Residue: A True Crime Podcast
Residue with Chrissy Champagne dives deep into the gritty world where true crime meets the movies. Each episode breaks down made-for-TV films and theatrical releases based on chilling real-life cases, exploring the facts behind the fiction and the victims behind the headlines. The podcast examines the emotional residue these stories leave behind, turning the spotlight on stories Hollywood couldn't resist.
Episodes
Off Script: Balloon Boy
The 2009 Balloon Boy incident became one of the most shocking media stories in American history when Richard and Mayumi Heene claimed their six-year-old son, Falcon, was trapped inside a homemade helium balloon floating across Colorado. As emergency crews and news helicopters tracked the balloon, millions of people watched in fear, believing a child’s life was in danger. When the balloon landed, F
Girl Fight
The 2011 Lifetime movie Girl Fight starring Anne Heche was inspired by the disturbing true story of Victoria Lindsay, a 16-year-old Florida cheerleader who was brutally attacked by her friends in March 2008. The assault was recorded, and the footage became part of a national media frenzy.
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BONUS: The Widower with The Bravo Investigator
Hi ResiCrew! Welcome to an extra special bonus epi with my fellow Cloud 10 podcaster, Dana from The Bravo Investigator. We had a lovely time chatting about the newest Netflix doc, The Widower: 'Til Death Do Us Part. Hope you enjoy!
Follow Dana on IG @thebravoinvestigator
and as always follow RESIDUE on IG @residuepodcast
(FB & TT at Residue: A True Crime Podcast)
and do not forget to chec
Off Script: Chris Farley
This episode explores the life, rise, and tragic downfall of Chris Farley, one of comedy’s most unforgettable performers. From his breakthrough on Saturday Night Live to beloved movies like Tommy Boy and Black Sheep, Farley brought enormous energy and laughter to audiences everywhere. But behind his success, he struggled with addiction and personal challenges that ultimate
The Accused
In 1983, Cheryl Araújo became the center of a highly publicized criminal case in New Bedford, Massachusetts. What began as a night out quickly became a case that drew national attention and raised difficult questions about the justice system, the treatment of survivors, and the role of witnesses. The trial attracted intense media coverage, and the way Cheryl's story was presented and discussed pub
Off Script: Gary Coleman
Gary Coleman became one of the most recognizable child stars in television history almost overnight. As Arnold Jackson on Diff’rent Strokes, he captured audiences with his humor, his timing, and the unforgettable line, “What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” But behind the laughter was a much more complicated life.
The 2024 Peacock documentary Gary, directed by Robin Dashwood, looks beyond the famous c
Deadly Whispers: Kathy Bonney
In 1987, the murder of 19-year-old Kathy Bonney set off a case that would eventually inspire a book and a made-for-TV movie of the week, Deadly Whispers starring Tony Danza. The case was unusual because of the defense surrounding Kathy's father, Tom Bonney, and questions about his alleged mental states at the time of the crime.
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Off Script: Perfect Bid - The Price Is Right
Ted Slauson was a devoted fan of The Price Is Right who spent years studying the show's prizes and prices. In 2008, his remarkable knowledge became part of one of the show's most famous controversies.
Ted attracted widespread attention and raised questions about whether the game had been compromised. For Slauson, the story had an especially bittersweet ending. His extraordinary dedicat
Tow: The Story of Amanda Ogle
What happens when a $175 car turns into a $21,000 fight?
This is the remarkable true story of Amanda Ogle, who was living in her 1991 Toyota Camry when it was stolen, recovered and then towed. Unable to afford the fees to get it back, Amanda found herself in a yearlong battle against a towing company and a system with far more power and resources than she had.
Her fight eventually inspired the f
Off Script: Christina Grimmie
Christina Grimmie was a talented singer-songwriter who first gained attention through her Youtube covers before rising to national fame on The Voice. Christina built a career that inspired millions while remaining grounded.
