Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday.
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Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
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Part two of Bonnie Lee Schultz's disappearance revisits the lingering suspicion on her husband, Rick, highlighting investigative flaws like unsearched properties and missed phone records. The episode introduces new information from John's daughter, casting doubt on his timeline, and reveals Bonnie's friend Anita's refusal to cooperate. A psychic's reading suggests Bonnie was targeted by a stranger, challenging long-held theories and offering a potential new direction for the cold case.
This episode delves into the 1997 disappearance of Bonnie Lee Schultz, who vanished after a night out following a heated discussion with her husband, Rick, about divorce. While Rick quickly became the primary suspect due to suspicious actions and a failed polygraph, the hosts challenge listeners to consider overlooked aspects. The narrative explores Bonnie's marital unhappiness, a secret affair, and the critical lack of a thorough initial police investigation that left many questions unanswered and created enduring familial rifts.
In August 2008, a woman in rural Kentucky survived one of the most brutal assaults we have ever reported, but her strength that night ensured her attacker was identified and arrested. Years later, he is a free man living in the community. As we examined his past, we uncovered unsettling similarities to another case that has haunted a family for decades. Now, two families are searching for answers — and they need your help. If you know anything about the murder of Elena Sanchez Hawkins, please ca...
This episode details the mysterious death of Amanda Wienckowski, whose body was found after her mother, Leslie, tirelessly staked out the house where Amanda was last seen. Despite an initial ruling of accidental death, an independent autopsy revealed strangulation and blunt force trauma. The episode explores the conflicting stories of individuals connected to Amanda, the police's handling of the case, and Leslie's ongoing fight to change the manner of death and push for legislative reform.
In November 2024, Ashley Flowers sat down with John Ramsey at his home for a one-on-one conversation about the murder of his daughter, JonBenét Ramsey. In the year since that interview, John has met with the Boulder Police Department and appeared in multiple media outlets, pushing for additional testing in his daughter’s case. Ashley has also continued meeting with people connected to the case, and hopes to one day soon have an update to share. Following Boulder Police’s most recent update on De...
Law enforcement Explorer programs were created to mentor teens interested in policing. But decades of weak oversight created an environment where officers could manipulate that trust. Some exploited their roles, using their authority to groom, abuse, and silence the very teens they were entrusted to guide. Resources: RAINN – Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network : 24/7 hotline and resources for survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org National Sexu...
In 2021, 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore was found dead in her apartment. And what Massachusetts investigators quickly called a suicide slowly revealed itself to be something much more sinister. Because out of the woodwork came friends, family, and co-workers with stories that Sandra had told them about her life. Stories of grooming, sexual abuse, and years of misconduct at the hands of several Stoughton Police officers… which began when she was barely a teenager. Three officers later resigned from...
For decades, police said Rowena Wilkinson Zapalac died via suicide by masturbation. But her family always believed there was more to Rowena’s death than met the eye. Could she have been the victim of a serial killer passing through Texas, or could her case be connected to the deaths of two other women in the area? If you have any information about the deaths of Rowena Wilkinson Zapalac or Melody Ann Bush, please contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office at (979) 968-5856 or email us at tips@au...
When a couple from Oso, Washington, is discovered missing, it doesn’t take long for detectives to develop a prime suspect. But solving the case, finding their bodies and capturing the killer took approximately 100 days, using a combination of old-school investigative methods and modern forensic tools. Click HERE to view the footage from SnoHawk 1’s camera, courtesy of the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office. Head over to our Crime Junkie YouTube channel to WATCH this episode: https://www.youtube.c...
This episode delves into the perplexing disappearance of Zelig Williams, a 28-year-old Broadway star. After an SOS alert from his phone, his car was found abandoned at a trailhead. Conflicting timelines, a bizarre witness account, and the discovery of his neatly folded clothes add layers of mystery. The investigation explores mental health concerns, spiritual influences, and a theory of intentional departure or conversion therapy, as Zelig's family desperately seeks answers.
In 1985, 27-year-old Linda Sherman vanished – just as she was making plans to leave her tumultuous marriage. For five long years, her family had no answers — until a human skull appeared beneath a restaurant window near a St. Louis, Missouri-area airport -- where her husband was a regular. Decades later, Linda’s daughter is still searching for the truth about what happened to her mother. If you have any information about the murder of Linda Sherman, please contact St. Louis Regional Crime Stoppe...
In June of 2023, a woman was brutally murdered in Floyd County, Kentucky, while attending a gathering at the home of a local dentist. The slaying rocked the small communities of eastern Kentucky as months ticked by, rumors swirled and no one was held accountable. Finally, in July 2024, three men were charged in connection to her death and the trial is right around the corner. Head over to our Crime Junkie YouTube channel to WATCH this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDhAPpAINgA Source m...
In 1980, two kindergarten girls, Teresa Flores and Martha Mezzo, vanished from a small California town, later found murdered. This episode delves into the original botched investigation, a serial killer's false confession, and the recent efforts of a renowned cold case detective. Utilizing new DNA evidence and revisiting old clues, he races against time to solve this enduring mystery for the victims' families.
This episode delves into the mysterious death of 18-year-old Christion Olson, who was brought home by friends claiming he was intoxicated, only for his family to discover he had sustained severe internal injuries. Despite friends' shifting stories and an autopsy ruling his death a homicide by blunt force trauma with no alcohol in his system, police face obstacles including uncooperative neighbors and encrypted phone data, while exploring theories ranging from a physical attack to retaliation for a robbery.
The 1996 disappearance of the Thompson family—Everett, Lydia, and their two sons—begins with an alarming phone call about an axe threat from Lydia's brother, Kenneth. Despite red flags and Kenneth's inconsistent accounts, initial police response was slow, frustrating the family and allowing precious time to elapse. Investigators eventually uncover a web of lies, forged documents, and disturbing evidence like a red-painted bathroom and blood-soaked items, strongly implicating Kenneth. Though Kenneth dies by suicide, the case remains a haunting mystery, exacerbated by systemic dismissals faced by marginalized communities.
In March 2020, Gwen Hasselquist's death was quickly ruled a suicide after her van was found wrecked on a bridge and her body discovered in Puget Sound. However, her loved ones believed otherwise, prompting the Crime Junkie team to re-examine the case. Their investigation revealed critical flaws in police procedures, inconsistent witness statements, missing evidence, and disturbing post-death behavior from her husband, Eric, which collectively cast significant doubt on the initial ruling.
A shopkeeper in North Wales seemingly vanishes into thin air after hanging a sign on her antique store saying she’ll be back in two minutes. Investigators search high and low for Trevaline Evans for decades, trying to track down a so-called “mystery man” in a suit who she’d been seen with in the days before she disappeared. But they find no trace of the 52-year-old grandmother. Her case becomes one police call the most confusing they’ve ever worked. And it becomes even more baffling when…nearly ...
Ashley and Britt delve into the perplexing 2022 murders of Destiny Jackson and Nazirah Muhammad, found shot in their Hobart, Indiana home. Investigators uncovered a precise timeline through a chilling 911 call and explored several motives, including sexual assault allegations against Destiny's brother and Nazirah's drug dealings. While a prime suspect, "Chip," emerged and forensic evidence points to multiple perpetrators, DNA hasn't provided a definitive match, leaving authorities seeking public help to close the case.
Jessica Starr was 26 years old when she was murdered outside the trailer she was staying at in 2011. Despite friends and family having theories as to what happened, they feel that police in Elkhart, Indiana, have all but abandoned them in their search for justice. If you have any information about the murder of Jessica Starr, you can contact the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department by calling 574-891-2300 or you can submit tips to us by emailing tips@crimejunkie.com . To learn more about the Elkh...
This episode delves into the Murdaugh family murders, revealing a dark history of power and corruption in South Carolina's low country. Following the 2021 slayings of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, the investigation uncovered connections to the fatal Mallory Beach boat crash, the mysterious death of Stephen Smith, and financial fraud linked to Gloria Satterfield's death. The narrative explores how Alec Murdaugh's life spiraled, culminating in his conviction for double murder and the continued fight for justice in interconnected cases.
Ellen Rae Greenberg had everything going for her when she was found dead in the apartment she shares with her fiancé. Police are quick to say she died by suicide – despite the 20 stab wounds she sustained. But her heartbroken parents are sure she was murdered and their search for answers has raised serious questions about the investigation. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (723...
This episode delves into the 1985 disappearance of Cherrie Mahan, who vanished walking home from her bus stop. The initial investigation faced dead ends, including a mysterious blue-green van and suspicions towards her parents and biological father. Decades later, a letter from "Pastor Justice" and a call from a woman claiming to be Cherrie offered false hope. Recent revelations from an anonymous source connect a neighbor, John Montgomery, to alleged abuse and his son, registered sex offender Buddy Montgomery, to the case, hinting at long-buried secrets.
When a pilot murders his wife, his secret lover and her daughter and then vanishes into the Wyoming wilderness, leaving his getaway car behind, a massive tri-state manhunt ensues for the family annihilator. Eight years later, there’s still no sign of Mike Bullinger and questions remain: did he use his survivalist and flight skills to launch a new life or did he meet his end in the forest? And why did he kill the three people he loved the most? If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic ...
This episode delves into two perplexing cold cases from 1969, starting with Detective Cliff Shepard's discovery of crucial evidence for Jane Doe 59, found murdered off Mulholland Drive. His investigation leads to the victim's identification as Reet Jurvetson and reveals eerie similarities to the unsolved murder of Marina Habe months earlier. While initially considered linked to the Manson family, detectives now explore independent theories and suspects for both cases, urging public assistance to finally solve these decades-old mysteries.
The podcast explores the baffling 1989 disappearance of Dawn Mozino. Police initially focused on a convicted serial killer, Thomas Hawkins Jr., who knew Dawn, but he vehemently denied involvement. Decades later, Dawn's personal diary uncovered two secret love triangles, one involving an on-again, off-again boyfriend, Nick Katona, and another involving her best friend's married lover, Hampton. A new detective and a civilian criminologist are now re-investigating these previously unexplored leads, including a remote viewer's tip about a park, as Dawn's family desperately seeks closure after 36 years.
When Oakey “Al” Kite is brutally murdered in his own home in the spring of 2004, investigators rushed to find his killer. But when they finally identified a suspect, he seemed to vanish without a trace. If you know any information about the murder if Oakey “Al” Kite please contact Detective McDonald at the Aurora Police Department at 303-739-6013. Metro Denver Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward of up to $2,000 for tips. You can call them at 720-913-7867 or visit their website at Metro Denv...
On Valentine’s Day in 2007, 39-year-old Jodine Serrin was brutally murdered and desecrated in her own bed – while her parents were just down the hall. Over the next 10 years, using new forensic techniques, the Carlsbad Police Department identified her killer. But when they did, everyone was forced to confront the chilling realization that this man had been leading a double life – on one hand, living like you and I, acting as a father, partner and employee. On the other, he was a monster. Click H...
When a teenage girl goes out to deliver a birthday card to her best friend, she never makes it home alive. Her family and police would search for her killer for decades, and in the process, this case would make history in the state of New York. You can learn more about The Good segment and even submit a story of your own by visiting The Good page on our website! Click HERE to view Zuzanna's portfolio. You can also view her work on her Instagram, @zpi_art . Head over to our Crime Junkie YouTube c...
In 1997, a young woman is found shot dead in a cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri. Police work on tracking down the group of friends she was last seen with… and they learn another life has been lost. As the pressure mounts, the investigation stalls until a shocking confession gets the Wheels of Justice moving. But at the end of the day, some are left to wonder…Did they find the right person? It’s important for you or anyone you know who is thinking about suicide to be aware that emotional support...
The infamous 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders saw four young girls brutally killed and the scene set ablaze. The decades-long investigation was marked by critical errors in crime scene processing and later by highly contentious coerced confessions from four men, two of whom were convicted. Despite convictions being overturned due to constitutional violations and the discovery of unidentified male DNA at the scene, the true perpetrators remain at large, leaving questions about justice for the victims.
