Episodes

In 1988, Russell Stager was shot and killed in Durham, North Carolina. His wife Barbara claimed that Russ kept a gun under his pillow for safety and what resulted was a tragic accident. As investigators dug deeper though, Barbara’s past came back to haunt her. Support us on Patreon Today’s snacks: Christmas swig cookies and holiday chocolate chip cookies Sources: Before He Wakes, by Jerry Bledsoe https://loriajohnston.medium.com/barbara-stager-shots-in-the-dark-41969347674b https://murderped...

Sarah Widmer was found dead in the bathtub of her Ohio home just 114 days after marrying her husband, Ryan. What initially appeared to be a tragic accident quickly turned into a complicated legal battle involving disputed forensic evidence, questionable investigative decisions, and three separate trials. This case raises enduring questions about science in the courtroom, jury conduct, and whether the justice system ultimately got it right. Today's snacks: Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, Nor...

Kelley Clayton, a 35-year-old mother of two, was brutally murdered in her Caton, New York home on September 28, 2015. The attack appeared staged as a home invasion, but nothing was stolen and there was no forced entry. One of Kelley’s children witnessed part of the horrific scene, helping lead investigators toward the truth. As evidence mounted, a murder-for-hire plot emerged involving her husband, Thomas Clayton, and a disgruntled former employee. The case revealed secret affairs, financial mot...

Newlyweds Anni Hindocha and Shrien Dewani jetted off to South Africa for their honeymoon after their traditional Indian wedding when disaster struck. After dining in one of the more dangerous outlying townships, the taxi they were in was carjacked. Shrien and the taxi driver escaped unharmed but Anni was shot and killed. But as investigators began to untangle what happened that night, nothing about the carjacking made sense — and attention quickly shifted to the people closest to Anni. Rumors, c...

On a rainy evening in 2014, firefighters responded to a blaze at Carmela Knight’s home in the quiet suburb of Pickering. As neighbors watched in disbelief, Carmela’s family rushed to the scene, only to learn that David Knight and their two sons were safe at hockey practice, but a body had been found inside the garage.In the days that followed, loved ones feared the worst. And as investigators began piecing together the events of that night, early clues raised troubling questions. David insisted ...

Crystal and David Brame had been married for eleven years when the tension in their home reached a breaking point. As David’s career in law enforcement advanced, Crystal found it harder to seek help and even harder to escape his control. In February 2003, she filed for divorce and moved out of their home, determined to start over. But in the weeks that followed, emotions ran high—and what happened next would leave an entire community reeling. Today's snack: Freckles Support us on Patreon

Crystal and David Brame had been married for eleven years when the tension in their home reached a breaking point. As David’s career in law enforcement advanced, Crystal found it harder to seek help and even harder to escape his control. In February 2003, she filed for divorce and moved out of their home, determined to start over. But in the weeks that followed, emotions ran high—and what happened next would leave an entire community reeling. Today's snack: JoJo's Cookies Listen to part 2 on Pa...

On the evening of May 20, 2015, a frantic 911 call came in from a jewelry store in Goose Creek, South Carolina. The caller, Michael Colucci, told dispatchers that his wife, Sara, had tried to take her own life, and that he was performing CPR. When first responders arrived, they found Sara outside the couple’s business, The Gold Standard, lying near a hose that had been looped over a fence. Michael said she had used it to hang herself. But investigators quickly noticed that parts of his story did...

When Linda Edelman vanished after telling friends she planned to leave her powerful husband, suspicion quickly turned toward Robert — a ruthless businessman with everything to lose. As the FBI stepped in, a web of deceit, money, and control began to unravel, revealing just how far Robert would go to keep his secrets. Today's snack: Cane River Pecan Company Peanut Brittle Popcorn (thanks Teresa!) Support us on Patreon Sources Schutze, Jim. My Husband's Trying to Kill Me!: A True Story of Mone...

Dr. Anthony Pignataro was a Buffalo-area plastic surgeon with a taste for luxury and a reputation for confidence (some might say arrogance). He claimed to be an innovator, even creating a bizarre “snap-on hairpiece” that bolted directly to the skull. But beneath the image of success was a trail of questionable surgeries, mounting complaints, and growing chaos at home. Become a partner in crime Today's snack: Sponge candy

Dr. Anthony Pignataro was a Buffalo-area plastic surgeon with a taste for luxury and a reputation for confidence (some might say arrogance). He claimed to be an innovator, even creating a bizarre “snap-on hairpiece” that bolted directly to the skull. But beneath the image of success was a trail of questionable surgeries, mounting complaints, and growing chaos at home. Listen to part 2 now on Patreon Today's snack: Cinnamon pecan straws (thanks Teresa!) Sources: Rule, Ann. Last dance, last ch...

Andrew and Robert Kissel grew up just four years apart in a family where wealth and competition went hand in hand. Their father, Bill, was a relentless businessman who demanded success from his sons, and both carried that drive into adulthood in very different ways. Rob built his career as a prominent investment banker, while Andrew often looked for shortcuts in the world of real estate. In 1989, Rob married Nancy Keeshin, a spirited and impulsive woman whose personality contrasted sharply with ...

Andrew and Robert Kissel grew up just four years apart in a family where wealth and competition went hand in hand. Their father, Bill, was a relentless businessman who demanded success from his sons, and both carried that drive into adulthood in very different ways. Rob built his career as a prominent investment banker, while Andrew often looked for shortcuts in the world of real estate. In 1989, Rob married Nancy Keeshin, a spirited and impulsive woman whose personality contrasted sharply with ...

When Betty Fran Smith vanished in 1991, her family was desperate for answers. Recovering from a broken hip, it seemed unlikely she could have left home to travel as her new husband claimed. Determined to find the truth, Betty Fran’s sister and daughter began digging into John David Smith III—and uncovered disturbing secrets from his past. What followed was a search for justice that would stretch across decades and state lines. Today's snack: Peanut butter stuffed brownies Support us on Patreon ...

After the sudden loss of his first wife, Irish widower Jason Corbett hired Molly Martens to help care for his two young children. In time, Molly became more than just an au pair, and Jason eventually brought her and the children with him to North Carolina to start a new life together. But in the middle of a summer night, a desperate 911 call shattered that picture of domestic stability. What unfolded inside the family’s home would lead to years of courtroom drama, international headlines, and la...

After the sudden loss of his first wife, Irish widower Jason Corbett hired Molly Martens to help care for his two young children. In time, Molly became more than just an au pair, and Jason eventually brought her and the children with him to North Carolina to start a new life together. But in the middle of a summer night, a desperate 911 call shattered that picture of domestic stability. What unfolded inside the family’s home would lead to years of courtroom drama, international headlines, and la...

Betty and Dan Broderick were a golden couple in San Diego, CA. He, a powerful attorney; she, a devoted, fun-loving wife and mother of four. But when Dan turned 40 he became a cliche. He bought a Corvette, fell for his much younger legal assistant, and left Betty after 16 years of marriage. Their bitter six-year divorce became the most contentious in San Diego County history, a battle over money, custody, and control. On November 5, 1989, it ended in shocking violence when Betty walked into the c...

In March 1998, 23-year-old Amy Lynn Bradley disappeared from a cruise ship while traveling with her family in the Caribbean. Despite rigorous searches, international investigations, and reported sightings in the years that followed, Amy has never found. In this episode, we look at her disappearance, the main theories, and the questions that remain unanswered. Become a Partner in Crime. Today's snack: Brown butter chocolate chip cookies (with 1 cup M&M's added) Sources: Cindelshade, Lyra . Th...

Betty and Dan Broderick were a golden couple in San Diego, CA. He, a powerful attorney; she, a devoted, fun-loving wife and mother of four. But when Dan turned 40 he became a cliche. He bought a Corvette, fell for his much younger legal assistant, and left Betty after 16 years of marriage. Their bitter six-year divorce became the most contentious in San Diego County history, a battle over money, custody, and control. On November 5, 1989, it ended in shocking violence when Betty walked into the c...

Betty and Dan Broderick were a golden couple in San Diego, CA. He, a powerful attorney; she, a devoted, fun-loving wife and mother of four. But when Dan turned 40 he became a cliche. He bought a Corvette, fell for his much younger legal assistant, and left Betty after 16 years of marriage. Their bitter six-year divorce became the most contentious in San Diego County history, a battle over money, custody, and control. On November 5, 1989, it ended in shocking violence when Betty walked into the c...

Carol Kennedy was a therapist, an artist, and a devoted mother of two. In July 2008, just five weeks after her divorce was finalized, she was brutally bludgeoned to death in her Prescott, Arizona home. Suspicion quickly turned to her ex-husband, Steve DeMocker — a charismatic but financially troubled stockbroker who was deep in debt. With no eyewitnesses, no murder weapon, and a complex trail of circumstantial evidence, prosecutors faced an uphill battle. What followed was a years-long legal sag...

Carol Kennedy was a therapist, an artist, and a devoted mother of two. In July 2008, just five weeks after her divorce was finalized, she was brutally bludgeoned to death in her Prescott, Arizona home. Suspicion quickly turned to her ex-husband, Steve DeMocker — a charismatic but financially troubled stockbroker who was deep in debt. With no eyewitnesses, no murder weapon, and a complex trail of circumstantial evidence, prosecutors faced an uphill battle. What followed was a years-long legal sag...

In July 2008, in the quiet suburb of Cary, North Carolina, Nancy and Brad Cooper appeared to have it all: two beautiful daughters, a picture-perfect life, and a circle of close-knit friends. But behind closed doors, their marriage was unraveling. When Nancy vanished after a routine morning run, the investigation revealed cracks in their carefully constructed world—and left a trail of questions that still linger. Support us on Patreon. Today's snack: White Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

In July 2008, in the quiet suburb of Cary, North Carolina, Nancy and Brad Cooper appeared to have it all: two beautiful daughters, a picture-perfect life, and a circle of close-knit friends. But behind closed doors, their marriage was unraveling. When Nancy vanished after a routine morning run, the investigation revealed cracks in their carefully constructed world—and left a trail of questions that still linger. Listen to part 2 today Today's snack: Dewey's Bakery cookies Sources: Lamb, Aman...