558 - Eat the Wrapper
Episode of My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark · November 12, 2026 · 1 h 3 min
Georgia Hardstark recounts the unresolved 1987 murder of Sherri Orofino, and Karen Kilgariff tells the story of C.C. Pyle's 1928 Route 66 Bunion Derby.
Summary
Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark opened with banter about makeup and Halloween costumes, before Kilgariff described seeing The Chicks perform at the Dolby Theatre, where the band revisited the backlash over Natalie Maines's 2003 criticism of the president. Hardstark recommended season five of the podcast Cold, about Nancy Perry Baird, and noted news that Ted Bundy's DNA had been matched to the 1974 murder of Melissa Ann Smith. The hosts also promoted Exactly Right network projects, merchandise and Signal Award wins.
Hardstark then told the story of Sherri Orofino, a 24-year-old woman who disappeared in February 1987 while driving from Queens to her home in Millbrook, New York. Her locked car was found off the Taconic State Parkway, witnesses reported seeing a blonde woman pulled over by a police officer, and her skeletal remains were found months later near the Croton Reservoir. Investigators focused on Briarcliff police officer Ronald Langer, who had no jurisdiction on the parkway but was accused by multiple women, including Jennifer Hummel, of stopping and sexually harassing them. Langer was convicted of federal civil rights violations but never charged in Orofino's death, which remains open. Both hosts argued that people seeking power to abuse it are often protected by institutions.
Kilgariff marked the centennial of U.S. Route 66 with the story of the 1928 Trans-American Footrace, or Bunion Derby, organized by sports promoter C.C. Pyle. She described the 1920s craze for endurance contests, Pyle's traveling circus and luxury camper, and the hardships faced by 199 runners, including injuries, car strikes, poor food and shifting routes as Pyle cut costs and fled creditors. Fifty-five men finished at a sparsely attended Madison Square Garden; Oklahoma Cherokee runner Andy Payne won and became a national figure, while Pyle later went bankrupt after a second race.
Chapters
- 1:51
Opening banter
The hosts discuss Hardstark's sparkly eyeshadow, brown lipstick and costumes based on childhood crushes.
- 4:55
The Chicks concert
Kilgariff describes a Chicks concert that revisited the band's post-9/11 backlash, and both hosts reflect on its unfairness.
- 7:22
Cold podcast and Bundy DNA news
Hardstark recommends Cold season five and notes a new DNA link between Ted Bundy and a 1974 Utah murder.
- 8:22
Network highlights
The hosts promote Netflix episodes, the podcast Heart, new merchandise and Signal Award wins.
- 12:12
The disappearance of Sherri Orofino
Hardstark describes Orofino's background and her 1987 disappearance on the drive home to Millbrook, New York.
- 19:44
Body found and the police suspect
Orofino's remains are found near the Croton Reservoir, and investigators focus on officer Ronald Langer after accounts from women he stopped.
- 26:54
Langer's conviction and the open case
Langer is convicted of civil rights violations but never charged with murder, and the hosts discuss abuse of power.
- 32:18
Route 66 centennial
Kilgariff introduces the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and the setup for the Bunion Derby.
- 34:56
Endurance fads and C.C. Pyle
Kilgariff outlines 1920s endurance contests and the career of promoter C.C. Pyle, who announced a transcontinental foot race.
- 43:00
The race begins
199 runners set off from Los Angeles accompanied by a traveling circus and Pyle's luxury camper.
- 48:39
Cost-cutting and hardship
Pyle cuts food and prizes while runners suffer injuries, car strikes, dehydration and harassment.
- 55:47
Debts and the Madison Square Garden finish
Pyle flees creditors as 55 runners finish before a small crowd at Madison Square Garden.
- 1:00:41
Aftermath and legacy
Andy Payne becomes a national star, Pyle goes bankrupt again and later dies, and the hosts wrap up.
Key points
What was said, by whom, with the exact words. Timestamps jump to the moment.
- Georgia Hardstark
Hardstark argued that being unable to criticize one's government when it does abhorrent things amounts to fascism and dictatorship.
“Not being able to criticize your country and your government when they're doing like abhorrent things is called fascism and dictatorship”
- Karen Kilgariff
Kilgariff lamented that The Chicks' career was cut short by the backlash, saying the public missed years of their music.
“it's too bad that we didn't just get to have them all of these years”
- Georgia Hardstark
Hardstark recommended season five of the podcast Cold and noted Ted Bundy remains newsworthy due to a new DNA match.
“So it was a crazy good podcast, Cold Season 5. And just like that Ted Bundy's still on our fucking radar to this day”
- Karen Kilgariff
Kilgariff argued that laws requiring jurisdictions to share information are needed because territorialism repeatedly hampers investigations.
