The Cult Queen of Canada from Uncover

In the rural prairie town of Richmound, Saskatchewan, an abandoned school became the unlikely stage for a 21st-century crisis. When Romana Didulo, a cult leader who calls herself “Queen of Canada,” arrived with her followers and turned the school into her royal court, the town was thrust into a surreal standoff.In this episode of Crime Story, investigative journalist Rachel Browne sits down with Crime Story host, Kathleen Goldhar to uncover how online extremism bled into everyday life and divided the town. You can listen to more incredible tales of true crime every week on Crime Story. Find more Crime Story episodes in your favourite podcast app, or here: https://link.mgln.ai/CSxCQOC

A shocking RCMP raid on the Kingdom of Canada's Richmound school brings the years-long standoff to a dramatic climax. Arrests, legal maneuvering, and a final eviction decide the fate of Queen Romana and her followers.

It's Election Day in Richmound. The town votes for a new mayor in a desperate battle to heal the divide caused by Queen Romana's cult. Amidst the high-stakes political maneuvering, the cult's true danger is revealed through one vulnerable family.

Clowns burn a flag, the Mayor plugs a sewer, and Richmound turns on itself. The conflict moves to the ballot box when a local gives cult members voting rights via a property deed, setting the stage for a dramatic mayoral election that could see the town taken over.

An unexpected victory quickly unravels when a hidden network of cult supporters in Richmound is exposed. Violent conflict erupts between neighbors, revealing a dark side to the divided community as the battle for the town escalates.

Rachel Browne explores the true identity of "Queen Romana," a serial hustler and QAnon influencer who mobilized her "digital soldiers" with "Royal Decrees." We track her chaotic cross-country "Royal Tour" and find out why it ended in Richmound.Hear episodes early and ad-free on our Apple Podcasts channel, or hear all episodes now on our YouTube.

The prairie town of Richmound is shattered when "Queen of Canada" Romana Didulo and her cult occupy the local school. As the mayor struggles, locals organize a tense protest against the cult's intimidation and death threats, revealing deep divisions in the community.Hear all episodes of The Cult Queen of Canada now on CBC True Crime on YouTube, or hear all eps now, ad-free, on CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Coming February 23 . A tiny Saskatchewan town faces a surreal crisis when a cult leader calling herself “The Queen of Canada” occupies an abandoned school. As neighbours turn on each other, a retired teacher leads resistance in a story about what happens when online extremism spills into the real world. Hosted by Rachel Browne.Hear episodes early and ad-free by subscribing to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Former Smallville star Allison Mack is headed to court to be sentenced for her role in NXIVM, the sex cult that lured successful women with promises of personal growth—only to enslave, blackmail, and brand them. When the judge hands down his sentence—three years in federal prison—Allison must begin to unravel the beliefs she once evangelized, parsing what was true and what was manipulation. Journalist Natalie Robehmed sits down with her to explore how she got here: from child actor to TV star to a pivotal moment in Albany that changed everything.To hear all episodes now, early and ad-free, subscribe to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts. Or, find episodes early via CBC True Crime on YouTube.

After Smallville ends, Allison Mack leaves behind her life in Brooklyn to move full-time to Albany, where she immerses herself in Keith Raniere’s teachings. But when a fellow NXIVM member urges her to consult Keith about her deepest insecurities, boundaries in their relationship begin to blur. Soon, Allison is invited to join a secretive women’s group within NXIVM—one that promises empowerment but demands submission.

Allison Mack gives a disturbing order to her first slave—and in doing so, crosses a new line. As her devotion to Keith deepens, her daily life begins to mirror his control: 500 calories a day, cold showers, obsessive self-surveillance. But it’s not just her own body she polices—it’s others’ too. As DOS grows, and brandings multiply, concerned family members start stepping in, and rumours spread.Hear episodes early by finding them on our YouTube channel or by subscribing to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts where episodes are also ad-free.

Lauren Salzman, daughter of NXIVM’s co-founder, speaks for the first time about her two-decade journey in the group—including her indoctrination, her relationship with Keith Raniere, and the moment she realized things had gone too far. Meanwhile, as federal scrutiny intensifies, Allison Mack gives a high-stakes interview defending DOS, and Keith flees to Mexico. Inside a beachside villa, a shocking plan is set in motion, and Lauren is forced to confront her loyalty in a moment of chaos. The walls are closing in, and NXIVM’s inner circle is about to fracture.Hear episodes early by finding them on our YouTube channel or by subscribing to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts where episodes are also ad-free.

Allison Mack is arrested in Brooklyn and taken into federal custody, her devotion to NXIVM still unshaken. As she begins house arrest in California, her mother tries desperately to reach her, while prosecutors chip away at her belief system with mounting evidence. Meanwhile, fellow DOS member Lauren Salzman breaks ranks, deciding to testify against Keith Raniere. As Keith’s trial unfolds in a packed Brooklyn courtroom, Allison is forced to confront the reality of what she did—and who she became.Hear episodes early by finding them on our YouTube channel or by subscribing to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts where episodes are also ad-free.

At the conclusion of the trial, Keith Raniere is handed a 120-year prison sentence, but Allison Mack will have to wait to learn her fate. On house arrest in California, she enrolls in school and begins trying to untangle wisdom from manipulation. When her classmates discover who she is—and what she’s done—Allison gets her first taste of how the world outside NXIVM is going to receive her. Allison is sentenced to three years incarceration, but after her time in DOS, she finds that the harsh world of federal prison comes with unexpected freedoms.

Six months out of prison, Allison Mack is trying to rebuild her life. A chance encounter at a dog park leads her to an unexpected relationship with Frank Meeink, a reformed neo-Nazi who understands the messy work of cult deprogramming. As Allison reflects on her role in NXIVM and the harm she caused, she confronts the question of whether she can trust herself again. Natalie accompanies Allison to a tattoo parlor in LA’s East Side, where Allison is covering her brand, transforming a mark of ownership into a symbol of renewal.

Natalie Robehmed is the first journalist Allison Mack agreed to speak to, on the record, since her release from prison. Allison spent over a decade in NXIVM, the now infamous sex cult where some members were branded with leader Keith Raniere’s initials. She joined the group as a Hollywood actress known for her role on the hit TV show Smallville and eventually climbed the ranks, using her starlet status to recruit other women into the cult.In this episode of Crime Story, Natalie Robehmed discusses the new season of Uncover: Allison after NXIVM, including what it was like to finally hear from Allison, the lies she told to protect Keith, and how she became both victim and perpetrator of his sinister ploys.You can listen to more incredible tales of true crime every week on Crime Story. Find more Crime Story episodes in your podcast app, or here: https://link.mgln.ai/CSxAfterNXIVM

Coming November 10 . This is the inside story of Allison Mack — from TV star to NXIVM enforcer to federal prisoner. With exclusive access post-release, this series explores her rise, fall, and what comes next. Is she a victim, a villain, or something far more complicated?Hear episodes early and ad-free by subscribing to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts.

June 2017, police arrive at the scene of a burned out vehicle on a quiet road in Squamish, BC. Their investigation turns grisly when they find the remains of a local rock climber inside the truck. But that’s only the beginning of a story filled with dozens of false identities and a sordid, complicated secret past.Can't wait for more? Binge all episodes early on the CBC True Crime YouTube channel at youtube.com/@CBCTrueCrime. For early and ad-free listening, subscribe to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts at apple.co/cbctruecrime.

Three years after his body is discovered, police finally learn the true identity of the murdered climber known as Jesse James. Their findings lead them to a childhood in Massachusetts and a youth marked by disturbing social and political beliefs.Can't wait for more? Binge all episodes early on the CBC True Crime YouTube channel at youtube.com/@CBCTrueCrime. For early and ad-free listening, subscribe to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts at apple.co/cbctruecrime.

Young Andrew Britt Greenbaum takes on a new identity and his white supremacist views bring him national attention. But the truth about his roots causes scandal and complicates his plans for a major event.Can't wait for more? Binge all episodes early on the CBC True Crime YouTube channel at youtube.com/@CBCTrueCrime. For early and ad-free listening, subscribe to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts at apple.co/cbctruecrime.

With his dark political dreams in shambles, Davis Wolfgang Hawke capitalizes on his internet marketing skills and uses them to create a shady and lucrative spamming ring. But while spam is making him very wealthy, it’s also making him some powerful enemies.Can't wait for more? Binge all episodes early on the CBC True Crime YouTube channel at youtube.com/@CBCTrueCrime. For early and ad-free listening, subscribe to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts at apple.co/cbctruecrime.

By the summer of 2025, police have no new leads in the mystery of Jesse James’ murder. Our own investigation leads us to unanswered questions about buried gold and spiralling rumours of a lost crypto fortune. But who killed Jesse James?

A dirtbag climber known as Jesse James is found dead in a burned out vehicle on an empty logging road. His past is a total enigma — until a break in the case unleashes a landslide of secrets.Listen to the first episode on Monday, September 8. Binge all episodes early on the CBC True Crime YouTube channel at youtube.com/@CBCTrueCrime. For early and ad-free listening, subscribe to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts at apple.co/cbctruecrime.

Arlene Bynon answers a collect call. On the other end of the line is Clifford Olson: a man convicted of killing eleven children and teenagers in the 1980s. The oldest of them, eighteen. The youngest of them, nine. During years of secret phone calls from his prison cell, he tells this young journalist things he hasn’t told anyone else. Decades later, Nathaniel Frum dusts off a box of old tapes inherited from his late grandfather. When he hears Arlene’s voice, he knows he needs to find her. And they both know that this forgotten story needs to be told.Binge all 7 episodes of this season right now, early and ad-free, by subscribing here.

‘They called him the Candyman.’In British Columbia’s lower mainland, children are disappearing. Families are terrified as the local RCMP attempts to find out who is preying on vulnerable kids.At a time when both the public and the police don’t know how to deal with a serial killer, Clifford Olson slips through the cracks.

It’s the summer of 1981 and the RCMP have their sights set on Clifford Olson, who is well known to them as a career criminal and informant. As police investigate, kids continue to be taken. Kids like Judy Kozma, a 14-year-old who never made it home from her shift at McDonald’s. By the time he’s finally arrested, Olson has murdered at least eleven young people. The RCMP’s case against him is weak - until Olson proposes a deal. In the present day, Arlene speaks to family members of those he killed. 

The country is shocked to learn that a serial killer has been paid by the police - $100,000 in return for the locations of his murder victims. Even as decades have passed, opinions are split on this controversial deal. Was Clifford Olson rewarded for his heinous crimes, or was this necessary to stop the killing? And what do the architects of the deal think about it today?

After months speaking to Clifford Olson, Arlene is still searching for answers. So she turns her attention to his mysterious wife: the woman who received the ‘cash for bodies’ payout.  She’s been attacked by the media and faces the scorn of the public - but Arlene knows there is more to Joan Olson than meets the eye. 

Clifford Olson is serving eleven life sentences for killing eleven children. By now, Arlene has been speaking to him for years and is starting to understand this serial killer - and starting to suspect he’s guilty of more murders.Now, she just needs to get him to confess.

Arlene’s patience with Clifford Olson is wearing thin until he says something truly shocking: he’s stolen a handcuff key and plans to escape.And that’s just one of many ways he’s twisted the justice system to his advantage.In the present day, Arlene and Nathaniel grapple with the devastation Olson has left in his wake. Alongside the families and loved ones of his victims, they consider why it’s important to shine light on this difficult story.  

The voice of a killer. The truth uncovered.For years, journalist Arlene Bynon took forbidden jailhouse calls from notorious murderer Clifford Olson. Hundreds of hours of secret recordings — hidden from prison guards and the public — are now being revealed.In Uncover: Calls From a Killer, Arlene, joined by Nathaniel Frum, will expose what Olson told her, what police got wrong, and why authorities paid a serial killer $100,000. Episode 1 is coming May 20, 2025. Binge all episodes early and ad-free by becoming a subscriber here.

Groundbreaking investigations. Artful storytelling. Uncover the best in true crime. Follow the show to get the latest episodes in your feed, and to explore the rich 30+ season catalogue of award-winning investigative journalism.

The voice of a killer. The truth uncovered. Coming May 20, 2025.For years, journalist Arlene Bynon took forbidden jailhouse calls from notorious murderer Clifford Olson. Hundreds of hours of secret recordings — hidden from prison guards and the public — are now being revealed. In Uncover: Calls From A Killer, Arlene, joined by Nathaniel Frum, will expose what Olson told her, what police got wrong, and why authorities paid a serial killer $100,000.Calls from a Killer unearths secrets that have been buried for decades. Episode 1 premiers via Uncover on May 20, 2025.

An unlikely discovery ten miles out to sea leaves British detectives with a dead end case. Until an accidental doorknock leads to a shocking discovery and the start of a brand new investigation.You can binge all episodes of Sea of Lies ad-free on CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts.

With the body now identified and the discovery of a man living under his name, Elaine Boyes is the only person who knows both men. So who is Ronald Platt? And who would want him dead?You can binge all episodes of Sea of Lies early and ad-free on CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts, or binge all episodes right now on YouTube.

With Ron and Elaine off to Canada, their connection to the mysterious David Davis looks as if it’s coming to an end. But when Elaine finds herself at the center of the investigation into Ron’s death, she’s under the watchful eye of Davis himself.You can binge all episodes of Sea of Lies early and ad-free on CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts, or binge all episodes right now on YouTube.

After the revelation that Albert Walker is one of the world’s most wanted men, Sam investigates his origin story - and the trail of crimes he committed on the opposite side of the Atlantic. 

As the police piece together a case against Albert, the pressure on him and Sheena builds. In uncovering the truth about their five years on the run, an uncomfortable revelation comes to light. 

With Albert awaiting trial, all eyes are on Sheena. The case against her father is far from a foregone conclusion and she’s the only one who knows the truth. But where do her loyalties lie?

The trial attracts media coverage across the globe. Sheena finally has her moment on the stand, with Albert’s fate resting in her hands. Nearly 30 years on, Sam explores what’s happened to Albert Walker and the victims he left behind.Listener's guide to Uncover: What season should you cue up next?

A body is pulled from the ocean, and a race against time to capture one of the world's most wanted criminals begins.This is the story of a con man who couldn't stop lying. A tale of murder, stolen identities, fine art, a diaper stuffed with gold bars, and a crime solved by a Rolex watch. From rural Canada to coastal England, he lied and deceived at every turn.Award-winning podcaster Sam Mullins (Chameleon: Dr. Dante & Wild Boys) takes you inside the world of a devious scammer whose trail of destruction crosses continents and decades. So who is he? And how did this ruthless villain finally get unmasked?

As a teen, Anne-Marie Robinson dreamed of becoming a professional musician. The talented French horn player soon became the music teacher’s favourite. But it wasn’t the kind of attention she wanted. On a band trip, he bought the kids alcohol and she ended up in his hotel bed. Decades later, she ran into him. It was like seeing a ghost.

Robinson stored her painful, high-school memories deep in her mind. But it all came flooding back in midlife after she saw the music teacher. She decided to confront him. That meeting led Robinson on a journey to discover what really happened and report it to police.

More than a year after Robinson went to police, William Douglas Walker was charged with a sex crime. She alleged he groomed and controlled her when she was 16. After four and half years in court, a judge said there wasn’t enough proof she hadn’t consented to sex. The case was dismissed.