TW: SEXUAL & GRAPHIC PHYSICAL VIOLENCE This episode covers the case of Keith Hunter Jesperson aka the Happy Face Killer. Keith was active in the 80's and 90's while working as a truck driver. He got away with the first murder he committed because two innocent people actually confessed to the murder! Connect with Us Etsy Sticker Shop Keith's Daughter's Book The Happy Face Murderer: The Life of Serial Killer Keith Hunter Jesperson I: The Creation of a Serial Killer Learn more about your ad cho...
Mar 08, 2024•28 min•Season 5Ep. 1
February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Dating violence is more common than you might think, especially among teens and young adults. 1 in 10 high schoolers have experienced some form of dating violence. This episode covers the cases of Shai'India Harris, Karyme Barreto-Sabalza, and Amara Marluke. Love is Respect Domestic Violence Hotline Connect with Us Etsy Sticker Shop --------------------------------- Portland Student Killed Near Campus, Former Football Player Arrested Kee...
Feb 09, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 8
February 3rd is National Missing Persons Day. According to Namus (the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System), there are nearly 23,400 missing persons in the United States and its territories as of June 2023. Today's episode covers the cases of Deborah Sykes, Patricia Swanberg, Kelsey Collins, and Lenoria Jones. TIP INFO Deborah Sykes - Contact Rathdrum PD at 208-687-0711 Patricia Swanberg - Contact Detective Christy Molina at 541-766-6782 or email tip@corvallisoregon.gov Kelsey Collin...
Feb 02, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 7
A high school teenager goes to a party one night in October and never comes home. 10 days later, his body is found floating in the Willamette River. Who killed Dick Kitchel? Connect with Us --------------------------- A Murder In My Hometown by Rebecca Morris Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 26, 2024•22 min•Season 4Ep. 6
It's been almost 14 years since Kyron Horman went missing from Skyline Elementary. This case had a profound impact on the Portland, Oregon community. Even though it's been almost 14 years, Kyron's mom Desiree has never stopped fighting to find her son. If you have any information on the disappearance of Kyron Horman, please contact the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office at 503-988-0560. Connect with Us ------------------------------ Search for Missing Boy Kyron Horman 'Won't Be Cold Case' Kyron H...
Jan 19, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 5
We all recognize that there are probably serial killers out there in 2023/2024, but we don’t really hear about them the way we did in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. So, imagine everyone’s surprise when evidence started to creep up in 2023 that there might be a serial killer in Portland, Oregon. Anyone with information about any of these cases should contact the following law enforcement agencies: Kristin Smith: Contact Portland Police Bureau Detective Jeff Pontius at jeffery.pontius@police.portlandorego...
Jan 12, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 4
This was one of the first cases I knew I wanted to cover when I started this podcast. But when I started to really dive into this case, my head started spinning. There are so many twists and turns - it’s hard to know what rabbit holes are worth going down. This is the mysterious disappearance of Nancy Moyer. If you have any information on the disappearance of Nancy Moyer, please call the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office at 360-786-5500. Connect with Us ------------------------- Disappeared Episo...
Jan 05, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 3
**Apologies for the audio quality in some parts** TW: Child Sexual Assault & Murder Today's episode is a special one because Winston and I had the lovely Caro and Sarah from Cascadia Crime & Cryptids on our show to discuss the cases of Vickie Black and Mindy Tran, both out of British Columbia, Canada. Be sure to check out Cascadia Crime & Cryptids wherever you listen to True Crime Cat Lawyer! ------------------------ Drifter acquitted of girl's slaying - The Globe and Mail Shannon Mu...
Dec 08, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 4Ep. 2
This episode covers the week of 11/13 - 11/16. This week was the beginning of the defense's cases. Defense attorneys for Burbank, Collins, and Rankine offered other eyewitness testimony from the night Manny died, officers' testimony from the 2015 and 2019 incidents where Manny was arrested, a rebuttal medical expert witness who supported the defense's theory of the cause of Manny's death, and a use of force expert from Renton, Washington. Court was cancelled the week of Thanksgiving. Trial resum...
Dec 02, 2023•21 min
Today’s case is one we covered when we first started the show. I’d always planned on re-recording it and now seemed like the perfect time since so much has happened since our initial recording. Unfortunately though, this case (which is more than 30 years old) remains unsolved. But a man named Frank Gable spent almost that entire time locked away for the murder - despite strong evidence that he didn’t commit the crime. This is the unsolved murder of Michael Francke with the wrongful conviction of...
Dec 01, 2023•22 min•Season 4Ep. 1
This episode covers the trial from 10/30 - 11/8, when the prosecution rested its case. Some highlights include the testimony of former Pierce County medical examiner, Dr. Clark, along with a use of force expert, John Ryan. Manny's Episode Connect with Us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 19, 2023•39 min
This episodes covers the only 2 unsolved murders in Port Orchard, Washington. Although Port Orchard is described as a "pleasant waterfront community," these 2 unsolved murders have left last impacts on the tightknit community. Tips for James Smith's Case: Contact Port Orchard PD at 360-876-1700. Tips for Linda Malcom's Case: Contact Port Orchard PD at 360-876-1700 or email tips@justice4linda.com. Connect with Us Break the Case Podcast Crazy Cat Mom Podcast _________________________ Learn more ab...
Nov 08, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 20
This episode covers the trial in Manny Ellis' death from 10/16-10/20. The week started off with the conclusion of Dr. Mitchell's testimony. The week ended with a brief return of Grant Fredericks. Listen to Manny's Episode Connect with Us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 08, 2023•14 min
Halloween isn’t all about candy and pumpkins. Unfortunately, 17% more crime is committed on Halloween. And violent crime is 50% higher on Halloween than any other day of the year. Halloween can also bring out the sinister nature of people, resulting in senseless and brutal murders. Which brings us to today’s case. This one has a lot going on: a Halloween party, a wrongful conviction, and an unsolved murder. Let’s head to Redmond, Washington back in 2008. This is the case of Arpana Jinaga. ______...
Oct 27, 2023•17 min•Season 3Ep. 19
TW: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, homicide is the leading cause of death among pregnant women in the U.S. 77% of pregnant homicide victims are killed during the 1st trimester - meaning that they are killed early on in their pregnancy. This episode covers 3 cases: Sarah Parks (Idaho), Brandy Ebanez (Washington State), and CJ Fowler (British Columbia). SPONSOR: Spooky Babe Stickers (Instagram) DV Safety Plan DV Hotline ____________________________...
Oct 22, 2023•24 min•Season 3Ep. 18
This episode covers week two of the trial, including the testimony of Manny's mom, Marcia, along with two of the state's most crucial lay witnesses, one of whom recorded one of the videos in the case. The Pierce County death investigator who responded to the scene on the night Manny died also testified along with a forensic pathologist who completed an independent, second autopsy in this case. Manny's Episode Connect with Us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 17, 2023•20 min
This episode is part of our coverage in the trial of Manny Ellis' death. We cover opening statements along with the first week of the trial, including the testimony of Manny's sister, Monet. Manny's Episode Connect with Us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 17, 2023•9 min
Today’s case takes us to Redmond, Oregon to discuss an extremely messy and senseless case that shows just how dangerous “mob mentality” can be. But it’s also a case that shows us why youth offenders are treated differently. Because, as we know, our brains don’t fully develop until our mid-20s. This is the case of Barbara Thomas and the Redmond 5. Connect with Us ___________________________ Four of 5 Redmond teens convicted in brutal 2001 killing make Gov. Brown’s commutation list From the archiv...
Oct 13, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 17
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This episode covers two tragic cases of domestic violence in Oregon. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or log on to The Hotline. Sponsor: Doodle Witch Join the Patreon Connect with Us ________________________ Oregon man accused of killing estranged wife takes plea deal Jessie Cavett murder: Restraining order paints disturbing picture Police look for possible witness...
Oct 06, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 16
This episode is part of our coverage of the trial of Manny Ellis' death. In our last episode, we previewed the trial. In this episode, we cover the last two weeks of jury selection, as the parties whittled 150 prospective jurors down to the final 12 jurors and 4 alternates. Opening statements are scheduled for 10/3. Manny's Episode Trial Preview _________________________ Manuel Ellis | KNKX Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 03, 2023•10 min
Everyone should be free to be whoever they are - no matter how they identify. Nikki Kuhnhausen was someone who never struggled with her identity. She was confident in who she was and never apologized for it. But that wasn’t Nikki’s identifying characteristic. Nikki was a human being, just like all of us, just trying to make it through each day. She loved makeup and always fought for the underdog. And thanks to her mom, Nikki’s legacy is knowing that the LGBTQ panic defense can’t be used to justi...
Sep 29, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Today’s case takes us to Seattle, Washington back in 2016. After a 5-6 second encounter with two Seattle police officers, Che Taylor ended up being shot once in his shoulder and 3 times in his upper torso. The officers were never charged, despite a 2017 inquest. This episode is dedicated to Che Taylor and his family. Connect with Us Audio Editing/Mastering Provided by: Jonathan Mejia-Naveda (Email: jontheeditor96@gmail.com) ----------------------------------------- Che Taylor’s family ‘insulted’...
Sep 23, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Earlier in season 3, we covered the death of Manuel Ellis at the hands of 3 Tacoma Police officers. After a last minute motion to dismiss from the officers’ defense teams failed, the trial of these officers is set to begin with jury selection on 9/18. As we get ready to cover the trial, I wanted to give you all a preview of what’s to come. for a more comprehensive background of the case, please go back and listen to season 3, episode 4 where we cover Manny's life and death in more detail. Manny ...
Sep 17, 2023•7 min
TW: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Today's case is incredibly heartbreaking. The justice system failed Tiffany Hill and her family. This episode is dedicated to Tiffany Hill. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. Help is available 24/7 and it's free and confidential. You can also log on to The Hotline's website for more resources. Promo: Tea Time Crimes Connect with Us ----------------- Keland Hill Killed Estranged Wife...
Sep 15, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 13
TW: Sexual Assault/Rape/Torture This is the incredible story of the kidnapping and survival of Colleen Stan, the Girl in the Box. Connect with Us Audio Editing/Mastering Provided by: Jonathan Mejia-Naveda (Email: jontheeditor96@gmail.com) ---------------------------------------- Perfect Victim: The True Story of the Girl in the Box Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 11, 2023•14 min•Season 3Ep. 12
TW: Police Brutality/Violence Joseph Zamora was walking to his niece's house after the Super Bowl on February 5, 2017. But before he could make it inside her house, he was brutally beaten on the street, right in front of his niece's home. Joseph survived the assault, only to be charged with assault himself - despite witnesses stating he didn't fight back or attack any of the officers. This is the case of Joseph Zamora. Connect with Us Audio Editing/Mastering Provided by: Jonathan Mejia-Naveda (E...
Aug 04, 2023•15 min•Season 3Ep. 11
This case will probably go down as one of the most infamous murder cases in Oregon history. It almost seems too wild to be true. A writer authors a blog post titled, “How to Murder Your Husband” and then years later, her husband ends up murdered and she becomes the prime suspect. Maybe if Nancy Brophy had been a better writer, she would’ve written a better ending for herself. Or maybe she really was just “researching” for her next book? This is the case of Dan and Nancy Brophy. Connect with Us A...
Jul 28, 2023•13 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In October 1989, Gus Magisono purchased 2 illegal sawed off shotguns from a man named Randy Weaver. Unbeknownst to Weaver, Gus was actually an ATF informant. This exchange would set in motion one of the most intense, hostile confrontations between the government and its citizens this country has ever seen. This exchange had broad implications for the siege at Waco along with the Oklahoma City Bombing. This is the case of Ruby Ridge and the Weaver family. Connect with Us! Audio Editing/Mastering ...
Jul 21, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In May 2005, a man was driving along I-90 in Idaho when he came across a brother and sister playing in the front yard of their house. The man pulled his car off to the side of the road in order to watch the children more closely. The children, Dylan and Shasta Groene, had no idea they were being watched. They had no idea that the man who was watching them, Joseph Duncan III, would continue watching the family for several days, learning their habits and studying the layout of the house with night...
Jul 14, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 8
For today’s episode, we head to Washington state to tell you the tragic case of Kassandra Cantrell. Connect With Us! Audio Editing/Mastering Provided by: Jonathan Mejia-Naveda (Email: jontheeditor96@gmail.com) ___________________________ Sources: Pierce County man pleads guilty to killing pregnant ex-girlfriend in 2020 Wash. Man Sentenced for Murdering Ex Because She Was Pregnant Kassanndra Cantrell murder: "48 Hours" obtains never-before-seen footage of the mysterious killer known as the "Hat M...
Jul 07, 2023•12 min•Season 3Ep. 7