“that idea of like actually passing laws about how jurisdictions have to share information”
- Georgia Hardstark
Hardstark reported that witnesses at roadblocks described a blonde woman being pulled over by a police officer where Orofino's car was found.
“several witnesses report seeing a blonde woman being pulled over by a police officer right in that area that night”
- Georgia Hardstark
Hardstark noted that small-town police along the Taconic had no authority on the parkway, which was patrolled exclusively by state police.
“none of the cops from these small towns along the Taconic have any jurisdiction on the roadway”
- Georgia Hardstark
Hardstark advised women driving alone not to pull over for police but to drive to a police station instead.
“And like nowadays, we know, never pull over when you're alone”
- Karen Kilgariff
Kilgariff argued that dismissing such encounters ignores that the victim is trapped by an armed authority figure.
“you're absolutely trapped by an authority figure with a gun who can put you in jail or worse”
- Georgia Hardstark
Hardstark expressed frustration that murder charges were never brought against Ronald Langer despite the family's push for a grand jury.
“But for some fucking reason, these charges are never brought”
- Georgia Hardstark
Hardstark concluded that despite sparse information, the case has a clear suspect.
“Such a small amount of information, but such a clear suspect”
- Karen Kilgariff
Kilgariff argued that people inclined to harass or assault women seek positions of power so they can do so and be defended.
“that's why they get into positions of power, so that they can do that and that they get defended in doing it”
- Georgia Hardstark
Hardstark suggested Langer's colleagues likely knew about his behavior.
“I mean, it had to be an open secret that he did that”
- Karen Kilgariff
Kilgariff described C.C. Pyle as reputedly America's first sports agent.
“Actually, he's said to be America's first sports agent, representing A-list athletes at the time”
- Karen Kilgariff
Kilgariff recounted that Pyle began cutting costs within days of the start, mainly at the runners' expense.
“within days of the race beginning, CeCe Pyle is already making spending cuts, mostly, of course, at the expense of the bunioneers”
Linked moment · 1:00:41Skip to 1:00:41 using a listen link in the info box.
Karen KilgariffKilgariff said winning the race transformed Andy Payne's life, making him a national star honored by Congress.
“So winning this race actually really does change Andy Payne's life. He becomes a national star. He's honored by Congress”
- Karen Kilgariff
Kilgariff characterized the 1920s endurance fads as a way for people to make money, likening them to modern reality television.
“And I think it was also just like a way for people to make money”
People
In the conversation
- Georgia HardstarkAmerican writer, TV host, and co-host of My Favorite Murder
- Karen KilgariffAmerican comedian, writer, and co-host of My Favorite Murder
Discussed
- Ronald LangerFormer Briarcliff, New York police officer and suspect in Sherri Orofino's murder, convicted of civil rights violations
- Jennifer HummelWoman who reported being detained and harassed by Ronald Langer the day before Orofino vanished
- C.C. PyleAmerican sports promoter who organized the 1928 Bunion Derby
- Andy PayneCherokee runner from Oklahoma who won the 1928 Trans-American Footrace
- Red GrangeAmerican football star managed by C.C. Pyle
- Tex RickardPromoter who built the third Madison Square Garden
- Ted BundyAmerican serial killer newly linked by DNA to a 1974 Utah victim
- Natalie MainesLead singer of The Chicks
- William Wrigley Jr.Chewing gum magnate who sponsored the 1927 Wrigley Ocean Marathon
- Elmer McCurdyOutlaw whose corpse was exhibited with Pyle's traveling circus
- Jeff WilliamsAuthor of C.C. Pyle's Amazing Foot Race
- Jonathan BandlerJournal News reporter whose coverage was the main source on the Orofino case
Topics
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Jul 2, 2026 · 1 h 4 min
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From the publisher
This week, Georgia covers the unresolved murder of Sherri Orofino and Karen tells the story of the Route 66 Bunion Derby. For our sources, please visit https://www.myfavoritemurder.com/episodes . Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link: https://bit.ly/3UFCn1g . Head to social media to share your favorite moments from this episode. Instagram: instagram.com/myfavoritemurder Facebook: facebook.com/myfavoritemurder TikTok: tiktok.com/@my_favorite_murder Send your hometown stories to myfavoritemurder@gmail.com. Join the Fan Cult to access ad-free episodes of My Favorite Murder. Members also receive merch store discounts, exclusive audio and video content and more! Visit www.fancult.supercast.com to join. Shop for My Favorite Murder and other Exactly Right merchandise here: www.exactlyrightstore.com . Rate, review and follow My Favorite Murder on the iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you like to listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Summary, chapters and key points were generated from the episode transcript on November 13, 2026. Quotes are checked word for word against the transcript.