Eastern Crime Zone

This episode explores the harrowing tale of Anne Hamilton Byrne and her cult, the Family. Listeners learn about her manipulative tactics, including drug-induced obedience and child abuse, as well as the tragic consequences suffered by over 28 children raised in intolerable conditions.Soundstripe code: 5BMVBUBQE9DMW9F5Support the show

Did numerous witnesses really ignore the cries for help on that tragic night in 1964? Join us as we challenge the entrenched narrative surrounding Kitty Genovese's murder, a case that has long symbolized the bystander effect in social psychology.  Share your thoughts and suggest future cases through my Instagram @ Eastern Crime Zone. Stay safe, be kind, and keep questioning.Sound stripe code: ASRP5LRA2GHLT50HSupport the show

What if the person living next door harbored the darkest of secrets? Join us on Eastern Crime Zone as we uncover the harrowing tale of Israel Keyes, a seemingly ordinary man who led an extraordinarily sinister life. This episode brings you the chilling case of Samantha Tesla Koenig, an 18-year-old barista who vanished from her workplace in Anchorage, Alaska, sparking an emotional and relentless search by her father. We'll take you through the initial suspicions that fell upon her boyfriend and father, and the eerie surveillance footage capturing her last moments at the coffee kiosk.Prepare yourself for an unsettling journey into the mind of Israel Keyes, a calculated and cold-blooded serial killer. We delve into his meticulous planning, his disturbing post-murder behavior, and the details of Samantha's abduction, torture, and murder. From his upbringing in a fundamentalist Christian household to his early criminal activities and military service, we paint a comprehensive picture of his descent into violence. Keyes' manipulative nature during interrogations and his interactions with law enforcement add another layer to this chilling narrative.In a haunting conclusion, we examine Keyes' chilling confessions, his demands for an execution date in exchange for revealing his victims' locations, and his obsession with avoiding prison. We touch on the unresolved mystery of his potential eleven victims and the missed opportunities for closure due to the mishandling of his interrogation by prosecutor Kevin Feldes. This episode leaves you with a broader fear of the unknown, pondering the possibility of others like Keyes still at large. Stay safe, stay vigilant, and question everything.Support the Show.

Join ECZ as we navigate through the suspenseful and heartbreaking details of the murder spree, from the rising concern of Melanie Wells' mother to the horrifying discovery of the bodies of Mark Niederbrock, Debra Kelly, Emma Niederbrock, and Melanie Wells. Follow the swift police investigation that led to Richard McCroskey's capture and the shockwaves it sent through his family and friends. Support the Show.

In 1982, Tony West and Avery Brock made a visit to notorious Corpsewood Manor where they brutally murdered their hosts: Dr. Charles Scudder and  Joey Odom.Find the Show on Youtube!Support the show

When 17-year-old Shari Smith is abducted from her driveway in broad daylight, it seems like her family's nightmare can't get any worse.. until the killer calls her sister Dawn. Two weeks later, the nightmare starts over with the disappearance of 9 year old Debra Helmick.Sherri's LetterSupport the show

Today's case is about Blaze Bernstein who was a college sophmore visiting home from college. On this trip his life is taken by a former classmate because of his sexuality and religion. Tune in this week to learn the details of this case before it goes to trial and let me know what you think about this case. Pepptalks PodcastBlaze It ForwardSupport the show

 This week, we unravel the case of Celina Mays - a 12-year-old who vanished without a trace in 1996. She want missing while 9 months pregnant under suspicious circumstances. Please take a look at her picture linked here.Support the show

What if your seemingly perfect life turned into a nightmare overnight? That's what happened to Bart and Krista Halderson, a seemingly ordinary couple from Wisconsin, who found themselves embroiled in a web of lies and deceit, spun by one of their own sons. As your host, Cassie Malay, I invite you to join me in untangling this twisted tale in this shocking episode of Eastern Crime Zone.We start off with the picture-perfect life of the Halderson family, only to uncover a trail of deception from one of their sons, Chandler. With a girlfriend named Kat and a supposed job offer from SpaceX, everything seemed perfect, until it wasn't. Bart and Krista's attempts to support their son's success leads to a shocking revelation. This episode pulls back the veil on Chandler's elaborate web of lies about his education, job, and more, leading to the chilling murder of his parents, Krista and Bart. Dave and Doc PodcastKimbyrleigha's Video Series Trial FootageSupport the show

