Shows
Truer CrimeCelisia Introduces High Strange S2High Strange Season 2 goes deeper into real encounters, credible witnesses, and the explanations that never seem to stick. More firsthand accounts. Bigger moments. And more times where the official story starts to wobble. This isn’t about believing everything. It’s about following the story until it actually makes sense… or until it gets too strange to ignore. New season. Same curiosity. Same skepticism. Still probably not a weather balloon.Listen to all episodes now on https://tenderfoot.tv/plus/. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.auda...
2026-02-1907 min
Truer CrimeWhen True Crime Becomes A Place You Can VisitTrue crime is usually something we consume at a distance, through headlines, documentaries, podcasts. But what happens when those stories are tied to real places you can stand in front of?
In this bonus episode, I’m joined by Adam Paul Levine, the founder of Graveline Tours, a Los Angeles–based company that takes people through the city’s most infamous crime scenes in restored vintage funeral limousines.
On its surface, true crime tourism can feel unsettling. But Adam and I quickly find ourselves asking the same questions: why are we...
2026-01-261h 03
Truer CrimeDid the Government Kill Martin Luther King Jr.?Most of us were taught a simple version of what happened to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: a lone gunman, a closed case, a tragic end.
This episode of Truer Crime looks beyond that familiar story. Drawing on historical records, testimony, and a little-known 1999 civil trial brought by the King family, it examines the years of surveillance, intimidation, and unanswered questions surrounding King’s assassination.
Originally released one year ago, this episode feels newly relevant today, not because it offers easy answers, but because it asks what happens when na...
2026-01-191h 07
Truer CrimeJennifer Kirk + Sue Sue Norton Part 2Two years after Jennifer Kirk was found dead on former mayor Clement Richards Sr.’s property, another woman was discovered at that same address: 30-year-old Susanna “Sue Sue” Norton, who was in a relationship with one of Richard's sons. To this day, no one has been charged in connection to her murder.
Today’s episode examines how this could happen again on the same property, the questions still surrounding Sue Sue’s death, and the deeply broken systems that continue to fail Indigenous women and girls across Alaska.
Want early acce...
2026-01-1231 min
Truer CrimeJennifer Kirk Part 1In the small town of Kotzebue, Alaska, police responded to a call at the mayor’s property and found 25-year-old Jennifer Kirk dead, a rifle beside her and a bullet wound under her chin. Within days, her death was ruled a suicide.
But many in the community saw something different: a history of domestic violence involving all three of the mayor’s sons, unanswered questions at the scene, and an investigation closed almost as soon as it began. Today’s episode examines a powerful family, a rushed case, and a community still searching for the tr...
2026-01-0538 min
Truer CrimeNatalee Holloway Part 2Within days of Natalee Holloway’s disappearance, her mother suspected Joran van der Sloot was involved. What she couldn’t have known was just how much, and for how long, Joran would manipulate the truth. For nearly two decades, he cycled through lies, near-confessions, and sensational claims that kept Natalee’s story in the headlines while dragging her family through hell.
In Part 2, we follow the Holloways through the maze of shifting stories, the scams and false leads, a shocking murder in Peru, and finally, after eighteen years, the shocking revelation that broke the case w...
2025-12-0832 min
Truer CrimeNatalee Holloway Part 1Eighteen-year-old Natalee Holloway vanished during a senior trip to Aruba, a disappearance that captured international attention and reshaped the island overnight. Her family fought for answers with a level of visibility most grieving families could only dream of. But more attention doesn’t always mean more truth.
In Part 1 of our two-part deep dive, we revisit the night Natalee went missing, the investigation that unraveled almost immediately, and the media storm that turned her case into a global spectacle. This episode examines what the spotlight illuminated, and what it obscured, in a family’s desp...
2025-12-0144 min
Truer CrimeNext on Truer Crime: The Disappearance of Natalee HollowayIn May 2005, eighteen-year-old girl Natalee Holloway vanished in Aruba and became the center of a media storm that spiraled far beyond the island. Beneath the headlines was a family desperate for answers and a suspect whose shifting stories kept the truth just out of reach. This December we return to the beginning: the night out, the investigation, the media frenzy, and the forces that turned one family’s nightmare into one of the most controversial true crime cases of the last two decades.
Want early access to every episode, all at once? Tenderfoot+ subscribers ge...
2025-11-2102 min
Truer CrimeBehind the Footprint: Reporting Jeanie Childs’ StoryIn this bonus episode, I sit down with investigative reporter Jennifer Mayerle, the journalist behind the WCCO documentary Footprint to Murder. Jennifer spent years following Jeanie Childs’ case, building trust with Jeanie’s family and navigating the emotional and ethical challenges of reporting a story this complex.
We talk about what it was like to cover this case from the inside: the relationships behind the reporting, the tensions around forensic genetic genealogy, and how the footprint evidence shaped the investigation. We also get into the questions that still linger, and what it means to cent...
2025-11-1734 min
Truer CrimeJeanie Childs Part 2For more than 25 years, Jeanie’s case stayed unsolved. Investigators had fragments—a DNA profile appearing across key items, a set of bloody footprints—but not a name. Then, a new technology entered the picture with the potential to blow the whole case wide open. In Part 2, we follow the quiet breakthrough that put a suspect in focus, the messy, very human work of proving it, and the questions that still remain about privacy, power, and what “justice” really means for a grieving family.
Want early access to every episode, all at once? Tenderfoot+ subscriber...
2025-11-1035 min
Truer CrimeJeanie Childs Part 1In the Summer of 1993, a leak in a south Minneapolis high-rise led a caretaker to a horrifying discovery: 35-year-old Jeanie Childs, murdered inside her apartment. On the floor beside her, a haunting clue: a trail of bloody bare footprints. Today we start at the beginning of a decades-long search for answers, tracing Jeanie’s story, the evidence left behind, and the first threads investigators followed as they tried to uncover what really happened that night.
Want early access to every episode, all at once? Tenderfoot+ subscribers get the full case at the start of ea...
2025-11-0338 min
Truer CrimeFrom Court TV to TikTok — The Menendez EffectI’m going off the record with my co-producer, Olivia, to break down our Menendez Brothers series, from how the story evolved during production to what it reveals about our culture’s fascination with crime and punishment. We talk about the ethics of telling familiar stories, the lasting impact of media coverage, and the newest developments in the brothers’ case more than 30 years later.
Want early access to every episode, all at once? Tenderfoot+ subscribers get the full case at the start of each month—plus ad-free listening and exclusive content from over 30 shows. Sign up...
