Shades of Murder

Before Cassie Jo Stoddart...there was Gina Castillo. In 1998, in a suburb of Los Angeles, two teens committed a crime that became a real-life horror copycat. Sealed behind a strict judicial gag order for decades, the brutal true story practically vanished from public eyes and media interest. Uncover this lesser-known case of a shocking family murder, the rare archival details, and the landmark People v. Padilla precedent keeping this 28-year-old case alive in the courts today.

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As a terrified, disabled young man pleads for mercy for a crime he swore he didn’t commit, the State of Texas remains hell-bent on carrying out an execution dressed up in legal robes. Years of appeals and habeas corpus petitions citing constitutional violations and untested DNA evidence fall on deaf ears in the criminal courts. As the death machine of Texas grinds toward its day of 'justice,' a death row prisoner’s last words leave an everlasting, mortal impact on the people who put him there.

Please listen to episode 81 first if you haven't already. This...

On Devil's Night in Amarillo, Texas, one of society’s most vulnerable would become a target of a sadistic predator. The investigation into their shocking death would ignite rage and vengeance across the small Christian town. But as this murder case began to unfold, questions around who the true monster was would rise to the surface.

In Part 1 of this two-part special, we examine the brutal slaying of Sister Tadea Benz, the chilling echoes that mirrored an unsolved attack, and the system's villainization of 17-year-old Johnny Frank Garrett. With corrupt, desperate law enforcement and a defense team th...

Only seven days to go until Tennessee’s planned execution of Christa Gail Pike takes place on September 30th, 2026. Part 2 of this deep dive into her case extends far beyond the gruesome headlines to examine the complex legal and psychological layers of the state’s only woman on death row. 

This episode details her exhaustive final appeals, including her high-profile lawsuit that challenged Tennessee’s lethal injection protocol, and the highly controversial medical and constitutional arguments surrounding her case. I explore the disturbing testimony and evidence regarding her “almost unbearably abusive background” and provide a criminological analysis profiling h...

On September 30th, 2026, Tennessee is expected to execute its only woman on death row, Christa Gail Pike. This gripping two-part special of Shades of Murder is pulled straight from official court records, revealing the harrowing autopsy report and the chilling confession of a teenage killer. Explore one of the darkest and most bizarre cases in American true-crime history. This is the tragic, horrific true story of the torture and murder of 19-year-old Colleen Anne Slemmer.

If you appreciate the show's deep dives into historical and global homicide cases through legal and sociological lenses, please be sure to...

When police placed a seemingly ordinary couple under active surveillance on October 4, 2018, they were hoping to discover a link to the wave of disappearances plaguing Ecatepec, Mexico. As the suspects stepped out of their home, the wife was pushing a baby stroller. When officers moved in and pulled back the blanket, instead of finding a missing infant, they uncovered human remains—sparking the arrest of Juan Carlos Hernández and Patricia Martínez Bernal, infamously known worldwide as "The Monsters of Ecatepec," and blowing open one of the most gruesome true crime cases in modern history.

On January 13, 2010, in Conyers, Georgia, a 16-year-old girl frantically waved down a passing patrol car. She and her twin sister had just returned from school to discover a grisly scene. Initially, the teen sisters appeared to be victims of trauma, witnesses to a brutal family murder. But the homicide investigation would reveal a complicated tale of resentment and violence, and lead to a much more sinister truth.

This is the shocking true story of twin sisters Tasmiyah ("Taz") and Jasmiyah ("Jas") Whitehead of Georgia.

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In April 2011, an unimaginable act of horror shook the beautiful, peaceful town of Nantes, France. Investigators discovered a pattern of disturbing behavior and alarming purchases. An aristocrat becomes the prime suspect. A family letter is sent with wild, unbelievable claims. Forget the narrative the police, prosecution, and media have told the world and listen to the evidence. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. This is the true story of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès and the mystery of the family murders. With case updates as of June 2026. Also known as the House of Horrors and the Nantes Massacre.

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In mid-April, late afternoon, amidst the dimming sunlight over the Pacific Ocean, the body of a woman was discovered, and it was missing the right leg. What initially appeared to be a shark attack would reveal other signs of brutal force and violence, and possibly something much more sinister than a monster of the sea. This is the murder mystery of Michelle Von Emster of Ocean Beach, CA.

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When a group of friends comes together for a lovely autumn meal, a casual gathering escalates to murder. The events that culminated in the death of an innocent person revealed a cast of calloused and depraved individuals led by someone whose mind was torn apart by mental illness, or was it just a facade of evil? This is the story of Anu Singh and Joe Cinque of Canberra, Australia.

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In early March 2020, in a small town in Northern Alaska, the body of a young woman was discovered on the Mayor's property, and she wasn't the first. An investigation would expose a pattern of family violence, corruption, and injustice by a system that had sworn to protect them and countless other females. This is the case of Jennifer Kirk and Susanna "Sue Sue" Norton of Kotzebue, Alaska.

