Once Upon A Crime

In this special episode Esther and Lorena talk with Bob Ruff, host of the podcasts Truth and Justice and True Crime Binge. They discuss the Netflix documentary series "Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist" that details one of the most high-profile incidents of catfishing on record. Manti Te’o was a celebrated linebacker from Hawaii who played for Notre Dame and was on track to become a first round draft pick for the NFL when a scandal marred his future prospects. He’d been in a long-term relationship with a girl who, it turned out, didn’t exist. He’d been fooled into believing that his long-distance girlfriend, Lennay Kukua, had died from a chronic illness. But, instead, it was discovered that Te’o’s girlfriend was actually a man named Ronaiah Tuiasosopo. Esther and Lorena also talk about hanging with podcasters at the Generation Why 10- Year Anniversary Livestream, Bob’s latest investigation on Truth and Justice, and who he has coming up as special guests on True Crime Binge. Links: Link to the Netflix docuseries Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist: https:// www.netflix.com/title/81580141 A link to an article about the Manti Te’o catfishing case: https://www.usmagazine.com/ celebrity-news/pictures/the-manti-teo-catfish-controversy-a-complete-timeline/ Esther was recently a guest on True Crime Binge. Listen here: https://audioboom.com/ posts/8169182-esther-ludlow-once-upon-a-crimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special holiday episode Esther and Lorena discuss the Netflix series "The Watcher" with Tim and Lance from Crawlspace Podcast. We compare and contrast this fictionalized version of the true mystery "The Watcher House". In 2014, Derek and Maria Broaddus purchased a home in New Jersey. Soon afterward they began receiving letters from an anonymous person who said they were watching the house and young family. When the letters became threatening they questioned whether they should give up their dream home. Resources: A link to an article about this case with photos of the house: https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/12/us/the-watcher-house-stalker-trnd/index.html Esther covered this case on Halloween Tales: Volume 2 in 2017, Episode #64. Link here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/once-upon-a-crime-true-crime/id1122650415?i=1000393914220 Here's a link to the Netflix series: https://g.co/kgs/gvwymw Esther was recently a guest on Crawlspace. Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/335-once-upon-a-crime-with-esther-ludlow/id1187326340?i=1000588557865 or watch on their YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/-_VZFhz2ussSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For many people around the world, ringing in the new year brings with it the promise of new hope, a fresh start, and renewed possibilities. But each year of Ricky Javon Gray’s short life brought only violence, brutality, and death ending in a shocking murder spree over New Year’s weekend 2006. Resources “The Visitors” by Melissa Scott Sinclair for Style Weekly, October 20, 2010. https://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/the-visitors/Content?oid=1381013 “Man convicted of grisly murders of Virginia couple, daughters” Associated Press, August 17, 2006. “String of Slayings Shatters Richmond” by Carol Morello for The Washington Post, Jan 15, 2006. “Gray v. Commonwealth”, Supreme Court of Virginia, Decided June 8, 2007. Retrieved from FindLaw.com. “Cold Blooded” on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck1M87CT1Tk “Lawyers describe childhood abuse as ‘sexual slavery’ as they argue Ricky Gray should be spared from death” by Gary A. Harki for PilotOnline.com, Dec 13, 2016. “Ricky Gray’s execution took more than 30 minutes. His attorneys want to know why” by Rachel Weiner for The Washington Post, Jan 19, 2017. “Virginia Becomes First Southern State to Abolish the Death Penalty” by Samantha O’Connell, AmericanBar.org, March 21, 2021. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Christmas Eve, 1985 a grim discovery was made on a frozen field outside of Chester, Nebraska. The body of a child had been abandoned. The mystery of who the anonymous child who locals dubbed “Little Boy Blue” would take two years to solve. When the responsible party was identified, investigators began to suspect that an Amish man, Eli Stutzman, just might be a serial killer. Resources: Mystery of 'Little Boy Blue' solved - UPI Archives Crimes of Eli Stutzman, aka The Amish Serial Killer, investigated on ID (monstersandcritics.com) Eli Stutzman | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers Friday marks 25 years since Christmas Eve tragedy - Hebron Journal Register STUTZMAN, DANIEL, LITTLE BOY BLUE - Thayer County, Nebraska | LITTLE BOY BLUE STUTZMAN, DANIEL - Nebraska Gravestone Photos (nebraskagravestones.org) Eli Stutzman Part 01 : Barn Fires & Bodies - YouTube Eli Stutzman Part 02 : Little Boy Blue - YouTube The Amish Serial Killer Eli Stutzman Was Anything But Provincial (ranker.com)\ Types of Amish (Who Are They, and How Do They Live?) (amishbaskets.com) Links: www.Patreon.com/onceuponacrime YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/OnceUponACrimePodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A young mother goes missing after a Thankgiving Day shopping trip in 2018. After meticulous detective work on the part of several law enforcement agencies answers come to light. The perpetrator would be someone no one would suspect - least of all Kelsey Berreth the victim. This case has us pondering the question do we really know the dark thoughts of the people closest to us? Resources: https://www.insideedition.com/kelsey-berreth-case-what-to-know-about-the-missing-colorado-mom-last-seen-on-thanksgiving-day-49154 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/patrick-frazee-s-ex-girlfriend-reveals-kelsey-berreth-s-last-n1078236 https://people.com/crime/people-magazine-investigates-kelsey-berreth-murder/ Application and Affidavit for Arrest Warrant.pdf (state.co.us) Patrick Frazee's Mom Did Not Make 'Witch Is Dead' Facebook Post | Crime News (oxygen.com) Kelsey Berreth remains possibly found as tooth fragment found at killer fiance Patrick Frazee farm | Daily Mail Online Human tooth found near burned area on Patrick Frazee's ranch | 9news.com Patrick Frazee moved to Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility (denver7.com) Links: YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/onceuponacrimepodcast Facebook Group: Once Upon a Crime Podcast Fan Page - 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.

In today’s episode, I’ll share three strange and intriguing true crime cases currently in the news - a suspected serial killer hunting for victims in a small California town, a gruesome discovery on a local walking trail, and a bizarre discovery unearthed in a San Francisco Bay Area mansion’s back garden. Resources: “Suspect is Arrested in Series of Killings in Stockton, Calif., Police Say”, Eduardo Medina, The New York Times, Oct 15, 2022 “Stockton serial killings: Everything we know now about suspect Wesley Brownlee”, Daniel Macht, Hilda Flores, KCRA 3, Oct 19, 2022 “Timeline: Stockton police arrest suspect linked to six serial killings”, Gabriel Porras, ABCNews.go.com, Oct 16, 2022 “What we’re learning about victims of the Stockton serial killings” Maricela DelaCruz, KCRA 3, Oct 19, 2022 “Coroner IDs Woman Found on Fire in Antioch, Suspects in Custody”, Bay City News, Oct 24, 2022 “Antioch Police Say Two Arrested in Homicide Case of Woman Found Burned on Mokelumne Trail”, East County Today, Oct 24, 2022 “2 Charged with Mutilation for Antioch Burned Woman’s Death”, Amy Larson, KRON News, Oct 27, 2022 “Atherton mystery mansion once owned by man convicted of murder: court records”, Amy Larson, Dan Kerman, KRON News, Oct 22, 2022. “Update: Buried car unearthed in Atherton Saturday and taken away by tow truck”, Angela Swartz,The Almanac, Oct 22, 2022 “Buried Car Removed from Atherton Backyard Taken to Crime Lab”, Thom Jensen and Stephanie Guzman, NBC News, Oct 24, 2022 https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/buried-car-removed-atherton-backyard/3037992/ “Former owner of Atherton estate with mysterious buried car has history of murder, sunken yacht”, Julia Prodis Sulek, Bay Area News Group, Oct 24, 2022 “Buried car in Atherton: Onsite investigation complete, still no human remains found”, Angela Swartz, The Almanac, Oct 24, 2022 Links: Episode #84 of Once Upon a Crime - “Last Stop: The Chowchilla School Bus