listening to “True Believer”.

Unsolved Murder

Covenant Theological Seminary is the denominational seminary of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). On March 26, 1990, 50-year-old student Elizabeth Mackintosh, was brutally murdered in the basement of the Seminary’s Rayburn Chapel. Since then, Elizabeth’s killer has not been found, although there is a primary suspect (Elizabeth’s work supervisor in the facilities department), who has never been formally charged or convicted. The podcast chronicles, to the best of its ability, the day of Elizabeth’s murder, the individuals suspected of her murder, the police and seminary’s investigation, and other details the producers felt necessary to include, based on their research. In addition, the podcast features interviews with former Covenant Seminary professor Jerram Barrs, as well as lawyers, law enforcement officials, and others who knew and loved Elizabeth.

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Throughout the podcast, the questions remain the same: Who killed Elizabeth? Why is her memory not being preserved at Covenant Seminary? Is it possible to pursue justice for her so many years after her death?

Institutional Failure

In addition to speaking of Elizabeth’s unsolved murder, this podcast addresses multiple levels of institutional failure at play in Elizabeth’s story, particularly within Covenant Seminary. Producers TJ Ingrassia and Ruth Serven Smith mention in many episodes that they had contacted Covenant Seminary administrators–including former President Paul Kooistra–to request their appearance on the podcast, which they declined. Around the time of the podcast’s publication in December 2023, Covenant Seminary released a statement regarding the podcast and Elizabeth’s murder, to which they have not added.

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 I struggled to understand Covenant Seminary’s lack of participation in the podcast. On the one hand, I understand the burden of confidentiality as a leader. On the other hand, I don’t understand why nobody said anything. It almost looks more suspicious that none of these former Seminary leaders have said anything. Could a statement with more information have been released, or at least emailed to TJ and Ruth to read on the podcast? In this situation, silence is only making Covenant’s institutional failure more notable.

As I listened, I couldn’t help but think about how Elizabeth’s little-known story mirrors the stories of many victims–both past and present–whose spiritual, sexual, physical, and emotional abuse has gone uninvestigated, and their abusers go free. Institutions, organizations, and systems should exist for the victim’s protection. Even as “True Believer” explores an unsolved murder, it speaks volumes to institutional failure to hold perpetrators accountable and support victims of abuse and violence.

Dishonored Memory

Many current and former Covenant Seminary students have stated that, in their time at the Seminary, they were never informed of Elizabeth’s murder. As a student, I cannot imagine attending a school, only to later find out that someone had been brutally murdered there, and her murder had gone unsolved. Many current and former students have expressed deep concern and grief over Covenant’s seeming lack of transparency regarding Elizabeth’s murder.

Similarly, there are no plaques, scholarships, or other memorials established in Elizabeth’s name. Since the podcast has helped bring Elizabeth’s story to a greater public awareness, Covenant Seminary students and others have diligently suggested ways of honoring her memory. At the time of this article’s writing, none of these suggested memorials have been implemented by Covenant Seminary.

As of May 2024, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America–the annual meeting of denominational leaders–was asked to consider adopting an overture (a statement) on Elizabeth’s murder, which included resolutions (requests) to be made of Covenant Seminary, the local police department, and others involved in the murder investigation. You can read the overture at the bottom of this post.

Over 15 episodes and almost a year later of tireless work by TJ and Ruth, Elizabeth’s murder has still not yet been solved. Maybe it never will be. However, this podcast has clearly brought Elizabeth’s murder–and the injustices surrounding it–to public consciousness, encouraging Covenant Seminary, local police, and other responsible individuals to reopen their investigation and pursue justice for Elizabeth, as much as possible. As a listener, this podcast broke my heart for the dishonor to Elizabeth’s memory, as well as the failure of Covenant Seminary and the local police in Creve Coeur, Missouri, to solve her murder and hold others (and be held) accountable.  

To listen to “True Believer”, visit the podcast website, or find it on Spotify and other streaming platforms. Tears of Eden’s founder, Katherine Spearing, appears on Episode 7 of True Believer. Katherine also interviewed Karl Saint Lucy, son of the primary murder suspect, on Season 4 of the Uncertain Podcast. The show ‘Cold Justice’ also did an episode about Elizabeth’s murder, which you can learn more about online. Additional content is occasionally released, so stay tuned for more episodes of “True Believer” as TJ and Ruth publish them.