Once Upon A Crime

This week’s episode details a murder that, at first glance, appears to be a cut-and-dried case of a lover’s quarrel turned deadly. Upon investigation, it is discovered to be a much more thought-out and sinister plan. When authorities uncover the real killer he turns out to be an actor who attempted to parlay his skills as a performer to pull off “the perfect crime”. Sources: “Actor is held in double slaying.” Los Angeles Times, 29 05 2010, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104583077/actor-is-held-in-double-slaying/. “Actress convicted of lying to police about ex-fiance's double murder pleads innocence in interrogation tapes.” ABC News, 30 May 2019, https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/actress-convicted-lying-police-fiances-double-murder- pleads/story?id=63234575 . Accessed 4 July 2022. “As coldblooded as a murderer gets.” Los Angeles Times, 09 01 2016, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104976453/as-coldblooded-as-a-murderer-gets/. Berg, Tom. “Justice delayed: Why it took more than 5 years for trial of Daniel Wozniak, accused of killing 2, beheading one victim.” Orange County Register, 7 December 2015, https://www.ocregister.com/2015/12/07/justice-delayed-why-it-took-more-than-5-years- for-trial-of-daniel-wozniak-accused-of-killing-2-beheading-one-victim/. Accessed 4 July 2022. “Brother of double killer is arrested.” Los Angeles Times, 24 12 2016, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105002079/brother-of-double-killer-is-arrested/. “Death Penalty for OC Killer.” Los Angeles Times, 12 01 2016, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104977538/death-penalty-for-oc-killer/. “Neighbor beheaded and his friend killed.” Modesto Bee, 29 05 2010, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105001017/neighbor-beheaded-and-his-friend-killed/. Pelisek, Christine. “Daniel Wozniak Murders Re-examined in New Podcast | PEOPLE.com.” People, 28 August 2018, https://people.com/crime/daniel-wozniak-rachel-buffett-murders-in-new-podcast/. Accessed 28 June 2022. “Prosecutors will seek death penalty.” Los Angeles Times, 26 05 2012, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104951198/prosecutors-will-seek-death-penalty/. Sclafani, Julia. “Double murderer's ex-fiancée is sentenced to jail as accessory after slayings.” Los Angeles Times, 8 November 2018, https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-me-buffet-sentencing-20181108- story.html. Accessed 4 July 2022. “This community theater actor's final performance was a chilling confession to double murder.” ABC News, 29 May 2019, https://abcnews.go.com/US/community-theater-actors-final-performance-chilling- confession-double/story?id=63181588. Accessed 4 July 2022. “Woman pleads not guilty in beheading.” The Californian, 05 12 2012, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104945493/woman-pleads-not-guilty-in-beheading/. The following music was used for this media project: Music: Cinematic Background Sad by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8181-cinematic-background-sad License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://cemmusicproject.wixsite.com/musiclibraryfiles Stay The Course by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5048-stay-the-course License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Edge Of Forever by Tim Kulig Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8488-edge-of-forever License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license What Lurks In The Dark by Dave Deville Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8233-what-lurks-in-the-dark License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this month’s series “Final Curtain Call” a film or theater actor is connected to a sensational crime. In 1973, The Exorcist was released in theaters. Moviegoers were shocked by the film’s graphic depiction of a little girl possessed by a demon. But one movie extra, Paul Bateson, had demons of his own which lead him to commit an act of violence and become a prime suspect in a series of grisly murders. Resources: Paul Bateson: The ‘Mindhunter’ Murderer Who Appeared in ‘The Exorcist’ - https://allthatsinteresting.com/paul-bateson The Exorcist Serial Killer - https://www.truecrimeedition.com/post/paul-bateson Bag Murders and The Last Call Killer Put in Focus the Dangers the NY LGBTQ+ Community Faces, Inside Edition Online - https://www.insideedition.com/how-the-bag-murders-and-the-last-call-killer-put-in-focus-the-dangers-the-new-york-lgbtq-community Rites Held for Addison Verrill, Variety Reporter Killed in Robbery, The New York Times, Sept 20, 1977. Arthur Bell, 51, a Columnist, Homosexual Rights Activist, The New York Times, June 6, 1984. Cruising, The Daily Sentinel, Grand Junction, Colorado, Feb 22, 1980. Visit our website at www.truecrimepodcast.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Harry Uzoka was a rising star who’d broken into the world of high-end modeling against all odds. But another model envious of his success began a rivalry which lead to a violent showdown that no one saw coming. Resources Adey, Linda. “Remembering Harry.” BBC, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/remembering_harry_uzoka_the_murder_of_a_model. Accessed 8 June 2022.Balogun, Simi. “FAB Editorial: Ty Ogunkoya & Harry Uzoka Featured In Paper Magazine.” FAB, 21 February 2014, http://fabmagazineonline.com/fab-editorial-ty-ogunkoya-harry-uzoka-featured-paper-magazine/. Accessed 8 June 2022.Okeowo, Alexis. “The Tragedy of Harry Uzoka.” The New York Times, 23 April 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/20/magazine/harry-uzoka-murder-george-koh.html. Accessed 8 June 2022.“Two charged over stabbing of male model.” London Evening Standard, 16 01 2018, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103618163/two-charged-over-stabbing-of-male-model/. MUSIC CREDITS: Missing (Loopable) by Dave DevilleLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/9419-missing-loopable-License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license The End by Tim KuligLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/9335-the-endLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license This episode was written by Troy Larson who also provided additional research.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In light of the ongoing tragedies of frequent mass shootings in America, I’ve decided to make this week’s episode one of hope and heroism. In this story, a young girl becomes an unlikely hero when she acts upon a hunch derailing an evil plot before it could begin. Resources “De Anza bomber receives 7-year prison sentence” | News | losaltosonline.com.” Los Altos Town Crier, 3 April 2022, https://www.losaltosonline.com/news/de-anza-bomber-receives-7-year-prison-sentence/article_53662dd7-5f2f-5b74-9719-7f6bb84b6cb0.html. Accessed 4 June 2022. Fernandez, Lisa. “Woman whose call to cops stopped De Anza College attack now has cancer.” The San Jose Mercury News, 17 August 2010, https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/08/17/woman-whose-call-to-cops-stopped-de-anza-college-attack-now-has-cancer/. Accessed 2 June 2022. Gathright, Alan. “De Anza massacre planned in diary / College student's bomb trial begins.” SFGATE, 11 April 2002, https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/De-Anza-massacre-planned-in-diary-College-2852635.php. Accessed 2 June 2022. Glionna, John M. “Man Accused of Bombing Plot 'Hated Everyone.'” Los Angeles Times, 1 February 2001, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-feb-01-mn-19794-story.html. Accessed 2 June 2022. Hammack, Maria Esther. “A Brief History of Mass Shootings – Behind the Tower.” Behind the Tower, http://behindthetower.org/a-brief-history-of-mass-shootings. Accessed 4 June 2022. Hasan, Najeeb. “Features | Biter.” Metro Silicon Valley, https://www.metrosiliconvalley.com/papers/metro/09.01.04/biter-0436.html. Accessed 2 June 2022. Ionides, Alex. “Metroactive News & Issues | Al DeGuzman.” Metro Silicon Valley, https://www.metrosiliconvalley.com/papers/metro/01.31.02/cover/deguzman-0205.html. Accessed 2 June 2022. “Man who planned massacre at De Anza College commits suicide.” SFGATE, 9 August 2004, https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Man-who-planned-massacre-at-De-Anza-College-2702611.php. Accessed 2 June 2022. “PEOPLE v. DEGUZMAN | FindLaw.” FindLaw's Cases and Codes, https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ca-court-of-appeal/1009557.html. Accessed 2 June 2022.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 1996, the longest and most expensive investigation in the FBI’s history was successfully solved when Theodore Kaczynski was identified as “The Unabomber” 18 years after he began building and planting bombs at various locations. Three people were killed and several others injured before he was brought to justice. A new book titled “Madman in the Woods” recounts the experiences of its author Jamie Gehring regarding Kaczynski who she knew as “Ted” the eccentric neighbor who lived in a one-room cabin just a stone’s throw from her family home in Lincoln, Montana. In this episode I speak with Jamie to discuss her memories of Kaczynski and learn how her own father was instrumental in the FBI”s capture of the elusive killer. Link to Jamie’s book: Madman in the Woods: Life Next Door to the Unabomber by Jamie Gehring https://amzn.to/3FNbD73See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Christopher Wilder posed as a photographer to lure beautiful young women with the promise of modeling work. Those who take him up on his offer - and even those that didn’t - found themselves victims of a serial rapist who soon graduated to serial murder. Resources: https://listverse.com/2019/08/07/10-shocking-facts-about-the-beauty-queen-killer/ https://allthatsinteresting.com/christopher-wilder https://criminalminds.fandom.com/wiki/Christopher_Wilder https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Wilder https://charleyproject.org/case/elizabeth-ann-kenyon https://murderpedia.org/male.W/w/wilder-christopher.htmSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A young woman who creates a YouTube channel to advocate for animal rights and veganism becomes disgruntled with the social media platform when she feels she is being targeted for discrimination. But, no one imagined that her anger would spiral into a random act of violence. Resources: “Sleeping in Car and Visiting Gun Range: How YouTube Attacker Spent Final Hours” by Daisuke Wakabayashi, Matthew Haag and Elizabeth Dias for The New York Times, April 4, 2018. MVPD Statement Regarding Officers’ Interaction with Woman Responsible for YouTube Shooting, City of Mountain View News Details. “YouTube shooter was angry about company’s “Policies and Practices’: The Latest” by Aric Jenkins, Katy Steinmetz, and Mahita Gajanan for Time Magazine, April 4, 2018. The Case Files: Nasim Najafi Aghdam by Virginia Simmons, blog post dated March 25, 2021, Ontic.com. Clip from Mountain View Police Department bodycam footage can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmpjNUWpLBU Links: Once Upon a Crime Facebrook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1730325570622505See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, a young man who dubs himself “Mr. Anime” gains a large following as a critic and reviewer on YouTube.. But, he’ll later admit to harboring dark fantasies most of his life after he commits a shocking act of violence against his closest family members. Resources: “Mr. Anime Loves God and His Family” by Jeannette Garrett for Crime Magazine. “Parents, brother each had high-powered rifle wounds” by Mike Glenn and Cindy George for The Houston Chronicle, Mar 21, 2012. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2118711/Trey-Eric-Sesler-shot-dead-parents-brother-planning-Columbine-style-massacre.html https://rabrewster.com/2019/07/21/human-monsters-trey-sesler-mr-anime-the-first-youtube-killer/ https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Police-Man-charged-in-Waller-deaths-planned-3425659.php https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-news/anime-youtube-star-murdered-family-22852419 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-dWvmMif68 Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week I have a special episode diving into the topic of the psychology of mass killers. What prompts someone to commit mass murder against random strangers? How did Columbine become a cultural touchstone that inspired others to plan and execute their own mass shooting sprees? What can we do to slow down the number and frequency of these types of crimes, if anything? I'll get answers to some of these questions from psychotherapist and author, P. Shavaun Scott, author of The Minds of Mass Killers: Understanding and Interrupting the Pathway to Violence. Here's a link to Shavan's book which you can purchase at Amazon.com. https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B09MB86W17&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_2M1AWDE85GG90D9JY8QH&tag=onc01a-20 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A young couple on a quest for internet fame record a prank for their YouTube channel with tragic results. Resources: YouTube Prankster Jailed, BBC News, March 15, 2018 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43410816 The Last Moments Before a YouTube Stunt Went Fatally Wrong, Buzzfeed News, June 22, 2018. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/tasneemnashrulla/failed-youtube-stunt-killing-videos Who Was Pedro Ruiz?, The Sun, March 15, 2018 https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3908168/pedro-ruiz-youtube-star-killed-girlfriend-monalisa-perez-shooting-stunt-jail-latest/ Stunt Gone Wrong, Valley News, June 27, 2017 https://www.valleynewslive.com/content/news/Family-says-it-was-a-YouTube-stunt-gone-wrong-a-22-year-old-man-is-dead-after-being-shot-in-the-chest-431170773.html See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is part 2 of a 2-part- episode. As we continue the story, Shelly and Dave Knotek have isolated themselves, their three daughters, nephew, and a boarder, Kathy Loreno, in their Ramond, Washington home. The torture and abuse Kathy endured would come to a shocking conclusion in July of 1994. Resources: If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood - Gregg Olsen https://murderpedia.org/female.K/k/knotek-michelle.htm https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/876416/shelly-knotek-abuse-daughters-serial-killer/ https://casetext.com/case/state-v-knotek Snapped: Season 10, Episode 19 Couple Held in Woman’s 1994 Disappearance https://apnews.com/article/1ba1a2ceca7d8bbbc82506c3b1b488b5 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shelly Knotek has been called “America’s Most Evil Mom”. She abused, tortured, and humiliated her children and partners, but her control and abuse went beyond her own family members. One-by-one people she took into her home as boarders also found themselves trapped and unable to escape her abuse. This is part one of a two-part episode. To get Part 2 early and ad free, become a Patreon member of Once Upon a Crime at www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime. Resources: If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood - Gregg Olsen https://murderpedia.org/female.K/k/knotek-michelle.htm https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/876416/shelly-knotek-abuse-daughters-serial-killer/ https://casetext.com/case/state-v-knotek Snapped: Season 10, Episode 19 Couple Held in Woman’s 1994 Disappearancehttps://apnews.com/article/1ba1a2ceca7d8bbbc82506c3b1b488b5 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this month’s series, we’ll take a look at the fascinating phenomenon of narcissistic family cults - a family unit that exhibits all the hallmarks of a traditional cult group but is led by a narcissistic family member - usually a parent. In this episode, a couple with thirteen children spend decades isolating themselves from the outside world. The public would be shocked when it was discovered their children had been subjected to long-term ritualistic abuse, neglect, and deprivation in one of the worst cases of child abuse ever recorded in California. Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime - Become a Patreon member of Once Upon a Crime to get ad-free, early release episodes, and more perks. Military Murder Podcast - Check out my friend Margo’s podcast - Military Murder! www.militarymurderpodcast.com. Resources: The Family Next Door by John Glatt, St. Martin’s Press, 2019. David Turpin Biography: 13 Things About Perris, California Engineer Turpin Trial: Couple Jailed for Life for ‘Inhuman’ Child Abuse All That’s Interesting: Louise Turpin California Torture House: Louise Turpin’s Sister Said Sibling Experimented with Religion, Sex People: Couple Accused in Calif. House of Horrors Case ‘Ran Away’ to Marry When She was 16 and He Was 23 David and Louise Turpin Eloped - Daily Mail Inside the Turpin “Horror House” as Young Survivors Reveal Ongoing Struggles ABC 20/20, S44/E7 - Escape from a House of Horror - A Diane Sawyer Special Event Classmate Says Oldest Turpin Sibling Was Bullied, Frail During Grade School in Viral Facebook Post Turpins: 1 Sibling’s Desperate Escape Attempt Foiled When Police Forced Her Back to the House California Torture Case Raises Questions About Home School Regulation People: I Lived with the House of Horrors Family: What Relative Says She Saw Years Before Child Torture Case Came to Light CNN: Judge Bars Turpins from Contacting Children People - From a Desperate Escape to Revelations of Shocking Abuse: How Abuse of Horrors Case Unfolded Huffpost - Turpin Children Speak Out About Life in California ‘House of Horrors’See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A young man’s racist ideology lead him to take the lives of 51 people and injure dozens more all while recording and uploading a video of the murders to Facebook Live. Resources: Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mosques on 15 March 2019. https://christchurchattack.royalcommission.nz “Massacre Suspect Traveled the World but Lived on the Internet” by David D. Kirkpatrick for The New York Times, March 15, 2019. “NZ gunman to stay silent at sentencing after families bring court to tears” by Nick Perry for The Times of Israel, 26 August 2020. “The Christchurch shooting was streamed lived, but think twice about watching it” by Colleen Murrelll for abc.net.au, Mar 15, 2019. “Family of alleged gunman apologises to Christchurch victims” by Padraig Collins for The Irish Times, Mar 17, 2109. Links: website - www.truecrimepodcast.com Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A young man who identifies with as an Incel carries out a mass shooting at an Arizona mall while livestreaming it via Snapchat. Special thanks to Dr. Sohom Das for lending his expertise in this episode. Check out his YouTube Channel A Psych for Sore Minds for more insights into the criminal mind and the psychology of true crime! https://www.youtube.com/c/APsychForSoreMinds Resources: “Dark Side: The Westgate Shooting” by Erica Stapleton for News 12 Phoenix, Feb 18, 2021. “‘God had such mercy’: Mother of 19-year-old Westgate shooting victim speaks about son’s recovery” by BrieAnna J. Frank for The Arizona Republic, May 23, 2020. “A Mass Shooter Live-streamed his Attack on Snapchat at an Arizona Mall” by David Gilbert for Vice News, May 21, 2020. “This real-life Air Force superhero saved 28 people from an active shooter in Arizona” by David Roza for Task and Purpose, May 27, 2021. “Armando ‘Junior’ Hernandez: Glendale Westgate Shooting Suspect Arrested” by Emliy Bicks fr The Heavy, May 21, 2020. Links: CrimeCon - www.crimecon.com and www.crimecon.co.uk - Use promo code ONCEUPON22 for 10% off your registration. Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A disgruntled, former television station employee takes out his revenge during a live news broadcast. Resources: “Ex-Broadcaster Kills 2 on Air Virginia Shooting” by Michael D. Shear, Richard Perez-Pena, and Alan Blinder, The New York Times, August 26, 2015. “Vester Lee Flanagan: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know”, Tom Cleary, Heavy.com, April 8, 2021. “A Life of Listing Grievances, and Then Virginia Gunman’s Final Homicidal Explosion”, Michael D. Shear and Sarah Maslin Nir, The New York Times, Aug 27, 2015. “Murder on social media: Killer wanted the world to watch”, Emily Brown, USA Today, Aug 26, 2015. Links: website - www.truecrimepodcast.com Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A bizarre and terrifying crime spree has been on the rise in the UK for the past several years. In this episode, I’ll share stories illustrating how acid attacks have increasingly been used to retaliate against a romantic partner once a relationship ends. Resources: “Acid Attacks on the Rise in the U.K.”, Joanna Kakissis/NPR, Aug 6, 2017. “Acid Attacks: What has led to the rise and how can they be stopped?”, George Mann/BBC News, July 14, 2017. “Jealous woman is jailed for 14 years after scarring her boyfriend”, Rory Tingle/DailyMail.com, Nov 21, 2021. “Woman jailed for acid attack on boyfriend”, Tristan Kirk/Evening Standard, Nov 19, 2021. “Man recalls moment ex-girlfriend poured acid over him while he slept”, Jamie Barlow/Nottinghamshire Live, Feb 12, 2021. The Queen v Mark Cummings and Katie Leong, Crown Court at Leicester, March 21, 2017. “Katie Piper’s acid attacker is cleared for release”, Danny Gallagher/Daily Mail.com, Jun 18, 2020. Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime Once Upon a Crime website - www.truecrimepodcast.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special episode, Esther sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jake Halpern to talk about Season 2 of his podcast Deep Cover: Mob Land. They also discuss podcast storytelling and Jake reveals which well-known actor makes a surprise guest appearance on Deep Cover in Season 2. Links: Listen to Deep Cover on Pushkin.fm - https://www.pushkin.fm/show/deep-cover/ Become a Pushkin+ member to binge all episodes of Deep Cover ad-free. You will also have ad-free access to more than 20 Pushkin+ shows. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I’ll share with you one of the craziest “love” stories you’ve ever heard - right in time for Valentine’s Day. Burt Pagach meets Linda Riss in 1957 and quickly becomes obsessed with her. When she breaks off the relationship he plots a despicable act for revenge. Resources: “Burt and Linda Pugach: The story behind Crazy Love”, Amy Turner for The Sunday Times, June 29, 2008. “CityPeople; A Sort of Love Story”, Mark Fass for The New York Times, March 21, 2004. Crazy Love (2007), Directed by Dan Klores and Fisher Stevens, Magnolia Pictures. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A 22-year-old recent graduate of a New Zealand University breaks off a short-lived relationship. Her ex would take deadly revenge on her in one of the most horrific attacks ever perpetrated in the country’s recent history. Resources: “Own Evidence Seals Fate” by John Hartevelt for Stuff.co.nz, July 23, 2009. “Success accompanied by stress: Weatherston” by Kay Sinclair for the Otago Daily Times, July 9, 2009. “The Day Sophie Died: A Mother’s Untold Story” by Lesley Elliott for NzHerald.co.nz, Jun 10, 2011. “A Decade On: Sophie Elliott’s Family Remembers Her” by Kelley Dennett for NZHerald.co.nz, Jan 5, 2018. “Provocation defence ‘made killer a victim”, NZ Herald, July 22, 2009. “Sophie’s beauty not targeted court told” by Kay Sinclair for Otago Daily Times, July 14, 2009 “An examination he didn’t pass”, Otago Daily Times, July 23, 2009 “Provocation defence abolished”, Otago Daily Times, Nov 27, 2009. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One family appears to have it all - success, wealth, a happy family life, and a beautiful ocean-view home on the California coast. But, trouble behind the scenes tears the family apart and the story of the Sachs family will end in a shocking murder. Resources: Shadow of Death, CBS/48 Hours, October 15, 2016. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/48-hours-investigates-andra-and-brad-sachs-murders-shadow-of-death/ “Capistrano killings: In marriage, divorce, death, couple never parted,” by Salvador Hernandez, Lily Leung, and Meghann Cuniff for The Orange County Register, Feb 17, 2014. Capistrano killings: In marriage, divorce, death, couple never parted “Familly remembers entrepreneur Brad Sachs, allegedly slain by son” by Greg Fisher for CBS News, Oct 13, 2015 “Why Aston Sachs Says He Shot His Family” by Matthew Heiler for Orange Coast Magazine, Nov 20, 2014. https://www.orangecoast.com/features/ashton-sachs-says-shot-family/ “Where is Aston Sachs Now?” by Kriti Mehrotra for The Cinemaholic.com, Nov 10, 2020. https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-ashton-sachs-now/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An heiress builds a grand mansion as a showplace on a hill in the San Francisco Bay Area. But, it would become a white elephant and an eyesore during its long history. And, in 1985, it became a house of horrors for two young women. Resources: People v. Raley, Supreme Court of California Appeal, June 18, 1992. Retrieved from Findlaw.com. “Yesterday’s Crimes: The Hillsborough Mansion Murder” by Bob Calhoun for SF Weekly, Jan 30, 2018. “Carolands mansion murder: Survivor Laurie McKenna speaks, 20 years later” by Howard Mintz for San Jose Mercury News, Sept 16, 2014. The Heiress and Her Chateau: Chateau Carolands of California” (2014), Directors: Catherine Ryan and Gary Weimberg, Luna Productions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

July 27, 2001 Jeanine Sanchez Harms went missing after a night out with friends in Campbell, California. A man she'd only become acquainted with that night, Maurice Xavier Nasmeh, would be suspected of involvement in her disappearance. After a problematic investigation and numerous delays, the case would end in a shocking conclusion. Resources: "Whatever Happened to Jeanine Harms?" by Loren Stein for MetroActive News, March 20, 2003. Jeanine Sanchez Harms, The Charley Project. "Jeanine Harms 'Case Closed” by Lori Preuitt for NBC Bay Area News, Aug 24, 2011. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the last episode of the year, Lorena and I break down the case of family annihilator, Chris Watts. Resources: “Chris Watts: A Complete Timeline of the Murder of His Wife and Daughters” by Rachel Change for Biography.com, Sept 29, 2020. https://www.biography.com/news/chris-watts-wife-daughters-murder-mistress-confession-timeline “New Christopher Watts confession details how he murdered his wife, two daughters” by Elise Schmelzer for The Denver Post, March 7, 2019. https://www.denverpost.com/2019/03/07/christopher-watts-confession-murder-details/ The Perfect Father: The True Story of Chris Watts, John Glatt, St. Martin’s Press, (2021). “The Case of Chris Watts, Parts 1 - 3“, JCS - Criminal Psychology, YouTube; Jan 23, 2019. https://youtu.be/Xfg861hO-Ag American Murder: The Family Next Door, Netflix, (2020). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week I’ll discuss the Nicole Brown/Ron Goldman murders with my sister, Yolanda. We’ll go over the evidence, timeline, and motivation for the crimes that all point to OJ Simpson as the killer. We’ll also discuss why the jury may have decided to acquit Simpson of the double homicide even in the face of overwhelming evidence of his guilt. Resources: Evidence Dismissed: The Inside Story of the Police Investigation of O.J. Simpson, authors: Tom Lange, Phillip Vanatter, Dan Moldea, ©️1997, 2016. (If) I Did It: Confessions of the Killer, written by O.J. Simpson and Pablo Fenjves, introduction by Fred and Kim Goldman, Beaufort Books, New York, ©️2007. The OJ Simpson Case (1995), retrieved from Famous-Trials.com, https://famous-trials.com/simpson “What Happened to Al Cowlings, O.J. Simpson’s Former Teammate and White Bronco Driver?”, Luke Norris for Sportscasting.com, August 11, 2020. https://www.sportscasting.com/what-happened-to-al-cowlings-o-j-simpsons-former-teammate-and-white-bronco-driver/ “Murder Timeline, June 12, 1994,” retrieved from BobAugust.com. http://www.bobaugust.com/timeline3.htm “Inside the Short, Tragic Life of Nicole Brown Simpson and Her Hopeful Final Days,” by Natalie Finn for E!Online, June 12, 2019. Chronology of O.J. Simpson Case, The Associated Press, Jan 21, 1995. “5 other pieces of evidence that pointed to OJ as the killer,” by Debbie Lord for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mar 4, 2016.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode I break down the myths and realities of infamous serial killer, Edmund Emil Kemper, “The Co-Ed Killer”. My special guest is Emerson Murray, author of The Murder Capital of the World. You can find out more about Emerson and purchase the book at www.emersonmurray.com/murder-capital-of-the-world To enter a drawing to receive a copy of Murder Capital of the World sign up for texts from OUAC by texting “OUAC” to 408-676-1770 (Texting rates may apply. U.S. listeners only are eligible for this giveaway. Text messaging provided by Text Sanity). Deadline to enter drawing is December 22nd. Winners will be randomly chosen December 23rd.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A young girl living outside of New Delhi, India is found murdered in her own bedroom in a high-security apartment building with her parents sleeping mere feet away. Was her murder an inside job or caused by an unknown intruder? Join us for this “whodunit” that has been called the “JonBenet Ramsay case of India”. Resources: “Behind Closed Doors: How a 13-Year-Old’s Murder Ignited Class Warfare” by Nick Schager for The Daily Beast, July 14, 2019. “Arushi murder case: A timeline of events”, The Hindu, October 12, 2017. “2008 Noida double murder case”, retrieved from Wikipedia.com. The Talwars: Behind Closed Doors (2017), Directed by P.A. Carter for HBO Asia and Star World. Links Get links to all our social media at our website www.truecrimepodcast.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jamison Bachman spent his adult years being “the roommate from hell”. He destroyed property, bullied his housemates, filed lawsuits for petty complaints, and rarely paid his rent. But, growing more desperate once his history of scamming people was revealed, he crossed the line from annoying to dangerous. Resources: “Worst Roommate Ever” by William Brennan for New York Magazine, Feb 19, 2018. “Philadelphia judge to squatter in viral roommate story: ‘You’re frightening’” by Andrew Parent, for The Philly Voice, Feb. 22, 2018. “Woman details terrifying ordeal of roommate from hell” by Aoibhinn McBride for The Daily Mail, Feb. 23, 2018 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The mysterious disappearance of a 4-year-old from her own bedroom takes a bizarre twist and rumors and conspiracy theories soon follow. This case would come to be known as “The JonBenet Ramsey Case of Mexico.” Resources: “Resignation in Mexican missing girl Paulette case”, BBC News, May 26, 2010 “Mexico Shocked by Discovery of Girl’s Body,” CBS News, April 5, 2010 Misterios favoritos en espanol/Unresolved Mysteries, reddit.com - https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/80s8r6/request_misterios_favoritos_en_espanol_what_are/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this special Halloween episode, I’ll share creepy tales of corpses that were mistaken for Halloween displays. I’ll also share the bizarre tale of a failed outlaw who became a successful carnival oddity…after his death. Resources: “Was a Suicide Mistaken for Halloween Decoration?” by David Mikkelson for Snopes.com, Oct. 28, 2005. “75-Year-Old Marina Man Found Dead on Apartment Balcony” by Vince Echavaria for The Argonaut, October 22, 2009. “Body is Mistaken for a Halloween Display” by Rebecca Cathcart for The New York Times, Oct. 17, 2009. “Dead man slumped on balcony mistaken for Halloween decoration” by Seema Mehta for LA Now, October 16, 2009 “Woman’s Dead Body Mistaken for Halloween Decorations” by Maya Rhodan for Time, October 15, 2015. “Murdered woman hanging from fence mistaken for Halloween decoration”, WKRC/WSYK/Sinclair Broadcast Group, Oct 15, 2015. “Man faces murder charges after woman’s body found” by Sara Nealeigh for The Chillicothe Gazette, Oct 13, 2015. “See the Funhouse ‘Mannequin’ that was Actually the Body of an Old Bank Robber”, retrieved from All That’s Interesting, December 20, 2017. “How a Real Corpse Ended Up in a California Fun Park Spookhouse” by Ella Morton retrieved from Atlas Obscura on Slate.com, April 11, 2014. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, a family claims a family member has become possessed by a demon. When a young man challenges the demon in an attempt to save his friend, he may have gotten more than he bargained for. He would later claim that demons drove him to commit a brutal murder. Resources: “By Demons Possessed” by Lynn Darling for The Washington Post, September 13, 1981.https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1981/09/13/by-demons-possessed/3479fa6b-eee3-4233-a2fc-b9defa403504/ “The Murder That Inspired The Conjuring III” by Josie Klakstrom for Medium.com, June 8, 2021. https://medium.com/the-true-crime-edition/arne-johnson-the-devil-made-me-do-it-cf6ff04f611aSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A teenager takes the life of family members as well as a random stranger and then claims his involvement in “satanic rituals” lead him to murder. Was 16-year-old Sean Sellers demon possessed, mentally ill, or simply a cold-blooded killer? Resources: "On Thursday He Dies", The Mirror (London), Jan 30, 1999 https://www.thefreelibrary.com/_/print/PrintArticle.aspx?id=60226483 "Reaching Out as Time is Running Out" by Lois Romano, The Washington Post, Jan 22, 1999. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/01/22/reaching-out-as-time-is-running-out/4a28249b-d5e3-4c50-908c-39226d069304/ "Open Letter to Satanists", writings by Sean Sellers. Retrieved from The Wayback Machine. https://web.archive.org/web/20081120020450/http://www.seansellers.com/open_letter_to_satanists.htm# Sean Richard Sellers - from the files of Clark County Prosecutor http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/sellers512.htm "Sean Sellers: The Devil and Death Row", Doug Mesner for DailyKos.com, June 21, 2013. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2013/6/21/1217873/-Sean-Sellers-The-Devil-and-Death-Row Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime TikTok - @OUACpodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode, you’ll hear the live show from CrimeCon UK in London. Esther discusses the motivations and psychology behind mass shooters with Forensic Psychiatrist Dr. Sohom Das, host of the YouTube channel A Psych for Sore Minds. Check out True Crime Week on Stitcher where they are kicking off the spookiest month of the year with the creepiest and crawliest True Crime Podcasts. Check out their curated homepage to find your next True Crime Pod obsession. If you’re on your phone you can download Stitcher in your app store or go to Stitcher.com For tickets to CrimeCon UK, June 11-12, 2022 go to www.crimecon.co.uk. You can still use ONCEUPON21 for 10% off your pre-sale tickets. For info on CrimeCon in Las Vegas in May 2022 go to www.crimecon.com. Dr. Das’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/APsychForSoreMindsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this conclusion to our 2-part episode on spree killer, Robert Garrow, I’ll detail Garrow’s killing spree in the summer of 1973, his time as a fugitive, and his arrest and convcition. Resources: The Garrow Manhunt: A Serial Killer in the Adirondacks https://www.adirondack.net/history/garrow-manhunt/ Crime Library: Robert Garrow https://web.archive.org/web/20140403090224/http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/robert_garrow/2.html Sworn to Silence: The Truth Behind Robert Garrow and the Missing Bodies Case, Jim Tracy, Post Hill Press, March 2021 “When Robert Garrow’s murders, manhunt terrified the Adirondacks”, Mark Frost, Glens Falls Chronicle, July 9, 2021. “Secrets and Death: Former reporter tackles the Robert Garrow story,” Will Doolittle, Adirondack Daily Enterprise. “Dannemora Manhunt Harkens Back to Robert Garrow, Source of ‘Terror in the Adirondacks’, Bill Carey, New York State, June 16, 2015. “Garrow Reign of Terror 35 Years Later”, Lohr McKinstry, Press Publican, April 13, 2006. Music Credit: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/p/music-credits/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 1973, a violent sexual predator went on a killing spree in the Adirondack Mountains. In Part 1 of this 2-part series, I detail Garrow’s abusive childhood, history of violence, and the escalation of his crimes from theft, to kidnapping and assault, and ultimately to rape and murder. Resources: Robert Francis Garrow, Jr: American Spree Killer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu5e4RJKp9s&t=1235s Murderpedia.com: Robert Garrow https://murderpedia.org/male.G/g/garrow-robert-photos.htm The Garrow Manhunt: A Serial Killer in the Adirondacks https://www.adirondack.net/history/garrow-manhunt/ Crime Library: Robert Garrow https://web.archive.org/web/20140403090224/http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/robert_garrow/2.html Sworn to Silence: The Truth Behind Robert Garrow and the Missing Bodies Case, Jim Tracy, Post Hill Press, March 2021 See website for music credits. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 1969, U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy was the front runner to become the next Presidential candidate on the Democratic Party ticket. But, decisions he would make one fateful night on Chappaquiddick Island would result in the death of a young woman and leave his reputation in tatters. Did Ted Kennedy get away with murder? Resources “‘Kennedy Passenger Dies in Car Plunge’: How Chappaquiddick was covered by The Washington Post”, by Richard Harwood and Paul Blackwell for The Washington Post, July 18, 2019. “‘The Kennedy machine Buried What Really Happened’: Revisiting Chappaquiddick, 50 years later”, by Josh Sanburn for Vanity Fair, July 17, 2019. “The End of Camelot”, Vanity Fair, September 1993. “Ted Kennedy’s Chappaquiddick Incident: What Really Happened”, by Sarah Pruitt for History, April 6, 2018. “Why the True Story of ‘Chappaquiddick’ Is Impossible to Tell”, by Lorraine Boissoneault for Smithsonian Magazine, April 2, 2018. Background Cinematic Sad by MusicLFiles Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8031-background-cinematic-sad License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Misty Lights by Rafael Krux Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5686-misty-lights- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A billionaire heiress kills her friend in a “freak accident”. Was Eduardo Tirella’s death actually an accident or did Doris Duke commit murder? Resources: Doris Duke: Facts, Death and Mansion, Biography.com: https://www.biography.com/personality/doris-duke Homicide at Rough Point by Peter Lance for Vanity Fair, July 16, 2020 https://bit.ly/2VHjXC7 The Fatal Crash that Plunged Doris Duke into a Scandal by Samantha Todd for Forbes Magazine, Oct 18, 2019 https://www.forbes.com/sites/samanthatodd/2019/10/18/the-fatal-crash-that-plunged-doris-duke-into-scandal/?sh=5a23b31e2057 The Doris Duke Cold Case Reopens: The Only