Kidnapping” https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/episode-084-last-stop-the-chowchilla-school-bus-kidnapping/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1730325570622505 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Nightmare Before Halloween, Part 2 …1 campfire… …1 dark forest… …31 bone-chilling stories… …Will YOU survive the night? This Halloween season, enter the woods for a unique and truly epic podcast experience! Around the campfire Shane Waters will introduce 31 crime podcast hosts, including Once Upon a Crime. Each host brings a new, nerve-wracking true story to the circle. It’s an extra special, two part, five-hour, Halloween event, but before hitting play you might want to ask yourself…can you really handle this much murder and mayhem? So, pull up to the fire and brace yourself for ‘A Nightmare Before Halloween’ …but be warned… …bad things happen in these woods…. Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: In this Part 2 Episode: - True Crime Island [https://tinyurl.com/y6kk2npj] - Based on a True Story [https://tinyurl.com/37axzn5z] - The Asian Madness Podcast [https://tinyurl.com/yckkxbjn] - Sistas Who Kill [https://linktr.ee/Sistas.Who.Kill.Podcast] - Hometown History [https://link.chtbl.com/hometownhistory] - Coffee and Cases [https://linktr.ee/coffeeandcases] - Military Murder [https://tinyurl.com/yc5fxjyh] - Dystopian Simulation Radio [https://tinyurl.com/khpw786w] - Cults, Crimes & Cabernet [https://linktr.ee/cultscrimesandcabernet] - Morbidology [https://tinyurl.com/mshyvxyt] - Dark Pountine [https://tinyurl.com/ycydanm9] - Hillbilly Horror Stories [https://tinyurl.com/567vxrkz] - True Consequences [https://tinyurl.com/39fpfv3h] - Gone Cold [https://tinyurl.com/ytzxudt8] - Crime Stories with Nancy Grace & Crime Online [https://tinyurl.com/3dxp47wf] - True Crime IRL & True Crime Sleep Stories [https://tinyurl.com/ykzwmnxr] Links: Photos of altars or ofrendas and other images of Dia De Los Muertos: https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-10-17/photos-dia-de-los-muertos-celebrations-from-around-the-world See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

…1 campfire… …1 dark forest… …31 bone-chilling stories… …Will YOU survive the night? This Halloween season, enter the woods for a unique and truly epic podcast experience! Around the campfire Shane Waters will introduce 31 crime podcast hosts, including Once Upon a Crime. Each host brings a new, nerve-wracking true story to the circle. It’s an extra special, two part, five-hour, Halloween event, but before hitting play you might want to ask yourself…can you really handle this much murder and mayhem? So, pull up to the fire and brace yourself for ‘A Nightmare Before Halloween’ …but be warned… …bad things happen in these woods…. Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: In this Part 1 Episode: - Foul Play: Crime Series [https://link.chtbl.com/foulplay] - Murder She Told [https://tinyurl.com/55473exk] - Crime Salad [https://tinyurl.com/4pbtdtpc] - Crimelines [https://linktr.ee/crimelines] - Frightful [https://link.chtbl.com/frightful] - Reverie True Crime [https://linktr.ee/paigeelmore] - Rotten to the Core [https://link.chtbl.com/Rotten] - The Trail Went Cold [https://tinyurl.com/2zydj3y] - Once Upon A Crime [https://www.truecrimepodcast.com] - Criminology [https://tinyurl.com/yvuu9u8d] - The Peripheral & Generation Why [https://link.chtbl.com/ThePeripheral] - Live, Laugh, Larceny [https://linktr.ee/Live.Laugh.Larceny.Podcast] - The Hidden Staircase [https://link.chtbl.com/TheHiddenStaircase] - True Crime Cases with Lanie & It's Haunted...What Now? [https://linktr.ee/LanieHobbs] - Obscura: A True Crime Podcast & Disaster [https://link.chtbl.com/obscura]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

N.W.A. became one of the most influential hip-hop artists of all time and became one of the first rap groups to reach platinum status with their debut album Straight Outta Compton. In 1989, they took the stage in front of a crowd of over 20,000 fans in Detroit, Michigan. But the group had been forbidden from performing one of their most controversial songs. When they chose to do so anyway, all hell broke loose. Resources: “The real story behind N.W.A.’s ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Detroit riot” by Lee DeVito for Detroit Metro Times, August 17, 2015. https://www.metrotimes.com/music/the-real-story-behind-nwas-straight-outta-compton-detroit-riot-2362596 “Retired Detroit Sergeant recalls telling N.W.A. they couldn’t play ‘F*** tha Police’ at 1989 concert” by John Counts for Michigan Live, August 27, 2015. https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2015/08/former_detroit_sergeant_recall.html “The famous 1989 Detroit concert by N.W.A., then and now” by Julie Hinds for Detroit Free Press, August 13, 2015. https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/movies/2015/08/13/straight-outta-compton-movie-detroit-ice-cube-joe-louis-arena/31496317/ “The True Story of N.W.A. Playing ‘Fuck Tha Police’ Live in Detroit” by Steve Knopper for GQ, July 21, 2020. https://www.gq.com/story/nwa-fuck-the-police-live-detroitSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robert Smith formed the band The Cure with his schoolmates when he was still in middle school. They found early success and soon began touring around the world. But their sobriety and mental health began to suffer from the strain while on tour. It all came to a dramatic end on stage in Brussels in 1982. Resources: “The Crack Up” by Tonino Cagnucci, October 11, 2014. https://thecuretc.wordpress.com/2014/10/11/the-crack-up-2/ “The ‘one time’ Robert Smith was really frightened with ‘The Cure’” by Jordan Potter for Far Out Magazine, August 20, 2022. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/time-robert-smith-really-frightened-the-cure/ The Story of “The Cure” (2004), More Music Shows, May 15, 2020, YouTube. https://youtu.be/9W7vOJC1qLISee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In our first “Rocktober” episode of the month I’ll tell you the story of the Bad Boy of Rock and Roll - Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses. In July of 1991, Guns N’ Roses was on its 28-month “Use Your Illusion” tour when the lead singer got into a fight with a fan kicking off a 3-hour riot in St. Louis, Missouri. Guns N’ Roses would be banned from performing in St. Louis for years and face criminal and civil charges as a result. Resources: “Guns N’ Roses: The St. Louis Incident” https://youtu.be/1qVzAA-v3qM “Looking Back at the Riverport Riot” by David Durchholtz for Billboard, July 26, 2017 “Reclusive Rocker Breaks His Silence” Luke Bainbridge for The Guardian, Oct 25, 2008 “Axl Rose’s Tragic Real-Life Story” by Rob Smith and Brian Boone for The Grunge, August 30, 2022. 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 cover a case that sparked a national debate and shone a spotlight on discrepancies in the justice system regarding the treatment and rights of survivors of sexual assault. Brock Turner was a first-year student at Stanford University when he was accused of sexually assaulting a young woman. The media portrayal of the perpetrator and the leniency he received at sentencing would fuel public outrage regarding this highly publicized case. Resources: Know My Name: A Memoir, Chanel Miller, Penguin Books, 2019. “Know My Name: Chanel Miller’s Story”, 60 Minutes, CBS, May 3, 2021. https://youtu.be/PTvHn2_0evo “Sentence in Stanford Assault Case Sparks Outrage”, Richard Gonzalez, NPR, June 6, 2016. “Thes Brock Turner Headlines are Beyond Tone Deaf”, Julie Sprankles, Bustle.com, June 6, 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’ll tell you about a case that got worldwide media attention due to the bizarre circumstances, the heinous nature of the crime, and the venue at which it occurred - a high school prom. Resources: Melissa Drexler, murderpedia.comhttps://murderpedia.org/female.D/d/drexler-melissa.htm “Before Prom Night, a Suspect was the Girl Next Door” by Abby Goodnough and Bruce Weber for The New York Times, July 2, 1997. https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/02/nyregion/before-prom-night-a-suspect-was-the-girl-next-door.htmlSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A student residing with three roommates on an Indiana college campus finds herself mired in a tense living situation. An unusual set of circumstances soon turns deadly. Resources: Murder Loves Company: Dorm Living Nightmare, Season 1, Episode 1, The Investigation Discovery Channel, (2019). Liette Martinez Obituary, Las Cruces-Sun News, April 22, 2008. A series of articles regarding this case can be found in the Albuquerque Journal, April 18, 2008 - Sept. 19, 2008. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kitty LeRoy was a sharpshooter, cardsharp, dancer, and entrepreneur. She became a well-known entertainer in the Old West and ran with legends like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock. But her fierce temper and fiery personality often made her dangerous to be around. You may have never heard of Kitty LeRoy before but after this episode you won’t soon forget her. Resources: “Kitty LeRoy: Lady Gambler and Gunfighter” by Kathy Weiser for Legends of America, Feb 2020. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-kittyleroy/ “Kitty LeRoy: Untimely Death” by Greta for Explore Dallas History, Dec 29, 2018. https://exploredallashistory.com/kitty-leroy-untimely-death/ “Kitty LeRoy was a Jig Dancer and Much More” by Marshall Trimble for True West Magazine, August 3, 2016. https://truewestmagazine.com/kitty-leroy-was-a-jig-dancer-and-much-more/ “Wild Women Wednesday: Kitty LeRoy” by Chris Enss for Cowgir Magazinel, Dec 30, 2015. https://cowgirlmagazine.com/wild-women-wednesday-kitty-leroy/ Boudoirs to Brothels: The Intimate World of Wild West Women, Michael Rutter, Farcountry Press, 2015. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Boudoirs_to_Brothels/QhrICgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 1819, Lavinia Fisher and her husband John were accused poisoning and murdering multiple guests of their Charleston, South Carolina inn and sentenced to hang. But were the Fishers really serial killers or is the legend simply a tall tale concocted to entertain tourists? The true story of who Lavinia Fisher was and why she was hanged may shock you. Resources: Lavinia Fisher: Legends of America, https://www.legendsofamerica.com/sc-laviniafisher/ Murder and Mayhem in the Holy City, Pat Hendrix, The History Press, Charleston, South Carolina, 2006. Six Miles to Charleston: The True Story of John and Lavinia Fisher, Bruce Orr, The History Press, Charleston, South Carolina, 2010. 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 we’ll step back in history to learn about some of the history’s first female outlaws. In this episode I’ll tell you about Sally Skull, ranch owner, horse trader, fandango dancer, and gunslinger. Some say Sally’s quick temper - and even quicker hand with a gun - was responsible for the mysterious disappearances of two of her five husbands. Resources: “The legendary Sally Skull was a gun-slinging, foul-mouthed Texas horse trader”, Allison Ehrlich for the Corpus Christi Caller Times, March 17, 2022. https://www.caller.com/story/news/special-reports/building-our-future/throwback/2022/03/17/tbt-sally-skull-gun-slinging-foul-mouthed-texas-horse-trader/7006359001/ “Two Sixshooters and a Sunbonnet”, Dan Kilgore for Publications of the Texas Folklore Society, Legendary Ladies of Texas. http://sonsofdewittcolony.org/texwomen.htm Scull, Sarah Jane Newman (Sally) (1817 - unknown), Texas State Historical Association. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/scull-sarah-jane-newman-sally “Sally Skull - The Scariest Siren in Texas”, Maggie Van Ostrand for Legends of America. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/tx-sallyskull/ Music Attributions: The following music was used for this media project: Music: Slow Western Intro by Brian Holtz Music Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8782-slow-western-intro License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://brianholtzmusic.com 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 leaves her hometown of Ohio for the Big Apple with her heart set on a career as a Broadway dancer. Instead, she meets a young man who becomes obsessed with controlling her life. Unable to let her go, Paul Cortez commits a shocking crime. Resources: The People v. Paul Cortez, New York Court of Appeals filing, April 8, 2013. https://casetext.com/brief/e970db1d-the-people-respondentvpaul-cortez-appellant-brief “A dancer’s secret life and savage murder, Keith Morrison/NBCNews.com, Jan 15, 2006. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna10868185 “The Last Dance”, 48 Hours, May 4, 2006, retrieved from CBSNews.com https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-last-dance/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.