Killer Instinct - podcast cover

Killer Instinct

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Every Wednesday, join Savannah Brymer as she delves into the gripping and mysterious world of true crime, where each case uncovers hidden truths and unexpected twists. From infamous serial killers to haunting missing person mysteries, Killer Instinct goes beyond the headlines to seek justice and uncover the emotional depths of each story. With meticulous research and heartfelt storytelling, Savannah sheds light on untold tales of resilience, loss, and the relentless pursuit of truth, inviting listeners to journey through the darkest corners of human nature—and the strength of those left behind. Get the ad-free version here: https://killerinstinct.supercast.tech/ For advertising opportunities please email [email protected]   We wanna make the podcast even better, help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4  Privacy Policy: https://www.studio71.com/us/terms-and-conditions-use/#Privacy%20Policy
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Episodes

Chandler Halderson: A Web Of Lies

Mitchell and Chandler Halderson's parents go away for an impromptu Independence Day vacation at their cabin by the lake, but as their weekend getaway turns in to nearly a week of being gone, police declare them "missing". The discovery of their dismembered bodies leads back to a suspected murderer with a dark web of lies. Use Truniagen.com/killer, code killer to save twenty percent off your first purchase! This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp and Killer Instinct listeners get 10% off their fi...

Mar 09, 202243 minEp. 151

Introducing: Gone South, Season One: Who Killed Margaret Coon?

In 1987, a former prosecutor named Margaret Coon took her dog for a walk in one of Louisiana’s safest and most affluent parishes. The next morning, she was found dead on the side of the road with a single stab wound in her back. St. Tammany Parish advertises itself as a safe haven from the crime and corruption of New Orleans, attracting thousands of residents over the last several decades. But there is a darker side to St. Tammany and that darkness ultimately consumed Margaret Coon. Welcome to G...

Mar 07, 20224 minEp. 150

Candace Hiltz: A Teenage Mother

When teenage mother, Candace Hiltz's dog goes missing, her friends and family stir with theories of what may have happened. Only days later, Candace becomes the victim of a graphic and fatal shooting as her newborn baby, Paige, witnesses the scene from her crib. Find Lumineux on Amazon.com and get seven dollars off today! This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp and Killer Instinct listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/instinct For listeners of the show, Everlywell is offering...

Mar 02, 202247 minEp. 150

Chris Coleman: Security Guard Of A Famous Evangelist

Chris Coleman found his calling as the Cheif of Security for traveling Evangelist, Joyce Meyer. But not even he could protect his family from the irate murderer sending death threat emails to him and his family. Save 20% off your first purchase by going to TruNiagen.com/killer and use code killer. Get 20% off + free shipping with the code KILLER at manscaped.com. Download Best Fiends FREE today on the App Store or Google Play. Stop overpaying for shipping with Stamps.com. Sign up with promo code...

Feb 23, 202233 minEp. 149

Egypt Covington: "Oops, Wrong Door"

Small town bartender and local singer, Egypt Covington brought a lot of life to her community in Belleville, Michigan. The town was shocked when her on-again-off-again boyfriend reported that he walked in to her house to discover her lifeless limbs bound by Christmas lights and a gunshot wound to the head. With several suspects on the radar, the investigation took a shocking turn to reveal incredibly trivial events that led to her murder. Thanks to our sponsors: TryFirstLeaf.com/Killer for 6 bot...

Feb 17, 202239 minEp. 148

Carla Walker: Be My Bloody Valentine

The high school quarterback and his beautiful cheerleader girlfriend were the couple that others would have died to be like. What started as a romantic Valentine's dance at their Forth Worth high school in 1974, turned in to a deadly kidnapping that took nearly 50 years to solve the mystery of the killer's identity. Go to Outschool.com/instinct to get $15 off your first class. Everlywell is offering a special discount of 20% off an at-home lab test at everlywell.com/killer Go to TruNiagen.com/ki...

Feb 09, 202247 minEp. 147

Trust In A Friend Turned Sour: The Story of Taylor Wright

Taylor Wright, a 33-year-old private investigator, was enjoying a fresh start in life after relocating to Pensacola, Florida and moving in with her new girlfriend, Casandra Waller. She was dealing with some stressful divorce proceedings and decided to go out with her friend, Ashley McArthur, in hopes of alleviating some stress but she never came home. This week, Savannah explores Taylor's life and death, and dissects the interesting level of financial trust she put in a friend that ended in homi...

