A Million Other Choices

Austin Pikaart was just 17 years old when his mother, Katie Austin Lee, killed him in their Holland, Michigan apartment one day before his 18th birthday.

In this episode, we look at Austin’s case with care: the disturbing claims Katie made, the 911 call, the investigation, the guilty plea, and the devastating question at the centre of it all — how does a parent convince herself that murder is mercy?

Lauri Waterman was murdered in November 2004 in the tiny community of Craig, Alaska.

Two men would admit their roles in her death. But the most complicated question in the case surrounded someone else entirely: Lauri's 16-year-old daughter, Rachelle.

Today we are talking about something almost everyone has heard in movies and TV shows:

“You have the right to remain silent…”

But where did the Miranda warning actually come from?

What happens if police don’t read you your rights?

And do people really understand what those rights actually protect?

Today we are covering one of the most disturbing, heartbreaking, and important cases in Canadian history… the murders committed by Robert Pickton.

But this story is about far more than one man.

It is about dozens of women who disappeared… many of whom were vulnerable, struggling, marginalized, or simply trying to survive. Women whose families fought desperately to be heard while warning signs were ignored for years.

This is not a sensationalized retelling.

This is a deep dive into:

On the night of September 29, 1996, 15-year-old Melanie Ethier did what thousands of teenagers had done before her—she walked home after spending the evening with friends. She was dropped off just a short distance from her house in New Liskeard, Ontario. She never arrived.

How does someone disappear so close to home without a scream, a struggle, or a single confirmed witness?

The Alex Murdaugh case wasn’t just about murder — it was about power, control, corruption, and a man who believed the rules didn’t apply to him.

In this deep dive, we unravel the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh

After some murders, killers do something unexpected.

They cover the body.

They clean the victim.

They pose the scene.

They call 911.

Sometimes they even express grief or remorse immediately afterward.

In forensic psychology, this behavior is often referred to as “undoing” — a disturbing phenomenon where offenders attempt, psychologically or symbolically, to reverse, soften, deny, or emotionally distance themselves from the violence they’ve committed.

In this episode, we’re diving into the psychology behind undoing after murder: what it means, why it happens, what crime scene beha...

What happened to Jacklyn “Mimi” Torres Garcia? Full breakdown of the Mimi Torres Garcia murder case and Karla Garcia’s involvement.

Today we’re talking about a case that, at first glance, almost feels surreal — like something pulled straight from a script. But this story isn’t fiction. And at the center of it are two young people who should still be here.

In 2010, in a quiet community in Costa Mesa, 26-year-old Samuel Herr and 23-year-old Julie Kibuishi became victims of a calculated and deeply disturbing crime committed by someone they trusted — aspiring actor Daniel Wozniak.

This is not just a story about violence. It’s a story about manipulation, entitlement… and the chilling reality of how far some...

Blood spatter analysis has become one of the most recognizable forms of forensic science in modern true crime.

But how accurate is it really?

In this episode, we’re diving into the science — and controversy — behind blood spatter analysis. We’ll talk about how investigators interpret blood patterns, what different types of stains can potentially reveal, how analysts attempt to reconstruct violent events, and why blood evidence has played a major role in countless murder investigations.

But we’re also going to discuss the growing criticism surrounding blood spatter analysis, including questions about subjectivi...

Today we’re heading to Prince Edward Island — a place known for quiet roads, close communities… and, in this case, a story that unfolded behind the kind of normal life no one questions until it’s too late.

This is the story of Shirley Duguay.

She was 32 years old. A mother of five. And at the time of her disappearance in October 1994, she was trying to do something incredibly difficult — start over.

When her car was found abandoned on a rural road… with blood inside… it became clear very quickly that this wasn’t a simple missi...

Tara Calico vanished during what should have been an ordinary bike ride in New Mexico. Months later, a mysterious Polaroid photograph sparked worldwide attention and decades of debate—but did it really depict Tara?

This is one of those cases that doesn’t just stay in the past… it lingers. It argues back. It refuses to sit quietly in a neat little conclusion.

The Bain family murders shocked New Zealand in 1994 — five family members killed inside their own home. The only one left alive? David Bain.

What followed was a conviction…

then years later, a retrial…

and an acquittal that should have settled everything.

Except it didn’t.

Because to this day, people are still asking the same question:

Did David Ba...

When detectives leave a crime scene… someone still has to go back inside.

In this episode, we’re talking about the hidden world of crime scene cleanup — the people responsible for cleaning homes, apartments, vehicles, and spaces after murders, suicides, unattended deaths, and traumatic events.

And honestly? Most people have no idea what that job actually involves.

We’ll explore the physical realities of biohazard cleanup, the emotional and psychological toll on workers, the smells and contamination investigators leave behind, how families are affected when they return home, and why this work is far more...

Today’s case isn’t just about what happened…

it’s about why it happened—and how the law decides the difference.

In the Northwest Territories, the case of Cameron Sayine raises difficult questions about intent, alcohol, and the legal concept of provocation.

Because not every act of violence is treated the same under the law.

And sometimes… the line between murder and something else isn’t as clear as we might think.

In this episode, we’re going to walk through the events leading up to that night—what we know, what...

Julie Dart was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her when she vanished without a trace after finishing work. For weeks, her family searched for answers, hoping she would come home. Instead, investigators uncovered a case that would expose the calculated crimes of Michael Sams.

While Sams would later become widely known for another abduction, Julie's story is often overshadowed despite being the first victim whose life was stolen by his violence. In this episode, we focus on Julie—who she was, the events leading up to her disappearance, the investigation that followed, and ho...

Today’s case is one of the most unusual I’ve ever covered—and honestly, one that sounds almost too strange to be true.

In May of 2015, Martin Duram was found shot to death inside his home in Sand Lake, Michigan. His wife, Glenna Duram, was discovered nearby with a gunshot wound to the head… still alive.

At first glance, it looked like a tragic murder-suicide attempt.

But almost immediately… things didn’t add up.

The scene raised more questions than answers.

The financial struggles.

The history of fraud and...

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most uncomfortable and fascinating corners of true crime psychology — the women who idolize, marry, defend, and obsess over violent killers.

From Ted Bundy receiving love letters during trial… to Richard Ramirez attracting devoted fans despite openly describing horrific crimes… to Charles Manson’s lasting influence decades later… this phenomenon has existed for far longer than most people realize.

We’ll talk about hybristophilia, trauma bonding, fantasy relationships, celebrity culture, manipulation, media influence, and the psychology behind attraction to dangerous men. We’ll also explore the important differ...

In 1978, Bulgarian writer and journalist Georgi Markov was walking across Waterloo Bridge in London when he felt what he described as a small prick in his leg. Within days, he was dead.

What followed would uncover one of the most bizarre and chilling methods of assassination ever documented—an attack carried out in broad daylight, using something as ordinary as an umbrella.

Dorothy was young, kind, and by all accounts, trusting. She had just begun building a life for herself — one that was finally starting to belong to her.

But behind the scenes, there was someone who believed that her success, her body, and even her future… belonged to him.

Everyone has heard of Scotland Yard.

It's become synonymous with detectives, murder investigations, and some of history's most infamous criminal cases—from Jack the Ripper to modern forensic investigations.

But here's the question almost nobody asks...

Why is it called Scotland Yard when it's actually in England?

The answer goes back hundreds of years and involves medieval royalty, Scottish diplomats, the creation of London's Metropolitan Police, and one man whose ideas completely transformed modern policing.

In this episode of Let's Talk About Murder, we're stepping away from a single mu...

Why did Canada abolish the death penalty?

And why has it never returned — even after some of the country’s most horrific murders?

In this episode of Let’s Talk About Murder, we explore the history of capital punishment in Canada, the final executions, the political battle to end it, wrongful conviction fears, extradition issues, and the psychological and ethical arguments that still divide people today.

We’ll also look at infamous Canadian murder cases that reignited the debate, how Canada’s justice system changed after abolition, and why this issue remains one of the mos...

The case that became one of the most famous “haunted house” stories in the world — but before all of that… there were real people.

On November 13, 1974, six members of the DeFeo family were found murdered inside their home in Amityville, New York. What followed would become a media frenzy — books, movies, and decades of paranormal claims.

But this episode isn’t about ghosts.

This is about the DeFeo family — who they were, what was happening inside that house long before that night, and what we actually kn...

A 19-year-old young woman whose life was cut tragically short after reaching out online, looking for connection… and finding someone who would ultimately take everything from her.

This is not just a story about what happened that night.

It’s about who Natalie was… the struggles she was facing… and the moments leading up to a decision that placed her in the path of someone dangerous.

Today we’re talking about a case that, on the surface, might seem like a sudden act of violence…

but when you look a little closer, there are often signs — small moments, shifts in behavior — that tell a different story.

This is the case of Clayton Otis Jacquard.

In this episode, we’re going to walk through what happened that night, but also step back and look at the bigger picture — because cases like this don’t always come out of nowhere.

We’ll talk about:

Today we’re talking about something that makes people deeply uncomfortable… and honestly, it should.

Parricide — when a child kills their parent.

It’s one of those crimes that people tend to react to immediately… with anger, disbelief, sometimes even dismissal.

Because the assumption is simple: how could anyone do that?

But when you start to look closer…

it’s not always simple.

