Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast

Put on your shoulder pads and tease your hair to the heavens and join us this week as we discuss the peculiar murder of Sherri Rasmussen. We’ll look at the timelines of events surrounding Sherri’s last days, and discuss why the husband very well could have been Benjamin Button. Find out what new word bums Melissa out and what Mandy does with year old cake. And just remember, never judge a book by it's cover…unless that book has crazy eyes and has gone full Fatal Attraction, then yes, judge and run away! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Note from the Moms: Hey everyone! Just a quick heads-up: this is one of our early episodes, so please be gentle! We were still figuring things out, and we promise the audio quality and our hosting skills have gotten much better since. Thanks for sticking with us from the beginning! Welcome back to Moms and Murder! This week, we’re diving into a case that is as bizarre as it is tragic: the death of Rebecca Zahau at the historic Spreckels Mansion in Coronado, California. Just two days after her billionaire boyfriend’s 6-year-old son suffered a fatal fall under her care, Rebecca was found dead—naked, bound, and hanging from a balcony. Authorities ruled it a suicide, but the evidence tells a much more complicated and sinister story.In this episode, we explore the deeply suspicious circumstances surrounding Rebecca's death: •A Double Tragedy: We begin with the tragic accident involving Max Shacknai, who fell from a second-story landing, and the questions that immediately began to surface. •The Discovery: We detail the chilling 911 call made by Adam Shacknai, Jonah’s brother, who claimed to have found Rebecca hanging and cut her down before authorities arrived. •A Staged Suicide?: The scene was incredibly elaborate. Rebecca was found with her hands and feet bound in complex knots, a gag in her mouth, and four hemorrhages on her head that suggested she was struck before her death. •The Cryptic Message: A bizarre message was painted on the bedroom door: “She saved him. Can you save her?” But the handwriting didn’t appear to be Rebecca’s. •Conflicting Evidence: We break down all the reasons the suicide ruling doesn’t add up, from the lack of Rebecca’s DNA on the balcony to the fact that the knots would have been nearly impossible for her to tie herself. •Theories and Suspects: We discuss the main players, including Jonah’s brother Adam—the only other person on the property—and the civil lawsuit Rebecca’s family filed, convinced she was murdered. Join us as we unravel a case where wealth, power, and tragedy collide, leaving behind a mystery that continues to haunt everyone involved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Note from the Moms: Hey everyone! Just a quick heads-up: this is one of our early episodes, so please be gentle! We were still figuring things out, and we promise the audio quality and our hosting skills have gotten much better since. Thanks for sticking with us from the beginning! Welcome back to Moms and Murder! This week, we’re taking a break from the dark and depressing to bring you a crime story that’s so audacious, so meticulously planned, and so utterly unbelievable, it feels like it was ripped straight from a Hollywood movie script. This is the story of Anthony Curcio, a former college football star who orchestrated one of the most creative armored-car heists in history, all with a can of pepper spray and a brilliant Craigslist ad. In this fun, murder-free episode, we discuss: •From Star Athlete to Addict: We trace Anthony Curcio’s journey from a popular, all-star high school athlete to a college player whose career was cut short by a devastating ACL injury, leading to a powerful addiction to painkillers. •Desperate Times, Creative Measures: Facing financial ruin after the 2008 housing market crash, Curcio devises an incredibly elaborate plan to rob a Brinks armored car. This wasn't a smash-and-grab; it was a masterpiece of misdirection. •The Craigslist Heist: The genius of the plan! Curcio places a Craigslist ad for landscapers, instructing them to show up at a specific time and wear a specific uniform—a blue shirt, yellow vest, and safety goggles—creating a dozen unwitting decoys. •The Getaway: After pepper-spraying the guard and grabbing the cash, Curcio makes his escape by floating down a river on an inner tube, earning him the nickname "D.B. Tuber." •The Unraveling: For all his brilliant planning, Curcio is ultimately brought down by the one variable he couldn't control: a homeless man who noticed his suspicious behavior and remembered his license plate. •Redemption Story: We cover Curcio’s arrest, his time in prison, and his remarkable transformation into a public speaker and author of children's books—including one that cheekily mirrors his own crime. Join us for a wild ride through one of the most fascinating and non-violent heists you’ll ever hear about! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Note from the Moms: Hey everyone! Just a quick heads-up: this is one of our early episodes, so please be gentle! We were still figuring things out, and we promise the audio quality and our hosting skills have gotten much better since. Thanks for sticking with us from the beginning! Welcome back to Moms and Murder! This week, we tackle a case that has baffled and divided people for years: the tragic story of Diane Schuler. You might know it from the haunting HBO documentary, There’s Something Wrong with Aunt Diane. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, a minivan packed with children drove the wrong way for nearly two miles on a busy New York parkway, ending in a horrific crash that killed eight people. The driver was Diane Schuler, a seemingly perfect mother. But what toxicology reports found in her system turned a tragic accident into a deeply disturbing mystery. In this episode, we explore the lingering questions: •The Taconic Parkway Tragedy: We set the scene for the devastating 2009 crash that killed Diane, her daughter, her three nieces, and three men in an oncoming vehicle, leaving only her 5-year-old son as the sole survivor. •A Perfect Family Weekend: We look at the hours leading up to the crash, as the Schuler family finished a happy camping trip. By all accounts, Diane was a sober, responsible “supermom.” •The Timeline of a Mystery: We trace Diane’s bizarre journey home, including stops at McDonald's and a gas station, and the confusing phone calls she made as she became increasingly disoriented. •The Toxicology Bombshell: We discuss the shocking toxicology results that showed Diane had a blood-alcohol level of .19—more than twice the legal limit—and high levels of THC in her system. •A Family in Denial: The heart of the documentary and the case itself. We cover the staunch refusal of Diane’s husband and sister-in-law to accept the toxicology report, pushing theories of a stroke, an abscessed tooth, or other medical emergencies to explain her behavior. •Theories and Debates: Was she a secret, functioning alcoholic who lost control? Did a combination of alcohol and marijuana edibles cause a sudden, severe impairment? Or was it something else entirely? We dive into the most prominent theories. •The Aftermath: We discuss the shocking lawsuit Diane's husband filed against the state and his own brother-in-law, and the incredible story of the Hance family, who lost all three of their daughters but found a way to heal and honor their memory. Join us as we try to make sense of a case where the facts only seem to create more questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Note from the Moms: Hey everyone! Just a quick heads-up: this is one of our early episodes, so please be gentle! We were still figuring things out, and we promise the audio quality and our hosting skills have gotten much better since. Thanks for sticking with us from the beginning! Welcome back to Moms and Murder! This week, we’re heading to the Lone Star State to cover the absolutely chilling case of Erin Caffey, the 16-year-old girl from a devout Christian family who masterminded the brutal murder of her mother and two younger brothers—all because her parents made her break up with her boyfriend. This is a story of teenage obsession, manipulation, and a horrific crime that left a father as the sole survivor of a massacre orchestrated by his own daughter.In this episode, we discuss: •A Picture-Perfect Family: We introduce the Caffey family—Terry, Penny, and their three children, Erin, Matthew, and Tyler—a tight-knit, church-going family living a quiet life in rural Texas. •Forbidden Love: Erin, 16, falls hard for 19-year-old Charlie Wilkinson. Their intense puppy love quickly escalates into an obsessive relationship that her parents, Terry and Penny, do not approve of. •The Breakup and the Plot: After her parents force her to end the relationship, a furious Erin spends the next three days plotting their demise. She convinces Charlie and two other friends to help her carry out the unthinkable. •A Night of Terror: We detail the horrific events of March 1, 2008, when Charlie and his friend entered the Caffey home in the middle of the night, shooting and stabbing the family before setting the house on fire. •A Father’s Survival: We recount the incredible story of Terry Caffey, who, after being shot multiple times, dragged his wounded body through the woods to a neighbor’s house to get help, ultimately becoming the sole survivor. •The Investigation and Arrests: The accomplices quickly confess, pointing the finger directly at Erin as the mastermind. We cover her bizarre fake amnesia story and the moment she was arrested while hiding under a pile of laundry in her boyfriend’s trailer. •A Lesson in Forgiveness: In a truly astonishing act of grace, Terry Caffey forgives his daughter and her accomplices, asking the prosecution to take the death penalty off the table.Join us as we try to understand what drives a teenage girl to commit such an evil act against her own family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Note from the Moms: Hey everyone! Just a quick heads-up: this is one of our early episodes, so please be gentle! We were still figuring things out, and we promise the audio quality and our hosting skills have gotten much better since. Thanks for sticking with us from the beginning! Welcome back to Moms and Murder! This week, we move out of Florida (mostly) and head to South Carolina to unravel the horrifying case of Todd Kohlhepp, the man who lived a double life as a successful real estate agent and a brutal serial killer. This is a story of a monster hiding in plain sight, whose dark secrets were blown wide open with the discovery of a woman chained up like a dog in a shipping container.In this episode, we discuss: •The Making of a Monster: We trace Todd Kohlhepp’s disturbing childhood, from early signs of aggression and animal cruelty to a violent kidnapping and rape at just 15 years old. •The Realtor Next Door: After serving time, Kohlhepp built a new life as a top-selling real estate agent, acquiring property, a pilot’s license, and the trust of his community, all while hiding his dark past and even darker intentions .•A Job Offer Turns Deadly: The story of Kala Brown and her boyfriend, Charlie Carver, a couple who went to Kohlhepp’s 100-acre property for a cleaning job and never came back. •Rescue from the Container: We detail the chilling rescue of Kala Brown, who was found chained inside a metal shipping container, and the immediate, horrifying story she told police about what happened to her boyfriend and the other bodies buried on the property .•Confessions and Cold Cases: Kohlhepp not only confesses to the murders on his property but also solves the infamous 2003 “Superbike Motorsports” murders, a cold case that had baffled investigators for 13 years. •Amazon Reviews from Hell: We read the actual, bone-chilling product reviews Kohlhepp left on Amazon for items like padlocks and shovels, where he bragged about his crimes in plain sight. Join us as we explore the mind of a killer and the unbelievable denial of his mother, who claimed her son was just “misunderstood.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Note from the Moms: Hey everyone! Just a quick heads-up: this is one of our early episodes, so please be gentle! We were still figuring things out, and we promise the audio quality and our hosting skills have gotten much better since. Thanks for sticking with us from the beginning! Welcome to a special bonus episode of Moms and Murder! This week, we're taking a detour to discuss a case that feels like it was ripped straight from a reality TV script. In fact, that was the defense! We're talking about Dalia Dippolito, the newlywed wife who was "5000% sure" she wanted her husband dead. In this episode, we break down the unbelievable story of a murder-for-hire plot that was caught on camera, thanks to the TV show Cops. Here’s what we cover: •A Whirlwind Romance: Dalia and Michael Dippolito met, fell in love, and got married, all within a few short months. But their honeymoon phase was short-lived. •The Sting Operation: When Dalia's ex-lover-turned-informant tips off the police, they set up an elaborate sting to catch her in the act of hiring a hitman. •Lights, Camera, Action!: The entire staged crime scene, including Dalia's infamous hysterical breakdown, was captured by the cameras of the TV show Cops. •The Big Reveal: We walk you through the jaw-dropping moment at the police station when Dalia, believing her husband is dead, is confronted by the ghost of her past—a very much alive Michael. •The Reality TV Defense: We discuss the bizarre defense strategy that claimed the entire murder plot was a hoax staged by the couple to get famous. •Three Trials Later: It took three trials to finally bring Dalia to justice. We cover the verdicts, the appeals, and the final sentence that landed her in prison.Join us for this quick, but crazy, bonus episode that proves truth is often stranger than fiction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Note from the Moms: Hey everyone! Thanks for joining us for another early episode. We're still finding our groove, so we appreciate you sticking with us as we figure things out. The audio and our hosting get better, we promise! Welcome back to Moms and Murder! In Part 2 of the Casey Anthony saga, we pick up right where we left off: with Casey's arrest and the unraveling of her web of lies. We also introduce our brand new segment, #ImInvinciblewhen, where we share the hilariously delusional things we do to feel safe. In this episode, we cover: •The Wild Goose Chase: We follow the police as Casey leads them on a bizarre tour of her lies, from her fake job at Universal Studios to the non-existent apartment of "Zanny the Nanny." •The Discovery: We discuss the grim discovery of Caylee's remains by meter reader Roy Cronk and the media frenzy that surrounded the Anthony family home .•The Trial of the Century: From jury selection to the shocking defense strategy that threw Casey's own family under the bus, we break down the key moments of the trial that captivated the nation .•The Verdict: We revisit the not-guilty verdict that stunned the world and discuss the reasoning behind the jury's decision. •Theories and Aftermath: We dive into the most prominent theories about what really happened to Caylee, including the chilling "Zanny the Nanny" Xanax theory, and discuss where the key players are today. Join us as we try to make sense of one of the most baffling and heartbreaking cases in recent history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Note from the Moms: Hey everyone! Just a quick heads-up: this is our very first episode, so please be gentle! We were still figuring things out, and we promise the audio quality and our hosting skills have gotten much better since. Thanks for sticking with us from the beginning! Welcome to the very first episode of Moms and Murder! In our debut, we're diving headfirst into a case that rocked the nation and left a permanent scar on the Central Florida community we call home: the disappearance of Caylee Anthony. Join us as we unravel the web of lies spun by her mother, Casey Anthony, and explore the 31 days of partying and bizarre behavior that followed Caylee's disappearance.In this episode, we discuss: •The Anthony Family: A seemingly normal American family, but with a history of white lies that escalated into something far more sinister .•The Disappearance: The conflicting stories Casey told about her daughter's whereabouts, from the mysterious "Zanny the Nanny" to the last time Caylee was seen alive .•31 Days of Deception: A deep dive into Casey's actions in the month before Caylee was reported missing, including a "hot body" contest, a new tattoo, and a string of thefts .•The Smell of Death: The chilling discovery of Casey's abandoned car and the overwhelming odor that led her own mother to believe a dead body had been inside. This is just the beginning of a story that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about the case. Join us for Part 1 as we lay the groundwork for one of the most controversial trials in American history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices