In EP267, we examine the deeply unsettling case of Cary Stayner, the Yosemite Killer. On the surface, Cary seemed quiet–reserved, even overlooked. But behind that silence was a storm of inner torment, obsession, and darkness. What makes his story even more chilling is the irony: Cary Stayner, was the brother of Steven Stayner (who we discussed in EP266), a national hero who survived a childhood abduction. While the world watched one brother’s trauma unfold in the headlines, the other battled invisible demons–ones that would eventually erupt in brutal violence. This is not just the story of a killer- it’s the story of unresolved trauma, twisted fantasies, and the shadow legacy of a family marked by tragedy.

At just seven years old, Steven Stayner was kidnapped by a predator who would hold him captive for seven long years–years in which the world moved on, but Steven was forced to grow up in the shadows of a stolen identity. His eventual escape and heroic rescue of another young boy made national headlines and turned him into a symbol of courage. But what happens after the cameras fade? Behind the media attention was a young man who had to piece together a life that had been taken from him. His story is not just about survival–it’s about resilience, loss, and the quiet, ongoing struggle to reclaim a sense of self. Listen this week to Steven Stayner’s story–he was a survivor whose story is as inspiring as it is tragic. 

The manhunt was massive. The victims were piling up. And yet, for years, Andrei Chikatilo continued to slip through the cracks of the Soviet justice system. In Part 2, we follow the chilling escalation of The Red Ripper’s crimes—his increasingly brazen attacks, the wrongful arrests, and the sheer horror of a killer who seemed unstoppable.
But justice would eventually catch up. We dive into the groundbreaking forensic work, the psychological profile that finally cracked the case, and Chikatilo’s jaw-dropping confession that stunned the world.

He seemed a mild-mannered teacher, a family man… and he was one of the most prolific serial killers in history. Dubbed The Red Ripper, Andrei Chikatilo terrorized the Soviet Union for over a decade, preying on society’s most vulnerable while hiding in plain sight. In a system riddled with secrecy and denial, his crimes went unchecked—leaving a trail of horror that spanned over 50 victims. We explore Chikatilo’s disturbing early life, the political climate that allowed his crimes to flourish, and the beginnings of his monstrous killing spree.

In 1931, William and Julia Wallace had what seemed to be the perfect life. The couple had been married for over 16 years and resided in Liverpool. This perfect life, however, came to a screeching halt when Julia Wallace had her skull smashed in with a blunt object on the night of January 20, 1931, in the Wallace family home. This heinous crime led investigators in England on quite the journey, ending with the most usual suspect in these types of crime: the husband. But did William really kill his wife that night? Or is our killer more clever and sneaky than anticipated?

Grant Amato was drowning in a world of fantasy—obsessed with a Bulgarian cam girl and willing to do anything to keep the illusion alive. When his family tried to intervene, they had no idea the depths of his desperation. In January 2019, their once-loving son and brother repaid their concern with cold-blooded murder.

If you grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, the idea of supermodels strutting on the runway in sleek, sophisticated, and sometimes whimsical outfits is woven into the fabric of international culture. However, it wasn’t always that way. High-profile design icon Giovanni (Gianni) Versace gets much credit for that runway revolution. Sadly, his legacy and last moments are inextricably intertwined. However, Gianni Versace was not Andrew Cunanan’s only victim; he was his most famous one.

In 1997, Christina Marie Riggs, a single mother from Arkansas, made a decision that would shock the nation. Struggling with depression and financial hardship, she convinced herself that there was only one way out—for her and her children. What followed was an unspeakable tragedy that left her two innocent children dead and a community searching for answers.

Ricky “Coolie” Gray, his nephew, Ray “Lucky” Dandridge, and Ashley Baskerville (Ricky’s girlfriend) were cruising the streets of Richmond in Ricky’s van during the mid-morning of January 1, 2006 “looking for a house to rob” when they ended up in the middle-class neighborhood of Woodland Heights. By the time they were caught, 7 people were dead, and one was beaten so badly, he’d never use his right arm again.

A small Pennsylvania town was forever changed on Halloween night in 1992 when 11-year-old Shauna Howe vanished while walking home from a Girl Scout event. Days later, her body was found beneath a railroad bridge, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community of Oil City. The investigation spanned more than a decade, filled with dead ends, false leads, and unanswered questions—until the truth finally came to light.

On the morning of May 1, 1990, at around 10:10 PM, Pamela Smart was pulling onto her street to the condo she shared with her husband, Gregg. When she noticed the porch light wasn’t on, she sensed something was amiss. After parking her car in the garage, Pamela walked inside and turned on the foyer light. What she saw next shocked her to the core. She saw her twenty-four-year-old husband’s body, lying in a pool of his own blood.

Before he was unmasked as a serial killer, Todd Kohlhepp was a seemingly successful real estate agent with a terrifying secret. We dive into the chilling case of the South Carolina murderer who kept his victims hidden on a secluded property while living a double life in plain sight. From his disturbing past to the shocking moment of his capture, this episode uncovers the twisted mind of a killer who eluded justice for years. Join us as we break down the details, the psychology, and the eerie final confessions of Todd Kohlhepp. But be warned—this story is as unsettling as it gets.

