Criminal

In 1996, 19-year-old college student Kristen Smart vanished without a trace—and for 25 years, her case remained a haunting mystery. This episode explores how a civilian podcaster reignited the investigation, exposed systemic failures, and helped uncover the evidence that finally led to justice. In this episode, you’ll learn how persistence, audio journalism, and overlooked clues brought new life to a cold case the system had abandoned.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

The murder of Meline Kingsbury exposes the devastating reality of domestic violence and ultimate betrayal. Killed by the father of her children, Meline’s disappearance triggered an investigation that uncovered lies, forensic evidence, and a chilling pattern of abuse that escalated to murder.In this episode, you’ll learn how investigators dismantled Adam Fravel’s alibi, how digital and forensic clues led to the hidden body, and why experts warn that leaving an abusive relationship is often the most dangerous moment of all.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

In October 2006, a quiet rural town in Iowa was shattered by an unimaginable crime. Five members of the Bentler family were found brutally murdered inside their home—killed not by a stranger, but by someone they trusted most. A chilling 911 call from a 14-year-old girl would capture the final seconds of her life and point investigators toward an unthinkable truth.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we delve into the horrific story of Dr. Anthony Garcia, a doctor who went from being a promising pathologist to a cold-blooded killer due to career failure. Starting with his dismissal from Kraton University Medical Center in 2001 for misconduct and sabotage against colleagues, Garcia developed an obsession with revenge that culminated in brutal murders five years later: stabbing 11-year-old Thomas Hunter and housekeeper Shirley Sherman in the neck at the home of his father, Dr. William Hunter. Five years later, on Mother's Day 2013, he shot and stabbed Dr. Roger Brumach and his wife Mary in their home as they were preparing to move, demonstrating a pattern of meticulously planned murders with unique details such as the use of a kitchen knife and a Honda CRV car tracked by eyewitnesses. Interesting facts include Garcia's confession to a stripper about his murders, a manual on murder found in his home, and his obsession with Shakespearean quotes about revenge, revealing the psychology of a killer disguised as a professional doctor while caring for elderly patients.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we delve into the horrific story of Fred West and Rosemary West, a British serial killer couple who turned their home at 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester, into the site of the darkest torture and murder in British criminal history. Starting from Fred's childhood marked by incest, violence, and brain damage from a motorcycle accident, to his meeting with Rose, who also carried deep psychological wounds, this episode reveals how they killed at least 12 victims, including their own children, Charmaine and Heather West.Horrifying details emerge, from systematic sexual torture, dismemberment, to burying bodies in the backyard. Fred’s confession of his obsession with victim Anna McFall, the discovery of missing bones, and speculation about fetishes and cannibalism make this case the ultimate symbol of a “house of horrors.”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we dive into the dark life of Ted Bundy, one of America’s most notorious serial killers, responsible for the murder of dozens of young women across multiple states. From a childhood built on lies—where he was raised believing his grandmother was his mother—to his transformation into a charming and intelligent law student at the University of Washington, this episode uncovers chilling details behind his crimes.Unique and disturbing facts include how Bundy used a fake cast to lure victims in crowded public parks, his dramatic escape from jail by jumping out of a library window, and the brutal Chi Omega sorority house attack, which left two women dead and two others seriously injured. We also explore Bundy’s psychological motives, including rejection, obsession with control, and escalating fantasies involving necrophilia and mutilation—raising the haunting question: Was Ted Bundy born a killer, or shaped by his environment?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we delve into the mystery of a brutal murder known as the Jane Doe case, in which the body of a woman was found wrapped in garbage bags on the side of a road in Sydney in December 1991. The victim, initially unidentified, was later confirmed to be Vivian Ruiz, a dancer and part-time sex worker who dreamed of going overseas. The case is filled with striking details, including the killer’s fingerprints left on a newspaper that had been forced down the victim’s throat—an extremely rare forensic phenomenon known as “tonal reverse”—as well as evidence such as German Shepherd dog hair, beach sand, and bloodstains found in a van the perpetrator later sold. Police faced major challenges in identifying the victim, relying on digital facial reconstructions, mannequins dressed in similar clothing, and searches throughout the King’s Cross area. Meanwhile, the suspect, Richard White—the victim’s boyfriend, who struggled with steroid and drug addiction—fled to England before eventually being extradited.In this episode, you’ll learn about the evolution of revolutionary fingerprint forensic techniques, how police endured months of frustration while trying to identify the victim, and the impact of the volatile relationship between victim and perpetrator, marked by domestic violence. We also examine how circumstantial evidence—such as stolen money and false alibis—ultimately built a case that led to a 15-year prison sentence.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we dive into the brutal murder case that shocked the entertainment world in 1980, when Dorothy Stratten—Playboy’s beautiful and talented Playmate of the Year—was found naked and dead in her West Los Angeles home alongside her husband, Paul Snider. Compelling details include a tragic love triangle involving Hollywood director Peter Bogdanovich. Dorothy fell in love with Bogdanovich while filming They All Laughed, while Paul—a small-time con artist who discovered Dorothy at a Dairy Queen in Vancouver—became increasingly desperate and obsessive. Just days before the murder, Paul purchased a shotgun. Evidence at the scene—such as a specially modified sex bench with medical tape and strands of Dorothy’s blonde hair—suggested he forced Dorothy into a sexual encounter before shooting her in the head and then taking his own life. The case initially appeared to be a murder-suicide, but an in-depth investigation by LAPD detectives Richard de Anda and Glenn Ackerman revealed motives rooted in jealousy, bankruptcy, and rejection from the Playboy Mansion.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we delve into the murder case of Michelle Nice, a Filipino mother of three who was found dead inside a Toyota Land Cruiser stuck in a frozen river, with the engine still running and blood on the steering wheel. Initially appearing to be a tragic accident, bloodstains, mismatched footprints, and evidence of blood cleanup in the garage of their luxurious home revealed that this was a premeditated murder by her husband, Jonathan Nice, a frustrated pharmaceutical scientist whose career had failed and whose wife had an affair with gardener Miguel De Jesus. Unique and intriguing facts include modified shoes to create fake footprints, an angry poem found on Jonathan's desk, and the dark aftermath where Jonathan, after being released from prison, defrauded the owners of a sick dog with fake drugs worth millions of dollars, exploiting their grief for personal gain. This case is filled with themes of obsession, deception, and the destruction of a family that appeared perfect from the outside.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we uncover the shocking murder case of Ana Repkina, a 26-year-old Russian woman who came to the United States to build a new life with her boyfriend, Will Hargrove. Unique and intriguing facts include the discovery of her body in a remote forest area near Elhorn, Oregon, in April 2017, with precise gunshot wounds and signs of a premeditated murder; the use of the victim's bank card for strange purchases such as car insurance and Lego toys after her death; and Hargrove's obsession with the concept of time travel and alternate realities, revealed through his online searches and personal messages. The case involves a complex love triangle with Michelle Chavez, who is known to have emotionally pressured Hargrove, as well as forensic evidence such as soil traces in the car trunk and ballistic evidence from the weapon that lends credibility to the findings.In this episode, you will learn how obsession, jealousy, and psychological instability can lead to fatal tragedy, as well as the importance of recognizing warning signs in long-distance relationships. We also discuss lessons about international migration and the associated risks, based on a chronological analysis of the crime and the trial that resulted in a life sentence for Hargrove.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we delve into a horrifying family murder case in Huntington Beach, California, where the body of Barbara Ann Mullenix, a 56-year-old woman obsessed with control, was found wrapped in sheets and duct tape in Newport Beach harbor in September 2006, after being identified through the serial number of her breast implant. Shocking unique facts include how her own daughter, Rachel Mullenix (19 years old), and her boyfriend Ian Allen (21 years old), were involved in the murder with repeated stab wounds indicating anger or panic, as well as their attempt to flee to Louisiana while leaving digital traces like online searches on how to dispose of a body and text messages hinting at plans to "start a new life" without their mother.In this episode, you'll learn how the prolonged family conflict between the overprotective Barbara and the rebellious Rachel led to tragedy, as well as important lessons about the dangers of emotional manipulation, the importance of early intervention in family issues, and how forensic evidence like DNA, camera footage, and search history can uncover hidden truths. This is a story about communication failures that sparked violence, reminding us to be more sensitive to signs of family tension before it's too late.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we uncover a terrifying serial murder case in Long Island, where four women—Maurine Brainard Barnes, Melissa Bartelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costelo—were found buried symmetrically at Gilgo Beach in December 2010, after disappearing for years without serious investigation. Shocking unique facts include how the perpetrator, architect Rex Heuerman, used online platforms to target vulnerable women, leaving bodies in neat packages as if following a script, and making anonymous threatening calls to the victims' families. This discovery unfolded after a police dog found the first package, revealing a pattern overlooked for years due to the system's indifference toward women living on society's fringes.In this episode, you'll learn how an investigation delayed for more than a decade finally led to Heuerman's arrest through analysis of telecommunications data, DNA, and his online search history, as well as important lessons about the need to connect missing persons reports and listen to victims' families' voices. This is a story of systemic failures that allowed a predator to operate freely, reminding us to be more vigilant about social vulnerabilities. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we delve into the mystery of Lori Leonard's disappearance, a 33-year-old single mother who was responsible and lived a quiet life in Titenango, New York, vanishing in May 2005 while heading out to buy baseball tickets as a surprise for her children. Unique and intriguing facts include the discovery of her body wrapped in fabric and locked inside a metal box in the Champlin Canal three months later, with microscopic traces such as fabric fibers, fingerprints, and fragments of construction gloves pointing to the perpetrator; as well as the car seat adjusted for a taller driver, indicating involvement of someone other than Lori. This case uncovers the dark past of Sean Doyle, Lori's ex-boyfriend who had previously assaulted another woman, with evidence like the key matching the box's lock, similar duct tape, and testimony from the previous victim describing patterns of control and violence that mirrored the case.In this episode, you will learn how the police reconstructed Lori's last day through phone data, eyewitness accounts, and forensic analysis that revealed a premeditated murder plan, as well as the emotional impact on the family who lost a reliable and loving figure. You will understand the dangers of toxic past relationships, the importance of recognizing signs of controlling behavior, and how strong circumstantial evidence can build a criminal case without direct witnesses. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we uncover two of the most brutal family murder cases in American history. The first case takes us to Thanksgiving 2017 in Virginia, where Christopher Gattis shot and killed his wife Janet, his daughter Candace, and her boyfriend Andrew. Unique evidence emerged from digital traces: Google searches about self-defense before the killings, phone GPS placing all victims in the same room at the time of the shooting, and selectively deleted security footage. The second case exposes repeat offender Gregory Green—who, after murdering his pregnant wife in 1991 and being released after 16 years in prison, carried out another massacre in 2016 against his new wife Faith Green and their four children in a brutal execution involving shootings, carbon-monoxide poisoning, and torture.In this episode, you will learn how digital evidence can dismantle claims of “self-defense,” how gunpowder residue, 911 recordings, and behavioral patterns reveal murders carefully planned in cold blood. You will also learn about the enormous risks of releasing repeat violent offenders without strict supervision, the importance of recognizing warning signs of domestic abuse, and why checking a partner’s past can ultimately save lives.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we uncover the brutal murder of Margaret Barbara—a brilliant accountant who transformed Candor Diamonds from a small business into a billion-dollar company. But behind that success lay shocking secrets: a massive Ponzi scheme, forged invoices, fake bank loans, and a hidden affair with her coworker Jenny Sue Chin. When the FBI began investigating, Margaret was kidnapped, shot in the head, and her body dumped on a Manhattan street.The investigation revealed the real mastermind: Irwin Margulies, the greedy company owner desperate to protect his wealth. He hired hitman Donald Nash through attorney Henry Ostreicher to silence Margaret and Jenny—setting off a chain of decisions that ultimately claimed the lives of four innocent people.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we break down the brutal 1992 murder of Sara Tokars—a mother who was shot in the head in front of her two children after uncovering the dark secrets of her husband, Fred Tokars, a well-known attorney. Shocking details emerge, including how Sara secretly hired a private investigator to prove Fred’s affair with a stripper, and her discovery of confidential documents exposing money-laundering schemes tied to nightclubs and front businesses connected to drug cartels. What first appeared to be a random carjacking completely unraveled when hitman Curtis Rower confessed that he had been hired through Eddie Lawrence, Fred’s business associate, in a chilling conspiracy to silence Sara forever.In this episode, you’ll learn how a household filled with abuse and manipulation can escalate into a murder-for-hire plot, how a criminal attorney like Fred became entangled in illegal enterprises, and why a wife who knows too much can become a lethal threat. You’ll also learn the basic money-laundering techniques carried out through legitimate businesses, the patterns of financial control in toxic relationships, and how the criminal underworld often intersects with families that appear perfectly normal on the surface.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.

In this episode, we dive into two of the most dramatic fugitive chases in America. The first case is Christopher Potts, a wealthy young man who drove drunk and caused a fatal crash on Interstate 275 in 2012, killing his childhood friend William Angel before fleeing to Spain. Unique details—such as how Potts managed to remove his electronic monitoring bracelet during a doctor’s visit, and his arrest at a bus station in Almería by Interpol—make this case a real study of loopholes in the legal system.The second case is David Burgert, a former member of the Project Seven militia who engaged in a shootout with Montana police in 2011 before disappearing into the wilderness. Discoveries of stockpiled food, clothing, and illegal weapons led investigators to believe that Burgert may still be alive, hiding, or connected to other extremist groups.In this episode, you’ll learn how U.S. law treats fatal DUI cases compared to armed shootouts, how fugitives like Potts can evade custody temporarily, and the survivalist techniques that allowed Burgert to remain uncaught for years. You’ll also understand the latent dangers of “ticking-time-bomb” alcoholics on the road, as well as the threats posed by armed domestic militia groups—often far more prepared, disciplined, and difficult to track.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.

On December 29, 2017. Two plumbers in Oshawa, Ontario make a horrifying discovery in a clogged drain—human remains. When police knock on the basement apartment door, the man who answers immediately confesses: "It's a body. The rest of her is in my freezer."Inside Adam Strong's apartment, investigators find the dismembered remains of 18-year-old Rori Hache. But that's not all. Hidden in his apartment is evidence of another murder—19-year-old Kandis Fitzpatrick, missing since 2008. For nearly a decade, a predator lived one block from a police station, killing vulnerable young women with impunity.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.

The murder case of hotel heir Ben Novack Jr. is one of the most shocking stories of greed, sex, and betrayal in America's wealthy elite. Found bound and beaten to death in a New York hotel in 2009—just months after his mother Bernice was also murdered—Ben’s death unraveled a dark conspiracy led by his own wife, Narcy Novack. With motives rooted in financial desperation, sexual secrets, and a prenup that left her only $65,000 in a divorce, Narcy allegedly recruited her brother Cristobal and hitman Alejandro Garcia to eliminate both mother and son. The investigation revealed disturbing layers: S&M fetishes, affairs with escorts, alleged incest accusations, and evidence captured in hotel CCTV.In this episode, you’ll learn how detectives uncovered the inheritance plot, how confessions from the killers exposed plans to murder Narcy’s own daughter, and how the power of surveillance footage and forensic timelines brought justice years later. This case exposes how wealth can mask manipulation, how family betrayal can turn fatal, and how trauma continues to haunt survivors left behind.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.

This episode reveals the shocking case of the murder of Marla Tabb, the wife of a pastor, in the small town of Troop, Texas, in the summer of 2002. Marla and her husband, Pastor Michael Tabb, appeared to be the ideal couple, but their facade of perfection was shattered when Michael found Marla beaten to death in their bedroom. The initial investigation focused on robbery, but a unique fact was revealed: Marla's jewelry box was not missing, suggesting a much more personal motive for the murder. In addition, Marla was known to have a bad temper and was confrontational towards the church congregation, widening the circle of suspects.However, as investigators dug deeper, they uncovered the pastor's hidden sins. Michael Tabb was an alcoholic who enjoyed binge drinking, suffered from depression, and frequently visited strip clubs and escort services. Marla's threat to expose this double life is believed to have triggered an uncontrollable rage that led Pastor Michael Tabb to beat his wife to death with a table leg. In this episode, you will learn how Marla's bloodstains found in the truck bed and Michael's shoes exposed his initially strong alibi and ended the priest's disguise.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/criminal--6152643/support.