The Minds of Madness - True Crime Stories

On a quiet summer afternoon in Inverness, Florida, a 911 call shattered the stillness of a lakeside home. Inside, Denise Hallowell was found barely alive in her bedroom, the victim of a brutal attack that made no immediate sense.At first, the story pointed outward toward an unknown intruder. But as investigators began to piece together the timeline, the evidence started pointing somewhere far more unsettling.Because sometimes, the truth isn’t hidden outside the home.It’s already inside.A video version of this episode is available on YouTube and SpotifyHow to support:For extra perks including exclusive content, early release, and ad-free episodes -Go to - PatreonHow to connect:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterTheme and Closing Track:Original compositions created for The Minds of MadnessPlease check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/madnessQuince - Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com/madness for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Raycon - The Essential Open Earbuds are perfect for refreshing your routine this spring. Go to buyraycon.com/mindsofmadnessOPEN to get 20% off!HERS - Feel like your best self again, Visit forhers.com/MADNESS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.NOCD - If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/MADNESSGranola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free for three months - just head to granola.ai/MADNESSNutrafol - Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code MADNESSSources:FOX 13 Tampa Bay – “Citrus County man sentenced to life in prison for murder of adoptive mother, former teacher”FOX 13 Tampa Bay – “Son who once defended mother against allegations of abuse now charged with her murder”Citrus County Chronicle – “Hallowell found guilty of murder” (PDF)Bay News 9 – “Authorities: Son Facing Charges in Death of Citrus County Teacher”NBC Miami – “Parricide: The Act of Killing a Parent – The Axe Murder”Justia – Florida 5th District Court of Appeal – “Carlos Antonio Hallowell v. State of Florida”

On a quiet spring morning in Palm Coast, Florida, a young mother was making coffee while her son ate breakfast at the kitchen table. Hours later, her husband would call 911, claiming she had accidentally shot herself.But from the very beginning, something about the story didn’t sit right.How to support:For extra perks including exclusive content, early release, and ad-free episodes -Go to - PatreonHow to connect:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterTheme and Closing Track:Original compositions created for The Minds of MadnessPlease check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/madnessQuince - Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com/madness for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Raycon - The Essential Open Earbuds are perfect for refreshing your routine this spring. Go to buyraycon.com/mindsofmadnessOPEN to get 20% off!HERS - Feel like your best self again, Visit forhers.com/MADNESS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.NOCD - If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/MADNESSGranola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free for three months - just head to granola.ai/MADNESSNutrafol - Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code MADNESSResearch & Writing:Ryan DeiningerEditing:Aiden WolfSources:Court TV PlaylistGood Interrogation / Kid Interrogation VideoInterrogation Parents Come InInterrogation "3 Different Stories""Keith Forgot About The Cameras"Keith Johansen Appeal Palm Coast man convicted of killing his wife while her son was in houseKilling Brandi Celenza, He Takes the Stand to Say He’s Now TruthfulKeith Johansen Claims Stand Your Ground Would Have Exonerated HimAdmissibility of Incendiary Video Evidence Still PendingKeith Johansen Arrested in Shooting Death of Wife Brandi CelenzaAfter 3 1/2 Years of Lies, Keith Johansen Is Found GuiltyJudge Rejects Wife-Murderer’s Claim that Stand Your Ground Would Have Exonerated HimKeith Johansen, Accused of Murdering His Wife, May Not be Competent to Stand TrialClarity on Shooting Death of Brandi Celenza in F-Section May Take Weeks, Possibly MonthsKeith Johansen Springs New Defense in Gunning Down of Wife Brandi Celenza: ‘Self-Defense’Johansen Motion for ReliefGunshot Kills Brandi Celenza

A former NBA star vanishes after a trip home to Memphis, and for days no one knows where he went. Then a missed 911 call, a body in a field, and a murder weapon recovered years later begin to expose a conspiracy no one saw coming.A story of failed plans, shifting stories, and the long trail of evidence that finally brought the truth into focus. Beneath the headlines was a father of six, a hometown hero, and a family left waiting years for answers.How to support:For extra perks including exclusive content, early release, and ad-free episodes -Go to - PatreonHow to connect:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterTheme and Closing Track:Original compositions created for The Minds of MadnessPlease check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/madnessQuince - Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com/madness for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Marley Spoon - This new year, fast-track your way to eating well with Marley Spoon. Head to MarleySpoon.com/offer/MADNESS for up to 25 FREE meals!HERS - Feel like your best self again, Visit forhers.com/MADNESS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.NOCD - If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/MADNESSGranola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free for three months - just head to granola.ai/MADNESSNutrafol - Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code MADNESSResearch & Writing:Ryan DeiningerSources:Court TV RecapWatch Live: TN v Billy Ray Turner Trial Day 1Watch Live: TN v Billy Ray Turner Trial Day 2Watch Live: TN v Billy Ray Turner Trial Day 3Watch Live: TN v Billy Ray Turner Trial Day 4 (part 1)Watch Live: TN v Billy Ray Turner Trial Day 4Watch Live: TN v Billy Ray Turner Trial Day 5 (Part 1)Watch Live: TN v Billy Ray Turner Trial Day 5 (Part 2)Watch Live: TN v Billy Ray Turner Trial Day 5 (Part 3)TN v Billy Ray Turner Trial Day 6 - Prosecution ClosingTN v Billy Ray Turner Trial Day 6 - Defense ClosingTN v Billy Ray Turner Trial Day 6 - Prosecution RebuttalWatch Live: TN v Billy Ray Turner Trial VERDICTProsecution ClosingDefense ClosingProsecution RebuttalSentencingKilling Lorenzen: Billy breaks his silenceThe 12-year-long case of Lorenzen Wright's murder is finally closedLorenzen Wright WikipediaTurner Sentenced to Life Plus 25 Years In Lorenzen Wright Murder and ConspiracyWife of murdered NBA player Lorenzen Wright denied paroleFamily of Lorenzen Wright speaksLorenzen Wright killing: Shelby County man arrested, charged with murder WREG.comWho killed Lorenzen Wright? LA TimesHow Sherra Wright Orchestrated the Murder of Her Ex-HusbandLorenzen Wright’s mom, son reunite after near-decadeNew drama involving murder of Lorenzen Wright as twin sons speak out for first timeSherra Wright and Billy Turner tried to kill Lorenzen multiple times, documents saySherra Wright’s cousin details murder plot in bombshell statement, $15M bond for TurnerWho is Jimmie Martin? Alleged Lorenzen Wright conspirator has killed beforeBilly Ray Turner Appeal Dec. 16 Press Conference on Sherra Wright Murder ChargesDeborah Marion Reacts to Verdict

In December 2012, a quiet Houston home became the center of a mystery that still raises questions.Jim Melgar was found dead inside a closet. Just steps away, his wife Sandra was discovered alive, bound, and unable to explain how the night had unfolded.There were no clear signs of forced entry. No witnesses. Only a scene that could be read more than one way.What followed was a case built on interpretation, memory gaps, and the question of what really happened behind closed doors.A video version of this episode is available on YouTube and SpotifyHow to support:For extra perks including exclusive content, early release, and ad-free episodes -Go to - PatreonHow to connect:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterTheme and Closing Track:Original compositions created for The Minds of MadnessPlease check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/madnessQuince - Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com/madness for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Marley Spoon - This new year, fast-track your way to eating well with Marley Spoon. Head to MarleySpoon.com/offer/MADNESS for up to 25 FREE meals!HERS - Feel like your best self again, Visit forhers.com/MADNESS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.NOCD - If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/MADNESSGranola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free for three months - just head to granola.ai/MADNESSNutrafol - Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code MADNESSSources:https://abcnews.go.com/US/amateur-sleuths-case-woman-prison-stabbing-bludgeoning-husband/story?id=59477363https://abc13.com/archive/8930172/https://www.click2houston.com/news/2012/12/25/man-killed-couple-tied-up-in-home/https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/true-crime/innocence-project-reward-sandra-melgar-murder-case-houston-texas/285-bc5a3f07-1e31-4af5-8826-bd1a851ffdc4https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/sandra-melgar-new-dna-evidence/285-30850e86-6336-4ae9-92e7-3e23aaf14711https://people.com/crime/sandra-melgar-convicted-murder-husband/https://www.latintimes.com/innocence-project-texas-woman-murder-husband-100k-sandra-jim-melgar-568091https://innocenceprojectoftexas.org/cases/sandra-melgar/https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/fourteenth-court-of-appeals/2020/14-18-00293-cr.htmlhttps://www.spa.texas.gov/media/1806/melgar.pdfhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPks6QICDYohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9VBpZ1LwT8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R90hhpbbFSwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF-OWy_ZuxQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cCoSkdreT8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78QG2QPV_OEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74s7jg1Fdf4

In this special true crime crossover episode, I joined Carter Roy for a 2-part episode of Murder: True Crime Stories. To hear part 2 and my extended conversation with Carter, follow Murder: True Crime stories wherever you listen to podcasts.For nearly 30 years, Ken McElroy terrorized the small town of Skidmore, Missouri. Accused of theft, assault, arson, statutory rape, and intimidation, he manipulated the legal system and silenced witnesses through fear. When he shot 70-year-old grocery store owner Bo Bowenkamp in broad daylight—and still managed to delay justice yet again—the town’s patience began to crack. In Part 1 of this two-episode series, I join Carter Roy to help unravel how one man’s unchecked violence exposed the limits of the justice system and pushed a quiet farming community toward the brink.Follow Murder: True Crime Stories wherever you listen to podcasts to hear me on part 2 and an extended conversation about the case with Carter Roy. Listen and follow here: https://play.megaphone.fm/1c4m9ll3rcg3-hgdpn2_ww