Coworkers & Crime

Episode Notes: The Murder of Faith HedgepethIn this episode, we lay the foundation for the case of Faith Hedgepeth, a 19-year-old UNC–Chapel Hill student who was found murdered in her off-campus apartment in September 2012. Although male DNA was recovered early in the investigation, the case remained unsolved for nearly a decade — until advances in forensic DNA technology shifted the trajectory.We focus on what is confirmed, clearly separating established facts from arguments raised in court filings, and emphasize the importance of presumption of innocence throughout.What we cover:Who Faith Hedgepeth was beyond the headlinesThe narrow overnight timeline and why it mattersKey crime scene evidence, including the liquor bottle and handwritten noteWhy early DNA did not lead to an immediate suspectThe role of DNA phenotyping and its limitsHow forensic genetic genealogy helped identify a suspect years laterThe difference between investigative tools and courtroom proofOngoing evidence disputes, including questions of collection and chain of custodyWhy this case may become a touchstone for how DNA evidence is challenged at trialCase status:In 2021, Miguel Enrique Segura Oliveras was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree rape, first-degree sexual offense, and first-degree burglary. He is presumed innocent. The case is currently scheduled for trial on September 28, 2026.This episode serves as the foundation for a case we plan to follow as it moves through pretrial litigation and, potentially, trial — examining how science, evidence handling, and narrative collide inside the courtroom.

Not every missing person case begins—or ends—the same way. In this episode, we step back and talk about the difference between search and rescue and long-term missing persons, especially in national parks where statistics are often misunderstood.We focus on three unresolved cases from the Greater Yellowstone region that never followed a simple “lost hiker” narrative. These cases remain open, thinly documented, or unresolved years later—and that lack of closure is exactly why they matter.This is not an episode claiming foul play. Instead, we examine foul-play flags—details that don’t neatly fit into wilderness accidents and continue to leave families without answers.Cases DiscussedVanessa “Nessie” OrrinMissing since March 2016Last seen in Sublette County, WyomingCase still publicly described by law enforcement as an active investigationKey issues: delayed reporting, unanswered questions, and limited official detailKe’an McLaughlinMissing since June 21 in Grand Teton National ParkDisappeared near Lupine Meadows / Garnet CanyonExtensive search efforts conductedInvestigation complicated by a false tip that diverted resourcesCase remains unresolved despite high-traffic terrainTracy JensenMissing since February 11, 1999Last known area: Fort Bridger / Mountain View, WyomingA “thin file” case with minimal public narrativeHighlights how cases can fade when media attention never arrivesWhen cases stay quiet, tips don’t come in. Memories fade. And families are left waiting—sometimes for decades.If there’s a lesser-known missing person case in your area, send us:A nameA dateA locationWe’ll dig in responsibly.Listener NoteThis episode is part of our ongoing effort to re-surface cases that never got their moment—and to remind families that their loved ones are not forgotten.If you have information related to any of the cases discussed in this episode—Vanessa “Nessie” Orrin, Ke’an McLaughlin, or Tracy Jensen—there are several ways to submit tips. You do not need to be certain your information is important. Even small details can matter.Anonymous TipsCrime Stoppers of Central Wyoming 📞 307-577-TIPS (8477) Tips can be submitted anonymously and forwarded to the appropriate investigating agency.Crime Stoppers USA (Nationwide) 📞 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) Available for callers outside Central Wyoming who want to remain anonymous.Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)Wyoming DCI Missing Persons Tip Line Tips submitted through the Wyoming DCI Missing Persons page are forwarded to investigators working active and cold cases statewide.Important ReminderYou don’t need to know what happened to share information. If you were in the area around the dates mentioned, have photos or videos from trips, remember seeing someone, or recall a detail that didn’t seem important at the time—it’s worth reporting.