On June 10th, 2016, Christina was performing at The Plaza Live in Orlando, Florida. She had a meet and greet with fans in the lobby when a man approached her and fatally shot
Bad Romance: The Vicky White Story
In this episode, we’re taking a look at Lifetime’s Bad Romance: The Vicky White Story and the unbelievable true story behind it.
Vicky White was a longtime corrections officer living a quiet, ordinary life when she developed a relationship with inmate Casey White. What began as a connection behind prison walls eventually became something much deeper, and Vicky found herself willing to r
Off Script: Megan Wants A Millionaire - The Murder of Jasmine Fiore
In 2009, Jasmine Fiore was a model whose life became tragically intertwined with reality TV. Her husband, Ryan Jenkins, had recently appeared on VH-1's show Megan Wants A Millionaire, a show built on around wealthy bachelors competing for love. But, when Jasmine was murdered, Ryan became the prime suspect, setting off a chain of events that would bring the entire production crashing down.
Sour
The Ryan White Story
The Ryan White Story a 1989 Made-For-TV movie that tells the true story of Ryan White, an Indiana teenager who was diagnosed with AIDS in the 80s after contracting HIV through a contaminated blood treatment. At a time when little was understood about HIV/AIDS and fear and misinformation were widespread, Ryan faced discrimination and was prevented from attending school because of his diagnosis. Des
Off Script: Rebecca Schaeffer
This new weekly segment "Off Script" will explore beyond the silver screen. Every Friday, we will dive into true crime in the TV and Music industry.
This week we will discuss Rebecca Schaeffer.
Rebecca Schaeffer was a rising television star best known for her role as Patti Russell on the sitcom My Sister Sam. In 1989, at just 21 years old, her life was tragically cut short when she was m
Girl in the Bunker: The Elizabeth Shoaf Story
In this episode, we explore the true story behind the Lifetime movie The Girl in the Bunker and the 2006 abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Shoaf in Lugoff, South Carolina. Elizabeth was taken while walking home from her school bus and held captive underground for 10 terrifying days.
We’ll look at who Elizabeth how she survived and the remarkable way she helped lead authorities to her l
The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story
In this episode, we take a closer look at the real story behind the #1 movie on Netflix this week The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story and the disturbing case of Anthony Robinson, known as the “Shopping Cart Killer.”
We discuss Monica White’s experience meeting Robinson through a dating app, the warning signs she encountered, and the investigation that eventually connected Robinson to mu
Bonus Episode w/ The Murder Diaries: Tragic Hollywood - Rebecca Schaeffer
In this special bonus episode, I join my friends Natalie and Paige from The Murder Diaries for a deeper conversation about the life and tragic murder of actress Rebecca Schaeffer.
We talk about Rebecca's rise to fame, the obsessive stalking that preceded her murder, and the devastating events of July 1989.
Rebecca's story is heartbreaking, but it is also an important reminder that behind the h
"A Toxic Love Story" - Bonus episode with Jami Rice of Murderish-Serial Streamers TV Club!
Bonus episode! I was recently invited to be a guest on the hit podcast "Murderish" hosted by Jami Rice. We discussed the new Netflix documentary A Toxic Love Story on the Serial Streamers TV Club segment. This case centers on Michelle Hadley, who was engaged to Ian Diaz, a U.S. Marshal. After their relationship ended, Ian married another woman, Angela. Angela then began receiving increasingly dist
Stalking Laura
The chilling true story behind the 1993 made-for-TV movie Stalking Laura, also released as I Can Make You Love Me. The film, starring Brooke Shields as Laura Black and Richard Thomas as Richard Farley, dramatizes one of the most disturbing stalking cases of the 1980s.
