The Knife: A True Crime Podcast
The Knife: A True Crime Podcast is a weekly show from journalists Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton. It features in-depth interviews with people affected by crime, exploring the ripple effects beyond the headlines. The podcast focuses on empathetic, solution-oriented storytelling rather than breaking news or solving cases. It is part of the Exactly Right network, home to shows like My Favorite Murder.
Episodes
Off Record: The ER of Law (with Emily Galvin Almanza)
What is a public defender really up against? Emily Galvin Almanza fought for over 2000 clients in some of America's toughest courts and saw firsthand how even being accused of a crime can derail someone's life. Today, we speak with Emily about her most memorable cases and her new fight to reform the criminal justice system. Emily's book: The Price of Mercy: Unfair Trials,
Off Record: Inside a Kratom Wrongful Death Case (with Michael Cowgill)
Attorney Michael Cowgill joins us to discuss a wrongful death lawsuit involving Kratom, the widely available and largely unregulated substance sold in gas stations across the U.S. At the center of the case is Patrick Coyne, a 39-year-old husband and father, whose death has been attributed to Kratom use. We explore the legal battle, the risks associated with the substance, and the questio
Kidnapped at Birth (Part 2 of 2)
Paul Fronczak discovered that he was not biologically related to his parents, Dora and Chester Fronczak, but was born in New Jersey as Jack Rosenthal. He also learned he had a twin sister, Jill, who was missing. Paul's search for his identity had expanded. He was now looking for three people: the real Paul Fronczak who was kidnapped in 1964, the kidnapper, and his biological twin sister, Jill.&nbs
Kidnapped at Birth (Part 1 of 2)
In 1964, Paul Fronczak was kidnapped from a Chicago hospital just one day after he was born. Miraculously found and returned two years later, he grew up unaware of his past until a childhood discovery sparked a search for the truth. As an adult, Paul’s investigation into his own identity uncovers astonishing secrets that rewrite everything he thought he knew. See omnystudio.com/lis
Off Record: A Mother on Trial (with Samantha Michaels)
Investigative reporter Samantha Michaels of Mother Jones spent a year digging into Oklahoma’s controversial “failure to protect” laws—statutes meant to safeguard children, but that can also send victims to prison. At the center of her reporting is Kerry King, a mother of four, and the fallout from a single night in January 2015, when her boyfriend, John Purdy, brutally abus
Off Record: Stalked Twice
Patia tells Hannah the story of LaVonne Skalias and her fight to survive two brutal attacks by her stalker, a man she barely knew. Recommendation: Girl on the Run: The Hunt For America's Most Wanted WomanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Scam, Continued
Chancy Lewis, a retired schoolteacher and recent widower, struck up an unlikely online friendship after receiving a text from a wrong number. Five short weeks later, his entire world began to unravel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Off Record: A Conversation with Dusty Turner
In today's episode, we're speaking with Dusty Turner, who was recently released from prison after 31 years. Dusty reflects on the night that changed his life forever and shares with us his plans for the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Night That Changed Everything
In 1995, 21-year-old Jennifer Evans was murdered in Virginia Beach. Dusty Turner and Billy Brown were both convicted and sent to prison. But from the beginning, Dusty maintained his innocence. Erin Lottman joins us to walk us through Dusty's case. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Off Record: Operation Royal Charm
Hannah tells Patia the story of a six-year undercover FBI operation infiltrating an international smuggling operation. Plus, Patia tells Hannah about her favorite new podcast. Recommendation: Adults in the Room See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
House on Fire
April Scales was 15, pregnant and running out of options. When her grandparents tried to step in, April made a devastating decision that changed the course of her life and landed her in prison. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Off Record: Victim Turned Scammer
