The Knife: A True Crime Podcast

On November 23, 1985, Jackie Pflug took her seat aboard EgyptAir Flight 648. When the plane reached flying altitude, several men forcefully took control of the plane. Jackie’s flight was being hijacked. Jackie miraculously survived, but many others did not. Decades later, she tells a story of bravery, profound loss and hope.  Sydney Morning Herald –  https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/from-the-archives-1985-massacre-on-hijacked-egyptair-flight-648-20191122-p53d4w.html  Miles to Go Before I Sleep, by Jackie Pflug –  https://www.amazon.com/Miles-Before-Sleep-Survivors-Terrorist/dp/1568388373 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A listener sends in a tip about an international conman, Chadwick Hauser – who is still on the run. Through an interview with his ex-wife, Hannah tells Patia the story of a man whose scams have ruined lives across the world and whose victim list is still growing. For Chad’s ex-wife, Jordana, the end of their marriage was just the beginning. When the man she thought she loved vanished with her children, she would stop at nothing to get them back.  Victims of Chadwick Peel Hauser Facebook Page –  https://www.facebook.com/groups/505870920516958/  Associate for the Recovery of Children –  https://www.recoveryofchildren.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susan was going about a normal day at work when an FBI Agent showed up with terrifying news. She was on a hit list. A notorious terrorist organization wanted her dead. Susan tries to find out why she of all people would be targeted. As she tries to answer this question, she must also work to protect herself.  Articles referenced in the episode:   The Seattle Times:  https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/man-suspected-of-killing-3-in-king-county-will-not-face-the-death-penalty/  Department of Justice:   https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/maryland-man-charged-interstate-transportation-stolen-vehicle See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah and Patia discuss the 1996 murder at Mountain Park Baptist Boarding Academy, where 16-year-old William Futrelle—new to the school—was killed by fellow students. They unpack the trial of Joseph Burris, who was charged with Futrelle’s murder, and examine the disturbing environment that enabled the crime. We also cover what happened with Bethesda Home for Girls, Bob and Betty Wills’ earlier “troubled teen” program in Mississippi, which was eventually shut down by the state.  LA Times - https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-04-me-39141-story.html  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-05-mn-39651-story.html  Bethesda Home for Girls: https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/bethesda-home-girls-stolen-babies/  Cult Education Institute: https://www.culteducation.com/group/1059-mountain-park-baptist-church-and-boarding-academy/14571-insiders-tell-of-boarding-school-past-and-present.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meg Richter was branded a “troubled teen” and sent by her parents to Mountain Park Baptist Boarding Academy. But the rural Missouri facility wasn’t focused on education—it was more like a juvenile detention center masquerading as a Christian reform program. With no licensed therapists and a heavy reliance on corporal punishment, Mountain Park operated like a militaristic cult, where some students stayed well past their 18th birthdays.   Links:   I Survived A Cult: https://www.madeofmillions.com/articles/i-survived-a-cult-now-i-m-using-my-voice-to-make-a-difference  Mountain Park Survivors: https://www.mountainparksurvivors.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patia shares the story of a string of bizarre robberies in Edwardsville, Illinois—cracked not by cops, but by the sharp-eyed owner of a local spa. One of the weirdest discoveries? A Walmart-style basement packed with stolen “trophies.” Then, Hannah dives into the rise and fall of Doc Gallagher, a Texas preacher and radio host who weaponized faith to run a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme.  Links:   Texas Department of Insurance Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-texas-insurance-podcast/id1557773249  AARP podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-perfect-scam/id1362050907  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-03-27/texas-preacher-doc-gallagher-stole-24-million-with-ponzi-scheme  Recommendation:  The Telepathy Tapes podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1991, Yolanda Thomas’ sister Jacquetta was murdered. A trial followed—conviction, life sentence—all without Yolanda or her family even knowing it happened. Sixteen years later, Yolanda finds herself in an unexpected battle: fighting to free Greg Taylor, the man convicted of killing her sister.  Show Notes:  Healing Justice   https://healingjusticeproject.org/   https://innocencecommission-nc.gov/wp-content/uploads/state-v-taylor/state-v-taylor-brief.pdf  https://triad-city-beat.com/24930-2/  Documentary on Greg Taylor’s wrongful conviction:  https://inpursuitofjusticefilm.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah unpacks the wild true story of Osama El-Atari—a flashy con man- turned-jailhouse informant, who ultimately helps take down a serial killer. Also, Patia and Hannah discuss There Is No Ethan, Anna Akbari’s gripping account of a catfishing saga.  There Is No Ethan: https://www.annaakbari.com/thereisnoethan  Washington City Paper article: https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/195498/the-king-of-ashburn-the-life-and-murder-of-con-man-osama-elatari/  Additional Recommendation: The Con: Kaitlyn’s Baby See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

From pop culture to the FBI, the perception of polygraphs varies wildly depending on who you ask. So, Hannah and Patia speak to an expert polygraph examiner whose work led to a bombshell confession in a half-decade old missing persons case, turned murder.  Show Notes:   https://www.kansas.com/news/article1049717.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newly married and just a month into her pregnancy, Toni’s husband becomes physically abusive. Thousands of miles from her family, Toni carefully plans to escape with her children as her estranged husband’s harassment only escalates. Today, Toni hopes that telling her story will help others suffering from abuse to get help and to find safety.  Show Notes:   The National Domestic Violence Hotline: thehotline.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the very first episode of The Knife: Off Record, hosts Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton bring you a behind-the-scenes conversation about making a true crime podcast. Plus, Patia tells Hannah about a missing persons case in Tennessee.  Show Notes:  SOLVED 21 Year Old Missing Persons Case (Erin Foster & Jeremy Bechtel) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In their premiere episode, hosts Hannah and Patia speak with Darun Henry. While on a morning run through her neighborhood park, Darun is attacked by a stranger and makes a split-second decision that will lead to her assailant’s capture.   Show Notes:  Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime https://crcvc.ca/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Knife is the true crime podcast that goes beyond the headlines to reveal the lasting impact of crime. From the celebrated podcast, The Opportunist, producers and hosts Patia Eaton and Hannah Smith bring you raw, first-hand accounts from people whose lives were forever changed by violence, betrayal and tragedy.Join Patia and Hannah as they uncover the ripple effects of crime through in-depth interviews and candid conversations. Come for the gripping, untold stories. Stay for the unflinching look at what happens when the world moves on—but you’re still living the story.Don’t miss the premiere of The Knife on Thursday, March 27 on Exactly Right. Follow the show wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.