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In the Fall of 2007, when a VA Agent contacted the Garland, Texas, police department about a suspicious-looking piece of concrete on a property, what lay beneath it would unfold into a roller coaster of an investigation. A missing person whose family didn’t realize that they had disappeared. A mysterious woman who claimed to be the home’s new owner.  And the revealing of one of the most diabolical plots of murder.

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Within a few weeks of one another near Stockholm, Sweden, suspicious-looking trash bags were found discarded on a motorway. Homicide detectives were stunned and horrified by what lay inside, and the pieces they never found. This investigation would unravel into one of the most controversial and bizarre murder cases in the history of Scandinavia.

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In the summer of 2016, the bodies of two teenagers were discovered along a bridge in the port city of Cirebon. What first appeared to be a tragic motorbike accident would unfold into one of the most mysterious and strange incidents of homicide in the history of Indonesia. Whispers of conspiracy, cries of injustice, and ghostly possession continue to haunt the case today. This is the true story behind the horror film Vina: Before 7 Days

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What makes a monster? How does a small child one day innocently discover a pair of women’s high heels and turn into one of the most sadistic and depraved serial killers in history? This episode unravels the layers of darkness beneath the childhood, deviant adolescence, and the disturbing and violent obsessions of the man who would become known as the Shoe Fetish Slayer.

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The investigators and crime scene analysts who searched the workshop and home of serial killer Jerome “Jerry” Brudos were shocked and horrified by the evidence of evil that lay inside. Their discoveries would result in one of the most macabre and disturbing criminal trials in American history.

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Along the Long Tom River in Oregon, the body of a missing young woman was discovered. Her disappearance and murder were a string of mysterious incidents in the region. Detectives would soon realize that they were on the hunt for a serial killer. The worst kind of killer. A lust killer, and time was not on their side.

Episode 67 was inspired by Ann Rule's novel "Lust Killer," based on the suspect's confessions and the investigators' case files, and considered one of the most comprehensive and accurate sources of information. Please note that there is a lot of...

When two depraved, twisted minds crossed one another’s paths, they would embark on a plan of true evil. Their cruel, sick desires would lead to one of the most horrific crimes in Canadian history. This is the case of killer couple Terri-Lynne McClintic and Michael Rafferty.

#justicefortori

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On June 5th, 2005, in Memphis, Tennessee, a woman discovered in a blood-spattered bedroom would lead homicide investigators to the most rare of suspects. This case would unfold in many shocking twists and turns, leaving some to wonder whether justice was ever served.

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On Christmas Day, 2010, in London, UK, first responders arrived at a couple’s blood-spattered flat. The discovery of a young man’s tortured body would uncover a disturbing and bizarre murder, and reveal a shocking pattern of faith-based child abuse. This is the Witchcraft Murder of Kristy Bamu.

Children accused of witchcraft can call Childline on 0800 1111 or NSPCC on 0808 800 500.

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In 1985, on the night before Christmas in Seattle, WA, a family’s festive plans would turn into a blood bath. The investigation into their brutal and bizarre murders would reveal a twisted, sick mind behind a conspiracy to hunt down and eradicate members of the Communist Party. It remains today one of the most disturbing and violent hate crimes and politically motivated murders in the history of the United States.

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Original Air date of 11/29/2023. Re-published for Thanksgiving-themed episodes.

In 1991, over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a real-life nightmare unfolded in the kitchen of a beautiful new bride. A red hat, scissors, an iron, and homemade BBQ ribs would reveal the most disturbing and bizarre of holiday rituals.

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Original air date 11/27/2024. Re-published for Thanksgiving-themed episodes.

Around 2:15 am on Thanksgiving morning, 1995, in Fairfax, Virginia, 911 operators received a call that the Harper residence was on fire. When firefighters arrived at the house, fire and smoke masked the horrific scene inside. Once the flames were extinguished and the heavy smoke cleared, emergency personnel found the burnt body of a young woman. When investigators examined the scene, they discovered a rolling pin smeared with blood nearby. Who was this woman, and who was the monster who savagely attacked her on a family holiday and left her to burn in...

On 02/14/2025, the gruesome discovery of a young indigenous girl’s remains was made in the Tonto National Forest near Globe, Arizona. The investigation into her disappearance and the events leading up to her death would reveal a long pattern of neglect and systemic failures. This is the story of Emily Pike of the San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona.

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If anyone has any information about the death of Emily Pike, please get in touch with Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS, your local FBI/Am...

On October 14th, 2022, when a 12-year-old schoolgirl goes missing in Paris, France, the nightmare that unfolds would shock and enrage the entire country. This is the story of Lola Daviet and the Devil Monster of France, Dahbia Benkired.

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In 2015, in Elkhart, IN, when a family's house goes up in flames, a mother is found stabbed to death, and a young girl goes missing, the police are on the hunt for an unlikely killer. Investigators would learn how the young offender of this vicious crime was obsessed with a creepypasta serial killer clown known as Laughing Jack.

*Please note that due to minor laws, the identity and thus any photograph of the offender is not available.

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On March 17th, 1979, at the Palmland Motel in Fort Myers, Florida, the body of 73-year-old Inez Kelly was discovered in her room. The old woman had been viciously slain. Bloody footprints would lead the police to a sleeping maid. The real perpetrator of this brutal murder would not only surprise and shock psychiatrists, the prosecution, and the judge, but also the defendant herself.

This episode was updated thanks to a listener who addressed the inaccurate image of the woman. Please note that I always conduct extensive research, and this photo was used in conjunction with her story...

On November 13th, 2013, the body of 78-year-old Joseph Gatto was discovered in his Silver Lake, Los Angeles residence. The house was ransacked and appeared to be a fatal home invasion, but the scene and evidence failed to make any sense. His son would embark on a quest for truth and journey into darkness to seek justice for his beloved father. 

**Remastered for balanced audio

Featuring an emotional and deeply personal interview with Mike Gatto, the victim's son.

This is the story of Joseph Gatto and his son Mike’s more than decade-long devotion to...

In the Spring of 1998, in Winter Park, Florida, a 19-year-old co-ed was found dead inside her dorm room. The scene was bizarre and suspicious. This homicide investigation would lead to strange, conflicting forensic reports and leave people to wonder whether it was an accident, suicide, or murder.

This is the unsolved murder of college student Jennifer Kairis.

***Remastered audio

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Alyssa Bustamante has been labeled a thrill killer, a psychopath, and an evil monster. Only a child of fifteen herself when she committed an act of unimaginable violence, she remains a true killing anomaly. Part 2 of this story explores the dark layers of this young female offender, signs of psychopathy, and discusses how our society defines juvenile justice.

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In the small town of St. Martins, Missouri, when a nine-year-old girl vanishes, the entire community comes together to search for her. While investigators combed through the vast woods where it was believed she had last been, they discovered two small graves. The disturbing words found inside a teenager’s diary would lead homicide detectives to a shocking and very unusual suspect. 

This is the tragic and disturbing case of child killer Alyssa Bustamante and her victim, Elizabeth Olten.

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Lurking behind the dreamy destinations of tropical islands lie sands of blood and secrets. Tourists and residents become victims of horrific violence, and countless murders are never solved. This episode discusses two murder mysteries set in islands of paradise, Fiji and Jamaica.

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If you have any information that can help lead to the arrest of Yuri Shipulin and Nataliya Gerasimova’s...

In January 2017, when a gruesome discovery was made at a commercial trash facility in Bronx County, New York, law enforcement investigators quickly identified the brutal killer. This horrific murder would lead to a historical fight for justice for society’s most marginalized women. This is the case of Brooklyn's Leondra Foster.

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In March 2014, when two bodies were discovered behind a convenience store, Galveston County homicide detectives were stumped on who and why these victims were killed. A letter, a window shutter, and surveillance footage would lead investigators to the shocking and horrible truth. This is the case of Brittney Cosby and Crystal Jackson of Houston, Texas.

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In March 2012, a young woman from Ukraine was discovered lying inside the basement of an abandoned hospital. She was on fire and barely alive. Her shocking and brutal story would highlight the injustice, corruption, and lack of accountability for the country's elite. This is the case of Oksana Makar.

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On May 16th, 2021, in Tempe, AZ, a tragic and shocking family murder occurred. This brutal and disturbing crime would horrify the community and forever traumatize law enforcement, crime scene specialists, the coroner, and the entire courtroom. This is the case of Yui Inoue.

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On May 2nd, 2016, on the Navajo Reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico, two young children disappeared while walking home after school. The tragedy that would unfold would expose a loophole in the system that failed to protect indigenous children. This is the story of Ashlynne Mike.

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On June 2nd, 2023, in a suburb outside of D.C., patrol officers entered a basement searching for signs of a missing woman. There, they were struck with the foulest of odors. As they looked around the room, they noticed a knife on the ground and several trash bags, all of which appeared to be wet. This routine welfare check had quickly turned into a crime scene.

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On Midsummer, 2003, in Pirkkala, Finland, the police received a call from a woman who had been told about a murder in which a man had been dismembered. It wasn’t until the second call, which was from a witness to this horrendous crime, that officers began to take the report seriously. These calls would lead investigators down a path to the discovery of atrocious and shocking crimes.

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Between April and June 2017, in the small rural Southern town of Lumberton, North Carolina, whispers of a serial killer spread throughout the neighborhood. The bodies of three women were discovered within only a few blocks of one another. Their deaths would shine a light on the unknown number of missing and murdered Indigenous women of Robeson County whose homicides have yet to be solved. 

This episode covers the unsolved murders and disappearances of: Michelle Ann Driggers, Lisa Hardin, Lisa Marie Hohman, Lauren Holmes, Marcey Elizabeth Blanks. Rhonda Jones, Christina “Kristin” Bennett, Megan Oxendine, Cynthia Jacobs, Lumbee Tribe, North...