Patia tells Hannah a story about Christine Echohawk, who ran a sweeping online romance scam that drained more than $1.5 million from women who believed they were in love. But who was Christine working for and was she also a victim? Recommendation: Neighbors (HBO docuseries) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Service Dog Fraud
In 2018, Rebecca Peluso, a single mother whose daughter Ella has high-support-needs autism, sold off her belongings to afford a service dog she was told would change Ella’s life. Instead, Rebecca uncovered a devastating fraud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Off Record: Playing God
Hannah tells Patia about the criminal case against the leaders of a religious group known as His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. Its leaders, Shelley Bailey “Kat” Martin and Darryl Muzic Martin, are now facing charges connected to a 2010 death within the group, as well as the case of a current missing person. Former members allege years of religious and physical abuse, claiming that Kat Mar
The Fugitive Mother (Part 2 of 2)
This is part 2 of a 2-part series. Embroiled in a hellish custody battle over her 9-month-old daughter, Lee Barnett made a surprising and criminal decision, to leave the life she'd known behind and start a new one, as an international fugitive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Fugitive Mother (Part 1 of 2)
This is part 1 of a 2-part series. Embroiled in a hellish custody battle over her 9-month-old daughter, Lee Barnett made a surprising and criminal decision, to leave the life she'd known behind and start a new one, as an international fugitive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Off Record: The Promise of a Cure
Patia tells Hannah a story about a woman named Antonella Carpenter who charged thousands for a laser treatment she claimed was 100-percent effective in killing cancerous tumors. But in 2010, a federal investigation exposed a million-dollar fraud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Presenting - The First Degree with Jac Vanek and Alexis Linkletter
This week, we’d like to introduce you to The First Degree, a true crime podcast from Jac Vanek and Alexis Linkletter. In episode 361, Jac and Lex unravel one night in 2006 when medical student Brian Shaffer disappeared, the theories that won’t die, and the question that haunts everyone: how does someone vanish into thin air?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One in Infinity
In 2014, new parents, Jessica and Justin had just returned home from the hospital with their first baby, a boy. But after only one night home, Justin was killed. In an instant, Jessica’s world turned upside down as police hunted for the killer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Off Record: Deadly Greed
Patia tells Hannah the story of Oliver Karafa and Lucy Li, a married couple chasing fame and fortune who went on a deadly crime spree. Also, we have recommendations. Recommended this week: Valley of Shadows podcast Heartwood by Amity Gaige (audiobook)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Dangerous Man
Cassandra Rosa had just moved back to her home state when she began receiving vulgar messages from an anonymous number. Cassandra was being stalked. The more Cassandra asked for help, the worse things became. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Off Record: Highway Serial Killings (with Frank Figliuzzi)
Hannah tells Patia a story about a Crime Analyst who spotted the most sinister connection between human remains found along a highway. And later, we hear from Frank Figliuzzi, a retired FBI Agent who breaks down the connection between long-haul trucking and some of America's most notorious serial killers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Update and Jennifer Thompson ReRelease
Patia and Hannah share a behind-the-scenes update. Then, one of our favorite episodes from the archives - A Wrongful Conviction. Jennifer Thompson was a college student when a man broke into her home and sexually assaulted her. Jennifer did her best to help law enforcement capture her assailant, but years later would learn the wrong person had been held responsible. Show Notes: Healing
Off Record: Scandal at the Zoo (with Marissa Gibson)
High-ranking executives at the Columbus Zoo are caught in a wild fraud scheme and experience an epic fall from grace. Marissa Gibson, who investigated their crimes, is here to tell us this bizarre story. And it all starts with a most unlikely whistle-blower. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information
Hannah & Patia Were on My Favorite Murder!
Hannah and Patia join Karen and Georgia on My Favorite Murder to discuss their approach to true crime storytelling, the importance of centering the voices of those affected by crime and what listeners can expect from their new show. Episode originally aired on My Favorite Murder on March 13, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chilling Obsession
Kylie Bearse, a meteorologist at a local news channel in Denver, joins us to discuss what it feels like to be stalked by an obsessed man. When Kylie took legal action, she thought she’d be protected—until one night in September, when it became clear his obsession was far from over. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Knife: Off Record 136
In 2017, a family friend’s concern over a peculiar coworker led FBI Agent Mark Hastbacka straight into the path of Dana Lawrence — a serial con artist hiding behind the alias “Genna Kaplan.” Patia tells Hannah how Hastbacka pieced together the truth behind Dana’s long con. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Trust Becomes A Trap
Ashlee and Kristal join us from Perth, Australia, to discuss the case of their mother, Donna Nelson. In January 2023, their 58-year-old mother was arrested in Tokyo on international drug-smuggling charges. Right away, they suspected the man Donna had been dating online. Together, Ashlee and Kristal share their family’s heartbreaking story, their ongoing fight for justice, and the warnin
A Preventable Tragedy
Criminal defense attorney Michael Foote joins The Knife to discuss the murder trial of Bricen Rivers. In July of 2024, 22-year-old Lauren Johansen was found dead in the trunk of her own car. Her ex-boyfriend, Bricen Rivers, is now charged with capital murder. Lauren’s father is fighting to change the system that ignored the warning signs and allowed Rivers to be released on bail. We speak wi
I Know Everything
When Heather Rovet met Jace Paratti, the chemistry was instant. And soon, they were making plans for the future. But when the relationship hit a rough patch, Heather wondered if maybe Jace was hiding something. What she discovered would thrust them both into international headlines and reveal that Jace Paratti wasn’t Jace Paratti at all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati
Off Record: What Remains (with Dr. Paul Uribe)
The sudden passing of husband and father, Michael Cochran, in 2019, was initially a medical mystery. But when his widow, Natalie Cochran was convicted of fraud, a web of lies and a possible motive were revealed. By 2025 Natalie Cochran stood trial for his murder. Forensic Pathologist Dr. Paul Uribe walks us through the results of the autopsy he conducted on Michael Cochran’s remains and the
Special Episode: It’s Worse Than We Thought
In this crossover episode with lovelustfear, a podcast hosted by Jake Deptula, we hear a powerful story from a woman named Allyn. Allyn met a captivating man who swiftly declared his love, asked her to be his girlfriend, and even proposed. But as their long-distance relationship deepened, she uncovered his lingering connection with an ex, which led Allyn down a dark path of deception. See omn
Haunted
When Jaime and Ben bought their first home in Lamar, Arkansas, a charming 1800s fixer-upper with two chimneys and a wraparound porch, they were thrilled to start their new life. But soon after moving in with their kids, strange things began to happen. What started as small, unexplained events grew harder to ignore, leading the family to wonder if their dream home might be haunted. See omnystu
Am I Dating You?
For nearly two decades Alec Couros has been the target of scammers on the internet. A professor and public speaker from Canada, Alec discovered in 2007 that his photos were being stolen and used in romance scams. Since then, his face has been used thousands of times to con victims around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Special Episode: Solving Cold Cases with DNA
Elin Lantz Lesser joins us to talk about a cold case that haunted Texas for more than four decades, the 1974 murder of Carla Walker. Recently solved through DNA and genetic genealogy, Elin, host of America’s Crime Lab, walks us through how new science finally brought answers to a case that had gone cold for over 40 years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Gone without a Warrant
Sarah and Josh were a young couple in Boston, raising two boys and building a happy life together. But one night, everything changed. After bringing their 3-month-old to the ER with a fever, a series of events spiraled out of control, ending with both their children taken from their home in the middle of the night, without a warrant. Their story exposes how a system meant to protect kids can tear
The Knife: Off Record – 128
This week, Patia tells the story of the Trenchcoat Robbers, Ray Bowman and William “Billy” Kirkpatrick, a notorious duo who evaded capture for two decades. It’s believed they robbed at least 28 banks in the United States. Patia uncovers new details about their crime spree and even speaks with someone personally connected to the story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy
The Night Ellen Was Kidnapped
When Ellen was in college, she was kidnapped after leaving her shift at Applebee’s. She recounts the terrifying hour that followed as she was driven around the city, unsure if she would make it out alive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Knife: Off Record – 126
This week Hannah answers a listener’s question about a man named Tommy Lee Buckley and his “Treasury Gate” scheme— a web of corruption, secret bank accounts, government conspiracy, and a billion dollar payday that was always just around the corner. Then, Patia dives into the dark side of sudden wealth with stories of lottery winners whose luck went sideways, inc
Decades in the Dark
Burt Rosen searched for his missing son, Matthew, for over twenty years. Matthew had been struggling with mental illness when he vanished in 2001. Burt spent day-after-day making phone calls, scouring the internet, searching for any sign of his son. And then, 23 years later, a tip came in that changed everything. Hold On To Hope: https://hold2hope.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener
The Knife: Off Record – 124
Patia shares a story she’s followed for years and has a personal connection to: the disappearance of Samantha Sayers, who vanished after hiking Vesper Peak in August 2018. Patia grew close with Samantha’s mother, who has never stopped searching for her daughter. Then, Hannah tells the extraordinary survival story of Robert Schock, who set out for a trail run in 2024 and survived 30 har
Queen of the Con: Johnathan Walton’s Story
This week we speak with Johnathan Walton, creator of Queen of the Con and author of Anatomy of a Con Artist. Johnathan shares how he met “Mair Smyth,” grew to love her as a sister, and then was brutally betrayed when she conned him out of $100,000. Johnathan has since spoken with hundreds of other victims and built a handbook to expose the tricks con artists use to destroy lives.  
