True Crimecast

In November 2025, someone broke into a Virginia ABC liquor store in Ashland, Virginia, by falling through a ceiling tile. The intruder proceeded to ransack shelves, smash bottles, and consume spirits (reportedly whiskey and scotch). Who/what was this intruder? And exactly what does a drunken raccoon do to cool off?

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The episode investigates the devastating 2009 Taconic State Parkway crash where Diane Schuler drove erratically, killing eight people, including herself and four children in her minivan. Despite a damning toxology report, many witnesses claim that Diane was just fine throughout the morning. Schuler's husband and family denied substance use, claiming a medical emergency was to blame. What was really long with Diane and what caused the crash?

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On July 25, 2025, three Knoxville Fire Department responders mistakenly pronounced a woman dead at a home. Minutes later, the death investigator arrived, noticed signs of life, and intervened by administering Narcan and providing first aid, successfully reviving the individual. How did this happen? And how could it be prevented in the future?

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The episode details the bizarre "Mrs. Doubtfire scam" in Borgo Virgilio, Italy, where a 56-year-old former nurse allegedly impersonated his deceased mother, Graziella Dall’Oglio, for approximately three years to collect her survivor’s pension payments (totaling around €53,000, or US $60,000).

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The disappearance of 21-year-old Jason Landry in December 2020 remains an unsolved mystery. While driving home to Houston from Texas State University, Jason vanished after his car was found wrecked in Luling, Texas. The scene was highly unusual: his vehicle was crashed, but his clothes were found neatly stripped and dropped along the road nearby, along with his backpack and phone.

The Office of the Attorney General continues to encourage anyone with credible information to contact the Missing Persons unit at texasattorneygeneral.gov/coldcasetips.

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Imagine taking a peaceful walk along the Chesapeake Bay. You can hear the waves crashing nearby, birds whistling above you as you catch a glimpse of something that catches your eye ahead of you. As you get closer, you see an abandoned suitcase on the shore. You unzip it slowly, hoping to find something valuable or perhaps even bundles of cash, but to your surprise and horror, what you find isn't something. No, what you find is someone. And that someone was Bill McGuire. Who put Bill in this suitcase?

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In 2014, 24-year-old Anthony Stallard was fined by a UK court for pretending to be a ghost in Kingston Cemetery, shouting "woooooo" and acting erratically. He pleaded guilty to using abusive behavior likely to cause distress, which is apparently a law in the UK.

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Former GOP staffer Natalie Greene was charged after allegedly staging a politically motivated hoax on July 23, 2025, in New Jersey. Greene was found zip-tied with political slurs written on her body and cuts she claimed came from an ambush. Investigators found the wounds were possibly self-inflicted scarification performed by a paid artist, leading to charges of conspiracy and making false statements to federal law enforcement.

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NFL player Rae Carruth was accused of conspiring to murder his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams, to avoid child support payments. The critical evidence used in the trial included Cherica's 911 call and handwritten notes, which was met with objections due to Carruth not being able to question his accuser. Would this be a landmark case for the rights of the accused? And, as always, would justice be served?

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Plains Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, is reeling from an unsettling case of grave desecration after remains belonging to two individuals were stolen from crypts in a mausoleum at Good Shepherd Memorial Park between November 1 and November 6, 2025. Authorities are treating the incident as a burglary and desecration. But the mystery remains...who did it?

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In 1997, a man named "Clay" called the Howard Stern Show and calmly confessed to murdering 12 women. He claimed his victims were sex workers. Despite the chilling detail and the hosts' belief the confession was genuine, "Clay" was never publicly identified or arrested, leaving the shocking call—which recently went viral—as an unsolved mystery of a potential serial killer who admitted his crimes on live radio.

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On April 12, 2016, 16-year-old Mekayla Bali vanished after a day of erratic behavior caught on camera. Surveillance showed her withdrawing money, sending cryptic texts, and inquiring about a bus ticket to Regina before she disappeared from a restaurant. Authorities suspect she either ran away or fell victim to human trafficking or an online predator, but will we ever find out the truth?

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Pasco County, Florida, resident Craig Vogt, 61, was arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty after he killed, cooked, and ate a couple of...peacocks. The bizarre act stemmed from a long-running feud with a neighbor who fed the birds. Vogt confessed to officers, admitting he decapitated the two peacocks and consumed them "to prove a point" to his neighbor for ignoring his demands. Prosecutors allege the deliberate, prolonged cruelty was meant to inflict emotional harm on the neighbor. 

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The episode covers the decades-old, now-closed cold case of the 1962 rape and murder of nine-year-old Carol Ann Dougherty inside St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church in Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania. Carol Ann was attacked and strangled in the choir loft after stopping to pray. The case remained unsolved for over 60 years. 

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In May 2004, 53-year-old Al Kite was found brutally tortured and murdered in his Colorado home after meeting a potential tenant. The killer meticulously planned the murder, abandoning Al's truck and cleaning the scene with bleach. Investigators believe the motive was the "thrill" of the kill, with experts linking the unusual hog-tying and torture methods to practices like falaka. The case remains cold, but DNA evidence suggests they may be able to identify the true identity of the killer, "Robert Cooper."

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We sat down with Sergeant (Ret.) Bert "Maverick" Gonzalez to discuss his compelling new book, The Real Greatest Show on Earth. After dedicating 37 years to the Miami-Dade Police Department, serving in roles from narcotics to crime scene investigations and training over 25,000 officers, Gonzalez offers an unprecedented look behind the badge.

Gonzalez pulls no punches, describing his book as the "nitty-gritty reality" of police work, far removed from TV sensationalism or murder mysteries. The Real Greatest Show on Earth explores the full spectrum of a cop's career:

The Terror and Tragedy: He reveals the nightmares and...

A 13-year-old girl's suicide led to a major lawsuit against Roblox and Discord, alleging the platforms contributed to her death by failing to control exploitative and self-harm content. The suit claims the platforms, including "depression rooms" on Roblox, created a dangerous online environment for vulnerable minors, forcing a confrontation over tech company accountability versus child safety.

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In John and Jamie's hometown, candy has been tainted by needles found after trick or treating last week. Was this the act of an evil monster, some families desperate for attention, or just a major misunderstanding?

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Explore the perplexing death of successful 33-year-old tech CEO Erin Valenti. In October 2019, after a business retreat, Valenti began speaking erratically about "the Matrix," missed her flight, and was found deceased days later in her rental car near the San Jose Airport. With no signs of foul play or substance abuse, the medical examiner ruled the cause of death as "sudden death in the setting of an acute manic episode."

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America certainly has no shortage of conspiracies. The moon landing, JFK and MLK makes us question what we really know. Today, another conspiracy will be the topic of discussion. Did John Wilkes Booth manage to escape justice and live out his life in peace? Did his body travel the country as a sideshow exhibit? Did you know Jamie shares the same initials as this traitor?

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Franklin Township Police Sergeant Kevin Bollaro was charged with second-degree official misconduct for allegedly ignoring multiple August 2025 911 calls reporting an active double murder. Instead of responding, investigators proved through GPS data that Bollaro was conducting personal errands (ATM, dinner) and sleeping in a cemetery while on duty. Seriously...what the heck?

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A 14-year-old boy in Greater Manchester, England, known as "John," became the first person in British legal history to be convicted of inciting his own murder. Feeling isolated, John created six fake online personas to manipulate an older friend, "Mark," into stabbing him, convincing Mark it was a "mission" for the British Secret Service. The episode details the intricate digital deception that led to the 2003 stabbing and John's subsequent conviction, highlighting the disturbing legal and psychological consequences of self-destructive behavior in the digital age.

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The 1986 murder of San Diego college student Cara Knott exposed a shocking abuse of power by a law enforcement officer. After Cara's body was found near an I-15 off-ramp, the investigation focused on an officer with the California Highway Patrol, whose patrol route covered the area. Dozens of women testified that this officer had previously sexually harassed them after pulling them over at the same location. Would the evidence lead to a conviction in Cara's case?

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Houston is facing a disturbing pattern of deaths after at least 16 bodies were pulled from the city's bayous this year, including that of Kenneth Cutting Jr., 22. The episode covers the victims found with no obvious trauma or drugs, leading to "undetermined" causes of death. We explore the family's disbelief that Kenneth drowned, their claims of being "gaslit," and Mayor John Whitmire's insistence that there is no serial killer and the deaths are linked to homelessness and drug use.

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In a bold daylight raid on Sunday, October 19, 2025, thieves breached the Louvre Museum in Paris, stealing priceless French crown jewels from the Galerie d’Apollon. This episode details the audacious heist where intruders, disguised with construction gear, used a basket lift platform to break a window on the Seine-facing façade. The entire operation—smashing display cases and loading up necklaces, crowns, and tiaras—took only four to seven minutes before the thieves fled on motorbikes.

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This is the heartbreaking case of Benjamin Elliott, a 17-year-old in Katy, Texas, convicted of murdering his twin sister Meghan Elliott. The episode details the loving sibling bond shattered when Benjamin fatally stabbed Meghan in her sleep. His defense claimed the act was due to a sleepwalking (parasomnia) episode, citing a family history of sleep disorders. Prosecutors countered with phone data and a chilling 911 confession to argue premeditation.

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The release of Ronald Exantus, a man convicted in the brutal 2015 fatal stabbing of 6-year-old Logan Tipton, has sparked national outrage. Exantus, a former dialysis nurse, was released 13 years early from his 20-year sentence, despite the Parole Board denying him parole. We cover the furious reaction from Logan's family, who are pushing for "Logan's Law" to close the loophole, and the federal scrutiny the case is now under, with the White House confirming it is "looking into" the release of the convicted killer.

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A Halloween yard display in Stanton, Kentucky, led to the arrest of a local man on charges of intimidating a witness and third-degree terroristic threatening. This episode details the unsettling scene where five effigies, wrapped in black trash bags, were labeled with titles like "district judge," "mayor," and "C.A." One figure was found hanging by a rope. We explore how the highly specific nature of the labels and the grotesque imagery caused local officials to view the display not as protected free speech or holiday decor, but as a deliberate attempt to terrorize and influence public officials involved...