You’ve heard them a thousand times on TV—but where did the Miranda rights actually come from? In this episode, we step away from a traditional crime story and dig into the aftermath of one. Rachel walks Krystal through the surprising, messy, and controversial origins of the Miranda warning, starting with a 1963 crime in Phoenix that forever changed American policing.Episode SummaryThe Miranda rights are one of the most recognized legal protections in the United States—and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we unpack how a two-hour police interrogation without a lawyer led to a Supreme Court decision that reshaped custodial interrogations nationwide.We explore the case of Ernesto Miranda, the legal arguments that reached the Supreme Court in 1966, and why knowing your rights matters just as much as having them. Along the way, we break down what Miranda does and doesn’t protect you from, why silence alone isn’t enough, and how the rules around interrogations have evolved over time.What We Cover in This EpisodeThe 1963 Phoenix crime that sparked the Miranda caseHow police interrogations worked before MirandaThe “voluntariness standard” and why it matteredFifth and Sixth Amendment protections explained in plain EnglishWhen police are required to read Miranda rightsWhat actually happens when you ask for a lawyerCommon misconceptions about Miranda violationsHow later court rulings (including 2010, 2004, and 2022 decisions) refined Miranda without eliminating itThe unexpected irony surrounding Ernesto Miranda’s life—and deathKey TakeawaysYou can’t exercise a right you don’t know you haveMiranda rights only apply during custodial interrogationPolice can still question you—you just don’t have to answerSilence alone doesn’t invoke your rights; you must clearly state themAsking for a lawyer creates a strong legal stop to questioningWhy This Case Still MattersMore than 60 years later, Miranda rights remain a cornerstone of American criminal procedure. While the language hasn’t changed much, how courts interpret and apply those protections continues to evolve—especially as technology reshapes law enforcement.Looking AheadThis episode kicks off our series on precedent-setting cases—the legal decisions that quietly shape the justice system we live with every day.Call to ActionIf this episode got you thinking differently about your rights, share it with a coworker who loves legal deep dives. And don’t forget to subscribe and clock in with us every Wednesday for more conversations that start at the water cooler and end in the courtroom.

Recorded on: January 17thWelcome to Watercooler Whispers—our monthly bonus episode where we step away from deep dives and talk about the cases currently dominating our group chat, search histories, and late-night scrolling.This week, Rachel and Krystal catch up on several high-profile cases making headlines right now, from active trials to appeals and investigations that have us asking how did this even happen? We talk current events, legal twists, and the ripple effects these cases leave behind—especially for the children involved.Cases We’re WatchingJennifer Dulos – The Connecticut mother who vanished in 2019, and why her case is back in the news as Michelle Troconis seeks habeas relief citing ineffective counsel.The Banfield Au Pair Case – A disturbing murder-for-hire plot involving a federal agent, an au pair, and a plan that relied on silence—until it didn’t.Brian Walshe – A Massachusetts case that recently wrapped, raising serious questions about plea decisions, courtroom demeanor, and common-sense defenses.Kouri Richins – A Utah case heading toward trial, involving alleged poisoning, financial motives, and a story that continues to evolve as investigators add pressure.What We DiscussWhy appeals and habeas petitions matter—and when they actually workThe role of cooperation deals and how they can change everythingWatching trials in real time vs. waiting for verdictsHow cases involving children hit differentlyWhy some cases stick with us long after the headlines fadeWhy This Episode MattersThese aren’t just headlines—they’re ongoing stories with real consequences. From unresolved questions to trials still unfolding, this episode is about staying informed, asking better questions, and acknowledging the ripple effects crime leaves behind.Join the ConversationWhich case do you want us to cover next? Email us or message us on social media and tell us which story deserves a full breakdown.And if you’re clocking in with us for Watercooler Whispers—make it a monthly habit.

In November 2011, 26-year-old Samantha Folsom was found murdered inside her apartment in Lewiston, Maine. More than a decade later, her case remains unsolved.In this episode, we examine the confirmed details of Samantha’s death, what investigators have publicly shared, and why this case continues to raise questions. We also discuss the impact of unsolved homicides on families and communities — and why keeping these stories in the spotlight matters.If you have information regarding this case, please contact the Maine State Police Cold Case Unit.Sources Referenced: • True Case Files — New England Mysteries: Volume One • True Case Files — The Murder of Samantha Folsom • Stories from the Shed PodcastConnect with us: 📧 [email protected] 📱 Instagram: @coworkersandcrime 📺 YouTube: Coworkers & Crime Podcast

Welcome to Coworkers & Crime—the podcast where office small talk meets true-crime deep dives. In this orientation episode, hosts Rachel and Krystal introduce themselves, explain how this “workplace” runs, and preview the kinds of cases that keep the break-room buzzing.Coworkers & Crime covers under-reported cases, mysterious disappearances, precedent-setting trials, and stories that spark debate long after the coffee’s gone cold. Some cases you’ve heard of, others you haven’t—but all of them deserve attention.Subscribe, follow, and clock in with us every Wednesday. And if you like what you hear, share us with a coworker who always has the best stories.

Subscribe now! Episode 101 drops January 14th, 2026!