Feb 02, 202238 minEp. 146

Marlen Ochoa: Killing To Have a Baby Boy

Facebook Groups are a great way to connect with other people and find resources to help provide for your family, but talking to strangers online can be dangerous. On April 23, 2019, 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa was lured to a home in Scottsdale where her killers strangled her and cut the baby from her womb. While the killers left lots of obvious clues that something was amiss, the police were slow to solve this crime. Tune in to find out what exactly happened that made this case so bizarre. Love Kil...

Jan 26, 202234 minEp. 145

Rebecca Zahau Found Hanging: Murder or Suicide?

Rebecca Zahau's death was ruled a suicide by investigators twice, so why did a civil suit brought against her boyfriend's brother show that he killed her? This week, Savannah breaks down the incredibly twisted tale surrounding Rebecca Zahau's hanging. Just the day before Rebecca was found dead, Rebecca was at billionaire Jonah Shacknai's home when Jonah's son Max died in a freak accident. Jonah's family, including his ex-wife, felt strongly that Rebecca was directly responsible for Max's acciden...

Jan 19, 202237 minEp. 144

The Murder/Suicide Tragedy of TikTok Star Alexis Sharkey

The future was bright for up-and-coming Houston-based influencer Alexis Sharkey. She had an exciting new job, a new marriage and making her way in a new town until it was all tragically cut short. This week, Savannah explores Alexis' life and death, as well as the main suspect in her death, her husband Tom Sharkey, who committed suicide after being cornered by the police. Tom had changed his story of the night of Alexis' supposed disappearance many times, and moved about the country multiple tim...

Jan 12, 202242 minEp. 143

Cassie Jo Stoddart: The Murder Inspiring by the Movie "Scream"

On the night of September 22, 2006, Cassie Jo Stoddard was housesitting for her aunt. Her boyfriend and 2 classmates, Brian Lee Draper and Torey Michael Adamcik, joined Cassie to watch a movie. Little did Cassie know that she was hanging out with 2 disturbed individuals who had been planning her murder. This week, Savannah explores how Brian and Torey, inspired by the Columbine shootings and the horror film "Scream," plotted and even videotaped their plans for killing Cassie, culminating in them...

Jan 05, 202238 minEp. 142

Charlie Brandt's Killing Spree Started With a Dark Family Secret

Carl "Charlie" Brandt seemed to have a normal upbringing when one night he just snapped. Charlie shot and killed his pregnant mother and unborn sibling, wounded his father, then turned the gun to his sister Angela. Luckily, the gun was empty and Angela Brandt was able to escape to a neighbors and call for help, but this would not be the end of Charlie's killing. This week, Savannah details the horrific slayings by serial killer Charlie Brandt and the dark family secret of his killings that were ...

Dec 29, 202133 minEp. 141

Nicholas Barclay Went Missing, Then an Imposter Took His Place

After Nicholas Barclay went missing for nearly 3 years, the family was elated to hear that their son had been found safe in Spain, but the person they met halfway across the world was not their son, it was a con man. This week, Savannah explores the case of Nicholas Barclay, who has yet to be found to this day. A French man named Frédéric Pierre Bourdin lied his way into the Barclay home pretending to be their long-lost son, and even pretended to be other lost children after he had already been ...

Dec 22, 202148 minEp. 140

Mary Bell, the 10-Year-Old Killer

Mary Bell is likely currently living a quiet and simple life with her daughter. But Mary's past is so shocking, she was granted lifetime anonymity and her current whereabouts are unknown. This week, Savannah details the killings of 2 young boys, Brian Howe and Martin Brown, at the hands of then-10-year-old Mary Bell. Mary lived a troubled life, being abused and unloved by her own mother. Mary showed terrifying signs of aggression towards her classmates, until ultimately letting her anger get the...

Dec 15, 202136 minEp. 139

Is Summer Wells' Family Covering Up Her Disappearance?

5-Year-Old Summer Wells went missing from her family's 11-acre property in Tennessee on June 15, 2021 and hasn't been seen since. This week, Savannah explores the scrutiny the family has been under since they reported her missing, and the doubts that investigators feel about the family's claim that Summer must've been kidnapped. Savannah will also take you through various theories to explain what might have happened to her, including that her parents, Candus Bly and Donald Wells, might be respon...

Dec 08, 202141 minEp. 138

C13Features Presents: Ghostwriter, Starring Kate Mara and Adam Scott

Welcome to Ghostwriter, a new gripping and suspenseful podcast movie listening experience from C13Features. In Ghostwriter, Kate Mara and Adam Scott star in a psychological thriller about a former journalist who reluctantly accepts a job ghostwriting a new murder mystery novel for an eccentric billionaire. Kate Michaels has been living a solitary life after a traumatic experience, but after pressure from her rational agent and candid best friend, she begrudgingly concedes that she needs the work...

Dec 07, 20213 min

Lauren Spierer's Disappearance: Murder, OD and Other Theories

After a night of drinking and drug use, Lauren Spierer told her friends that she was walking back home. In that short 5 minute walk, Lauren disappeared and hasn't been seen since. This week, Savannah explores the multitude of theories surround Lauren's case, including her potentially being another victim of serial killer Israel Keyes, her friends dumping her body after an accidental overdose, and many others. Even Lauren's parents have given up hope of finding her alive, but is there a chance th...

Dec 01, 202137 minEp. 137

Helle Crafts Murdered by Husband and Makes Connecticut History

Helle Crafts had secretly been tracking her husband's affairs and was planning on filing for divorce when she went missing. Her husband, Richard Crafts, came up with several stories to explain her sudden disappearance before deciding that he didn't know where she was. It didn't take long for Richard to become the main suspect and even be convicted for her murder, but Helle Crafts' body has never been recovered, resulting in the first murder conviction without a body in Connecticut history. Savan...

Nov 24, 202130 minEp. 136

A Father Forgives His Son For a Family Murder: The Bart Whitaker Story

Thomas Bartlett "Bart" Whitaker had a loving family that he threw away the night he plotted to have them murdered. While out having a celebratory dinner, no one in his family could've imagined the horror that waited for them when they got back home. This week, Savannah details how Bart hired a hitman to kill his family as soon as they set foot inside, how he was found out, and the miraculous survival of his father, Kent Whitaker. Incredibly, Kent has since forgiven his son for orchestrating the ...

Nov 17, 202136 min

Franklin Floyd's Twisted Life and Murders

There are many sordid and dark details to the life and eventual capture of murderer and rapist Franklin Delano Floyd. This week, Savannah walks you through his deeply troubled upbringing and years of abuse while moving around the various prisons and institutions, leading to the murder of a young child and suspected murder of his wife, who was later discovered to actually be a young girl he had kidnapped when she was six. Listen to the many twists and turns of this case and how Franklin was able ...

Nov 10, 202136 minEp. 134

The Springfield Three: 3 Women Vanish From Their Own Home

It's been 29 years since 3 women disappeared from their own home in Springfield, Missouri. Mother Sherrill Elizabeth Levit, Sherril's daughter Suzanne “Suzie” Elizabeth Streeter, and Suzie's friend Stacy Kathleen McCall mysteriously disappeared from Sherrill's home. There were several reports of the women being spotted with strange men and creepy calls made to the house, but not much else. Savannah explores what we know about the missing women, the day they disappeared, and the efforts to find t...

Nov 03, 202139 minEp. 133

Everything We Know About The Gabby Petito Case | HalloWeek 2021 Episode 5

If you've been online in the past few months, there's a very high chance you've heard about the Gabby Petito case, but with details coming in all the time, there's a lot to uncover. For the final episode of Halloweek, Savannah breaks down the timeline of Gabby Petito's disappearance and presents all the facts and details that we currently know. The case is still open, but what we do know is that Gabby went missing around late August and many suspect that her boyfriend and travel partner Brian La...

Oct 29, 20211 hrEp. 5

Has the Infamous Zodiac Killer Finally Been Identified? | HalloWeek 2021 Episode 4

The Zodiac Killer began his killing spree in the 1960s in Northern California, killing at least 5 people, potentially as many as 37. And despite calling in the murders and leaving taunting letters and codes for police and newspapers, he has never been caught. Recently, a group of detectives and investigators called The Case Breakers claim to have found the true identity of the Zodiac Killer. Savannah examines the evidence pointing towards Gary Poste, and also why not everyone is so convinced. Fo...