Join me, your narrator, Cassie Malay, as I take you on a deep dive into the chilling tale of Nanny Doss, the infamous 'Giggling Granny'. Hear the tragic story of a woman who found solace in the romance novels she read, only to morph into a notorious serial killer. We begin from her childhood, painting a vivid picture of her abusive upbringing that could have played a significant role in the monstrous persona she later adopted.Imagine the horrific sight of a seemingly endearing grandmother confessing to the heinous killings of her husbands. Nanny's journey from a search for love to becoming America's most notorious female serial killer is nothing short of horrifying. We examine her multiple marriages, the mysterious deaths of her spouses, and the chilling pattern of her deadly actions. Strap in, listeners, as we unravel the haunting narrative of Nanny's life, and the impact of her traumatic experiences on her murderous spree.Ryan Green's Book h68dbzygBuzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Hold onto your seats folks, because we're about to take you on a wild ride. This episode unravels the twisted, true story of Dolly, her secret attic lover Otto, and the strange dynamics under their roof. With tangled webs of deceit, we explore how Dolly's illicit relationship spiraled into a drama-filled, beyond-belief reality. Brace yourself as we delve into the peculiarities of their relationship, Otto's growing fondness for writing, and the tension that filled their lives. But that's not all! As we venture further into their story, we uncover the shocking death of Dolly's husband and the cover-up that followed. You'll be on tenterhooks as we discuss Dolly's cunning maneuvers and Otto's surprising escape from justice. But we don't stop there. Buckle up for Dolly's dramatic post-trial life - a whirlwind of legal battles, disputes, and a remarriage that you wouldn't see coming. All this and more in an episode that's so sensational; it inspired a feature film and a TV movie. Hang tight, because you won't want to miss this.Support the show

In this episode, we delve into the disturbing and twisted mind of Joseph Kallinger, a notorious serial killer and rapist who terrorized the city of Philadelphia in the late 1970s. Kallinger's childhood was marked by abuse and neglect, which may have contributed to his descent into madness.We explore Kallinger's upbringing, his troubled relationships with his family members, and the series of crimes he committed that earned him the nickname "The Shoemaker." We also examine Kallinger's mental health issues and his delusions of religious grandeur, which he used to justify his heinous acts.Support the show

On August 19th 2017, heavily pregnant Savanna Greywind was in her family's apartment in Fargo, North Dakota.  Savanna LaFontaine Greywind was about to enter such an exciting time of life. She had just gotten a new job, was working on getting a new apartment with her longtime boyfriend and the two of them together were getting ready to welcome their sweet baby girl, Haisley Jo into the world. Her neighbor, Brooke Crews, came down to ask Savanna to help her with a sewing project, which Savanna agreed to. Savanna followed her neighbor upstairs and entered her apartment, expecting to spend a few minutes helping before returning to her own apartment for a quiet afternoon. Savanna would never return home, and it would be a week before her body was found. Support the show

On the night of her murder, Cassie was house sitting for her aunt and uncle, Allison and Frank Contreras. As she was alone, Cassie invited her boyfriend, Matt Beckham, and two of her classmates, Torey Adamcik and Brian Draper, over to the residence to hang out together.A while later, the two classmates left, reportedly under the pretext that they had to watch a movie.Unbeknownst to Cassie, Adamcik and Draper had left the door to the basement unlocked, presumably so they could return later.Support the show

Cassie covers two cases this week from the Appalachian trail. In May 1988, Rebecca Wight  and Claudia Brenner were a lesbian couple followed and shot at eight times by Stephen Roy Carr on the Trail. Claudia managed to hike 4 miles to find help and identified her attacker.On Sunday, May 19, 1996, Julianne “Julie” Williams, 24, and Lollie Winans, 26, set out with their golden retriever, Taj, to hike through the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. During their stay in the park, they were brutally murdered at a tranquil campsite. Despite suspicions that a Columbia, Maryland man was the perpetrator, the case against him fell apart.____________________________________________________"In the Hollow" short filmSocial LinksAudible FREE TrialSupport the show

On January 10, 2018, 19-year-old University of Pennsylvania sophomore Blaze Bernstein was found dead in a park in Orange County, California, eight days after having been reported missing. He was visiting his family in Lake Forest, California, when he was killed. He had been stabbed twenty times. Classmate Sam Woodward has been arrested for his murder and awaiting his trial scheduled for July 15th, 2022. ___________________________________________Blaze Bernstein's website Social LinksAudible free trialSupport the show

