In the 1970s, New York's LGBTQ Community was gripped by fear; from a string of grisly unsolved killings known as the “Bag Murders,” to the shocking murder of film critic Addison Verrill, and whispers of a Hollywood curse surrounding The Exorcist. At the center of these intersecting stories stands Paul Bateson, a man described as handsome and charismatic, yet linked to both cinema lore and real-life violence. In one of New York City's darkest chapters, fact and fiction collided, spawning an evil ...
Aug 20, 2025•31 min
In March 2017, the quiet Alaskan town of Ketchikan was rocked by the sudden death of beloved surgeon Dr. Eric Garcia. Found in his home under suspicious circumstances, his death would devolve into a mystery that was truly stranger than fiction. Journalist Chris Connelly, host of Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska , joined me to discuss his investigation and shared what it was like to walk the streets of Ketchikan, speak with Dr. Garcia’s grieving loved ones, and sit face-to-face with the detectives...
Aug 13, 2025•58 min•Ep. 112
In August 2005, 20-year-old U.S. Army soldier Joshua Bennett returned home to Illinois, grieving the unexpected loss of his father. Ne reconnects with his mother, who invited him to stay the night at her home, but within hours, Joshua would be murdered in his mother’s home by a group of people who believed they were under the influence of a witch’s curse. The murder of Joshua Bennett is a senseless killing fueled by occult paranoia, the power of influence, and a revenge plot gone horribly wrong....
Jul 30, 2025•32 min•Ep. 111
Today I sat down with Clara S. Lewis, author of American Infanticide: Sexism, Science, and the Politics of Sympathy, to examine the deeply unsettling and complex case of Emile Weaver, a college student convicted of killing her newborn in 2015. Clara walked me through how the legal system, media, and public perception often fail to grasp the complex realities behind neonaticide and infanticide in America. From the influence of a long history of stigmatizing young mothers that shape how we respond...
Jul 23, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 110
In the late 1990s, Italy was worried that Satanism was on the rise. There were whispers of cults and worshippers performing dark rituals to appease the devil and citizens were flocking to their churches worried about their immortal souls and the safety of their loved ones. This fear was not completely unfounded. In the outskirts of Milan, in Busto Arsizio, was a heavy metal band that had taken the idea of Satanic worship and twisted it until their desire to appease Satan turned them into killers...
Jul 16, 2025•37 min•Ep. 109
In 1995, 15-year-old Kiplyn Davis disappeared in broad daylight from her high school in Spanish Fork, Utah. Her belongings were abandoned in her locker, and she never made it to her afternoon classes. No one has seen her since. Thirty years later, the mystery of what happened to Kiplyn has endured in a community that refuses to forget her. However, as the years have passed, the ties that have bound family and friends together have begun to come undone, and secrets have started to emerge, which b...
Jun 25, 2025•42 min•Ep. 108
Join CJ from Rainbow Crimes as she tells the story of the Highs Ice Cream Store Murders. On April 11, 1967, in Staunton, Virginia, Sisters-in-law Constance Smootz Hevener and Carolyn Hevener Perry were shot and killed while working at the Highs Ice Cream Store. While a prime suspect was arrested, charged, and tried, he was ultimately acquitted, and the mystery of who killed these young women went unsoled for over 4 decades. Finally, after the case had long gone cold, someone came forward with th...
Jun 18, 2025•26 min
Among the legendary singers of the 27 Club who captivated the world with their music and lyrics, is a woman who is not as well known—one whose powerful voice and thought-provoking lyrics set her apart from the men dominating the industry. Mia Zapata and her band, The Gits, were on the verge of becoming a household name in Seattle's grunge and punk rock scene when everything was ripped away one night in July of 1993. Mia Zapata's violent murder shocked Seattle as a whole. Who would want to kill a...
Jun 11, 2025•31 min•Ep. 107
On March 2, 1998, 19-year-old college student Suzanne Lyall vanished just steps from her dorm at SUNY Albany. Despite a seemingly normal night and a confirmed sighting as she stepped off a city bus, Suzanne was never seen again. Today, I walk you through one of New York’s most haunting missing persons cases.I'll retrace her final known movements, go over the limited amount of suspects, and explain just how her parents’ fight for justice changed state law. What happened to Suzanne Lyall — and why...
Jun 04, 2025•26 min•Ep. 106
As summer drew to a close in September of 1966 in Cincinnati, Ohio, something terrible was happening at 3381 Greenway Avenue amid another killer's reign of terror attacking women. The Bricca family, Jerry, Linda, and their little girl, Debbie, were brutally murdered in their own home as their neighbors gathered in their homes, settling in to watch TV on that rainy evening. Decades later, the mystery of who committed this heinous crime and who was responsible remains unsolved. Today, I am joined ...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 105
When 19-year-old Shana Grice reported her stalker to the police, they didn’t just dismiss her—they fined her. Months later, she was found murdered in her bedroom, her throat slashed, and her home set on fire. The man responsible had a documented history of harassment, and Shana had done everything she could to be heard. In this episode, I tell the devastating story of Shana Grice—a young woman who was failed at every turn by the very system meant to protect her. I'll go over the red flags that w...
May 14, 2025•30 min•Ep. 104
In Today's episode, I am joined by veteran investigative journalist Mark Pinsky to unpack the decades-old mystery of Nancy Morgan, a young VISTA volunteer found brutally murdered in Madison County, North Carolina in 1970. Mark walks me through the corrupt local politics, suppressed leads, and the lingering questions that keep this cold case unsolved more than 50 years later. He also reflects on his storied career in crime reporting, including his explosive jailhouse interview with serial killer ...
May 07, 2025•45 min•Ep. 103
In Today's episode, I dive into the mysterious 1987 disappearance of 16-year-old Theresa Bier in the remote Sierra Nevada mountains near Fresno, California. Accompanied by 43-year-old Russell Welch, a self-proclaimed Bigfoot hunter, Theresa vanished without a trace during an expedition in the wilderness. Welch was later arrested but never charged due to lack of evidence. What happened deep in those woods? Join me as I explore the strange circumstances, disturbing theories, and unanswered questio...
Apr 30, 2025•21 min•Ep. 102
Today, I sit down with Tess Korth, the whistleblower who exposed rampant abuse and systemic corruption at FCI Dublin, a federal women’s prison in California once dubbed “the rape club” by those who lived and worked within its walls. Tess shares her firsthand experiences working inside a prison where the power dynamics turned predatory and silence was enforced through fear. Throughout her 25-year career, she witnessed not only the abuse of incarcerated women by staff but also the institutional co...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 101
On April 16, 2003, Air Force Colonel Philip Shue was found dead in his car after it veered off a Texas highway and slammed into a tree. But this wasn’t an ordinary crash. Shue's body showed signs of brutal mutilation—his chest was mutilated and his finger amputated in an act of twisted, surgical, precision, and duct tape dangled from his wrists. Officially ruled a suicide, the case left behind more questions than answers.In this episode of The Book of the Dead, we dive deep into one of the most ...
Apr 18, 2025•37 min•Ep. 100
In 2016, 21-year-old Keeshae Jacobs disappeared after telling her mom she would return the next day. Nearly a decade later, she’s still missing—but someone has admitted to knowing what happened. In this episode, I expose the disturbing connections between Keeshae’s disappearance and the 2022 killing of Ashley Fowler—whose alleged killer also claimed responsibility for Keeshae’s disappearance. I also cover the tragedy that befell the Jacobs family mere months after Keeshae's disappearance, leavin...
Apr 09, 2025•32 min•Ep. 99
In this Chapter of the Book of the Dead, we sit down, with retired NYPD detective and author Vic Ferrari who has joined us, again, to delve into his experiences with homicides and death in New York City. From the grim realities of crime scenes to being present for autopsies, Ferrari shares his insights on what it's really like to work for the NYPD from, Rookie, to Detective. We also revisited the haunting case of Henryk Siwiak—the only officially recorded homicide in NYC on September 11, 2001. M...
Apr 02, 2025•52 min•Ep. 98
In today's chapter of The Book of the Dead, we sit down with retired NYPD detective and author Vic Ferrari to uncover the fascinating world of law enforcement in New York City. With over 20 years of experience on the force, Vic shares firsthand stories from his time working on major cases, the challenges of policing in one of the busiest cities in the world, and the moments that shaped his career. We also explore his journey from detective to author, where he turned his real-life experiences int...
Mar 26, 2025•44 min•Ep. 97
In this gripping chapter of The Book of the Dead, we dive deep into one of the most haunting true crime cases: the murder of Kristina Hickey. Join us as we explore the chilling details of the crime that shook a community and the subsequent investigation that led to a wrongful conviction. We’ll examine the evidence that pointed to Christopher Abernathy, who spent years behind bars for a crime he did not commit, and the journey toward exoneration. Listen in as we discuss the impact of media covera...
Mar 19, 2025•38 min•Ep. 96
In today's chapter, I delve into the mysterious disappearance of Heather Elvis, a 20-year-old woman from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, who went missing on December 18, 2013. Her abandoned car was found at Peachtree Landing, but Heather was never seen again. The investigation led to Tammy and Sidney Moorer, a married couple whose tumultuous relationship with Heather would become the focus of multiple high-profile trials. Were the Moorers responsible for Heather's disappearance, or was the truth l...
Mar 12, 2025•48 min
On February 9th, 2023, Crystal Jones was found dead in her home from a gunshot wound to the head. Despite a minimal investigation, authorities ruled her death a suicide—leaving her family devastated and searching for answers. Her sister, Jana, refused to accept this ruling, uncovering shocking inconsistencies in the evidence and contradictions in her husband Tony Jones' account of that day. Was Crystal’s death truly suicide, or was it something far more sinister? Join us as we partner with Jana ...
Feb 26, 2025•46 min•Ep. 94
In today's chapter, we dive into the murder of a woman that history seems to have forgotten. Not anymore. In December of 1969, Bani Yelverton, a young Black woman with a promising future in modeling, was found murdered in her friend's New York apartment under circumstances that baffled investigators. With no sign of forced entry, few concrete leads, and a city gripped by upheaval, the case soon went cold. Who wanted Bani dead—and why? Connect with us on Social Media! You can find us at: Patreon:...
Feb 19, 2025•19 min•Ep. 93
Today, we delve into the dark world of exorcisms and the tragic case of Kennedy Ife, a 26-year-old man from Enfield, London, whose shocking death in 2016 raised unsettling questions about faith, mental health, and the dangers of so-called demonic possession.We explore the history and controversy surrounding exorcisms—age-old rituals performed to cast out supposed evil spirits—and how belief in possession has led to terrifying and sometimes fatal consequences. Then, we take a deep dive into Kenne...
Feb 05, 2025•30 min
On April 15, 1973, the body of 19-year-old Virginia Olson was found on the campus of the University of North Carolina-Ashville. She had been brutally murdered on a campus that considered itself to be so safe, they didn't need security. The investigation spanned decades but ultimately came to a standstill, until two brothers, one a professor, and the other a cop, started digging into Virginia's case themselves. Today, those brothers, Brian and Cameron Santana join The Book of the Dead to tell Vir...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 91
Together with C.J., host of Beyond the Rainbow: True Crimes of the LGBTQ, we dive into two heart-wrenching cases where friendships turned deadly. The murders of Missy Avila and Skylar Neese are the ultimate betrayal, each one a tragic tale of trust shattered by jealousy, deceit, and revenge. Missy Avila, a bright and promising teenager, was brutally murdered by two supposed friends—victims of a toxic friendship gone horribly wrong. Her case remains a disturbing reminder of how close-knit bonds c...
Jan 14, 2025•49 min•Ep. 90
To end 2024, we revisit the execution of Johnny Frank Garrett and go over the proof that shows he was innocent of the murder he was charged with committing. From FBI reports to an alleged confession from another convicted killer, Johnny's case is a glaring example of what a miscarriage of justice can do to a person. Connect with us on Social Media! You can find us at: Patreon: The Book of the Dead Podcast Instagram: @bookofthedeadpod X: @bkofthedeadpod Facebook: The Book of the Dead Podcast TikT...
Dec 29, 2024•25 min
In this chilling episode, we dive deep into one of the most horrifying and mysterious murder sprees in modern history – the Lainz Angels of Death. Operating under the radar for years, a group of nurses at the Lainz General Hospital in Vienna turned their workplace into a gruesome killing field, responsible for the deaths of at least 49 patients (though some suspect many more). But what drove these healthcare professionals, sworn to protect life, to commit such unspeakable crimes? How did they ev...
Dec 11, 2024•33 min•Ep. 88
Teenagers Riley Powell and Breezy Otteson were wildly in love and looking forward to building a future together. After childhoods filled with various hardships and heartache, they finally found love and happiness. However, everything would change in December 2017 when the actions of a jealous man would cut their lives short. Thank you to CJ for the Research and writing of this Chapter! Follow Beyond the Rainbow here: https://beyondtherainbowpodcast.com Listen Here Connect with us on Social Media...
Nov 27, 2024•20 min•Ep. 87
In today's episode, we bring you a guest episode from Love and Murder: Heartbreak to Homicide. Ky brings you the infamous Betty Broderick case, a story of love, betrayal, and murder. Betty, a once-devoted wife and mother, found herself at the center of a scandalous double homicide after her bitter divorce from her ex-husband, Dan Broderick, and his new wife, Linda Kolkena. Raised in a strict Catholic household, Betty's life took a dark turn as her marriage crumbled, leading to years of resentmen...
Nov 13, 2024•53 min
"I’d like to thank my family for loving me and taking care of me. And the rest of the world can kiss my ass.” After the murder nun in Amarillo, Texas, police are convinced they found their killer. Johnny Frank Garrett was tried, sentenced, and executed for the murder of Sister Tadea Benz, but this case is not as straightforward as it seems. From the misconduct of a medical examiner, calls for clemency from Pope John Paul II, omitted evidence, and a second murder that police knew was tied to Sist...
Oct 30, 2024•58 min
