Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast

From the archive, we are revisiting the disappearance of former NBA player Bison Dele.In July 2002, Bison Dele, his girlfriend Serena Karlan, and boat captain Bertrand Saldo vanished while sailing through the South Pacific. Bison’s older brother, Miles Dabord, was the only person to return from the trip. When he arrived in Tahiti, Bison’s catamaran had been repainted and renamed. As investigators searched for answers, they uncovered evidence that someone had been using Bison’s identity after he disappeared. Authorities came to believe Miles was responsible for the deaths of Bison, Serena, and Bertrand, but he died later that year before the case could ever be resolved in court. No bodies were found, and what happened aboard that boat remains a mystery. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/momsandmysteries⁠ Visit our website: ⁠momsandmysteries.com⁠ #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #BisonDele #NBA #MissingAtSea #SouthPacific #MilesDabord #UnsolvedMystery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In June 1994, Vickie Beckham dropped her three children off for a visit with their father and was supposed to go to work. Hours later, she was found dead behind the wheel of her car in a ditch along a rural South Carolina road. Her vehicle had barely any damage, but Vickie had catastrophic injuries that could not be explained by a crash. Investigators quickly realized someone had tried to stage Vickie's death as an accident. More than a year later, an arrest brought police a detailed account of an alleged murder for hire plot involving Vickie's estranged husband, Stephen Beckham, and Richard Anderson. We follow the investigation, the evidence presented at trial, and the convictions that followed. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Get compounded GLP-1s for $59 a month from Collective. It's the same price every dose and you don’t have to prepay in advance to get the lowest price in the country. 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Sources: https://caselaw.findlaw.com/sc-supreme-court/1347639.html https://www.scstatehouse.gov/JudicialMeritPage/transcript1206.doc https://public.doc.state.sc.us/scdc-public/inmateDetails.do?id=%2000237452  https://public.doc.state.sc.us/scdc-public/inmateDetails.do?id=%2000236548 https://www.newspapers.com/image/192236408/?article=92b2813d-db3b-49a4-b76c-bda0b1187cfe&focus=0.021731881,0.4901135,0.1840427,0.69331896&xid=3355&_ga=2.189707307.1430257020.1620845492-1789801159.1610661381 https://www.newspapers.com/image/691138317/?terms=james%20lander&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/192236276/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/192236282  https://www.newspapers.com/image/192496622/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/192237710/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/193333924/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/193334030  https://www.newspapers.com/image/192464725/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/192464736  https://www.newspapers.com/image/192466508 https://www.newspapers.com/image/192424582/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/192422419/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/192422462/  https://www.newspapers.com/image/70257383 https://www.newspapers.com/image/192425477/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/192425481  https://www.newspapers.com/image/192432115/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/193648176/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/70294108/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/70294124  https://www.newspapers.com/image/193634634/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/627938646/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/627947408/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/345501696/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/192961986/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/192370906/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187461305/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/669485868/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/628044990/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187632387/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187633920, https://www.newspapers.com/image/187633929/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/628052958/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/628052976  https://www.newspapers.com/image/187633946/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187639076/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/187634803/  https://www.newspapers.com/image/69770980/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187642866/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187645275/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187646469/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/187646512 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187647894/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187653679 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187654854/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/187654939  https://www.newspapers.com/image/69771602/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187465210/, https://www.newspapers.com/image/187465230/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187466078/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187467077/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/345444591/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187467739/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187468015/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187468655/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/187468412/  https://www.newspapers.com/image/669478022/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/69773700/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/187471893/?terms=vickie%20lander%20beckham&match=1 Learn more about your ad choices. 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In February 2026, Ashley Flynn was fatally shot inside her Tipp City, Ohio, home while her two young daughters slept nearby. Her husband, former worship pastor Caleb Flynn, called 911 and said an intruder had broken in, taken a gun from his truck, and shot Ashley. Investigators soon questioned whether the scene matched that account. Caleb was later charged with aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, and witness intimidation. Prosecutors allege Ashley's death was planned and that the scene was staged to look like a burglary. Caleb has pleaded not guilty, and the charges have not been proven. We tell Ashley's story and follow the murder trial now underway, including the evidence and testimony the jury is hearing for the first time. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/moms with code moms. Exclusions apply. See thicker, stronger, faster-growing hair with less shedding in just 3-6 months. Right now nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit Nutrafol.com and enter promo code MOMS. Sources: Ashley Elizabeth Flynn Obituary Feb 16, 2026 - Frings and Bayliff Funeral Home Loved Ones of Wife Allegedly Murdered by American Idol Contestant Are Focused on Supporting Her 2 Young Daughters (Exclusive) A Former American Idol Contestant Is Accused of Killing His Wife. Here's What We Know About Suspect Caleb Flynn. Pastor Husband Charged in Wife’s Twisted Murder Ashley Flynn murder case: What we know six months later | Crime | daytondailynews.com https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/american-idol-alum-caleb-flynn-chilling-911-call-revealed Ashley Flynn case: Video released of husband’s arraignment for murder | Crime | daytondailynews.com Ashley Flynn murder case: What we know six months later | Crime | daytondailynews.com Is Caleb Flynn media coverage too intense for a fair murder trial? | Crime | daytondailynews.com Ex-'American Idol' contestant staged crime scene in alleged murder of wife: court docs "IS SHE GONE?": Bodycam shows Caleb Flynn sobbing, throwing up after wife found shot in bed 'With broken hearts, we chose to celebrate’: Ashley Flynn’s family honors her on birthday https://dayton247now.com/resources/pdf/87dcb8c8-dcfb-4b00-a482-b040e8fadec0-CalebFlynn.pdf Miami County judge denies request to shield screen for children in Caleb Flynn trial Former American Idol contestant facing new charges in death of his wife - WLWT Worship Leader Resigns ‘Without Explanation’ After Caleb Flynn Charged With Wife’s Murder American Idol's Caleb Flynn Faces Additional Charges in Wife Ashley Flynn's Murder Case | Oxygen LISTEN: ‘There’s blood everywhere’: 911 call released in Ashley Flynn murder case | Local | daytondailynews.com  Braham graduate Caleb Flynn heads to Hollywood on "American Idol" | Free | hometownsource.com Jury will visit murder scene, but Caleb Flynn won’t | Court TV ‘American Idol’ alum Caleb Flynn indicted for wife’s murder | Court TV Friends remember Ashley Flynn’s kindness, passion for life | WDTN.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former plastic surgeon Tomasz Kosowski is currently on trial in Florida for the 2023 disappearance and alleged murder of attorney Steven Cozzi. Steven represented defendants in a civil lawsuit Tomasz had filed, and prosecutors allege Tomasz became increasingly angry with the case before planning the attack. Steven vanished from the Largo law office where he worked, leaving his wallet, keys, and phone behind. His body has never been found. Prosecutors say surveillance footage, phone data, and forensic evidence connect Tomasz to the crime. Tomasz has pleaded not guilty, is representing himself in a bench trial, and a judge will decide the case. Sources: Missing: 'Suspicious circumstances' surrounding Largo lawyer's disappearance, police say | FOX 13 Tampa Bay https://web.archive.org/web/20230328153845/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/03/28/florida-plastic-surgeon-lawyer-murder/ Kosowski vs. Laufer Plastic Surgery Lawsuit | PDF Exclusive: Lawyer who found Cozzi crime scene speaks https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-u-s-news/police-blood-video-link-doctor-to-lawyers-disappearance/ Family celebrates life of slain Largo attorney on 42nd birthday | WFLA Fla. Plastic Surgeon Allegedly Killed Lawyer Representing Former Co-Workers He Was Suing Who Is Tomasz Kosowski? Plastic Surgeon Arrested Over Mystery Lawyer Death - Newsweek Plastic surgeon charged in lawyer’s killing to be held without bond | Court TV Daily News Summary – The Florida Bar Pinellas plastic surgeon charged with murder in connection to missing Largo lawyer | FOX 13 Tampa Bay Arrest Affidavit Newly released documents indicate that the State Attorney believes attorney Steven Cozzi's body was dumped in Collier County Landfill - IONTB Plastic surgeon withdraws all opposition to the death penalty as he represents himself on murder charges | Court TV Steven Cozzi biography: 13 things about Largo, Florida lawyer – CONAN Daily Steven Cozzi was ‘brilliant, loving and caring,’ husband says - Watermark Out News Murdered Largo lawyer’s family, friends honor man who ‘loved helping people’ | FOX 13 Tampa Bay Largo lawyer's disappearance and alleged murder: Timeline of events | FOX 13 Tampa Bay New details that led to the arrest of Dr. Kosowski for the murder of Largo attorney, Steven Cozzi - IONTB Chilling details emerge in case of Florida plastic surgeon accused of killing lawyer Defense attorney breaks down case surrounding missing Largo attorney Steven Cozzi | WFLA Inside the Bitter Battle That Ended With Florida Plastic Surgeon’s Murder Charge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On March 24, 2013, Aliza Sherman went to downtown Cleveland to meet with Gregory Moore, the attorney handling her contentious divorce. She arrived early, waited outside his locked office building, and exchanged messages with him. Minutes later, Aliza was attacked and fatally stabbed. For more than a decade, her murder remained unsolved. In 2025, a grand jury indicted Moore, Aliza's former divorce attorney, on charges including aggravated murder, conspiracy, murder, and kidnapping. Prosecutors allege he deceived Aliza into waiting outside the office and either participated in or arranged the attack. Moore has pleaded not guilty, and the charges have not been proven. We examine the suspicious messages, the missing evidence, the years of unanswered questions, and the case that is now moving through the courts. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Whether you're looking for WLP-1, Magnesium, Berberine, CoQ10 or dozens of other science-backed supplements, start taking supplements your body can actually absorb.  Go to absorbmore.com and enter MOMS at check out for up to 35% off your first order. Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/moms. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/vwn13ren #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card.  Savings provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Sources: Gregory Moore Indictment Aliza Sherman Obituary - Cleveland Heights, OH How technology led to an indictment in the Aliza Sherman cold case Sherman Estate Vs Gregory Moore Civil Complaint | PDF | Damages | Negligence How technology led to an indictment in the Aliza Sherman cold case Who is Gregory Moore? Former divorce attorney charged for murder of Aliza Sherman in downtown Cleveland Aliza Sherman murder case in Cleveland: Suspect Gregory Moore released after posting $2 million bond Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley Announces the Indictment of Gregory Moore in the 2013 Downtown Cleveland Homicide of Aliza Sherman Potential new evidence arises in Sherman murder case Aliza Sherman murder case in Cleveland: Suspect Gregory Moore released after posting $2 million bond Motion for Bond: Gregory J. Moore | PDF | Crimes Aliza Sherman 'Walk for Justice' Murder victim's attorney pleads guilty to other charges Aliza Sherman's divorce lawyer, Greg Moore, sentenced for inducing panic and falsification Estranged husband of Aliza Sherman dies in Florida Attorney for Aliza Sherman murder suspect Gregory Moore asks for new DNA test on evidence DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. STAFFORD (2012) | FindLaw VIDEO: Person after Aliza Sherman murder Daughter works with the Cleveland Clinic to honor Aliza Sherman on 10-year anniversary of her murder Aliza Sherman at center of $2 million lawsuit | wkyc.com https://web.archive.org/web/20220911080624/https://eu.cincinnati.com/story/accused/2020/11/07/backstory-7-years-after-aliza-sherman-stabbed-killer-still-large/6123291002/ https://web.archive.org/web/20220817195721/https://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/the-read/articles/aliza-sherman Court documents revealed: Aliza Sherman wrote she feared her husband  I-team: Court records expose chilling details of Aliza Sherman’s life before her murder Potential new evidence in Aliza Sherman murder case Judge denies motion to dismiss case against man accused of killing Aliza Sherman Dead witnesses, cold case: Gregory Moore's defense says state waited too long in 2013 Cleveland murder of Aliza Sherman | wkyc.com Aliza Sherman murder case: Defense, prosecutors debate evidence against accused killer Gregory Moore Break in the case: Arrest made in 2013 Cleveland murder of Aliza Sherman Aliza Sherman murder case: Defense seeks destruction of Gregory Moore's jail calls Attorney for Aliza Sherman murder suspect Gregory Moore asks for new DNA test on evidence Attorney for Aliza Sherman murder suspect Gregory Moore asks for new DNA test on evidence from 2013 Cleveland killing Aliza Sherman murder in Cleveland: Suspect Gregory Moore on GPS monitoring | wkyc.com 2. March 24, 2013: The Day Everything Changed. | Sherman | clevelandjewishnews.com https://fox8.com/news/i-team-arrest-made-in-connection-to-aliza-sherman-murder/ 1. Who was Aliza Sherman? Daughter, Sister, Nurse, Mother Aliza’s ‘love knew no boundaries’ | Opinion | clevelandjewishnews.com Cleveland attorney accused of murdering Aliza Sherman now faces civil lawsuit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On September 21, 2023, Austin Kanuch and his wife closed on a new home where they planned to raise their family. Before they could move, someone entered their rental home in the early morning hours, attacked Austin in his bedroom, and left his wife Mary and their young son physically unharmed. Investigators believe Austin was targeted. Nothing was stolen, no one else in the house was injured, and detectives found no known conflict in Austin's work, relationships, or personal life that explains why someone would want him dead. Nearly two years later, surveillance video showed an unidentified person arriving at Austin's street on a mountain bike shortly before the attack and leaving again afterward. The rider's face is not visible, but investigators believe someone may recognize the route, the bike, or the person. Austin was a devoted father of three, husband, son, friend, singer, car enthusiast, and barbecue fanatic. Nearly three years later, his murder remains unsolved, and up to $40,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest. We share Austin's story and the questions his family still needs answered. https://www.facebook.com/JusticeForAustinKanuch/ Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Houston by calling 713-222-TIPS. That’s 713-222-8477.  Information can also be submitted online at https://crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers Houston mobile app. Anyone who prefers to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office directly can call 713-755-6044. Thank you to this week's sponsors! To grab your PAKA hoodie, go to www.pakaapparel.com. Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/moms with code moms. Exclusions apply. And right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Sources: Crimestoppers flyer  https://www.click2houston.com/video/houston-life/2025/05/29/20k-reward-offered-help-solve-the-2023-murder-of-austin-kanuch/ https://www.fox26houston.com/news/unsolved-murder-harris-county-fatal-stabbing https://everloved.com/life-of/austin-kanuch/obituary/ https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/harris-county-unsolved-murder/285-cd48429f-8f24-4d25-95ef-6176da08202d https://myneighborhoodnews.com/copperfield-resident-austin-kanuchs-family-seeks-justice-as-reward-for-information-increases-to-20000 https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/09/12/gov-abbott-increases-reward-for-information-in-2023-deadly-stabbing-of-harris-county-father/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=snd&utm_content=kprc2&fbclid=IwY2xjawPHjhRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFDWDhUZjd2UmxRSEtuU1k0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlkoJ83Ghj7cq1GOyjPfZdERGlFb_kQj20NX1lwZ7dy9hBV1luvm3-o5TaYy_aem_esfe4Z244AlrKdCVLxEeSQ https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/05/03/we-want-a-dangerous-person-off-the-street-family-seeks-justice-for-fathers-mysterious-murder-in-nw-harris-county/ https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/harris-county/harris-county-father-stabbing-death-investigation/285-eb4d6c8c-6af1-4806-9c01-5d86fb89e754 https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2023/10/05/neighbors-plead-for-answers-in-murder-of-northwest-harris-county-father/ https://abc13.com/post/govenor-abbots-office-adds-20k-reward-information-missing-suspect-2-year-murder-case/17811772/ https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2026/01/01/who-killed-texas-father-austin-kanuch/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPLF9FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF5OEVXV1dIcWhiWW93Y2ZQc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHo9-8OvZ0gWmhL_u4BXtULxT_qAsPD7I-pzt7yVpyF88h6aT7dz2N11vE_qQ_aem_WujXHKtfRK-VCnvRmivQCQ Interview with Celene Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On September 19, 2024, Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins and Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines ate lunch together in Whitesburg, Kentucky, then walked back to the courthouse for a private conversation in the judge's chambers. Nearly 10 minutes later, surveillance video showed Stines pull out his gun and shoot Mullins. The video has no audio, leaving the central question unanswered: what was said in that room before the shooting? Stines surrendered at the courthouse and is charged with murder of a public official. He has pleaded not guilty. His defense is expected to focus on his mental condition in the days surrounding the killing, including reports that he had not slept, had become paranoid about his family, and appeared to be in crisis. We also address the online rumor involving Stines's daughter, why the facts do not support it, and the federal civil lawsuit involving a former deputy whose crimes had been connected to Mullins's chambers. The shooting was captured on camera. The man accused of firing the gun was identified immediately. But with no audio, a pending trial, and a motive that has not been publicly established, Kevin Mullins's family and a small Kentucky community are still waiting for answers. Get new episodes a day early and ad free at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Go to https://kachava.com and use code MOMS for 15% off your first order. Transform your space with pieces that hold up to real life! Join Wayfair Rewards today and get 5% back on every purchase. Head to Wayfair.com or shop the Wayfair app for all things home. Sources: Kentucky District Judge Kevin Mullins fatally shot inside a courthouse, sheriff arrested, state police say | CNN Kevin R. Mullins - Ballotpedia Kentucky Sheriff Arrested in Shooting Death of Judge - The New York Times ​​https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/274885088/kevin-russell-mullins Kentucky sheriff charged in killing of judge at courthouse | The Hill New footage in the shooting death of Kentucky judge Judge grants change of venue for former sheriff accused of killing judge Kentucky sheriff accused of killing judge in chambers appears in court | WJHL |  Wife, daughter of KY sheriff deny contact with slain judge | Lexington Herald Leader Kentucky judge shot and killed in chambers, sheriff charged with murder: Officials  Ex-sheriff indicted in judge's killing pleads not guilty at KY courthouse where shooting erupted Why was a Kentucky judge killed? So far, it remains a mystery Kentucky sheriff fatally shot a judge in courthouse chambers, officials say Ex-Letcher Co. sheriff in psychosis days after shooting judge, records say Former KY sheriff accused of killing judge asks for indictment to be dismissed CI, 24-CR-00204, COMMONWEALTH VS. STINES, SHAWN Civil suit exposes sexual exploitation in Letcher County courts Hearing reveals key details in civil case against Shawn Stines | Court TV Civil suit exposes sexual exploitation in Letcher County courts A former Kentucky sheriff who fatally shot judge was ‘losing it’ in the days before killing, friends said | CNN Chilling Detail Dropped in Sheriff Mickey Stines Judge Slaying https://www.youtube.com/live/2iZ5pQzT_qk?si=K9OhRuPyOScR1Dd4 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/19/us/sheriff-judge-shooting-kentucky.html Kentucky sheriff charged with killing judge was in ‘tense’ lawsuit testimony days before Mickey Stines' Daughter Speaks Out | Sheriff Shoots Judge Murder Case Letcher County, Kentucky | Advisory Council on Historic Preservation https://www.weku.org/the-commonwealth/2024-12-09/plaintiff-in-letcher-county-civil-suit-says-she-saw-video-of-judge-having-sex-in-his-office Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Between 2001 and 2017, at least 75 women were strangled or smothered in Chicago. Many were found in alleys, vacant buildings, garbage cans, and other places where it was easy for their deaths to become separate case files instead of a citywide emergency. The women were daughters, mothers, artists, business owners, caregivers, and friends. Their names included Angela Ford, Gwendolyn Williams, Nancy Walker, Margaret Gomez, Teresa Bunn, Hazel Lewis, and Rio Renee Holyfield. In 2018, the Chicago Tribune identified 75 women whose cases showed a devastating pattern. 25 cases had been closed, while more than two thirds remained unsolved. Families and advocates had long questioned whether some of the murders were connected. The term "Chicago Strangler" became shorthand for those fears, but Chicago police have said there is no evidence that one person killed every woman in the group. The available evidence points to an even more difficult possibility: some cases may be linked, some may involve multiple offenders, and far too many families are still waiting for answers. We discuss the women at the heart of these cases, the investigation that revealed the scale of the failures, and the work advocates continue to do to make sure they are not forgotten. Get new episodes a day early and ad free at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors!  Right now nutrafol is offering our listeners $10off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit nutrafol.com and enter promo code Moms. And right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Amplify your spring look with Thrive Causemetics. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/MOMS for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.  Treat yourself to the most advanced bras and shapewear on the market. Use our exclusive link to save 20% off Honeylove at honeylove.com/MOMS. Sources: https://www.newspapers.com/image/823292832/?terms=%2275%20women%20have%20been%20strangled%22&match=1 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-met-strangled-women-chicago-police-task-force-20190510-story.html https://www.wbez.org/stories/a-serial-killer-may-be-preying-on-black-women-in-chicago/21b45020-ca53-490e-8efe-b9c6ebbe11f3 https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/have-you-seen-these-51-women/ https://wgntv.com/news/cover-story/long-untold-student-journalists-share-the-stories-of-51-murdered-chicago-women/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/374929179/?terms=%22Winifred%20Shines%22&match=1 https://uncovered.com/connecting-cases-data-shows-serial-killer-chicago/ https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/chicago-serial-killer-alderman-senator-demand-answers/ https://www.mMurdered: Angela Ford | Chicago, IL | Uncoveredurderdata.org/2017/11/chicagos-cluster-of-unsolved-female_30.html https://www.unforgotten51.com/2021/06/we-walk-for-her-march-brings-light-to.html https://www.unforgotten51.com/2020/12/the-dreamcatcher-foundation-on-street.html https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/angela-ford-family-of-chicago-woman-murdered-over-2-decades-ago-awaits-justice https://uncovered.com/cases/angela-ford https://www.newspapers.com/image/829193408/?terms=angela%20ford&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/231273452/?terms=%22Jody%20Grissom%22&match=1 https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2021/1/9/22221431/gwendolyn-williams-chicago-serial-killer-murder-accountability-project-john-fountain-samantha-latson https://www.newspapers.com/image/829193408/?terms=gwendolyn&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/231245061/ https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-08-15-0308150274-story.html https://www.newspapers.com/image/231875803/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/232284252/?terms=%22Mary%20Thomas%22&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/232271548/?terms=%22Tamala%20Edwards%22&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/231547343/?terms=%22Makalavah%20Williams%22&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/231291038/?terms=%22Denise%20Torres%22&match=1 https://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/inconclusive-dna-results-in-chicago-female-homicides-investigator-still-certain-of-serial-killer/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/236338004/?terms=%22Kelly%20Sarff%22&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/232399899/?terms=%22Charlene%20Miller%22&match=1 https://neverforgetchi.org/neverforget/latoya-banks/ https://uncovered.com/cases/latoya-banks-chicago-il-2009 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-bn-xpm-2009-12-09-28527033-story.html https://uncovered.com/cases/angela-profit-chicago-il-2011 https://digitaledition.chicagotribune.com/tribune/article_popover.aspx?guid=057de0a3-174f-4c3c-b9a1-aaa9f009fdaa https://uncovered.com/cases/pamela-s-wilson-chicago-il-2012 https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/3/20/18382957/woman-strangled-in-woodlawn-identified https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/6/22/18327683/woman-found-strangled-in-fernwood-neighborhood-garage-identified https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/6/22/18327696/woman-found-strangled-in-west-garfield-park-identified https://web.archive.org/web/20181116042940/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-07-16-0607160055-story.html https://neverforgetchi.org/neverforget/marcie-nichols/ https://neverforgetchi.org/neverforget/shannon-williams/ https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/chi-burned-body-found-in-logan-square-dumpster-20130520-story.html https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-05-03-0705021080-story.html https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/chi-autopsy-woman-found-strangled-in-west-side-alley-20140224-story.html https://www.newspapers.com/image/374929179/?terms=Catherine https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-03-30-0303300459-story.html https://www.unforgotten51.com/2020/11/nancie-walker-as-child-nancie-carolyn.html#more https://www.newspapers.com/image/374929175/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/236315832/?terms=%22Theresa%20Bunn%22&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/232051698/?terms=%22Theresa%20Bunn%22&match=1 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-11-26-0711260430-story.html https://www.unforgotten51.com/2020/12/remembering-jenny-daughters-focus-not.html#more https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2008/10/11/autopsy-says-chicago-woman-was/44241768007/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/374929175/?terms=%22Pamela%20Wilson%22 https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/6/23/18383763/woman-found-strangled-in-street-in-east-garfield-park https://www.unforgotten51.com/2020/12/portraits-say-her-name-say-all-their.html#more https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-news-breaking-police-department/5890890/ https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-crime-arthur-hilliard-found-guilty-killing-21-year-old-diamond-turner-dumping-body-alley-2017/18257712/  HBO/VICE News story https://vpc.org/publication/black-homicide-victimization-in-the-united-states-an-analysis-of-2024-homicide-data/#national-data  https://www.ojp.gov/archive/safe-communities/inside-perspectives/shining-light-on-the-crisis-of-missing-or-murdered-black-women-and-girls-in-the-united-states Learn more about your ad choices. 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In June 2006, 24 year old Lori Ann Slesinski left an Auburn Walmart to pick up drink mixes before a night at her best friend’s house. She never arrived. Days later, her Yorkshire Terrier, Peanut, was found safe in her mobile home, but Lori was gone. Her kitchen rugs and telephone cord were missing, the answering machine messages had disappeared, and her Mazda was later found burned on a secluded Auburn street. Lori’s friend Derrill Richard Ennis, known as Rick, was the last person known to be with her. He claimed she had left to make a drug deal, but police found nothing to support that story. The case went cold for years, even as questions remained about the evidence inside Lori’s home and near her burned vehicle. Sixteen years later, investigators rebuilt the case without Lori’s body. A jury ultimately found Derrill guilty of capital murder, but Lori’s remains have never been recovered. We cover Lori’s disappearance, the cold case investigation, and the trial that brought her family a measure of justice. Thank you to this week's sponsors! And right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/moms. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re replaying our 2024 episode about Emma Compton Layne, a woman remembered by the people who loved her for her generous heart, her contagious joy, and the way she always showed up for her family. Emma disappeared in June 2017 after working at her store in Halifax County, Virginia. Months later, her remains were found, leaving her loved ones with years of grief and unanswered questions. Since we first shared Emma’s story, there has been a significant development in the case. In November 2024, Emma’s husband, Russell Wayne Layne, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death. As this episode is re-released, his trial is underway. We’re revisiting Emma’s case because she deserves to be remembered not only for what happened to her, but for the life she lived and the love she gave so freely. Our hearts are with Emma’s family and everyone who continues to carry her memory through this difficult time. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Amplify your spring look with Thrive Causemetics. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/MOMS for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. To grab your PAKA hoodie, go to PakaApparel.com. Join Wayfair Rewards today to get 5% back on every purchase and start saving on your next home upgrade. Head to Wayfair.com to shop all things home. Wayfair. Every Style. Every Home. Sources: https://www.timesvirginian.com/news/article_1686a486-580b-11e7-822b-0f6070bab2df.html https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/missing-in-america/emma-compton-layne-still-missing-four-months-after-disappearing-n815781 https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/missing-in-america/four-years-dateline-s-missing-america-90-still-missing-n826516 https://www.facebook.com/TomRodgers197/posts/missing-woman-in-halifax-county-vaemma-layne-age-52-was-last-seen-on-saturday-ev/260060507734080/ https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/missing-in-america/remains-found-very-shallow-grave-identified-missing-virginia-woman-emma-n837286 https://www.chathamstartribune.com/news/article_f342c0f2-d52f-11e7-b4bc-cb5cabdfc22a.html https://www.yourgv.com/news/local_news/medical-examiner-neck-injury-caused-death-in-2017-homicide/article_2b07667a-9396-11e9-b9b5-37dda535c91f.html https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/New-billboard-in-Halifax-Co-to-help-solve-Emma-Compton-Layne-murder-561157591.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgqWAZ1cQdY&ab_channel=WSLS10 https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Vigil-to-be-held-for-Halifax-County-murder-victim-Emma-Compton-Layne-568552601.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0RPQ3cLtTwBFHE3aAISaGC2hhFOku8wH6jBQTdgJRygpxfes7UJDocxJo_aem_dDfHz6nR1coB6kCl-KWbOg https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Three-years-later-Who-murdered-Emma-Compton-Layne-571298181.html https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/11/22/emma-compton-layne-murder-still-unsolved-six-years-after-her-body-was-found/ https://www.wdbj7.com/2023/11/24/family-emma-compton-layne-still-seeking-justice-six-years-after-her-murder/  https://www.yourgv.com/news/local_news/justice-for-emma-rally-hosted-in-unsolved-death-of-nathalie-woman/article_f7b56cd2-2c0a-11ef-a6d6-bbbd81dc549b.html https://www.change.org/p/5-years-no-justice-for-emma-compton-layne https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Emma-Laynes-family-wants-justice-for-her-murder-469039723.html https://wset.com/news/local/one-year-later-emma-laynes-sister-still-seeking-justice https://www.yourgv.com/news/local_news/reward-offered-in-search-of-missing--year-old-cody/article_31787f4a-59e0-11e7-a45e-7f5dc8ffffb9.html  https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Halifax-County-missing-woman-search-continues-two-weeks-later-431832353.html  https://www.wsls.com/news/2017/08/03/vigil-being-held-for-missing-halifax-county-woman/  https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Human-remains-found-in-Halifax-Co-foul-play-expected-459605953.html  https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Family-believes-human-remains-found-in-Halifax-County-belong-to-Emma-Layne-460626173.html  https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/SHARE-Police-search-for-missing-woman-from-Halifax-county-429921923.html  https://www.evaporatethemissing.com/post/with-butterfly-kisses  https://www.facebook.com/HelpFindEmmaComptonLayne  https://www.yourgv.com/news/lightmare-says-sister-of-missing-cody/article_d96de88e-6d86-11e7-a1cd-d3a4270a79ed.html  https://www.yourgv.com/obituaries/sylvia-whitlow-mccurry/article_5d5effb4-b1e5-11e7-95a9-8bf90331c580.html  Interview with Shawna https://www.ywcaneks.org/blog-collection/blog/2020/12/04/why-survivors-dont-call-the-police Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the fall of 1988, Peggy Carr, her son Duane Dubberly, and her stepson Travis Carr became violently ill inside their rural Florida home. The symptoms were strange and terrifying: severe nerve pain, numbness, weakness, trouble walking, and eventually, hair loss. Doctors discovered they had been exposed to thallium, a rare and deadly heavy metal. The source was even more disturbing. Someone had carefully opened glass bottles of Coca-Cola, added thallium, resealed the caps, and placed the bottles inside the Carr home. Peggy died after spending more than four months in a coma. Six other members of the household were also poisoned, including a young child. The investigation pointed to George Trepal, the Carr family's next-door neighbor. He had chemistry knowledge, a history of disputes with the family, and a bottle-capping machine in his garage. We cover the poisoning, the undercover operation that gave investigators access to Trepal's home, the trial, and the later questions about FBI testimony that did not overturn his conviction. Thank you to this week's sponsors! It’s not too late to enroll for this fall… see how K12-Powered Schools can help your child thrive, this year and beyond! Enroll online today at K12.com/moms. Treat yourself to the most advanced bras and shapewear on the market. Use our exclusive link to save 20% off Honeylove at honeylove.com/MOMS. Experience the new standard in comfort and support with Honeylove.  Right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. SOURCES: https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/supreme-court/1993/77667-0.html https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/fl-supreme-court/1378976.html https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-11th-circuit/1606616.html https://www.leg.state.fl.us/capitalcases/inmatedetails7d85.html?IID=403 https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/special/9704a/21trepal.htm https://supremecourt.flcourts.gov/content/download/345265/file/01-2267_petition.pdf https://www.flsheriffs.org/uploads/apb/ALL_POINTS_BULLETIN%2C_VOL_1%2C_NO_3%2C_1991.pdf https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/05/01/Poisoning-suspect-had-staged-murder-party/4393641534400/ https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1990/04/08/sebring-man-arrested-in-fatal-cola-tampering/ https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1990/08/26/suspect-used-poison-before-officials-say/ https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1991/02/05/fatal-cola-tampering-case-goes-to-jury/ https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1991/02/06/man-guilty-of-murder-in-poisoning-of-neighbors/ https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1991/03/08/family-s-bitterness-persists-despite-death-sentence-for-man/ https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1995/09/17/murder-on-the-mind/ https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/04/16/u-s-probe-fbi-lab-work-flawed-florida-convictions/ https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2000/10/27/judge-calls-fbi-agent-s-work-sloppy-but-death-verdict-stands/ https://books.google.com/books/about/Poison_Mind.html?id=jkoR8UN8-PIC https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38420185/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8249271/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When 32-year-old nurse Alex Pennig was found dead inside the bathroom of her St. Paul apartment, the man who called 911, Matthew Ecker, insisted she had taken her own life behind a locked door. Alex had struggled with depression and addiction in the past, and at first, there were details that seemed to support his story. But the scene inside the bathroom told a much more complicated story. Investigators found a strangely clean gun resting on Alex’s chest, almost no blood on Matthew despite his claims that he had tried to save her, and a bathroom door that didn’t seem to fit his version of events. Matthew’s explanation of what happened also began to change. Then, underneath Alex’s head, investigators discovered a tiny piece of metal from the bathroom door’s locking mechanism, which was the evidence they believed showed the door had been forced open before Alex was shot. We cover Alex’s life and the struggles she worked so hard to overcome, her complicated relationship with Matthew, the final hours before her death, the inconsistencies investigators found inside her apartment, and the small piece of evidence that helped reveal what really happened behind that bathroom door. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Sleep cooler this summer with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/moms with code moms. TExclusions apply.  Upgrade your everyday. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/moms. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Sources: Alexandra PENNIG Obituary (2023) - Lindstrom, MN - Pioneer Press State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Matthew Phillip Ecker, Appellant The Strange Shooting of Alex Pennig | Full Episode + Post Mortem Matthew Ecker Murder Sentence Longer Than Expected | Fergus Now Fergus Falls Man Charged with 2nd Degree Murder in St Paul Staged Suicide | Matthew Ecker Interrogation A Minnesota woman is fatally shot in her bathroom. Who pulled the trigger? - CBS News How a small piece of a bathroom door lock helped solve the murder of a Minnesota nurse - CBS News Where is Matthew Ecker’s Family Now? https://coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer/OffenderDetails/Index/268547/Search Tracking the hours before a young Minnesota woman became a murder victim - CBS News ER practitioner gets 30 years for murdering girlfriend, staging suicide in her downtown St. Paul apartment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On September 14, 2007, 14-year-old Andrew Gosden left his home in Doncaster dressed for school. After his family left for the day, he returned home, changed out of his uniform, withdrew £200 from his bank account, and bought a one-way ticket to London. Andrew arrived at King’s Cross Station at 11:20 that morning. CCTV captured him walking out of the station alone five minutes later. That is the last confirmed image of him. Nearly 19 years later, his family still does not know why he went to London or what happened after he arrived. We cover Andrew’s life, the carefully planned trip, the missed opportunities in the early investigation, the possible sightings, and the questions that remain in one of the United Kingdom’s most enduring missing person cases. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Amplify your spring look with Thrive Causemetics. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/MOMS for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. Treat yourself to the most advanced bras and shapewear on the market. Use our exclusive link to save 20% off Honeylove at honeylove.com/MOMS. To grab your PAKA hoodie, go to PakaApparel.com. Join Wayfair Rewards today to get 5% back on every purchase and start saving on your next home upgrade. Head to Wayfair.com to shop all things home. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com SOURCES https://mipp.police.uk/operation/14SY26A01-PO2 https://www.southyorkshire.police.uk/news/south-yorkshire/news/missing/pre-march-2024/missing-andrew-gosden---new-age-progression-photo/ https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/help-us-find/andrew-gosden-07-019198 https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/experiences/stripped-back-kevin-gosden https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/the-power-of-memory https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/experiences/andrews-oak-tree-by-kevin-gosden https://helpustofindandrew.weebly.com/ https://helpustofindandrew.weebly.com/blog.html https://helpustofindandrew.weebly.com/blog/missing-things-unseen https://forenseek.app/the-disappearance-of-andrew-gosden-interview-with-kevin-gosden/ https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-strange-disappearance-of-andrew-gosden/ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/sep/20/family.children https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jan/11/two-men-arrested-over-andrew-gosden-disappearance-in-2007 https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2023-07-10/dad-of-boy-missing-for-16-years-still-barely-able-to-function https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2023-09-20/men-arrested-over-kidnap-of-missing-teenager-released-from-investigation https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2025-09-08/appeal-for-teenager-andrew-gosden-who-went-missing-from-doncaster-18-years-ago Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For months, Harold Allen suffered from worsening illnesses that doctors could not fully explain. When he died in Freetown, Indiana, just days before Christmas 2022, his death was attributed to serious cardiac problems. His family believed they had lost him to a sudden decline in his health. Nine months later, a burglary at the home of Harold’s widow, Marsha Allen, gave investigators a reason to look again. What began as a break in led detectives to thousands of text messages between Marsha and her daughter, Ashley Jones, and evidence of a poisoning plot that included a root beer float. In 2025, Ashley pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Marsha died before she was charged. We cover Harold’s life, the illnesses that were not what they seemed, the burglary that changed the investigation, and the evidence that finally explained what happened. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Whether you're looking for WLP-1, Magnesium, Berberine, CoQ10 or dozens of other science-backed supplements, start taking supplements your body can actually absorb. Go to absorbmore.com and enter MOMS at check out for up to 35% off your first order. Upgrade your everyday. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/moms. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/vwn13ren #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card.  Savings provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In March 2010, Holly Bartlett, a 31 year old blind public servant and graduate student, left a party in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and took a cab toward her condo. Seven hours later, ironworkers found her critically injured inside a fenced area beneath the MacKay Bridge, less than 1,000 feet from her home. Police concluded Holly became disoriented after leaving the cab, entered the restricted area, climbed a steep concrete abutment, and fell. But the people who knew Holly best struggled to accept that explanation. Holly had spent years mastering the orientation and mobility skills that allowed her to live independently. Her cane was later found leaning against a fence after police and a search dog had already searched the area. Her phone and wallet were discovered scattered in her condo parking lot. The cab driver, Paul Fraser, gave changing accounts of what happened after he dropped her off. A 2014 independent review upheld the accidental death finding, but criticized important parts of the original investigation, including delayed neighborhood canvassing and the brief initial interview with the last person known to see Holly alive. We cover Holly's life, the final night that cannot be fully reconstructed, and the questions her family still carries. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Sleep cooler this summer with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/moms with code MOMS. Exclusions apply.  It’s not too late to enroll for this fall… see how K12-Powered Schools can help your child thrive, this year and beyond! Enroll online today at K12.com/moms. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit Nutrafol.com and enter promo code MOMS. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In September 1987, Vincent Sherry and his wife Margaret were found shot to death inside their Biloxi, Mississippi home. Vincent was a former Air Force colonel, a law professor, and a sitting circuit court judge. Margaret was a prominent local attorney and politician. Neither had any known enemies. The investigation would take years and lead directly into the heart of the Dixie Mafia, a loose network of contract killers, drug smugglers, and corrupt officials who had turned Biloxi's Gulf Coast into one of the most lawless stretches in the American South. What investigators eventually uncovered was that Vincent's own law partner, Peter Hallett, had pointed Dixie Mafia hitman Kirksey Nix toward the Sherrys to protect himself from a money dispute he had no clean way out of. Peter stood at the Sherry family's side at the funeral. He handed out copies of the eulogy to the press. He described Vincent and Margaret as family.Convictions were eventually secured for racketeering, fraud, conspiracy, and murder-for-hire. But no one was ever charged with pulling the trigger inside the Sherry home. The murders technically remain unsolved. We cover the full story, including the Dixie Mafia, the corruption that made Biloxi a criminal safe haven, the Sherry family, and the betrayal that set everything in motion. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Upgrade your everyday. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/moms. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Sources: Sources: https://biloxi.ms.us/departments/mayor/mayors-of-biloxi/ https://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/dixie-mafia-murders-article-1.347104 https://www.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/04/former_biloxi_mayor_pete_Halat.html https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/crime/article173225801.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1996/10/23/charge-in-judges-slaying/61d6e71d-79ab-45d4-9638-6228b780aeaf/ https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/copy3_of_a-byte-out-of-history http://www.picayuneitem.com/2009/10/mississippi-takes-dixie-mafia-inmate/ https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/29/us/biloxi-s-tale-of-murder-extortion-and-racy-photos.html https://www.newspapers.com/image/426843603/?article=738e1fb6-6677-438f-b8bd-d499c243712b&focus=0.5019371,0.09007911,0.65432274,0.50956196&xid=2378&_ga=2.152440121.1042031532.1579573623-1444157894.1576362222&_gac=1.191732952.1579330014.Cj0KCQiA04XxBRD5ARIsAGFygj-QvKZWcR4nrMOW3laSu_pML39tiZAhlj4D8-1LcgtM_8x7jNopef0aAtWFEALw_wcB https://www.newspapers.com/image/180627929/?terms=vincent%2Bsherry https://www.newspapers.com/image/278254602/?terms=vincent%2Bsherry https://www.newspapers.com/image/184099588/?terms=margaret%2Bsherry https://www.newspapers.com/image/184077599/?terms=margaret%2Bsherry https://www.newspapers.com/image/181139961/?terms=margaret%2Bvincent%2Bsherry,https://www.newspapers.com/image/181140573 https://www.newspapers.com/image/278299403/?terms=margaret%2Bvincent%2Bsherry https://www.newspapers.com/image/278299613 https://www.newspapers.com/image/181137487/?terms=margaret%2Bvincent%2Bsherry https://www.newspapers.com/image/181138009 https://www.newspapers.com/image/181133386/?terms=margaret%2Bvincent%2Bsherry https://www.newspapers.com/image/181142452, https://www.newspapers.com/image/181143286/?terms=margaret%2Bvincent%2Bsherry https://www.newspapers.com/image/184070689/?terms=margaret%2Bvincent%2Bsherry, https://www.newspapers.com/image/184071980 https://www.newspapers.com/image/181736248/?terms=margaret%2Bvincent%2Bsherry, https://www.newspapers.com/image/181736384 https://www.newspapers.com/image/318805868/?terms=margaret%2Bvincent%2Bsherry https://www.newspapers.com/image/181737314/?terms=margaret%2Bvincent%2Bsherry https://www.newspapers.com/image/315976328/?terms=margaret%2Bvincent%2Bsherry https://www.newspapers.com/image/237859988/?terms=margaret%2Bvincent%2Bsherry https://www.newspapers.com/image/278172011/?terms=margaret%2Bvincent%2Bsherry https://casetext.com/case/us-v-Halat?q=peter%20Halat&p=1&tab=keyword&jxs=&sort=relevance&type=case https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/ https://casetext.com/case/us-v-sharpe-4?q=peter%20Halat&p=1&tab=keyword&jxs=&sort=relevance&type=case https://casetext.com/case/us-v-sharpe?q=peter%20Halat&p=1&tab=keyword&jxs=&sort=relevance&type=case https://www.sar.org/who-we-are https://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/18/us/new-criminal-class-is-flourishing-in-sun-belt.html https://www.justice.gov/osg/brief/Halat-v-united-states-opposition https://www.wlox.com/story/22304298/wlox-exclusive-former-biloxi-mayor-recalls-trial-talks-about-time-in-federal-prison/ https://www.tulsaworld.com/archive/murder-prison-scam-alleged/article_1c7fe873-85e4-5fcf-807e-b69dcb07557f.html https://www.redorbit.com/news/science/820230/biloxi_confidential_primetime_television_show_to_chronicle_sherry_murders_one/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/183757639/?terms=sheri%2Blara%2Bsharpe%2Bsentence https://www.newspapers.com/image/454246785/?terms=sheri%2Blara%2Bsharpe%2Bparole https://www.newspapers.com/image/278365125/?terms=sharpe%2Bnix%2Bgillich%2Bransom%2Bsentence https://www.newspapers.com/image/318870187/?terms=sharpe%2Bnix%2Bgillich%2Bransom%2Bsentence https://www.newspapers.com/image/237794827/?terms=john%2Belbert%2Bransom%2Bsentence https://www.newspapers.com/image/281120194/?terms=nix%2Bsharpe%2BHalat%2Bholcomb%2Bsentence https://www.newspapers.com/image/278322144/?terms=eric%2Bsherry https://apnews.com/bbe032464d8309feaa6bde15b45c6b7e https://apnews.com/0907bc70054a1780a25d64b1f7df2b05 https://apnews.com/fe0c9cf96d4820b11f0e6ac1d3e6d677 Learn more about your ad choices. 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On November 24, 1971, a man calling himself Dan Cooper boarded a flight in Portland, handed a flight attendant a note saying he had a bomb, and walked away with $200,000 in ransom after jumping out of the plane somewhere over the Pacific Northwest. He was never identified. His body was never found. And to this day, most of the money has never turned up.To the public, it looked like he got away with it. That was enough. In the months and years that followed, a string of men tried to copy what Dan (or who the public would know him by) D.B. Cooper had done boarding planes with fake bombs, demanding money and parachutes, and attempting to disappear into the sky. Some lost their nerve. Some were surrounded before they ever got off the ground. One actually knew how to use a parachute, landed successfully in a Colorado wheat field, and then discovered that the U.S. Air Force had been watching him the entire way down. We cover the original D.B. Cooper hijacking and the copycats who followed, and why nearly all of them demonstrated just how unlikely his disappearance really was. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Right now IQ Bars is offering our special podcast listeners including the Ultimate sampler pack, plus FREE shipping. That’s MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/vwn13ren #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card.  Savings provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the night of his 21st birthday, U.S. Army soldier Zarius Hildabrand came home drunk from the bars in Anchorage, Alaska. His wife Saria, also a soldier and also 21, spent the next hour going through his phone and finding proof he had been cheating. A neighbor heard a single gunshot at 2:46 AM.By the next morning, Zarius was texting her coworkers from her phone, telling her friends she had walked out, and joining the search party that formed to find her. He knew exactly where she was the entire time. Saria Hildabrand was a National Guard combat medic who had moved to Alaska to build a life and a career. She called her mom every single day. On June 25, 2026, a jury found Zarius guilty of second-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. He faces up to 99 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for October 2026. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Sleep cooler this summer with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollandBranch.com/moms with code moms. Exclusions apply.  Right now IQ Bars is offering our special podcast listeners including the Ultimate sampler pack, plus FREE shipping. That’s MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Sources  Saria May Barney Obituary - Rasmussen Mortuary Man found guilty of killing Utah wife in Alaska jury trial | KSL.com 21-year-old Zarrius Hildabrand Arrested for Murder — Anchorage Police Department Details emerge in arrest of husband related to Anchorage woman’s death Military Marriage Murder Trial — AK v. Zarrius Hildabrand — Full Opening Statements Bombshell 911 Calls Played for Jury in Soldier Wife Murder Trial Court documents indicate Utah woman's husband attempted to cover up her murder in Alaska Family, APD searching for Anchorage woman missing since Sunday Mom weeps in court as she describes final messages with daughter, 21, whose body was found in drainpipe - as victim's US soldier husband stands trial for murder  Detective Says Evidence Points to Murder of Military Wife https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saria-hildabrand-alaska-zarrius-hildabrand-army-soldier-arrest/ Army soldier told friend ‘I did what I did’ after arrest for wife’s death | Court TV FULL TESTIMONY: Zarrius Hildabrand takes the stand in his murder trial Emotional Mom Defends Son Accused of Killing Wife Accused Wife Killer Never Said He Missed Her, Mom Testifies US Army soldier accused of killing his wife, a National Guard combat medic, faces court hearing | Stars and Stripes Saria May Barney Obituary - Rasmussen Mortuary Mother of Slain Soldier Recalls Heartbreaking Final Memories Before Daughter’s Murder Army Soldier Charged with Murdering New Wife, a Combat Medic Found Dead in a Storm Drain | Oxygen Army soldier accused of killing newlywed wife, whose body was found in storm drain, called police to report her missing Zarrius Hildabrand shows no emotion as jury convicts him of murder | Court TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the summer of 2023, police in the Bahamas were investigating a routine bar burglary when they stumbled onto something shocking . And that was WhatsApp messages on a suspect's phone containing a photo of Robert Shiver, a former Auburn football player and Georgia businessman, alongside a text that read: "Kill him." The messages were allegedly sent by his wife, Lindsay Shiver, a former beauty queen from south Alabama. Three years later, Lindsay has still not gone to trial. The case has been delayed over and over again — and now her U.S. attorney is arguing it should be thrown out entirely, claiming there is a "legally fatal" defect in the prosecution's case. He says the Bahamas may not even have jurisdiction to charge her because she was in the United States, not the Bahamas, on the day the alleged conspiracy took place.We originally covered this case in March 2026. We are re-releasing it today with a new update because this story is still very much unfolding, and the question we keep asking is: will Lindsay Shiver ever actually face a jury? We cover the full story: the marriage, the affair, the hitman, the accidental discovery, and where everything stands right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When successful Houston veterinarian Valerie McDaniel began dating Leon Jacob, they bonded over the problems they believed their former partners were causing them. Leon presented himself as a brilliant surgeon, but the reality was a trail of failed residencies, massive debt, and a history of stalking and abuse. Within weeks of their relationship starting, those private grievances escalated into a shocking murder-for-hire plot. In this episode, we dive into how Leon and Valerie arranged to have both of their exes killed, the undercover sting operation at an Olive Garden that brought them down, and the tragic aftermath of their arrests. Thank you to this week's sponsors! IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get yours text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details.  Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Support the show: Check out our Patreon for ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content: patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Sources: Leon Jacob’s Wealth Shielded His Abuse. Then He Hired a Hit Man. | The Marshall Project Leon Jacob Harris County Stalking 8 Leon Phillip Jacob v. The State of Texas Appeal from 263rd District Court of Harris County (opinion) Leon Jacob Trial Penalty Phase Part 2 Annie Morrison Testifies Former girlfriend testifies against Leon Jacob in Houston murder-for-hire trial Leon Jacob Trial Day 2 Par 1 Ex Girlfriend Meghan Verikas Testifies 'I didn't want to hurt him,' Valerie McDaniel says in message she shared Valerie McDaniel Dies By Suicide After Arrest In Murder-For-Hire Plot With Leon Jacob What happened in bizarre murder-for-hire plot that led to veterinarian's suicide, her boyfriend in prison - ABC News JACOB v. STATE (2019) | FindLaw Houston murder-for-hire plot: Leon Jacob's troubled past https://media.click2houston.com/document_dev/2017/03/21/Leon%20Jacob%20Youngstown%20Hospital%201_9189482_ver1.0.pdf https://media.click2houston.com/document_dev/2017/03/21/Leon%20Jacob%20Ohio%20appeal%20termination%202_9189480_ver1.0.pdf https://media.click2houston.com/document_dev/2017/03/21/Leon%20Jacob%20Ohio%20Burglary%203_9189481_ver1.0.pdf https://media.click2houston.com/document_dev/2017/03/21/Leon%20Jacob%20Divorce%204_9189477_ver1.0.pdf https://media.click2houston.com/document_dev/2017/03/21/Leon%20Jacob%20Illinois%20Stalking%20Intimidation%205_9189479_ver1.0.pdf https://media.click2houston.com/document_dev/2017/03/21/Leon%20Jacob%20Bankruptcy%206_9189476_ver1.0.pdf Leon Jacob Harris County Assault Case 7 https://media.click2houston.com/document_dev/2017/03/21/Leon%20Jacob%20Harris%20County%20Stalking%208_9189779_ver1.0.pdf https://media.click2houston.com/document_dev/2017/03/21/Valerie%20McDaniel%20Divorce%209_9189780_ver1.0.pdf Leon Jacob Trial Day 1 Part 2 Paralegal Laura Thurlow Testifies Leon Jacob Trial Defense Opening Statements Couple Meets ‘Hitman’ At Olive Garden To Put Hits Out On Their Respective Exes: ‘We’re Taking Care Of Both Problems’ | Oxygen Dr Valarie Ann Busick McDaniel (1969-2017) - Find a Grave Memorial Texas veterinarian charged with murder for hire ends own life | American Veterinary Medical Association Staged photos pretending to show torture, murder shown in murder-for-hire trial | Fox News Leon Jacob Trial Day 1 Part 1 Hired Hitman Moataz Azzeh Testifies Leon Jacob Trial Penalty Phase Part 2 Annie Morrison Testifies Leon Jacob Penalty Phase Part 1 Leslie Jacob Testifies Leon Jacob Trial Prosecution Opening Statement Leon Jacob sentenced to life in prison at murder-for hire trial Leon Jacob Trial Day 4 Part 1 Leon Jacob Testifies Leon Jacob Trial Day 4 Part 2 Leon Jacob Testifies Operation Murder | Full Episode https://inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/InmateSearch/viewDetail.action?sid=16560147 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the release of Netflix's A Toxic Love Story, we knew it was time to bring this one back. We originally covered the case of Michelle Hadley in 2019, but the story has changed dramatically since then, and this week we are telling the whole thing from start to finish. In 2016, Michelle Hadley was accused of terrorizing her ex-fiance's pregnant wife and sending strangers to her home to carry out a violent sexual attack. The evidence appeared so overwhelming that Michelle spent 88 days in jail and faced the possibility of life in prison. But the case was never simply about a jealous ex and the woman who replaced her, and it would take years to uncover the role of the man connecting them. Following a federal investigation and a major 2023 conviction, we now know that US Marshal Ian Diaz was not just an innocent bystander to his new wife's diabolical framing plot. He was an active participant who used his federal position to help send an innocent woman to jail. Thank you to this week's sponsors! For 50% off your order, head to DailyLook.com and use code MOMS50.   Amplify your spring look with Thrive Causemetics. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/MOMS for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.  Text MOMS to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Sources:   https://www.thedailybeast.com/woman-falsely-accused-of-impersonating-ex-boyfriends-pregnant-wife-with-rape-ads-cops-say https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5dalg1 https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-craigslist-sentence-20171018-story.html https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-craigslist-plot-michelle-hadley-20170109-story.html https://people.com/crime/craigslist-rape-fantasy-woman-convicted-diabolical-scheme/ https://www.thedailybeast.com/whos-the-real-catfisher-husband-or-wife https://www.cbsnews.com/news/michelle-hadley-da-says-rape-fantasy-attack-was-hoax-woman-arrested-was-framed/ http://orangecountyda.