Between 2005 and 2009, eight women were murdered in Louisiana’s Jefferson Davis Parish. To this day, all eight murders remain unsolved. It’s a story that drew the attention of New Orleans private investigator and author Ethan Brown, who uncovered a pattern of police misconduct, scandal, and investigative failures. In today’s episode, we explore the mysteries of this small town, where the pursuit of justice has been thwarted at every turn, leaving a trail of frustration and unanswered questions. ...
Mar 10, 2025•46 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast After countless requests, Truer Crime's first-ever merchandise has officially launched! In this special announcement, Celisia reveals the limited-edition t-shirt featuring an exclusive inside reference that only dedicated listeners will understand. This isn’t just a merch item—it’s a conversation starter, community badge, and direct support for the future of Truer Crime. But act fast—this isn't a permanent offer. When they're gone, they're gone for good. Visit https://shop.tenderfoot.tv/products...
Mar 07, 2025•1 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a small Louisiana town, eight women vanished over five years—their bodies discovered in canals and along desolate roads. As investigators dismissed them as troubled women living high-risk lives, families and witnesses pieced together a far more disturbing pattern of corruption and cover-ups. When private investigator Ethan Brown arrived to research these murders, he found a community paralyzed by fear, crime scenes compromised beyond recognition, and witnesses who kept dying after speaking ou...
Mar 06, 2025•3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sonya Ivanoff was a rising star in Alaska’s small, tight-knit community. A talented basketball player with dreams of a college career, she had her whole future ahead of her—until she was found murdered at just 19 years old. In the isolated town of Nome, investigators were left with few clues and fewer answers, as the case spiraled into a labyrinth of conflicting leads. In today’s episode, we explore the haunting mystery behind Sonya’s death and the unsettling questions it raises about power and ...
Mar 03, 2025•47 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast The Manson murders have been covered endlessly, turned into sensational headlines, Hollywood blockbusters, and pop culture mythology. But how do you tell this story differently—without glorifying the killers or repeating the same tired narrative? In this special behind-the-scenes episode, I sit down with my co-producer Olivia Heusinkveld to unpack the making of our two-part series on the Manson murders. We reveal the creative choices we wrestled with, the moments that shocked us most, and the pa...
Feb 27, 2025•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Nineteen-year-old Sonya Ivanoff vanished on a rainy night in Nome, Alaska—only to be found days later, executed with a single bullet to the head. The search for answers would unravel a betrayal so profound it shook the entire community to its core. As witnesses step forward and the evidence mounts, the investigation reveals a chilling truth about those sworn to protect. This episode drops Monday, but you can listen to the full story right now on Tenderfoot Plus. Get early access, ad-free listeni...
Feb 27, 2025•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the summer of 1969, California police hunted for the killers behind seven brutal deaths over two vicious nights. As the investigation zeroed in on Charles Manson and his cult followers, a shocking story began to emerge. What followed was a criminal trial like no other, marked by a revolving defense team, dramatic protests, and violent threats to witnesses. In this second installment of a two-part breakdown, we go deeper—and darker—to unravel the grisly murders that have haunted Americans for ...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast Charles Manson is a name synonymous with terror. But after decades of coverage, is there still something we’re missing about one of the most notorious figures in American crime? What forces shape the narratives we think we know? In the first chapter of a two-part deep dive, we’ll examine the Manson murders through a fresh lens, uncovering details that have long gone unnoticed. Sometimes, the most familiar stories require the closest look. A full list of action items, sources, resources mentioned...
Feb 17, 2025•54 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast If you heard our last episode, you already know the case against Toforest Johnson is riddled with problems—key witnesses recanted, no physical evidence tied him to the crime, and even the original prosecutor now says he deserves a new trial. But there’s even more to this story. In this follow-up conversation, investigative journalist Beth Shelburne peels back the layers of the case and shares what she uncovered while making Earwitness. We go deep into the tangled web of unreliable witnesses, mis...
Feb 13, 2025•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast In 1995, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy William Hardy was shot behind a Birmingham hotel. At that moment, over ten witnesses placed Toforest Johnson at a nightclub across town. Despite this, Toforest has spent more than 26 years on death row for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. Today, many—including one of the jurors who originally convicted him— think the courts got it wrong. But how? With the support of investigative reporter Beth Shelburne, we explore the horrifying twists behind Tofore...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast Alan Berg, a prolific talk radio personality, kept Denver listening. At a time when the airwaves still sounded mostly polite and apolitical, Alan was best known for his brash politics and fiery arguments with callers. All of this came to an end in the summer of 1984, when Alan was murdered outside of his home. Today’s episode is about the importance of speaking up, even against the forces that will do anything to keep us quiet. A full list of action items, sources, resources mentioned, and photo...
Feb 03, 2025•51 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast You might know Alice Sebold from her bestselling novel “The Lovely Bones.” But before that, she became famous for her memoir “Lucky,” where she recounts the brutal assault she survived in a park near her college campus—and the trial that followed. The man convicted in that trial was Anthony Broadwater, who has maintained his innocence for more than 40 years. Today’s episode is about forgiveness, resilience, and the devastating consequences of getting it wrong. Please be aware that today’s episod...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast On April 4, 1968, a single bullet ended the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The official story pinned the murder on James Earl Ray—a fugitive desperate to evade capture—but for decades, the King family has fought to expose a darker truth. In this episode, we uncover the buried evidence, tangled conspiracies, and a stunning 1999 civil trial that found the U.S. government complicit in King’s assassination. What does justice look like for one of history’s most celebrated heroes—and why is so muc...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast A student at the University of Utah, Lauren McCluskey began receiving threatening messages from her ex-boyfriend in the fall of 2018. For nearly three weeks, concerned for her safety, she reported this harassment to campus police again and again. Today’s episode is about the deadly cost of warnings ignored—and what happens when the people we trust to protect us fail to take action. Please be aware that today’s episode contains references to sexual assault and suicide. A full list of action items...
Jan 20, 2025•53 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast Truer Crime is back for season 2 with 10 brand-new episodes you won't want to miss. From high-profile stories like the Manson Murders to lesser-known cases about everyday people — the victim of a modern lynching, a talk radio host gunned down in his driveway, a famous author and the man wrongfully convicted of her rape — each episode is a take on true crime you won't hear anywhere else. Be sure to catch new episodes available every Monday. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practi...
Jan 07, 2025•1 min•Transcript available on Metacast From 1920 to 1940, no Black people lived in Forsyth County, Georgia. None. But by the time Tamla Horsford moved there with her family, a lot had changed. Or so it seemed, until Tamla was found dead in the Fall of 2018. Suddenly, a century’s worth of trauma resurfaced in the once all-white Georgia county. Today’s episode reveals what happens when a woman and a county collide. Please be aware that today’s episode references lynching and other racial violence. Please take care while listening. Acti...
Dec 29, 2023•52 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast Sam Mandez was just 14 years old when his elderly neighbor, Frida Winter, was found murdered in her home, the same home Sam had painted with his grandfather just a few summers prior. It would be years before they set their eyes on Sam as their main suspect. And while he was just a kid when the crime took place, Sam was tried as an adult and eventually sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder. Despite maintaining his innocence, he now faced a future behind bars. But what would that fut...
Dec 22, 2023•54 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast If you consume a lot of true crime, you might have heard Mindy Dodd’s story before. Or at least one like it – the classic story of a housewife who, pushed too far, snaps and murders her husband. The scary music swells and the story ends neatly. The housewife is locked away. But what if that’s not the whole picture? Today’s episode is about the muddy middle that's so often left out. Please be aware that today’s references sexual assault and domestic violence. Please take care while listening. Act...
Dec 15, 2023•55 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast Do you ever listen to a true crime podcast and think “that’s not quite right…?” Same. Crime stories are hard to ignore and even harder to forget. But the thing is... they’re stories. And getting a story right is all about how you tell it. Truer Crime talks about real people — murdered, missing, misled — with more nuance, more context, and more questions. Hosted by Celisia Stanton. You can see more of Rachel Monroe's work and find links to buy your own copy of "Savage Appetites" at http://www.rac...
Dec 08, 2023•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast July 11th marks “Relisha Rudd Remembrance Day’' in Washington DC. The purpose of this event is to spread awareness and let the public know that the search for Relisha is not over. Today we republish Episode 5 covering Relisha’s disappearance to bring more attention to her story. --- No one had seen 8-year-old Relisha Rudd for weeks before she was finally reported missing in March of 2014. So where was she? Why did it take so long for anyone to notice? And who was to blame? Today’s episode explor...
Jul 12, 2023•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast In 2001, Sarah Turney’s sister, Alissa, went missing. Nearly two decades later and no arrests in the case, the police told her they could no longer help her and she needed to get media coverage for the case. So, in 2019, Sarah started The Voices for Justice Podcast as a way to tell Alissa’s story. In August 2020, an arrest was made in the case and Sarah’s efforts were recognized by the Maricopa County Attorney. Since the arrest, Sarah has shifted her focus to advocating for other cases in need o...
Oct 11, 2022•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast In 2017, Olivia Gatwood picked up a new hobby: listening to true crime podcasts. Living in a first floor Boston apartment at the time, Olivia was quickly consumed by a new fear: a man breaking into her apartment and murdering her in her sleep. In order to work through this fear, Olivia wrote about it in what would eventually become her poetry collection “Life of the Party.” A conversation between Olivia and Celisia, today’s episode explores how warranted fear can become harmful paranoia, why so ...
Oct 12, 2021•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast At just 21 years old, Joan Little finds herself on trial for murder and facing the death penalty. But still, thousands of people around the country insist that Joan’s actions were justified. When her case sparks nationwide protests and a wave of financial support, eyes around the world are suddenly all on Joan. Picking up where part 1 left off, today’s episode explores what happens when someone suddenly and unwittingly becomes the face of a movement. A full list of sources, resources mentioned, ...
Jul 13, 2021•47 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast Last week I sat in a courtroom, a government building not so different from the ones we often mention on Truer Crime. So this week I decided to do something different: In today’s episode, I’m both crime storyteller and crime victim. This is the story of how a man I trusted stole my entire life savings — and what I learned along the way. A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/my-...
Jul 06, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast In the early hours of August 27th, 1974, the security camera at North Carolina’s Beaufort County Jail was inexplicably not working. So when the night jailer, Clarence Alligood is found dead in 20-year-old Joan Little’s cell — everyone is left with a slew of unanswered questions. Why was Clarence Alligood in Joan Little’s cell? What had led to his murder? And where was Joan Little? Today’s episode explores a case that was too big and important to fit into one episode. The story continues with par...
Jun 29, 2021•39 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast In the winter of 2013, Dylan King-Lemons went to the doctor with stomach pains. His diagnosis? HIV. A few months later, one of his former sexual partners, Michael Johnson, is arrested. But why? Today’s episode explores identity, crime, and our societal obsession with punishment. Please be aware that today’s episode contains references to anti-Black racism, homophobia, and incarceration. *Correction: In the episode we mentioned St. Charles, Missouri has a Black population of less than 2%. This wa...
Jun 22, 2021•45 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast In 1921, an act of terrorism would turn a once thriving Black community to ash and rubble overnight. It was an event so horrific that many historians now call it the single worst incident of racist violence in U.S. history. But what led up to that fateful day? And why were folks so intent to forget it ever happened? Today’s episode explores the importance of history and the ways violence can stretch — touching us all even a century later. Please be aware that today’s episode discusses anti-Black...
Jun 15, 2021•42 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast 