Nubia Barahona was a ten-year-old little girl with blonde hair and hazel eyes who was brutally murdered before she reached her eleventh birthday. Her time on this planet was filled with horrors and abuse so terrible that many people could not even imagine it. Everyone that was put in place to help her ended up letting her down at every turn. Some people did the right thing, but it was just never enough.

On the morning of April 29, 1992, Sidney Reso did what he did almost every morning: he took the long drive down to the end of his driveway to pick up the daily newspaper. However, this morning was different: the husband and father of five never made it to work that morning. Sidney was shot in the arm, bound and gagged, and thrown into the back of a waiting van at his home in Morris Township, New Jersey. Sidney’s kidnappers quickly contacted not only Exxon but Sidney’s wife, Pat. They asked for a notorious amount of money in exchange for the safe return of Sidney: $18.5 million in $100 bills. With a series of complex ransom notes, detectives worked against the clock in an attempt to rescue Sidney.

Beneath the surface of a seemingly tight-knit friend group lurked jealousy, deception, and a chilling plot that ended in tragedy. In this episode, we unravel the haunting story of Rachel Burkheimer, a spirited young woman whose life was cut short by those she trusted most. From the petty grudges that festered into violence to the web of lies that unraveled under investigation, this case reveals how quickly friendship can turn deadly.

Join us as we dive into the events leading to Rachel’s murder, the twisted motivations behind it, and the aftermath that left a community in shock. Betrayal runs deep, and in this story, it’s fatal.

Listener discretion is advised.

On July 18, 2014, around 11 am, Dan Markel was driving home, after dropping his two children off at preschool, and visiting the gym for a morning workout. Dan, a law professor at Florida State University, was in the middle of a bitter divorce and custody battle with his wife, Wendy Adelson (who ALSO was a law professor at FSU). Distracted because he was on a phone call while driving home, Dan didn’t notice the silver-green Prius following him home. After pulling into his driveway, his neighbor heard a gunshot. Listen to this week’s episode to hear what happened to Dan Markel and who was behind it (and it may not be who you think!)

Step into the dark and tangled web of Betty Lou Beets, The Black Widow. In this exclusive Early Release episode, we unravel the chilling story of a woman whose life was marked by love, betrayal, and murder. With five husbands and two mysterious deaths, Betty Lou’s tale blurs the line between victim and villain. Was she a misunderstood woman fighting for survival—or a calculating predator with a deadly agenda? Join us as we uncover the shocking details, explore the motives, and question the legacy of this infamous femme fatale.

On Tuesday, June 18, 1985, Jerry Estes was woken by pounding on the door of his office. After a busy Monday, he’d stayed late socializing and drinking beer after hours with some employees and fallen asleep at the Sale Barn, his cattle auction house and café in Nixa, Missouri. He opened the office door half-dressed. His cook, Alice, was standing before him talking excitedly, followed close behind by a distraught server, Dayna. After Alice took a deep breath and slowed down, Jerry found out that Alice and Dayna had spotted a black Camaro with the license plate “JACKI-1” abandoned on the side of Highway 160 with the driver’s side door open. He knew whose car this had to be. One of his servers at the Sale Barn Café, Jackie Johns, had purchased her “dream car” last year. The black, hard top, Camaro with red leather interior was her private world. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more about what happened to Jackie Johns.

n this episode, we’re diving into the twisted and tragic story of Ezra McCandless, a young woman with a turbulent love life that led to a shocking and brutal crime. Ezra’s tale is one of passion, betrayal, and deadly obsession—capturing headlines and the public’s morbid curiosity.

We’ll dissect the events that led up to that fateful day, the complex relationships that fueled her actions, and the strange web of lies and manipulation uncovered in the courtroom. Was Ezra a master manipulator who took things too far, or was she another victim of a tragic love triangle?

Early access listeners, prepare to be pulled into the chilling story of “Killer Girlfriend” Ezra McCandless. This is one case you won’t want to miss.

On September 16, 2019, police officers responded to a car crash in the city of Hickox, Brantley County, Georgia. Michael Wayne Jones Jr.’s white Chrysler Pacifica minivan was the only car involved in the accident. When police responded to the crash, nobody was prepared for what Michael had to say about his wife, Casei Jones, and his children.

Marybeth Tinning is an American murderer and suspected serial killer who was convicted in New York of the murder of her ninth child, 4-month-old daughter Tami Lynne, on December 20, 1985. She is suspected to be similarly involved in the previous deaths of her eight children, all of which took place within the span of fourteen years. This is her sick story.

On the morning of March 12, 2011, Rachel Orteli, the manager of a Lululemon in the suburbs of Washington D.C., walked up to the storefront ready to start her day and get the store opened. As Rachel approached the front door, she noticed that the door was already unlocked. Once inside, Rachel found the store in disarray: clothes thrown about, mannequins knocked over, clothing racks tipped. Immediately concerned, Rachel ran out of the store and called 911. When police arrived and further entered the store, they discovered this was not just a robbery. They found 30-year-old Jayna Murray dead and facedown in a pool of blood in the back hall and 28-year-old Brittany Norwood in the bathroom bound at the wrists and ankles with zip ties. Listen to this week’s episode to hear what happened.

We are diving into the tumultuous and controversial life of Bonny Lee Bakely, a woman whose ambitions and manipulations put her at the center of a Hollywood tragedy. From her string of relationships with wealthy men to her final marriage to actor Robert Blake, Bakely’s life was one marked by scandal, deception, and obsession. But her story came to a shocking end in 2001, leaving behind a tangled web of suspects, secrets, and unanswered questions.

The Citizen Record reported on Thursday, June 7, 1934: “4 MEMBERS OF MURDER SYNDICATE WHO FINALLY KILLED ‘DURABLE’ MALLOY DIE IN CHAIR TONIGHT – At Sing Sing Prison tonight, in the little room with the horrible chair, the Bronx murder syndicate will sit down to death. One by one the undertaker Frank Pasqua, the speakeasy owner Anthony Marino, the bartender Joseph Murphy, and the fruit dealer Daniel Kriesberg they will die, and the state of New York will have avenged the strangest murder in history.” Listen to this week’s episode to hear the story of the man who seemed unkillable–Michael Malloy and members of “The Murder Trust” who wouldn’t stop until Michael was dead.

The Citizen Record reported on Thursday, June 7, 1934: “4 MEMBERS OF MURDER SYNDICATE WHO FINALLY KILLED ‘DURABLE’ MALLOY DIE IN CHAIR TONIGHT – At Sing Sing Prison tonight, in the little room with the horrible chair, the Bronx murder syndicate will sit down to death. One by one the undertaker Frank Pasqua, the speakeasy owner Anthony Marino, the bartender Joseph Murphy, and the fruit dealer Daniel Kriesberg they will die, and the state of New York will have avenged the strangest murder in history.” Listen to this week’s episode to hear the story of the man who seemed unkillable–Michael Malloy and members of “The Murder Trust” who wouldn’t stop until Michael was dead.

In October 1989, 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling and his brother, Trevor (age 10), and best friend, Aaron (age 11), convinced Jacob’s parents to allow them to ride their bikes to a local convenience store in St. Joseph, Minnesota. It got dark early in the evening in Minnesota in October, and the boys had to take flashlights and wear reflective vests before they could go. The boys made it to the convenience store, however, on their way home they were stopped by a man who abducted Jacob. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more about the decades-long story of what happened to Jacob Wetterling.

Complaints of a nasty smell led the landlord to check on the apartment of Darlene Hayes. He made a horrific discovery on the 27th of July in 2009.Inside a closet lay the severely beaten and decomposing body of 23-year-old Darlene Hayes. It was clear that Darlene had been dead in the hot July heat for several days. The most disturbing fact of the scene was that Darlene had been 8 months pregnant… and her unborn child was missing.

In December 2017, the tranquil affluence of Toronto’s North York neighborhood was shattered by a discovery that would captivate Canada and spark one of the nation’s most perplexing criminal investigations. Barry Sherman, the billionaire founder of generic drug giant Apotex, and his wife Honey were found dead in their mansion, their bodies positioned beside their indoor pool.

John and Nancy Newman lived in Anchorage, Alaska in March 1987. At that time, John, who was training to become a locksmith, was out-of-town completing his training. Nancy was left at home with their two daughters, 8-year-old Melissa and 3-year-old Angie. On the morning of March 15, 1987, after not arriving at her job the night before, the bodies of Nancy and her two daughters were found by her brother-in-law, when he accompanied Nancy’s sister to do a welfare check. Listen to this week’s episode to hear this gruesome story of the terrible and heart-wrenching demise of this young family.

Around 5:30 on Wednesday, December 6, 1989, the Café Campus at the Université de Montréal was busy as usual. It had been a favorite spot for students and because the temperatures were below zero that day, it was a warm place for students to gather. It was the end of the semester, and for some, it had been the last day of classes before the holiday break. Suddenly the normal buzz of the café was interrupted when customers in the Café saw a tidal wave of people in a panic running down the hill towards them. It was soon discovered that a gunman was on the loose on campus and the attack.

Beginning in 1983, the Chicago area was terrorized by a rapist and killer whose reign of terror didn’t end until he was apprehended in 1985. Brian Dugan, who is still incarcerated, was already in prison for killing a woman and a child, when he confessed to another murder. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more.

For nearly three and a half years in the mid-nineties, terror spread throughout London, England as a mysterious person, who called themselves Mardine Graham, built and randomly sent out over 30 packages containing homemade bombs. For years, this mystery person was able to evade police and continue following through with the many threats that they made. The search for this person resulted in one of the largest police hunts London had ever seen. Listen to this week’s episode to hear what happened and the motive behind the attacks.