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=23500 https://www.thedailybeast.com/rape-ads-fake-sonograms-and-a-catfishers-web-of-lies https://ocweekly.com/rape-fantasy-suit-8271398/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When twenty-four-year-old expecting mother Jade Benning suddenly collapsed during a quiet date night at her Nashville apartment, it was initially reported as a severe allergic reaction. But when paramedics arrived, the scene didn't match the story being told by her boyfriend, former NFL scout Blaise Taylor. Jade was rushed to the hospital where she was placed on life support, but both she and her unborn daughter, Ivy, tragically passed away days later. As investigators began uncovering what really happened inside her apartment on February 25th, 2023, they discovered a chilling timeline of events. A frantic final phone call overheard by Jade's best friend, a deleted photograph, and a toxicology report showing an extraordinarily high concentration of cocaine in Jade's system painted a terrifying picture. In this episode, we cover the story of a successful young chef, a highly respected college athlete turned NFL scout, and a devastating betrayal driven by an unwillingness to accept a future he didn't want. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Sleep cooler this summer with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/moms with code moms. Exclusions apply.  Whether you're looking for WLP-1, Magnesium, Berberine, CoQ10 or dozens of other science-backed supplements, start taking supplements your body can actually absorb.  Go to absorbmore.com and enter MOMS at check out for up to 35% off your first order. Let your hair be one less thing to worry about. See visibly thicker, stronger, faster growing hair in 3–6 months with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit Nutrafol.com and enter promo code MOMS. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Sources: The Murder of Jade Benning Jade Benning Obituary - Nashville, TN Day 4: Trial for ex-Titans scout accused of killing pregnant girlfriend resumes ​​Former Titans scout Blaise Taylor is arrested on suspicion of murder - NBC Sports Blaise Taylor Arrested in Utah on Nashville First Degree Murder Indictment Ex-girlfriend: Blaise Taylor discussed putting abortion pill in another woman's drink Former Tenn. Titans scout accused of poisoning pregnant girlfriend bonded out of jail Day 2: Witness recounts pregnant victim's final accusation in Blaise Taylor trial Former Titans scout on trial, accused of poisoning pregnant woman with cocaine Blaise Taylor: What former Tennessee Titans scout is accused of as trial nears https://www.youtube.com/live/MS1SAKaY8U8 Friend Recounts Murdered Victim's Chilling Call — Full Testimony Who is Blaise Taylor? What to know about ex-NFL scout convicted in pregnant girlfriend’s murder Blaise Taylor - 2017 - Football - Arkansas State University Football Player’s Ex Drops Bombshell in Poison Murder Trial ​​Former Titans scout Blaise Taylor guilty of murdering pregnant woman with cocaine https://www.youtube.com/live/F6TVXIxRE88?si=8uHqFXsQvxuvbhwV Former Titans scout found guilty of murdering woman, his unborn child Photos show ‘black hole’ former NFL scout painted for nursery night of pregnant girlfriend’s suspected murder Blaise Taylor Called 911 About His Pregnant Girlfriend’s Allergic Reaction. Now He’s on Trial in Connection with Her Murder LIVE: TN v. Blaise Taylor - Day 1 | The Poison Playbook Murder Trial Blaise Taylor Didn’t Poison Pregnant Girlfriend: Defense Pregnant Girlfriend Poisoned Trial — Full Closing Arguments Paramedic Testifies Blaise Taylor Never Asked If Jade Benning Was Going to Be Okay | Pt 3 Ex-Titans scout testifies at trial of coworker accused of poisoning pregnant woman Blaise Taylor sentenced to life in prison, but will appeal Jade Benning's Stepmother Describes Watching Jade Die on Her 25th Birthday | Pt 4 NO BREAKS EDITION: Pregnant Girlfriend Poisoned Trial — TN v. Blaise Taylor — Day 3 https://www.youtube.com/live/SRVCCL2cyjE?si=sw51U0OKpWMO54rQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1996, the quiet community of Horseshoe Lake, Arkansas was shattered by the brutal double murder of seventy-five-year-old Sally Snowden McKay and her fifty-two-year-old nephew, Joseph Lee Baker. The historic Snowden House, a landmark family estate that had belonged to Sally's family for generations, was set on fire to cover up the crime. Investigators eventually arrested fifteen-year-old Travis Lewis, a local teenager who lived across the field in a home his family rented from Sally. Travis eventually pleaded guilty to the murders and was sentenced to twenty-eight and a half years in prison, though he never publicly admitted to pulling the trigger. Decades later, Sally's daughter, Martha McKay, made a decision that shocked her family and friends. A practicing Buddhist who believed deeply in redemption and forgiveness, Martha began writing to Travis in prison. She visited him, supported his parole, and eventually hired him to work as a handyman at the newly restored Snowden House after his release in 2018. For a while, the arrangement seemed to work, but when a large sum of cash went missing from the home, Martha suspected Travis of stealing it and fired him. On the morning of March 25th, 2020, an alarm was triggered at the Snowden House. When deputies arrived, they discovered the back door open and a man fleeing the scene. The pursuit ended at the edge of Horseshoe Lake, where the suspect jumped into the water and drowned. Inside the home, deputies found sixty-three-year-old Martha bludgeoned and stabbed to death. The man who drowned was Travis. In a heartbreaking twist of fate, the very man Martha had forgiven and tried to help rebuild his life had returned to the Snowden House to take hers. Thank you to this week's sponsors! See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child’s full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/moms. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Sources: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2020/03/25/martha-mckay-murder-travis-lewis-horseshoe-lake-arkansas/5085237002/  https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2020/03/26/crittenden-co-authorities-recover-body-murder-suspect-who-jumped-into-lake-never-resurfaced/  https://wreg.com/news/authorities-investigating-homicide-in-crittenden-county/  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/198241915/sally-mckay  https://www.annesdalemansion.com/what-we-do  https://memphismagazine.com/habitats/lady-of-the-lake/  https://memphislibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p13039coll1/id/197/  https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/horseshoe-lake-crittenden-county-7164/ https://www.historichotels.org/us/hotels-resorts/the-peabody-memphis/history.php https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/106742835/person/150075104143/facts  https://people.com/crime/ark-woman-befriended-moms-killer-out-of-spiritual-obligation-and-then-he-murdered-her/ https://people.com/crime/inside-the-bizarre-case-of-a-killer-striking-twice-23-years-apart-murdering-a-mother-and-daughter/ https://people.com/crime/arkansas-mom-and-daughter-are-murdered-by-same-man-23-years-apart-then-killer-drowns-himself/  https://www.memphisflyer.com/martha-mckay-murdered-at-horseshoe-lake-home https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/woman-found-murdered-same-snowden-property-horseshoe-lake-arkansas-where-n1169906 https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/obituaries/obit/1008377F9FD0A125-1008377F9FD0A125?h=1&fname=sally&mname=&lname=mckay&rgfromDate=&rgtoDate=&formDate=&formDateFlex=exact&dateType=range&kwinc=&kwexc=&sid=pvnvurjmnsftcjouvunhyamlafxnikoq_wma-gateway006_1620492395880 https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/obituaries/obit/1008359E9F56903F-1008359E9F56903F?h=11&fname=sally&mname=&lname=mckay&rgfromDate=&rgtoDate=&formDate=&formDateFlex=exact&dateType=range&kwinc=&kwexc=&sid=pvnvurjmnsftcjouvunhyamlafxnikoq_wma-gateway006_1620492395880 https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/obituaries/obit/1008377F909BFC24-1008377F909BFC24?h=1&fname=joseph&mname=lee&lname=baker%20jr.%20&kwinc=&kwexc=&rgfromDate=1996&rgtoDate=1996&formDate=&formDateFlex=exact&dateType=range&processingtime=&addedFrom=&addedTo=&sid=vbfyhchldrhbjvlblywzdggrizqtwyee_wma-gateway003_1620493398450 https://drive.google.com/file/d/18WBUqW-Cvvxa_uce-yjIlxprzNp75pXu/view?usp=sharing  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hM7hfnvxKc5NIqtkaDSa6AQu1GDzviWy/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tr7WzIo1Zwrp0tA0IsswHvZ3JVfx1CK6/view?usp=sharing  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_1NQrAGA5MJ0rajNAn4q3lJL-byAMXQQ/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q7IEJ1K4pc_bf3v7RalVX6SjQyIuycuJ/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xH_RwOsQRCGejtDBKHJU4PMieDolHFPd/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hEBoEMRk2FJl3en_t1YJ-WY3E65Ny4-_/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w0J0BHXgwKaAlNJUxP_pIi4jgv1riG1O/view?usp=sharing https://www.newspapers.com/image/593989258/?article=3dca9af2-8c02-4c5c-9a5b-82e65dce6a27&focus=0.021405237,0.029903919,0.26997072,0.35640967&xid=3398&_ga=2.159940797.1869912334.1620502844-1789801159.1610661381 Learn more about your ad choices. 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In the fall of 2023, Steven Edward Riley Jr. was living in Minot, North Dakota with his longtime partner, Ina Kenoyer, when he received a letter claiming he was the sole heir to a $30 million estate left behind by a relative he had never met. For months, Steven communicated with a man named Richard Eglin, who identified himself as the estate's attorney, as the two worked toward a meeting that would finalize the inheritance. On September 3rd, 2023, Steven collapsed after attending a series of airport meetings where Eglin never appeared. Two days later, he was dead. His official cause of death was ethylene glycol poisoning. Antifreeze. As investigators began piecing together what happened, witnesses came forward with disturbing information. Several people told police that Ina had previously talked about poisoning Steven with antifreeze specifically, and she had already begun trying to sell his belongings before she even knew he had died. What followed was one of the most contradictory police interviews investigators had ever conducted, full of shifting timelines, bizarre theories, and a woman who could not stop talking even after she asked for a lawyer. But the detail that makes this case truly unsettling is what investigators discovered about the inheritance itself. The $30 million fortune that Steven believed was about to change his life almost certainly never existed at all. He was not murdered over a fortune. He was murdered over the illusion of one. Thanks to this week's sponsors! Go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/vwn13ren #CashAppPod.  Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card.  Savings provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Sources: Sources: https://www.newspapers.com/image/1187378619/?match=2&terms=%22Ina%20Thea%20Kenoyer%22 https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/ae529ce2-4e44-44e4-8431-dadd21ffe203/Ina%20Kenoyer%20Warrant%20Affidavit%20(4).pdf  https://www.minotdailynews.com/news/local-news/2023/11/woman-professes-innocence-in-poisoning/  https://www.kfyrtv.com/2024/02/13/woman-accused-fatally-poisoning-boyfriend-undergo-competency-evaluation/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSv3CpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFqZ2NuRGV1ZjZrb0dvMFRuc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsU7XzXdJfctIdBJu9rC_DakMMQDtNkgeYXHJT0QE0rRKwpIuBe99SCB82MD_aem_pm9QsNBN8AN_vStHGbY7WA  https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/north-dakota-woman-pleads-guilty-poisoning-longtime-boyfriend-30-milli-rcna154910  https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/boyfriend-poisoned-north-dakota-thea-kenoyer/   https://www.kfyrtv.com/2024/10/16/kenoyer-serve-25-years-minot-poisoning-death/  https://www.kxnet.com/news/local-news/minot-woman-charged-with-poisoning-boyfriend/  https://www.docr.nd.gov/resident-lookup  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKv-afNwrNQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75McHJ-lqsY  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xYJMC9mlqY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode has been one of your most requested since we first released it, so we are bringing it back. Lake Lanier, Georgia's largest lake, is one of the deadliest bodies of water in America, with over 700 deaths since its creation in 1956. But the lake's dark history goes deeper than tragic accidents. Built by flooding entire communities, including a predominantly Black town that was never properly evacuated, Lake Lanier sits atop homes, churches, and even cemeteries. Locals believe the lake is cursed, haunted by the spirits of those whose graves were disturbed. We explore the eerie history of Lake Lanier, the mysterious deaths and disappearances that continue to this day, and the folklore that has made it one of America's most haunted places. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com SOURCES https://lakelanier.com/2024/05/lake-lanier-really-haunted/ https://lakelanier.com/history/ https://medium.com/theundercurrent/forsyth-1912-the-truth-about-lake-lanier-and-oscarville-6f61ec951e11 https://lakesidneylaniermemories.com/before-the-dam/ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/lake-lanier-deaths-history-black-town https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/31/us/lake-lanier-urban-legends-trnd https://oxfordamerican.org/magazine/issue-113-summer-2021/the-haunting-of-lake-lanier https://lakesidneylaniermemories.com/dam-construction-and-lake-filling/ https://www.npr.org/2016/09/15/494063372/the-racial-cleansing-that-drove-1-100-black-residents-out-of-forsyth-county-ga https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/blog/forsyth-1912-a-timeline-of-the-forced-exile-of-black-residents-from-forsyth-county/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shirley and Virgil Best were beloved, hardworking members of their Riverview, Florida, community. For forty-five years, they built a life centered around their faith, their family, and their successful tropical fish farm, Quality Fins. They were finally looking forward to a well-earned retirement traveling the world together in their RV. But beneath the surface, the couple spent decades dealing with the constant crises of their oldest son, Robert Best. A convicted con artist who had once defrauded a blind woman out of nearly a million dollars, Robert was facing a new, deeply disturbing criminal trial set to begin on the morning of November 12, 2015. Hours before he was expected in court, Robert and his wife, Marisol Best, drove to his parents' home, supposedly to pray with them. Instead, they found Shirley and Virgil brutally shot to death. While investigators initially confronted a staged burglary scene, the physical evidence quickly pointed to an insider. When a pair of missing handguns belonging to a family friend were uncovered, Marisol confessed to a crime that shocked the community. She admitted to shooting her mother and father-in-law after a tense argument about Robert's lack of family support, pulling the trigger just as they stood up to hold her hands and pray with her. This week we cover the tragic murders of Shirley and Virgil Best, the bizarre web of manipulation surrounding their son, and the ultimate act of misguided loyalty that resulted in a double life sentence. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Sleep cooler this summer with Boll & Branch during their Annual Summer Event. For a limited time, get 20% off sitewide at BollAndBranch.com/moms with codes moms. Exclusions apply. Right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% percent off, text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Sources:  https://www.fox13news.com/news/deputies-couple-found-dead-in-home-victims-of-homicide  https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/hillsborough-deputies-investigating-two-bodies-found-in-riverview-home/2253703/  https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2015/11/13/two_found_dead_in_ri  https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2015/11/14/florida-woman-charged-with-killing-husbands-parents-after-argument/  https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/arrest-made-in-murders-of-riverview-couple/2253855/  https://www.fox13news.com/news/woman-pleads-not-guilty-in-in-laws-murders  https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/warrant-daughter-in-law-executed-riverview-in-laws-while-they-prayed/2254577/  https://www.fox13news.com/news/prosecutor-asks-for-death-penalty-for-accused-in-law-killer  https://www.fox13news.com/news/documents-detail-case-against-woman-accused-of-murdering-in-laws  https://www.fox13news.com/news/accused-in-law-killer-marisol-best-avoids-facing-death-penalty  https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/woman-accused-of-killing-in-laws-writes-book-in-jail-paperwork-says/  https://www.fox13news.com/news/defense-points-to-husband-of-woman-accused-of-killing-in-laws  https://www.fox13news.com/news/jurors-watch-re-enactment-of-shooting-in-bests-trial  https://www.fox13news.com/news/defense-continues-to-sow-doubt-in-alleged-in-law-killers-trial  https://www.fox13news.com/news/marisol-best-found-guilty-of-killing-in-laws  https://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/Judge-tells-woman-people-might-have-understood-if-she-had-shot-husband-instead-of-in-laws_171289642/  https://www.newspapers.com/image/343363515/  https://pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/offenderSearch/detail.aspx?Page=Detail&DCNumber=H46355&TypeSearch=AI  https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/tampabaytimes/name/shirley-best-obituary?id=33718491  https://www.newspapers.com/image/342021540/?match=2&terms=%22shirley%20and%20virgil%20best%22  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t7r65P65S8  https://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/riverview-woman-accused-of-killing-in-laws-said-they-werent-supportive/2331862/   https://www.newspapers.com/image/340343320/?article=c0834973-6914-4c9c-b157-82d1a057a658&terms=%22Robert%20Best%22  https://www.newspapers.com/image/247532950/?article=899b1796-9910-484c-b6da-489ddcf339dd&terms=%22Robert%20Best%22  https://www.newspapers.com/image/268706832/?article=675324ec-6b8f-43d5-837d-24aff3404b05&terms=%22Robert%20Best%22  https://www.newspapers.com/image/326249785/?article=8b86dc2a-d056-4ca4-93f5-37c5a75689e3&terms=%22Robert%20Best%22  https://www.newspapers.com/image/268347992/?article=f9b31bba-b865-4723-ab94-76c3a3279d90&terms=%22Robert%20Best%22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For nearly two decades, one man told story after story about what happened to Natalee Holloway. He blamed other people, invented elaborate coverups, took money from her family in exchange for false information, and even confessed more than once, only to take it all back. Many of us followed this case in real time as it dominated the news headlines for years. From Natalee's disappearance in Aruba in 2005, to Joran's arrest and conviction for the brutal murder of Stephany Flores Ramirez in Peru in 2010, to his eventual federal confession in 2023, the developments kept coming. But because the news came out in pieces over eighteen years, it was easy to lose track of how all the threads connected. This week we are laying out the entire timeline from beginning to end to piece the whole story together in one place. We look at Joran's early warning signs, the devastating mistakes in the initial Aruban investigation, the sting operations, the second tragic murder that could have been prevented, and the confession that finally brought a form of resolution to a grieving mother. If you lived through the news coverage of this case the way we did, this episode is the perfect way to see how the entire puzzle finally fits together. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Upgrade your wardrobe today by going to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the night of September 16, 2009, 24-year-old Mitrice Richardson was arrested at an upscale Malibu restaurant after behaving in ways that concerned both the staff and the responding deputies. She passed a field sobriety test. She was cooperative and calm throughout booking. And just after midnight, the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station opened its doors and let her walk out alone, without her car, into an area she had never been before.Her mother had already called the station to say something was wrong. The restaurant employees had said something was wrong. And still, Mitrice walked out into the dark. Nearly a year later, her remains were found in a remote stretch of the Santa Monica Mountains known as Dark Canyon. The cause of death was listed as undetermined. And the controversy surrounding how she was treated that night, and how the scene was handled when her remains were finally discovered, has never been fully resolved. This week we cover the full story of Mitrice Richardson, from her life in Southern California to the night everything went wrong, the year-long search, and the questions her family is still asking today. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Get your IQ Bars today! To get your 20% off text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Get THE most comfortable hoodie of your life by going to www.PakaApparel.com. See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child’s full potential! Enroll online today at K12.com/moms. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In March 2010, a middle-aged ex-convict named Lawrence Ray was released from prison after serving six months for child custody interference. With nowhere else to go, he moved into his daughter Talia's co-ed dormitory at Sarah Lawrence College, a small and prestigious liberal arts school just outside New York City. Talia had spent months telling her roommates that her father was a brilliant man who had been unfairly targeted by a corrupt government. So when he arrived, the students opened the door. What began as a temporary stay quickly evolved into a decade of psychological terror, financial exploitation, and absolute domination. Larry positioned himself as a trusted mentor and therapist, conducting lengthy late-night sessions where he encouraged the students to reveal their deepest insecurities, family conflicts, and mental health struggles. Piece by piece, he assembled a detailed map of each student's vulnerabilities, which he eventually weaponized against them. Through a combination of sleep deprivation, physical violence, and relentless interrogation, Larry convinced his followers that they had committed terrible acts, poisoned him, and destroyed his property. He forced them to write detailed false confessions in journals and on video, and then insisted they owed him hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. To pay these fabricated debts, the students drained savings, borrowed from parents, performed grueling unpaid manual labor in North Carolina, and in one case, were coerced into commercial sex work.This is the story of how a master manipulator took over the minds of some of the brightest young people in the country, the New York Magazine investigation that exposed the truth, and the federal trial that finally brought him to justice. Thank you to this week's sponsors! For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit Nutrafol.com and enter promo code MOMS. And right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% percent off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. Text MOMS 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

*We realized after recording that we mispronounced the name of Traer, Iowa throughout this episode. We are sorry to anyone from Traer who had to listen to that!* On the morning of June 18, 2021, a frantic 911 call led deputies to a quiet farmhouse in Traer, Iowa. Inside, they found 42-year-old Ryan Cooper, a beloved local farmer, slumped in his recliner. He had been shot twice in the face. His wife, Karina Cooper, was found clinging to his body, sobbing and claiming that a mysterious intruder had broken into their home while she and their three children slept upstairs. But as investigators began to peel back the layers of their seemingly ordinary family life, they realized the scene was not what it appeared to be. Behind the scenes, detectives uncovered a secret affair between Karina and a local 22-year-old man named Huston Danker. Though both insisted their relationship was nothing more than a harmless online fantasy, their digital footprint told a far more sinister story. Investigators recovered messages where Karina referred to her husband as merely a sperm donor, fantasized about a rogue semi-truck accident taking him out, and openly discussed building a new life with Huston. When a half-million-dollar life insurance payout entered the picture, the pieces of a cold-blooded murder conspiracy fell into place. In 2024, nearly three years after the murder, both Karina and Huston were arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Karina chose to take the stand in her own defense, a high-risk move that ultimately sealed her fate. Following a dramatic trial, a jury convicted her in just three hours, resulting in a mandatory life sentence. Just weeks later, as his own trial was set to begin, Huston unexpectedly changed his plea to guilty, bringing a final, shocking conclusion to a devastating case. Thank you to this week's sponsors! And right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. Text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In October 1987, 20-year-old Corinna Mullen was found brutally murdered in the trunk of her own car behind a city garage in Central City, Kentucky. Her injuries were catastrophic. She had been beaten, sexually assaulted, and left to die. Her boyfriend, Jimmy Springer, was arrested, tried, and ultimately acquitted when the jury found the evidence too thin to convict. The investigation was riddled with problems. Evidence was never tested. Key interviews were never recorded. And a pocket knife with blood and hair on it was found by Corinna's own father after her car was returned to the family. For nearly two decades, Corinna's parents, Claude and Patricia Mullen, refused to let the case die. They placed ads in newspapers, handed out flyers, met with agencies, and followed every lead they could find. Then in 2005, a woman named Sandy came forward with a story that changed everything. She claimed she had been a 16-year-old witness to Corinna's murder and that the man who orchestrated it was none other than Lieutenant Billy Fields, the very officer who had responded to the crime scene and led the original investigation. In 2006, Billy Fields, Jeffrey Boyd, Jimmy Cramer, and Angela Smith were all arrested in connection with Corinna's death. The trial finally began in 2009, more than 20 years after the murder. Billy and Jeffrey each received life sentences. Jimmy Cramer received 60 years. Corinna's mother did not live to see the arrests. Her father, Claude, died just before Christmas in 2011, two years after the verdicts. Corinna's daughter, Stephanie, who was just two years old when her mother was killed, said she never believed this day would come. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Sleep cooler this summer with Boll & Branch during their Annual Summer Event. For a limited time, get 20% off sitewide at BollAndBranch.com/moms with code moms. Exclusions apply. Start taking supplements your body can actually absorb. Go to AbsorbMore.com and enter MOMS at checkout for up to 35%off your first order. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan James Parke spent years chasing the next procedure, spending over £130,000 on surgeries, fillers, and dramatic transformations that made him one of the most recognizable faces in the British cosmetic industry. He called himself the Lip King, building a massive social media following and launching his own aesthetics training academy. But behind the glamorous before-and-after photos lay a deeply unregulated industry and a series of increasingly dangerous choices. In September 2024, 33-year-old Alice Webb, a mother of five daughters, traveled to Gloucestershire to attend one of Jordan's training sessions. After undergoing a liquid BBL procedure, Alice became critically ill and died later that day from complications, sparking a national manslaughter investigation and renewed calls for tighter regulation of the cosmetic industry. Then, before investigators could reach a conclusion or file charges, another death shocked the industry. On February 18, 2026, Jordan was found dead at a London hotel at just 34 years old under circumstances that appeared connected to the very same world that made him famous. This week, we look at the rise of the Lip King, the tragic loss of Alice, and the shocking twist that left both cases with more questions than answers. Thanks to this week's sponsors! Start taking supplements your body can actually absorb. Go to absorbmore.com and enter MOMS at check out for up to 35% off your first order. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On March 26, 1997, deputies responding to an anonymous tip entered a luxury mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, California, and found 39 people dead. They were all dressed in matching black clothing and brand-new Nike sneakers, with purple shrouds placed carefully over their faces. The house was immaculate. The trash had been taken out. And every single person inside had died willingly, convinced they were boarding a spacecraft hidden behind the Hale-Bopp comet. This week, we are covering the full story of Heaven's Gate, from the very beginning. We trace the origins of the group through its two founders: Marshall Applewhite, a charismatic former music professor from Texas, and Bonnie Nettles, a Houston nurse with a deep interest in astrology and the occult. Together, they spent years building a belief system that blended UFO mythology, biblical prophecy, and New Age spirituality into something entirely their own. We talk about how they recruited hundreds of followers across the country, the strict rules that governed every aspect of daily life inside the group, and how Bonnie's death from cancer in 1985 forced Marshall to completely reinterpret everything the movement had been built on. We also get into the final days of Heaven's Gate, the farewell videos members recorded, and the chilling, methodical way the group carried out their plan over the course of three days. This one is a deep one, and it is a story that still feels impossible to fully understand almost thirty years later. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Text MOMS to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/vwn13ren #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card.  Savings provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It seemed we missed some (ALL) edits on the last post. Thanks everyone who took the time to let us know! We are giving you a little gift this week. This episode originally aired on our Patreon several months ago, and we loved it so much that we wanted to share it with everyone. Consider this a peek behind the paywall! And if silly isn't for you, don't worry, we'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming next week! This week we are covering the HBO Max show Neighbors and the episode titled "Patch of Grass." If you have not seen this show yet, please stop what you are doing and get yourself a Max subscription, because this one is something else entirely. We have two stories out of Florida, which should tell you everything you need to know. In Palm Bay, we meet Johnny and Andy, two neighbors who have been locked in a full-blown war since the year 2000 over St. Augustine grass. There are death threats, acid-throwing promises, a very decorated vehicle, and a man who used to go by the Italian Stallion. In West Palm Beach, we meet Victoria and Melissa, two women who were perfectly good neighbors for 16 years until a one-foot-wide strip of grass came between them. There are guns, Zoom court, a chain-smoking Victoria, a mediator who also sells firearms, and a son named Jack who wants absolutely no part of any of this. If you want more bonus episodes like this one, you can find them over on our ⁠Patreon⁠. We release content there regularly that never makes it to the main feed (plus our regular episodes without ads), and we would love to have you over there. Thank you so much for listening and for all of your support. It means everything to us. Patreon: ⁠Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On April 27, 2021, the quiet community of Zanesville, Ohio, was shattered when 23-year-old Jayla Wyatt was found shot to death in the entryway of a local apartment. She had been shot six times, including a devastating direct shot to the face. The apartment belonged to Patrick Downes, a man significantly older than Jayla with whom she had recently started staying. When investigators began looking into who could have targeted Jayla, they quickly uncovered a toxic web of addiction, obsession, and volatile relationships. The trail led directly to 20-year-old Tristaney Baker and her 23-year-old boyfriend, Devin McKnelly. Driven by a deep, drug-fueled jealousy over Patrick, Tristaney had planned the execution, while Devin provided both the firearm and the getaway vehicle. Within twenty-four hours of the crime, police used emergency cellphone tracking to locate the couple in Columbus, Ohio, bringing an end to their short-lived flight from justice. In this episode, we discuss the heartbreaking details of Jayla's life, the explosive and dangerous dynamic between her killers, and the rapid police investigation that brought them both to justice. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Sleep cooler this summer with Boll & Branch during their Annual Summer Event! For a limited time, get 20% off sitewide at BollandBranch.com/moms with code moms. Exclusions apply. Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, local authorities in Charlotte County, Florida, were called to the home of Scott Lee Huss and Yana Huss. There were restraining orders, allegations of child abuse, threats, arrests, and repeated warnings from neighbors, teachers, and deputies that the situation was spiraling out of control. Yet, despite nineteen police visits in less than a year and multiple domestic violence charges, the system repeatedly failed to protect Yana. On the morning of April 25, 2007, the violence reached a tragic and predictable end when Scott stabbed Yana to death inside their Port Charlotte home, forcing her eight year old son, Petir Huss, to witness the horrific attack and help cover it up. In this episode, we discuss the devastating details of Yana's life, the cycle of abuse that kept her trapped, and the catastrophic failures of the justice system that allowed a dangerous man to remain free. We also look at the aftermath of the crime, including Scott's bizarre 12 page manifesto, his wild claims of a Russian mafia conspiracy, and the custody battle fought by Yana's mother, Elena Kuchinskaya, to bring her grandchildren to safety. Thank you to this week's sponsors! For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit Nutrafol.com and enter promo code MOMS. Start taking supplements your body can actually absorb. Go to absorbmore.com and enter MOMS at check out for up to 35% off your first order. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Netflix is dropping a documentary today called "The Murder of Rachel Nickell," and if you want the full story before you watch, you are in the right place. On a warm morning in July of 1992, a young mother named Rachel Nickell was walking with her two-year-old son, Alex Hanscombe, on Wimbledon Common in southwest London. In broad daylight, an attacker emerged and brutally murdered Rachel. Little Alex was left alone in the woods, clinging to his mother and trying to wake her. The crime shocked the United Kingdom and put immense pressure on the Metropolitan Police to find the killer.What followed became one of the most controversial investigations in British history. Desperate for a lead, detectives focused entirely on an innocent local man named Colin Stagg and launched a manipulative undercover sting known as Operation Edzell to trap him into confessing. Meanwhile, the real killer, Robert Napper, remained free to commit more violent crimes, including the tragic murders of Samantha Bisset and her daughter, Jazmine Bisset. In this episode, we cover the devastating details of the attack, the police failures that led to a massive miscarriage of justice, and the long road to healing for Rachel's family. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Text MOMS to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. To grab your PAKA hoodie, go to www.PakaApparel.com. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in January, we laid out ten major true crime cases we were watching closely for the first half of 2026. Now that we are halfway through the year, the courtroom developments have been absolutely wild. In this episode, we are checking in on all ten cases to bring you the shocking verdicts, final sentences, and dramatic updates that have unfolded across the country. We cover the sentencing of Paul Caneiro in New Jersey, the disturbing family dynamics in the Kevin Ellis trial in Utah, and the stunning acquittal of former officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons. Plus, we have major updates on high profile cases like Kouri Richins, Courtney Clenney, Larry Millete, and the bizarre pregnancy fraud allegations against Laura Owens. Some of these outcomes will absolutely blow your mind, so join us as we break down where these cases stand today. Thank you to this week's sponsors! For 50% off your order, head to DailyLook.com and use code MOMS50.   Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! head to Wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On March 13, 2023, 24-year-old Colby Vinson received the news he had been fighting for all year. A judge officially granted him 50/50 custody of his four-year-old daughter, Preslee. But just six days later, on the very first night he brought her home, Colby was executed on his own doorstep while his little girl stood nearby. When investigators dug into the young father's life, they quickly realized this was not a random act of violence. The trail led directly to his ex, Rachiel Moore, and her former stepfather, a man with a violent past named Jason Curtis. What followed was the unraveling of a cold, calculated murder plot documented in a series of chilling text messages and funded by fifty dollars in gas money. Thank you to this week's sponsors! And right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. Text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Get 20% off your first order, plus free shipping during the Memorial Day Sale at BollAndBranch.com/moms with code moms. Exclusions apply.  New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a freezing November night in 2015, 30-year-old nursing student Angila Wilder was stabbed 44 times inside her home in Minot, North Dakota. The brutal attack happened while her two-year-old son slept safely in the very next room. When her fiancé, Christopher Jackson, discovered the scene after returning from an overnight shift, investigators immediately began untangling a web of jealousy, obsession, and domestic violence. The evidence quickly pointed toward Angila's ex-husband, Ritchie Wilder Jr., and his new wife, Cynthia. What started as a bitter custody dispute had morphed into a calculated, years-long plot to eliminate Angila entirely. The case features one of the most chilling interrogations in true crime history, a failed prison escape, and a stunning undercover recording that finally brought the whole diabolical plan crashing down. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Start taking supplements your body can actually absorb! Go to AbsorbMore.com and enter MOMS at check out for up to 35% off your first order! Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use! Head to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Text MOMS to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping! Message and data rates may apply. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On April 15, 2005, Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar left his office for a routine afternoon drive through central Pennsylvania. He was 59 years old, highly respected, and just months away from a planned retirement. But Ray never returned home. Days later, his distinctive red and white Mini Cooper was found abandoned in an antique store parking lot near the Susquehanna River. The investigation quickly took a bizarre turn when a fisherman pulled Ray's county-issued laptop from the river—only to discover that the hard drive had been intentionally removed and destroyed. With no body, no financial trail, and no clear motive, investigators were left to untangle a web of possibilities. Did Ray take his own life, walk away to start over, or fall victim to someone from his long career as a prosecutor? Thank you to this week's sponsors! Text MOMS to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In October of 2000, the bodies of Andrew Cataldi and Tricia Nordman were found inside a dumpster behind an Indianapolis Teamsters building. The discovery quickly led police to the home the couple shared with Richard Hull and Sarah Jo Pender. What started as a gruesome double murder investigation soon transformed into a sprawling legal saga filled with recanted testimonies, forged letters, and a stunning prison escape. Sarah Jo Pender was labeled the "female Charles Manson" by the prosecution and sentenced to 110 years behind bars. But as the years passed, the case against her began to crumble. With the original prosecutor publicly admitting she did not receive a fair trial and the true killer confessing to the crime, Sarah's fight for freedom continues today from the inside of an Indiana prison cell. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Get 20% off your first order, plus free shipping during the Memorial Day Sale at BollAndBranch.com/moms with code moms.Exclusions apply.  Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/vwn13ren #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was around 6:15 AM on July 31, 2022, when a resident in Strongsville, Ohio, came upon the aftermath of a horrific accident. A black Toyota Camry had crashed into the side of a large brick building at the end of Progress Drive Business Park. When officers responded, they found three young people trapped inside. Passengers Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan were tragically pronounced dead at the scene, while the 17-year-old driver, Mackenzie Shirilla, was life-flighted in critical condition. At first, investigators believed it was a tragic accident. But a closer look at the details, including the vehicle's data recorder and surveillance footage, revealed a much more sinister truth. We are revisiting this shocking case in anticipation of the new documentary "The Crash," which premieres on Netflix on May 15th. We cover the tumultuous relationship between Mackenzie and Dominic, the terrifying moments leading up to the crash, and the trial that followed. Plus, we share some recent developments in the case, including the release of jailhouse calls and the status of Mackenzie's appeals. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Join the more than 3 million families who have been served by K12 and bring personalized learning to the comfort of your home. Enroll online today at K12.com/moms New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On January 7, 2021, Maya Millete took the first steps toward ending her marriage. She scheduled a consultation with a divorce attorney, planning to wait just a few more days to get through her daughter's birthday weekend before breaking the news to her husband, Larry. But that night, after returning to her Chula Vista home, Maya vanished. We look closely at the months leading up to Maya's disappearance, revealing a pattern of escalating control and manipulation by Larry. From tracking her location to making disturbing internet searches for toxic plants and even paying online spellcasters to make her dependent on him, Larry's behavior grew increasingly erratic. Now, over five years later, we examine the mountain of circumstantial evidence against him and the ongoing search for answers as Larry Millete's murder trial begins on May 11, 2026. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/vwn13ren #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the evening of September 10, 2001, 31-year-old physician Sneha Philip walked into her Lower Manhattan apartment building carrying shopping bags. It was the last confirmed sighting of her. By the next morning, planes struck the World Trade Center just blocks away, plunging the city into chaos and swallowing the mystery of her disappearance into the tragedy of 9/11. From the outside, Sneha and her husband Ron Lieberman seemed to have a perfect life. But in the months leading up to her vanishing, Sneha faced a suspension from her medical residency, a pending legal charge, and rumors of a secret double life. Was she a hero who ran toward the towers to help, or did something far more sinister happen the night before? Join us as we discuss the puzzling final movements, the unidentified woman she was seen shopping with, and the enduring mystery of the doctor who vanished into thin air. Thank you to this week's sponsors! To grab your PAKA hoodie, go to PakaApparel.com! Text MOMS to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hawthorne Hill was supposed to be a dream. An elite equestrian facility, an Olympic coach, and a student willing to do whatever it took to make it to the top. But what started as a $5,000 a month training arrangement between dressage legend Michael Barisone and rider Lauren Kanarek turned into one of the most bizarre and violent feuds in equestrian history. The fight over a prized horse named JT, the threatening Facebook posts, the SafeSport complaints, and the 911 calls were all just the buildup. On August 7, 2019, things at Hawthorne Hill came to a head in a way that nobody could have predicted. Michael shot Lauren twice in the chest at point-blank range, and the story only gets stranger from there. We cover the full case, including the trial, the insanity defense, the not guilty verdict, and where things stand today, including a recent Netflix documentary that has reignited the whole debate. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Get prepped for patio season for way less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Every style. Every home. For 50% off your order, head to DailyLook.com and use code MOMS50. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Between 1945 and 1950, five people vanished without a trace in a remote, rugged stretch of southwestern Vermont. The area, later dubbed the Bennington Triangle, was once home to the booming logging town of Glastenbury, but as the town emptied out, a string of inexplicable disappearances began. From an experienced 74-year-old hunting guide to an 18-year-old college student, these cases shared one chilling detail: despite massive, military-led searches, almost no evidence was ever found. What makes these cases so baffling isn't just the unforgiving terrain or the sudden shifts in weather—it's the tight timelines and the sheer lack of clues. We discuss the five distinct cases of Middie Rivers, Paula Welden, James Tedford, Paul Jepson, and Frieda Langer. Was it the harsh environment, a string of tragic accidents, or something more sinister hiding in the woods? Thank you to this week's sponsors! Right nowIQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a cold September night in the Scottish Highlands, a 63-year-old grandfather set out on a solo cycling journey that he never returned from. Tony Parsons was an experienced endurance athlete riding 104 miles to raise money for charity after surviving prostate cancer. When he vanished without a trace along the remote A82, search teams spent years scouring the rugged terrain with no success. The truth finally surfaced three years later when a forensic pathologist named Dr. Caroline Muirhead came forward with a chilling confession from her new boyfriend, Alexander "Sandy" McKellar. The details revealed not just how Tony died, but the deliberate and cruel steps Sandy and his twin brother Robert took to ensure he would never be found. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Join the more than 3 million families who have been served by K12 and bring personalized learning to the comfort of your home. Enroll online today at K12.com/moms. And right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On July 5th, 1998, 82-year-old Manhattan socialite Irene Silverman vanished from her Upper East Side townhouse without a trace. There were no signs of a struggle and no forced entry, but the investigation quickly pointed to a tenant named Manny and his mother. What seemed like a sudden disappearance was actually the culmination of a highly calculated plan by Sante Kimes and her son, Kenneth Kimes Jr., who had spent decades mastering deception, manipulation, and control. Sante's criminal history started with small thefts and escalated into fraud, arson, and eventually, murder. Kenneth Jr. was raised in this environment, learning how to manipulate situations and avoid consequences from a young age. Their schemes spanned across the country and even internationally, leaving a trail of victims including Elmer Holmgren, Syed Bilal Ahmed, and David Kazdin. We discuss the shocking details of Sante's meticulously kept notebooks, their arrest in Las Vegas that unraveled their plan, and how investigators built a murder case without a body. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a summer evening in June 2021, a 911 call from a home in Newnan, Georgia, reported a terrible accident. Cheryl Coe claimed she had been startled awake and fired two warning shots at an intruder, only to realize she had shot her husband, Luther "Luke" Lee Coe III. But as investigators arrived and examined the scene, the physical evidence told a much different story. The gunshot wound was inflicted at close range, contradicting her claims of firing across the room. As detectives dug deeper, they uncovered a marriage strained by jealousy, control, and a complicated open relationship. With conflicting timelines, shifting stories, and a history of escalating arguments, what began as a tragic mistake quickly transformed into a complex murder investigation. Listen as we explore the tragic death of Luke the unravelling of Cheryl's varying accounts, and the two trials it took to finally reach a verdict. Check-out early release, ad-free and bonus episodes at patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/moms with code moms. Exclusions apply. Join the more than 3 million families who have been served by K12 and bring personalized learning to the comfort of your home. Enroll online today at K12.com/moms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the world of true crime, we talk a lot about masking the face a person presents to the world versus the face they wear behind closed doors. Few cases illustrate that duality more starkly than the story of Gerhardt and Arielle Konig. Arielle was a brilliant nuclear engineer and project manager at TerraPower. Gerhardt was a respected anesthesiologist. They had a blended family, a beautiful $1.5 million home in Maui, and a life that looked from every angle like an absolute dream. But behind closed doors, Gerhardt was engaging in a pattern of coercive control. After discovering Arielle had an emotional relationship with a coworker, he became consumed by jealousy. He surveilled her phone, demanded she quit her job, and isolated her from friends. Then, on Arielle's 36th birthday, Gerhardt planned a romantic hike on the Pali Puka trail — a closed, dangerous ridge on Oahu with 300-foot drop-offs. What happened on that cliff led to a massive police manhunt, a shocking discovery in a hidden fanny pack, and a controversial trial that left the true crime community in disbelief. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the morning of October 2, 2020, 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett pulled into the parking lot of her job in Carrollton, Texas. Within minutes, she was ambushed in broad daylight, shot, and stabbed multiple times. What initially looked like a random act of extreme violence quickly revealed itself to be something much more sinister. Investigators soon discovered that someone had been quietly tracking Alyssa for months, setting her up, and building a methodical plan to ensure she did not survive. The investigation led police to the father of Alyssa's child, Andrew Beard, and his fiancée, Holly Elkins. As detectives unraveled a complex web of GPS trackers, false police reports, planted evidence, and burner phones, they uncovered a disturbing campaign of cyberstalking and harassment driven by a bitter custody dispute. The evidence showed a steady escalation toward violence, orchestrated by individuals desperate to create a "picture-perfect" family at any cost. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/vwn13ren #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Check-out all of our links at momsandmysteries.com. Join Patreon today for bonus episodes and ad-free/early release episodes! Subscribe to our Youtube for shorts and more videos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In February 1978, five young men from Yuba County, California, drove to Chico to watch a college basketball game. They were close friends who thrived on routine and predictability, and they had a big basketball tournament of their own the next day. But after a quick stop for snacks, Jack Madruga, Bill Sterling, Ted Weiher, Jackie Huett, and Gary Mathias vanished. Instead of driving south toward home, their car was found abandoned 70 miles in the opposite direction, stuck on a remote, snow-covered mountain road. What followed is one of the most baffling cases in true crime history. Months later, the remains of four of the men were discovered miles away from their vehicle, including one who had miraculously survived for weeks inside a well-stocked forest service trailer but failed to use the resources that could have saved him. Gary Mathias has never been found. We discuss the confusing timeline, the strange witness account of a man stranded nearby, and the lingering questions of why these men walked deeper into the freezing wilderness. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Machine Washable Rugs, Made Better. For a limited time only, our listeners get 10% off + free shipping at tumbleliving.com/MOMS #Tumble #ad Text MOMS to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply.  Join the more than 3 million families who have been served by K12 and bring personalized learning to the comfort of your home. Enroll online today at K12.com/moms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mamta Kafle Bhatt worked tirelessly to build a life in the United States. She was a dedicated nurse at UVA Prince William Medical Center in Manassas, Virginia, and a loving mother to her one-year-old daughter. From the outside, her life and marriage to Naresh Bhatt appeared stable and happy. However, close friends and coworkers began to notice troubling signs, including visible injuries and attempts by Mamta to separate from her husband and regain control of her finances and identification documents. When Mamta failed to show up for her nursing shift in early August 2024, her coworkers immediately raised the alarm. Despite her husband's claims that she had simply walked away to cool off after an argument, the reality of the situation soon became clear. As investigators searched their home, they uncovered a disturbing crime scene that contradicted Naresh's story, leading to his arrest for her murder. While her body has yet to be found, the overwhelming forensic evidence paints a grim picture of what happened to the devoted mother who was just days away from her US citizenship interview. Thank you to this week's sponsors! For 50% off your order, head to DailyLook.com and use code MOMS50.  Way Day is THE sale to shop the best deals in home – we’re talking up to 80% OFF with fast and FREE shipping on everything! Head to Wayfair.com April 25th through the 27th to shop Way Day! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On May 11, 2022, 25-year-old professional gravel cyclist Moriah Wilson was found shot to death inside a friend's apartment in Austin, Texas. She had traveled to town for a major race that had the potential to elevate her rising career. Investigators quickly discovered that Moriah had spent the evening with Colin Strickland, a fellow cyclist who was involved in a complicated, on-again, off-again relationship with 34-year-old yoga instructor Kaitlin Armstrong. As detectives unraveled the timeline, they found that Kaitlin had been tracking Moriah's movements for months. Surveillance footage placed Kaitlin's vehicle at the scene within minutes of Moriah being dropped off. What followed was a massive search that crossed international borders, involving altered identities, cosmetic surgery, and a desperate attempt to evade justice in Costa Rica. Thank you to this week's sponsors! IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details.  To grab your PAKA hoodie, go to PakaApparel.com now! New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A quick note on today's episode: Linda Hazzard's 'treatments' heavily involved extreme fasting and starvation. We want to mention this up front for anyone who might be sensitive to discussions around restrictive diets or disordered eating. This week we discuss Linda Hazzard, a self-proclaimed doctor in the early 1900s who convinced patients that extreme fasting was a medical cure. Operating out of Washington state, Linda exploited legal loopholes to open a sanitarium that locals grimly called "Starvation Heights." She targeted wealthy individuals, placing them on starvation diets while slowly taking control of their finances and estates as they grew weaker. The situation finally reached a breaking point when wealthy British heiresses Claire Williamson and Dora Williamson entered her care. We cover the harrowing conditions the sisters endured, the desperate rescue mission by their childhood nanny, and the sensational murder trial that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever met someone who was terrible at something but thought they were a genius? This week, we explore the Dunning-Kruger effect, a cognitive bias where people with low ability at a task overestimate their own competence. We start with the case that inspired the research: McArthur Wheeler, a man who robbed two banks after covering his face in lemon juice, believing it would make him invisible to security cameras. His baffling confidence led psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger to study this strange phenomenon. We then look at how this bias plays out in the world of true crime, from the comically inept “Hillbilly Heist” orchestrated by the Loomis Fargo crew, to the chilling case of Caleb Flynn, a former American Idol contestant accused of murdering his wife and staging a break-in. We also examine the tragic story of Lauren Giddings and the law student who thought he could commit the perfect murder, only to have his plan unravel on live television. Finally, we share the incredible story of Brett Johnson, a cybercriminal who went from the Secret Service's Most Wanted list to a respected FBI consultant, demonstrating the rare journey from the “peak of Mount Stupid” to true self-awareness. Thank you to this week's sponsors: See why more than 3 million families have chosen K12 – find a K12 Powered School near you today! Go to K12.com/MOMS to learn more. Right now, go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping and 365-day returns. That's a full year to wear it and love it. Now available in Canada, too. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At 2:14 AM, Navy sailor Angelina “Angie” Resendiz made a frantic, crying phone call to a friend, begging to be picked up from a fellow sailor’s barracks. Moments later, a man took the phone and insisted she was fine, even as Angie could still be heard saying she wanted to leave. Her friend arrived within minutes, but Angie was nowhere to be found. Less than two weeks later, her body would be discovered inside a duffle bag in the woods behind a Virginia elementary school. This week, we cover the tragic and preventable murder of Angie Resendiz at the hands of Jeremiah Copeland, a fellow sailor with a documented history of violence. We also discuss the heartbreaking parallels to the case of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen, whose death sparked national outrage and led to military reform. Angie’s story raises critical questions about whether those reforms go far enough and what happens when the system designed to protect service members fails them. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At 16, Barry Minkow started a carpet cleaning company in his parents' garage. By 21, he was one of the youngest CEOs of a publicly traded company in America, with a business valued at over $200 million. But the entire empire was built on a foundation of lies. This is the story of ZZZZ Best, one of the most audacious corporate frauds of the 1980s, and the story of a charismatic young man who fooled auditors, investors, and the media with staged job sites and forged documents. After serving time in federal prison, Barry reinvented himself as a pastor and a fraud investigator, only to find himself back in court, facing new charges of embezzlement and stock manipulation. It's a wild ride through the mind of a master manipulator who couldn't stop scamming. Thank you to this week's sponsors! See why more than 3 million families have chosen K12 – find a K12 Powered School near you today! Enrollment portals are now open. Go to K12.com/MOMS to learn more. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Halloween weekend in 2015, a quiet community in Pendleton, South Carolina, was shattered by a brutal quadruple homicide. Four members of the Scott family were found dead in their home, the victims of a savage knife and gun attack. For years, the case remained cold, leaving a family and a town desperate for answers. The initial theory of a robbery gone wrong slowly gave way to a more disturbing possibility: that the killer was someone they knew. Eight years after the murders, investigators finally made an arrest that stunned everyone. The person charged with the killings was not a stranger, but the daughter and step-daughter of two of the victims, Amy Vilardi. This episode follows the long and twisted investigation, the shocking trial, and the dark family secrets that were revealed along the way. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/vwn13ren #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Text MOMS to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. Let your hair be one less thing to worry about. See visibly thicker, stronger, faster growing hair in 3–6 months with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit Nutrafol.com and enter promo code MOMS. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In July 2014, 28-year-old German tourist Lars Mittank walked into Varna Airport in Bulgaria, preparing to fly home after a vacation. He had suffered a minor ear injury and needed a quick medical check before his flight. But what happened next turned his case into one of the most baffling disappearances in recent history. Surveillance cameras captured Lars suddenly bolting from the doctor’s office, sprinting through the terminal, and climbing an eight-foot perimeter fence before vanishing into the woods. He left his wallet, passport, and all of his luggage behind. In the days leading up to his disappearance, Lars had made a series of increasingly frantic calls to his mother, claiming he felt unsafe and that people were following him. Was he suffering from a medical-induced paranoia, or was a real threat closing in? More than a decade later, the chilling airport footage is the last confirmed trace of him. This episode dives into the timeline, the theories, and the endless search for answers in the case of Lars Mittank. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Right now, go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Lars_Mittank https://people.com/all-about-lars-mittank-mysterious-disappearance-11768067 https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31744248 https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/justiz/vermisster-lars-mittank-spurensuche-in-bulgarien-a-983857.html https://www.abendblatt.de/region/article131346203/Vermisster-Lars-Mittank-Mutter-hofft-auf-neue-Spuren.html https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Vermisster-Lars-Mittank-Spurensuche-in-Bulgarien,mittank100.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAfveiD6cWw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A birthday party at a rental cabin in the scenic Hocking Hills of Ohio should have been a night of celebration. But fueled by alcohol and jealousy, the night spiraled into a violent confrontation that left a young father, Charlie Starner, dead. This episode examines the chaotic moments captured on a cell phone video and the legal battle that followed, asking whether the stabbing was a desperate act of self-defense or a senseless murder. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Treat yourself to the most advanced bras and shapewear on the market. Use our exclusive link to save 20% off Honeylove at honeylove.com/moms. To grab your PAKA hoodie, go to pakaapparel.com. Every day they're handling money without guidance is a missed opportunity. Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at Greenlight.com/moms. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2012, 16-year-old Skylar Neese vanished without a trace from her Star City, West Virginia home. What initially seemed like a runaway case soon unraveled into a story of unimaginable betrayal. Her two best friends, Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf, held a dark secret that would shock the nation and leave a community searching for answers. This episode revisits the heart-wrenching case of Skylar Neese, exploring the twisted friendship that led to her murder. With the release of the new Hulu docuseries Friends Like These: The Murder of Skylar Neese, we are taking a deeper look into the events that transpired and the warning signs that were missed. Join us as we recount the tragic story of a bright young girl whose life was cut short by those she trusted most. Thank you to this weeks's sponsors! To get 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping, text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details Join the more than 3 million families who have been served by K12, and empower your student to reach their full potential now. You can make the switch at anytime. Go to K12.com/MOMS today to learn more. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the summer of 2023, police in The Bahamas were investigating a local bar burglary when they accidentally discovered a shocking murder-for-hire plot in a series of WhatsApp messages. The alleged target was Robert Shiver, a former football player from a wealthy Georgia family, and the accused mastermind was his estranged wife, former beauty queen Lindsay Shiver. The message that blew the case wide open was just two words: "Kill him." What followed was a story that seemed ripped from a movie script, involving a crumbling marriage, a luxury vacation home in an exclusive Bahamian resort, and an affair with a local bartender. As the case unfolded, it would draw in reality TV stars and reveal a pattern of escalating conflict, with both sides making explosive allegations. This is a deep dive into the story of Lindsay Shiver, a case where a picture-perfect life hid a dark and complicated reality. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Find furniture, decor, and essentials that fit your unique style and budget. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.  For 50% off your order, head to DailyLook.com and use code MOMS50.   Whatever challenges you’re facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Grow accepts over 100 insurance plans. Sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as $0, depending on their plan. Visit GrowTherapy.com/MOMS today to get started. Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In February 2020, Sarah Boone zipped her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr., into a suitcase during what she claimed was a drunken game of hide-and-seek. She then filmed him as he suffocated, taunting him and ignoring his pleas for help. The videos she recorded on her own phone became the centerpiece of a bizarre four-year legal saga that included 13 attorneys, a viral ad for legal help, and a defendant who smiled through her own sentencing. This is the story of a toxic relationship that ended in a chilling murder, captured on camera by the killer herself. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A quick heads-up: this is a bonus episode where we're just having some fun. We also say 'like' a lot. We're, like, sorry... but not really. Today we're discussing the first episode from HBO Max's "Neighbors". Welcome to the sun-drenched beaches of Santa Rosa, Florida, where the battle for the shoreline is raging. Meet the “Shoreline Defenders,” a group of residents who believe the beach is for everyone, and the homeowners who will do anything to keep their slice of paradise private. Tensions boil over as one man, armed with a GoPro and the “Shoreline Defender” app, decides to take on the local beach patrol, leading to a series of confrontations that are as bizarre as they are hilarious. From heated arguments with a self-appointed beach cop to a tense sit-down at a local restaurant, this is a story about just how seriously people take their sand. Then, we head to the wide-open spaces of Montana, where a man’s dream of a quiet country life is shattered by a dispute with his neighbor. What starts as a disagreement over a fence and a road quickly escalates into a full-blown feud involving Zoom court, a failed mediation, and a whole lot of passive-aggressive staring. But there’s a twist: one of these neighbors is a TikTok star known as “The Bearded Bard,” with over two million followers. When the drama spills over onto social media, things get even more complicated. It’s a classic tale of country versus city, with a surprising connection that proves these two might have more in common than they think. For more fun episodes check-out all our bonus and ad-free episodes at patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast. You can also find bonus episodes like this on Apple Podcast + and Spotify Bonus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On October 29, 2022, police found 21-year-old Grace Jennings dead inside a detached garage in Santa Fe, killed with a sword. Her ex-boyfriend's girlfriend, Kiara McCulley, admitted her role, but prosecutors say she didn't act alone. They argue that Isaac Apodaca coerced her into committing the murder through a series of manipulative text messages, promising her advancement in a secret organization called "Ghost." As Isaac's trial is slated to begin soon, the case hinges on whether the state can prove he was the mastermind behind the gruesome killing, even if he never touched the murder weapon. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Let your hair be one less thing to worry about. See visibly thicker, stronger, faster growing hair in 3–6 months with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit Nutrafol.com and enter promo code MOMS. Right now IQBAR is offering our listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off , text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details.  New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a 4th of July weekend in a remote part of California, a group of six young men decided to play a prank by stealing a solar light from a property with a bizarre warning sign. The cabin's owner, a self-proclaimed Army Ranger named Chad Wallen-Reed, responded by chasing them down a dark road with an AR-15. What started as harmless mischief ended in a hail of gunfire, leaving one young man dead and a family destroyed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In May 2006, 32-year-old writer Rey Rivera vanished from his Baltimore home after receiving a mysterious phone call. Eight days later, his body was discovered in a locked, unused conference room at the historic Belvedere Hotel. He had fallen with such force that he crashed through the roof, leaving a shocking hole. Near the hole, investigators found his phone and glasses, strangely intact. The case was further complicated by a bizarre, coded note found taped behind his computer. Was it a tragic suicide, a freak accident, or a murder orchestrated by powerful figures? This week we dive into one of the most baffling unsolved cases of the 21st century. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Join the more than 3 million families who have been served by K12, and empower your student to reach their full potential now. You can make the switch at anytime. Go to K12.com/MOMS today to learn more. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Richins was a devoted father of three and a successful Utah businessman, known for his big heart and infectious laugh. In March 2022, his life was tragically cut short when he was found dead in his bedroom from a lethal dose of fentanyl. The investigation into his shocking death would soon uncover a web of deceit, financial turmoil, and betrayal, leading to the arrest of the one person he should have been able to trust most: his wife, Kouri. This week we tell the story of Eric Richins, the man whose life was stolen, and the disturbing case against the woman who wrote a children's book on grief after allegedly murdering him. Thank you to this week's sponsors! And right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details.Sleep sound with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at Bollandbranch.com/moms with code moms. Exclusions apply. Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/vwn13ren #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

*The Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie begins around 38:00* This week, we're finally tackling a case we're surprised we haven't covered before: the story of Jodi Arias. In June 2008, the brutal murder of motivational speaker Travis Alexander in his Mesa, Arizona home set off an investigation that would captivate the nation. The prime suspect was his ex-girlfriend, Jodi Arias, and the trial that followed was a masterclass in manipulation and shifting narratives. We'll delve into their intense, whirlwind romance, the deep-seated conflicts with Travis's Mormon faith, and the escalating obsession that turned deadly. From slashing tires to hacking emails, Jodi's behavior grew more and more alarming, even as Travis continued to be drawn into her web. Then, stick around for a detailed timeline of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of the Today show's Savannah Guthrie. We'll walk you through the events from the night she was last seen, the chilling digital footprint left behind, the mysterious ransom notes, and the latest updates from the FBI as of our recording on February 11th. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Darwin, a prison officer from the UK, vanishes after a morning kayak trip, leaving behind a shattered canoe and a grieving family. After he’s declared legally dead, his wife Anne collects a £250,000 life insurance payout. But the story is far from over. Five years later, John walks into a police station claiming amnesia, unraveling a web of deceit that includes a secret passage, a new life in Panama, and a single photograph that exposed one of the most audacious fake-death scams in modern history. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at Greenlight.com/moms. Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/vwn13ren #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Watch on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the span of a single day, two women were killed in Cape Coral, Florida by someone neither of them had ever met. Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, had no connection to each other...except that they both crossed paths with Wade Wilson on October 7th, 2019. In this episode, we break down the timeline of that horrific day, from the bar where Wade met Kristine, to the stolen car that connected both crime scenes, to the moment his own father turned him in. We also discuss the disturbing jailhouse phone calls, the face tattoos he got while awaiting trial, and the online fan club that formed around a convicted killer. This case involves stranger murders (which make up only 10% of homicides), and a death penalty trial that captured national attention, partly because Wade Wilson shares his name with the Marvel character Deadpool. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Right now IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping.Text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. **Check out our Patreon for bonus episodes!** This month we're doing Florida Man February with exclusive content you won't want to miss. **Follow us:** Instagram: @momsandmysteriespodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@momsandmysteries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A luxury apartment in Miami, a high-profile OnlyFans model, and a 911 call where she pleads for help after her boyfriend has been stabbed. But was it a clear case of self-defense, or was it cold-blooded murder? The story of Courtney Clenney and Christian Obumseli is a tangled web of toxic love, public fights, and shocking evidence that will make you question everything you think you know. In this episode, we unravel the volatile relationship between the social media influencer and her boyfriend, and the tragic night that ended in Christian's death. We'll examine the evidence, from the secret recordings Christian made to the controversial elevator surveillance footage, and the ongoing legal battle that has captivated the public. Thank you to this week's sponsors! For 50% off your order, head to DailyLook.com and use code MOMS50.    For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit Nutrafol.com and enter promo code MOMS. Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. GrowTherapy.com/MOMS. Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan. For a limited time our listeners are getting a free Shimmer Face Oil on their first purchase when they use code MOMS at checkout. Just head to Jonesroadbeauty.com and use code MOMS at checkout. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're breaking down 10 major true crime cases with trials happening in early 2026. From Clayton from The Bachelor's fake pregnancy scandal to a mom who allegedly killed her husband and then wrote a kid’s book about grief, these are the trials we'll be following this year. Cases covered: The State of New Jersey vs. Paul Caneiro The State of Utah vs. Kevin Ellis The Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs. Kelsey Fitzsimmons The State of Michigan vs. Dale Warner The State of Utah vs. Kouri Richins The State of Washington vs. Sarah Clasen The State of Arizona vs. Laura Owens The State of California vs. Larry Millete The Commonwealth of Virginia vs. Brendan Banfield The State of Florida vs. Courtney Clenney We'll be updating you as these trials progress throughout 2026. Stay tuned for part 2 later this year covering July-December trials! Thank you to this week’s sponsors!  Right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off,  text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1996, Anne Marie Fahey, a bright and organized secretary in the Delaware Governor's office, vanished after a dinner date. Her disappearance unraveled a dark story of a secret affair with a powerful and controlling attorney, Thomas Capano. This episode delves into the investigation that exposed a web of lies, manipulation, and a family that would do anything to protect its own. Join us as we explore the case that shocked Delaware and the relentless pursuit of justice for Anne Marie. Thank you to this week's sponsors! IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a suburban love affair turns deadly? When the prosecution's star witness is also negotiating a Netflix deal from her jail cell?On February 24, 2023, Christine Banfield, a beloved pediatric ICU nurse, was found dead in her Fairfax County, Virginia home. Also dead: Joseph Ryan, a man Christine had allegedly been communicating with online about violent fantasies. But prosecutors say Christine never sent those messages. They say her husband Brendan Banfield and their au pair Juliana Peres Magalhães were having an affair, and instead of getting a divorce, they hatched a plan to kill Christine and stage it as a home invasion gone wrong. In this episode, we break down the first four days of Brendan Banfield's murder trial, including Juliana's explosive testimony as the prosecution's star witness. We cover the fake online persona created to lure Joseph Ryan, the forensic evidence pointing to a staged crime scene, jailhouse love letters, and why Juliana is negotiating a Netflix deal while testifying. Make sure to check-out One Strange Thing Podcast. If you love the weird and mysterious, THIS is the show! Thank you to this week's sponsors! Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Join the more than 3 million families who have been served by K12, and empower your student to reach their full potential now. You can make the switch at anytime. Go to K12.com/MOMS today to learn more. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the summer of 1999, 17-year-olds J.B. Beasley and Tracie Hawlett took a wrong turn on their way to a party and ended up in Ozark, Alabama. After a frantic call to Tracie's mom from a gas station payphone, the two girls vanished. The next morning, their bodies were discovered in the trunk of J.B.'s car, each with a single gunshot wound to the head. The case went cold for nearly two decades until a breakthrough in genetic genealogy led investigators to a shocking suspect: a man who had been living a seemingly normal life in their own community. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Right now IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping when you text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Discover a softness beyond your wildest dreams with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/moms with code moms. Exclusions apply. If you want makeup that brings out your natural glow instead of hiding it, Jones Road is the way to go. For a limited time our listeners are getting a free Cool Gloss on their first purchase when they use code MOMS at checkout. Just head to Jonesroadbeauty.com and use code MOMS at checkout. After you purchase, they will ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them our show sent you. Born from over 10 years of longevity research, OneSkin’s OS-01 Peptide™ is proven to target the cells that cause the visible signs of aging, helping you unlock your healthiest skin now and as you age. For a limited time, OneSkin is making it even easier to stay consistent with 15% off when you use code MOMS at oneskin.co/MOMS. After you purchase, they’ll ask where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them we sent you. Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/vwn13ren #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe on youtube! In September 2007, four friends set out on a chartered fishing trip off the coast of Miami aboard the yacht Joe Cool. Captain Jake Branam, his wife Kelley, and crew members Scott Gamble and Samuel Kairy were excited for what should have been a routine day on the water.But they never came home. What the crew didn't know was that three men—Kirby Archer, Guillermo Zarabozo, and Carlos—had hatched a desperate plan to steal a boat and flee to Cuba. They boarded the Joe Cool under the guise of a fishing charter, but their real intention was far more sinister. When the Coast Guard found Kirby and Guillermo adrift in a life raft days later, they spun a wild story about being attacked by armed men. But investigators quickly unraveled their lies. The four crew members had been murdered and thrown overboard. Their bodies were never recovered. This is the story of the Joe Cool murders—a case of greed, desperation, and cold-blooded murder on the high seas. We're revisiting this Florida Files case with updated details and a deeper look at what happened that tragic day. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andreen McDonald was a Jamaican immigrant who built a multi-million dollar assisted living business by age 22. She was a fitness champion and devoted mother living in San Antonio with her husband, Air Force Major Andre McDonald. From the outside, they were a Texas power couple. But behind closed doors, years of domestic violence and control had created a toxic marriage spiraling toward tragedy. On March 1st, 2019, Andreen vanished. She didn't show up for her 5 AM workout or arrive at work—completely out of character. As friends and family grew frantic, the couple's young, autistic daughter told investigators: "Daddy hurt Mommy." What followed was a massive search, a gruesome discovery, and a trial that exposed the dark secrets of a seemingly perfect marriage. This is the heartbreaking story of Andreen McDonald—a case of ambition, jealousy, domestic violence, and murder. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Don't wait. Go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! See thicker, stronger, faster-growing hair with less shedding in just 3-6 months with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code MOMS New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A double murder in a quiet Georgia town. A 5-year-old discovers her parents shot in their bed. No forced entry, no weapon. The prime suspect? Their 16-year-old daughter. This week we discuss the shocking case of Sarah Grace Patrick and the digital trail that led to her arrest. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Sources: Georgia Girl, 17, Accused of Fatally Shooting Mom and Stepdad, Whose Bodies Were Discovered by Her 6-Year-Old Sister ‘We had our suspicions’: Niece of couple murdered in Carroll home reacts to teen daughter’s arrest Georgia teen charged in parents' deaths sought help from TikTok influencers | FOX 5 Atlanta Carroll County teen accused of killing family: Grandfather believes she's innocent | FOX 5 Atlanta Community Left Seeking Answers In the Unsolved Murder of a Carroll County Couple: – The West Georgian Sarah Grace Patrick Had No Family Support At Bond Hearing | Closing Arguments Podcast Teen who eulogized mom, stepdad arrested in their killings | Banfield Full Episode 7/10 Carrollton couple found dead in bed; authorities search for answers ‘He warned us about her’: Carroll County family voices suspicions about stepdaughter after stepdad’s death 'Smallest daughter found them': Teen murdered her mother and stepfather while her 6-year-old sister was home with them, cops say | Law & Crime 'Pattern of intimidation towards family': Teen who posted TikTok tributes after murdering mom and stepdad threatened others, relatives and DA say | Law & Crime https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Xmg-tmV8SHs5heaoTyGPk7uHNfB2wBFe/view (Image) 2022-08-22 Kristin Nolan Patrick DV Cruelty to Children Warrant.pdf 2022-08-24 Ex Parte Emergency PO against Kristin Patrick.pdf 2022-09-14 James Brock Motion Dismissal Charges.pdf 2022-08-25 James Brocks Petition of RO against Kristin Nolan Patrick DV.pdf https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064557800560 https://www.facebook.com/doniel.patrick.2025/posts/pfbid02d8uHjDHLgDKLeXCem5bgEqJk8E1LacVETRMCdCVhErWrTXsowSPwEkimQtA7dg4Vl?rdid=Fg47SAJal9DfFL7H# Mental evaluation results pending for Carroll County teen accused of killing mother, stepfather https://www.facebook.com/CarrollCountySheriffGA/posts/pfbid0BnoLJ4tmUdAmP3YW9r2xMAUjJmbkZ8JGLUMfzANeog1rGCMifU7PTXHiZv9cDXrJl https://www.newspapers.com/image/1240903454/?match=1&terms=Sarah%20Grace%20Patrick 2025-12-01 Order denying motion to change venue-1.pdf 2025-11-19 Request for continuance.pdf Georgia teen charged in fatal shootings of mom and stepdad posted TikTok video pleading for support - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports https://www.tiktok.com/@shoelover99/video/7525111063684140302 NewsNation Instagram Interview with Allegedly Reportedly Creator Did Sarah Grace Patrick Kill Her Parents? Our Video Investigation Reveals Shocking New Clues Father of Teen Charged With Murder Says She Didn’t Show ‘Any Red Flags’ - Newsweek Teen Daughter Accused of Killing Mother and Stepfather in Georgia - Newsweek Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1995, the brutal murder of Memphis socialite and philanthropist Emily Fisher shattered the city's illusion of high-society tranquility. Stabbed over 50 times in her historic home, the investigation peeled back the layers of a picture-perfect family to reveal a dark world of secrets, lies, and a son's crippling drug addiction.  This week, we unravel the tragic story of the Fisher family, a case that took nearly two decades to solve and left a trail of devastation in its wake, including the death of Emily's own son. This is a southern gothic tale of how privilege and wealth are no match for the destructive power of addiction. If you’d like to hear the episode on Jack Wheeler from October 2023, you can find that here. Thank you to this week’s sponsors! Start the new year off on a great foot with your kids! Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at Greenlight.com/moms. For 50% off your order, head to DailyLook.com and use code MOMS50. Right now IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home! Whatever challenges you’re facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as $0, depending on their plan. Visit GrowTherapy.com/MOMS today to get started. Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Subscribe to our youtube Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteriespodcast Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

