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Bear Brook

Bear Brook, hosted by Jason Moon, is the critically-acclaimed true crime podcast from New Hampshire Public Radio. Season 1 - Two barrels. Four Bodies. And a cold case that’s changing how murders will be investigated forever. Season 2: A True Crime Story - Jason Carroll is serving life in prison for a murder he says he didn’t commit. The only evidence against him? His own taped confession. More than 30 years later, is it possible to get to the truth – and who gets to tell it? Stephen King called both seasons “the best true crime podcasts I've ever heard. Brilliant, involving, hypnotic.” The New Yorker said season one “stands out for its ambition, complexity, and thoughtful tone.”
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Episodes

Introducing: Safe to Drink

Introducing “Safe to Drink:” A New Hampshire town finds out its water has been contaminated by a chemical. The most basic question — whether the water is safe to drink — doesn’t have a clear answer. Nobody seems to know much about this so-called forever chemical, which is weird because… this has all happened before. From the Document team at New Hampshire Public Radio, "Safe to Drink" is a four-part series about the water contamination story that keeps repeating in town after town — and about th...

Feb 12, 202634 min

S1, Ep. 11 | Update: The Middle Child

Investigators make a discovery that brings the case of the Bear Brook murders to a close after 40 years – and reveals a new mystery. Click here to check out more podcast series from NHPR's Document team. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠ . Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharo...

Sep 09, 202550 minSeason 1Ep. 11

S2, Ep. 9 | Update: The Reversal

The state of New Hampshire has made a sudden about-face: Prosecutors have now agreed to DNA test old evidence in Jason Carroll’s case. It’s the biggest development in the case in 35 years – and one step closer to possibly learning who killed Sharon Johnson. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠ . To hear mor...

Apr 22, 202433 minSeason 2Ep. 9

S2, Ep. 8 | The Box

The true crime media spotlight shines on Jason Carroll. Then, a chance encounter leads to a surprising discovery that changes the course of his case. For more on the case and to see selected data on exonerations, visit bearbrookpodcast.com . Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder cas...

Apr 10, 202352 minSeason 2Ep. 8

S2, Ep. 7 | This Side of the Line

How could someone possibly confess to murder if they didn’t do it? A modern understanding of confessions sheds new light on Jason Carroll’s case. For more on the case and to see selected data on exonerations, visit bearbrookpodcast.com . Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ...

Apr 03, 202358 minSeason 2Ep. 7

S2, Ep. 6 | ‘Don’t Roll the Dice’

Jason Carroll stands trial twice – and the juries come up with their own versions of what happened. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠ . To hear more stories by Jason Moon and NHPR's Document team, ⁠click here⁠ . Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Ema...

Mar 27, 202359 minSeason 2Ep. 6

S2, Ep. 5 | Trial in a Trial

A new true crime story is told and when juries hear it, it leads to different results for all three defendants. During the first trial, the lead detective makes a big mistake. For more on the case and to see a table of confession discrepancies, visit bearbrookpodcast.com . Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders ...

Mar 20, 202352 minSeason 2Ep. 5

S2, Ep. 4 | ‘Promises Have Been Made’

One set of confessions leads to another and three men are arrested for Sharon Johnson’s murder. Then, an alleged secret comes to light that changes everything. For more on the case and to see a timeline of the interrogations, visit bearbrookpodcast.com . Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johns...

Mar 13, 202350 minSeason 2Ep. 4

S2, Ep. 3 | The Breaking Point

Police interrogate a second teenager named Jason Carroll – with help from Jason’s own mother. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠ . To hear more stories by Jason Moon and NHPR's Document team, ⁠click here⁠ . Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us ...

Mar 06, 202356 minSeason 2Ep. 3

S2, Ep. 2 | The Pursuit

We begin with the story police told about Sharon Johnson’s murder. The veteran detective on the case develops a theory involving her husband and a teenager. A surprising admission leads to a new break in the case. For more on the case and to see a timeline of Sharon's last day, visit bearbrookpodcast.com . Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Do you have informa...

Feb 27, 202345 minSeason 2Ep. 2

S2, Ep. 1 | Extraordinary

Sharon Johnson’s family and friends have spent the last 35 years coping with her brutal murder. But what if that story was based on a lie? Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠ . To hear more stories by Jason Moon and NHPR's Document team, ⁠click here⁠ . Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders o...

Feb 20, 202344 minSeason 2Ep. 1

Trailer | Bear Brook Season 2: A True Crime Story

Jason Carroll is serving life in prison for a murder he says he didn’t commit. The only evidence against him? His own taped confession. More than 30 years later, is it possible to get to the truth – and who gets to tell it? Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jan 23, 20236 min

S1, Ep. 10 | The In-Between

A clue is found buried on an internet message board. DNA is wrestled from rootless hair. Two investigators work parallel leads, and authorities call a press conference. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠ . Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us ⁠...

Jun 07, 201942 minSeason 1Ep. 10

S1, Ep. 9 | Update 2: Eric Rasmussen

A son remembers his father, and searches for clues in his military paperwork. A conversation with one of Terry Rasmussen's surviving children. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠ . Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us ⁠. Learn more about your ad...

Feb 13, 201923 minSeason 1Ep. 9

S1, Ep. 8 | Update: Ripple Effects

This is the first short update in the story of the Bear Brook murders that we’ll be producing to let listeners know about any breaking news in the case. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠ . Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us ⁠. Learn more abo...

Nov 15, 201812 minSeason 1Ep. 8

S1, Ep. 7 | Chameleon

The case that was solved in reverse leaves many questions unanswered. New methods of inquiry are used to crack other cold cases. Do groundbreaking techniques come at the cost of genetic privacy? Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠ . Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson...

Nov 07, 20181 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 7

S1, Ep. 6 | Bloodline: Part 2

This is part two of episode 5. A child is abandoned. Timelines come together. A family tree begins to take shape. A chameleon is revealed. Want to make sure that NHPR continues creating projects like Bear Brook? Click here to donate $20. Thanks for your support. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠ . Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ Email us . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Oct 31, 201828 minSeason 1Ep. 6

S1, Ep. 5 | Bloodline: Part 1

A child is abandoned. Timelines come together. A family tree begins to take shape. A chameleon is revealed. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠ . Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us⁠ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

Oct 31, 201844 minSeason 1Ep. 5

S1, Ep. 4 | Eunsoon Jun

An ominous New Year’s party introduction. An estranged cousin goes missing. Police question a man with multiple identities. A search leads authorities to his basement. Want to make sure that NHPR continues creating projects like Bear Brook? Click here to donate $20. Thanks for your support. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠ . Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us⁠ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...

Oct 24, 201849 minSeason 1Ep. 4

S1, Ep. 3 | A Smaller Haystack

After 30 years of torpor, investigators finally inch the Bear Brook case forward. A geologist uncovers the history buried in human teeth and hair. The faces of the victims are reconstructed. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠ . Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson mur...

Oct 17, 201829 minSeason 1Ep. 3

S1, Ep. 2 | Known Only To God

The discovery of a second barrel raises questions. A stalled investigation churns back to life and then stalls again. An amateur sleuth takes Jason into the forest. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠ . Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us⁠ . Le...

Oct 10, 201846 minSeason 1Ep. 2

S1, Ep. 1 | Hide and Seek

The first episode of Bear Brook podcast recounts the initial discovery of a mysterious barrel by three boys playing hide and seek in a New Hampshire state park. Unbeknownst to them, the barrel contained two heavily decomposed bodies, marking the beginning of a perplexing cold case. This episode delves into the unique challenges faced by local law enforcement, the community's struggle with the unknown, and a later detective's re-examination that leads to a shocking second discovery, reshaping the investigation into a serial killer known as "the chameleon."

Oct 03, 201836 minSeason 1Ep. 1

Bear Brook: The Trailer

Two barrels. Four bodies. And the decades-long mystery that led to a serial killer. Bear Brook: A podcast about a cold case that's changing how murders will be investigated forever. From New Hampshire Public Radio. Visit bearbrookpodcast.com Follow on Twitter: @bearbrookpod Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders? Email us. CLICK HERE TO DONATE AND SUPPORT THE TEAM THAT MADE BEAR BROOK. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made continuing this...

Aug 07, 20184 min
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