Oct 28, 202135 minEp. 4

Robert Hansen Hunted His Victims For Sport in the Wilderness | HalloWeek 2021 Episode 3

His neighbors new Robert Hansen as a quiet, but pleasant man. But Robert was a sadistic serial killer who kidnapped women off the street, dropped them off in a forest, then hunted them for sport using guns, knives and bow and arrows. He is often referred to as "The Butcher Baker," due to his day job as the local baker, and the fact that he has killed at least 17 women. This week, Savannah details Robert's upbringing and how he ultimately ended up in a secluded area, a perfect playground for his ...

Oct 27, 202140 minEp. 3

Man Who Decapitated and Cannibalized Other Man Walking Free Today | HalloWeek 2021 Episode 2

The Greyhound Bus Murders is one of the most violent and disturbing cases in Canadian history. Tim McLean was innocently sitting on the bus when the unthinkable happened, the man next to him began stabbing him to death for absolutely no reason. Vince Li brutally attacked Tim, causing a 4-hour long standoff with the police. Savannah explores the gruesome details of what Vince did to Tim, including decapitating him and eating Tim's flesh. What could be more terrifying than that? The fact that Vinc...

Oct 26, 202133 minEp. 2

The Serial Killer That Left Amazon Reviews of His Murder Weapons | HalloWeek 2021 Episode 1

In the very first episode of Halloweek, Savannah brings you the terrifying case of serial killer Todd Kohlhepp, better known as "The Amazon Review Killer." Todd was a successful and charming real estate agent with a 100-acre plot of land. But that land was more than a sign of wealth, it harbored a horrifying secret. After Kala Brown and boyfriend Charlie Carver went missing for days, investigators ultimately were led to this giant property where they found a shipping container. Inside was a shac...

Oct 25, 20211 hrEp. 1

Alex Murdaugh Arrested & More Secrets Revealed: The Murdaugh Family Case Update

In August of this year, Savannah showcased the Murdaugh family, a wealthy family in South Carolina that has been linked to multiple murders, including the mother and youngest son, This week, Savannah brings you new developments on the cases since the last episode aired, including the arrest of the patriarch of the family, Alex Murdaugh. Before Alex was arrested, Alex was shot at by a seemingly random passerby, leaving only a superficial wound and arousing a lot more suspicion around him. Alex wa...

Oct 20, 202159 minEp. 132

A Mother Recruits Her Daughter Into Killing Her Husband & His Lover

In one of the most twisted family affairs ever covered on Killer Instinct, Savannah details the disturbing double homicide of Anthony Anastasi and Jacqueline Riggs. Ann Marie Anastasi got caught in between her husband Anthony and his new live-in girlfriend Jacqueline. Ann recruited her 13-year-old daughter and her daughter's 18-year old boyfriend, Gabriel Strauss, to plot the murder of Anthony and Jacqueline, then stage it as a murder-suicide. Jealousy, rage and a completely warped family dynami...

Oct 13, 202134 minEp. 131

How Showtime's "Dexter" Inspired a Real-Life Serial Killer

Mark Twitchell was an aspiring filmmaker with a successful cult film, a wife and a young child. But he harbored a dark secret, the inexplicable desire to become a serial killer, partly inspired by the fictional character Dexter from the eponymous show. This week, Savannah explores how Mark was able to catfish two unsuspecting men from dating sites into his makeshift "kill room," which ultimately led to him murdering Johnny Altinger on October 10, 2008. Savannah also explores the many manifestos ...

Oct 06, 202139 minEp. 130

Penny Boudreau Strangled Her Own Daughter to Death

Karissa Boudreau was only 13 years old when her mother lured her to an empty area, strangled her, hid her body, then reported her missing. Savannah explores how Penny Boudreau, Karissa's mother and killer, attempted to trick police by staging a sexual assault and lying about the events of that fateful day. Savannah details the investigation into Karissa's "disappearance," as well as Penny's sickening motive for the killing, to ensure that her then-boyfriend, Vernon Macumber, doesn't break up wit...

Sep 29, 202136 minEp. 129
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