Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
Two Florida moms, Mandy and Melissa, host a true crime podcast that delves into hundreds of mysteries, from Florida's most bizarre cases to infamous worldwide crimes. With warmth, wit, and dark humor, they release new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday, exploring the question 'How did this happen?'
Episodes
UPDATED: Bonus Episode: Neighbors "Patch of Grass" from the Patreon Vault
It seemed we missed some (ALL) edits on the last post. Thanks everyone who took the time to let us know!
We are giving you a little gift this week. This episode originally aired on our Patreon several months ago, and we loved it so much that we wanted to share it with everyone. Consider this a peek behind the paywall! And if silly isn't for you, don't worry, we'll be back to our regularly sche
A Toxic Web in Zanesville: The Murder of Jayla Wyatt
On April 27, 2021, the quiet community of Zanesville, Ohio, was shattered when 23-year-old Jayla Wyatt was found shot to death in the entryway of a local apartment. She had been shot six times, including a devastating direct shot to the face. The apartment belonged to Patrick Downes, a man significantly older than Jayla with whom she had recently started staying.
When investigators began looking
The System Failed Yana Huss: The Murder on Rickover Street
For years, local authorities in Charlotte County, Florida, were called to the home of Scott Lee Huss and Yana Huss. There were restraining orders, allegations of child abuse, threats, arrests, and repeated warnings from neighbors, teachers, and deputies that the situation was spiraling out of control. Yet, despite nineteen police visits in less than a year and multiple domestic violence charges, t
Rachel Nickell: The Case Behind the Netflix Documentary
Netflix is dropping a documentary today called "The Murder of Rachel Nickell," and if you want the full story before you watch, you are in the right place. On a warm morning in July of 1992, a young mother named Rachel Nickell was walking with her two-year-old son, Alex Hanscombe, on Wimbledon Common in southwest London. In broad daylight, an attacker emerged and brutally murdered Rachel.
Little
We Covered 10 Cases in January: Here's Where They Stand Now
Back in January, we laid out ten major true crime cases we were watching closely for the first half of 2026. Now that we are halfway through the year, the courtroom developments have been absolutely wild. In this episode, we are checking in on all ten cases to bring you the shocking verdicts, final sentences, and dramatic updates that have unfolded across the country.
We cover the sentencing of P
The Night He Brought Her Home: The Murder of Colby Vinson
On March 13, 2023, 24-year-old Colby Vinson received the news he had been fighting for all year. A judge officially granted him 50/50 custody of his four-year-old daughter, Preslee. But just six days later, on the very first night he brought her home, Colby was executed on his own doorstep while his little girl stood nearby.
When investigators dug into the young father's life, they quickly realiz
The Nightmare in North Dakota: The Murder of Angila Wilder
On a freezing November night in 2015, 30-year-old nursing student Angila Wilder was stabbed 44 times inside her home in Minot, North Dakota. The brutal attack happened while her two-year-old son slept safely in the very next room. When her fiancé, Christopher Jackson, discovered the scene after returning from an overnight shift, investigators immediately began untangling a web of jealousy, obsessi
The Mystery of the Missing DA: The Disappearance of Ray Gricar
On April 15, 2005, Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar left his office for a routine afternoon drive through central Pennsylvania. He was 59 years old, highly respected, and just months away from a planned retirement. But Ray never returned home. Days later, his distinctive red and white Mini Cooper was found abandoned in an antique store parking lot near the Susquehanna River.
The investi
Sarah Jo Pender: "The Female Charles Manson"
In October of 2000, the bodies of Andrew Cataldi and Tricia Nordman were found inside a dumpster behind an Indianapolis Teamsters building. The discovery quickly led police to the home the couple shared with Richard Hull and Sarah Jo Pender. What started as a gruesome double murder investigation soon transformed into a sprawling legal saga filled with recanted testimonies, forged letters, and a st
The Mackenzie Shirilla Case & Netflix's "The Crash"
It was around 6:15 AM on July 31, 2022, when a resident in Strongsville, Ohio, came upon the aftermath of a horrific accident. A black Toyota Camry had crashed into the side of a large brick building at the end of Progress Drive Business Park. When officers responded, they found three young people trapped inside. Passengers Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan were tragically pronounced dead at the s
The Disappearance and Murder of Maya Millete
On January 7, 2021, Maya Millete took the first steps toward ending her marriage. She scheduled a consultation with a divorce attorney, planning to wait just a few more days to get through her daughter's birthday weekend before breaking the news to her husband, Larry. But that night, after returning to her Chula Vista home, Maya vanished.
