The Best New True Crime Podcast Right Now – April 2026
Dive into the darkest corners of human nature with our True Crime podcast series. This collection of episodes unravels baffling mysteries, from suspicious deaths and unsolved murders to domestic violence and chilling disappearances. We explore the cases of Laura Sweetman, Nick Cordova, Stephanie Casberg, Thad Reynolds, Christine Banfield, Alice Koo, Gary Spore, Melissa Casillas, and Melanie Howell. Each story is a testament to the resilience of victims' families and the relentless pursuit of justice. Tune in to uncover the truth and understand the complexities of these compelling true crime narratives.
The 10 Best True Crime episodes
MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Laura Sweetman
This podcast investigates the suspicious death of Laura Sweetman, exploring potential foul play, inconsistencies in the investigation, and issues with the medical examiner's office.
This podcast delves into the suspicious death of Laura Sweetman, who was found dead in her bathtub in 2013. The investigation highlights inconsistencies in the scene, a lack of definitive cause of death from the autopsy, and concerns about the integrity of the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's office due to past misconduct of key personnel. The podcast also touches upon the murder of Nick Cordova, Laura's husband Dave Sweetman's business partner, and Dave's alleged manipulative and abusive behavior towards Laura, which led to a restraining order and custody battle. Despite evidence of Laura's fear and a suspicious vehicle reported near her home, her death was ruled undetermined, leading to an inactive case. The podcast urges listeners to call for a re-investigation into Laura's death.
MURDERED: Nick Cordova
The podcast investigates the unsolved murder of Nick Cordova, focusing on his business partner Dave Sweetman's suspicious behavior and inconsistencies.
This episode of "So Supernatural" delves into the unsolved murder of Nick Cordova, who was killed at his HVAC company, Gilbert Air. The investigation centers on his business partner, Dave Sweetman, who was present at the scene and provided a shifting account of events, claiming a robbery by two men. Despite surveillance footage showing suspects and a vehicle, inconsistencies in Dave's story, his past legal issues, and his push for insurance payouts have raised suspicions. Alicia Cordova, Nick's wife, has been frustrated by the lack of transparency and progress in the case, suspecting Dave's involvement due to Nick's fears about life insurance policies. The episode also hints at a mysterious past death of Dave's wife, Laura Sweetman, to be explored later.
UPDATE: Laura Sweetman
This episode details a domestic violence incident through audio recordings, police bodycam footage, and interviews, revealing a complex marital dispute involving infidelity, threats, and custody battles.
This episode presents a detailed account of a domestic violence incident involving Dave and Laura Sweetman, primarily through the release of audio recordings and police bodycam footage. The narrative unfolds through various segments, including the initial deputy response, Laura's personal account of the abuse, and the full audio recording of the confrontation between Dave and Laura. Dave's perspective is also explored, touching on his business failures, financial struggles, an affair, and his desperate pleas for reconciliation. The police bodycam footage captures Dave's arrest and interrogation, where he denies some allegations while admitting to others, such as preventing Laura from leaving and demanding custody of their children. The episode highlights the emotional distress of both parties, the impact on their children, and the legal implications, including custody disputes and weapon possession. It concludes with lingering questions about Dave's business dealings and the full extent of the events leading to the police intervention.
MURDERED: Stephanie Casberg
The unsolved 1969 murder of Stephanie Casberg, a dismembered teenage girl, involves a complex investigation with numerous suspects and evolving forensic techniques.
This podcast details the unsolved 1969 murder of 18-year-old Stephanie Casberg, whose dismembered remains were found along the Root River. Initial clues included personal belongings and fragments suggesting a skilled killer. Stephanie, described as kind and hardworking, was secretly dating a serviceman. The investigation explored various suspects, including coworkers at Mark's Big Boy and individuals with violent histories. Despite advancements in DNA technology and numerous leads, including anonymous tips and family suspicions, the case remained cold for decades. Recent developments, spurred by a podcast about a similar dismembered victim, have introduced new potential international connections and a renewed focus on the possibility of a stranger abduction. The case highlights the challenges of cold case investigations and the enduring impact on victims' families.
The Secret Life of the Homecoming Queen
A devoted husband's murder exposes a pastor's affair with the victim's wife, revealing a complex web of deceit, manipulation, and a desperate pursuit of forbidden love.
This Dateline episode chronicles the murder of Thad Reynolds, a seemingly devoted husband and deacon, whose life was tragically cut short. The investigation uncovers a shocking affair between his wife, Michelle Reynolds, and their close family friend and pastor, Scotty Harper. What began as a spiritual connection between Thad and Scotty, and Michelle and Paige Harper, devolved into a clandestine affair between Michelle and Scotty. Fueled by Michelle's restlessness and Scotty's obsession, their relationship escalated through coded messages and secret meetings, ultimately leading to Thad's brutal murder. The prosecution alleges Michelle orchestrated the crime, while Scotty confesses to the act, painting a picture of a manipulative wife and a devoted, albeit misguided, lover. The narrative explores themes of infidelity, betrayal, religious hypocrisy, and the devastating consequences of forbidden desires, culminating in plea deals and prison sentences for both Michelle and Scotty.
Temptation
A double murder investigation unravels a complex web of deceit, revealing an affair, a staged crime scene, and a calculated plot orchestrated by an IRS agent and his au pair to eliminate his wife.
This Dateline investigation delves into a shocking double murder at the Banfield home, initially appearing as a home invasion. Officers responding to a 911 call find two deceased individuals: Christine Banfield and an intruder, Joseph Ryan. The au pair, Juliana Perez-Magalliaiz, present during the incident, provides a harrowing account. As investigators probe deeper, the home invasion theory falters, replaced by a complex "catfish theory" involving a fetish website and online personas. Evidence suggests Christine may have been impersonated online, luring Joseph Ryan to his death. However, digital forensics on Christine's devices reveal no engagement with fetish sites, contradicting the theory. The investigation takes a dramatic turn with the discovery of a clandestine affair between Christine's husband, IRS agent Brendan Banfield, and Juliana. This revelation shifts the focus, suggesting a premeditated murder plot to eliminate Christine. Juliana eventually confesses, detailing how she and Brendan planned to kill both Christine and Joe Ryan, using a FetLife scheme to frame Ryan. Brendan is arrested and charged with double murder, with blood spatter analysis strongly implicating him. During Brendan's trial, Juliana testifies against him, describing their affair and the meticulously planned murders. The defense attempts to discredit Juliana and the prosecution's catfishing theory, but Brendan's alibi is shattered by IRS testimony. Ultimately, Brendan Banfield is found guilty of aggravated murder and sentenced to life, while Juliana receives a 10-year sentence for manslaughter.
The Gorge
A family's relentless pursuit of truth uncovers a web of deceit, leading to a civil trial and conviction for the wrongful death of their daughter, Alice Koo, at the hands of her husband, Harold Hurchin.
This podcast chronicles the mysterious disappearance and presumed death of Alice Koo, a private tutor, and her family's arduous journey to uncover the truth. Initially introduced through a brief segment featuring Demi Lovato, the narrative quickly shifts to the perplexing case of Alice Koo. Her family, alerted by missed appointments, initiates a search that escalates when police prove unhelpful. The investigation, aided by a private investigator, reveals Alice's secret marriage to Harold Hurchin, a seemingly successful engineer with a troubling past, including the suspicious death of his second wife. The focus intensifies on a trip Alice and Harold took to Taroko National Park in Taiwan, where Harold claims he last saw her. However, inconsistencies in his story, particularly regarding their movements and a fabricated email, lead investigators and the family to suspect foul play. Despite the lack of a body, the family pursues a wrongful death lawsuit against Harold. The trial exposes Harold's lies, including conflicting accounts of an injury and the fabricated email, while the defense attempts to tarnish Alice's reputation by alleging she was a sex worker. Ultimately, the jury finds Harold liable for Alice's wrongful death, awarding significant damages. The case concludes with Harold facing perjury charges and potential extradition to Taiwan, while Alice's family continues their fight for justice and seeks to help others.
Deadly Swagger
A Lake Tahoe couple is targeted in a violent crime, leading to a complex investigation involving family, financial motives, and a lengthy legal battle for justice.
This Dateline episode, "Deadly Swagger," investigates a brutal crime in Lake Tahoe where Gary Spore was murdered and his wife, Wendy Wood, critically injured. The investigation initially focused on a masked intruder but soon delved into family dynamics, financial motives, and the victim's contentious reputation. Key developments included Wendy's partial recovery and testimony, analysis of surveillance footage, and the uncovering of a connection between Wendy's son-in-law, Dan Sarafini, and Samantha Scott. Despite shifting alibis and complex testimonies, Sarafini was eventually convicted of murder and attempted murder. The aftermath saw post-conviction legal battles, including claims of jury misconduct and ineffective counsel, alongside victim impact statements and ongoing civil suits, highlighting the enduring pursuit of truth and justice.
MISSING: Melissa Casias
The disappearance of Melissa Casillas is explored, with conflicting theories of voluntary departure versus foul play, complicated by digital erasure and a pattern of missing scientists.
This episode delves into the perplexing disappearance of Melissa Casillas, a scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The narrative presents two primary theories: Melissa voluntarily left due to severe financial pressures and personal dissatisfaction, or she was a victim of foul play. Evidence supporting the voluntary departure includes her phones being factory reset and a sighting of her walking along Highway 518. Conversely, her family believes she would never abandon her daughter, and potential blood evidence in the home fuels foul play suspicions. The investigation is complicated by conflicting testimonies, the deliberate erasure of Melissa's digital footprint, and a potential, though debated, connection to a broader pattern of missing scientists. The episode also touches upon advancements in digital forensics and investigative tools that could aid in solving such complex cases, while acknowledging the enduring mystery and the universal desire for answers and Melissa's safe return.
MURDERED: Melanie Howell
A decades-old murder is solved using advanced fingerprint technology, revealing a likely serial killer who targeted victims during moves.
This episode delves into the unsolved murder of Melanie Howell, who was found stabbed 47 times in the 1970s. Despite initial investigations and a composite sketch, the case went cold. In 2014, new fingerprint technology identified Paul Bustamante as the killer. It was later discovered that Bustamante also murdered Elizabeth Wolfe, another woman who was in the process of moving. Bustamante, who had a criminal history and served in the military, died in 2006, preventing prosecution. Investigators believe he was a serial killer, but without further evidence, many questions about his life and potential other victims remain unanswered. The podcast also promotes other true crime shows and encourages listeners to share information.
The Best New True Crime Podcast Right Now – February 2026
The Best New True Crime Podcast Right Now – March 2026
The Best New True Crime Podcast Right Now – June 2025