2025-10-2755 min
Truer CrimeThe Menendez Brothers Part 3Broadcast into millions of homes, the Menendez trial became something bigger than a murder case. It was television. Tabloid fodder. Even comedy material. But when trauma turns into spectacle, what gets lost? In Part Three, we trace how the case was flattened into a punchline, and why, 35 years later, it demands a different look.
Want early access to every episode, all at once? Tenderfoot+ subscribers get the full case at the start of each month—plus ad-free listening and exclusive content from over 30 shows. Sign up at tenderfootplus.com.
Fi...
2025-10-2044 min
True Crime Prevention PodcastScammed and Swindled: How A Financial Planner Stole Her Life Savings | Celisia StantonWhen Celisia Stanton fell victim to a financial scam, it changed her life forever. What started as a moment of misplaced trust quickly spiraled into a painful lesson about how easily anyone can be deceived. Now, Celisia is using her experience to educate others.In this episode of True Crime Prevention, host Paul DelPonte talks with Celisia about how the scam unfolded, what she learned from the experience, and how you can protect yourself from falling victim to similar crimes.Check out Celisia's podcast, Truer Crime https://geni.us/TruerCrimeMore about Celisia...
2025-10-1643 min
Truer CrimeThe Menendez Brothers Part 2At just 18 and 21, Erik and Lyle Menendez stood trial for killing their parents. To many, it seemed unfathomable: how could two privileged kids from Beverly Hills do something like this? When they finally spoke, the picture that emerged was darker and more complicated than anyone expected. In Part Two, we follow the trial that gripped the country, and the stories the brothers had kept hidden for years.
Want early access to every episode, all at once? Tenderfoot+ subscribers get the full case at the start of each month—plus ad-free listening and exclusive content fr...
2025-10-1341 min
Truer CrimeThe Menendez Brothers Part 1In the summer of 1989, wealthy media executive José Menendez and his wife, Kitty, were found dead inside their Beverly Hills home. The brutality of the crime was shocking enough, until the truth came out. Their killers weren’t intruders. They were their sons, Lyle and Erik. In Part One, we begin unraveling the story of […]
2025-10-0600 min
Truer CrimeThe Menendez Brothers Part 1In the summer of 1989, wealthy media executive José Menendez and his wife, Kitty, were found dead inside their Beverly Hills home. The brutality of the crime was shocking enough, until the truth came out. Their killers weren’t intruders. They were their sons, Lyle and Erik. In Part One, we begin unraveling the story of a family that looked perfect on the outside, but was breaking apart from within.
Want early access to every episode, all at once? Tenderfoot+ subscribers get the full case at the start of each month—plus ad-free listening and exclu...
2025-10-0641 min
Truer CrimeNobody Should Believe Me - Season 6Season 6 of Nobody Should Believe Me covers the extraordinary and tragic saga of the McDaniel family, a real-life Southern Gothic tale of Munchausen by Proxy that spans decades and has left untold damage in its wake.
For the past twelve years, Lisa McDaniel worked for The Guthy Jackson Foundation, a high-profile non-profit, dedicated to a rare disease called NMO (Neuromyelitis Optica), from which Lisa claims her son suffered.
But while Lisa appears to be a sweet Southern mom whose personal tragedy led to her heroic work, this image hides her dark history of abuse. How wa...
2025-10-0302 minTruer CrimeNext on Truer Crime: The Menendez BrothersIn 1989, Beverly Hills police found Hollywood executive José Menendez and his wife Kitty brutally murdered in their home. Their sons, Erik and Lyle, were charged with pulling the trigger. What followed was one of the most sensational trials of the 1990s, complete with abuse allegations, media mockery, and a nation convinced the brothers were nothing more than greedy rich kids.But decades later, new evidence and shifting cultural conversations are forcing a second look. Were the Menendez Brothers ruthless killers? Or survivors fighting for their lives?While you wait, make sure to keep up with us through o...
2025-10-0102 min
Truer CrimeFacing Death: A Conversation with Keith LaMarKeith LaMar has spent more than 30 years on death row for crimes he says he did not commit. With his execution date set for January 13, 2027, and his final legal options dwindling, Keith speaks candidly about betrayal by his own attorneys, the indifference of the courts, and why he believes the public may be his last chance at justice. But this is also a conversation about life—about what it means to hold onto your humanity, to love, and to create, even in a place designed to strip all of that away.
Referenced:
Th...
2025-09-2959 min
Truer CrimeKeith LaMar + The Lucasville Prison Riot Part 4In many true crime stories, the ending comes with the verdict: guilty, condemned, case closed. But for Keith LaMar, that moment marked the beginning of another story. For three decades, he has fought to keep living inside a system determined to end his life. This episode explores what survival looks like on death row, and […]
2025-09-2200 minTruer CrimeKeith LaMar + The Lucasville Prison Riot Part 4In many true crime stories, the ending comes with the verdict: guilty, condemned, case closed. But for Keith LaMar, that moment marked the beginning of another story. For three decades, he has fought to keep living inside a system determined to end his life. This episode explores what survival looks like on death row, and […]
2025-09-2200 min
Truer CrimeKeith LaMar + The Lucasville Prison Riot Part 4In many true crime stories, the ending comes with the verdict: guilty, condemned, case closed. But for Keith LaMar, that moment marked the beginning of another story. For three decades, he has fought to keep living inside a system determined to end his life. This episode explores what survival looks like on death row, and what it means to keep resisting in the shadow of an execution date.
Want early access to every episode, all at once? Tenderfoot+ subscribers get the full case at the start of each month—plus ad-free listening and exclusive co...
2025-09-2259 min
Truer CrimeKeith LaMar + The Lucasville Prison Riot Part 3Keith LaMar once admitted to murder. But when prosecutors accused him of ordering deaths in the Lucasville prison riot, he drew a line: this time, he said, he was innocent. In this episode, we return to the crime that put Keith behind bars, and follow the trial that would decide his fate. Want early access […]
2025-09-1500 min
Truer CrimeKeith LaMar + The Lucasville Prison Riot Part 3Keith LaMar once admitted to murder. But when prosecutors accused him of ordering deaths in the Lucasville prison riot, he drew a line: this time, he said, he was innocent. In this episode, we return to the crime that put Keith behind bars, and follow the trial that would decide his fate.
Want early access to every episode, all at once? Tenderfoot+ subscribers get the full case at the start of each month—plus ad-free listening and exclusive content from over 30 shows. Sign up at tenderfootplus.com.
Find all action items, so...
2025-09-1545 min
Truer CrimeKeith LaMar + The Lucasville Prison Riot Part 2For eleven days, turmoil gripped the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility. Hostages were trapped, negotiations collapsed, and the violence only grew. Inside those same prison walls, Keith LaMar was forced to witness horrors that would shape the rest of his life. This is the story of how the riot ended, and how Keith’s reckoning began. Want […]
2025-09-0800 min
Truer CrimeKeith LaMar + The Lucasville Prison Riot Part 2For eleven days, turmoil gripped the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility. Hostages were trapped, negotiations collapsed, and the violence only grew. Inside those same prison walls, Keith LaMar was forced to witness horrors that would shape the rest of his life. This is the story of how the riot ended, and how Keith’s reckoning began.
Want early access to every episode, all at once? Tenderfoot+ subscribers get the full case at the start of each month—plus ad-free listening and exclusive content from over 30 shows. Sign up at tenderfootplus.com.
Find all...
2025-09-0843 min
Truer CrimeKeith LaMar + The Lucasville Prison Riot Part 1On Easter Sunday in 1993, the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville erupted into chaos. Tensions between prisoners and staff had reached a breaking point, sparking one of the longest prison sieges in U.S. history. Over eleven days, nine inmates and one corrections officer would lose their lives. But what caused the riot? And for the hundreds trapped inside, what did it mean to survive it? Today’s episode kicks off a month-long exploration of the Lucasville uprising. An event that put all eyes on Ohio, and left one man reeling in its wake.
Wa...
2025-09-0131 minTruer CrimeWomen + Crime: The Cassie Ventura Case and Sean “Diddy” CombsCelisia joins Meghan Sachs on Women + Crime to unpack the Cassie Ventura case and the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. Together, they explore the power dynamics at play, the impact of the MeToo era, and the bigger questions about justice and accountability when the accused is one of the most powerful men in music. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2025-08-271h 04Truer CrimeNext on Truer Crime: 'If We Die, We Die'In April 1993, chaos erupted inside Ohio’s Lucasville prison. Nine prisoners and one guard never made it out alive. And when it was over, the state said Keith LaMar was responsible. He’s been on death row ever since, but insists the truth is more complicated. This September 1st, Truer Crime tells his story in a four-part series. Here’s your first listen.
While you wait, make sure to keep up with us through our Truer Crime Substack Newsletter.Follow @truercrimepod on Instagram and X.Follow me @celisiastanton on Instagram and TikTok.Sign up for...
2025-08-2203 min
Truer CrimeOff the Record: Mollie Tibbetts and the Grief They HijackedWhat happens when the worst day of your life becomes a talking point on national TV?
In this special ‘Off the Record’ episode, we go deeper into the making of our two-part story on Mollie Tibbetts. I sit down with my co-producer Olivia Heusinkveld to unpack why we told this story, what didn’t make it into the episode, and the uncomfortable questions we wrestled with along the way. We talk about the political hijacking of Mollie’s story, the haunting parallels to Aiden Clark, and the reality behind the headlines about immigrants and crime.
2025-08-1846 min
Truer CrimeMollie Tibbetts Part 2For weeks, the search for Mollie Tibbetts consumed her small town, her face on posters, her name on everyone’s lips. And when investigators finally closed in on the man behind the wheel of the car seen circling Mollie on the night she vanished, justice for her family felt within reach.
But what unfolded next wasn’t the ending anyone had imagined. Instead, Mollie’s disappearance was thrust into the national spotlight, sweeping her family, her community, and even the country into a battle over who gets to tell her story and why.
...
2025-08-1143 min
Truer CrimeMollie Tibbetts Part 1In July of 2018, 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts went on a run in her small hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa. Something she’d done countless times before. But this time, she didn’t come home.
What followed was a search unlike anything this town had ever seen. Neighbors combed the fields. Reporters camped out at the local diner. And as the weeks stretched on without answers, the questions only grew louder: How does someone vanish without a trace in a town this small? Who could have seen something and stayed silent?
Today, we’re digging into the fi...
2025-08-0435 minTruer CrimeNext on Truer Crime: The Story That Was Taken From ThemA 20-year-old college student. A small-town summer night. A run she’d done a hundred times before.
When Mollie Tibbetts vanished from her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa, the search to find her captivated the nation. But the story didn’t end there. What began as a missing persons case soon became something much bigger, sweeping up not just a family and a town, but the country itself.
On Monday August 4th, Truer Crime returns with the first case of Season 3.
Want early access to epis...
2025-07-2801 minTruer CrimeTruer Crime Season 3: Vanished. Vilified. Voiceless.Vanished. Vilified. Voiceless.
This season on Truer Crime, every story has something in common: it’s not what it seems.
What starts as a disappearance, a tragedy, or a headline quickly reveals something deeper—about power, about prejudice, about who gets to be heard and who gets written off.
We’re digging into six gripping cases. Some you might recognize. Others you’ve never heard before. But every one of them will leave you questioning the stories we’re told and the stories we choose to believe.
Six months. Six cases. One show t...
2025-07-2102 minTruer CrimeTruer Crime Is Back—And We’re Going Deeper Than EverSeason 3 of Truer Crime launches this August—and this time, we’re doing things differently. Each month, we’ll spend multiple episodes digging into one case, with deeper stories, bigger arcs, and the kind of nuance and context you’ve told us you love.
After years of on-and-off releases, we’re finally bringing you a season built for consistency with new episodes most weeks for six months straight.
Season 3 starts August 4th. We can’t wait to share it with you.
In the meantime you can stay in the loop by following Truer Crime on Ins...
2025-06-3002 minTruer CrimeA Line Crossed: The Political Assassination in MinnesotaEarly Saturday morning, a man disguised as a police officer went door to door in the Minneapolis suburbs with a hit list. He shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. He murdered State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband. He nearly reached my own childhood senator, Ann Rest.This was a political assassination—and it happened in my hometown.In this bonus episode, Olivia and I walk through what we know, what we still don’t, and the questions we can’t stop asking: Could this have been prevented? Why was it so easy for the killer...
2025-06-2048 min
Truer CrimeMother, Martyr, Manipulator: Introducing 'Nobody Should Believe Me'In the first episode of Nobody Should Believe Me’s latest season, host Andrea Dunlop unpacks the origin story of Sophie Hartman — a young woman from Michigan who, by 25, had adopted two Zambian girls and written a memoir titled Crowns of Beauty. Andrea explores Sophie’s evangelical roots, the savior narrative she constructed, and what it reveals about identity, motherhood, and power.Andrea is joined by Chad Goller-Sojourner — a performance artist and transracial adoption coach — who helps contextualize the complexities at play.If this episode grabs you, good news: the full s...
2025-04-1044 min
Truer CrimeThe Susan Smith Case: Media, Motherhood, and the Lie That Shaped a ManhuntIn this special crossover, Celisia joins Andrea Dunlop — host of Nobody Should Believe Me — for a Casefiles conversation on the Susan Smith case. In 1994, Smith falsely claimed a Black man had kidnapped her two sons. The truth was far more chilling — and her lie launched a national manhunt.Together, Celisia and Andrea unpack the media frenzy, the racial panic Smith weaponized, and what this case reveals about bias, mental health, and motherhood. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy ...
2025-04-081h 11
Truer Crime“They Didn’t Write That Sh*t When He Was Alive” — Anthony DiMaria is Setting the Record Straight About the Manson MurdersThe Manson murders have been told and retold—but rarely like this. In this special bonus episode, Anthony DiMaria, nephew of victim Jay Sebring, reveals the story behind the headlines. Anthony shares what it’s like to grow up under the shadow of a crime that defined a generation, how the media erased Jay’s humanity, and why so much of what we “know” about the Manson Family is wrong. From his uncle’s groundbreaking influence on men’s style to the disturbing truths Anthony uncovered about the parole process, this is a story about family, justice, and fighting to reclaim the...
2025-04-0350 min
Nobody Should Believe MeCase Files 14: Susan Smith and the Impact of False Accusations with Celisia StantonIn this episode, Andrea is joined by Celisia Stanton, the host and creator of Truer Crime. Andrea and Celisia dive into the Susan Smith case, a story that garnered national attention in the 90s. Through talking about the case, they segue into the complex themes surrounding false accusations, media representation, racial bias, mental health, and the nature of violence. Andrea and Celisia discuss the dichotomy of having empathy for an offender, while also holding them accountable for their actions.***Listen to Truer Crime: https://truercrimepodcast.com/
2025-04-031h 11Nobody Should Believe MeCase Files 14: Susan Smith and the Impact of False Accusations with Celisia StantonIn this episode, Andrea is joined by Celisia Stanton, the host and creator of Truer Crime. Andrea and Celisia dive into the Susan Smith case, a story that garnered national attention in the 90s. Through talking about the case, they segue into the complex themes surrounding false accusations, media representation, racial bias, mental health, and the nature of violence. Andrea and Celisia discuss the dichotomy of having empathy for an offender, while also holding them accountable for their actions.***Listen to Truer Crime: https://truercrimepodcast.com/
2025-04-031h 11
The Career JigsawS3 E6 “From Passion to Podcasting: Celisia Stanton’s True(r) Crime Career Journey” Part 2In depth interview with Truer Crime Podcast host Celisia StantonIn this episode, host Celisia Stanton shares her unconventional path from a background in becoming a true crime podcaster. She discusses how her passion for storytelling and criminology led her to create the True(r) Crime podcast, blending her academic interests with her love for narrative. The episode offers insights into how personal passions can evolve into fulfilling careers, especially in the realm of podcasting.
2025-03-3128 minThe Career JigsawS3 E5 “From Passion to Podcasting: Celisia Stanton’s True(r) Crime Career Journey” Part 1In depth interview with Truer Crime Podcast Host Celisia StantonIn this episode, host Celisia Stanton shares her unconventional path from a background in becoming a true crime podcaster. She discusses how her passion for storytelling and criminology led her to create the True(r) Crime podcast, blending her academic interests with her love for narrative. The episode offers insights into how personal passions can evolve into fulfilling careers, especially in the realm of podcasting.
2025-03-3132 min
Truer CrimeTimothy CogginsIn October 1983, 23-year-old Timothy Coggins was brutally murdered in the small town of Sunny Side, Georgia. As his family grieved, they were met with menacing threats, warning them to back off from the investigation. Today’s episode covers a case that had stayed cold for more than three decades, spotlighting a family that never stopped hoping for justice.A full list of action items, sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/timothy-cogginsTruer Crime merch is here! Get yo...
2025-03-1747 min
Truer CrimeDeadly Small-Town Secrets: The Reporter Who Risked Everything for the Jeff Davis 8What happens when a journalist discovers a supposed "serial killer" case might actually be a web of police corruption, informant murders, and small-town cover-ups? In this riveting follow-up to our Jeff Davis 8 episode, I go one-on-one with investigative reporter Ethan Brown, who spent years untangling the deaths of eight women in rural Louisiana. Brown reveals shocking new details - from his strange friendship with the prime suspect to death threats he received while investigating. He explains why local law enforcement might have wanted these women silenced, the horrifying connection between all eight victims, and why the case remains unsolved...
2025-03-1340 min
Affirmative Murder344-The Narrative(With Celisia Stanton)This week Alvin is joined by special guest Celisia Stanton. She shares her journey into the world of true crime podcasting, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives in storytelling. She discusses the impact of George Floyd's murder on her work, the racial dynamics in true crime narratives, and the need to uncover untold stories that challenge mainstream media portrayals. The discussion also touches on historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and the complexities of their narratives, emphasizing the significance of context and perspective in understanding these stories. In this conversation, Alvin and Celisia delve into the complexities of...
2025-03-131h 03Affirmative Murder344-The Narrative(With Celisia Stanton)This week Alvin is joined by special guest Celisia Stanton. She shares her journey into the world of true crime podcasting, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives in storytelling. She discusses the impact of George Floyd's murder on her work, the racial dynamics in true crime narratives, and the need to uncover untold stories that challenge mainstream media portrayals. The discussion also touches on historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and the complexities of their narratives, emphasizing the significance of context and perspective in understanding these stories. In this conversation, Alvin and Celisia delve into the complexities of...
2025-03-131h 03Truer CrimeNext on Truer Crime: Blood at the Hanging TreeIn 1983, a 10-year-old boy hunting with his father made a horrifying discovery beneath what locals called the hanging tree.A Black man’s body, brutalized—stabbed in an X pattern that echoed the Confederate flag. A hate crime meant to send a message. A murder meant to stay buried.For 34 years, silence and fear kept the truth hidden. But when the past finally caught up to the present, a town was forced to reckon with its darkest secrets.This episode drops Monday, but if you...
2025-03-1302 min
Truer CrimeJeff Davis 8Between 2005 and 2009, eight women were murdered in Louisiana’s Jefferson Davis Parish. To this day, all eight murders remain unsolved. It’s a story that drew the attention of New Orleans private investigator and author Ethan Brown, who uncovered a pattern of police misconduct, scandal, and investigative failures. In today’s episode, we explore the mysteries of this small town, where the pursuit of justice has been thwarted at every turn, leaving a trail of frustration and unanswered questions.A full list of action items, sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are av...
2025-03-1041 minTruer CrimeEXCLUSIVE ALERT: Truer Crime Merch Is Here (But Not For Long)After countless requests, Truer Crime's first-ever merchandise has officially launched! In this special announcement, Celisia reveals the limited-edition t-shirt featuring an exclusive inside reference that only dedicated listeners will understand. This isn’t just a merch item—it’s a conversation starter, community badge, and direct support for the future of Truer Crime. But act fast—this isn't a permanent offer. When they're gone, they're gone for good. Visit https://shop.tenderfoot.tv/products/take-care to claim yours before they sell out. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https...
2025-03-0701 minTruer CrimeNext on Truer Crime: Eight Bodies, One Town's Darkest SecretIn a small Louisiana town, eight women vanished over five years—their bodies discovered in canals and along desolate roads. As investigators dismissed them as troubled women living high-risk lives, families and witnesses pieced together a far more disturbing pattern of corruption and cover-ups.When private investigator Ethan Brown arrived to research these murders, he found a community paralyzed by fear, crime scenes compromised beyond recognition, and witnesses who kept dying after speaking out. The deeper he dug, the more the official narrative unraveled, revealing a system where those meant to protect the vulnerable might be the ve...
2025-03-0602 min
Truer CrimeSonya IvanoffSonya Ivanoff was a rising star in Alaska’s small, tight-knit community. A talented basketball player with dreams of a college career, she had her whole future ahead of her—until she was found murdered at just 19 years old. In the isolated town of Nome, investigators were left with few clues and fewer answers, as the case spiraled into a labyrinth of conflicting leads. In today’s episode, we explore the haunting mystery behind Sonya’s death and the unsettling questions it raises about power and justice in America.A full list of action items, s...
2025-03-0342 min
Truer CrimeMaking Manson: Our Journey Through America's Most Infamous MurdersThe Manson murders have been covered endlessly, turned into sensational headlines, Hollywood blockbusters, and pop culture mythology. But how do you tell this story differently—without glorifying the killers or repeating the same tired narrative?In this special behind-the-scenes episode, I sit down with my co-producer Olivia Heusinkveld to unpack the making of our two-part series on the Manson murders. We reveal the creative choices we wrestled with, the moments that shocked us most, and the parts of the story that didn’t make it into the final episodes—but still haunt us.This...
2025-02-2737 minTruer CrimeNext on Truer Crime: Alaska's Most Shocking MurderNineteen-year-old Sonya Ivanoff vanished on a rainy night in Nome, Alaska—only to be found days later, executed with a single bullet to the head. The search for answers would unravel a betrayal so profound it shook the entire community to its core. As witnesses step forward and the evidence mounts, the investigation reveals a chilling truth about those sworn to protect.This episode drops Monday, but you can listen to the full story right now on Tenderfoot Plus. Get early access, ad-free listening, and exclusive content from over 30 shows. Head to tenderfootplus.com to...
2025-02-2702 min
Murder, She ToldInnocence on Death Row with Celisia StantonDo you ever listen to a true crime podcast and think "that's not quite right...?" Or even wonder about the parts that have been left out?
Enter Celisia Stanton, host of Tenderfoot TV’s Truer Crime and The Vanishing Point.
We sat down for a nuanced discussion on complex cases, ranging from the exoneration of Anthony Broadwater—wrongfully convicted in the 1980s of raping Alice Sebold, author of The Lovely Bones—to the ongoing fight for justice for Toforest Johnson, who remains on Alabama's death row for the 1995 murder of Jef...
2025-02-2557 min
Truer CrimeThe Manson Murders Part 2In the summer of 1969, California police hunted for the killers behind seven brutal deaths over two vicious nights. As the investigation zeroed in on Charles Manson and his cult followers, a shocking story began to emerge. What followed was a criminal trial like no other, marked by a revolving defense team, dramatic protests, and violent threats to witnesses. In this second installment of a two-part breakdown, we go deeper—and darker—to unravel the grisly murders that have haunted Americans for more than six decades.A full list of action items, sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to t...
2025-02-2458 min
Books With Your BestiesCelisia Stanton sits down with Emily and AshleySend us a textPlug in and listen to our get to know you interview with the host of Truer Crime, Celisia Stanton. How did being the victim of a crime help catapult her into the podcasting space and what else does she want us to know about her (other than how much she loves her cats). We feel incredibly lucky she chose to spend nearly an hour with us. Please follow her social media accounts and be sure to rate and review Truer Crime. Show Notes: Introduction Who is Celisia
2025-02-2131 minTruer CrimeNext on Truer Crime: After Helter Skelter—The Trial That Horrified A NationCharles Manson's hold over his followers led to unimaginable violence, but what happened after the murders reveals an even more disturbing story.Part two explores the manhunt, the sensational trial that transfixed the nation, and the uncomfortable questions it raised about influence, accountability, and American culture itself.The episode drops Monday, but if you can't wait, you don't have to. You can listen to the full episode right now on Tenderfoot Plus. Subscribers get early access, ad-free listening, and exclusive content—not just for Truer Crime, but for over 30 sh...
2025-02-2002 min
Truer CrimeThe Manson Murders Part 1Charles Manson is a name synonymous with terror. But after decades of coverage, is there still something we’re missing about one of the most notorious figures in American crime? What forces shape the narratives we think we know? In the first chapter of a two-part deep dive, we’ll examine the Manson murders through a fresh lens, uncovering details that have long gone unnoticed. Sometimes, the most familiar stories require the closest look.A full list of action items, sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's epis...
2025-02-1749 min
Truer CrimeFive Thousand Dollars for a Death Sentence: Inside the Toforest Johnson Investigation w/ Beth ShelburneIf you heard our last episode, you already know the case against Toforest Johnson is riddled with problems—key witnesses recanted, no physical evidence tied him to the crime, and even the original prosecutor now says he deserves a new trial. But there’s even more to this story.In this follow-up conversation, investigative journalist Beth Shelburne peels back the layers of the case and shares what she uncovered while making Earwitness. We go deep into the tangled web of unreliable witnesses, missed leads, and the political forces keeping Toforest behind bars. Beth also reveals disturbing new deta...
2025-02-1346 minTruer CrimeNext on Truer Crime: The Manson Murders—What’s Still Missing?Charles Manson is one of the most infamous figures in true crime history. His name alone conjures terror. But even after decades of coverage, is there still something we’re missing?In our latest deep dive, we’re peeling back the layers of myth, media spectacle, and misinformation surrounding the Manson murders. Part one drops Monday, but if you can’t wait, you don’t have to—you can listen to the full episode right now on Tenderfoot Plus. Subscribers get early access, ad-free listening, and exclusive content from over 30 shows. Head to TenderfootPlus.com to sig...
2025-02-1301 min
Truer CrimeToforest JohnsonIn 1995, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy William Hardy was shot behind a Birmingham hotel. At that moment, over ten witnesses placed Toforest Johnson at a nightclub across town. Despite this, Toforest has spent more than 26 years on death row for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. Today, many—including one of the jurors who originally convicted him— think the courts got it wrong. But how? With the support of investigative reporter Beth Shelburne, we explore the horrifying twists behind Toforest’s controversial conviction.A full list of action items, sources, resources mentioned, and photos...
2025-02-101h 06Truer CrimeNext on Truer Crime: The Innocent Man Alabama Wants to ExecuteToforest Johnson was sentenced to die for a crime he says he didn’t commit—without physical evidence or forensic proof. But that didn’t stop prosecutors from building a case against him. Next week, we dive into a case that has sparked nationwide controversy and left one man fighting for his life.Want to check out next week’s episode right now? Subscribe to Tenderfoot+ and get early access, ad-free listening, and other exclusive benefits on over 30 shows and 500 episodes. Visit tenderfootplus.com to learn more. To learn mo...
2025-02-0601 min
Truer CrimeAlan BergAlan Berg, a prolific talk radio personality, kept Denver listening. At a time when the airwaves still sounded mostly polite and apolitical, Alan was best known for his brash politics and fiery arguments with callers. All of this came to an end in the summer of 1984, when Alan was murdered outside of his home. Today’s episode is about the importance of speaking up, even against the forces that will do anything to keep us quiet.A full list of action items, sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in th...
2025-02-0348 minTruer CrimeNext on Truer Crime: A Murder That Shocked the AirwavesAlan Berg built his career challenging bigotry, calling out hypocrisy, and refusing to back down. But his boldness made him a target. Next week, we uncover the murder that shocked the nation—and the violent extremism behind it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2025-01-3102 min
Ice Cold CaseBonus: Truer Crime (with Celisia Stanton)Celisia Stanton joins Madison to talk about the second season of her true crime podcast, Truer Crime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2025-01-2939 min
Truer CrimeAlice Sebold / Anthony BroadwaterYou might know Alice Sebold from her bestselling novel “The Lovely Bones.” But before that, she became famous for her memoir “Lucky,” where she recounts the brutal assault she survived in a park near her college campus—and the trial that followed. The man convicted in that trial was Anthony Broadwater, who has maintained his innocence for more than 40 years. Today’s episode is about forgiveness, resilience, and the devastating consequences of getting it wrong.Please be aware that today’s episode contains references to sexual assault and physical violence.A full list...
2025-01-2758 min
Wedge LIVE!A different kind of true crime podcast with Celisia StantonCelisia Stanton is the Minneapolis-based host of a podcast called Truer Crime (season 2 out now). We talk about how she came to podcasting, her unique approach to the true crime genre, and how her experience as a crime victim informs her perspective. We also talk about how mutual friend PeggySue Imihy brought us together.
From truercrimepodcast.com:
"Do you ever listen to a true crime podcast and think 'that’s not quite right…?' Same. Crime stories are hard to ignore and even harder to forget. But the thing is... they’re stories. And getting a stor...
2025-01-2441 min
The Outlier PodcastTruer Crime: Rethinking Justice with Celisia StantonTrue crime is more than just storytelling—it shapes how we understand justice, victims, and the world around us. In this episode, we sit down with Celisia Stanton, the host of Truer Crime and The Vanishing Point via Tenderfoot TV, to discuss how her own experience as a crime victim led her to rethink the way these stories are told. With Truer Crime entering its highly anticipated second season, Celisia shares how she challenges traditional crime narratives, the biggest misconceptions about the justice system, and why ethical storytelling is more important than ever. We dive into some perplexing cases tha...
2025-01-2348 min
Something Was WrongS22 Ep13: Truer Crime with Celisia Stanton*Content Warning: scams, fraud, cons, crime, murder, mature themes, cults, abuse. Resources:Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: somethingwaswrong.com/resources Thank you so much to Celisia for speaking with us this week!! Follow and support Celisia and Truer Crime, below:Truer Crime’s website: https://truercrimepodcast.com/ Follow Celisia Stanton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celisiastanton/
Truer Crime on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truer-crime/id1565741041
2025-01-2343 min
Truer CrimeThe Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.On April 4, 1968, a single bullet ended the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The official story pinned the murder on James Earl Ray—a fugitive desperate to evade capture—but for decades, the King family has fought to expose a darker truth. In this episode, we uncover the buried evidence, tangled conspiracies, and a stunning 1999 civil trial that found the U.S. government complicit in King’s assassination. What does justice look like for one of history’s most celebrated heroes—and why is so much of this story still left untold?Please note that...
2025-01-201h 04
Truer CrimeLauren McCluskeyA student at the University of Utah, Lauren McCluskey began receiving threatening messages from her ex-boyfriend in the fall of 2018. For nearly three weeks, concerned for her safety, she reported this harassment to campus police again and again. Today’s episode is about the deadly cost of warnings ignored—and what happens when the people we trust to protect us fail to take action.Please be aware that today’s episode contains references to sexual assault and suicide.A full list of action items, sources, resources mentioned, and photos relate...
2025-01-2050 min
The Fall Line: True CrimeUnder the Lens: Celisia Stanton on Truer CrimeEver wondered if you weren't getting the whole story about some of the most complex historical and contemporary true-crime cases in the U.S.? So did Celisia Stanton. So she decided to find more. Check out Truer Crime: https://truercrimepodcast.com/ Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/ Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources Submit a case to The Fall Line: Submit a case here Join us on Patreon to fund t...
2025-01-1540 minTruer CrimeSneak Peek at Season 2This season, Truer Crime goes deeper than ever, unraveling 10 unforgettable stories that challenge everything you think you know about true crime. From high-profile cases to untold injustices, these episodes explore the human stories that lie beneath the surface. Get an exclusive sneak peek at what’s ahead and prepare for a season filled with gripping narratives, unexpected twists, and the kind of storytelling only Truer Crime can deliver. Season 2 premieres January 20th, 2025, with new episodes dropping every Monday. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/pr...
2025-01-1401 minTruer CrimeTruer Crime is Back—and We’re Throwing a Party!Join us for Podcasting “From Below”, a celebration of storytelling, justice, and connection! This FREE, live event marks the highly anticipated launch of Truer Crime Season 2 and the debut of Good Judy Productions, a new Minneapolis-based podcast studio dedicated to amplifying unheard voices.📍 Where: The Conn Theater at Plymouth Congregational Church (1900 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN)🕖 When: Thursday, January 23 | Doors open at 7 PM, event begins at 7:30 PMWhat to Expect:✨ A conversation with Celisia Stanton (Truer Crime) and Chris Stedman (Unread, Good Judy Productions) about the stories we t...
2025-01-1302 minTruer CrimeSeason 2 - Official TrailerTruer Crime is back for season 2 with 10 brand-new episodes you won't want to miss. From high-profile stories like the Manson Murders to lesser-known cases about everyday people — the victim of a modern lynching, a talk radio host gunned down in his driveway, a famous author and the man wrongfully convicted of her rape — each episode is a take on true crime you won't hear anywhere else. Be sure to catch new episodes available every Monday. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
2025-01-0701 min
Thanks For AskingUpdate: Behind The Scammer feat. Celisia StantonIn case you didn't know, we're still making episodes that are available exclusively on Nora's Substack! We wanted to give all of our listeners a little preview of our most recent episode! Consider joining Nora's Substack to listen to the rest of the episode, get additional bonus episodes, and ad-free episodes!_In June 2021, Isaiah Goodman, a financial adviser, was sentenced to 7 years in prison for defrauding clients out of $2.3 million dollars. One of the clients he stole from was Celisia Stanton, and in 2021 we interviewed...
2024-12-1725 min
Truer CrimeCulpable: Case Review ReturnsSometimes, the worst crimes happen when you’d least expect it. From the creators of Culpable comes Culpable: Case Review, an all new anthology of crime stories too shocking to miss. Featuring stories of a custody exchange gone wrong, a camping trip turned manhunt, and a missing persons investigation with an unbelievable twist. Five new cases available now. Listen to Culpable: Case Review lnk.to/culpableFollow @Culpablepodcast on Instagram for more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-05-2001 min
Truer CrimeTamla HorsfordFrom 1920 to 1940, no Black people lived in Forsyth County, Georgia. None. But by the time Tamla Horsford moved there with her family, a lot had changed. Or so it seemed, until Tamla was found dead in the Fall of 2018. Suddenly, a century’s worth of trauma resurfaced in the once all-white Georgia county. Today’s episode reveals what happens when a woman and a county collide.Please be aware that today’s episode references lynching and other racial violence. Please take care while listening.Action Items Related to Today’s Episod...
2023-12-2951 min
Truer CrimeSam MandezSam Mandez was just 14 years old when his elderly neighbor, Frida Winter, was found murdered in her home, the same home Sam had painted with his grandfather just a few summers prior. It would be years before they set their eyes on Sam as their main suspect. And while he was just a kid when the crime took place, Sam was tried as an adult and eventually sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder. Despite maintaining his innocence, he now faced a future behind bars. But what would that future *actually* look like? Today, we’re starting where a...
2023-12-2254 min
Truer CrimeMindy DoddIf you consume a lot of true crime, you might have heard Mindy Dodd’s story before. Or at least one like it – the classic story of a housewife who, pushed too far, snaps and murders her husband. The scary music swells and the story ends neatly. The housewife is locked away. But what if that’s not the whole picture? Today’s episode is about the muddy middle that's so often left out.Please be aware that today’s references sexual assault and domestic violence. Please take care while listening.Actio...
2023-12-1555 minTruer CrimeNew Episodes Available Now!Do you ever listen to a true crime podcast and think “that’s not quite right…?” Same. Crime stories are hard to ignore and even harder to forget. But the thing is... they’re stories. And getting a story right is all about how you tell it. Truer Crime talks about real people — murdered, missing, misled — with more nuance, more context, and more questions. Hosted by Celisia Stanton.Three brand-new episodes are available now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-12-1202 minTruer CrimeOfficial TrailerDo you ever listen to a true crime podcast and think “that’s not quite right…?” Same. Crime stories are hard to ignore and even harder to forget. But the thing is... they’re stories. And getting a story right is all about how you tell it. Truer Crime talks about real people — murdered, missing, misled — with more nuance, more context, and more questions. Hosted by Celisia Stanton.You can see more of Rachel Monroe's work and find links to buy your own copy of "Savage Appetites" at http://www.rachel-monroe.com/ T...
2023-12-0802 minTruer CrimeIntroducing "Dear Alana,"Belief, belonging, betrayal. In "Dear Alana," Tenderfoot TV explores the life of 24-year-old Alana Chen who disappeared from Boulder, Colorado in 2019, leaving behind dozens of journals chronicling a deep faith, love of fashion, and dream of becoming a nun. But she harbored a secret about her faith and sexuality, one that stood in the way of her dream. "Dear Alana," is available now. For more info visit www.dearalana.com. Check out this clip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-08-2303 min
Truer CrimeRelisha Rudd Remembrance Day (Republish)July 11th marks “Relisha Rudd Remembrance Day’' in Washington DC. The purpose of this event is to spread awareness and let the public know that the search for Relisha is not over. Today we republish Episode 5 covering Relisha’s disappearance to bring more attention to her story.---No one had seen 8-year-old Relisha Rudd for weeks before she was finally reported missing in March of 2014. So where was she? Why did it take so long for anyone to notice? And who was to blame? Today’s episode explores what can happen when the systems...
2023-07-1244 min
Truer Crime*BONUS* The Real Impacts of True Crime Media w/ Sarah TurneyIn 2001, Sarah Turney’s sister, Alissa, went missing. Nearly two decades later and no arrests in the case, the police told her they could no longer help her and she needed to get media coverage for the case. So, in 2019, Sarah started The Voices for Justice Podcast as a way to tell Alissa’s story. In August 2020, an arrest was made in the case and Sarah’s efforts were recognized by the Maricopa County Attorney. Since the arrest, Sarah has shifted her focus to advocating for other cases in need of justice.In today’s bonus interview, Sarah re...
2022-10-1138 min
Badass Business Squad PodcastThe Untapped Potential of TikTok with Celisia StantonCurious if TikTok could be your secret marketing weapon to quick growth? On today's podcast, Celisia Stanton, the host of Truer Crime podcast, talks about how she was able to grow the podcast's TikTok account to more than 150k followers in just a few months. KATRINA WIDENER COACHING INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/katrina.widener/ BADASS BUSINESS SQUAD SHOWNOTES: https://www.katrinawidener.com/badass-business-squad-podcast
2022-03-3017 min
Truer CrimeSpecial Announcement: Robin + RoiannWhen Roiann was diagnosed with early onset dementia, her sister Robin had her back, making sure everything was in order so she could live comfortably in an assisted living facility. When her other sister and mom were also diagnosed with dementia, Robin worked harder and reached deeper to support the family she loved. A problem solver, Robin had a plan to both support her family and retire happily with her husband. But then she met Isaiah, and her life and plans were irreparably changed. In this special announcement episode, Celisia has a small story and a big request.
2021-12-0708 min
Truer Crime*BONUS* Womanhood + True Crime w/ Olivia GatwoodIn 2017, Olivia Gatwood picked up a new hobby: listening to true crime podcasts. Living in a first floor Boston apartment at the time, Olivia was quickly consumed by a new fear: a man breaking into her apartment and murdering her in her sleep. In order to work through this fear, Olivia wrote about it in what would eventually become her poetry collection “Life of the Party.”A conversation between Olivia and Celisia, today’s episode explores how warranted fear can become harmful paranoia, why so many women are obsessed with true crime, and what ‘justice’ looks like in a socie...
2021-10-1250 min
Truer CrimeJoan Little Pt. 2At just 21 years old, Joan Little finds herself on trial for murder and facing the death penalty. But still, thousands of people around the country insist that Joan’s actions were justified. When her case sparks nationwide protests and a wave of financial support, eyes around the world are suddenly all on Joan. Picking up where part 1 left off, today’s episode explores what happens when someone suddenly and unwittingly becomes the face of a movement.A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's epis...
2021-07-1343 min
Truer CrimeMy StoryLast week I sat in a courtroom, a government building not so different from the ones we often mention on Truer Crime. So this week I decided to do something different: In today’s episode, I’m both crime storyteller and crime victim. This is the story of how a man I trusted stole my entire life savings — and what I learned along the way.A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/my-story/ If you like Truer Crime...
2021-07-061h 03
Truer CrimeJoan Little Pt. 1In the early hours of August 27th, 1974, the security camera at North Carolina’s Beaufort County Jail was inexplicably not working. So when the night jailer, Clarence Alligood is found dead in 20-year-old Joan Little’s cell — everyone is left with a slew of unanswered questions. Why was Clarence Alligood in Joan Little’s cell? What had led to his murder? And where was Joan Little?Today’s episode explores a case that was too big and important to fit into one episode. The story continues with part 2 next Tuesday (July 6th).Today’s episode contains ref...
2021-06-2935 min
Truer CrimeMichael Johnson / Tiger MandingoIn the winter of 2013, Dylan King-Lemons went to the doctor with stomach pains. His diagnosis? HIV. A few months later, one of his former sexual partners, Michael Johnson, is arrested. But why? Today’s episode explores identity, crime, and our societal obsession with punishment.Please be aware that today’s episode contains references to anti-Black racism, homophobia, and incarceration.*Correction: In the episode we mentioned St. Charles, Missouri has a Black population of less than 2%. This was an error. The most recent U.S. Census data shows that St. Charles County, Missouri has Black or Afri...
2021-06-2241 min
Truer CrimeThe Tulsa Race MassacreIn 1921, an act of terrorism would turn a once thriving Black community to ash and rubble overnight. It was an event so horrific that many historians now call it the single worst incident of racist violence in U.S. history. But what led up to that fateful day? And why were folks so intent to forget it ever happened? Today’s episode explores the importance of history and the ways violence can stretch — touching us all even a century later. Please be aware that today’s episode discusses anti-Black racist violence, murder, and sexual assault. A full l...
2021-06-1538 min
Truer CrimeRelisha RuddNo one had seen 8-year-old Relisha Rudd for weeks before she was finally reported missing in March of 2014. So where was she? Why did it take so long for anyone to notice? And who was to blame? Today’s episode explores what can happen when the systems built to protect families just — *don’t*. Please be aware that today’s story contains references to suicide, gun violence, child abuse, and housing insecurity.A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrim...
2021-06-0846 min
Truer CrimeJosiah SuttonAt just 16 years old, Josiah Sutton is accused and convicted of a heinous crime he swears he didn’t commit. Only problem? Investigators have DNA evidence which links him directly to the crime. Today’s episode explores forensic science, the effects of imprisonment, and the bond between a mother and her son. Today’s story contains references to sexual assault, incarceration, and very briefly, suicidal ideation. Please take care while listening. A special thank you to Josiah’s mom, Carol Batie for talking with us for this episode. A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos...
2021-06-011h 19
Truer CrimeJonestownIn November of 1978, 918 Americans died in the middle of the Guyanese jungle. It would be “the largest single incident of civilian death in American history” until September 11th, 2001. But who were these people? How did they really die? And why were they in South America to begin with? It’s a story you may have heard before — but maybe never quite like this. Today's story contains references to suicide and mass death. Please take care while listening. A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the episode's show notes...
2021-05-2550 min
Truer CrimeThe Botched Investigation of Samuel LittlePrior to his death in 2020, Samuel Little confessed to 93 different murders between the years of 1970 and 2005. And over 50 of them have been confirmed by investigators. It makes Little the most prolific serial killer in US history. So why then, have you never heard of him? Today’s episode explores who is looked for, who is seen, and who is forgotten.Today's episode contains references to sexual assault, opioid addiction, and physical abuse. Please take care while listening.A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the episode's sh...
2021-05-1845 min
Truer CrimeDarlie RoutierAt 2:30am in June of 1996, Darlie Routier placed a frantic call to 911. A rough story starts to emerge: an intruder broke into the Routier home, attacked Darlie and her two sons Damon and Devon, and then fled into the night.. Almost immediately, cops have only one suspect. But the Routier family? They know that investigators have it all wrong. Today’s story is an episode that examines what it really means to be innocent until proven guilty.Today's episode contains references to violence against children, depression, suicidal ideation, and incarceration. Please take care while listening.A f...
2021-05-181h 18