*Subscribe to our youtube!* For decades, desperate parents have sent their struggling teens to residential treatment programs that promise to help them overcome everything from behavioral issues to substance abuse. But for many, these programs deliver years of trauma and abuse, rebranded as discipline and growth. This week, we are pulling back the curtain on the billion-dollar Troubled Teen Industry. What happens when a parent’s last resort becomes a child’s worst nightmare? We explore the slick marketing and manipulative tactics used by these facilities to lure in terrified families, and the shocking reality of what goes on behind closed doors. From isolation and psychological abuse to a system where compliance is mistaken for healing, we uncover the repeatable, cult-like model that defines many of these programs. We also discuss the tragic case of Taylor Goodridge, a 17-year-old who died at a Utah facility just days after her arrival, and the fight for justice and regulation that continues today, championed by survivors like Paris Hilton. This is a look into an industry that operates in the shadows, and the fight to bring it into the light. Thank you to this week's sponsors! Start the new year off on a great foot with your kids! Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at Greenlight.com/moms. For 50% off your order, head to DailyLook.com and use code MOMS50. Right now IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text MOMS to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home! Whatever challenges you’re facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as $0, depending on their plan. Visit GrowTherapy.com/MOMS today to get started. Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode was originally released as a bonus for subscribers and is now available on the main feed for all listeners. If you want to get more episodes like this (three bonus episodes per month) check-out patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast, or Apple + and Spotify's Bonus episodes. Enjoy! Be back on January 1st for a brand-new episode!   From the original episode: If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a Disney cast member, a Craigslist ad, an Orlando Magic cheerleader, and a man with a toe-related fantasy collide inside a perfectly normal Orlando townhouse, well, you might also be from Florida. Because the rest of the world is not ready for this story. In this episode, we break down a Craigslist job offer that absolutely should not exist, a man named Phil who is deeply committed to Bassnectar, a woman named Carolyn who deserved hazard pay just for walking through the door, a safe word that is somehow “Connecticut,” and a toe-removal attempt set up with the precision of a DIY disaster. It is a story that is somehow both deranged and oddly sincere, which is to say: perfectly Florida. And since we were born and raised in the Sunshine State, we feel uniquely qualified to bring you these stories. All month long we’re recapping episodes of It’s Florida, Man over on our bonus feed as part of Florida Women Bonus Month. Thanks for listening, and remember: if a man asks you to bring a witness to a toe-removal appointment, perhaps reconsider your life choices. From Max: A broke Orlando man responds to a Craigslist ad offering $4,000 to fulfill a stranger’s lifelong fantasy. Luckily there’s a safe word. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we are revisiting our most downloaded episode of the year: the heartbreaking case of Lauren Burk. In March 2008, the brutal murder of this 18-year-old Auburn University student shattered a community and left a family searching for answers in a case that is as tragic as it is controversial. Lauren was a bright, promising freshman who was abducted at gunpoint from her campus, robbed, and shot before she bravely jumped from a moving car in a desperate attempt to save her life. Her story is one of unimaginable terror, but also of incredible courage in her final moments.  The investigation led police to Courtney Lockhart, an Iraq War veteran whose life had taken a dark turn after returning home. His confession painted a disturbing picture of a man pushed to the edge, but was it the full story? We dive into the complexities of the case, from the initial crime to the controversial trial that followed, where a judge overrode a unanimous jury recommendation for life in prison and sentenced Lockhart to death. Join us as we take a second look at the case that resonated so deeply with our listeners. We explore the devastating impact of Lauren’s murder, the questions surrounding her killer's mental state, and the unique legal proceedings that still spark debate today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1908 Glasgow, 82-year-old Marion Gilchrist was brutally murdered in her home during a ten-minute window while her maid was out. There was no forced entry, and the only thing missing was a single diamond brooch. The police quickly zeroed in on Oscar Slater, a German-Jewish immigrant with a gambling habit, and built a case around him with flimsy evidence and coached witnesses. Despite a weak case, Slater was convicted and sentenced to death, a sentence later commuted to life in prison. After a nearly 20-year fight for justice, championed by Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Slater was finally exonerated. But the question remains: if Slater didn't do it, who did? New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #MomsAndMysteries #OscarSlater #MarionGilchrist #UnsolvedMysteries #HistoricalCrime #WrongfulConviction #Scotland Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The polished facade of NXIVM has shattered, and in Part 2, we take you inside the federal courthouse where its leaders finally face justice. We explore the harrowing trial of Keith Raniere, built on the brave testimony of the women who escaped his control. From the secret master-slave sorority known as DOS to the shocking details of branding, blackmail, and psychological abuse, the full truth of the cult is laid bare. We cover the verdicts, the sentences, and the downfall of the man who called himself “Vanguard.” But what happens after the headlines fade? To discuss the case’s complex legacy, we are joined by a special guest: Natalie, the host of the popular podcast “Allison After NXIVM.” She shares her unique insights into the story, the people involved, and the long road to recovery for those who lived through it. Find more information about "Allison After NXIVM" here. #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #momsandmysteries #nxivm #keithraniere #trial #dos #alisonafternxivm #justice #cult New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

*Part 2 is out on Thursday, December 18th* Imagine thinking you signed up for a self-improvement course, only to wake up inside a secret hierarchy where starvation, blackmail, and branding were sold as empowerment. This is the story of NXIVM, the so-called leadership program that unraveled into one of the most disturbing criminal enterprises in modern history. In Part 1, we pull back the curtain on how Keith Raniere, a man who called himself "Vanguard," and his partner Nancy Salzman built a multi-million dollar empire on the promise of human potential. We explore the early days of their Executive Success Programs (ESP), the manipulative techniques used to lure in thousands of followers—including celebrities and business leaders—and the slow, deliberate process of indoctrination. How did a group that started with corporate retreats and PowerPoint presentations devolve into a destructive cult? We trace the origins of the abuse, the creation of a master-slave sorority, and the psychological tactics that kept its members loyal, even as the darkness closed in. #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #momsandmysteries #nxivm #keithraniere #cult #nancysalzman #selfhelp #esp #vanguard New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday !Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1931 Liverpool, a bizarre phone call sent William Herbert Wallace on a wild goose chase across the city. The caller, a man named "Qualtrough," had left a message for him at his chess club, asking him to meet at a non-existent address. When William returned home, he found his wife, Julia, brutally murdered in their parlor. The house was locked, there were no signs of forced entry, and the timeline seemed impossibly tight.Police immediately suspected William, believing the phone call was a ruse to create a fake alibi. He was quickly arrested, tried, and convicted, only to have the verdict overturned in an unprecedented move by the Court of Criminal Appeal. For nearly a century, the case has remained one of Britain’s greatest unsolved mysteries. Was William a cunning killer who almost got away with it, or an innocent man framed by a phantom? New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #MomsAndMysteries #JuliaWallace #UnsolvedMysteries #HistoricalCrime #Liverpool #LockedRoomMystery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When police responded to a domestic dispute call at a Victorian home in Louisville, Kentucky, they stumbled into a house of horrors. The fight between lovers Jeffrey Mundt and Joseph Banis led them to a gruesome discovery in the basement: the body of James Carroll, who had been stabbed and shot, his body hidden inside an airtight container buried beneath the floor. The investigation unraveled a dark story of a love triangle fueled by meth, jealousy, and counterfeit cash. As Jeffrey and Joseph turned on each other, each painting the other as the mastermind, detectives were left to piece together what really happened. Was it a robbery gone wrong, a crime of passion, or something even more sinister? This is the twisted story of a murder that exposed the dark secrets hidden within a historic home. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #MomsAndMysteries #JamesCarroll #Louisville #KentuckyCrime #Murder #LoveTriangle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2012, a 16-year-old girl in a quiet Dutch town made a simple mistake: she accidentally set her Facebook birthday party invitation to “public.” Within days, the invite went viral, attracting tens of thousands of RSVPs and becoming known online as “Project X Haren.” While the birthday girl and her family fled, thousands of strangers descended on the small town, ready to party. What started as a digital joke quickly spiraled into a real-world riot. Fireworks, flipped cars, and clashes with police turned the night into a scene of chaos that made international headlines. This is the unbelievable true story of how one click of a button unleashed the power of the internet and turned a quiet Sweet 16 into one of the most infamous parties in European history. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueStory #Podcast #ProjectXHaren #FacebookFail #Viral #Riot #Netherlands #SocialMedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1998, a polite and oddly courteous criminal known as "Roofman" began a crime spree across nine states, targeting mostly McDonald's restaurants. Jeffrey Manchester, a former Army paratrooper, would cut holes in the roofs of buildings, wait for employees to arrive, and then rob them at gunpoint—after politely telling them to grab a jacket before locking them in the freezer. After being caught and sentenced to 45 years, he escaped prison by hiding under a truck.For six months, he lived inside the walls of a Toys "R" Us in Charlotte, North Carolina, surviving on baby food and entertaining himself with remote-controlled cars. He even started a new life, complete with a girlfriend and a church community who knew him as "John Zorn." This is the unbelievable true story of the criminal who turned a toy store into his personal hideout and the bizarre double life he led before his final capture. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #JeffreyManchester #Roofman #RooftopRobber #ToysRUs #CharlotteNC #CrimeSpree #PrisonEscape Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In September 1999, 17-year-old Nicole Sanchez was a talented singer with a contagious laugh and big dreams of becoming a veterinary assistant. But her life was brutally cut short by her 23-year-old boyfriend, Lionel Villarreal, in a horrifying act of intimate partner violence. After just four months of dating, Nicole had decided to end the controlling relationship. That weekend, she was shot and killed. Lionel claimed it was a suicide, but the evidence told a different story. The single gunshot wound was a deliberate, humiliating act of aggression. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to what the court called "life," but in Michigan, that could mean parole in just 20 years. For over two decades, Nicole's family has lived with the devastating loss, while her killer has been planning his future. This is the story of a vibrant young life stolen too soon and the relentless fight her sister has waged to keep a dangerous man behind bars and to ensure that Nicole's story is never forgotten. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #NicoleSanchez #JusticeForNicole #DomesticViolence #DatingViolence #SaginawMichigan #LionelVillarreal #EndDV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Thanksgiving Day 2018, 29-year-old mother Kelsey Berreth vanished from her Woodland Park, Colorado home, leaving behind her 1-year-old daughter and a batch of unbaked cinnamon rolls. The last trace of her was a bizarre series of texts and a phone pinging 800 miles away in Idaho. Her fiancé, Patrick Frazee, claimed they had broken up and that she had left voluntarily. But Kelsey's family knew the devoted mother would never abandon her child. As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a story far more sinister than a simple disappearance. The investigation led them to Krystal Lee Kenney, a nurse from Idaho with a secret, decade-long relationship with Patrick. Her chilling confession revealed a gruesome murder plot, a brutal crime scene cleanup, and a calculated cover-up. Patrick had bludgeoned Kelsey to death with a baseball bat while their infant daughter was in the next room, all because she refused to give him full custody. This is the story of a holiday turned horrific, a secret affair that ended in murder, and the relentless pursuit of justice for Kelsey.New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #KelseyBerreth #PatrickFrazee #ColoradoCrime #ThanksgivingMurder #KrystalLeeKenney #DomesticViolence #JusticeForKelsey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine hearing sirens outside your home, stepping onto your porch, and being shot by police—all because of a prank call from a thousand miles away. This is exactly what happened to Andrew Finch in Wichita, Kansas, in a tragic "swatting" incident that shocked the nation .In this Thursday episode, we're diving into shocking stories where pranks, online feuds, and marketing stunts spiraled into tragedies. From a $1.50 Call of Duty bet that led to a fatal swatting, to teens throwing a sandbag from an overpass that killed a passenger, to a YouTube stunt where a girlfriend shot her boyfriend through a book—these cases remind us that pranks can have deadly consequences. We also cover the Aqua Teen Hunger Force bomb scare that shut down Boston in 2007, and more stories that prove sometimes, a joke isn't funny at all. These are cautionary tales about the dangers of chasing views, seeking revenge, and underestimating consequences. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #PranksGoneWrong #Swatting #AndrewFinch #YouTubePranks #OnlineDanger #DeadlyPranks #TrueCrimeThursday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel Brophy was a beloved chef and culinary instructor at the Oregon Culinary Institute in Portland. At 63 years old, he was passionate about teaching and loved by his students. On June 2, 2018, Daniel was found shot to death inside his classroom—murdered in the place he loved most. The investigation led police to an unlikely suspect: his wife, Nancy Crampton Brophy, a romance novelist.Years before Daniel's murder, Nancy had written an essay titled "How to Murder Your Husband." In it, she detailed various methods of killing a spouse and getting away with it. Investigators discovered Nancy had purchased gun parts online, taken out life insurance policies on Daniel, and her car was captured on surveillance footage near the culinary school the morning of the murder. In May 2022, Nancy Crampton Brophy was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.This case is a chilling reminder that sometimes, truth is stranger—and darker—than fiction. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #DanielBrophy #NancyBrophy #HowToMurderYourHusband #Portland #Oregon #TruthStrangerThanFiction #RomanceNovelist #ChefMurder Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain vanished in May 2024, her family was devastated. Nikki was born in a refugee camp in Southeast Asia and came to the United States with her family, settling in Seattle. She was a beautiful, bubbly woman who loved to laugh and was always her family's biggest cheerleader. She had a forgiving nature and brought joy to everyone around her. After Nikki disappeared, her husband Tyler McCain publicly pleaded for her safe return. At a March 2025 press conference, Tyler stood next to Nikki's sisters and FBI agents, asking for the public's help to find her. But in August 2025, everything changed. Tyler was arrested and charged with Nikki's murder.Prosecutors allege he had a motive to silence Nikki—one that involves a disturbing history and a case that was dismissed when Nikki disappeared. This episode covers Nikki's life, her disappearance, and the shocking developments that led to Tyler's arrest.Nikki is still missing. A $30,000 reward is being offered for information leading to her location. If you have information about Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain, please contact the Shasta County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit at (530) 245-6135 or mcu@shastacounty.gov. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #NikkiCheng #California #DomesticViolence #MissingPerson #TylerMcCain #JusticeForNikki Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1969, Jane Louise Mixer, a 23-year-old law student at the University of Michigan, was trying to catch a ride home to tell her parents she was engaged to her boyfriend Phil. Jane was an exceptional student—top 10% of her high school class, honor student, debate team member, cheerleader, and voted "best all around girl." She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1968 and enrolled in law school, where she was one of the only female students in the entire program. But Jane never made it home that day. She was found shot and strangled in a cemetery, her belongings eerily arranged beside her.For over 30 years, Jane's case sat frozen in time. Many believed John Norman Collins, a serial killer convicted of murdering another Michigan student, was responsible.But in 2001, DNA testing pointed to a different man: Gary Leiterman, a 62-year-old former nurse.In 2005, Gary was convicted of Jane's murder based on DNA evidence, handwriting analysis, and the fact that he owned a .22 caliber gun. But the conviction was highly controversial. Three scientists later argued that the DNA evidence was likely the result of lab contamination. Gary maintained his innocence until his death in prison on July 4, 2019, at age 76. Was Gary Leiterman truly guilty? Or was Jane Mixer's real killer never caught? New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #JaneMixer #Michigan #UniversityOfMichigan #DNAEvidence #WrongfulConviction #ColdCase Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On an ordinary Tuesday morning in October 2018, Cheryl Coker vanished from her suburban Ohio home. Her SUV was found abandoned in a Kroger parking lot with her purse and phone still inside. Cheryl—a bubbly, talkative mom and grandmother who never met a stranger—had not left on her own. For a year and a half, her family searched desperately for answers. Then, in April 2020, her remains were discovered in a wooded area not far from her home. Police believe Cheryl was murdered inside her house before being taken to the location where she was found. The only person of interest? Her husband, Bill Coker. This case explores the heartbreaking disappearance and murder of a devoted mother who was on the verge of starting a new chapter in her life. Despite strong suspicions and an active investigation, no charges have been filed. Cheryl's family is still waiting for justice. If you have any information, please contact the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 1-800-282-3784. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #CherylCoker #UnsolvedMurder #Ohio #JusticeForCheryl #RiversideOhio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices