When Kate met the wealthy, seemingly-charming Paul, she didn’t know what to expect. The relationship grew more serious, and also more unhealthy, day by day. Kate found it hard to break away from the emotional abuse. But what was coming next was even harder. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: Decorate for Christmas whenever you want! Prepare: Emotional abuse is real. If you experience it, seek help and get out! Sources: In His Sights: A True Story of Love and Obsession by Kate Bre...
Nov 30, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 86
Today, we continue the story of the murders of Duane Johnson and Chad Shelton. After the two mysterious deaths, nobody was sure what to think. Was this a mystery illness? Or something that had been eaten? Investigators were about to find out, led by a determined Detective Miller. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: Clean a little bit at a time Prepare: Seek medical care when you are in intense pain Sources: Toxic Love: the Shocking True story of the First Murder by Cancer by Tomas...
Nov 23, 2022•37 min•Ep. 85
When Sandy and Duane Johnson and their daughter Sherrie got sick, they assumed it was just the flu. Soon, Sandy’s sister Sallie, her husband Bruce, and their 11-month-old son Chad came down with similar systems. But within a few days, it became clear this was no ordinary sickness that stumped doctors and the health department. And when tragedy struck, the mystery turned into a murder investigation. Sources: Toxic Love: the Shocking True story of the First Murder by Cancer by Tomas Guillen https:...
Nov 16, 2022•31 min•Ep. 84
Today, we continue the tragic story of the murders of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, Michaela Petit, and Hayley Petit. After being held for hours, William Petit managed to escape the horror that was unfolding in his home and rush for help. But his family didn’t make it. Today we unpack the search for justice and the controversies surrounding the case. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: Take care of yourself during pregnancy —50% of perinatal mental health concerns begin during pregnancy. ...
Nov 09, 2022•36 min•Ep. 83
On July 23, 2007, Jennifer Hawke-Petit walked into her local bank and alerted the teller that she and her family were being held hostage by two men who were forcing her to withdraw money. The bank called the police, but as they were on the phone Jennifer went back outside and left with her captor. Soon, the Petit home was found on fire, with the bodies of Jennifer and her two daughters inside. The investigation was short—police saw the captors fleeing the property and arrested them immediately. ...
Nov 02, 2022•31 min•Ep. 82
When 9-year-old Debra May Helmick was snatched from her own front yard in broad daylight, investigators immediately suspected a connection to the Shari Smith case from two weeks before. Using behavioral profiling they narrowed their search. But even though the suspect continued making calls from payphones to the Smith household, forensics from Shari’s final letter gave them a lead on the culprit–one whose many warning signs and second chances would prove to be one of the most tragically preventa...
Oct 26, 2022•40 min•Ep. 81
In May 1985, 17-year-old Shari Smith went missing from her driveway. Her family and their community held out hope that she would be found safe. Shortly after, the family started receiving phone calls from a man who had details of Shari’s abduction. What happened next would not only affect her family, but also the family of a nine-year-old girl–Debra May Helmick. Sources: When a Killer Calls: A Haunting Story of Murder, Criminal Profiling, and Justice in a Small Town by John E. Douglas and Mark O...
Oct 19, 2022•39 min•Ep. 80
Today we continue with the case of the Death of Diane Whipple. When police discovered the link between dog owners Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel and Aryan Brotherhood leader Paul Schneider, they weren’t sure what to expect. But what they discovered would lead to a media circus, major clashes between animal rights activists, two very publicized trials, and some shocking twists in the case. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: Peelable mask (or, alternatively, avoiding the peelable...
Oct 12, 2022•53 min•Ep. 79
In 2001, a dog attack occurred in a San Francisco apartment building. What seemed on the surface like a tragic, unexplained accident, soon led to an investigation involving the Aryan Brotherhood, drug cartels, and a complex case that would change San Francisco law. Sources: Red Zone by Aphrodite Jones https://dogbitelaw.com/diane-whipple/the-diane-whipple-case https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Grisly-mauling-account-Trial-opens-with-2872084.php https://www.ctinsider.com/news/crime/slideshow/Ph...
Oct 05, 2022•43 min•Ep. 78
In the fall of 2013, university student Charlie Tan started acting odd. He returned to his childhood home and failed to turn back up for classes. It wasn’t long until a 911 call came from the home, leading police down a complex case of murder. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: Put events on your calendar to look forward to. Prepare: Don’t assume you know something about a person’s home life just because of how they seem to live. Sources: Dateline: House of Secrets https://www.ro...
Sep 28, 2022•38 min•Ep. 77
Today, we continue the tale of Gilberto Valle, arrested for his online depictions of planning to kidnap, rape, and murder his wife. He was acquitted, but the case opened up a can of worms that was just beginning. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: Spin Class Prepare: Be careful with what you put online Sources: Thought Crimes: The Case of the Cannibal Cop https://nypost.com/2021/01/15/armie-hammer-scandal-cannibal-cop-gilberto-valle-weighs-in/ https://www.corrections1.com/arrests...
Sep 21, 2022•32 min•Ep. 76
When police officer Gilberto Valle’s wife discovered his online conversations, she was horrified. In them, she read about him wanting to rape and murder her, along with detailed descriptions of other crimes he planned to commit. Valle was arrested. But was what he wrote just a fantasy? Or something more sinister? That wasn’t an easy question to answer. Sources: Thought Crimes: The Case of the Cannibal Cop https://nypost.com/2021/01/15/armie-hammer-scandal-cannibal-cop-gilberto-valle-weighs-in/ h...
Sep 14, 2022•31 min•Ep. 75
Today, we continue the case of Linda Sobek. After Linda went missing following a mystery photo shoot with a photographer named “Chuck,” police narrowed in on Charles Rathbun. But uncovering the truth would be an uphill battle. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: Water purifier Prepare: If someone is missing, take action right away Sources: Death of a Model by Clifford Linedecker Forensic Files Season 6 Ep. 11 Photo Finish https://people.com/crime/model-linda-sobek-murdered-by-phot...
Sep 07, 2022•35 min•Ep. 74
When model Linda Sobek’s family and friends stopped hearing from her, everyone started to panic. She had told her mom was heading out to meet a mystery photographer (“Chuck”) for a shoot that wasn’t cleared with her agent. But after that, she vanished. Police launched into an investigation to determine who Chuck was and what happened to Linda. Sources: Death of a Model by Clifford Linedecker Forensic Files Season 6 Ep. 11 Photo Finish https://people.com/crime/model-linda-sobek-murdered-by-photog...
Aug 31, 2022•34 min•Ep. 73
Today we're continuing the story of four young Pennsylvania men who disappeared separately with only one common denominator: they all had a mutual acquaintance in Cosmo DiNardo. As the police and news media began investigating him, numerous stories began to come forward painting a less than favorable picture of a formerly well-to-do young man. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: Travel if you can! Prepare: Make sure somebody always knows where you’re going Sources: The Lost Boys o...
Aug 24, 2022•30 min•Ep. 72
When 19-year-old Jimi Patrick didn’t come home, his grandparents reported him missing. But when three other boys disappeared just two days later in surrounding counties, police had to work together to search for the boys and bring whoever was responsible to justice. Sources: The Lost Boys of Bucks County https://www.phillymag.com/news/2020/02/25/cosmo-dinardo/ https://www.foxnews.com/us/pennsylvania-murders-thomas-meo-remembered-by-girlfriend-as-loyal-respectful-man-of-his-word https://www.bucks...
Aug 17, 2022•31 min•Ep. 71
Today we continue the story of Mark and Dave Schultz. Dave joined John DuPont's world class wrestling team, but unfortunately his brother didn't warn him of just how strange John's antics had become. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: Take advantage of the resources at your local library! Prepare: Don't excuse "eccentricity" where drugs and weapons are involved Sources: https://tinyurl.com/54b8aatm https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5598216/ Special thanks to: Matthew Lee Schipper, for...
Aug 10, 2022•47 min•Ep. 70
Mark and Dave Schultz were wrestler siblings who developed Olympic prospects. But the pursuit of a gold medal drew their orbits closer to a less than stable coach and financier, and this relationship would ultimately prove fatal. Sources: https://tinyurl.com/54b8aatm https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5598216/ Special thanks to: Matthew Lee Schipper, for editing and music production Come hang out with us! Facebook Instagram Twitter To get exclusive content and merch, become a Soaker, a Super Soaker, o...
Aug 03, 2022•44 min•Ep. 69
Today we continue the story of the mysterious death of Ronda Reynolds. Despite a questionable death scene, Ronda’s death was ruled a suicide. But Barb was determined to prove that her daughter had not killed herself, and that her murderer, or murderers were walking free. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: Whatever it looks like, do something to help take your mind off the bad stuff! Prepare: Never give up on fighting for those you love! Sources: In the Still of the Night: The Str...
Jul 27, 2022•52 min•Ep. 68
When Barb Thomas got a call that her daughter Ronda had committed suicide, she just couldn’t believe it. Ronda had been planning to visit her that day, and they had just spoken the night before. And the more questions Barb asked, the more she became sure that things were not what they seemed with Ronda’s death. Sources: In the Still of the Night: The Strange Death of Ronda Reynolds and Her Mother's Unceasing Quest for the Truth by Ann Rule 48 Hours: Mystery on Twin Peaks Drive http://www.realcri...
Jul 20, 2022•50 min•Ep. 67
On March 19, 1988, Susan Smalley and Stacie Madison got ready to have a night out on the town. The girls were in their senior year of high school, and it was the end of spring break. It should have been a night of fun—but the girls never returned home. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: Acupressure mat Prepare: Never get into a car with anybody you don’t know Sources: This Night Wounds Time: The Mysterious Disappearances of Stacie Madison and Susan Smalley by Shawn Sutherland htt...
Jul 13, 2022•57 min•Ep. 66
Today we continue the story of Larry Ray and his manipulative hold over his daughter Talia’s group of college friends. As time went on, Larry’s abuse escalated, leaving his victims devastated and distraught. But many of them were unable to break away. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: Get an oversized throw blanket! Prepare: Don’t let anyone tell you what you think or feel Sources: Slonim Woods 9: A Memoir by Daniel Levin https://www.thecut.com/2022/04/larry-ray-sarah-lawrence-s...
Jul 06, 2022•47 min•Ep. 65
When Daniel Levin went to college, he thought he would find possibility, excitement, adventure, and romance. But when he got there, he felt out of place. After falling in with a core group of friends, however, Daniel felt happy—until that group let in somebody that would change everything. Sources: Slonim Woods 9: A Memoir by Daniel Levin https://www.thecut.com/2022/04/larry-ray-sarah-lawrence-students.html https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/06/nyregion/sarah-lawrence-cult-lawrence-ray-trial.html h...
Jun 29, 2022•42 min•Ep. 64
Today we continue the story of Andrew Bagby. When the young doctor was found murdered, suspicion immediately fell on Dr. Shirley Turner, his ex-girlfriend. But she fled to Canada, entering a long and arduous attempt at conviction and extradition. In the meantime, she announced shocking news—she was pregnant with Andrew’s baby. His family was devastated over the loss of their son, but equally determined to get custody of the child, and to see Shirley behind bars. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This...
Jun 22, 2022•34 min•Ep. 63
On November 6th, 2001, a body was found in a park in Pennsylvania. Police identified the man as Andrew Bagby, a young, friendly doctor in town, beloved by patients and coworkers alike. When police alerted friends, however, they didn’t have to look far for their number one suspect. But catching and convicting her would be another story altogether. Sources: Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father https://www.ranker.com/list/dear-zachary-timeline/crystal-brackett https://medium.com/@laulou...
Jun 15, 2022•36 min•Ep. 62
Today we continue talking about the Clear Lake Murders—four teens slaughtered execution-style in a peaceful suburb in broad daylight. The police had been investigating drug-related leads. Years passed with no traction. But they never expected the killer to be a high school friend. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: Maternal Mental Health Awareness: Seek help at https://www.postpartum.net/ Prepare: Share your location with a friend, especially when you go somewhere alone Sources: ...
Jun 08, 2022•40 min•Ep. 61
On July 18, 2003, four teens were found murdered execution-style in a peaceful suburb in Clear Lake, Texas. Even more shocking—the murders took place in the middle of the day. Police instantly sensed that the murders were drug-related—especially when they learned that one of the victims was a drug dealer. But as the tips rolled in, police only seemed to stray further from the truth. Sources: Never See Them Again by M. William Phelps Snapped Season 10 Episode 5 https://www.chron.com/news/houston-...
Jun 01, 2022•42 min•Ep. 60
In the early hours of April 1, 2006, med school student Brian Shaffer was out with friends. When his friends couldn’t find him at closing time, they assumed he had gone home on his own. But he never made it back. Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: Take time off! Schedule it in advance so you can look forward to it. Prepare: Always tell someone when you are leaving! No Irish goodbyes. Sources: The Disappearance of Brian Shaffer An Anthology of True Crime by Ruth Kanton https://all...
May 25, 2022•47 min•Ep. 59
Today we continue with the murder of Virginia couple Derek and Nancy Haysom. After their murder, the couple’s daughter Elizabeth and her boyfriend Jens fled the country. After they were found, Jens confessed to the murder, only to recant later. This started a decades-long crusade to clear his name—but what really happened that night? Self-Care & Prepare Tips This Week: Self-care: African Net Sponge Prepare: You can’t trust anybody but yourself Sources: Killing for Love The Detective’s Report...
May 18, 2022•49 min•Ep. 58
When Derek and Nancy Haysom were found brutally murdered in their Virginia home, police weren’t sure what to think at first. But when they questioned the Haysom’s daughter Elizabeth and her boyfriend, Jens Soering, the two fled the country, leading police on an international chase to find the couple and answer the question—who was really responsible? Sources: Killing for Love The Detective’s Report by Terry Wright New Evidence of Innocence: The Jens Soering Story The Experts Agree: No Unknown DN...
May 11, 2022•54 min•Ep. 57