We look closely at the months leading up to Maya's disappe
The Mystery of Sneha Philip
On the evening of September 10, 2001, 31-year-old physician Sneha Philip walked into her Lower Manhattan apartment building carrying shopping bags. It was the last confirmed sighting of her. By the next morning, planes struck the World Trade Center just blocks away, plunging the city into chaos and swallowing the mystery of her disappearance into the tragedy of 9/11.
From the outside, Sneha and h
The Hawthorne Hill Shooting & The Fall of Michael Barisone
Hawthorne Hill was supposed to be a dream. An elite equestrian facility, an Olympic coach, and a student willing to do whatever it took to make it to the top. But what started as a $5,000 a month training arrangement between dressage legend Michael Barisone and rider Lauren Kanarek turned into one of the most bizarre and violent feuds in equestrian history.
The fight over a prized horse named JT,
The Bennington Triangle: 5 Vanished in Vermont's Quiet Woods
Between 1945 and 1950, five people vanished without a trace in a remote, rugged stretch of southwestern Vermont. The area, later dubbed the Bennington Triangle, was once home to the booming logging town of Glastenbury, but as the town emptied out, a string of inexplicable disappearances began. From an experienced 74-year-old hunting guide to an 18-year-old college student, these cases shared one c
The Vanishing of Tony Parsons
On a cold September night in the Scottish Highlands, a 63-year-old grandfather set out on a solo cycling journey that he never returned from. Tony Parsons was an experienced endurance athlete riding 104 miles to raise money for charity after surviving prostate cancer. When he vanished without a trace along the remote A82, search teams spent years scouring the rugged terrain with no success.
The t
The Sante & Kenny Kimes Jr. Case & The Murder of Irene Silverman
On July 5th, 1998, 82-year-old Manhattan socialite Irene Silverman vanished from her Upper East Side townhouse without a trace. There were no signs of a struggle and no forced entry, but the investigation quickly pointed to a tenant named Manny and his mother. What seemed like a sudden disappearance was actually the culmination of a highly calculated plan by Sante Kimes and her son, Kenneth Kimes
The Murder of Luther "Luke" Lee Coe III & The Lies That Led to a Life Sentence
On a summer evening in June 2021, a 911 call from a home in Newnan, Georgia, reported a terrible accident. Cheryl Coe claimed she had been startled awake and fired two warning shots at an intruder, only to realize she had shot her husband, Luther "Luke" Lee Coe III. But as investigators arrived and examined the scene, the physical evidence told a much different story. The gunshot wound was inflict
The Oahu Cliff Attack & The Trial of Gerhardt Konig
In the world of true crime, we talk a lot about masking the face a person presents to the world versus the face they wear behind closed doors. Few cases illustrate that duality more starkly than the story of Gerhardt and Arielle Konig. Arielle was a brilliant nuclear engineer and project manager at TerraPower. Gerhardt was a respected anesthesiologist. They had a blended family, a beautiful $1.5 m
The Murder of Alyssa Burkett
On the morning of October 2, 2020, 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett pulled into the parking lot of her job in Carrollton, Texas. Within minutes, she was ambushed in broad daylight, shot, and stabbed multiple times. What initially looked like a random act of extreme violence quickly revealed itself to be something much more sinister. Investigators soon discovered that someone had been quietly tracking Al
[Missing] The Yuba County Five & The Mystery of the Plumas National Forest
In February 1978, five young men from Yuba County, California, drove to Chico to watch a college basketball game. They were close friends who thrived on routine and predictability, and they had a big basketball tournament of their own the next day. But after a quick stop for snacks, Jack Madruga, Bill Sterling, Ted Weiher, Jackie Huett, and Gary Mathias vanished. Instead of driving south toward ho
The Disappearance and Murder of Mamta Kafle Bhatt
Mamta Kafle Bhatt worked tirelessly to build a life in the United States. She was a dedicated nurse at UVA Prince William Medical Center in Manassas, Virginia, and a loving mother to her one-year-old daughter. From the outside, her life and marriage to Naresh Bhatt appeared stable and happy. However, close friends and coworkers began to notice troubling signs, including visible injuries and attemp
The Murder of Moriah Wilson & The Escape of Kaitlin Armstrong
On May 11, 2022, 25-year-old professional gravel cyclist Moriah Wilson was found shot to death inside a friend's apartment in Austin, Texas. She had traveled to town for a major race that had the potential to elevate her rising career. Investigators quickly discovered that Moriah had spent the evening with Colin Strickland, a fellow cyclist who was involved in a complicated, on-again, off-again re
The Starvation Doctor: Linda Hazzard & The Williamson Sisters
A quick note on today's episode: Linda Hazzard's 'treatments' heavily involved extreme fasting and starvation. We want to mention this up front for anyone who might be sensitive to discussions around restrictive diets or disordered eating.
This week we discuss Linda Hazzard, a self-proclaimed doctor in the early 1900s who convinced patients that extreme fasting was a medical cure. Operating out o
The Dunning-Kruger Effect: Why Incompetent People Think They're Experts
Have you ever met someone who was terrible at something but thought they were a genius? This week, we explore the Dunning-Kruger effect, a cognitive bias where people with low ability at a task overestimate their own competence. We start with the case that inspired the research: McArthur Wheeler, a man who robbed two banks after covering his face in lemon juice, believing it would make him invisib
The Murder of Angie Resendiz & The Legacy of Vanessa Guillen
At 2:14 AM, Navy sailor Angelina “Angie” Resendiz made a frantic, crying phone call to a friend, begging to be picked up from a fellow sailor’s barracks. Moments later, a man took the phone and insisted she was fine, even as Angie could still be heard saying she wanted to leave. Her friend arrived within minutes, but Angie was nowhere to be found. Less than two weeks later, her body would be disco
The Teenage CEO Who Scammed Wall Street: Barry Minkow
At 16, Barry Minkow started a carpet cleaning company in his parents' garage. By 21, he was one of the youngest CEOs of a publicly traded company in America, with a business valued at over $200 million. But the entire empire was built on a foundation of lies. This is the story of ZZZZ Best, one of the most audacious corporate frauds of the 1980s, and the story of a charismatic young man who fooled
The Scott Family Massacre: The Trial of Amy Vilardi
On Halloween weekend in 2015, a quiet community in Pendleton, South Carolina, was shattered by a brutal quadruple homicide. Four members of the Scott family were found dead in their home, the victims of a savage knife and gun attack. For years, the case remained cold, leaving a family and a town desperate for answers. The initial theory of a robbery gone wrong slowly gave way to a more disturbing
[Missing] The Disappearance of Lars Mittank
In July 2014, 28-year-old German tourist Lars Mittank walked into Varna Airport in Bulgaria, preparing to fly home after a vacation. He had suffered a minor ear injury and needed a quick medical check before his flight. But what happened next turned his case into one of the most baffling disappearances in recent history. Surveillance cameras captured Lars suddenly bolting from the doctor’s office,
A Birthday Party in Hocking Hills
A birthday party at a rental cabin in the scenic Hocking Hills of Ohio should have been a night of celebration. But fueled by alcohol and jealousy, the night spiraled into a violent confrontation that left a young father, Charlie Starner, dead. This episode examines the chaotic moments captured on a cell phone video and the legal battle that followed, asking whether the stabbing was a desperate ac
The Betrayal of Skylar Neese
In 2012, 16-year-old Skylar Neese vanished without a trace from her Star City, West Virginia home. What initially seemed like a runaway case soon unraveled into a story of unimaginable betrayal. Her two best friends, Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf, held a dark secret that would shock the nation and leave a community searching for answers. This episode revisits the heart-wrenching case of Skylar Nees
The Lindsay Shiver Story: A Murder Plot in Paradise
In the summer of 2023, police in The Bahamas were investigating a local bar burglary when they accidentally discovered a shocking murder-for-hire plot in a series of WhatsApp messages. The alleged target was Robert Shiver, a former football player from a wealthy Georgia family, and the accused mastermind was his estranged wife, former beauty queen Lindsay Shiver. The message that blew the case wid
[Florida Files] The Suitcase Murder: The Trial of Sarah Boone
In February 2020, Sarah Boone zipped her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr., into a suitcase during what she claimed was a drunken game of hide-and-seek. She then filmed him as he suffocated, taunting him and ignoring his pleas for help. The videos she recorded on her own phone became the centerpiece of a bizarre four-year legal saga that included 13 attorneys, a viral ad for legal help, and a defendant
Shoreline Defenders & The Bearded Bard- A Just for Fun Episode from the Moms!
