Island Crime

Janet Piper is the great-granddaughter of the victims, Lizzie and Curly Kostyniuk. In this episode, she speaks publicly for the first time about the man she believes committed the murders, a man who was her grandfather. A man who went to jail twice. A man who terrorized three generations of women and children. The episode delves into the intergenerational trauma of abuse, secrecy, and justice. Featuring survivor testimony and expert insights, it highlights the importance of uncovering hidden truths for healing and justice.

Note: This episode contains discussion of incest and other forms of familial abuse...

A double murder. A robbery motive that doesn't add up. And a family theory that's been passed down in whispers for decades.

In this episode, host Laura Palmer digs into the suspect, Shauna's family calls "Bad Grandpa" Joseph Charles Phillips, a convicted predator with a grudge, a motive, and, according to someone who knew him, sudden money after the killings. Through long-buried psychiatric records, jailhouse letters, and a remarkable conversation with an 85-year-old who knew both the victims and the suspect, the story of who may have killed Andrew "Curly" and Lizzie Kostyniuk comes into sharper focus.<...

In 1959, South Wellington residents Andrew “Curly” Kosteniuk and his wife Lizzie are found stabbed to death, and the killer is never caught. Host Laura Palmer reexamines the case through archives and family memories. New details from Margaret Kostyniuk’s psychiatric records suggest escalating family conflict and a key suspect connected to secrets that never made the papers.

This series includes original news reports from the time, presented as radio news stories.

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In June 1959, newspapers pile up outside the Kostyniuk home in South Wellington until neighbours find the house ransacked, the phone line cut, and the bodies of Andrew “Curly” and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Kostyniuk in the bedroom. Police back then suspect robbery, but the coroner’s inquest and autopsies suggest a more complex story. 

I've posted the full Coroners Inquest report, including autopsies, on the Island Crime Facebook page.

And if you'd like to learn more about Dr. Crossland's life's work, check out his book: http://www.deathcalls.ca/

This series includes original ne...

In the summer of 1959, Andrew and Elizabeth Kostyniuk, known to everyone in South Wellington, BC, as Curly and Lizzie, were stabbed to death in their own home. The case was never solved, and for 67 years, their names faded into silence.

Now, their great-great-granddaughter, Shauna, has asked host Laura Palmer to take on her coldest case yet. In this first episode, Laura travels to South Wellington to learn about the world Curly and Lizzie lived in, a quiet, close-knit Vancouver Island community where doors were left unlocked, and everyone knew everyone's business. On the night of June 26...

Island Crime Season 9: The Dead File — In 1959, Curly and Lizzie Kostyniuk were stabbed to death in their rural home near Nanaimo, BC — a double murder that was never solved and virtually forgotten for over six decades. Now, host Laura Palmer is reopening the case, chasing paper trails and reexamining evidence with the help of the victims' descendants, who have long suspected the truth is darker than the official robbery theory. This is her oldest cold case yet.

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Jeff Ingram discusses his experiences with dissociative amnesia, where memory loss leads him to wander, unable to recall past events. Dr. David Spiegel provides insights into the disorder's link to trauma. Gloria, whose husband Ian Indridson is missing, wonders if Ian may have experienced this kind of episode on the morning he disappeared. She shares her ongoing hope and emotional struggle as the episode marks 4 years since Ian vanished in January 2022.

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The aftermath of Bree’s murder reveals more than just the tragedy of her death; it speaks volumes about the life she led. And may also reveal something about the circumstances surrounding her murder.

Thank you to Bree's musical collaborators, Willem Weiss and Don Vaillancourt, for allowing me to use songs they created with Bree in the series. 

'Shake it for me, Baby' is the theme song for Season 8. You can hear the song in its entirety on Willem's SoundCloud account.

Bree's vocals on 'Wash Me Away' appear in this epi...

On her final night alive, Bree was with her friend Sara. In this episode, you’ll hear Sara’s account of what happened the night of the murder and why I now believe I know how Bree died. Plus, an expert reveals her chilling take on what she calls “the perfect weapon.”

'Shake it for me, Baby' is the theme song for Season 8. You can hear the song in its entirety on Willem's SoundCloud account.

Bree's closest friends shared messages and texts she sent them in the years leading up to her death. The mess...

This episode contains mature themes and content related to domestic abuse, which some listeners may find disturbing or triggering. Please take care while listening.

Three weeks after Bree’s murder, police descended on the home she once shared with her boyfriend, Darren. TV news cameras rolled as Darren appeared outside in handcuffs, his knees pressed to the pavement. To friends, Bree had once described Darren as her soul mate. Their relationship had stretched over years; tumultuous, breaking apart, then coming back together again. Several friends and relatives told me Bree had confided in them about abuse be...

Bree's friendships were deep and profound. She sometimes called her girlfriends her 'Chicas'. In this episode, some of Bree's closest 'gal pals' reflect on the good times, even as they wrestle with the side of Bree she kept hidden from them and why.

Thank you to Bree's musical collaborators, Willem Weiss and Don Vaillancourt, for allowing me to use songs they created with Bree in the series. 

'Shake it for me, Baby' is the theme song for Season 8. You can hear the song in its entirety on Willem's SoundCloud account.

I...

“After the pain of this disappointment, her heart once more stood empty, and the succession of identical days began again.”

― Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary

How does a restless, hard-partying city girl end up on Vancouver Island? And how does her fiery temperament shape her most profound relationships? Through the eyes of Bree’s former partner, we see a woman yearning for something deeper, an ache for connection that may ultimately hint at her tragic fate.

'Shake it for me, Baby' is the theme song for Season 8. You can hear the song in its e...

Bree Gamble was known for her passion, fearlessness, and vibrant energy—a woman who seemed to live life in full colour until her tragic murder in 2021. The daughter of acclaimed Colombian filmmaker Jorge Lozano, Bree carried her Latin roots and artistic identity through everything she did. Central to her story is the rumbero spirit—a distinctly Colombian way of embracing joy and music even amid hardship.

In this episode, I explore how that spirit shaped Bree — and how her early experiences and her culture influenced the choices she made in the time leading up to her murder.

How does a woman described as exotic, vibrant, and passionate end up murdered—her body abandoned near an oceanside park? What secrets does the crime scene hold about who killed Bree Gamble, and why? This season of Island Crime opens at Beacon Hill Park, the crown jewel of Victoria’s parks—and home to dozens of peacocks. When I first visited the scene, they were everywhere: striking, untamed, impossible to ignore. In her too-short life, Bree Gamble seemed to share their restless beauty. Those who knew her say she was searching—for something, or someone—always just out of reach. The...

In the early hours of March 3rd, 2021, a woman named Bree Gamble (Lozano) is found unresponsive on the grass near Dallas Road in Victoria. Despite CPR attempts, she is pronounced dead. Police describe the scene as 'oddly clean,' but at first, no foul play is suspected. But then, less than a week later, her death is ruled a homicide. Bree is a mum, a singer and an artist. She is a waiter at high-end resorts and restaurants. She is striking, vibrant and unforgettable. Bree's murder remains unsolved, and four years later, her loved ones still seek answers. Island...

Between seasons of Island Crime, I update earlier stories and begin research on the season ahead. I wanted to take a quick moment to let you know what's been going on behind the scenes since the last season of Island Crime. As you know, the show doesn’t just end with the last episode—it’s a continuous journey, and there’s always something going on...

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An update to missing man Kelly McLeod's case. Kelly's mother, Lorraine and his Auntie Sandy share their memories of Kelly and their hope that someone will come forward with new information. The RCMP sit down with me for the first time and confirm Kelly's disappearance is being investigated as a homicide. Plus, a source provides information regarding what they believe happened to Kelly McLeod.

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The Victoria police say the brown van tip was their best lead when Michael Dunahee was taken. But over the years, questions have been raised about the reliability of the child witness who first reports seeing the brown van. Tim Barron also witnessed a brown van that day. He told police what he saw and has been interviewed by them many times down the years. But this is the first time he has shared his story publicly. The brown van tip is complicated. Vehicle identification has come a long way since 1991. So this episode is also informed by two...

This is an 'episode drop' of a podcast about Lisa Marie Young. The show is called 'LAGIM: A Filipino True Crime Podcast. '

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'The ultimate act of control. I killed you, but nobody knows where you are' -Tad Dibiase, Author of No Body Homicide Cases.

No body, no crime. Right now, on Vancouver Island, I know of several missing person cases which I am reasonably certain are homicides. But in the absence of a body, I appreciate that it is challenging for police to lay charges. But it's not impossible.

Thomas A. (Tad) Dibiase has been studying consulting and writing about no-body murder cases for close to 20 years. He got started as a prosecutor in the...

It's been almost five years since the Nanaimo RCMP first sat down with me to discuss Lisa Marie Young's disappearance. Now, there's a new lead on the case. In this episode, I get an update from outgoing lead Corporal Markus Muntener and introduce you to the new investigative lead on the case, RCMP Constable Hayley Pinfold.

If you have information about Lisa's disappearance, it is never too late to do the next right thing. Call the RCMP at 250-754-2345.

Please note. This episode begins with tape recorded outside at the tree planting...

Curious to know how families feel about my involvement in their cases? Do police think I get in the way of their work? This is Vancouver Island from CBC Podcasts pulled back the curtain with me in an in-depth interview about how I approach these difficult and complex investigations. And if you’re like me, an islander, looking for stories about the news, but also the joys, frustrations, and quirks of living here, have a listen to This is Vancouver Island. Find the show on your podcast app, or here: https://link.mgln.ai/6Qx9AP

In this episode, you'll hear two never-before-published interviews. One is with the late Dallas Hulley and the other is with Lisa's mother, the late Joanne Young. I learn about these recordings when I scratch an itch I've had for a while now. It's been reported that Lisa sent Dallas a text message with the words 'Come Get Me. They won't let me leave.' I've come to believe it's most likely that the text never happened.

Apologies. These two phone recordings are of poor audio quality. But given that both of the subjects are now deceased...

34 years ago, police in Canada reached out to the FBI's famed behavioural analysis unit for help on Michael Dunahee's abduction. 9 Canadian detectives flew to Quantico on a B.C. government jet. The resulting profile helped inform the investigation. But it has never been fully released to the public. In this update to 'Missing Michael, newly acquired police notes on the profile are discussed by two high-profile FBI analysts. Jim Clemente and Kathy Canning-Mello host a podcast called 'Real Crime Profile' by Wondery-and the interview will also air on their show.

This episode is being released in...

In the absence of any evidence as to whether Ian Indridson is alive or dead, those who love Ian Indridson are coming to their own conclusions about what path Ian may have taken and why. 

Thank you to Chek News for sharing the news archives footage you'll hear in this episode.

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Warning: This episode includes expert interviews and details which may be disturbing to anyone who has lost a loved one to drowning.

If Ian Indridson went into the ocean, by accident or with intention, why was he never found? What does science tell us about the likelihood Ian would have disappeared without a trace if he went into the sea that January morning?

Thank you to CHEK News for use of archival news tape featuring CHEK Reporter Mary Griffin.

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Ian's a senior government public affairs officer, privy to the inner workings of the highest ranks. Could Ian Indridson's colleagues hold the clue to why Ian chose to walk away on that cool January morning?

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Convinced her husband may yet be alive, frustrated with what she views as a lack of interest by police, Ian Indridson's wife Gloria turns to private investigators…

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Boring bureaucrat. That’s the image of Ian Indridson that some may have seen in his Missing Person poster. He’s a senior government spokesperson. A happily married man whose colleagues describe him as a creature of habit. In this episode, we begin peeling back the layers to uncover some conflicting aspects of Ian Indridson's personality that may be clues to what happened to him and why.

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What happens after Ian walks away from his home that cool January morning? Inside the frantic search for Ian Indridson. Possible sitings in two unlikely places. A glimpse into an area of interest which suggests he may have chosen to leave his life behind.

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On a cool cloudy January morning in 2022, Ian Indridson makes himself some eggs, plays with his dog, walks out the door of his Victoria home, and disappears. Island Crime Season 7 introduces you to a man described as a 'rock star' senior B.C. government public affairs officer and explores why he vanishes from a life he once loved. The series will begin rolling out on January 24th, 2025.

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Retired RCMP detective Doug Hogg is one of the first investigators on Lisa Marie Young's file after she was reported missing back in 2002. He looks back at the case and what it will take to bring justice now for Lisa. 

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Retired RCMP detective Doug Hogg is one of the first investigators on Lisa Marie Young's file after she was reported missing back in 2002. He looks back at the case and what it will take to bring justice now for Lisa.

Investigative genetic genealogy has been hailed as the biggest breakthrough in investigations since the fingerprint. And yet only a handful of police forces in Canada are using it.  Why? And what will it take to address the challenges of moving forward?

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An interview with 'Someone Knows Something' host David Ridgen about true crime podcasting and his new season of SKS - The Christine Harron Case.

SPOILER ALERT: David goes into some detail about his new season.  

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On October 16th, 2024, the RCMP release a video of Justin Hall driving Amber Manthorne's white jeep, stopping at a gas station and revealing a dark grey tote in the back of the vehicle which may contain Amber's body. They name the late Justin Hall as a person of interest in Amber's disappearance and admit they do not believe Amber Manthorne is alive. It's a devastating development to an already heartbreaking case. 

The police video is posted on the Island Crime Facebook page. If you have information please contact your local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222...

Shelley Wright was Cheri Lynn Smith's best friend. After the first episodes drop, she gets in touch. In this episode, Shelley shares a loving view of her teenage friend and provides insight into Cheri's world before and after Cheri is sex trafficked.

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After the original series drops, new information surfaces about Kimberly Gallup's case; fresh leads and questions from people close to Kimberly in time and place.

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In the immediate aftermath of the original Sweetheart series, the Island Crime inbox is flooded with new leads, fresh tips and reactions from those who knew and loved Kimberly Gallup, Melissa Nicholson and Cheri Lynn Smith.

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Experts say Investigative Genetic Genealogy, also known as IGG, is showing incredible promise in solving cold cases abroad. But the technology is not yet commonly used in Canada. Could Cheri, Melissa and Kimberly’s cases one day be solved through IGG? And what’s preventing law enforcement from using it more frequently in Canada?

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