Crime Will Tell

In 1985, Harold and Thelma Swain were murdered inside of their church while attending a Bible study. Due to a corrupt investigation, an innocent man named Dennis Perry spent years in prison for the murders. With support from the Georgia Innocence Project and a determined journalist, they helped exonerate Perry and prove who was actually responsible for the murders.

Betty Broderick’s story has been told for decades—but her recent death brings the case back into sharp focus. In this episode, Carrie and Jami revisit the infamous 1989 murders of Dan Broderick and Linda Kolkena, unpacking the affair, the ugly divorce, the trials, the parole denials, and the question that still lingers: where does heartbreak end and accountability begin?

When the body of Gary Farris was found in a burn pile on his Georgia property, his wife and son blamed each other for his murder. This episode is filled with family drama, betrayal, and tensions regarding money. So, who had the motive and the opportunity to kill Gary?

In this episode of Crime Will Tell, we revisit two Wisconsin disappearances that still weigh heavily on their communities. Katelyn Kelley vanished from the Menominee Indian Reservation in 2020; her remains were found months later, but her story remains heartbreakingly unfinished. Nicholas Hieptas disappeared from Appleton in 2019 and has never been heard from or seen again. Join us as we explore what’s known, what’s missing, and why both families still deserve answers.

Any leads or information regarding the murder of Katelyn Latisha Kelley should be directed to the Menominee Tribal Police Department at (715) 799-5806 or the Wisc...

In July of 2017, a 911 dispatcher received a call from a horrified couple who had just found human remains in a freezer in their basement. The dismembered body was identified as Shannon Graves, who had been missing for 5 months. As investigators searched for the truth about what happened to Shannon, they uncovered a bitter love triangle and an extensive cover up for the crime.

On this episode, we break down the recent events that took place at Horizon Middle School in Moorhead, Minnesota. Two incidents, five months apart, highlight an unfortunate plight - drugs in schools. After several students became seriously ill and impaired from eating the same candy, investigators tracking the source found themselves discovering a very interesting turn of events.

In this episode of Crime Will Tell, we examine the heartbreaking 2020 Kaukauna, Wisconsin murders of 5-year-old William "Will" Beyer and 3-year-old Danielle "Dani" Beyer. As investigators pieced together surveillance footage, shifting alibis, and a mounting circumstantial case, a devastating picture emerges of what happened in the hours before the children were found. This episode contains discussion of violence against children and may be difficult for some listeners.

While on a romantic weekend getaway in Iowa, Roger Atkison and his mistress, Rose Burkert, were brutally murdered in their hotel room. Was it a crime of passion or were they murdered by a random stranger? Was the bizarre evidence found in the room even related to the crime? This complicated case will leave you stumped.

In 1994, Robin Lawrence was brutally murdered inside her home while her toddler slept in the next room. The attack seemed personal, but no one close to Robin could be connected to the crime. Leads ran dry and the case went cold for decades. Thanks to advancements in DNA and the hard work of a volunteer genealogist, Robin’s unlikely killer was finally brought to justice.

In May of 2019, the body of Charles Locke was found wrapped in a tarp near a dead-end road in Pensacola, Florida. Items left near the body led investigators right to someone close to the victim. On this episode, we discuss the horrendous use of the "gay panic defense" and the ties to another murder case in Oklahoma.

Tom Kamp and his family gathered to enjoy a fun weekend together on his property in rural Texas. When a peaceful camping trip turned into a senseless massacre, investigators didn’t have to go far to find their suspect.

When teenagers Bryan and David Freeman rebelled against their strict religious upbringing as Jehovah’s Witnesses, they became active in the neo-Nazi movement. When the tensions between the angry teens and their parents came to a head, three members of the Freeman family were brutally murdered.

On this episode, we discuss the horrendous crimes of John Weber, a sadistic killer from Phillips, Wisconsin. He has been compared to some of the most notorious serious killers. This one is a real doozy.

On this episode, we discuss the cases of Eliotte Heinz, Claire Tracy, and Camila Mendoza Olmos. All three women were reported missing and when their bodies were found, their deaths were ruled accidental or by suicide and no foul play was determined. Join us as we work through the known facts of each case and examine why some of what is known seems… open-ended.

After John and Lois McCullough hadn't been seen for years, their concerned doctor contacted local police regarding their well-being. An investigation into the couple and their daughter, Virginia, led to a horrifying discovery and an extensive trail of lies and deceit.

On a hot summer night in June 1987 in Nashville, Tennessee, a local church went up in flames. It wasn’t until after authorities discovered a body in the attic that alarm bells started ringing. This is the case of the tragic death of James Chester Matheny and the perpetrator that took his life.

It’s a parent’s worst nightmare: hearing your child screaming for help and not being able to get to them. When Mary Jean Pearle’s ex-husband, John Battaglia, wanted to punish her following their divorce, he shot and killed their two young daughters while he forced her to listen on the other end of a phone call.

In August 1992, 20-year-old Laurie Depies vanished from a Wisconsin parking lot without a trace. Her locked car, untouched belongings, and a perfectly balanced soda cup were all that remained. In this episode of Crime Will Tell, we unpack the baffling disappearance, explore a chilling confession that led nowhere, and examine the psychological profile of whoever took Laurie—and got away with it.

They say the cover up is worse than the crime. When Laura Dickinson was raped and murdered in her dorm room at Eastern Michigan University, officials at the school hid the details of the crime from Laura’s family and the other students at the school. Following the arrest of another student for the crimes, the cover up by the school and the true details of Laura’s death were exposed.

When Linda Cooney shot and killed her ex-husband James in 1992, she claimed it was self-defense—and walked free. But two decades later, Linda made headlines again when her youngest son, Kevin—the same son who once testified to save her—was found shot and paralyzed in their Las Vegas home. In this episode of Crime Will Tell, we work through the details, known and speculated, of what happened behind closed doors.

After being accused of a horrific crime, Roy Jaggers was brutally tortured and killed in the desert near Las Vegas, Nevada. This case is about what horrors can happen when people jump to conclusions and take justice into their own hands.

Two brothers. Two murders. No relation. Dive into the (isn’t it…) ironic and sad saga of the Kissel brothers — Wall Street royalty turned true crime tragedy. This week on Crime Will Tell, we examine the rise and fall of two brothers who met the same fate for very different reasons. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

In November of 2012, 13-year-old Dylan Redwine went to visit his father, Mark Redwine, for a court-ordered visit for Thanksgiving. The following day, Dylan went missing and wasn't heard from again. Years would pass before the family would finally get answers about what happened to Dylan. We discuss the events and secrets that potentially led to his disappearance.

Almost 100 years ago, the quiet farming town of Bath, Michigan was shaken to its core. 44 lives were lost, most of them children. One man turned resentment, debt, and obsession into America’s deadliest school massacre. We dig into the Bath Consolidated School disaster.

In 2003, 15-year-old Sakia Gunn, was stabbed to death by a stranger after telling him she was gay and rejecting his sexual advances. The hate crime sparked outrage among the LGBTQIA+ community in Newark, NJ where Sakia was killed. Awareness of her murder also helped to eventually create resources and support for queer people in their city.

In February 2022, Green Bay, Wisconsin was deeply shaken by the brutal murder of Shad Thyrion, killed and dismembered by his girlfriend, Taylor Schabusiness. This episode of Crime Will Tell explores the chilling discovery of Shad’s remains, the toxic relationship behind the crime, the intense legal proceedings that followed, and the impact mental health played.

Content warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions and mature themes.

For anyone experiencing a crisis or thoughts of suicide, you can call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

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When a mother makes a gruesome discovery in her son’s bedroom closet, the horrific murder of a beloved member of Grand Juction, Colorado is uncovered.

Former police chief Grant Hardin was supposed to uphold the law—but instead, he chose to rape, murder, and most recently, become a fugitive of the law. In this episode, we unravel Hardin’s crimes, his escape from an Arkansas prison, and the two-week manhunt that finally brought him down. But most importantly, we honor the victims he left in his wake.

A family of 4 was found murdered in their Romeoville, Illinois home. Investigators uncovered a devious and manipulative catfishing plot that led to their deaths.

In December 1968, 20-year-old college student Barbara Mackle was kidnapped at gunpoint in the middle of the night and buried alive in a custom-built box in the remote woods of Georgia. The kidnappers demanded $500,000 from her father in exchange for Barbara’s safe return.

In 1979, Johnny Pius was brutally murdered in Smithtown, New York. Four teenage boys were convicted of killing him because he had allegedly seen them stealing a minibike. But is this what really happened to Johnny? We discuss how Johnny’s case is tied to the Long Island Serial Killer investigation…and how years of corruption might mean that Johnny’s murder is still unsolved.

She left for work and never came back. In March 2013, 20-year-old Jazmine Trotter disappeared while walking through her Cleveland, Ohio neighborhood. The next day, her body was found behind a vacant house – beaten, assaulted, and discarded. More than a decade later, the person accountable for her murder has yet to be found. We discuss Jazmine’s case in the hopes that someone who has information will come forward in the name of justice.

Ray and Faye Copeland seemed like a typical elderly couple living out their days on their Missouri farm. So, how did they become serial killers and the oldest couple sentenced to death in the United States?

Crime Will Tell is a Three Crows Production. Hosted by Carrie O’Brien and Jami Thompson.

Please rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

On August 4, 1993, 13-year-old Dario Cicolecchia never returned home from fishing at the local creek. His body was discovered two days later in a cornfield, revealing the horrific nature of his murder. The community and law enforcement mobilized extensively during the search, but the discovery of Dario's body marked a devastating moment for the village. This episode explores the details surrounding this case and the implications it had on community safety and awareness.

Crime Will Tell is a Three Crows Production

Hosted by Carrie Thompson and Jami Thompson

In 2018, Travis Reinking shot and killed 4 people and injured more at a Waffle House in Nashville, Tennessee. We discuss the bizarre events leading up to the tragic event.

In February 2016, Heyzel Obando, a beautiful, vibrant mom of two young daughters, was ruthlessly murdered in her own Fort Myers, Florida bedroom. The case quickly went cold, until it became red hot again a few years later. Join us as we take you through the case details and how justice for Heyzel finally prevailed.

Crime Will Tell is a Three Crows Production. Hosted by Carrie O’Brien and Jami Thompson.

Please rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

On Christmas night of 2021, Chris Vo was brutally murdered inside of his home in Cleveland, OH. Police quickly uncovered a horrendous plan of betrayal and deceit by his ex-boyfriend.

Crime Will Tell is a Three Crows Production. Hosted by Carrie O’Brien and Jami Thompson.

Please rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

On the evening of November 22, 2002, John Last shot and killed his wife Debra with a rifle. The next morning, he took his own life. They had been married 24 years and raised three sons. Sometimes, what goes on behind closed doors ends in a horrible, split-second decision.

Crime Will Tell is a Three Crows Production.

Hosted by Carrie O’Brien and Jami Thompson.

Please rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

7-year-old Barbara Gaca was abducted while walking to school on March 24, 1955. Following a massive search for the small girl, her murdered body was discovered a week later. Despite multiple promising suspects, Barbara's murder remains unsolved. Who killed Barbara?

Show notes:

Crime Will Tell is hosted by Carrie O’Brien and Jami Thompson

Researched, written, and edited by Jami Thompson

Intro & outro music by Cinco

Please rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. It really helps our little show out!

On September 3, 1952, 28-year-old Mahmoud Hussein Mattan was executed at Cardiff Prison for the murder of 41-year-old Lily Volpert. 46 years later, after a battle waged by Mahmoud’s family, he was officially exonerated as having been responsible for Lily’s death. To this day, her case remains unsolved. We’ll work our way through the details of how it was possible for an innocent man to be convicted and executed for a crime he didn’t commit.

Crime Will Tell is hosted by Carrie O’Brien and Jami Thompson

Researched and written by Carrie...