Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast

*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 on how Keith Raniere, a man who called himself "Vanguard," and his partner Nancy Salzman built a multi-million dollar empire on the promise of human potential. We explore the early days of their Executive Success Programs (ESP), the manipulative techniques used to lure in thousands of followers—including celebrities and business leaders—and the slow, deliberate process of indoctrination. How did a group that started with corporate retreats and PowerPoint presentations devolve into a destructive cult? We trace the origins of the abuse, the creation of a master-slave sorority, and the psychological tactics that kept its members loyal, even as the darkness closed in. #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #momsandmysteries #nxivm #keithraniere #cult #nancysalzman #selfhelp #esp #vanguard New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday !Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 timeline seemed impossibly tight.Police immediately suspected William, believing the phone call was a ruse to create a fake alibi. He was quickly arrested, tried, and convicted, only to have the verdict overturned in an unprecedented move by the Court of Criminal Appeal. For nearly a century, the case has remained one of Britain’s greatest unsolved mysteries. Was William a cunning killer who almost got away with it, or an innocent man framed by a phantom? New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #MomsAndMysteries #JuliaWallace #UnsolvedMysteries #HistoricalCrime #Liverpool #LockedRoomMystery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 dark story of a love triangle fueled by meth, jealousy, and counterfeit cash. As Jeffrey and Joseph turned on each other, each painting the other as the mastermind, detectives were left to piece together what really happened. Was it a robbery gone wrong, a crime of passion, or something even more sinister? This is the twisted story of a murder that exposed the dark secrets hidden within a historic home. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #MomsAndMysteries #JamesCarroll #Louisville #KentuckyCrime #Murder #LoveTriangle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 digital joke quickly spiraled into a real-world riot. Fireworks, flipped cars, and clashes with police turned the night into a scene of chaos that made international headlines. This is the unbelievable true story of how one click of a button unleashed the power of the internet and turned a quiet Sweet 16 into one of the most infamous parties in European history. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueStory #Podcast #ProjectXHaren #FacebookFail #Viral #Riot #Netherlands #SocialMedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 and sentenced to 45 years, he escaped prison by hiding under a truck.For six months, he lived inside the walls of a Toys "R" Us in Charlotte, North Carolina, surviving on baby food and entertaining himself with remote-controlled cars. He even started a new life, complete with a girlfriend and a church community who knew him as "John Zorn." This is the unbelievable true story of the criminal who turned a toy store into his personal hideout and the bizarre double life he led before his final capture. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #JeffreyManchester #Roofman #RooftopRobber #ToysRUs #CharlotteNC #CrimeSpree #PrisonEscape Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 killed. Lionel claimed it was a suicide, but the evidence told a different story. The single gunshot wound was a deliberate, humiliating act of aggression. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to what the court called "life," but in Michigan, that could mean parole in just 20 years. For over two decades, Nicole's family has lived with the devastating loss, while her killer has been planning his future. This is the story of a vibrant young life stolen too soon and the relentless fight her sister has waged to keep a dangerous man behind bars and to ensure that Nicole's story is never forgotten. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #NicoleSanchez #JusticeForNicole #DomesticViolence #DatingViolence #SaginawMichigan #LionelVillarreal #EndDV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the devoted mother would never abandon her child. As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a story far more sinister than a simple disappearance. The investigation led them to Krystal Lee Kenney, a nurse from Idaho with a secret, decade-long relationship with Patrick. Her chilling confession revealed a gruesome murder plot, a brutal crime scene cleanup, and a calculated cover-up. Patrick had bludgeoned Kelsey to death with a baseball bat while their infant daughter was in the next room, all because she refused to give him full custody. This is the story of a holiday turned horrific, a secret affair that ended in murder, and the relentless pursuit of justice for Kelsey.New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #KelseyBerreth #PatrickFrazee #ColoradoCrime #ThanksgivingMurder #KrystalLeeKenney #DomesticViolence #JusticeForKelsey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 tragedies. From a $1.50 Call of Duty bet that led to a fatal swatting, to teens throwing a sandbag from an overpass that killed a passenger, to a YouTube stunt where a girlfriend shot her boyfriend through a book—these cases remind us that pranks can have deadly consequences. We also cover the Aqua Teen Hunger Force bomb scare that shut down Boston in 2007, and more stories that prove sometimes, a joke isn't funny at all. These are cautionary tales about the dangers of chasing views, seeking revenge, and underestimating consequences. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #PranksGoneWrong #Swatting #AndrewFinch #YouTubePranks #OnlineDanger #DeadlyPranks #TrueCrimeThursday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 before Daniel's murder, Nancy had written an essay titled "How to Murder Your Husband." In it, she detailed various methods of killing a spouse and getting away with it. Investigators discovered Nancy had purchased gun parts online, taken out life insurance policies on Daniel, and her car was captured on surveillance footage near the culinary school the morning of the murder. In May 2022, Nancy Crampton Brophy was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.This case is a chilling reminder that sometimes, truth is stranger—and darker—than fiction. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #DanielBrophy #NancyBrophy #HowToMurderYourHusband #Portland #Oregon #TruthStrangerThanFiction #RomanceNovelist #ChefMurder Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 husband Tyler McCain publicly pleaded for her safe return. At a March 2025 press conference, Tyler stood next to Nikki's sisters and FBI agents, asking for the public's help to find her. But in August 2025, everything changed. Tyler was arrested and charged with Nikki's murder.Prosecutors allege he had a motive to silence Nikki—one that involves a disturbing history and a case that was dismissed when Nikki disappeared. This episode covers Nikki's life, her disappearance, and the shocking developments that led to Tyler's arrest.Nikki is still missing. A $30,000 reward is being offered for information leading to her location. If you have information about Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain, please contact the Shasta County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit at (530) 245-6135 or [email protected]. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #NikkiCheng #California #DomesticViolence #MissingPerson #TylerMcCain #JusticeForNikki Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 school, where she was one of the only female students in the entire program. But Jane never made it home that day. She was found shot and strangled in a cemetery, her belongings eerily arranged beside her.For over 30 years, Jane's case sat frozen in time. Many believed John Norman Collins, a serial killer convicted of murdering another Michigan student, was responsible.But in 2001, DNA testing pointed to a different man: Gary Leiterman, a 62-year-old former nurse.In 2005, Gary was convicted of Jane's murder based on DNA evidence, handwriting analysis, and the fact that he owned a .22 caliber gun. But the conviction was highly controversial. Three scientists later argued that the DNA evidence was likely the result of lab contamination. Gary maintained his innocence until his death in prison on July 4, 2019, at age 76. Was Gary Leiterman truly guilty? Or was Jane Mixer's real killer never caught? New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #JaneMixer #Michigan #UniversityOfMichigan #DNAEvidence #WrongfulConviction #ColdCase Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 discovered in a wooded area not far from her home. Police believe Cheryl was murdered inside her house before being taken to the location where she was found. The only person of interest? Her husband, Bill Coker. This case explores the heartbreaking disappearance and murder of a devoted mother who was on the verge of starting a new chapter in her life. Despite strong suspicions and an active investigation, no charges have been filed. Cheryl's family is still waiting for justice. If you have any information, please contact the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 1-800-282-3784. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #CherylCoker #UnsolvedMurder #Ohio #JusticeForCheryl #RiversideOhio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 conspiracy that seemed ripped from a fantasy game. Lieth's stepson Chris and his college friends had been playing Dungeons & Dragons obsessively, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. The motive? A $2 million inheritance. The plan? Orchestrated by college kids who thought they could get away with murder.This case explores how greed, entitlement, and obsession led to one of North Carolina's most shocking family murders. From the brutal attack to the investigation that exposed a twisted plot, this is the story of when fantasy became fatal reality. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #LiethVonStein #NorthCarolina #FamilyMurder #Inheritance #DungeonsAndDragons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 plummeted, and America lost its appetite for fast food. But the finger was planted—Anna thought she could outsmart the legal system and sue for millions. She was wrong. We also cover the man who sued himself, the guy who demanded $67 million from a laundromat over a lost pair of pants, and more cases that prove greed and audacity know no bounds. This episode is a wild ride through the most frivolous, bizarre, and criminal lawsuits in American history. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #AbsurdLawsuits #WendysFingerFraud #FrivolousLawsuits #LegalScams #BizarreCrimes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, college degrees, a job at the family printing business, and a condo bought by her parents. But after meeting Mike, a twice-divorced bodybuilder 22 years her senior with a violent criminal past, Leslie transformed completely. The more her parents disapproved, the deeper she fell under his control. When Janie cut Leslie out of her will, the relationship turned deadly. This case explores how manipulation, greed, and toxic family dynamics led to one of Arkansas's most shocking matricides. A mother who feared her own daughter—and was right to be afraid. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #JanieBallard #Arkansas #Matricide #FamilyMurder Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. What happens when curiosity becomes cruelty? New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #Science #UnethicalExperiments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 church group became one of South Africa's most shocking cult cases. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #CultCrime #SouthAfrica #Krugersdorp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 finally has closure—but the scars remain. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #PiketonMassacre #Ohio #Justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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?Hollywood's most baffling unsolved murder remains a mystery. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #Hollywood #UnsolvedMystery #RonniChasen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 accountability. When the person meant to protect you is the one you should fear most. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #Australia #DomesticViolence #PoliceAccountability Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 justice denied—but it's close. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #Military #Navy #JAG #MindiKassotis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 deadly.In the age of social media, everyone's watching—but is anyone helping? New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #SocialMedia #TikTok #DigitalCrime Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 disappear. When a convicted killer "dies" in prison, someone should probably check the body. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #SouthAfrica #PrisonEscape #ThaboBester Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: family drama, hitmen, and a justice system struggling to hold the powerful accountable. When divorce turns deadly, who pays the price? New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #Florida #DanMarkel #MurderForHire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 investigation that would take years to unravel. A brilliant legal mind, a contentious divorce, and a plot that reads like a thriller. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #Florida #DanMarkel #MurderForHire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 shocking vulnerabilities of libraries, museums, and private collections: a $630,000 "oops" at the Boston Public Library where priceless works were simply misfiled, a man with biblio-kleptomania who stole $200,000 worth of rare books to appear refined, a trusted map dealer who surgically sliced 97 rare maps worth $3 million from Yale and the British Library, and the ultimate obsession—a young musician who stole rare bird feathers from a museum to fuel his passion for Victorian salmon fly tying. Plus, stick around for the return of The Last Thing Before We Go: Art Edition, where we react to some of the weirdest and most unsettling paintings found on the internet. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #ArtTheft #WhiteCollarCrime #Heist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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—and the young woman whose story deserves to be remembered. The murder that inspired "Twin Peaks" is still unsolved. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #UnsolvedMystery #TwinPeaks #HazelDrew Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why would an innocent person confess to a crime they didn't commit? The answer is more complex—and more common—than you might think. Through five shocking cases, we explore the psychological tactics used during interrogations, the vulnerabilities that lead to false confessions, and the devastating consequences for those wrongfully convicted. This episode is a sobering look at how the justice system can fail even when someone "admits" guilt. Confessing doesn't always mean guilty. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #WrongfulConviction #FalseConfession #Justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel Printz was a trusted handyman in his Florida community—until investigators discovered he was systematically targeting and murdering elderly clients. This case exposes the vulnerability of senior citizens to predators who exploit their trust, and the warning signs that were missed until it was too late. A chilling reminder that monsters don't always look like monsters. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #Florida #SerialKiller #ElderAbuse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Mastromarino was a successful dentist who fell from grace and found a new, horrifying career: stealing body parts from corpses and selling them to unsuspecting medical companies. His illegal tissue-harvesting operation violated thousands of bodies and put countless transplant recipients at risk. This is the story of greed, desecration, and a black market that thrived in the shadows of the medical industry. When death becomes a business, who's watching? New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #BodySnatcher #MedicalCrime #Mastromarino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2015, a group of elderly criminals—average age 63—pulled off one of the biggest jewelry heists in British history, stealing an estimated £14 million from the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company. Using old-school tactics and decades of criminal experience, these "bad grandpas" drilled through a concrete wall and made off with millions. But age didn't make them smarter—and their downfall was as spectacular as their crime. Never underestimate a senior citizen with a drill and a dream. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #Heist #HattonGarden #UKCrime Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1922, the bodies of Reverend Edward Hall and choir singer Eleanor Mills were found under a crab apple tree in New Jersey, arranged in a macabre tableau. Their love letters were scattered around them, exposing their affair to the world. The case became a media sensation, featuring a star witness known as "The Pig Woman" and a trial that gripped the nation. Despite the evidence and public outcry, no one was ever convicted. A scandalous affair, a double murder, and a mystery that remains unsolved. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #UnsolvedMystery #1920s #HallMills Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1928, Belgian millionaire Alfred Loewenstein was flying over the English Channel in his private plane when he mysteriously vanished mid-flight. His body was later found in the sea, but the circumstances of his death remain one of aviation's greatest mysteries. Did he fall? Was he pushed? Or did he jump? This case has baffled investigators for nearly a century and inspired countless theories about what really happened at 4,000 feet. When a millionaire disappears from a locked plane, everyone's a suspect. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #UnsolvedMystery #Aviation #1920s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An 18-year-old college freshman, full of creativity and ambition, walked out of her dorm room one cold February night in 2024 and never made it back. Megan Trussell was a gifted artist and bright student at Arapahoe Community College in Colorado when she disappeared on February 20th. Her family knew something was wrong immediately, but the investigation was plagued with delays and unanswered questions from the start. Six days later, Megan's body was discovered in a nearby canyon. Despite the grim discovery, the investigation quickly stalled, leaving her family desperate for answers. We explore the critical lapses in the early investigation, the frustration of her loved ones, and the challenges of seeking justice in a cold case. This is a heartbreaking story about a family's relentless pursuit of justice for their daughter whose life was cut tragically short. If you have information about Megan’s case, call or text 678-636-9771 or email ⁠[email protected]⁠.Support the family’s efforts here: ⁠gofundme.com/f/support-the-megan-memorial-fund⁠ New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #JusticeForMegan #UnsolvedDeath #Colorado Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1954, Dr. Sam Sheppard's pregnant wife Marilyn was brutally murdered in their Ohio home. Sheppard claimed a "bushy-haired intruder" attacked them both, but prosecutors believed he was the killer. The sensational trial became a media circus, inspired the TV show "The Fugitive," and raised serious questions about how media coverage can influence justice. Decades later, the case remains controversial—was Sam Sheppard a murderer or a victim of a rush to judgment? New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #SamSheppard #1950s #HistoricalTrueCrime Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Belle Gunness was a Norwegian immigrant who turned her Indiana farm into a graveyard. Between 1884 and 1908, she lured dozens of suitors through "lonely hearts" advertisements, promising marriage and a life on her prosperous farm. Instead, her victims found death—poisoned, bludgeoned, or dismembered—and buried in her hog pen. When her farmhouse mysteriously burned down in 1908, investigators discovered the remains of at least 40 victims. But Belle's body was never positively identified, leading many to believe she escaped and lived out her days under a new identity. America's first female serial killer may have gotten away with murder. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #SerialKiller #BelleGunness #Indiana Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1980s Los Angeles, a group of wealthy young men formed an exclusive investment club that promised to make them all millionaires. Led by the charismatic Joe Hunt, the Billionaire Boys Club quickly devolved from a get-rich-quick scheme into something far more sinister. When their Ponzi scheme began to collapse, Hunt convinced his followers that murder was the solution. The club's victims included a con man who had swindled them and Hunt's own former business partner. This case exposed the dark side of 1980s excess, privilege, and the dangerous cult of personality that can form around a manipulative leader. When greed meets sociopathy, everyone pays the price. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #BillionaireBoysClub #LosAngeles #WhiteCollarCrime Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before Bernie Madoff, before cryptocurrency scams, there was Charles Ponzi—the man who gave his name to one of history's most infamous fraud schemes. In 1920, the Italian immigrant promised investors a 50% return in just 45 days through an elaborate international postal reply coupon scheme. Thousands of people, from working-class immigrants to wealthy Bostonians, handed over their life savings. At its peak, Ponzi was making millions—but the whole operation was built on nothing but lies. When it all came crashing down, investors lost an estimated $20 million (over $250 million today), and Ponzi's name became synonymous with financial fraud. The man, the myth, the scheme that changed fraud forever. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #CharlesPonzi #PonziScheme #Fraud #WhiteCollarCrime Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1998, 14-year-old Michael Politte woke up to find his Missouri home engulfed in flames and his mother dead inside. Within hours, investigators decided Michael was the killer, despite a complete lack of physical evidence and a motive that made no sense. He was convicted based on questionable fire science, coerced statements, and a rush to judgment that ignored other suspects. Michael spent 23 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit before new evidence and advocacy efforts finally led to his release in 2021. This case exposes the dangers of tunnel vision in investigations and the devastating consequences of wrongful convictions. When a teenager becomes the prime suspect, who's asking the hard questions? New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #WrongfulConviction #MichaelPolitte #Justice #Missouri Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At 19 years old, Colton Harris-Moore became one of America's most wanted fugitives—and a folk hero to some. Dubbed the "Barefoot Bandit" because he often committed crimes without shoes, Colton stole cars, boats, and even airplanes during a two-year crime spree across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Despite having no formal flight training, he taught himself to fly by reading manuals and playing video games, then stole multiple aircraft and flew them across state lines. His audacity and ability to evade capture captivated the public and spawned a cult following on social media. But when he was finally caught in the Bahamas in 2010, the reality of his crimes caught up with the legend. The Crossover: This week, we're joined by Patia and Hannah from The Knife podcast for a special crossover episode! After we tell the story of the Barefoot Bandit, they take over with their own compelling case. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Follow The Knife podcast: @theknifepodcast Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #BarefootBandit #ColtonHarrisMoore #Crossover #TheKnifePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1990, two of America's most prominent televangelists became targets of a mysterious mail bombing campaign. John Osteen of Lakewood Church in Houston and Pat Robertson of the Christian Broadcasting Network both received explosive devices in the mail—bombs sophisticated enough to kill, but intercepted before they could detonate. Despite an extensive FBI investigation, the bomber was never caught, and the case remains unsolved to this day. We explore the rise of televangelism in the 1980s and 90s, the attacks that nearly claimed lives, the FBI's investigation, and the internet's favorite theories about who was really behind it all. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #Televangelism #UnsolvedMystery #MailBombing #FBI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lake Lanier, Georgia's largest lake, is one of the deadliest bodies of water in America—with over 700 deaths since its creation in 1956. But the lake's dark history goes deeper than tragic accidents. Built by flooding entire communities, including a predominantly Black town that was never properly evacuated, Lake Lanier sits atop homes, churches, and even cemeteries. Locals believe the lake is cursed, haunted by the spirits of those whose graves were disturbed. We explore the eerie history of Lake Lanier, the mysterious deaths and disappearances that continue to this day, and the folklore that has made it one of America's most haunted places. Some waters are better left undisturbed. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #LakeLanier #Georgia #HauntedPlaces #Mystery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was just before sunrise on a quiet September morning in Phoenix City, Alabama, when 30-year-old Eric Nealms stepped outside, heading to work like he did every morning. But someone was already waiting. Within moments of leaving his home, Eric was shot multiple times in his own driveway and left to die. A witness saw a light-skinned man wearing dark clothing running from the scene immediately after the shots were fired.Eric was a kind, funny, and supportive man who was devoted to his family. Born in Columbus, Georgia, he was deeply loved and is still desperately missed. Despite the witness account, multiple leads, and a $15,000 reward, the investigation has stalled. Eric's family has fought tirelessly to keep his name in the public eye, begging for someone to come forward and bring them closure. They believe Eric made one mistake, but he did not deserve to be taken from them. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #JusticeForEric #UnsolvedMurder #Alabama #PhoenixCity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a night out with friends in July 2021, 23-year-old Destiny McClain was shot and killed as she waited for food at a taco truck outside a Phoenix nightclub. The senseless murder shattered her family and community, and despite the public nature of the crime, her case remains unsolved. Destiny was a beloved daughter, sister, and friend whose bright future was stolen in an instant. Destiny's family has become tireless advocates for justice, refusing to let her case go cold. They founded the Our Destiny Our Future Foundation to honor her memory and help other families affected by violence. This episode explores Destiny's life, the circumstances of her death, and the ongoing fight to find her killer. Anyone with information is asked to contact Phoenix police at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO (837-8446) for Spanish. There is a $2,000 reward available. Follow FB and Insta pages for Our Destiny Our Future Foundation Facebook group “Justice for Destiny” New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #JusticeForDestiny #UnsolvedMurder #Phoenix #Arizona Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1975, 18-year-old Karen Grammer was working at a Red Lobster in Colorado Springs when she was abducted, raped, and murdered by a group of men during a botched robbery. Karen was the younger sister of actor Kelsey Grammer, who would later become famous for his role on "Frasier." The brutal crime devastated the Grammer family and had a profound impact on Kelsey's life and career. While Karen's killers were caught and convicted, her story is a heartbreaking reminder of the random violence that can shatter lives in an instant. Kelsey has spoken publicly about his sister's murder and his opposition to parole for her killers. A promising young life cut short. A family forever changed. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #KarenGrammer #KelseyGrammer #Colorado #1970s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On January 24, 2006, 24-year-old Jennifer Kesse vanished from her Orlando condominium without a trace. Her car was found abandoned a mile away, with surveillance footage showing an unidentified person parking it—but the footage was too grainy to identify the suspect. Jennifer was a successful finance manager with no known enemies, and her disappearance has baffled investigators for nearly two decades. Her family has never stopped searching, hiring private investigators and keeping her case in the public eye. This Florida mystery remains one of the most frustrating unsolved cases, with tantalizing clues but no answers. A young woman vanishes in broad daylight. A family refuses to give up. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #Florida #JenniferKesse #Orlando #UnsolvedMystery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1922 Los Angeles, Clara Phillips became known as "The Tiger Woman" after she brutally murdered her husband's alleged mistress with a hammer in a jealous rage. The crime was shocking in its violence, but what captivated the nation was Clara herself—a beautiful former showgirl who showed no remorse and became a media sensation during her trial. Clara's story had everything: Hollywood glamour, a love triangle, a dramatic courtroom performance, and even a daring jailbreak. This case offers a glimpse into 1920s Los Angeles, where celebrity, crime, and sensational journalism collided in spectacular fashion. When jealousy turns deadly, Hollywood takes notice. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #TigerWoman #ClaraPhillips #Hollywood #1920s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2010, Dr. Amy Bishop, a Harvard-educated neuroscientist, opened fire during a faculty meeting at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, killing three colleagues and wounding three others. The shooting shocked the academic world, but the investigation revealed an even more disturbing truth: this wasn't Amy's first violent crime. In 1986, she had shot and killed her own brother in Massachusetts—a death that was ruled an accident at the time. We explore Amy's troubled history, the warning signs that were ignored, and the systemic failures that allowed a killer to hide in plain sight for decades. When brilliance masks violence, who's paying attention? New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #AmyBishop #UAH #MassShooting #Alabama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Mother's Day 2020, Suzanne Morphew went for a bike ride near her Colorado home and never returned. Her husband Barry reported her missing, launching a massive search of the Rocky Mountain wilderness. But as investigators dug deeper, the case took a dark turn. Evidence of an affair, suspicious financial transactions, and Barry's own behavior made him the prime suspect. In 2021, Barry was arrested and charged with Suzanne's murder—despite her body never being found. The case was later dismissed due to prosecutorial issues, leaving Suzanne's family without answers and Barry walking free. This Colorado mystery continues to haunt those seeking justice for Suzanne. A Mother's Day bike ride. A missing woman. A husband under suspicion. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #SuzanneMorphew #Colorado #MissingPerson #Mystery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for a special crossover episode with Kate Casey from the "Reality Life with Kate Casey" podcast! We dive into the intersection of reality TV and true crime, exploring the most shocking criminal cases involving reality TV stars. From "Real Housewives" legal troubles to "90 Day Fiancé" scandals, we discuss how reality TV has become an unexpected source of true crime content. Kate brings her expertise on reality TV culture, and we explore why audiences are so fascinated when the carefully curated world of reality television collides with real-world consequences. When reality TV gets too real. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Connect with Kate on IG: @katecaseyca Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #RealityTV #KateCasey #Crossover Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices