In the early morning hours of Sat August 20th, 2016, Twenty-seven-year-old Derrick Dearman, entered the home where his twenty-four-year-old estranged girlfriend, Laneta Lester, was staying. It was Laneta's brother's home, situated approximately 30 miles outside Mobile, Alabama. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the Citronelle murders. Laneta had fled from Derrick because he was abusive. Her family turned Derrick away from the home when he showed up earlier. But Derrick was determined to get ins...
Jun 29, 2025•51 min•Ep. 365
In Part 1, we outlined the bulk of the cases connected to this series and discussed how many of the instances were remarkably similar in some ways, and how the areas where the crimes occurred often overlapped with each other. Join Mike and Morf for part 2 of the Connecticut River Valley killings. In Part 2, we will discuss a couple of additional deaths that may be part of this series, or at least were once thought to be connected, possibly. We will then delve into some possible suspects in the m...
Jun 22, 2025•51 min
From 1968 to 1989 there were a large number of murders in what is known as the Connecticut River Valley. But with the long period of time and bodies found in multiple states, it's hard to know how many of these murders are connected. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss what has become known as the Connecticut River Valley Killings. Law enforcement and online sleuths have tried to dissect these unsolved cases for years, trying to figure out which of them are connected and whether a serial killer w...
Jun 15, 2025•55 min•Ep. 363
In 1997, an individual terrorized the area around Nashville, Tennessee. This person robbed several fast-food restaurants, killing workers in the process. A man named Paul Dennis Reed Jr. was ultimately identified as "the fast-food killer" and took seven lives before he was caught. Join Mike and Morf as they talk about Paul Dennis Reid Jr., dubbed by the press as the fast-food killer. Reid had a rough childhood, and he displayed concerning behaviors as a youngster. He also had a series of head in...
Jun 08, 2025•58 min•Ep. 362
Just before 11:00 p.m. on August 1, 2018, authorities in Griffin, Georgia, were called to a home on the 800 block of Sunnybrook Drive. Twenty-three-year-old Steven Freeman had been shot, and Mary Katherine Higdon, who lived in the house with Steven, admitted that she was the one who shot him. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss Mary Katherine Higdon and the shooting death of Steven Freeman. At first, Mary Katherine claimed the shooting was accidental and the gun had gone off as she was handing it...
Jun 01, 2025•53 min•Ep. 361
In 2008, 19-year-old Brandon lived with his parents in Marshall, Minnesota. He was home from college and attending some parties on the night he went missing. The mysteries surrounding this case continue to perplex law enforcement and the online true crime community. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss Brandon Swanson's disappearance. Brandon spoke to his parents that night and indicated his car was stuck, leaving him stranded. However, even after a prolonged call with his father, Brandon was not ...
May 25, 2025•53 min•Ep. 360
Deep Cover is a true crime podcast about people who lead double lives, from our friends at Pushkin Industries. The new season, The Truth About Sarah, reveals a story of stolen valor and misplaced heroism. Sarah Cavanaugh was many things to the people who knew her: a decorated veteran, a Marine who saved her comrades, a young woman fighting cancer. Sarah was everything people wanted her to be—until she wasn’t. Turns out, no one knew the real Sarah. In Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah, Pulitzer P...
May 20, 2025•42 min
On April 23rd, 2018, officers responded to a call about human remains found in Eastport, Florida. They found the body of a woman who had been a victim of foul play; she had obviously been beaten before her murder, and it was a brutal one. She was later identified as Aileen Seiden. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss Aileen Seiden. Early the next day, investigators were alerted to a suspicious scene at the Sportsman's Lodge Motel about six miles away from where the Jane Doe had been found. They ha...
May 18, 2025•48 min•Ep. 359
In 2022, Nicki Lenway was thirty-three years old and working as a crime scene investigator with the Minneapolis Police Department. She had a five-year-old son named Callahan with her ex-boyfriend, Tim Amacher. On April 20th, 2022, Nicki was shot multiple times while she was waiting in her car outside of a scheduled visitation between Tim and her son. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the case of Nicki Lenway. One of the gunshots hit Nicki in the neck and, even though she had a cell phone to cal...
May 11, 2025•54 min•Ep. 358
One by one, the discovery of ten bodies in the New England area across multiple states has made headlines over the past few weeks. It’s a case that has people asking is there a serial killer currently operating in New England, and leaving a trail of bodies behind? Join Mike and Morf as they discuss whether there is an active serial killer in New England. Some of these bodies had been deceased for so long that only skeletal remains were left while others were found hours after they died. One of t...
May 04, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 357
On November 25, 2020, just one day before Thanksgiving, multiple residents called 911 to report a fire at a house in Mount Morris, Illinois. Inside, first responders found twenty-seven-year-old Melissa Lamesch, who lived at the home with her father. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the murder of Melissa Lamesch. Melissa was pregnant and due to be induced two days later. All fingers began pointing at the baby's father, Matthew Plote, a firefighter and EMT. The revelations during the investigati...
Apr 27, 2025•53 min•Ep. 356
The shocking & brutal murder of University of Toronto College professor David Buller in 2001 took place in the middle of the day on campus, yet somehow, no one saw anything, and his killer slipped away and remains unidentified to this day. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the murder of David Buller. He was found in his office by a cleaning crew. There were few clues or pieces of evidence but that hasn’t stopped many people from trying to find out who killed David, and why. There is no shor...
Apr 20, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 355
Introducing a new podcast for the true crime-obsessed: "The Crime Scene Weekly," from our friends at ABC Audio. Every Wednesday, "The Crime Scene Weekly" brings you the latest in true crime. ABC News correspondent Brad Mielke sits down with the journalists covering the cases who have direct access to survivors, investigators and families searching for answers. And they’re bringing their insights right to you. In this episode, the question of who killed Tupac Shakur has been a mystery for nearly ...
Apr 15, 2025•30 min
While Easter is generally a day of peace with your loved ones, that’s not always the case. Fifty years ago, on March 30th, 1975, Easter Sunday was a nightmare for one Ohio family. That Sunday, James Ruppert called the police simply telling the dispatcher there’s been a shooting. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the Easter massacre perpetrated by James Ruppert. When the police arrived, they discovered this was more than a shooting, this was a massacre. There was never a doubt that James Ruppert...
Apr 13, 2025•57 min•Ep. 354
On October 4th, 1978, in Iowa, a woman was found face down in a deep ditch about twenty feet from the road. No identification was found with her body, and being in an advanced state of decay, police had no way to determine who she was. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss Wilma June Nissen. Years later, the police were able to identify the woman through fingerprints as Wilma June Nissen. The investigation into her death began from there. Wilma's daughter, Krissy, joined us for this episode to disc...
Apr 06, 2025•57 min•Ep. 353
Crime House True Crime Stories is the ultimate destination for true crime fans. Every episode features two notorious cases from that week in crime history, tied by a common theme like infamous serial killers, mysterious disappearances, tragic murders, and more. Every Monday, uncover the full stories behind the headlines as host Vanessa Richardson takes you through high-profile investigations like the murder of Gabby Petito, the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart, and the mass suicide of the Heaven's ...
Apr 03, 2025•16 min
By 2012, Harold and Toni Henthorn had been together for twelve years. They celebrated their anniversary by going camping and hiking at Rocky Mountain National Park. Toni's family and friends grieved after learning that, while on the trip, Toni plummeted 140 feet off a cliff to her death. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss Harold Henthorn. Harold became a suspect after he gave many different accounts of what happened to Toni that day. As evidence against him mounted, it came to light that Harold'...
Mar 30, 2025•55 min•Ep. 352
In 1991, Lucille Johnson, a friendly mother and grandmother was bludgeoned and strangled to death inside her home. It's a case that would become referred to by some as the ‘Lego’ murder because of a curious clue found at the crime scene. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the murder of Lucille Johnson. For years, her case puzzled investigators and had her community concerned over her unsolved murder until finally, fingerprints and DNA helped pinpoint Lucille’s killer. You can help support the sh...
Mar 23, 2025•58 min•Ep. 351
In 2001, twenty-year-old Sef Gonzales called emergency services in Australia to report that his parents and sister had been murdered. There were no signs of forced entry, no apparent robbery, and so the attention quickly turned to Sef. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the murders of the Gonzales family. Sef told several different stories while under investigation which only piqued the authorities' interest even more. His story seemed to change whenever he was confronted with a different fact. ...
Mar 16, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 350
In 1986, Aeileen Conway apparently died in a fiery car accident in Okalahoma. Police ruled it an accident, but very quickly, Aeileen’s husband Pat began to question his wife’s death, and the official findings. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the mysterious death of Aeileen Conway. She was found inside her burning car on a stretch of road out of the way that her husband said they'd never been on. Inside their home, it appeared as though Aeileen left suddenly. But what were the circumstances ar...
Mar 09, 2025•49 min•Ep. 349
In last week's episode we discussed the abduction and return of Steven Stayner. This week, we discuss Steven's brother Cary and the path he went down that led to multiple murders. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss Cary Stayner. While Steven Stayner went on to become a hero after being abducted as a child and later escaping and saving another boy in the process, Steven’s older brother Cary went on to achieve just the opposite; he became infamous for the callous and cold blooded crimes that he co...
Mar 02, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 348
On December 4th, 1972, 7-year-old Steven Stayner was abducted while walking home from school. Steven's abductor, Kenneth Parnell, manipulated Steven into thinking his family didn't want him and had made Kenneth his guardian. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the infamous abduction of Steven Stayner. Kenneth Parnell was a master manipulator and had previous convictions. He abused Steven for many years, moving around often and changing Steven's name. It wasn't until Parnell abducted another young...
Feb 23, 2025•55 min•Ep. 347
College student Tracey Neilson was murdered on her 21st birthday in Oklahoma in January of 1981. She was a bright student and a newlywed who had been married less than 6 months when she was killed. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the murder of Tracey Neilson. There were several eyewitnesses and two crucial pieces of evidence. One was Tracey's keychain which spelled out her name in big yellow letters was missing. The other was a repair ticket from that day. But the police had to try to make se...
Feb 16, 2025•1 hr 6 min
By 1948, Howard Unruh was unemployed and living with his mother, Freda. He had been a decorated soldier in World War II but had trouble adjusting to life when he returned. Unruh is thought to be the first mass shooter and has been called the Father of Mass Murder by the press. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss Howard Unruh. He likely had some form of PTSD after the war, and he was diagnosed with mental health illnesses. Howard began to believe his neighbors were talking about him behind his bac...
Feb 09, 2025•53 min•Ep. 345
In 2001, 73-year-old Ila Mae Clark, who was just one week away from celebrating her 74th birthday, was killed inside her Marshalltown, Iowa home. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the murder of Ila Mae Clark. Ila's house was next to both an apartment complex and a mobile home park. She managed the apartment complex and collected rent payments. Could this have had something to do with her murder? You can help support the show at patreon.com/criminology An Emash Digital production...
Feb 02, 2025•52 min•Ep. 344
On April 26th, 2007, an emergency dispatcher with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call from Linda Duffey. Linda told the dispatcher that her husband Patrick had been shot. Very quickly she informed investigators that she was the one who had shot him. But she claimed it was an accident. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the death of Patrick Duffey. Multiple juries were faced with a difficult decision. Did Linda Duffey murder her husband Patrick, or, as she claimed, was...
Jan 26, 2025•48 min•Ep. 343
In 1993, a stalker began to target 41-year-old Joanne Chambers, a first-grade teacher in Coolbaugh Township, Pennsylvania. The stalking escalated over time and the threats became more violent. All signs pointed to another teacher who worked at the same school. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the stalking of Joanne Chambers. This case has been referred to by some as the strangest stalking case ever. The police zeroed in on another female teacher at the school named Paula Nawrocki. But the deta...
Jan 19, 2025•53 min•Ep. 342
In the early morning hours of May 5th, 2009, Sheri Coleman and her two sons, 11-year-old Garett and 9-year-old Gavin, were found dead in their home. Husband and dad, Chris Coleman, had been worried about his family due to some threatening emails and letters they had received. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the Coleman family murders. The crime scene was horrible, and someone had spray painted curse words throughout the home. This seemed to back up the threats the family had received. But as ...
Jan 12, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 341
On August 11th, 2024, 44-year-old father of three, Ryan Borgwardt went missing. He had gone kayak fishing on Big Green Lake in Wisconsin. His wallet and keys were found as was his capsized kayak. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss Ryan Borgwardt. The authorities and his family feared he was dead and possibly at the bottom of the lake. Massive searches ensued but information soon came to light indicating that Ryan had used his passport to cross over into Canada. What came to light was a web of li...
Jan 05, 2025•46 min•Ep. 340
On November 8th, 2024, Hannah Kobayashi headed from Honolulu to Los Angeles for a very short layover en route to New York City. Hannah never made her connecting flight, and her family became worried about her. Over the next few days, she sent out a series of mysterious texts. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss Hannah Kobayashi. What started as a disappearance case turned into a web of mysteries. Hannah's location, two green card marriages, and the reasons behind what she did would soon begin to ...
Dec 22, 2024•52 min•Ep. 339