A quick heads-up: this is a bonus episode where we're just having some fun. We also say 'like' a lot. We're, like, sorry... but not really.
Today we're discussing the first episode from HBO Max's "Neighbors".
Welcome to the sun-drenched beaches of Santa Rosa, Florida, where the battle for the shoreline is raging. Meet the “Shoreline Defenders,” a group of residents who believe the beach is for
Grace Jennings: The Santa Fe Sword Murder & The Trial of Isaac Apodaca
On October 29, 2022, police found 21-year-old Grace Jennings dead inside a detached garage in Santa Fe, killed with a sword. Her ex-boyfriend's girlfriend, Kiara McCulley, admitted her role, but prosecutors say she didn't act alone. They argue that Isaac Apodaca coerced her into committing the murder through a series of manipulative text messages, promising her advancement in a secret organization
MYSTERY: The Unexplained Death of Rey Rivera: A Hole in the Roof and a Thousand Questions
In May 2006, 32-year-old writer Rey Rivera vanished from his Baltimore home after receiving a mysterious phone call. Eight days later, his body was discovered in a locked, unused conference room at the historic Belvedere Hotel.
He had fallen with such force that he crashed through the roof, leaving a shocking hole. Near the hole, investigators found his phone and glasses, strangely intact. The c
The Murder of Eric Richins: Betrayed by the Author of a Grief Book
Eric Richins was a devoted father of three and a successful Utah businessman, known for his big heart and infectious laugh. In March 2022, his life was tragically cut short when he was found dead in his bedroom from a lethal dose of fentanyl. The investigation into his shocking death would soon uncover a web of deceit, financial turmoil, and betrayal, leading to the arrest of the one person he sho
The Murder of Travis Alexander + The Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie
*The Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie begins around 38:00*
This week, we're finally tackling a case we're surprised we haven't covered before: the story of Jodi Arias. In June 2008, the brutal murder of motivational speaker Travis Alexander in his Mesa, Arizona home set off an investigation that would captivate the nation. The prime suspect was his ex-girlfriend, Jodi Arias, and the trial that fo
The Canoe Man: The Unbelievable Fake Death of John Darwin
John Darwin, a prison officer from the UK, vanishes after a morning kayak trip, leaving behind a shattered canoe and a grieving family. After he’s declared legally dead, his wife Anne collects a £250,000 life insurance payout. But the story is far from over.
Five years later, John walks into a police station claiming amnesia, unraveling a web of deceit that includes a secret passage, a new life
[FLORIDA FILES] Wade Wilson: The Double Murder That Shocked Cape Coral
Over the span of a single day, two women were killed in Cape Coral, Florida by someone neither of them had ever met. Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, had no connection to each other...except that they both crossed paths with Wade Wilson on October 7th, 2019.
In this episode, we break down the timeline of that horrific day, from the bar where Wade met Kristine, to the stolen car that conne
[FLORIDA FILES] OnlyFans Model Courtney Clenney: Self-Defense or Cold-Blooded Murder?
A luxury apartment in Miami, a high-profile OnlyFans model, and a 911 call where she pleads for help after her boyfriend has been stabbed. But was it a clear case of self-defense, or was it cold-blooded murder? The story of Courtney Clenney and Christian Obumseli is a tangled web of toxic love, public fights, and shocking evidence that will make you question everything you think you know.
In thi
10 True Crime Cases to Follow in Early 2026
We're breaking down 10 major true crime cases with trials happening in early 2026. From Clayton from The Bachelor's fake pregnancy scandal to a mom who allegedly killed her husband and then wrote a kid’s book about grief, these are the trials we'll be following this year.
Cases covered:
The State of New Jersey vs. Paul Caneiro
The State of Utah vs. Kevin Ellis
The Commonwealth of Massachus
The Murder of Anne Marie Fahey: A Powerful Attorney's Deadly Secret
In 1996, Anne Marie Fahey, a bright and organized secretary in the Delaware Governor's office, vanished after a dinner date. Her disappearance unraveled a dark story of a secret affair with a powerful and controlling attorney, Thomas Capano.
This episode delves into the investigation that exposed a web of lies, manipulation, and a family that would do anything to protect its own. Join us as we e
The Murders of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan: The Au Pair's Testimony + Trial Update
What happens when a suburban love affair turns deadly? When the prosecution's star witness is also negotiating a Netflix deal from her jail cell?On February 24, 2023, Christine Banfield, a beloved pediatric ICU nurse, was found dead in her Fairfax County, Virginia home.
Also dead: Joseph Ryan, a man Christine had allegedly been communicating with online about violent fantasies.
But prosecutors
A Wrong Turn in Ozark: The Murders of J.B. Beasley & Tracie Hawlett
In the summer of 1999, 17-year-olds J.B. Beasley and Tracie Hawlett took a wrong turn on their way to a party and ended up in Ozark, Alabama. After a frantic call to Tracie's mom from a gas station payphone, the two girls vanished.
The next morning, their bodies were discovered in the trunk of J.B.'s car, each with a single gunshot wound to the head. The case went cold for nearly two decades unt
[Florida Files] Murder on the High Seas: The Joe Cool Murders
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In September 2007, four friends set out on a chartered fishing trip off the coast of Miami aboard the yacht Joe Cool. Captain Jake Branam, his wife Kelley, and crew members Scott Gamble and Samuel Kairy were excited for what should have been a routine day on the water.But they never came home.
What the crew didn't know was that three men—Kirby Archer, Guillermo Zarabozo, an
The Case of Andreen McDonald: "Daddy Hurt Mommy"
Andreen McDonald was a Jamaican immigrant who built a multi-million dollar assisted living business by age 22. She was a fitness champion and devoted mother living in San Antonio with her husband, Air Force Major Andre McDonald. From the outside, they were a Texas power couple.
But behind closed doors, years of domestic violence and control had created a toxic marriage spiraling toward tragedy.
The Carroll County Murders: The Case of Sarah Grace Patrick
A double murder in a quiet Georgia town. A 5-year-old discovers her parents shot in their bed. No forced entry, no weapon. The prime suspect? Their 16-year-old daughter. This week we discuss the shocking case of Sarah Grace Patrick and the digital trail that led to her arrest.
New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday!
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The Murder of a Memphis Socialite: The Emily Fisher Story
In 1995, the brutal murder of Memphis socialite and philanthropist Emily Fisher shattered the city's illusion of high-society tranquility. Stabbed over 50 times in her historic home, the investigation peeled back the layers of a picture-perfect family to reveal a dark world of secrets, lies, and a son's crippling drug addiction.
This week, we unravel the tragic story of the Fisher family, a case
The Troubled Teen Industry: Legal Kidnapping in America
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For decades, desperate parents have sent their struggling teens to residential treatment programs that promise to help them overcome everything from behavioral issues to substance abuse. But for many, these programs deliver years of trauma and abuse, rebranded as discipline and growth. This week, we are pulling back the curtain on the billion-dollar Troubled Teen Indus
[It's Florida, Man: Toes] (Previously a Bonus Episode)
This episode was originally released as a bonus for subscribers and is now available on the main feed for all listeners. If you want to get more episodes like this (three bonus episodes per month) check-out patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast, or Apple + and Spotify's Bonus episodes. Enjoy!