This week we'll be discussing The Farmville murders occurring in Farmville, Virginia, in September 2009. The quadruple bludgeoning homicide of Mark Niederbrock, Debra S. Kelley, their daughter 16 year old Emma Niederbrock and friend 18 year old Melanie Wells. Emma Niederbrock shared an online friendship with Richard Samuel McCroskey, a troubled aspiring rapper known as Syko Sam. __________________________________________________YouTube video with former inmate PeeweePodcast Social LinksAudible Free Trial Affiliate LinkSupport the show

The state of South Carolina was left petrified when 17-year-old Shari Faye Smith and 9-year-old Debra Helmick were kidnapped and murdered about two weeks apart in 1985. Although the victims were unrelated and from neighboring counties, the police believed it was the same killer as he called the families and left detailed instructions on how to recover the bodies._______________________________________________True Crime GarageSocial LinksAudible Free TrialSupport the show

On March 6th, 1995, twenty-four-year-old Jonathon Schmitz left his Michigan home to travel to Chicago. He was contacted by the Jenny Jones Show and told that he had a secret admirer. Jonathon was looking forward to seeing who the admirer was and attended out of curiosity. As he walked out on to the stage, he saw his friend Donna Riley and a friend of hers named Scott Amedure. Jonathon, blushing, seems surprised and hugs Donna Riley. That's when Jenny Jones told him that Scott Amedure was his admirer. “You lied to me” Schmitz said with an awkward giggle. He then proclaims that he is heterosexual and not interested in Scott that way. The events of that day, however, started a downward spiral for Jonathon that shocked everyone.Three days after the taping, Jonathon Schmitz found a sexually suggestive note on his door from Scott Amedure.  This angered Jonathon, so he went and withdrew money from his bank account. Using this money, he purchased a gun and ammunition. He went over to Scott's trailer and knocked on the door. He confronted Scott about the note, to which Scott just smiled. Jonathon told him he had to turn his car off, but he was actually going to get the gun.             He returned to the trailer and pointed the gun at Scott. A thrown chair suggests that Scott tried to defend himself, but Jonathon shot him twice in the chest. Scott Amedure died almost instantly._______________________________________________The LGBTQ+ “panic” defense strategy is a legal strategy that asks a jury to find that a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity/expression is to blame for a defendant's violent reaction, including murder. It is not a free-standing defense to criminal liability, but rather a legal tactic used to bolster other defenses. When a perpetrator uses an LGBTQ+ “panic” defense, they are claiming that a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity not only explains—but excuses—a loss of self-control and the subsequent assault. By fully or partially acquitting the perpetrators of crimes against LGBTQ+ victims, this defense implies that LGBTQ+ lives are worth less than others.__________________________________________________Eastern Crime Zone's website Social LinksTry AudibleSupport the show

Suburban housewife Candy Montgomery seemed to have it all: a loving husband, children, and a best friend named Betty Gore in whom she could confide. But the 30-year-old Christian of Collin County, Texas, would grow tired of her routine. She consequently began an affair with her best friend's husband — and killed her when she found out about it.It was Friday the 13th of June 1980 when local cops entered the Gore home to find it drenched in blood. The 30-year-old mother of two had been slashed to bits with 41 swings of an axe, 28 of which had mutilated her head and face. As the last person to be seen with Gore, Montgomery was charged with her murder.As dramatized in Hulu's Candy series, her trial became one of the most controversial cases in local history. Pleading not guilty on the basis of self-defense, Montgomery was acquitted of all charges the day before Halloween.Perhaps most shocking of all, she simply started a new life — as a family counselor.Social LinksSupport the show

Six years ago, Sherri Papini's disappearance engrossed the nation. She seemingly vanished without a trace — only a few strands of her hair and a neatly placed iPhone and earbud were left behind at the intersection of Old Oregon Trail and Sunrise Drive, less than a mile away from her and her husband's Mountain Gate home in northern California (via Redding Record Searchlight). Even when Papini reappeared 22 days later, the headlines wouldn't go away. What confounded official investigators and online sleuths was the lack of motive, the absence of a ransom, and her poor memory, which did nothing to help the investigation. Detectives crossed sex traffickers off the list, and yet they had nothing else.The easiest answer ended up being the correct one: Papini had made the whole thing up. In 2022, Papini admitted to leaving home of her own free will, and deliberately — her fake abduction was the result of several months of scheming. She stayed safely in an ex-boyfriend's apartment and returned home when she desired, per The Sacramento Bee. The "why" might never get answered; Papini was called a "supermom" who would never have deferred picking up her kids from school, per CNN. But this makes all of the strange, untold truths about Papini and her fabricated abduction more intriguing — and disturbing.__________________________________Social LinksTry Audible Premium Plus and Get Up to Two Free AudiobooksSupport the show

Elizabeth Omatara Santos was stabbed at least ten times and died due to these injuries in the hospital after being handcuffed and placed into the back of an ambulance upon the arrival of the patrol officers despite her excessive bleeding. The two people present at the time of her stabbing have never been charged. Police did not collect evidence properly and allowed suspects to be alone in an active crime scene for almost an hour to destroy possible evidence. Officers then were rude and condescending to Elizabeth's family members and refused to investigate further. Listen to the episode to hear more. Video made by the family: https://youtu.be/Q7xVHBpY-04Change.org petition: https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-elizabeth-santos-alaska?redirect=falseCALL TO ACTION: Please call or email the district attorney about Elizabeth's case. Show them the public cares and wants this investigated. Below is an email or call sample template. This template was originally from Mile Higher Podcast. All credit goes to them for this idea. Brittany L. Dunlop, District Attorney310 K. Street Suite 520Anchorage, AK 99501-1975(907) 269-6300, Fax (907) 269-6321lawanchoragedao@alaska.govOffice Hours M-TH 8-4:30, F 8-12SAMPLE CALL/EMAIL:Dear District Attorney Brittany L. Dunlop,My name is [YOUR NAME], and I am reaching out to respectfully request your assistance and cooperation in the investigation in the 2020 death of Elizabeth Omatara Santos. I ask that her case be moved up on your priority list, and that you continue to investigate the suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.I appreciate your time and consideration. Sincerely,[YOUR NAME] _______________________________________Social linksTry Audible Premium Plus and Get Up to Two Free AudiobooksSupport the show

Conrad Henry Roy III (September 12, 1995 – July 13, 2014) was an American teenager who died by suicide at the age of 18. His girlfriend, 17-year-old Michelle Carter, encouraged him in text messages to kill himself. The case was the subject of a notable investigation and involuntary manslaughter trial in Massachusetts, colloquially known as the "texting suicide case." Commonwealth v. Michelle Carter involved scores of text messages, emails, and phone calls recorded between Carter and Roy in the leadup to his death, in which Carter repeatedly pressured Roy to kill himself.Social LinksTry Audible Premium Plus and Get Up to Two Free AudiobooksSupport the show

During his five-month reign of terror up and down the Interstate 5 corridor, serial killer Randall Woodfield's M.O. changed often.  He committed robberies, rapes, and murders, attacking women he knew as well as total strangers. He stabbed, beat, and shot his victims and used a variety of disguises.  Listen to my interview on Dave & Doc! ECZ Merch from BonfireSocial LinksSupport the show

Leonarda Cianciulli is a lesser-known serial killer who committed horrific acts with the bodies of the three women she killed in 1939 and 1940 in Italy.On the outside, Leonarda Cianciulli was a sweet little lady who was friends with her neighbors and baked delicious tea cakes but hiding behind that mask was the soul of a murderer who believed in the magical properties of human sacrifice. Listen to my Dave & Doc interview! Listen to A Rude, A Prude and An Unsolved Mystery Merch:  ECZ Merch | Official Merchandise | BonfireSocial LinksTry Audible Premium Plus and Get Up to Two Free AudiobooksSupport the show

Its been 65 years since two distressed and blood-covered teenage girls ran out of a wooded area in Christchurch's Victoria Park in NZ crying for help. This was 16 year old Pauline Parker and 15 year old Juliet Hulme.  A few minutes later and about 130 metres down the path, he found the battered body of Honorah Rieper (45). Her severe injuries suggested that this was no accident. The police were called, and they discovered half a brick in a bloodied stocking thrown under some nearby trees. So began the investigation into a case that has gone down as one of the most intriguing in New Zealand's criminal history and that is still a subject of fascination all these years later.Listen to my Dave & Doc interview!Listen to A Rude, A Prude and An Unsolved MysteryMerch:  ECZ Merch | Official Merchandise | BonfireSocial linksTry Audible Premium Plus and Get Up to Two Free AudiobooksSupport the show