Laura Black was a young computer engineer who was beginning her career in Silicon Valley. What should have been an exciting new ch
Dream House Nightmare
Before Dream House Nightmare became a thriller, there was the disturbing real-life case of Kathy Rowe. After losing a bidding war for her dream home to newlyweds Jerry Rice and Janice Ruhter, Rowe became obsessed with getting the house back. What began as resentment soon escalated into months of harassment, fake online ads, unwanted deliveries, and terrifying attempts to disrupt the couple’s lives
The Craigslist Killer
The Craigslist Killer, the 2011 Lifetime film based on the true story of Philip Markoff, a Boston University medical student whose seemingly perfect life concealed a shocking double life. On the surface, Markoff appeared to have everything going for him, a promising medical career, a loving fiancée, and a bright future. But behind closed doors, investigators uncovered a series of violent crimes co
Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story
Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story (also released as Victim of Rage) is a 1994 made-for-TV film based on the real-life case of Donna Yaklich, a Colorado woman convicted of hiring two men to kill her abusive husband, police officer Dennis Yaklich. While the film portrays Donna as a survivor of years of severe domestic violence with no safe way to escape, the true story remains the subject of de
Dead Man's Wire: Tony Kiritsis
In this episode, we unravel the shocking true story of Tony Kiritsis
and the 1977 hostage crisis that became known as the "Dead Man's Wire"
case.
Armed with a sawed-off shotgun connected to a homemade dead man's
wire, Kiritsis held mortgage executive Richard Hall hostage for more
than 60 hours, turning a personal grievance into one of the most bizarre
standoffs in American history.
We exam
Open Water: The Disappearance of Tom and Eileen Lonergan
Open Water (2003) is a survival thriller inspired by the true story of Tom and Eileen Lonergan. In the film, a married couple is accidentally left behind during a scuba diving trip after the boat crew miscounts the passengers. As they drift alone in the open ocean, they face dehydration, exhaustion, and sharks while waiting for a rescue that never comes.
The real events happened in 1998, when Tom
When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story
In this episode, we uncover the true story behind When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story, the 2017 film inspired by real events. We explore who Falicia Blakely was, the circumstances that shaped her life, and how an abusive and controlling relationship influenced the choices that ultimately led to a series of tragic crimes.
Sources:
https://tubitv.com/tv-shows/200146223/s01-e09-falicia-blak
Girl In the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez
Girl in the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez is based on the true story of Abby Hernandez, a New Hampshire teenager who was abducted in 2013 while walking home from school. Held captive in a concealed shipping container for nine months, Abby endured unimaginable hardship but demonstrated extraordinary courage and resilience. It is ultimately a story of hope, perseverance, and the strength of
136: The Bling Ring
The Bling Ring is based on the true story of a group of Los Angeles teenagers who burglarized the homes of celebrities including Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Audrina Patridge, and Orlando Bloom between 2008 and 2009. Driven by an obsession with fame, fashion, and celebrity culture, they stole millions of dollars' worth of luxury items before eventually being caught by police. Sofia Coppola's 2013
135: Boys Don't Cry: The Brandon Teena Story
Boys Don't Cry brought Brandon Teena's story to the big screen, but how closely did the film follow the real events? In this episode, we separate fact from fiction, exploring Brandon's life, the people often left out of the story, and the lasting legacy of a case that changed conversations about transgender representation in America. Using a victim-centered approach, we'll look beyond the movie to
134: David (1988): A Survival Story
The story of David Rothenberg's survival would eventually reach millions of viewers through the 1988 made-for-television film David. Starring Bernadette Peters as Marie Rothenberg and Matthew Lawrence as David, the film focused not only on the horrific crime that nearly took his life, but also on his extraordinary recovery and the strength he showed in the years that followed.
Sources:
David’s Sto
133: She Made Them Do It: Sarah Jo Pender
Was Sarah Jo Pender a master manipulator who orchestrated a brutal double murder, or was she a young woman caught in a flawed investigation and wrongfully convicted?
One of the most controversial true-crime cases of the 2000s. Sarah Jo Pender was convicted in 2002 for the murders of Andrew Cataldi and Tricia Nordman, a crime prosecutors argued she planned and directed. Dubbed the "female Charles M
132: Cruel Doubt: The Murder of Leith Von Stein
In July 1988, Washington, North Carolina businessman Leith Von Stein was fatally stabbed and bludgeoned in his bed while his wife, Bonnie, was severely injured. The violent crime was initially staged as a burglary but later exposed a twisted conspiracy motivated by a $2 million inheritance.The chilling true-crime story was famously chronicled in the 1991 bestselling book Cruel Doubt by Joe McGinni
131: Song Sung Blue: The Mike and Claire Sardina Story
We are taking a true crime break this week, but still focusing on a "based on a true story" movie. Mike and Claire Sardina were a real-life Milwaukee husband-and-wife musical duo who formed the popular Neil Diamond tribute act "Lightning & Thunder". Their remarkable true story of soaring success, devastating heartbreak, and perseverance inspired the acclaimed feature film Song Sung Blue (2025). Th
130: Abducted: The Carlina White Story
In this episode, we explore the shocking true story behind the Lifetime film Abducted: The Carlina White Story. A case so unbelievable it sounds fictional, yet every major detail really happened. In 1987, 19-day-old Carlina White was kidnapped from Harlem Hospital in New York City by a woman later identified as Ann Pettway, who raised her under the name Nejdra “Netty” Nance for more than two decad
129: I Know My First Name Is Steven: PART 2, Cary Stayner the Yosemite Park Killer
PART 2: While Steven Stayner became known for his extraordinary survival, his story reached millions through the made for TV film I Know My First Name Is Steven, and for a time the Stayner name was associated with resilience and hope. But that sense of closure did not last, and years later the same name would return to the national spotlight under far darker circumstances.
In 1999, Cary Stayner ca
128: I Know My First Name Is Steven: Part 1, Steven Stayner
PART 1: The 1989 television miniseries I Know My First Name Is Steven is a dramatization of the real-life kidnapping of Steven Stayner, who was held captive for seven years before heroically escaping and rescuing another child.
The film chronicles the abduction of seven-year-old Steven by Kenneth Parnell in 1972. Parnell brainwashes Steven into believing his parents no longer want him and renames
127: Soldier's Girl: The Murder of Barry Winchell
The 2003 film Soldier's Girl tells the true story of Barry Winchell, a young soldier stationed at Fort Campbell who becomes romantically involved with transgender performer Calpernia Addams. Their relationship develops quietly at first, but it becomes increasingly dangerous within the highly rigid and hostile environment of the military under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” era.
As rumors about Winche
126: Kidnapped: The Hannah Anderson Story
In this episode, we examine the disturbing events surrounding the Kidnapping of Hannah Anderson, a case that shocked the nation in 2013. The story follows 16-year-old Hannah Anderson, who was abducted by family friend James DiMaggio after what initially seemed like a routine visit. What followed was a tragic chain of events, including the murders of Hannah’s mother, Christina Anderson, and her you
125: Heavenly Creatures: The Murder of Honorah (Rieper) Parker
This episode explores the chilling true story that inspired Heavenly Creatures, the 1997 film based on the infamous case of Pauline Parker and Juliette Hulme.
In 1950s Christchurch, New Zealand, two teenage girls formed an intense and obsessive friendship after bonding over illness, isolation, and a shared love of fantasy. Together, they created an elaborate imaginary world where they ruled as pow
124: Stuck: The Murder of Gregory Glen Biggs
The tragic true story of Gregory Glen Biggs and the shocking case involving Chante Mallard. A story that stunned the nation for its cruelty and unimaginable choices. We break down what really happened the night Biggs lost his life, the disturbing decisions that followed, and how those actions impacted not only the victim, but his family, including his son Brandon, and others who became entangled i
123: Gaslit By My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story
In this episode, we unpack the unsettling themes behind Gaslit By My Husband:The Morgan Metzer Story, a story that dives into the hidden world of psychological abuse. What happens when the person you trust most begins to manipulate your reality? What starts as small moments of doubt quickly escalates into something far more unsettling, as Morgan struggles to separate truth from deception and hold
122: Vampire Clan: The Wendorf Murders
The 2002 true-crime film Vampire Clan dramatizes the shocking real-life murders carried out by a group of teenagers who believed they were part of a vampire cult. Starring Drew Fuller as cult leader Rod Ferrell, the film follows how fantasy role-playing and obsession with vampirism spiraled into violence, ultimately leading to the brutal killing.