Anna Bachmeier was nowhere to be found when her mom got home. Having gotten into a fight with her mother the night before, Anna decided to skip school. When her mother, Marianne came home that day she panicked when she couldn’t find Anna. After calling all her friends, Marianne decided to call the police. Only hours later, a woman walked into the police station with a chilling story: her fiance, Klaus Grabowski, a butcher and neighbor to Anna and Marianne had confessed to killing Anna and dumping her body in a cardboard box near a riverbed. 10 months later Klaus went to trial and took the stand to describe the events that led up to Anna’s murder. This was too much for Marianne to emotionally handle and she decided to take justice into her own hands during the court proceeding.

Ray and Faye Copeland were a couple trying to make ends meet in the 1980s. At this point in their lives, the couple were in the 70s and they were struggling. Ray, a career thief who made a living by stealing livestock and had been caught so many times, was banned from cattle livestock. Ray then decided to devise a much more devious plan to make money. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more about this deadly couple.

May 28, 2018, around 1:15 AM: Deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence in a condo in Thousand Oaks California. When they arrived they found 26-year-old Chad O’Melia dead and 27-year-old Bryn Spejcher suffering from “self-inflicted stab wounds. Did she commit murder while in a cannabis-induced psychosis? Listen to form your own opinion.

On July 16, 2011, 17-year-old Tyler Hadley was preparing to have a party at his parent’s house. He had been planning this event for a few weeks, but Tyler didn’t post on Facebook until that day. He told everyone that his parents were out of town and that it was time to party! That evening, around 60 teenagers would go to the Hadley household in Port St. Lucie, Florida, having no idea the horror that occurred just hours earlier.

Those in the workplace whether it be an office, department store, fast food, or corporation should never have to fear for their safety. From the time you clock in, to the time you clock out, there should be no worry about getting back to your homes and families unharmed. Unfortunately, those who worked at the Xerox Corporation of Honolulu, Hawaii in 1999, would never feel safe at work again after an employee walked into the building with a loaded semi-automatic weapon tucked under his shirt.

Alexis Murphy was only 17 when she disappeared after last being seen at a gas station on her way to a hair appointment. Randy Taylor was eventually convicted of her murder, the question is how many others did Randy kill?

On October 31, 1975, around 12:15 in the afternoon, Sheila McGuire, a teenager living in the exclusive Belle Haven community in Greenwich, Connecticut, was walking from her house to her friend Martha Moxley’s to invite her to go downtown that day. To get to her friend’s house, she cut through a wooded section of their backyard. She spotted underneath the low-hanging branches of a pine tree what looked like a sleeping bag lying on top of a foam mattress. As she continued to walk closer, she was able to see that it was the partially clothed body of her friend, Martha Moxley. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more.

Lisa Au was only 19 when her car was found abandoned on a highway during a storm in Hawaii. Strange clues emerged as the police examined her car. Then, 10 days later her naked, murdered body was found in a ravine. Who killed Lisa? Listen to this episode to make your own decision.

On March 20, 1995, Japan’s subway system was attacked by a cult using Serin gas to poison the passengers. The goal was to cause so much panic and damage and then blame the attack on the United States–in the hope the Japanese government would start a war. The cult’s leader, Shoko Asahara preached to his followers that the end times were near, and if a war was started, his prophecies would come true. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more about the Aum Shinrikyo cult, and the damage it caused to the people of Japan.

Bryan Patrick Miller was a local celebrity in Phoenix, Arizona, for decades. He worked for an Amazon Center and was raising his daughter, however, there was a dark side to him that took decades to be discovered.

In February of 2015, 16-year-old Becky Watts was starting a normal day. When Becky failed to show up to a lunch date planned with her boyfriend that afternoon and stopped responding to texts from family and friends, worry set in for Becky’s loved ones. Just over 24 hours later, her father and stepmother reported her missing and the search began.

Jeff Doucet opened a karate studio and was very attentive to his students, especially Jody Plauche. He gained the trust of the Plauche’s and the community, leaving no one to suspect he was a monster who preyed on children.

In the United States, the 4th of July holiday weekend is usually spent celebrating summer with friends and family, by BBQing and other outdoor activities. However, July 5, 1951 was not a celebration for Betty Jean Hansen and her family. On that day, the deadly obsession that Betty Jean’s stepfather, Frank Walter Kristy had with her ended. This is the story of that obsession and of Betty Jean’s demise.

In 2004, John Sharpe and his wife Anna Marie (Kemp) were the parents of a beautiful 20-month-old named Gracie.  They were also expecting their second child, a boy whom they were going to name Francis.  However, on March 23rd of that year, and unspeakable and gruesome tragedy occurred that would cost the lives of three of the Sharpe family members..

If you were a fan of “American Horror Story”, you may remember this character from America’s history–Madame LaLaurie. If you were not a fan of that television show, buckle up, because you’re in for a story about the worst of humanity. Madame Delphine LaLaurie was born into wealth and privilege in the late 1780’s to a family in New Orleans. She married and was widowed three times, the last husband being lost in a house fire where finally, the true depravity of what was going on inside of her mansion, with her slaves, was discovered.

Elizabeth (“Liz”) and Charles Sennett had a beautiful marriage and two amazing sons. Charles became a pastor at the age of 24 and Liz was a cherished member of their small community in Alabama. In March of 1988, Liz was brutally beaten, stabbed and eventually died. Within one week, Charles was also dead. What happened to the Sennett family and who would want to kill them? Listen to this episode to learn more about this tragic story.

John Alexander Lawson was born in 1976, and seemed to have a relatively normal upbringing in Clemmons, North Carolina…or at least there seemed to be nothing to indicate why John, at the age of 24 years old, seemed to radically change his personality and his name. He became Pazuzu Algarad. His name was inspired by “The Exorcist” and he claimed his mother was a Satanist (she wasn’t). He didn’t shower but once a year, and his house became a party house for many people but not for his victims–it was hell on Earth. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more.

On December 4th, 1998, in the small town of Gillette, Wyoming, the Trover family experienced a horror that would forever change their lives and leave one of them dead. Listen to this episode to learn about their story.

Natasha “Tasha” Waalen was a beautiful young woman who thought she met the man of her dreams when she met Ryan Boland. However, Ryan wasn’t Prince Charming, he allegedly abused Natasha–even after she gave birth to their daughter. In September 2008, a woman’s body was found wiped out next to her motorcycle on a highway in Minnesota, and soon it was discovered to be Tasha. But some things just didn’t add up…Listen to this week’s episode to hear more about what happened to Tasha Waalen.

Sheila and Clay Fletcher had one daughter, Lacey. When Lacey was a teen she was diagnosed with Autism and became homeschooled. No one saw Lacey for 18 years until her parents called 911.

Ruth Ellis was a beautiful platinum blonde who occasionally modeled in 1950s England. The mother of two children and divorced, Ruth met a man who would change the trajectory of her life forever–David Blakely. Ruth and David began a volatile love affair, one wrought with lies and bitter jealousy, that ended with one of them dead and one getting sent to the gallows. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more!!

In 1985, two best friends went to the rural Northern Michigan town of Mio to kick off their start of the deer hunting season; they never returned home. After 18 years a witness came forward to reveal the unspeakable fate of the hunters. At the time of their disappearance, the terrifying Duvall brothers lived near Mio. The brothers liked to drink, fight and tend to their pigs. And on the night the hunters died, they did all three.

Karl Denke was beloved around Münsterberg, Germany in the years between the great World Wars. Germany experienced a depression due to its loss during WWI, and Karl sold goods to his neighbors such as shoelaces, and soap but the big seller was his pickled pork. It flew off the shelves, so to speak. Until one day, a man named Vincens was found covered in blood running from Karl’s apartment and he told one unbelievable tale–Karl tried to kill him! No one wanted to believe it but as time went on, that was the least of the crimes the authorities would uncover.

July 9, 2014, started off as a beautiful summer day in suburban Houston, Texas. The Stay Family consisted of seven people—Katie and Stephen (mom and dad, 33 and 39 respectively), and their five children, 15-year-old Cassidy, 13-year-old Bryan, 9-year-old Emily, 7-year-old Rebecca, and the baby of the family, 4-year-old Zachary. On this particular Wednesday, Katie and Stephen were out running errands and had left the children at home with the eldest, Cassidy at the helm. Cassidy and her brothers and sisters were just hanging around the house in Spring, TX when the doorbell rang. Cassidy answered and with that, Cassidy’s life, as well as those of her family would change forever.

In the summer of 2011, the quiet town of Macon, Georgia, was shaken to its core by a horrifying and baffling crime.

Lauren Giddings was a 27-year-old law school graduate with a bright future ahead of her. Described as diligent, intelligent, and extremely kind-hearted, she was well-liked by her peers and had a promising legal career on the horizon. However, on June 29, 2011, she disappeared.  Here is her story.

In a small town in Utah at a very remote cabin, the Tiedes were preparing to celebrate Christmas at their vacation home when they were surprised by some unexpected guests. This story is filled with some shocking twists and a lot of tragedy. Here is their story.
Thank you so much for supporting us during this difficult personal time- we appreciate you all more than you know!

On March 10, 2016, a teenager named Stephen, went missing from his home. He seemingly vanished into thin air leaving no clues behind. His family and friends did everything they could to find him. Unfortunately, Stephen’s case grew cold. Then, 13 months after his disappearance, a woman named Evette revealed a secret. She described a chilling tale of murder and betrayal. Stephen was dead…and she knew exactly who did it.

On May 11, 1999, Gary McCullough went missing after realizing his wife Sandy was having an affair with another man (and Gary had been her lover during her prior marriage, to Gary’s brother, Albert). Sandy had six daughters who were fond of their stepfathers (the brothers McCullough) but one had a secret that she wouldn’t reveal for years regarding Gary’s disappearance. Then the daughter with the secret–Lena Chapin–disappeared too.

Lisa Harnum was a beautiful and adventurous young woman who loved everything about fashion, makeup, and hair. She was an aspiring model and hairdresser, who moved from her home in Toronto, Canada to Sydney, Australia. While in Sydney, Lisa met a man named Simon Gittany who became so controlling, that Lisa had to quit her hairdressing job and also stopped wearing makeup and fun clothing. Then things got worse.

Joseph (or as he liked to be called, “Joby”) Palczynski was a piece of work. He grew up in a relatively normal family, however, he someone turned out to be an abusive piece of crap to every girlfriend he ever had. He preyed on younger women, some barely legal, so he could manipulate them. Eventually, though, something triggered him and sent him on a murderous rampage.

Serial killer and gross child molester Joseph Edward Duncan may not be someone whose name rings a bell, but maybe the case that brought him to justice will. The Groene family were enjoying a night at home one evening in May 2005 when Joseph barged his way into their home and murdered members of the family and decided to kidnap the youngest children—9-year-old Shasta, and 8-year-old Dylan. Then he went on the run for several weeks with the siblings and tortured and abused them as he ran from the law.

Sally Anne Bowman was a beautiful 18-year-old hairdresser and aspiring model who was brutally murdered on September 25, 2005. The details of her murder will shock you, and make you realize you are never safe anywhere, not even in the front yard of your home.

On May 31, 1995, in Oslo, Norway, a woman registered as “Jennifer Fairgate” was checking into the Plaza Hotel. As she signed her registration card, no one noticed that she signed “Jennifer Fergate” and not “Fairgate”. It was a very busy evening at the hotel, and the front desk employees failed to not only notice the name discrepancy, but they also never got a credit card or identification from Jennifer. A few days later, Jennifer was supposed to check out. But when she failed to do so, and also ignored several messages sent to her room TV, security was called. Security made their way to her room and then a shot rang out. Listen to this week’s episode to hear about the mystery of Jennifer Fergate.

John George Haigh was a lazy bastard. Instead of finding gainful employment, he decided he was going to victimize wealthy people. He had gone to jail for stealing earlier in his life, and while he was in prison, he learned forgery which would help him impersonate his victims after he murdered them. He ended up killing six people before he was finally caught, and he disposed of his victims in a bath of acid, a-la “Breaking Bad” style. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more.

IT’S OUR 200TH EPISODE!!!! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! WE WOULDN’T BE HERE WITHOUT YOU!

THANK YOU TO OUR PATREON MEMBERS DAN D. AND JP FOR SUGGESTING THIS CASE!

12-year-old Shanda Sharer had recently moved to Louisville, Kentucky and in her attempt to make new friends, she got to know Amanda Heavrin. Amanda had a jealous girlfriend–Melinda Loveless–who made it her mission to make Shanda’s life a living hell. By the time Melinda got her hands on Shanda, Shanda had moved to a new school and had started to end the friendship she had with Amanda. Melinda didn’t care though–all she cared about was ending Shanda’s life and she had three friends help her do it.

Arthur Shawcross lived a troubled life. His childhood was terrible, and by the time he was six, he was running away from home. He claimed his mother molested him, and that he had an incestuous relationship with his sister, Jeannie, that lasted for years. In 1969, he went to Vietnam and when he returned, he was a changed man. None of this explains why he killed 13 people, including two children–but the way his life went (if you want to believe what he says) you can’t be surprised he turned out to be a psychopath. Listen to this week’s episode to hear about serial killer, Arthur Shawcross and his horrendous crimes.

Colin Strickland and Kaitlin Armstrong were a young couple in love, enjoying a life they were building together in Austin, Texas. Colin and Kaitlyn were active in the cycling community and owned a home and business together. Things were going great until they weren’t, and because they owned a house together, Colin and Kaitlin decided to end their love affair and become roommates. Colin and Kaitlyn started dating other people and when Colin met a young woman named Moriah Wilson, Kaitlin was overcome by the green-eyed monster, Jealousy. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more.

TW: CHILD DEATH
January 29th 2009 was an exciting day for children in Australia–it was the first day back to school after the long holiday break and it also was 4-year-old Darcey Freeman’s very first day of school. Darcey’s father was driving her, along with her two brothers to school, when he seemed to have snapped. The day prior, Darcey’s parents’ long divorce and custody battle finally came to an end, and her father, Arthur Freeman, was awarded much less parenting time than he wanted. Arthur felt like the courts were against him and he seethed with anger at his ex-wife, Peta Barnes the entire drive to school. Sadly, Darcey never made it to school that day and died in the most unthinkable way.

In 1994, the movie “Heavenly Creatures” was released. It was based on the true story of Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme. Pauline and Juliet were teenage girls who seemed to be complete opposites to everyone else on the outside of their oddly close friendship and fantasy world, but to each other, they were soulmates. They were so close, that when they didn’t get what they wanted, they were driven to murder.

Chandler Halderson seemed to have a great life–even though he still lived at home with Mom and Dad (Bart and Krista), he still had a great job, was able to play video games all night, and had recently accepted a job with Elon Musk’s SpaceX program. However, as you all know, people who seem to have great lives usually don’t and Chandler is no exception. Listen to this week’s episode to hear why he’s phoney-baloney!

THANK YOU TO APPLE SUBSCRIBER CAITLAN P AND HER SISTER NIKITA FOR SUGGESTING THIS CASE!!

In June 1946, 17-year-old William Heirens was arrested for burglary. During his lengthy interrogation which lasted six days, he confessed to some unsolved murders in the Chicago area, including one of a six-year-old girl. William eventually was convicted and died in prison. Listen to this week’s story and decide for yourself If he was guilty of the crimes he was convicted of.

THANK YOU TO AIMEE D. FOR SUGGESTING THIS EPISODE!

On August 19, 1987, the little town of Hungerford, Berkshire, England lost its innocence. On that day, Michael Ryan reached his limit and decided to take the firearms he owned legally and go on a rampage. Over the course of six hours, Michael killed 16 people seemingly indiscriminately and wounded 15 others. This mass killing prompted the government in England to outlaw assault rifles.

Marlene Warren loved clowns. She loved them so much, she painted many pictures of clowns, and one of her paintings is our cover photo. Marlene enjoyed clowns so much, that it was an ironic tragedy when she was murdered by one. In 1990, Marlene answered the front door to her home where she was greeted by a clown with flowers and balloons for her. While Marlene admired the flowers as they were held by the clown, the clown then shot her point blank in the face. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more.

During the early 20th century in the United States, there were traveling carnivals that included sideshows that showcased people with genetic abnormalities. One family who traveled with the carnival, and did quite well financially, was the Stiles family. Their claim to fame was that many members of the family had the genetic condition called ectrodactyly–commonly known as Lobster Claw Syndrome. Grady Stiles, Jr. was one of the members of the family who was part of the carnival, and during his life, he married and had children. He also was a raging and violent alcoholic. You know this doesn’t end well, right?

If you lived under a rock in 2015, you probably missed HBO’s documentary, “The Jinx” which told the story of mysterious and bizarre deaths that occurred around multi-millionaire, Robert Durst. His first wife, Kathie, disappeared without a trace. Then his best friend, Susan, was murdered. And finally…a man named Morris Black — his dismembered body (minus his head, which was never found) was found floating in Galveston Bay, in Galveston, Texas. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more about these crimes and find out what (if any) consequences Robert faced.

John Sweeney seemed like a hard-working and decent man when he married his first wife, Anne in 1976. However, by the time his marriage to Anne ended, John had become a violent drug-abusing alcoholic who was a threat to women everywhere. By the time the law caught up with him, he had murdered at least two women and disposed of their bodies in a most horrific way.

Killer couples have always fascinated us. How do you get another human being to go along with heinous crimes such as rape and murder? You can decide about our story this week about Alvin and Judith Neelley. Was Judith groomed by Alvin, who was 12 years her senior? Was Judith the sick one? Regardless of the reason, these two are responsible for the deaths of two young women and the attempted murder of a man who was engaged to one of the women. At only 18 years old when she was convicted of her crimes, Judith became the youngest person on death row at the time of her sentencing. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more about this killer couple.

PART TWO: Serial Killer Christopher Wilder’s murder spree lasted only seven weeks in 1984, but those seven weeks might as well have been seven years for all that he did. Chris was a successful businessman, who had all the material things you could want. So why did he choose to be such a creeper? Listen to this week’s episode to hear more!

PART ONE: Serial Killer Christopher Wilder’s murder spree lasted only seven weeks in 1984, but those seven weeks might as well have been seven years for all that he did. Chris was a successful businessman, who had all the material things you could want. So why did he choose to be such a creeper? Listen to this week’s episode to hear more!

The Richardson Family seemed like the perfect family. Living in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, Marc and Debra had two children, Jasmine and Jacob. Marc and Debra and seemed like loving and involved parents, concerned with their children’s wellbeing. Jasmine was a great kid until she started diving into the darker side of the internet and getting into the “Goth” lifestyle. On the internet is where she met 23-year-old Jeremy Steinke, and she fell madly in love. Her parents didn’t approve–mostly because Jasmine was TWELVE YEARS OLD when she met Jeremy. Upset her parents were imposing rules and trying to prevent her from seeing Jeremy, the pair decided to emulate the characters in their favorite movie–“Natural Born Killer” and murder their way into having a relationship no one could break. That is, except for law enforcement.

Today’s episode is about a female, Mexican serial killer. If that wasn’t distinct enough, our killer was also a professional wrestler. Juana Barraza had a very sad and tough childhood and ended up growing up despising her mother. The fact that she hated her mom led her to hate all “elderly” women, enough so, that authorities believe she killed anywhere from 42-48 women. Despite those numbers, Juana was convicted of only 16 murders and was sentenced to 756 years in prison.

What do you do when you try to report a crime to the police and they don’t take you seriously? This week’s episode is about one such instance, where, when the police finally took our victim seriously, she was already dead. Shana Grice was a young woman who was torn between two men. When she finally made up her mind, the police allowed her stalker to continue to harass her due to their past romantic relationship, and that decision would cost her her life.

In November of 2013, a Cleveland 911 operator got a frantic call from a woman. Her husband had just been shot outside of the home that they were packing up to move. It seemed like a robbery gone wrong. There were no perpetrators on site, and the man shot was still breathing–even after being shot four times. The man’s wife, rode along with EMS to the local hospital, with her husband, firefighter, William Walker. Unfortunately, William did not survive and this week’s episode is about his murder.

During the Great Depression in the United States, a young couple, Bonnie and Clyde, grew to fame after robbing and murdering across the country. Their reign of terror came to an end in a hail of bullets– 130 rounds to be exact – that were fired into their car after the police set up an ambush. This week’s episode follows the story of Denis Muravyov and Katya Vlasova–teenagers in love who met a fate similar to the US’s Bonnie and Clyde.

Many apologies to you all for this being published late. Hopefully, this will be the last hiccup and we will be on our regular schedule!

William Howell is one of Connecticut’s most prolific serial killers, and just a real bastard. Like many serial killers before him, William preyed on sex workers thinking no one would miss them. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more!

TW: Severe child abuse

There was a time in this country when there really were not any laws against child abuse. It wasn’t until 1975 did the State of Minnesota adopt legislation regarding child abuse and in 1971, the Minnesota State Supreme Court first heard a case concerning “battered-child syndrome”. This week’s case is about the horrific treatment and death of three-year-old Dennis Jergens, at the hands of his adoptive mother—someone who had no business ever being allowed to adopt—in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Be forewarned, it’s horrific.

Written by Terra Bella and edited by Tonya C.

In 2012, Cari Farver met a new man named Dave and they seemed to hit it off right away. Neither of them was looking for anything serious, so their relationship was kind of perfect for each of them…until one day when Cari seemed to do a 180 and told Dave that she wanted to move in with him. This made him uncomfortable—and he told her that he didn’t think it was a good idea. Then she flew off the handle and texted him back, saying she hated him and that she wanted to break up with him. Dave was confused and when her family also started receiving confusing texts from Cari, those that loved her wondered what was going on. What actually happened was so unbelievable, you probably will listen with astonishment on your face!

A BIG THANK YOU TO JESS M. WHO SUGGESTED THIS EPISODE!

On October 2, 2018, Cheryl Coker dropped off her teenage daughter, Mikayla to school and supposedly went home, or at least that’s what her cell phone data said. She didn’t arrive to work later that morning and when Mikayla got home from school, there was no sign of Cheryl. When Cheryl’s vehicle was discovered at a local Kroger grocery store later that day with Cheryl’s purse and phone inside, her family knew something was wrong. CCTV footage shows a man dropping off Cheryl’s car but it never caught his face. Cheryl’s remains were found on April 25, 2000, and her killer is still at large. If you have information regarding her case, please contact the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (CBI) at 800-282-3782 or you can submit a tip online on their website.

Justice for Cheryl Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/justiceforcheryl/

In the early morning hours of March 19, 1985, Linda Bailey Brown lost her life. When police arrived at home, her husband, David Arnold Brown answered the door and told them his wife’s body was in their bedroom and that he thought she had been shot. Also living in the home was Linda’s 17-year-old younger sister, Patti, David’s 14-year-old daughter, Cinnamon, from a previous marriage, and David and Linda’s baby daughter, Crystal. However, when the police tried to find Cinnamon they didn’t find her until they looked outside in one of the dog houses in the backyard. Cinnamon was lying in a pool of her own vomit and was clutching a note that said “Dear God, please forgive me. I didn’t mean to hurt her.” However, as with most of our stories, things are not always as they seem. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more about the Brown family and what actually happened to Linda Bailey Brown.

Episode written by Terra Bella and edited by Tonya C.

Chris Watts murdered his wife and two small children, then gave multiple accounts of how their deaths took place. At first, he blamed his wife for his children’s death. Eventually, he admitted in step-by-step detail to a writer for her book, how he murdered his children. The information he provided is so heart-wrenching, that it will truly break your heart.
Episode written by Terra Bella
Edited by Tonya

This story really needs no introduction. Chris Watts is an evil son-of-a-bitch that brutally killed his wife, Shanann who was pregnant at the time, and two little girls, Bella and CeCe, so he could be with this paramour and live the life of a single man.
Episode written by Terra Bella
Edited by Tonya

On the morning of November 2, 1990, a Florida Power & Light crew was working on an electrical box located in a wealthy Miami Beach neighborhood. The neighborhood was known for its beachfront mansions, however, on this day, it would be known for something that would horrify the community. Tucked along the base of the one the mansion’s exterior walls was what the electrical worker first thought was a discarded lollipop wrapper. However, upon closer inspection, the worker was aghast to find the body of a very small child, wearing a t-shirt with three lollipops on the front. Soon, this child would be known as “Baby Lollipops” throughout southern Florida. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more about this tragic and shocking case.

Episode written by Terra Bella
Edited by Tonya

No one would have suspected that Philip Markoff, a med student engaged to a beautiful woman, had a secret life. There was a dark side hiding underneath this All-American man, that included BDSM and murder!