Be back on January 1st for a brand-new episode!
From the original episode:
If you’ve ever wondered wha
The Murder of Lauren Burk (Revisited)
This week, we are revisiting our most downloaded episode of the year: the heartbreaking case of Lauren Burk. In March 2008, the brutal murder of this 18-year-old Auburn University student shattered a community and left a family searching for answers in a case that is as tragic as it is controversial.
Lauren was a bright, promising freshman who was abducted at gunpoint from her campus, robbed, and
The Ten-Minute Murder: The Wrongful Conviction of Oscar Slater
In 1908 Glasgow, 82-year-old Marion Gilchrist was brutally murdered in her home during a ten-minute window while her maid was out. There was no forced entry, and the only thing missing was a single diamond brooch. The police quickly zeroed in on Oscar Slater, a German-Jewish immigrant with a gambling habit, and built a case around him with flimsy evidence and coached witnesses. Despite a weak case
NXIVM: Justice + Allison After NXIVM (Part 2)
The polished facade of NXIVM has shattered, and in Part 2, we take you inside the federal courthouse where its leaders finally face justice. We explore the harrowing trial of Keith Raniere, built on the brave testimony of the women who escaped his control. From the secret master-slave sorority known as DOS to the shocking details of branding, blackmail, and psychological abuse, the full truth of t
NXIVM: The Promise of Empowerment (Part 1)
*Part 2 is out on Thursday, December 18th*
Imagine thinking you signed up for a self-improvement course, only to wake up inside a secret hierarchy where starvation, blackmail, and branding were sold as empowerment. This is the story of NXIVM, the so-called leadership program that unraveled into one of the most disturbing criminal enterprises in modern history.
In Part 1, we pull back the curtain
The Impossible Murder of Julia Wallace
In 1931 Liverpool, a bizarre phone call sent William Herbert Wallace on a wild goose chase across the city. The caller, a man named "Qualtrough," had left a message for him at his chess club, asking him to meet at a non-existent address. When William returned home, he found his wife, Julia, brutally murdered in their parlor.
The house was locked, there were no signs of forced entry, and the time
The James Carroll Murder: The True Story Behind HBO's 'Murder in Glitterball City'
When police responded to a domestic dispute call at a Victorian home in Louisville, Kentucky, they stumbled into a house of horrors. The fight between lovers Jeffrey Mundt and Joseph Banis led them to a gruesome discovery in the basement: the body of James Carroll, who had been stabbed and shot, his body hidden inside an airtight container buried beneath the floor.
The investigation unraveled a d
Project X: The Birthday Party That Caused a Riot
In 2012, a 16-year-old girl in a quiet Dutch town made a simple mistake: she accidentally set her Facebook birthday party invitation to “public.” Within days, the invite went viral, attracting tens of thousands of RSVPs and becoming known online as “Project X Haren.” While the birthday girl and her family fled, thousands of strangers descended on the small town, ready to party.
What started as a
The Roofman: The Wild Story of Jeffrey Manchester
In 1998, a polite and oddly courteous criminal known as "Roofman" began a crime spree across nine states, targeting mostly McDonald's restaurants. Jeffrey Manchester, a former Army paratrooper, would cut holes in the roofs of buildings, wait for employees to arrive, and then rob them at gunpoint—after politely telling them to grab a jacket before locking them in the freezer.
After being caught a
Nicole Sanchez: A Sister's Fight for Justice
In September 1999, 17-year-old Nicole Sanchez was a talented singer with a contagious laugh and big dreams of becoming a veterinary assistant. But her life was brutally cut short by her 23-year-old boyfriend, Lionel Villarreal, in a horrifying act of intimate partner violence. After just four months of dating, Nicole had decided to end the controlling relationship. That weekend, she was shot and k
Kelsey Berreth: The Thanksgiving Murder Plot
On Thanksgiving Day 2018, 29-year-old mother Kelsey Berreth vanished from her Woodland Park, Colorado home, leaving behind her 1-year-old daughter and a batch of unbaked cinnamon rolls. The last trace of her was a bizarre series of texts and a phone pinging 800 miles away in Idaho.
Her fiancé, Patrick Frazee, claimed they had broken up and that she had left voluntarily. But Kelsey's family knew t
When Pranks Turn Deadly
Imagine hearing sirens outside your home, stepping onto your porch, and being shot by police—all because of a prank call from a thousand miles away.
This is exactly what happened to Andrew Finch in Wichita, Kansas, in a tragic "swatting" incident that shocked the nation
.In this Thursday episode, we're diving into shocking stories where pranks, online feuds, and marketing stunts spiraled into tr
Daniel Brophy: "How to Murder Your Husband"
Daniel Brophy was a beloved chef and culinary instructor at the Oregon Culinary Institute in Portland. At 63 years old, he was passionate about teaching and loved by his students.
On June 2, 2018, Daniel was found shot to death inside his classroom—murdered in the place he loved most.
The investigation led police to an unlikely suspect: his wife, Nancy Crampton Brophy, a romance novelist.Years b
Nikki Cheng: Husband Charged with Murder
When Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain vanished in May 2024, her family was devastated.
Nikki was born in a refugee camp in Southeast Asia and came to the United States with her family, settling in Seattle. She was a beautiful, bubbly woman who loved to laugh and was always her family's biggest cheerleader. She had a forgiving nature and brought joy to everyone around her.
After Nikki disappeared, her h
Jane Mixer: The Controversial Conviction
In 1969, Jane Louise Mixer, a 23-year-old law student at the University of Michigan, was trying to catch a ride home to tell her parents she was engaged to her boyfriend Phil.
Jane was an exceptional student—top 10% of her high school class, honor student, debate team member, cheerleader, and voted "best all around girl." She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1968 and enrolled in law s
[Unsolved] Cheryl Coker: The Kroger Parking Lot
On an ordinary Tuesday morning in October 2018, Cheryl Coker vanished from her suburban Ohio home. Her SUV was found abandoned in a Kroger parking lot with her purse and phone still inside. Cheryl—a bubbly, talkative mom and grandmother who never met a stranger—had not left on her own.
For a year and a half, her family searched desperately for answers. Then, in April 2020, her remains were discov
A Deadly Inheritance: The Von Stein Murder
In July 1988, Lieth Von Stein was brutally murdered in his Washington, North Carolina home while his wife Bonnie barely survived the attack. The crime scene looked like a burglary gone wrong—but investigators quickly realized something didn't add up. The house was barely disturbed, nothing of value was taken, and the violence was shockingly personal.
As detectives dug deeper, they uncovered a con
Absurd Lawsuits: Scams, Frauds and Greed
Some crimes are violent, some are tragic, and some are just so absurd that they make you lose a little faith in humanity. Today we're diving into lawsuits so wild, so petty, and so downright unbelievable, you'll think we made them up.First up: the Wendy's finger fraud. In March 2005, Anna Ayala claimed she found a human finger in her chili. The story made national headlines, Wendy's stock plummete
Janie Ballard: A Daughter's Deadly Greed
When a friend found 58-year-old Janie Ballard stabbed over 70 times in her Little Rock, Arkansas home on September 13, 2003, investigators immediately suspected her own daughter, Leslie, and Leslie's much older husband, Mike McCool. But how did a shy, successful young woman from a prominent family become capable of such unthinkable violence?
Leslie had grown up with every advantage—private school
Forbidden Science: History's Dark Experiments
Throughout history, scientists have pushed ethical boundaries in the name of progress—sometimes with horrifying consequences. From secret government programs to rogue researchers conducting experiments on unwitting subjects, these are the stories that textbooks tried to erase. This episode explores the most disturbing scientific experiments that crossed the line from innovation to inhumanity.
Wha
The Krugersdorp Killings: A Prophet's Cult
In 2016, a small South African community was rocked by a series of brutal murders orchestrated by a woman who claimed to speak directly to God. Cecilia Steyn manipulated her followers into committing unspeakable acts, all while maintaining the facade of a devout Christian.
This is the story of the Krugersdorp Killings—where faith became a weapon and devotion turned deadly.What started as a churc
[Update] Piketon Massacre: New Sentences
Major developments in one of Ohio's most shocking family annihilations. After years of investigation and legal battles, the Wagner family members have been sentenced for the brutal murders of eight members of the Rhoden family in 2016.
We break down the courtroom drama, the sentences handed down, and what this means for the victims' families who have waited years for justice.Pike County, Ohio fi
[Unsolved] Who Killed Ronni Chasen? Hollywood's Mystery
In 2010, Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen was driving home from a movie premiere when she was shot multiple times in her Mercedes. The high-profile murder sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, and the investigation took bizarre turns—including a suspect who died by suicide before he could be questioned.
Was it a professional hit, a random robbery, or something else entirely?Hollywo
Jesse Baird & Luke Davies: Cop Turned Killer
When Australian TV presenter Jesse Baird and his partner Luke Davies disappeared in February 2024, the investigation led to a shocking suspect: a serving NSW police officer. This case exposed the dangers of domestic violence, abuse of power, and the devastating consequences when those sworn to protect become predators.
A story that gripped Australia and raised urgent questions about police accou
Mindi Kassotis: The Navy JAG Murder Mystery
In 2008, Navy JAG officer Mindi Kassotis was brutally murdered and dismembered in her Virginia home. The investigation revealed a tangled web of relationships, military secrets, and a suspect who seemed to have the perfect alibi. This case highlights the challenges of prosecuting military personnel and the devastating impact of violence against women in the armed forces. Justice delayed is not jus
The TikTok Murder Pipeline: When Fame Kills and the Case of D4VD
Social media has created a new kind of danger: the viral murder case. From TikTok influencers documenting crimes to victims whose last moments were livestreamed, the intersection of technology and violence has created a disturbing new reality. This episode explores how platforms like TikTok have become both crime scenes and evidence vaults, and what happens when the pursuit of online fame turns de
Thabo Bester: The Facebook Rapist Escape
Thabo Bester, known as South Africa's "Facebook Rapist," was serving a life sentence when he allegedly died in a prison fire in 2022. But months later, he was discovered alive and living under a new identity—with the help of a celebrity doctor. This audacious prison escape exposed massive corruption within South Africa's correctional system and raised disturbing questions about who else helped him
[Florida Files] Dan Markel Part 2: The Adelson Web
The murder of Florida State University law professor Dan Markel in 2014 seemed like a random act of violence—until investigators uncovered a murder-for-hire plot allegedly orchestrated by his ex-wife's wealthy family. In Part 2, we dive deeper into the Adelson family's alleged involvement, the trials, and the shocking revelations that continue to emerge years later. This case has everything: famil
[Florida Files] Dan Markel Part 1: A Professor's Death
On July 18, 2014, Florida State University law professor Dan Markel was shot in the head in his own driveway in Tallahassee. What initially appeared to be a random act of violence soon revealed itself to be something far more sinister: an alleged murder-for-hire plot involving his ex-wife's prominent family. Part 1 explores Dan's life, the bitter custody battle that preceded his death, and the inv
[Heist] The Art of the Steal: Passion Crimes
What happens when a thief isn't after cash, but the priceless cultural history locked away in our most secure institutions? This week, we dive into the world of intellectual crimes—a string of baffling thefts motivated by obsession, vanity, and a desire to possess the truly irreplaceable. Think less Ocean's 11, more "misplaced library card energy."
We cover four bizarre cases that expose the shoc
[Unsolved] The Real Laura Palmer: Hazel Drew's Murder
In 1908, the body of 20-year-old Hazel Drew was found floating in a pond in upstate New York. Her mysterious death captivated the nation and remained unsolved for over a century. Decades later, "Twin Peaks" creator David Lynch revealed that Hazel's case inspired the iconic character of Laura Palmer. This episode explores the real-life mystery that sparked one of television's most influential shows
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