Known Eyewitness Speaks for the First Time by Peter Lance for Vanity Fair, August 5, 2021 https://bit.ly/3Ct9oDQ Links: Patreon: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OnceUponACrimePodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The wealthy son of a New York real estate family leaves town to avoid investigation in the decades-old disappearance of his wife. A year later, he will be the number one suspect in the murder of an elderly man in Texas. This is the first chapter in the series “Getting Away with Murder”, the case of Robert Durst. Resources: Books: A Deadly Secret: The Bizarre and Chilling Story of Robert Durst by Matt Birkbeck, Berkeley Books, 2005. He Killed them All: Robert Durst and my Quest for Justice by Jeanine Pirro, Gallery Books, 2015. Article links: https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/robert-durst-case-timeline/26/ https://abcnews.go.com/US/robert-durst-killed-neighbor-words/story?id=29689667 https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a31043951/robert-durst-murder-trial-details/ https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-robert-durst-self-defense-20150316-story.html https://www.gq.com/story/killer-in-the-blue-dress https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/04/us/robert-durst-testimony/index.html Links: Once Upon a Crime Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1730325570622505See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 1967, a double murder shocked a small town in Virginia. A suspect was quickly rounded up, but the case wasn’t truly resolved until decades later when a chance encounter led to a series of events that would ultimately bring about a deathbed confession. Resources: “Thomas Free on Bond; Hearing Slated Oct 27”, The News Leader, Oct 17, 1967. “Prosecution Rests in Thomas Hearing”, The News Leader, April 10, 1968. “Getting away with murder? Former cop has serious questions about why Staunton’s most infamous killer almost got away”, Lindsay Barnes for The Hook, Jan 8, 2009. Sharron C. Smith, Obituary, retrieved from Legacy.com. “Woman confesses to 1967 slayings”, Ashley Broughton for CNN, Jan 24, 2009. “Motive in Double Killing 42 Years Ago is Revealed”, The Associated Press, retrieved from The New York Times, Jan 24, 2009. “We just want the truth; Connie Hevener’s family wants to know why a cop allegedly hid her killer for 40 years”, Lindsay Barnes for The Hook, Feb 26, 2009. “Bound by blood? Were cop and killer father and child?”, Lindsay Barnes for The Hook, April 23, 2009. “A $200M Wrong? One-time suspect in ‘67 slayings says Staunton cops framed him”, Brad Zinn for The News Leader, Dec 23, 2010. “High’s case featured on Investigation Discovery”, Augusta Free Press, Feb 17, 2013. Links: Patreon - Join to become a Patreon member for bonus episodes, early release, ad-free episodes and more at www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime. Join the Once Upon a Crime Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1730325570622505See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this series I share cases where people on their deathbeds finally confess to terrible crimes. In his episode you’ll hear about a brutal murder that went unsolved for over a dozen years when the perpetrator confessed before meeting his maker. But, this story ends with a twist when fate intervenes. Resources: State of Tennessee v. James Murray Washington, Direct Appeal from the Criminal Court for Davidson County, July 15, 2014 The Crime Reel: A Brutal Murder and a Deathbed Confession, YouTube.com, May 26, 2021. https://youtu.be/5vD_KFlPbtw https://blogs.findlaw.com/legalgrounds/2012/11/deathbed-confession-leads-to-conviction-after-man-gets-better.html https://abcnews.go.com/US/inmate-james-washington-convicted-death-bed-murder-confession/story?id=17653264 https://criminallawyerwashingtondc.com/blog/tennessee-man-on-deathbed-confesses-to-murder-then-recovers-and-gets-life-sentence/ Links: CrimeCon UK - www.crimecon.co.uk - Use my promo code ONCEUPON21 for 10% off your registration Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime You can sign up to receive texts from Once Upon a Crime by texting OUAC to 408-676-1770. Msg&DataRatesMayApply. Text messaging provided by Text Sanity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this series "Deathbed Confessions" I share cases that went cold and the perpetrator was only revealed when they made a deathbed confession. In this first episode, a dying woman reveals a long-held secret to her children, leading to a shocking discovery. Resources: “Slaying Victim had Fled a Troubled Past”, The Boston Globe, November 20, 2004. “John’s in the Freezer”, What Lies Beyond, August 31, 2014. “Deathbed Confession Leads to Slain Husband”, Catherine Saillant, Los Angeles Times, Nov 20, 2004. “Murder Confession Confirmed”, Jay Lindsay/AP, Seacoast Online.com Nov 20, 2004 “Slaying Victim was Cleared in 1981 Brawl”, Michael Levenson, The Boston Globe, Nov 25, 2004. “Lies of former Ventura woman, who kept body in freezer, went unchallenged”, Angelica Martinez and Aron Miller, Ventura County Star, Nov 20, 2004. “Authorities confirm woman’s deathbed murder confession”, Jay Lindsay/AP, The Berkshire Eagle, Nov 20, 2004. Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime You can sign up to receive texts from Once Upon a Crime by texting OUAC to 408-676-1770. Msg&DataRatesMayApply. Text messaging provided by Text Sanity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this final chapter of “Buried Truth” I share a story of one of the most rare categories of criminal - the female serial killer. Behind her grandmotherly exterior, Dorothea Puente was hiding some very dark secrets very close to home. This is the case of “The Killer Landlady”. Resources: Newspapers.com: Dorothea Puente by Julia Scheeres for TruTV.com, Jailed Landlady: I Didn’t Kill Anyone - The Sacramento Bee - Nov 18, 1988, Puente Guilty of Killing 3 - The Sacramento Bee - Aug 27, 1993, Murderous Landlady Puente Dies - The Sacramento Bee - March 28, 2011 The Life and Deaths of Dorothea Puente by Martin Kuz for Sactown Magazine, 2009. "Sacramento serial killer’s former home renovated, ready for visits" - David Bienick for KCRA3, August 29, 2013 "Tours, documentary focus on Sacramento house of murderer Dorothea Puente" - Ryan Lillis for The Sacramento Bee, Sept 1, 2015 California Superior Court (Sacramento County) case files for The People v. Dorothea Montalvo Puente - Retrieved from The Online Archive of California - oac.cdlib.org Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A teenage boy goes missing in 1984. Authorities would quickly decide that he was a runaway, but his family didn’t agree. Fourteen years later his fate would be learned in a shocking and unusual way. Resources: The New Detectives: Grave Secrets - Season 8, Episode 7, The Discovery Channel Articles (Jackson Vallarta/Christopher Denoyer/Dale Vallarta) from The Californian newspaper, Feb 17 1998 to Feb 10, 2000 - Clipped from Newspapers.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this month’s series “Buried Truth” I share cases where a person goes missing never to be seen again. Just when it seemed their fate would remain a mystery, the truth would be uncovered. This time, a neighborhood menace harbors dark secrets in his own backyard. This is the case of Russell Tillis and The House of Horrors. You can now receive texts from Once Upon a Crime! Text OUAC to 408-676-1770 to opt-in! Links: www.truecrimepodcast.com Resources: https://www.thedailybeast.com/womans-body-found-under-booby-trapped-mobile-home http://www.cncpunishment.com/forums/showthread.php?11401-Death-Penalty-Trial-Tentatively-Set-for-November-5-2018-for-Russell-David-Tillis-in-May-2015-FL-Murder-of-Joni-Lynn-Gunter&p=101924&viewfull=1 https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/features/5-things-you-need-to-know-house-of-horrors-death-penalty-trial-starts-april-5-crime/77-611a8a49-232b-4d4e-b31f-fd367cf2b587 https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2021/04/08/russell-tillis-expected-to-testify-in-own-defense-at-murder-trial/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is a double episode to conclude the month-long miniseries where I detail the case of serial killer David Carpenter, known as “The Trailside Killer”. Carpenter stalked and killed men and women on the hiking trails of Marin County, San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Other suspected victims would disappear from San Jose and Daly City, California. Resources: The Sleeping Lady: The Trailside Murders Above the Golden Gate by Robert Graysmith, Penguin Books, (1990) People v. Carpenter, Supreme Court of California, Nov 29, 1999. “The Frightening Case of the Trailside Killer”, Strange Outdoors, November 27, 2020. “DNA ties Trailside Killer to ‘79 SF Slaying”, Jaxon Van Derbeken, San Francisco Chronicle, Feb 24, 2010. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part 2 of this 3-part mini-series, I’ll continue the story about a random series of attacks that took place on hiking trails in northern California beginning in 1979, soon after David Carpenter was released from prison for an earlier violent crime spree. After three women were found murdered on Mount Tamalpais, investigators began to suspect that a serial killer was on the loose and targeting local hikers. This is the case of “The Trailside Killer”. Resources: The Sleeping Lady: The Trailside Murders Above the Golden Gate by Robert Graysmith, Penguin Books, (1990) People v. Carpenter, Supreme Court of California, Nov 29, 1999. “The Frightening Case of the Trailside Killer”, Strange Outdoors, November 27, 2020. Links: Website: www.truecrimepodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This month I’ll be sharing a 3-part miniseries. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Northern California was terrorized by a series of random murders that took place on hiking trails in state parks, national forests and coastal lands. The public began to suspect that a serial killer was lurking among them and the media began referring to him as “The Trailside Killer”. In this first part, I’ll detail some of the Trailside Killers earliest victims and describe how he was allowed to slip through the cracks in the criminal justice system and set loose to stalk and kill more than ten people. Resources: The Sleeping Lady: The Trailside Murders Above the Golden Gate by Robert Graysmith, Penguin Books, (1990) People v. Carpenter, Supreme Court of California, Nov 29, 1999. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 2002, two paintings were stolen from The Van Gogh Museum worth $30 million dollars. The investigation into this crime would involve law enforcement in several countries. Special investigators in both art crimes and organized crime units would also be brought in to solve the case of the missing Van Goghs. Resources: Documentary: Stealing Van Gogh (2018), Julian Hendy, Director. “How 20 Stolen Van Gogh Paintings were Recovered” by Erik Shilling for Atlas Obscura, Sept. 30, 2016. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-20-stolen-van-gogh-paintings-were-recovered-35-minutes-after-a-heist “As Stolen Van Goghs Return to View, a Thief Tells All” by Nina Siegal for The New York Times, Mar 19, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/19/arts/design/van-gogh-museum-theft-octave-dunham.html “Italian police bust drug trafficking Camorra Clan”. Posted on Gangsters, Inc., Mar 21, 2017. https://gangstersinc.ning.com/profiles/blogs/italian-police-bust-drug-trafficking-camorra-clan-and-retrieve-st “How Two Stolen Van Gogh Paintings Made it Home After a 14-Year Saga” by Isaac Kaplan for Artsy.Net, Mar 21, 2017. https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-two-stolen-van-gogh-paintings-made-14-year-saga See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright begins an affair with Martha “Mamah” Borthwick. When the scandal threatens his career and reputation, he builds a home near Spring Green, Wisconsin. Called “Taliesin”, it was supposed to be a place of peace and refuge for the couple, but in 1914, it became the site of a horrifying massacre. Resources: “Soulmate Stunt Loses its Zest”, Kokomo Daily Tribune, August 3, 1910. Frank Lloyd Wright by Jan Adkins, published by Penguin Random House, 2008 “Cook massacres seven at Wisconsin home Frank Lloyd Wright built for his mistress”, by Mara Bovsun for The New York Daily News, Jan 25, 2014. Links: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1730325570622505 Patreon: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

To celebrate reaching 200 episodes we created a bonus episode to answer listener questions. Thanks everyone for submitting them! Links: www.Patreon.com/onceuponacrime To listen to our "haunted" episode go to Episode #108 - Haunted Homicides: The LaLaurie Mansion. Some hear a "ghost" at minute 20 or so. The Scott Peterson episodes with my sister, Yolanda is #71 and #72 - The 12 Crimes of Christmas - Laci Peterson, Part 1 and 2. Special thanks to Lorena Garcia for co-hosting this episode with me and to all the listeners who sent in questions!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.