In this episode, we’re stepping back from the headlines and looking at the reality behind these cases. Not to excuse them — but to understand them.<...

A 27-year-old woman who was home visiting her family… doing something so normal, so routine… that none of us would think twice about it.

She went for a run.

And she never came back.

Vanessa was smart, driven, and deeply connected to the people in her life. She worked for Google in New York, had a strong circle of friends, and was just… living her life.

But on that day in 2016, something happened along a quiet road in her hometown of Princeton, Massachusetts that would shock the community — and leave investigators searchin...

Bijan Ebrahimi was a vulnerable man who repeatedly sought help from authorities after becoming the target of hostility and false accusations in his Bristol neighbourhood. Instead of receiving protection, he would become the victim of a brutal killing that shocked the United Kingdom and raised serious questions about prejudice, community responsibility, and systemic failure.

In this episode, we look at who Bijan was, how rumours escalated into violence, and the devastating consequences of being wrongly suspected and left unprotected. This case is a powerful reminder of how quickly fear and misinformation can destroy lives.<...

In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most disturbing and misunderstood aspects of homicide investigations: post-crime body concealment and forensic cleanup.

Why do some offenders attempt to conceal, move, or destroy evidence after a killing? Is it panic, practicality, rage, control…or something deeper?

We’ll explore the psychology behind these cases, the forensic realities investigators face, and the patterns experts often see in attempts to cover up violent crimes. This episode is approached from an educational and psychological perspective — not sensationalism.

Because sometimes…the most revealing part of a crime happ...

Gary Kenney was 50 years old when he was murdered in his Merritt Island, Florida home in June 2008. What followed was the unraveling of a deeply disturbing family conspiracy involving his wife, Sharon Myers, their son Darryl Kenney, and Darryl’s associate Rubin Nero. Investigators said letters, manipulation, and long-building resentment all played a role in the plot that ended Gary’s life.

In this episode, we look at who Gary was, how the murder plot was carried out, and how the truth emerged through the investigation and court process. This is a case of betrayal from inside the...

Today’s episode explores the tragic murder of Hannah Clarke — a case that brought national attention to the dangers of coercive control and intimate partner violence.

We discuss Hannah’s life, her attempts to create safety for herself and her children, and the escalating behaviours that ultimately led to a devastating outcome. This episode also reflects on systemic responses, public reaction, and the ongoing importance of recognising warning signs in abusive relationships.

Hannah’s story continues to influence conversations about domestic violence awareness and prevention. By remembering her life and what happened, we honour her and help...

Despite it being in my notes correctly. I mistakenly refer to the children’s mom as Darla…it is Darcie Clark!

Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) verdicts often spark outrage and confusion.

Many people feel like more and more violent offenders are being found NCR — but is that actually true?

In this episode of Let’s Talk About Murder, we break down how NCR works in Canada, how often it is really used, and why certain high-profile cases can create the impression that the verdict is becoming common.

We’ll also ta...

In 2008, a devastating crime shocked Canada when three young children were killed by their father, Allen Schoenborn, during a custody dispute in Merritt, British Columbia.

Following a nationwide manhunt, Schoenborn was arrested and later found Not Criminally Responsible due to mental disorder (NCR) — a verdict that continues to spark intense debate about public safety, mental illness, and justice for victims.

In this video, we walk through the timeline of the case — from the events leading up to the tragedy, to the investigation, trial, and the ongoing legal battles over Schoenborn’s potential release.

This i...

The investigation, the undercover sting, and the legal decisions that meant two confessions… but only one murder trial.

Not every death investigated by authorities is ruled a homicide — but that doesn’t always mean the story is simple.

In this episode of Let’s Talk About Murder, we’re unpacking how investigators, medical examiners, and coroners decide when a death is classified as accidental, and why those decisions can be complicated, controversial, and deeply emotional for families.

In July 2008, a routine overnight trip across Manitoba turned into one of the most widely discussed criminal cases in modern Canadian history. 22-year-old Tim McLean was travelling home when he was killed by fellow passenger Vince Li — a crime that shocked the country and sparked a national conversation about mental illness, public safety, and Canada’s Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) laws.

Sometimes the most dangerous moments don’t look dangerous at all — they look ordinary… familiar… even trusted.

Gannon Stauch was a bright, creative little boy who deserved a safe childhood — not to become the center of a case that shocked families across the country. 

We talk a lot about victims and offenders… but what about the people who walk into a room and find a life already gone? In this episode of Let’s Talk About Murder, we explore the investigators, first responders, loved ones, and everyday people who become part of a case simply because they were the ones who discovered the truth.

Christina Morris vanished after a night out in Plano, Texas — leaving behind a family desperate for answers and a case that would expose secrets hiding in plain sight, and how one small timeline detail can change everything.