This week's case is about how sometimes, the most chilling part of true crime isn’t just the crime itself… but the injustice that follows. Imagine two nine-year-old girls, Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway, vanishing into a Brighton, England, woodland one October evening in 1986. Hours later, frantic searchers discover their bodies — sexually assaulted, strangled, and abandoned side by side. The man responsible? A local petty criminal who would evade justice for decades and eventually attack 7-year-old Rachel Watts. Listen to this week's episode to hear the story of Russell Bishop — the Babes in the Wood killer.
Sources:
‘Babes in the wood’ killer Russell Bishop dies of cancer – The Guardian (2022)
How billion-to-one DNA match led to Russell Bishop’s murder conviction – Sky News (2018)
Babes in the Wood murders (Brighton) – Wikipedia
Ex-partner of Brighton ‘babes in the wood’ killer jailed for perjury – The Guardian (2021)
Police apologise for Babes in the Wood failings after double child killer escaped justice for 30 years – The Sun (2024)
Babes in the Wood killer strangled me aged 7 and left me for dead – The Sun / Sky documentary (2025)
Who were Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway, and what happened in the Babes in the Wood murders? – The Sun (recap)
This week's case comes from way back in the 1400s. It's a story about a boy surrounded by extreme violence. He returned to his home in Romania to find his family brutally slaughtered. Listen to this week's episode to hear about the horrific acts of violence committed by Vlad III aka Vlad the Impaler.
Sources:
This week's case is a chilling story from 2018, about a 22-year-old man with mental health issues who falls for an equally disturbed young lady. Together, they are homeless and on the run from police across Russia. They meet a kind young man named Alexander Popovich. Alexander offers to rent an old farm house to the couple. After just a few days of staying in the farm house, Alexander is brutally murdered by his tenants, Arkady Zverev and Valeria Yargina. Listen to this week's episode to hear about the horrific acts this killer couple commit and the tragic loss of justice for Alexander's family.
Sources:
https://artdocfest.com/en/movie/ya_lyublyu_kannibala_2020_42/
https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/24/paedophile-microwaved-mans-head-got-girl-12-eat-dies-suicide-9294521/
https://www.ibtimes.com/suspects-confess-cannibalism-after-body-without-organs-found-home-2722311
This week's case is about the systematic failure of the Cleveland police department in the late 1990s through 2009. A serial killer was able to roam free, attacking the vulnerable women in his Mount Pleasant neighborhood. Several women escaped from the brutal assaults and named convicted rapist, Anthony Sowell Jr, as their attacker to the police, yet he was not arrested for months.
Listen to today's episode to hear how the Cleveland Police Department failed more than 15 vulnerable women and their families.
Sources;
Cleveland 19 News – Anthony Sowell: The ‘Cleveland Strangler’ Case cleveland19.com
Oxygen – Anthony Sowell Case Overview & Victim Profiles oxygen.com
A&E – Cleveland’s Serial Killer: Anthony Sowell aetv.com
Wikipedia – Anthony Sowell en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Sowell
CaseText – Court Records and Legal Coverage casetext.com
U.S. Department of Justice – Sex Offender Registration Tiers nsopw.gov
FunFacts - https://keytopoland.com/post/21-fun-facts-about-poland
This week's case continues the theme of Halloween's spooky season with werewolf folklore from Germany in the 1500s. Listen to this week's episode to hear about how Peter Stumpp was sentenced to death for killing 14 children and 2 pregnant women and consuming their flesh. Ick!
Let us know, do you think Peter was guilty or just a scapegoat?
Sources:
weird facts about bedburg germany - Google Searchbrutally
Today's case takes place in 2005, South Carolina. We will discuss a guy who liked to boast about his successes in life. The only flaw, his life did not match the stories he told. Listen to day's episode to hear about the horrific acts of brutality Steven Stanko inflicted on those who trusted him most.
Sources:
https://public.doc.state.sc.us/agency-news-public/homeAction.do?method=view&id=829
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Stanko
https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/14/us/south-carolina-execution-stephen-stanko
Today we bring you a two for one kind of case! Two active serial killers trolling the streets in the late 1970s. William Henry Hance and Carlton Michael Gary committed heinous acts of brutal violence on vulnerable women. One man selected elderly white women to brutalize. The other man mascaraed as a group of vigilante white men preying on vulnerable black women. Listen to this week's episode to hear about the terror every woman living in Columbus, Georgia felt.
Sources:
William Henry Hance - Wikipedia
Hance v. State, 245 Ga. 856 (Supreme Court of Georgia, 1980).
Hance v. State, 254 Ga. 575 (Supreme Court of Georgia, 1985).