The case of Rod Ferrell and the brutal Wendorf Mur
121: Abducted By My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story
In this episode, we explore the shocking true story behind the made-for-TV movie Abducted by My Teacher and the real-life case of Elizabeth Thomas. In 2017, Elizabeth was a 15-year-old student in Tennessee when her health teacher, Tad Cummins, groomed and ultimately abducted her, sparking a nationwide search. What began as a troubling case of teacher misconduct quickly turned into a multi-state ma
120: The Curse of Rosemary's Baby?
In 1968, Rosemary’s Baby arrived in theaters and changed horror forever. A story about a young woman manipulated, isolated, and ultimately betrayed by those closest to her, the film tapped into a cultural moment already steeped in paranoia. America was reeling from assassinations, war, the rise of the occult, and the founding of the Church of Satan. Evil lived next door.
But what happened after t
119: Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard
In December 2019, 33-year-old Heidi Broussard disappeared in Austin,TX along with her three-week-old daughter, Margot Carey, shortly after dropping her older child off at school.
The case was dramatized in the 2023 Lifetime television film Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard, directed by Michelle Ouellet. The movie stars Emily Osment as Fieramusca and Anna Hopkins as Heidi Broussard, and f
118: Party Monster: The Murder of Andre "Angel" Melendez
In this episode, we dive into the glitter-soaked rise and catastrophic fall of New York City’s infamous Club Kid scene, as portrayed in the film Party Monster. But beyond the tabloid-fueled fame lies a far darker true story — the murder of Andre "Angel" Melendez.
We explore how Michael Alig, once a self-proclaimed king of nightlife, built a celebrity persona in the early ’90s underground party wor
117: Jennifer's Body: The Murder of Elyse Pahler
In this episode, we dig into the truth behind Jennifer’s Body the 2009 horror film that was initially dismissed and later reclaimed as a cult classic with feminist themes of female rage, power, and exploitation. While the movie is fictional, its central premise (a teenage girl sacrificed by a band seeking fame) echoes a disturbing real-life case that many viewers are unaware of. We examine the 199
116: Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story
In this episode, we unpack the story behind Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story and the real-life survival of Carlesha Freeland-Gaither. On November 2, 2014, Carlesha was abducted while walking home in Philadelphia, a crime that was partially caught on surveillance footage and sparked a desperate search. Through the Lifetime film, viewers are taken inside the fear, resilience, and
115: An American Crime: Sylvia Likens
In this episode, we examine An American Crime (2007), a harrowing film based on one of the most disturbing true crime cases in American history. The movie follows the story of Sylvia Likens, a teenage girl left in the care of Gertrude Baniszewski while her parents traveled for work. What begins as a temporary living arrangement quickly spirals into unimaginable cruelty, as Gertrude, her children,
114: The Girl From Plainville: The Conrad Roy Story
The true story behind The Girl From Plainville, the chilling real-life case that sparked national debate about responsibility, mental health, and the power of words. In 2014, 18-year-old Conrad Roy III died by suicide in a Massachusetts parking lot. In the months leading up to his death, Roy had been in an intense, mostly digital relationship with 17-year-old Michelle Carter — a relationship later
113: Talhotblond
Talhotblond is a 2012 Lifetime made-for-television movie based on a shocking real-life internet love triangle that ended in murder. The film dramatizes how online anonymity, emotional insecurity, and deception spiraled into deadly violence.
The story centers on Thomas Montgomery, a middle-aged, married factory worker who is dissatisfied with his life and seeks escape through online chat rooms and
112: Alpha Dog: The Nick Markowitz Story
This podcast episode explores the tragic true story of Nick Markowitz, a 15-year-old boy whose life was taken after being used as leverage in a reckless dispute that spiraled out of control.
When a conflict involving his older half-brother and a local drug dealer escalates, Nick is pulled into a situation he had no part in creating. What starts as a misguided attempt to intimidate someone quickly
111: Blue-Eyed Butcher: Susan Wright
In this episode, we explore the real-life case of Susan Wright, a Texas woman whose story captured national attention and later inspired the Lifetime made-for-TV movie Blue-Eyed Butcher. We walk through Susan’s background, her marriage to Jeff Wright, and how a seemingly ordinary suburban life became the center of a high-profile criminal case.
Sources:
https://www.texasmonthly.com/true-crime/sus
110: I Am Zozo: The Ouija Board Demon
I Am Zozo is a horror film that follows a group of friends who decide to use a Ouija board out of curiosity. During their sessions, the board begins responding aggressively and identifies itself as “Zozo.” As the group continues to engage with it, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense and unsettling, suggesting that whatever they’ve contacted grows stronger the more attention it receives. The
109: Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story
This episode explores the true story behind Lifetime’s Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story. From adoption and reunification to manipulation, abuse, and murder.
We examine the escalation of violence, the deaths of Katie, her adoptive father, and her infant son Bennett, and how systemic failures allowed danger to go unchecked. We also separate fact from dramatization in the Lifetime mov
108: Tragedy On Set: The Omen
In 1976, a chilling horror film hit theaters, introducing the world to Damien, the Antichrist child. But while audiences were terrified on screen, strange and deadly events were unfolding behind the scenes. The Omen didn’t just scare moviegoers, it seemed to haunt its cast and crew in real life.
Was it coincidence? Or did the dark subject matter of Satan, prophecy, and the Antichrist bring real-wo
107: Amber's Story: The Girl Behind the Amber Alert
In this episode, we take a closer look at the tragic abduction of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman—an event that would go on to reshape the way communities respond to missing-child emergencies. We explore the circumstances surrounding Amber’s disappearance in 1996, the investigation that gripped the nation, and how her legacy inspired the creation of the AMBER Alert system used across the United States t
106: Victims For Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story
In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary story of actress Theresa Saldana. A rising Hollywood star whose life was nearly cut short by a brutal attack in 1982. From her disciplined childhood in Brooklyn to her breakout roles in Raging Bull and I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Theresa seemed destined for fame.
But one terrifying encounter with a delusional stalker changed everything. We explore the st
105: Bully: The Murder of Bobby Kent
In July of 1993, a group of Florida teenagers committed one of the most shocking and senseless murders in modern true crime history. The crime, later dramatized in the 2001 film Bully, was not the work of hardened criminals or masterminds, but of suburban kids. At the center of the story were two childhood friends: Marty Puccio, quiet and impressionable, and Bobby Kent, a young man many described
104: Taken In Broad Daylight: Anne Sluti
In this episode, we uncover the terrifying true story behind Taken In Broad Daylight, the Lifetime movie based on the abduction of 17-year-old Anne Sluti. In April 2001, Anne was kidnapped in broad daylight from a Nebraska shopping mall by convicted felon Anthony Steven Wright. What followed was a harrowing six-day ordeal that stretched across multiple states and showcased Anne’s remarkable courag
103: Abduction at an HBCU, A Black Girl Missing Movie: Cleashindra Hall
In this episode, we start with Abducted at an HBCU: A Black Girl Missing Movie a gripping Lifetime film that dives into the disappearance of a young woman at a historically Black college. When a student suddenly vanishes, her counselor refuses to look the other way, uncovering a system that too often dismisses missing Black women and girls. The story is fictional, but its message hits painfully cl
102: SCREAM: The Gainesville Ripper
In the early 1990s, the college town of Gainesville,Florida was paralyzed by fear. Over just three days, five students were brutally murdered in their own apartments, victims of Danny Rolling, the man the press would call The Gainesville Ripper. His crimes were savage, his methods deliberate, and the terror he left behind felt like something straight out of a horror movie.
Years later, screenwrite
101: Left For Dead: The Ashley Reeves Story
In this episode, we dive into the true story behind Left for Dead: The Ashley Reeves Story, the Lifetime movie that shocked viewers. We recount the 2006 case of 17-year-old Ashley Reeves, a high school student from Illinois who was lured to a remote park by her former teacher and brutally attacked—strangled and left paralyzed, alone in the woods for over 30 hours. Miraculously, she survived.
We’ll
100: Adam Walsh
The 1983 made-for-TV movie Adam tells the true story of six-year-old Adam Walsh, who was abducted from a Sears department store in Hollywood, Fl in July 1981. The movie follows his parents, John and Reve Walsh, as they struggle with the devastating loss of their son and the failures of the system meant to protect children.
The real-life case behind the movie had a lasting impact. John Walsh became
99: The Burning Bed: Francine Hughes
We revisit the harrowing true story of Francine Hughes, the Michigan housewife whose decades-long abuse at the hands of her husband, Mickey Hughes, ended in a desperate act that would shake the nation. On a cold night in March 1977, after suffering relentless physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, Francine set fire to the bed where her husband lay sleeping.
We explore the real events behind the gr
98: Video Voyeur: The Susan Wilson Story
When Susan Wilson and her family move into what they believe is their dream home in a quiet Louisiana neighborhood, everything seems perfect. But soon, Susan begins to suspect that something isn't right. Susan makes the horrifying discovery that her trusted neighbor has been spying on her family, watching their most private moments. He has secretly installed hidden cameras in her home. Even more d
97: Mommy Meanest: Kendra Licari
We dive into the true story behind the Lifetime movie Mommy Meanest. A chilling thriller where a teenage girl is tormented by a
cyberbully, only to find out that the person behind the screen is her own mother. Based on the real-life case of Kendra Licari, the Michigan mom who stalked and harassed her daughter for 2 years.
Sources:
https://www.tvinsider.com/1212649/kendra-licari-updates-unknown-num
96: The Stalking of Laurie Show
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Laurie Show was a 16-year-old high school student from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, whose life was tragically cut short in 1991 in a brutal act of jealousy and revenge. She had briefly dated an older teen, Lawrence Yunkin, who was in a volatile relationship with another teenager, Michelle Lambert. Lambert became increasingly obsessed with harassing and threatening Laurie. On the mornin
95: Face Value: The Marla Hanson Story
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The Marla Hanson Story is a dramatic retelling of a real-life tragedy. The film follows Marla Hanson, a young and ambitious model who moves to New York City to pursue her career. She rents an apartment from Steve Roth, a makeup artist with whom she initially forms a friendship. However, when Marla rebuffs his unwanted romantic advances, Roth's interest turns dark and obsessive.
Cons
94: The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom: The Wanda Holloway Story
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In 1991, Wanda Holloway, a mother from Channelview, Texas, became the center of national outrage when she attempted to hire a hitman to kill the mother of her daughter’s cheerleading rival. Holloway believed that eliminating the rival’s mother would emotionally destabilize the girl freeing up a coveted spot on the high school cheerleading squad for her own daughter.
Her plan unravel
93: Small Sacrifices: Diane Downs, Part 2
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PART 2 .... In 1983, Diane Downs drove her three children to an Oregon hospital — one dead, two critically injured — claiming a stranger had attacked them. But investigators quickly uncovered a much darker truth. In this PART TWO episode, we look at the shocking real-life crime committed by Downs and how it was brought to the screen in the 1989 TV movie Small Sacrifices, starring Fa
92: Small Sacrifices: Diane Downs, Part 1
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In 1983, Diane Downs drove her three children to an Oregon hospital — one dead, two critically injured — claiming a stranger had attacked them. But investigators quickly uncovered a much darker truth. In this PART ONE episode, we look at the shocking real-life crime committed by Downs and how it was brought to the screen in the 1989 TV movie Small Sacrifices, starring Farrah Fawcett
91: Made For TV Movie Series: Love's Deadly Triangle - The Texas Cadet Murder of Adrianne Jones
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In 1995, a tragic crime in Grand Prairie, Texas, shocked the nation and became known as the Texas Cadet Murder. The case involved two promising high school students—Diane Zamora and David Graham—both of whom were aspiring military cadets with bright futures ahead of them. Their intense romantic relationship took a dark turn when jealousy and obsession spiraled into violence.
Accordi
90: Made For TV Movie Series: No One Would Tell - The Murder of Amy Carnevale
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Amy Carnevale was a vibrant 14-year-old girl from Massachusetts—kind, popular, and full of promise. In what seemed like a typical teenage romance, she began dating an older boy. But as their relationship unfolded, so did a pattern of control, jealousy, and escalating red flags that too many people overlooked. Her tragic story would later inspire the 1996 TV movie No One Would Tell,
89: Miracle: The Survival of Teka Adams
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In December 2009, 29-year-old Teka Adams was nearly full-term in her pregnancy and trying to rebuild her life after homelessness. When a woman posing as a social worker offered her free baby supplies, Teka thought it was a chance to provide for her future child. What followed was a horrifying four-day ordeal of captivity, deception, and survival.
In this episode, we tell the story o
88: The Chain: The Murder of Kimberly Holton
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In October 2003, a decomposed body surfaced off the coast of Cape May, New Jersey. Chained at the ankles, bound in duct tape, and gnawed by sea life — this was no accident. Within hours, the body was identified as 16-year-old Kimberly Holton, a missing foster child from Dover, Delaware.
Kimberly’s case would unravel a chilling chain of events involving foster care failures, jealousy
87: Lies of the Heart: The Story of Laurie Kellogg
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Laurie Kellogg was just 16 when she met a man more than twice her age — a man who would later become her husband. To some, it looked like a scandal from the start. But no one could have predicted how it would end: with a gunshot in the middle of the night... and a group of teenagers caught in the middle of a murder plot. Was Laurie Kellogg a calculating instigator? Or was she a teen
86: Two Thorned Rose: The Case of Matthew Trussler and Melissa Turner
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Melissa Turner, a former cosplay model from Riverview, Florida, called 911 on October 18, 2019, reporting that she had found her fiancé, Matthew Trussler, unresponsive and covered in blood on their patio. Initially telling police she didn’t know what had happened, Turner later stated that Matthew had attacked her during a drunken altercation and that she acted in self-defense. Howev
85: Buried Secrets: Peggy Carothers
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In this episode, we tell the heartbreaking story of Peggy Carothers, a 15-year-old girl from Hammond, Indiana, who vanished without a trace in May of 1997. Raised in a tight-knit family of six children, Peggy was bright, funny, and full of life. Her best friend remembers the two of them dancing and singing Alanis Morissette songs, dreaming about the future like any teenage girls wou
84: A Sleepy Town: The Murders of Amie Hoffman & Deirdre O'Brien
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It was an ordinary day—work, errands, heading home. But for Amie Hoffman and Deirdre O'Brien in suburban New Jersey, it ended in unimaginable violence. Just months after his release for a previous murder, James Koedatich struck again. A chilling reminder that the most routine moments can lead straight into darkness.
Sources:
Finally Caught Season 1, Episode 4
https://www.deirdresho
83: Stolen Dreams: Debbie Flores Narvaez
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Debbie Flores Narvaez was brilliant, determined, and on the verge of a dream come true — her debut in one of Las Vegas's most coveted burlesque shows, Fantasy at the Luxor. But the night before she was set to take the stage, Debbie vanished without a trace.
As the days pass, a tangled web of toxic relationships, jealous exes, and disturbing secrets emerges. Investigators dig into he
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