Nurse Lucy Letby was convicted as Britain's most prolific child serial killer, sentenced to two whole-life orders for the murders and attempted murders of infants in her care. But the verdict was just the beginning.
Content Warning
This episode discusses severe topics including the murder and attempted murder of vulnerable infants. Listener discretion is strongly advised, especially for those sensitive to content concerning child loss or medical trauma.
References
The American family tragedy started in 1972 with a kidnapping that shocked the nation. For seven years, the Stayners lived a nightmare until Steven Stayner returned home a hero. But that same trauma consumed his older brother, Cary Stayner, who felt profoundly neglected in the shadow of the media spotlight.
In this episode of Criminal, Interrupted, we trace the devastating connection between a child's rescue and a serial killer's rise. From the manipulation of Kenneth Parnell to the brutal, calculated murders of Carole Sund, Juli Sund, Silvina Pelosso, and Joie Armstrong.
Content Warning:
This episode details murder, sexual descriptions and child abduction. Listener discretion is advised.
References:
In the 1990s, neighbourhoods were playgrounds, and the front door was rarely locked. But in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1998, that innocence was violently murdered.
When eight-year-old Maddie Clifton vanished after going to play, a frantic search began, completely unaware that the answer, and the killer, was right across the street.
This is the story of Joshua Phillips, the seemingly normal 14-year-old neighbour who concealed Maddie's body under his waterbed for six days.
Content Warning:
This episode contains descriptions of the murder of a child. Listener discretion is strongly advised.
References:
In 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez killed their wealthy parents in a Beverly Hills mansion, shocking the world with their immediate, lavish post-murder spending. Was it the cold-blooded pursuit of a multi-million dollar inheritance, or the desperate final act of self-defense against years of unimaginable familial abuse?
Content Warning:
This episode discusses sexual abuse, child abuse, and murder. Listener discretion is advised.
References:
Wikipedia: Lyle and Erik Menendez
CBS News: Inside the story of the notorious Menendez brothers case
Biography Host: Kitty Menendez | Biography
People News: Who Were the Menendez Brothers’ Parents? Inside the Lives of José and Kitty Menendez Before Their 1989 Murders
Britannica: Menendez brothers
Court TV Podcast: Murder & The Menendez Brothers
The Casual Criminalist: Innocent or Guilty?
Ian Watkins was once the celebrated frontman of Lostprophets, a band that sold millions of records and commanded stages around the world. But behind the fame was a predator whose crimes shocked even seasoned investigators.
In this episode, we trace Watkins’ rise to stardom, his descent into drug abuse and manipulation, and the police investigation that uncovered some of the most disturbing offences in modern British criminal history. We also examine the role of his accomplices, the devastating impact on survivors, and the aftermath of his sentencing and death in prison.
Content Warning:
This episode discusses child sexual abuse, exploitation, and systemic negligence. Please listen with care, and take breaks if you need to. If this subject matter feels overwhelming, it may be best to skip this episode.
References:
Wikipedia - Ian Watkins (Lostprophets singer)
Sentencing Remarks - THE QUEEN - v - IAN WATKINS AND B AND P
Mathrubhumi.com - Paedophilia, pornography, sex crimes: Inside the monstrous life and death of Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins
Emma Kenny Podcast - Dark Secrets of Rock: Ian Watkins and the Fall of Lostprophets
Wikipedia -COPINE Scale
Richard Chase was an American serial killer, cannibal and necrophile who killed six people in Sacramento, California, between December 1977 and January 1978. Chase became known as ‘The Vampire of Sacramento,’ a name born from the horror of his crimes.
Content Warning:
This episode contains descriptions of extreme violence, including murder, sexual assault, and crimes involving children and animals. These details are deeply disturbing, and while I will avoid sensationalism, the facts themselves are difficult to hear. Please take care of yourself while listening, and step away if you need to. The victims deserve to be remembered, but your wellbeing matters too.
Wikipedia - Richard Chase
Crime Museum -
“Dracula Killer” murders four people
Criminal Minds Wiki - Richard Chase
True Lives Youtube - Richard Chase: The Vampire Of Sacramento (Born To Kill) | Our Life
Explore With Us Youtube - He Hunted His Victims Down To Turn Them Into Smoothies: The Dark Case of Richard Chase
When a Florida man won $30 million, he thought it would bring freedom. Instead, it brought lawsuits, manipulation, and betrayal. This episode traces how Abraham Shakespeare’s generosity made him a target , and how the woman who promised to protect him became the one who silenced him.
References:
Wikipedia – Murder of Abraham Shakespeare
Murderpedia – Dorice “Dee Dee” Moore
Tampa Bay Times archives
The Cinemaholic – “Where is Dee Dee Moore Now?”
When police searched Ed Gein’s farmhouse in 1957, they uncovered a scene that defied belief. This episode documents the crimes, the investigation, and the media frenzy that followed.
Content Warning: Contains graphic descriptions of crime scene evidence, including human remains and postmortem mutilation. Please listen with care.
References:
Edward Theodore Gein - "American Psycho" - https://maamodt.asp.radford.edu/psyc%20405/serial%20killers/gein,%20ed.pdf
Harold Schechter, Deviant: The Shocking True Story of Ed Gein
The Cinemaholic – “How Ed Gein Was Caught”
MSN News – “The Ed Gein Story: The Truth About the Notorious Serial Killer’s Gruesome Mask”
Professor Graeme Yorston - Ed Gein - The Mind of a Monster | True Crime Documentary
Judith Barsi lit up screens in the 1980s, but her life at home was marked by terror. In this episode, we explore the heartbreaking reality behind her success: the domestic violence that shaped her final years, the warning signs that were missed, and the legacy she left behind.
References:
Los Angeles Times, July 1988 coverage of Judith Barsi’s death and career
Kaleena Fraga, “Inside Judith Barsi’s Tragic Death At The Hands Of Her Own Father,” All That’s Interesting, 2022
Maddie Garfinkle, “How Did Judith Barsi Die?” People, 2024
Jennifer Tisdale, “Why Did Judith Barsi’s Father Kill Her?” Distractify, 2024
Wikipedia: Judith Barsi
Eleanor Neale - The Tragic Murder of Child Star Judith Barsi
In November 2010, what looked like a violent home invasion in Markham, Ontario, was revealed to be something far darker: a murder‑for‑hire plot orchestrated by Jennifer Pan against her own parents.
References:
Karen K. Ho, “Jennifer Pan’s Revenge,” Toronto Life (2015)
Canadian Lawyer, “SCC upholds decision to overturn first-degree murder conviction for Jennifer Pan” (2025)
Wikipedia, “Murder of Bich Pan”
A&E True Crime, “Why Did Jennifer Pan Orchestrate a Plot to Murder Her Parents?” (2025)
Harper’s Bazaar Australia, “True Story of What Jennifer Did: What Did Jennifer Pan Do?” (2024)
Netflix Documentary: What Jennifer Did
JCS Criminal Psychology Youtube: Jennifers Solution
On September 8th, 2025, LAPD discovered the body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in a Tesla registered to singer D4vd. She had been missing for over a year.
In this episode, we break down the facts released so far, from the timeline of her disappearance to the ongoing investigation.
Content Warning:
This episode contains discussion of death and violence involving a minor. Listener discretion is advised.
References:
The Nightly – Celeste Rivas Hernandez: Family of teen found dead in singer D4vd’s Tesla breaks silence
News18 – Singer David Burke, Aka D4vd, Cooperating With Cops After Teen Girl’s Dead Body Was Found In His Tesla
ABC News – Body found in towed Tesla registered to singer D4vd identified as 15-year-old girl
E! News / MSN – D4vd Case: Family of 15-Year-Old Girl Found Dead in Tesla Speaks Out
Al Jazeera – Who was Celeste Rivas, the missing teen found dead in singer D4vd’s Tesla?
Madeline Soto was reported missing in February 2024. What followed was a devastating investigation that revealed years of abuse hidden in plain sight. This video honours her memory, outlines the facts of the case, and calls for greater awareness and accountability.
Content Warning: This video discusses the disappearance and murder of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, including references to murder and child abuse. Viewer discretion is advised.
References:
ClickOrlando – Full Timeline of the Madeline Soto Case
People Magazine – What Happened to Madeline Soto
Law&Crime – Stephan Sterns’ Arrest and Charges
Wikipedia – Murder of Madeline Soto
ThatChapter - The Disturbing Case of Madeline Soto
In this emotionally charged episode, we explore the heartbreaking case of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten, whose life was stolen by someone she trusted, 15-year-old neighbour Alyssa Bustamante.
Through detailed research and careful storytelling, we trace Elizabeth’s background, the day she disappeared, the search efforts, and the chilling confession that followed. We examine Alyssa’s troubled upbringing, her psychological state, and the legal proceedings that sparked national debate about juvenile justice.
Content Warning
This episode contains detailed discussion of child murder, mental illness, self-harm, and juvenile violence. Listener discretion is strongly advised. Please take care while listening.
References and Sources
Court documents and sentencing records released via Missouri’s open-records laws and covered by the Associated Press.
Explore With Us - Youtube Channel
Dreading - Youtube Channel
KRCGTV - Secretly filed court documents surface surrounding Bustamante murder case
In this episode, we explore one of Russia’s most haunting criminal cases, not of murder, but of grave desecration.
Anatoly Moskvin, a respected linguist and historian, exhumed the bodies of 29 girls and young women, preserving them in his apartment as life-sized dolls.
Content Warning:
This episode contains sensitive content involving child victims and grave desecration. Listener discretion is advised.
References:
Wikipedia - Anatoly Moskvin
The Line-Up - Anatoly Moskvin, The Corpse Doll Collector
All That’s Interesting - Anatoly Moskvin, The Man Who Mummified And Collected Dead Girls –
I Could Murder a Podcast - The Mummy King
Evil Among Us - The man who lived with corpses - The horrific crimes of Anatoly Moskvin
In this episode, we examine the chilling case of Christopher Coleman, a man who murdered his wife Sheri and their two young sons, Garett and Gavin, in a calculated attempt to protect an extramarital affair and preserve his public image.
Content Warning
This episode includes in-depth discussion of homicide, including the deaths of children. Listener discretion is strongly advised.
References
YEN News – Case overview and updates
CBS News – Trial and conviction
Tuko – Timeline and background
Crime Junkie – “MURDERED: The Coleman Family”
Between 1971 and 1972, six young Black girls were abducted and murdered in Washington, D.C. Their bodies were found along or near the Anacostia Freeway. The press called the killer the “Freeway Phantom.”
More than fifty years later, the case remains unsolved. This podcast revisits the investigation, the lives of the victims, and the questions that still haunt their families and community.
Content Warning: This podcast discusses the abduction, sexual assault, and murder of children, as well as themes of systemic racism and investigative failures. Listener discretion is advised.
References:
Freeway Phantom – Wikipedia
The Disturbing Case of the Freeway Phantom – History Defined
The Gruesome Murder Spree of the “Freeway Phantom”: D.C.’s First Serial Killer – Boundary Stones, WETA
The Gruesome Murder Spree of the "Freeway Phantom": D.C.'s First Serial Killer - Boundary Stones
In 2014, two twelve-year-old girls from Waukesha, Wisconsin, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, lured their friend Payton Leutner into the woods and stabbed her nineteen times. Their motive? To appease Slenderman, a fictional internet entity they believed was real.
This episode explores the psychological descent of Morgan and Anissa, the dynamics between the three girls, the planning and execution of the attack, and the long road of recovery for Payton. Through careful research and sensitive storytelling, we examine how myth, mental illness, and isolation collided in one of the most disturbing juvenile cases in modern history.
Content Warning
This episode contains detailed discussion of violence involving minors, mental illness, attempted murder, and psychological trauma. Listener discretion is strongly advised.
References & Sources Used
Court documents and trial coverage from the Waukesha County Circuit Court
HBO Documentary: Beware the Slenderman (2016) – directed by Irene Taylor Brodsky
ABC News, CNN, BBC, and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporting on the case and trial
Interrogation footage released by Waukesha Police Department
Psychological evaluations and expert testimony referenced in trial transcripts
Public statements and interviews with Payton Leutner and her family, including her 2019 interview with 20/20
Academic commentary on shared delusional disorder and juvenile schizophrenia (e.g., Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
Archived creepypasta content and analysis of Slenderman’s origins from Something Awful and Know Your Meme
Wisconsin State Law regarding juvenile prosecution in adult court
Episode Description: On October 1984, 20‑year‑old Southern Methodist University student Angela Samota was known for her bright smile, fearless spirit, and boundless energy. That all ended in the early hours of October 13, when she was found brutally murdered in her Dallas home. For over two decades, her case sat cold, until the persistence of her best friend, Sheila Wysocki, and the power of DNA testing finally revealed the truth.
This episode takes you from Angela’s vibrant life and promising future through the harrowing night of her murder, the frustrating years of unanswered questions, and the remarkable fight for justice that followed. It’s a story about friendship, loss, and the unyielding determination of one woman who refused to let Angela’s name fade into a dusty case file.
Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault and murder, including details that some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised.
References:
Wikipedia – Murder of Angela Samota
NDTV – Her Friend’s Brutal Murder Was Unsolved for Decades. This Is How She Helped Find the Killer
That’s Life! – How I Solved My Best Friend’s Murder
The Cinemaholic – Angela Samota Murder: Where Are Donald Bess and Ben McCall Now
Catt’s True Crime Corner – The Murder of Angie Samota
Episode Description: Kathy Augustine was a trailblazer in Nevada politics, sharp, ambitious, and unafraid to challenge the status quo. But in July 2006, her life came to a sudden and suspicious end. Found unconscious in her Reno home, Kathy’s death was initially ruled a cardiac event. Yet beneath the surface lay a chilling truth: her husband, Chaz Higgs, a critical care nurse, had used his medical expertise to orchestrate a murder that left almost no trace.
In this episode, we unravel the layers of Kathy’s life and death, from her rise in public office and turbulent marriage, to the calculated use of succinylcholine, a paralytic drug that silences the body while leaving the mind awake. We follow the investigation’s slow burn, the trial that exposed Higgs’s disturbing comments and online affairs, and the forensic detail that ultimately sealed his fate: a single puncture mark on Kathy’s body.
This is not just a story of political scandal or medical betrayal. It’s a story of a woman whose strength was met with cruelty, and whose legacy deserves more than a headline.
Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of death. Listener discretion is advised.
References Used in Research:
Wikipedia – Kathy Augustine
Las Vegas Sun – “Court issues full opinion in Kathy Augustine murder”
The Cinemaholic – “Kathy Augustine Murder: Where is Chaz Higgs Today?”
George Pallas – “Unusual Poison Makes Mystery of a Murder”
Gary C. King – An Almost Perfect Murder (True Crime Book)
In this episode, we delve into the chilling case of Sean Vincent Gillis, a serial killer who operated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, between 1994 and 2004. Unlike the more publicly known offenders of the region, Gillis lurked in the shadows, his crimes marked by a disturbing blend of calculated violence and obsessive documentation. We explore the psychological underpinnings of his behaviour, the investigative breakthroughs that led to his arrest, and the lives of the women whose stories deserve to be told with dignity and care. This episode is not just about Gillis, it’s about the resilience of a community, the complexity of evil, and the importance of remembering victims beyond the headlines.
Content Warning This episode contains detailed discussion of violent crimes, including murder, mutilation, and postmortem abuse. Listener discretion is strongly advised, especially for those sensitive to themes involving graphic violence and psychological trauma.