He was just walking home. Then came the taunts, the chase—and the river.

A summer night turned deadly, and a community’s silence became part of the crime.

In 1984, Charlie Howard was a young gay man living openly in Bangor, Maine—a bold act of visibility in a time and place that offered little safety. When he was brutally attacked by a group of local teenagers, the town was left shaken. But what followed raised even deeper questions: How do you confront hate when it hides behind youth? And what happens when justice feels more like a lesson plan than accountability?

This episode explores a pivotal gay murder case that continues to echo through queer history, shedding light on the dangers of visibility, the failures of the system, and the power of remembrance.

For fans of LGBTQ+ true crime podcast stories, this case blends queer history, emotional reckoning, and true crime with a queer perspective—bringing to life an unsolved LGBTQ+ mystery that demands to be heard.

Hosted by Jordi and Brad, Beers With Queers brings chilling crimes, queer stories, and twisted justice to light—all with a cold one in hand.

Press play, grab a drink, and join us as we uncover the darkest corners of LGBTQ+ history.