The Knife: Off Record – 122
This week we’re talking scams. Hannah shares the story of a man whose photo was used to con thousands of women, and Patia takes us inside an unsettling case of identity theft. Alex Couros’ Website: https://educationaltechnology.ca/information-for-romance-scam-victims/ Recommendations: The Binge Cases: Catch Me If You Ken Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan
Denton Family Murder
Beth Denton has always wondered what really happened to her cousin Patricia, who was murdered in 1970 in her home in Oklahoma City. Decades later, she decided to find out. This week, we speak with Beth as she unravels this family tragedy and tells the story of Patricia's life and untimely death. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Knife: Off Record – 120
This week, Patia and Hannah dig into listener emails, covering a rental scam, a case of digital dating abuse (yes, it’s real), and a cold case: the 2013 disappearance of Brookelyn Farthing. Recommendations: Aftermath: Hunt for the Anthrax Killer (Wolf Entertainment + CBC) Against All Odds (Wondery) Alone (History Channel) See omnystudio.com/listener f
My Body Is The Crime Scene
Patia and Hannah speak with Cassie, who attended a Halloween party at an Oregon State University fraternity in 2008. The night started with costumes, loud music and a crowded basement full of college students. By the end of the night, Cassie was in the ER, holding a bag that contained her bloodstained costume. She soon found herself in a police interview recounting what happened. The state b
The Knife: Off Record – 118
This week we bring you two crime stories in collaboration with Mandy and Melissa from Moms and Mysteries. Hannah and Patia discuss the killing of Richard Challen by his wife, Sally Challen. Then, Mandy and Melissa share the wild true story of the teenage serial thief known as the “Barefoot Bandit.” Plus, Patia and Hannah have recommendations. Links: Moms and My
Rent-A-Hitman: Murder, Interrupted
Bob Innes never set out to stop murders. But when his satirical website, RentAHitman.com, started attracting real requests for contract killings, he found himself in an unusual predicament. What, if anything, should he do about it? Now, he spends most of his spare time trying to intercept murder-for-hire plots, including an entire family wanted dead over an inheritance. But it turns out trying to
The Knife: Off Record – 116
Hannah and Patia sit down with Anna Sinfield, the producer and writer behind the first two hit seasons of The Girlfriends, to talk about why the world needs more stories of women winning. Stepping into the host seat for The Girlfriends: Spotlight, Anna shares what it’s like to dive headfirst into a story, the emotional toll of true crime, and what to expect from the highly anticipated new se
The Mother’s Day Attack
Tennyson and Kyle felt safe in their quiet, rural community—until their lives were shaken by not one, but two violent home invasions. It wasn’t random. The attacks were targeted, and Tennyson was the focus. Even more chilling: it all happened on her very first Mother’s Day as a new mom. We speak with Tennyson about the events of that day and the long road of healing that followed
The Knife: Off Record – 114
Patia shares a conversation she had with Shileshia and Eric Milligan, a couple who became victims of adoption fraud in 2019 after self-matching through a Facebook group. What began with hope quickly turned to fear when the teen birth mother claimed she was in danger. Then, Hannah unpacks the story of Tara Lee, the woman behind a multi-million dollar adoption scam that operated out of Michigan.&nbs
Hijacked
On November 23, 1985, Jackie Pflug took her seat aboard EgyptAir Flight 648. When the plane reached flying altitude, several men forcefully took control of the plane. Jackie’s flight was being hijacked. Jackie miraculously survived, but many others did not. Decades later, she tells a story of bravery, profound loss and hope. Sydney Morning Herald – https://www.smh.com.au/wo
The Knife: Off Record – 112
A listener sends in a tip about an international conman, Chadwick Hauser – who is still on the run. Through an interview with his ex-wife, Hannah tells Patia the story of a man whose scams have ruined lives across the world and whose victim list is still growing. For Chad’s ex-wife, Jordana, the end of their marriage was just the beginning. When the man she thought she loved vanished w
The Kill List
Susan was going about a normal day at work when an FBI Agent showed up with terrifying news. She was on a hit list. A notorious terrorist organization wanted her dead. Susan tries to find out why she of all people would be targeted. As she tries to answer this question, she must also work to protect herself. Articles referenced in the episode: The Seattle Times: https://www
The Knife: Off Record – 110
Hannah and Patia discuss the 1996 murder at Mountain Park Baptist Boarding Academy, where 16-year-old William Futrelle—new to the school—was killed by fellow students. They unpack the trial of Joseph Burris, who was charged with Futrelle’s murder, and examine the disturbing environment that enabled the crime. We also cover what happened with Bethesda Home for Girls, Bob and Betty
Mountain Park
Meg Richter was branded a “troubled teen” and sent by her parents to Mountain Park Baptist Boarding Academy. But the rural Missouri facility wasn’t focused on education—it was more like a juvenile detention center masquerading as a Christian reform program. With no licensed therapists and a heavy reliance on corporal punishment, Mountain Park operated like a militaristic cu
The Knife: Off Record – 108
Patia shares the story of a string of bizarre robberies in Edwardsville, Illinois—cracked not by cops, but by the sharp-eyed owner of a local spa. One of the weirdest discoveries? A Walmart-style basement packed with stolen “trophies.” Then, Hannah dives into the rise and fall of Doc Gallagher, a Texas preacher and radio host who weaponized faith to run a multimillion-dollar Ponz
On the Side of Truth
In 1991, Yolanda Thomas’ sister Jacquetta was murdered. A trial followed—conviction, life sentence—all without Yolanda or her family even knowing it happened. Sixteen years later, Yolanda finds herself in an unexpected battle: fighting to free Greg Taylor, the man convicted of killing her sister. Show Notes: Healing Justice https://healingjusticeproject.or
The Knife: Off Record – 106
Hannah unpacks the wild true story of Osama El-Atari—a flashy con man- turned-jailhouse informant, who ultimately helps take down a serial killer. Also, Patia and Hannah discuss There Is No Ethan, Anna Akbari’s gripping account of a catfishing saga. There Is No Ethan: https://www.annaakbari.com/thereisnoethan Washington City Paper article: https://washingtoncitypaper.com/ar
The Wrongful Conviction
Jennifer Thompson was a college student when a man broke into her home and sexually assaulted her. Jennifer did her best to help law enforcement capture her assailant, but years later would learn the wrong person had been held responsible. Show Notes: Healing Justice https://healingjusticeproject.org/ Picking Cotton https://www.pickingcottonbook.com/ See omnystudio.com/liste
The Knife: Off Record – 104
From pop culture to the FBI, the perception of polygraphs varies wildly depending on who you ask. So, Hannah and Patia speak to an expert polygraph examiner whose work led to a bombshell confession in a half-decade old missing persons case, turned murder. Show Notes: https://www.kansas.com/news/article1049717.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Escape from Colorado
Newly married and just a month into her pregnancy, Toni’s husband becomes physically abusive. Thousands of miles from her family, Toni carefully plans to escape with her children as her estranged husband’s harassment only escalates. Today, Toni hopes that telling her story will help others suffering from abuse to get help and to find safety. Show Notes: The National D
The Knife: Off Record – 102
On the very first episode of The Knife: Off Record, hosts Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton bring you a behind-the-scenes conversation about making a true crime podcast. Plus, Patia tells Hannah about a missing persons case in Tennessee. Show Notes: SOLVED 21 Year Old Missing Persons Case (Erin Foster & Jeremy Bechtel) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Morning Run
In their premiere episode, hosts Hannah and Patia speak with Darun Henry. While on a morning run through her neighborhood park, Darun is attacked by a stranger and makes a split-second decision that will lead to her assailant’s capture. Show Notes: Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime https://crcvc.ca/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Introducing The Knife: A True Crime Podcast
The Knife is the true crime podcast that goes beyond the headlines to reveal the lasting impact of crime. From the celebrated podcast, The Opportunist, producers and hosts Patia Eaton and Hannah Smith bring you raw, first-hand accounts from people whose lives were forever changed by violence, betrayal and tragedy.Join Patia and Hannah as they uncover the ripple effects of crime
