Triggered - The True Crime Podcast

On January 11, 2013, students walking into the gymnasium at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia, made a discovery no one should ever have to make. Seventeen-year-old Kendrick Johnson, a three-sport athlete with dreams of going pro, was found upside down inside a standing, rolled-up gym mat. His shoes were behind his knees.Authorities were quick with their answer: a tragic accident. Kendrick had crawled in to retrieve a shoe and couldn't get out. Case closed.His family had a different word for it: murder.What followed was more than a decade of competing autopsies, federal investigations, surveillance footage alleged to have been altered, missing internal organs, lawsuits, and a community split. Every official inquiry closed with the same conclusion. Every closure left new questions behind.The case has never fully made sense and Kendrick Johnson's parents are still fighting to change the death certificate to this day.This week, we go to Valdosta.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A dream vacation to Mexico… turned into a nightmare that still doesn’t make sense.In March 2023, 23-year-old Kiara Agnew was found brutally beaten to death inside a luxury resort in Playa del Carmen. Just hours earlier, she had been celebrating her birthday with her boyfriend, Ryan Friesen. But what investigators found next would shock even seasoned authorities: Friesen discovered asleep beside her body, covered in blood, with visible injuries to his hands and feet. He was charged. Then acquitted. And now, after a dramatic legal reversal, declared guilty of her murder… while still maintaining his innocence. In this episode, we unravel a case that feels more like a psychological puzzle than a clear-cut crime. Conflicting forensic evidence. Questions about what really happened in those final hours. And a justice system thousands of miles from home that may have gotten it wrong. Because the most haunting question remains: if he didn’t do it… then who did?Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

***EARLY RELEASE - HAPPY EASTER***In November 1970, a hiker in the Isdalen valley outside Bergen, Norway, made a grim discovery: the burnt body of an unidentified woman, surrounded by an almost deliberately erased trail. Her labels had been cut from her clothes. Her passport photos showed her in disguise. She had checked into hotels under at least eight different aliases. Norwegian authorities ruled her death a suicide, but almost nothing else about her story is simple.Who was the Isdal Woman? A spy? A smuggler? A victim? More than fifty years later, she remains one of Europe's most haunting unsolved mysteries. In this episode, we trace her final journey through Norway, examine the forensic breakthroughs that have brought us closer to the truth, and ask why a case this strange has gone unsolved for so long.Some people disappear. Others are made to disappear. The Isdal Woman might be both.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The McStay family seemed to vanish into thin air. In February 2010, Joseph, Summer, and their two young sons disappeared from their California home without a trace, no signs of struggle, no goodbye, just an eerie silence. For years, investigators chased a theory that the family had voluntarily fled to Mexico, fueled by grainy border footage that appeared to show them crossing on foot. But behind that narrative was a far more disturbing truth. When the remains of the McStay family were discovered in the desert years later, buried in shallow graves, the case took a chilling turn...one that would expose betrayal, greed, and a killer hiding in plain sight.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka became known as two of the most disturbing and controversial offenders in Canadian history, an outwardly normal couple whose crimes shattered communities across Ontario. Behind closed doors, their relationship was rooted in manipulation, violence, and escalating depravity that led to the assault and murder of multiple young girls, including Karla’s own sister. Their crimes, committed between 1987 and 1992, exposed not only the depths of human cruelty, but also critical failures in the justice system that allowed their violence to continue longer than it should have. What followed their arrest only deepened the outrage. A controversial plea deal saw Karla Homolka serve just 12 years in exchange for her testimony against Bernardo, who would ultimately receive life imprisonment, despite later evidence revealing her far greater involvement in the crimes. The case ignited national debate, raising uncomfortable questions about justice, accountability, and how evil can hide in plain sight. Decades later, the story of the so-called “Ken and Barbie Killers” remains one of Canada’s most haunting and polarizing cases. Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Throughout the 1990s, children across Colombia began disappearing, cases often dismissed or ignored. But when bodies started to surface, investigators uncovered a horrifying pattern that led to Luis Garavito, later known as “La Bestia.”In this episode, we break down how one of the most prolific serial killers in history was able to evade capture for years, the vulnerable victims he targeted, and the chilling investigation that finally brought him down.Listener discretion is advised.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In December 2009, 28-year-old Susan Cox Powell vanished from her home in West Valley City, Utah, leaving behind her two young sons, her belongings, and a marriage that those closest to her knew was unraveling. What initially appeared to be a missing persons case quickly spiraled into something far more disturbing as investigators uncovered a web of control, obsession, and deeply unsettling family dynamics. As suspicion grew and the truth became harder to ignore, the case took a devastating turn that no one saw coming. In this episode, we break down the timeline, the warning signs, and the unanswered question that still lingers: what really happened to Susan Powell?Make sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In June 1983, four-year-old Nyleen Marshall vanished during a family picnic in the Elkhorn Mountains of Montana.Children were playing along Maupin Creek while the adults talked nearby. It was the kind of place where parents felt safe letting kids wander for a few minutes. But when the other children turned around, Nyleen, who had been walking just behind them...was gone.There were no screams. No signs of a struggle. Despite an enormous search involving helicopters, tracking dogs, divers, and hundreds of volunteers, investigators found nothing.Then, two years later, the case took a chilling turn.An anonymous man began sending letters claiming he had abducted Nyleen and was raising her under the name “Kay,” traveling with her across the United States and even overseas. Some of the details he shared were information only someone connected to the case should have known.Was it the confession of her abductor… or a cruel hoax?More than forty years later, the mystery of Nyleen Marshall’s disappearance remains unsolved.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's always terrifying when someone goes missing, but what if EVERYONE vanishes without a trace? Join Chantal and Ashley as they explore a collection of some of the most haunting and mysterious mass disappearances in history.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PRERECORDEDOn the morning of January 29, 1979, children gathered outside Grover Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego, waiting for the gates to open. Across the street, a 16-year-old girl sat in her bedroom window with a rifle and began firing into the crowd.Her name was Brenda Ann Spencer. When a reporter reached her by phone during the standoff and asked why she had done it, she gave a chilling answer that would echo around the world: I don't like Mondays.In this episode of Triggered, we unravel the disturbing story behind one of the earliest modern school shootings in the United States, a case that shocked the world, inspired a famous song, and raised haunting questions about neglect, warning signs, and how a troubled teenager ended up turning a quiet Monday morning into tragedy.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Tricia Todd disappeared in April 2016, the story that followed sounded almost too bizarre to believe. But Tricia had been quietly documenting her fears in a journal.Page after page revealed a woman living in a marriage that was unraveling, one where fear, control, and suspicion were growing by the day. After she vanished, those journal entries would become some of the most chilling evidence investigators had. In this episode, we walk through the case of Tricia Todd and the haunting pages she left behind.Follow Us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the late 1970s, Montie Rissell was just a teenager, but behind the mask of normalcy was a predator escalating from assault at 14 to multiple murders by 18. In this episode of Triggered, we break down the timeline, the psychology, and the warning signs that were missed, while honouring the young women whose lives were stolen. This one is dark and deeply unsettling.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, women were disappearing: mothers, daughters, many of them Indigenous, many struggling, many dismissed. For years, families begged for answers while whispers spread through the streets that someone was hunting society’s most vulnerable.On a pig farm in Port Coquitlam, Robert William Pickton was doing exactly that. This is the story of one of Canada’s most prolific serial killers and the devastating systemic failures that allowed a farm to become a graveyard.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some cases fill the room with heaviness. The heartbreaking story of Noel Rodriguez is one of those cases. In October 2022, six-year-old Noel Rodriguez-Alvarez disappeared from his home in Everman, Texas, but it would be months before anyone realized he was gone.When authorities finally began asking questions, his mother claimed Noel was living in Mexico. Investigators say that wasn’t true. Soon after, she left the country with her family, without Noel, and was later charged with capital murder.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A night at a Seattle Mariners game. A selfie sent to family to say, “I’m here.”Then...silence.When Leticia Martinez didn’t return home, the people who loved her knew something wasn’t right. What began as a routine night out quickly turned into a mystery filled with unanswered questions, unsettling clues, and a growing sense that the truth might be far darker than anyone imagined.In this episode, we trace the final known moments of Leticia’s night and the search for answers that followed.FOLLOW US: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when friendship stops being grounding… and starts becoming a closed world?In 1954 Christchurch, two teenage girls found in each other something they believed no one else could understand; a bond built on imagination, loyalty, and a growing sense that they were set apart from everyone around them. Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme weren’t just friends. They were co-authors of a private universe where fantasies blurred with reality and where outsiders became obstacles.As their connection deepened, warning signs were dismissed, relationships strained, and a shared narrative took hold, one that would end in a brutal act that shocked New Zealand and captivated the world. This episode traces the girls’ early lives, the intensity of their friendship, the psychological phenomenon of folie à deux, and the chilling path that led to one of the most infamous crimes of the 20th century.FOLLOW US: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1927, twelve-year-old Marion Parker left her Los Angeles school early after being told her father had been injured in an accident.It was a lie.The man who signed her out was William Edward Hickman, a 19-year-old drifter with a history of petty crime and an obsession with money. What followed was one of the most shocking ransom cases in American history. A desperate father. Dozens of ransom notes. A city on edge. And a crime so grotesque it stunned even hardened detectives of the era.Marion’s murder didn’t just devastate a family, it exposed vulnerabilities in school security, fueled a national media frenzy, and ignited debates about juvenile evil, psychopathy, and the limits of remorse.FOLLOW US: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two brothers disappeared in Alaska under hauntingly different — yet equally baffling — circumstances. In 1999, Michael Palmer, just 15 years old, vanished after leaving a graduation party in the early morning hours. His bicycle was later found in the Little Susitna River, his shoes placed nearby, but Michael himself was never located despite extensive searches.More than a decade later, tragedy struck again when his older brother, Chucky Palmer, disappeared while snowmachining in the Talkeetna Mountains. His machine was found stuck in deep snow — with no footprints, no tracks, and no clear direction of travel. In this episode, we examine the known facts, the unanswered questions, and the chilling reality of how two brothers seemingly vanished into the Alaskan wilderness without a trace.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1995, a 25-year-old lawyer went to sleep in her Houston apartment believing she was protected by every security measure money could buy.She woke up to someone in her room.What followed was a night of terror, instinct, and split-second decisions that would determine whether she lived or died. As Jennifer Morey fought to survive, one phone call — and one voice on the other end — changed everything.This is a story about the illusion of safety, the danger of familiarity, and how listening to your instincts can mean the difference between life and death.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In July 2021, what began as a routine traffic stop in Essex, Maryland became one of the most tragic and disturbing child death cases in recent memory.During a late-night stop, a Baltimore County police officer noticed an overwhelming odor of decomposition coming from the trunk of a vehicle driven by Nicole Johnson. What was inside was far more horrifying than anyone expected: the decomposing remains of two young children — her 7-year-old niece, Joshlyn Johnson, and her 5-year-old nephew, Larry O’Neal.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Satomi Mitarai left for school on a bright June morning, no one could have imagined what the school day would bring. Join the gals as they explore the story of this beautiful young pre-teen who ended up with a life cut short.Listener discretion is advised. Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2014, Darren West made a horrifying discovery while cleaning out his garage in Pleasant Grove, Utah—something that had been hidden for years. As police investigated, the truth unraveled: his ex-wife, Megan Huntsman, had been hiding a dark and unimaginable secret. How did she manage to keep it concealed for nearly a decade? And why didn’t she seek help? This case is as heartbreaking as it is shocking.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Appalachian Mountains are older than bones. Older than trees. And according to the people who live there… they’re very much alive.In this episode of Triggered, we’re diving deep into the unsettling lore of Appalachia — the kind of stories that aren’t meant for tourists, outsiders, or people who don’t listen when they’re warned.From not-deer sightings and things that mimic human voices, to rules you’re expected to follow without ever being told why, Appalachia has a long history of don’t ask, don’t answer, don’t whistle after dark. These aren’t campfire stories. These are generational warnings.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we delve into one of the most heartbreaking and shocking child murder cases in recent U.S. history, the story of Jessica Ridgeway, a 10-year-old girl from Westminster, Colorado whose morning walk to school ended in tragedy. In October 2012, Jessica disappeared and sparked an intense search that drew in police, the FBI, and an entire community. Days later, her remains were found, and investigators pieced together a chilling trail that would lead to a 17-year-old suspect. We unpack the investigation, the breakthrough moments, the courtroom proceedings, and the impact of this crime on Jessica’s family and her community. Join us as we explore not only the facts of the case but the emotional aftermath and the drive for justice that still resonates years later. FOLLOW US: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In March 2012, Jessica Rae Sacco was a 21-year-old in Urbana, Ohio, trying to rebuild her life and rebuild her relationship with her mom. But online was where Jessica felt most comfortable. It was where she could meet people, find community… and where she met Matthew Puccio. At first, it looks like a messy, intense relationship. Then it becomes something much darker.When Jessica stops responding and her Facebook goes silent, Sue’s worst fear kicks in… and what’s found inside that apartment turns this into a living nightmare. This episode unpacks how a relationship that started online spiraled into control, isolation, and violence and how a group of “friends” can become something far more dangerous when nobody steps in.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Judy Manilowski was making big changes in her life. She had fought with demons for years and was finally turning a corner to defeat them once and for all. But on the very day she was headed to rehab, the unthinkable happened. What followed is the definition of resilience. Follow us everywhere: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On March 25, 2015, 18-year-old Brittney Gargol was found dead in a Saskatoon landfill. Her death was ruled a homicide, but there were no witnesses and no clear suspect. Then police discovered a single selfie on Brittney’s phone that changed everything. This is a story about betrayal, manipulation, and the chilling reality that sometimes the person you trust most is the one you should fear.Follow us: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In April 1960, Irene Garza left her home in McAllen, Texas to attend confession.She never came back.For decades, the truth was buried behind closed church doors.In this episode of Triggered, we uncover the life of Irene Garza, a devoted daughter, a young woman trying to find her way, and the powerful institution that protected her killer. We walk through the secret reports, the whispered warnings, and the internal church knowledge that never reached police… until it was too late.This is not just a murder story. It’s a story about silence. About faith being weaponized. And about a woman who deserved so much better.Follow us for more: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2010, 28-year-old Sony Millbrook was reported missing after she failed to pick up her children from school. Family members knew she had been living at the Budget Lodge in Memphis, yet no one realized that the worst had already happened. Weeks later, motel staff responded to reports of a foul odour coming from a room that had been cleaned and rented out five times since Sony disappeared. In this episode of Triggered, the gals unravel how a missing person case turned into one of the most chilling discoveries in Memphis, the questions it raised about routine investigations, and the man prosecutors eventually convicted.If you are experiencing domestic violence or need support:Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.htmlUSA: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text START to 88788Make sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Holidays! Enjoy this rerelease from 2024!New episodes coming 2026linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BONUS RELEASE! In December 2004, 23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stinnett was eight months pregnant, excitedly preparing for the arrival of her baby boy. She was kind, trusting, and deeply loved by her family and community. What she didn’t know was that someone she believed she knew was about to exploit that trust in the most unthinkable way.This episode explores the shocking and brutal murder of Bobbie Jo Stinnett, a crime that stunned the world and crossed a line even seasoned investigators struggled to comprehend. We unpack how a fabricated pregnancy, online deception, and desperation collided, and how one woman’s desire to become a mother turned into a calculated act of violence.Through a detailed, chronological narrative, we examine the psychological warning signs, the investigation that unfolded, and the aftermath that forever changed Bobbie Jo’s family, while honoring her life, her dreams, and the baby she never got to raise.This is a story about trust, obsession, and a crime so disturbing it still haunts true crime history.Make sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just before Christmas, a family trip to a remote cabin in Utah ended in tragedy for the Tiede family. When authorities were called to the snow-covered property, two members of the family, the mother and grandmother, were found dead, leaving investigators to untangle what really happened during those final days in isolation.In this episode, we examine the events leading up to the cabin trip, the unanswered questions surrounding the case, and how a seemingly ordinary holiday getaway turned into one of Utah’s most haunting family crimes.Follow us for more: linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastMake sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Christmas Eve 2008, a man dressed as Santa Claus walked up to a family home in Covina, California. Moments later, the front door exploded in gunfire, and what followed became one of the most horrifying mass murders in American history.This is the story of Bruce Pardo: a bitter, unraveling man who turned a holiday meant for joy into a night of terror. Armed with a homemade flamethrower, multiple firearms, and a Santa suit, Pardo carried out a meticulously planned attack fueled by rage, rejection, and a desire for revenge.In this episode of Triggered, we walk through the events of that night step by step: how Pardo prepared, what happened inside the house, the devastating aftermath, and the unanswered questions that still haunt survivors and investigators. This is a case about entitlement, obsession, and what happens when anger is allowed to fester in silence, until it explodes.Listener discretion is strongly advised.Make sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On November 3, 1998, eight-year-old Maddie Clifton vanished from her quiet Jacksonville neighbourhood after going out to play. For a full week, her family, friends, and an entire community searched every backyard, every ditch, every corner, desperate for any sign of the giggly little girl with the big brown eyes.What no one knew was that Maddie had never left the street. In this episode of Triggered, we walk through the chilling timeline of Maddie’s disappearance and the shocking discovery of her body. We’ll talk about the frantic search, the strange behavior that didn’t make sense until it was too late, the trial that forced people to confront the reality of a child who kills, and the questions that still haunt this case decades later: accident or something far darker?Listener discretion is advised. This episode involves the murder of a child and may be upsetting to some listeners.Make sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.