In 2017, a New York Times report inspired a justice department investigation that took down an American multi-level marketing scheme turned 'sex cult' known as NXIVM. The organization had been operating for nearly two decades under the guise of offering self-help deprogramming to heiresses, Hollywood actors and powerful CEOs. Founder, Keith Raniere, was hailed as an elusive, god-like savant within the company. ex-NXIVM members recount overcoming anxieties, phobias, and even witnessing peers have medical conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and Tourette's cured by NXIVM's method. The Dalai Lama even visited Albany to commend Raniere's ethical work in May of 2009.  But, after one survivor came forward to the New York Times, NXIVM had finally been exposed for what it was—a barbaric organization that abused its members emotionally and physically.Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1908413Try Audible Premium Plus and Get Up to Two Free AudiobooksWebsite: www.easterncrimezone.com Instagram: @easterncrimezone Twitter:ECZpodMusic from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/ilya-kuznetsov/serenityLicense code: QBHWVUMIP3M1TOFYSupport the show

Los Angeles 1922, police report to a residence after neighbors reported hearing gunfire. Authorities enter the house and are shocked to see a man bleeding on the ground from gunshot wounds. As they are taking it all in, they hear something faint. They listen and can hear a woman's voice coming from the closet. An officer slowly approaches and opens the door. Sitting on the floor is a woman who was locked in the closet with an incredible tale to tell. The neighborhood and even officers suspected Mrs Dolly Oesterreich for years of killing her husband but no one suspected her much younger lover who had been hiding in their attic for 20 years.Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1908413Website: www.easterncrimezone.com Instagram: @easterncrimezone Twitter:ECZpodSupport the show

On February 14th, 2015 — Valentine's Day — and the last night that Erica would be seen alive. She and her on-again, off-again boyfriend left for a popular nightclub in Costa Mesa: Sutra Lounge. By the next morning, she had vanished. Her abandoned Honda Civic would be found two miles from her home, covered in dust, 2 parking tickets, and her purse left inside. Her body would only be found two months later, discarded in the Cleveland National Forest.This case is very special. It's special because I have been in contact with Erica's family to work on this episode and they need our help. Please listen and share this episode so we can shed some light on who Erica Alonso was and why this case can and should be solved. ----Anyone with information concerning the death of Erica Alonso is asked to call Orange County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Unit at (714) 647–7055 or (714) 647–7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855–847–6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.For anonymous, confidential help available 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) now.Try Audible Premium Plus and Get Up to Two Free AudiobooksSupport the show

In Melbourne, Australia, a young woman's tragic end has puzzled a family since 2010. Phoebe Handsjuk's death was blamed on a combination of sleeping drugs, alcohol, and depression but holds more evidence of foul play.Buzzspout link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1908413Instagram: @easterncrimezoneSupport the show

Since June 23rd, 2021 over seven months ago, Daniel Robinson has been missing from Buckeye, Arizona.Daniel Robinson worked as a geologist for Matrix New World Engineering in Arizona, and was, in his father's words “a scientist — a brilliant mind.” According to a police report, Daniel had shown up to his work site around nine that morning in Buckeye, Arizona, west of the White Tank Mountains, where a co-worker reported that he was acting strangely, staring into the distance and “talking about things that did not make sense.” After about 15 minutes, Daniel left and hasn't been seen since.CJP-If-I-Go-Missing-2020-Editable.pdf (crimejunkiepodcast.com)Insta: @easterncrime zoneWebsite: easterncrimezone.comSupport the show

How far would you go for fame? Samantha Wolford's answer to that question is hopefully very different from yours. Samantha Wohlford said she wanted to be famous: She had her own YouTube channel and dreamed of being an actress. The only thing she'd ever be famous for, however, was the kidnapping and murder of her husband, Ernie Ibarra.Website: http://www.easterncrimezone.com Instagram: @easterncrimezoneMusic from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/your-own-worldLicense code: MYT9QONREKYPIXRCSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/easterncrimezone)

Today's case is about the short life and brutal death of 12 year old Shanda Sharer in 1991. Shanda was tortured and murdered by four other teenage girls as a part of a jealous love triangle. This case feels very personal to me as I relate to Shanda on several levels. Please listen to today's episode and let me know you thoughts on Instagram @easterncrimezone or on my website www.easterncrimezone.comSupport the show

Graham Frederick Young, best known as the Teacup Poisoner, was an English serial killer who used poison to kill and injure his victims including his own family members. Support the show

Today we are discussing the murder and torture of Terry Neely. He was murdered by Angela Simpson who would later go viral for her callous interviews about the murder.Support the show

This episode covers the case of murdered flight attendant and mother Helle Crafts. This case inspired the movie Fargo and was the case on the pilot episode of Forensic Files.Support the show