The Knife: A True Crime Podcast

Patia tells Hannah a story about Christine Echohawk, who ran a sweeping online romance scam that drained more than $1.5 million from women who believed they were in love. But who was Christine working for and was she also a victim? Recommendation: Neighbors (HBO docuseries) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2018, Rebecca Peluso, a single mother whose daughter Ella has high-support-needs autism, sold off her belongings to afford a service dog she was told would change Ella’s life. Instead, Rebecca uncovered a devastating fraud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah tells Patia about the criminal case against the leaders of a religious group known as His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. Its leaders, Shelley Bailey “Kat” Martin and Darryl Muzic Martin, are now facing charges connected to a 2010 death within the group, as well as the case of a current missing person. Former members allege years of religious and physical abuse, claiming that Kat Martin presented herself as a god-like figure with the power to perform miracles, even the ability to raise the dead.  Anyone with information about Emilio Salmen Ghanem, his disappearance or his whereabouts is urged to contact the Redlands Police Detective Bureau at 909-551-4424  Anyone with information about Ruben Moreno’s whereabouts or disappearance is asked to call the Claremont Police Department at 909-399-5411. Tips can be submitted anonymously.  Recommendation: The Curious Case of…The Doomsday Cat Cult on HBO Max See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is part 2 of a 2-part series. Embroiled in a hellish custody battle over her 9-month-old daughter, Lee Barnett made a surprising and criminal decision, to leave the life she'd known behind and start a new one, as an international fugitive.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is part 1 of a 2-part series. Embroiled in a hellish custody battle over her 9-month-old daughter, Lee Barnett made a surprising and criminal decision, to leave the life she'd known behind and start a new one, as an international fugitive.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patia tells Hannah a story about a woman named Antonella Carpenter who charged thousands for a laser treatment she claimed was 100-percent effective in killing cancerous tumors. But in 2010, a federal investigation exposed a million-dollar fraud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’d like to introduce you to The First Degree, a true crime podcast from Jac Vanek and Alexis Linkletter. In episode 361, Jac and Lex unravel one night in 2006 when medical student Brian Shaffer disappeared, the theories that won’t die, and the question that haunts everyone: how does someone vanish into thin air?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2014, new parents, Jessica and Justin had just returned home from the hospital with their first baby, a boy. But after only one night home, Justin was killed. In an instant, Jessica’s world turned upside down as police hunted for the killer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patia tells Hannah the story of Oliver Karafa and Lucy Li, a married couple chasing fame and fortune who went on a deadly crime spree. Also, we have recommendations.  Recommended this week:   Valley of Shadows podcast  Heartwood by Amity Gaige (audiobook)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cassandra Rosa had just moved back to her home state when she began receiving vulgar messages from an anonymous number. Cassandra was being stalked. The more Cassandra asked for help, the worse things became. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah tells Patia a story about a Crime Analyst who spotted the most sinister connection between human remains found along a highway. And later, we hear from Frank Figliuzzi, a retired FBI Agent who breaks down the connection between long-haul trucking and some of America's most notorious serial killers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patia and Hannah share a behind-the-scenes update. Then, one of our favorite episodes from the archives - A Wrongful Conviction. Jennifer Thompson was a college student when a man broke into her home and sexually assaulted her. Jennifer did her best to help law enforcement capture her assailant, but years later would learn the wrong person had been held responsible.   Show Notes: Healing Justice  https://healingjusticeproject.org/   Picking Cotton  https://www.pickingcottonbook.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High-ranking executives at the Columbus Zoo are caught in a wild fraud scheme and experience an epic fall from grace. Marissa Gibson, who investigated their crimes, is here to tell us this bizarre story. And it all starts with a most unlikely whistle-blower. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah and Patia join Karen and Georgia on My Favorite Murder to discuss their approach to true crime storytelling, the importance of centering the voices of those affected by crime and what listeners can expect from their new show. Episode originally aired on My Favorite Murder on March 13, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kylie Bearse, a meteorologist at a local news channel in Denver, joins us to discuss what it feels like to be stalked by an obsessed man. When Kylie took legal action, she thought she’d be protected—until one night in September, when it became clear his obsession was far from over. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2017, a family friend’s concern over a peculiar coworker led FBI Agent Mark Hastbacka straight into the path of Dana Lawrence — a serial con artist hiding behind the alias “Genna Kaplan.” Patia tells Hannah how Hastbacka pieced together the truth behind Dana’s long con. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashlee and Kristal join us from Perth, Australia, to discuss the case of their mother, Donna Nelson. In January 2023, their 58-year-old mother was arrested in Tokyo on international drug-smuggling charges. Right away, they suspected the man Donna had been dating online. Together, Ashlee and Kristal share their family’s heartbreaking story, their ongoing fight for justice, and the warning signs of the elder drug mule scam.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Criminal defense attorney Michael Foote joins The Knife to discuss the murder trial of Bricen Rivers. In July of 2024, 22-year-old Lauren Johansen was found dead in the trunk of her own car. Her ex-boyfriend, Bricen Rivers, is now charged with capital murder. Lauren’s father is fighting to change the system that ignored the warning signs and allowed Rivers to be released on bail. We speak with Michael Foote about the case and how the criminal justice system failed to protect Lauren. Listen to Michael Foote’s podcast, Brief Recess, wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Heather Rovet met Jace Paratti, the chemistry was instant. And soon, they were making plans for the future. But when the relationship hit a rough patch, Heather wondered if maybe Jace was hiding something. What she discovered would thrust them both into international headlines and reveal that Jace Paratti wasn’t Jace Paratti at all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sudden passing of husband and father, Michael Cochran, in 2019, was initially a medical mystery. But when his widow, Natalie Cochran was convicted of fraud, a web of lies and a possible motive were revealed. By 2025 Natalie Cochran stood trial for his murder. Forensic Pathologist Dr. Paul Uribe walks us through the results of the autopsy he conducted on Michael Cochran’s remains and the role of his findings in Natalie Cochran’s shocking murder trial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this crossover episode with lovelustfear, a podcast hosted by Jake Deptula, we hear a powerful story from a woman named Allyn. Allyn met a captivating man who swiftly declared his love, asked her to be his girlfriend, and even proposed. But as their long-distance relationship deepened, she uncovered his lingering connection with an ex, which led Allyn down a dark path of deception. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Jaime and Ben bought their first home in Lamar, Arkansas, a charming 1800s fixer-upper with two chimneys and a wraparound porch, they were thrilled to start their new life. But soon after moving in with their kids, strange things began to happen. What started as small, unexplained events grew harder to ignore, leading the family to wonder if their dream home might be haunted. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For nearly two decades Alec Couros has been the target of scammers on the internet. A professor and public speaker from Canada, Alec discovered in 2007 that his photos were being stolen and used in romance scams. Since then, his face has been used thousands of times to con victims around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elin Lantz Lesser joins us to talk about a cold case that haunted Texas for more than four decades, the 1974 murder of Carla Walker. Recently solved through DNA and genetic genealogy, Elin, host of America’s Crime Lab, walks us through how new science finally brought answers to a case that had gone cold for over 40 years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Josh were a young couple in Boston, raising two boys and building a happy life together. But one night, everything changed. After bringing their 3-month-old to the ER with a fever, a series of events spiraled out of control, ending with both their children taken from their home in the middle of the night, without a warrant. Their story exposes how a system meant to protect kids can tear a family apart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.