Welcome to our little corner of all things creepy, spooky, and true crime-y. We take on cases both big, little, and in-between. Grab a glass, your favorite bottle of red, and get ready to awkward laugh, cry, and join our conversation.
The gifted and talented teacher, Rod Grayson, was fatally shot by one of his most prized students. Instead of going to trial and serving time, John Christian was sent to a private mental health facility in Dallas, TX. Later on, students from Graysons classroom would see the shooter, John, at the strangest places: including law school. TW: Gun Violence PS: So very sorry there is a weird noise at the end of the episode, not really sure what that was. Sources: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/the-school-shooting-that-austin-forgot/ https://www.michaelcorcoran.net/austins-secret-murder-in-the-classroom-1978/ “21 Witnesses” Crime Show
The disappearance of Brian Histand shook his family, friends, and the BMX community as a whole. The week leading up to Brian vanishing was filled with bizarre behavior, strange new habits, and the hope that Brian simply left on his own. Sources: “Off The Grid.” Disappeared, Season 7 Episode 5
In 1970, the world discovered Genie Wiley. Genie, also known as one of the worst child abuse cases in U.S. history, was locked in a room by her father for the first 13 years of her life. When she was rescued, Genie was barely 60 lbs, had no language, and had a bunny-like gait. After working with several doctors and spending time under supervision, Genie developed language, independent skills, and how to show and receive affection. Trigger Warning: Child abuse Sources: “Genie Wiley: The Feral Child.” The Back of the Archive (YouTube) Curtiss, S. Genie: A Psycholinguistic Study of a Modern-Day “Wild Child” https://allthatsinteresting.com/genie-wiley-feral-child https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/14/genie-feral-child-los-angeles-researchers https://www.verywellmind.com/genie-the-story-of-the-wild-child-2795241
You heard it here first folks! After 44 years, the identity of Septic Tank Sam is found. This episode goes into the discovery of Gordon, as well as the evidence and science behind identifying him. Sources https://www.forensicmag.com/577366-Septic-Tank-Sam-Found-in-1977-Identified/ https://www.newser.com/story/307985/after-44-years-cops-have-identified-septic-tank-sam.html https://canadianunsolvedcrimes.weebly.com/septic-tank-sam---alberta https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/trending/septic-tank-sam-canadian-police-id-victim-1977-torture-murder-using-dna-genetic-genealogy/OCATKXUN45FKZABYAED2CUVQPY/
No one could fathom a mother would attempt to kill her children, especially not for a man. Brandi and Paige discuss Diane Downs and her attempt to kill her children, successful with one and leaving the other two in critical condition. TW: child abuse Sources https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/crime-history/woman-scorned-deadly-tragic-story-of-diane-downs https://delanirbartlette.medium.com/diane-downs-hungry-like-the-wolf-22905cecdd97 “My Mothers Sins” ABC's 2020 Season 41, Episode 29 https://thecinemaholic.com/where-are-diane-downs-kids-today/
Oh, NXIVM. A sex cult where, for the low price of $15k, you can be branded and offer up your deepest darkest secrets for the sake of “personal growth.” Sources: “NXIVM” Cults and Extreme Belief Season 1, Episode 1 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/27/nyregion/nxivm-cult-keith-raniere-sentenced.html https://www.nytimes.com/article/nxivm-timeline.html
Before Ted Bundy, there was John Norman Collins. This all-American, handsome devil could have had it all...if it weren't for his monstrous crimes that terrorized the small university town of Ypsilanti, Michigan. TRIGGER WARNING: RAPE Sources: Cimino, Al., “John Norman Collins: The Ypsilanti Ripper.” Serial Killers: True Stories of the Worlds Worst Murderers “A New Kind Of Monster.” A Crime To Remember http://maamodt.asp.radford.edu/Psyc%20405/serial%20killers/Collins,%20John%20_fall,%202007_.pdf https://heresthefuckingtwist.com/2018/02/13/true-crime-tuesday-the-michigan-murderer/
The girls wrap up Andre Rand's story in this short (but definitely not sweet) episode. Sources: https://peoplepill.com/people/andre-rand https://classicnewyorkhistory.com/history-of-willowbrook-and-the-terrifying-legend-of-cropsey/ https://the-line-up.com/cropsey-monster-of-staten-island https://timeline.com/willowbrook-the-institution-that-shocked-a-nation-into-changing-its-laws-c847acb44e0d https://apnews.com/article/4ff1a02114f1e0471e660c0f538546e2 https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/14/nyregion/body-unearthed-on-si-is-that-of-missing-girl.html https://casetext.com/case/people-v-rand-14 https://charleyproject.org/case/holly-ann-hughes https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/08/17/Jennifer-mourned-as-loveable-child-who-comforted-all/7410556171200/ https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/06/nyregion/homeless-man-seized-in-case-of-missing-si-girl.html Cropsey (film) 2009 Willowbrook: The Last Great Disgrace - Geraldo Rivera 1972 Exposé
This was a couple who seemed to have it all: lots of money, a big house, naked hot tub parties. Despite these luxuries, someone still ends up drowning in a lake at the hands of their spouse. Sources: “Sub-Prime Murder.” Scorned: Love Kills, (Season 1, Episode 19) https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2019/08/16/florence-unger-murder-michigan-huntington-woods/2023133001/
Okay Besties, here is a weird one for you. Today, we cover the Eriksson Twins. They have a hobby of purposely running into traffic and always escaping the law.
For episode 5, the girls discuss the man, the myth, the (urban) legend, Andre Rand, better known as Cropsey. His alleged victims are some of the most vulnerable and innocent souls. Also covered in this episode is Willowbrook, the infamous mental institution that shocked the nation. Trigger Warning: child abuse, child death, abuse on IDD individuals. Sources: https://peoplepill.com/people/andre-rand https://classicnewyorkhistory.com/history-of-willowbrook-and-the-terrifying-legend-of-cropsey/ https://the-line-up.com/cropsey-monster-of-staten-island https://timeline.com/willowbrook-the-institution-that-shocked-a-nation-into-changing-its-laws-c847acb44e0d https://apnews.com/article/4ff1a02114f1e0471e660c0f538546e2 https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/14/nyregion/body-unearthed-on-si-is-that-of-missing-girl.html https://casetext.com/case/people-v-rand-14 https://charleyproject.org/case/holly-ann-hughes https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/08/17/Jennifer-mourned-as-loveable-child-who-comforted-all/7410556171200/ https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/06/nyregion/homeless-man-seized-in-case-of-missing-si-girl.html Cropsey (film) 2009 Willowbrook: The Last Great Disgrace - Geraldo Rivera 1972 Exposé
Debbie Wolfe died (*cough* was murdered) mysteriously at her cabin in North Carolina. Her mother and friends SWEAR there was foul play considering her body was in a barrel when she was discovered but the cops seem to be covering up something, or just plain don't want to deal with it. They even go as far to suggest there was never a barrel to begin with. Listen as we give the details of her discovery, the weird inconsistencies with the police, and the suspicious questions that remain. PSA: The Voicemail is at the END of the episode. Resources: https://unsolved.com/gallery/debbie-wolfe/ VOICEMAIL http://www.drmauricegodwin.com/wolfe%20voice%20mail.wav http://www.drmauricegodwin.com/murderofdebbiewolfe.html https://www.fayobserver.com/news/20191026/body-in-barrel-questions-linger-in-1985-fayetteville-drowning
Guys, this one changed the game in Philadelphia. Shannon Schieber was a beautiful, smart young woman with a promising future. Her life was cut short but her impact is forever. People Magazine Investigates - season 3, episode 2 “Terror in Philadelphia” https://www.34st.com/article/2004/01/node-2063
Did you ever wonder who inspired the movies Psycho and Texas Chainsaw Massacre? Ed Gein is your guy. Take a ride with us as we discuss his childhood, crimes, and his favorite accessories (including but not limited to a nipple belt). Resources: Chambers of Horror by John Marlowe (pg. 142 - 150) https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/real-life-psycho-ed-gein-dies https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/ed-gein