The life and unsolved murder of Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace remains one of hip-hop's greatest tragedies. This episode charts his rise from a Brooklyn drug dealer to the savior of East Coast hip-hop, detailing his early career with Sean "Puffy"  (Diddy) Combs and the meteoric success of his albums Ready to Die and the posthumously released Life After Death. The story pivots on his infamous rivalry with Tupac Shakur, which began after Tupac was shot in 1994. It culminates with Biggie's own unsolved murder in a 1997 Los Angeles drive-by shooting. 

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On today's bonus episode, John spoke with retired officer, Gary Linnemeyer about traffic stops. Numerous videos online depict citizens refusing to give police their identification cards, refusing to cooperate until the officer explains the reason for the stop, or simply refusing to do anything the officer says until their supervisor shows up. What is the law in these situations? Today's episode will answer those questions and more! 

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When Vallejo, California resident Renia Lewis, 28, went missing, the search led police to a home where her remains were hidden in a secretly accessed attic. The episode details the investigation, the multiple visits to the home, and the swift arrest of Douglas Irwin Shaw, 41, who later confessed to the murder. The case focuses on the shocking method of concealment and the ongoing mystery surrounding the motive.

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Serving a life sentence for murder in Iowa, prisoner Benjamin Schreiber claimed his term was fulfilled after his heart briefly stopped during a 2015 medical crisis. This episode details Schreiber's bizarre legal argument that his momentary clinical "death" counted as serving the rest of his natural life. We explore the court's rejection of this claim, affirming that since he was revived and is legally alive, his life sentence remains in effect.

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This episode exposes the shocking downfall of Jared Fogle, the former face of Subway. Known for his dramatic weight loss, Fogle was arrested in 2015 on federal charges related to child pornography and illicit sexual conduct with minors. The story details the years-long FBI investigation, the use of an undercover informant, and the role of his friend and charity director. It concludes with Fogle's conviction and his sentence of 15 years and 8 months, detailing the betrayal that shattered his public persona.

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Anna Sonoda, LCSW is a graduate of Emory University, where she double-majored in Anthropology and French Studies, and earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Georgia in 2006. She became a licensed clinical social worker in 2009.

With a career spanning counseling convicted sexual offenders, working in residential mental health, leading anger management and domestic violence programs, and supporting individuals with dual diagnoses, Anna brings rare, front-line expertise into the realities of predatory behavior.

As both a clinician and a mother, she recognized a profound gap: society reacts to child sexual abuse after th...

This episode explores the bizarre case of William Tager, the man who fatally shot a stagehand outside the NBC studios in 1994. The true crime story is infamous for Tager's confession to also being the attacker who assaulted CBS anchor Dan Rather in 1986, repeatedly asking: "Kenneth, what is the frequency?" We detail Tager's mental delusions—including his claims of being a time traveler—and his subsequent conviction, examining how his violent acts connected two major media incidents and became a lasting cultural phenomenon.

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In 1999 our favorite albums were nearly $20, which is a lot of money if you're in high school and have no job. However, a software company called Napster came to our rescue. With this software, we had all of the world's music available at just the click of a mouse (and 4,728 minutes of wait time.). Over 60 million users of this service enjoyed unlimited downloads of our favorite artists. But one day, the music died. What happened?

This episode is fully available for all supporters of True Crimecast on Patreon.

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A massive, brazen smash-and-grab heist at Heller Jewelers in San Ramon, California, shocked the Bay Area. This episode details the daylight robbery where two dozen masked, armed thieves stormed the store. The suspects were temporarily trapped when the security doors locked, forcing them to shoot their way out. We explore the minute-long coordinated attack, the ensuing police chase tracked by drones and aerial surveillance, and the arrests of seven suspects. The case highlights a disturbing organized retail theft trend, where large rings use overwhelming force to target high-value goods.

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We explore the bizarre 2009 "Balloon Boy" hoax, where parents Richard and Mayumi Heene staged a national panic by claiming their six-year-old son, Falcon, was trapped in a runaway homemade flying saucer. This episode details the chaotic search, the moment Falcon was found, the on-air slip that exposed the stunt as a desperate bid for a reality show, and the felony charges and restitution that followed. We also cover the controversial 2020 pardon and hear from Falcon today, who still grapples with the fallout of the infamous media circus.

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The 2007 murder of Danny Harris, a veteran and father, inside his Memphis apartment, was a case that quickly went cold. This episode features host Stephanie Tinsley of the podcast Everything They Missed, who has spent the past year re-investigating the case. It starts with a name—a suspect quickly dismissed—and then leads to a tangled web of overlooked evidence: a mysterious truck, a missing checkbook, and crucial fingerprints that never led to an arrest. Join us as we explore the vital clues that were missed, the voices that went unheard, and the truth behind Danny Harris's brutal murder.

A school groundskeeper turned administrator becomes the center of an ethics scandal when he (allegedly) illegally trades in 11 lawnmowers belonging to Akron Public Schools. After obtaining seven of the machines at a "friends and family" rate, he then (allegedly) tried to sell five of them on Facebook Marketplace for a significant profit. 

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