The Body in the Basement: The Murder of James Carroll
UPDATE: HBO's documentary "Murder in Glitterball City" about this case premieres February 19, 2026. We covered this story in December 2025 — listen to our full investigation before you watch!
A House of Horrors in Old Louisville
In the historic neighborhood of Old Louisville, Kentucky, known for its stunning Victorian architecture, a 911 call about a domestic dispute led police to the home of Jeffrey Mundt and his partner, Joseph Banis. What began as a routine check quickly escalated when officers discovered a scene of unimaginable horror. In the basement, buried beneath the floor, was a sealed, airtight container. Inside, they found the body of 46-year-old James "Jamie" Carroll, a man who had been missing for weeks. He had been brutally stabbed and shot.
The investigation immediately focused on the two men who lived in the house. Jeffrey Mundt, a former nurse with a history of drug use, and Joseph Banis, his younger lover, were taken into custody. As they were interrogated, two conflicting stories emerged, each man painting the other as the monster responsible for Jamie's death. The case that unfolded was a dark and twisted tale of a love triangle gone horribly wrong, entangled with meth addiction, counterfeit money, and deep-seated jealousy.
A Tangled Web of Lies and Betrayal
James Carroll had been a friend of the couple, and the three were involved in a complex and volatile relationship. According to prosecutors, the motive for the murder was a mix of greed and passion. Jeffrey and Joseph had allegedly planned to rob Jamie of his drugs and money. When the plan went awry, a violent confrontation erupted. Joseph claimed that Jeffrey was the aggressor, stabbing and shooting Jamie in a fit of rage. Jeffrey, however, insisted that Joseph was the killer, and that he had only helped cover up the crime out of fear.
The trial became a he-said, he-said battle, forcing the jury to decide which of the two men was telling the truth—or if both were lying. With no other witnesses, the case hinged on their contradictory testimonies and the chilling physical evidence found in the basement. The story of James Carroll’s murder serves as a grim reminder that sometimes the most terrifying monsters are the people we invite into our homes.
READ THE FULL STORY
Want a written guide to the case? Check out our complete blog post: "The James Carroll Murder: The True Story Behind HBO's 'Murder in Glitterball City'" [Link to your blog post]