Hance v. Zant, 696 F.2d 940 (11th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1983).
Washington Post, April 23, 1978.
Gary v. State, 389 S.E.2d 218 (Supreme Court of Georgia, 1990)
Los Angeles Times, April 1, 1994.
TIME Magazine, March 31, 1994.
U.S. Supreme Court Order, March 31, 1994.
Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) archives
Bright, Stephen B., Southern Center for Human Rights reports (1995–1997)
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (archival coverage, 1977–1978)
This week's case is a major puzzle for law enforcement around the United States. Terry Rasmussen moved around constantly, hiding behind new aliases and different women and their children from the 1970s until 2002. Sadly, nearly every female that can be traced back to Terry has gone missing and is still missing, or she was murdered. His own toddler daughter, Rea Rasmussen, was just recently confirmed to be one of Terry's many victims.
Listen to today's episode to hear about the conartist, Terry Peder Rasmussen and the path of devastation he left.
Victims of Terry
Pepper Reed, ~23yo - missing since 1976
Denise Beaudin, 23yo - missing since 1981
Dawn Beaudin, 5 months - Kidnapped and missing from 1981 until 2016; Survived
Marlyse Honeychurch, ~24yo - remains found in 1985; identity confirmed in 2019
Marie Vaughn, ~7yo - remains found with her mother Marlyse in 1985; identity confirmed in 2019
Sarah McWaters, ~2yo - remains found 100yds from her mother, Marlyse, but not until 2000; identity confirmed in 2019
Rea Rasmussen, ~1-3yo - remains found with Sarah McWaters in 2000, but suspected to have been in the same location when the other remains were discovered in 1985.
Eunsoon Jun, 45 - murdered in June 2002; remains discovered in her basement in November 2002
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Peder_Rasmussen
https://www.oxygen.com/unknown-serial-killers-of-america/crime-news/about-terry-rasmussen-bear-brooks-murders
https://abcnews.go.com/US/terry-rasmussens-victims-unknown/story?id=69585534
https://mm.nh.gov/files/uploads/doj/remote-docs/20171102-allenstown-manchester-timeline.pdf
https://www.newsweek.com/new-hampshire-makes-breakthrough-40-year-old-murder-mystery-2126669
Today's case is occurs in 1997, Canada. We will hear about a young teenage girl, Reena Virk, who was desperate for friends. She had a loving and supportive family who went through hell to try to be there for Reena, no matter how out of control she became. Listen to this episode to hear the tragic story of Reena Virk after she befriended fellow troubled youths led by Kelly Ellard.
Sources:
Today's case is a horrific an unresolved crime so chilling that even seasoned investigators were left disturbed. A young woman disappears in 1998, only to be found later under circumstances so bizarre and ritualistic that it shakes an entire nation. Today, we’re diving into the tragic story of Katarzyna Zowada—a story of mystery, horror, and a case that would haunt Poland for decades.Sources:
All That's Interesting – Katarzyna Zowada: Inside The Gruesome Skin Suit Murder
Lexology – Criminal Law: Penalty, Detention and Arrest in Poland
CourtWatch Polska – Current Practice of Applying Pre-trial Detention in Poland
Witches, Magic, Murder & Mystery Podcast – MURDER: The Horrific Death of Katarzyna Zowada
TikTok – Court Ruling: Robert Janczewski Released Without Trial (link not available, as TikTok links change frequently—best cited as a platform reference).
This week's case takes place during the early 1900s in Chicago, Illinois. In today's episode we will discuss how after twenty-years of marriage Tillie Klimek predicted her healthy husband's sudden death. Her "visions" of other deaths did stop with just her husband. Listen to today's episode to hear who else fell victim to Tillie's "premonitions."
Sources;
This week's case is a traumatic "coming of age" story coming to us from Oklahoma in 2011. Listen to today's episode to hear about the trauma 18-year-old Sarah McKinley experiences over the course of Christmas Day through New Year's Eve.
Let us know, what would you have done if you were in Sarah's shoes???
Sources:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/oklahoma-woman-shoots-intruder-911-operator-approves/story?id=15285605
https://www.cnn.com/2012/01/04/justice/oklahoma-intruder-shooting/index.html
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sarah-mckinley-oklahoma-intruder-killed_n_1183939
https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2012/01/03/teen-mom-shoots-kills-intruder-on-new-years-eve/61151655007/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/okla-widow-18-shoots-kills-home-intruder/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081802/Sarah-McKinley-Oklahoma-mother-18-shoots-dead-intruder-911-operator-tells-Do-what-you.html
This week's case takes place in one of Claire's most favorite places, Baltimore, Maryland in 2021. An officer is devastated to discover the source of a foul odor coming from a vehicle during a routine traffic stop. Listen to today's episode to hear about the shocking discoveries this unsuspecting officer found in Nicole Michelle Johnson's vehicle.
Sources:
https://www.wdtn.com/news/dayton-aunt-sentanced-to-50-years-in-deaths-of-young-niece-and-nephew/
https://patch.com/maryland/dundalk/aunt-arrested-after-siblings-found-dead-car-police
https://patch.com/maryland/dundalk/aunt-arrested-after-siblings-found-dead-car-police
https://people.com/niece-nephew-body-decaying-trunk-aunt-sentenced-11678768
Which comes first the chicken or the egg? Or in this week's episode, which came first mental illness or drug abuse? Listen to today's case to hear about the violent assault committed by Andre Thomas on his estranged wife, Laura Christine Boren Thomas and her two children.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jezebel
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna73917
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_Thoma
shttps://www.themarshallproject.org/2018/06/07/he-pocketed-his-victims-organs-was-his-death-penalty-trial-fair
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/21-444_7k8b.pdf
https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/timelines/troubleinmind/Exhibits49-53.pdf
This week's case is not our typical case, however it is no less tragic. A 23-year-old woman is murdered and her killer claims he does not recall the events leading up to her tragic end. Listen to today's episode to hear how the selfish choices made by NFL Raider's Henry Ruggs III lead to the brutally violent death of Tina Tintor.
Sources:
Fundraiser by Djordje Tintor : Support for Tina Tintor & Max
Apologetic Henry Ruggs III speaks at Hope for Prisoners event - ESPN
Tina Tintor, victim in Henry Ruggs crash, ‘a force to be reckoned with’ | Crime
Witness to deadly Henry Ruggs III crash details harrowing rescue attempt - Sports Illustrated
Meet Henry Ruggs' Girlfriend Rudy Washington (Bio, Wiki)
Tina Tintor is remembered as a humorous, positive soul
Convicted Black killer of a White woman working inside Governor's Mansion - Justice Report
Today's case is a current one brought to us from Oahu in 2024. This is a tragic ending to two precious lives, one of which wasn't even given a chance to live. Listen to today's case to hear about how the selfish choices PFC Dewayne Johnson II made led to devastating losses to the community and family of Mischa Johnson.
Sources:
https://share.newsbreak.com/dg9vla9a
https://www.steppestravel.com/us/destinations/north-america/usa/hawaii/5-facts-about-hawaii/
Today's case is about the tragic murder of the wonderful doctor, Dr. Cornbleet. Dr. Cornbleet was a dermatologist who had his own practice and simply wanted to help people, no matter their financial situation. Listen to today's episode to hear about the murderous loathing Hans Peterson had for the kindhearted doctor.
Sources:
Tinnitus Caused a Man to Murder The Doctor | Big Ear
Doctor's confessed killer stays just out of touch
https://crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/classics/david_cornbleet/
https://thecinemaholic.com/dr-david-cornbleet-murder-where-is-hans-peterson-now/
https://abc7.com/archive/8448717/
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/man-gets-life-in-chicago-dermatologists-death/1916051/
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/man-convicted-in-stabbing-death-of-doctor/
This week's case is begins in 1958 Bermuda. Several women are viciously attacked, a few survive, but sadly most succumb to their brutal injuries inflicted by a mad man. Listen to day's episode to decide for yourself; do you think police captured the correct man? Or do you think Wendell Willis Lightbourne was truly innocent?
Sources:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendell_Lightbournehttps://bernews.com/2010/04/prisoner-transfer-bermuda-has-done-it-before/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bermudahttps://bernews.com/2010/04/prisoner-transfer-bermuda-has-done-it-before/
https://www.royalgazette.com/other/lifestyle/article/20110210/remembering-the-rawlinson-case/
This week's case is a tale as old as time, yet another spouse with a devious plan to obtain life insurance money. Listen to today's episode to hear about the tragic events that unfold thanks to a selfish man, Mark Sievers resulting their young children orphaned.
Sources:
Murder of Teresa Sievers - Wikipedia
The exotic murderess we will be discussing is a young woman who grew up abused in Cairo, Egypt in 1968. At 18, she married a man from the US and immigrated to California in 1986. Divorcing less than a year into that marriage she found herself on the hunt for a new sugar daddy. By Thanksgiving 1991 she was 23, newly married to 56-year-old William "Bill" Edwin Nelson. Listen to today's episode to hear about the disturbing events that unfolded over that fatal Thanksgiving weekend.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omaima_Nelson
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-01-13-mn-1395-story.html
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation