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Jordyn Ashley Olson, who portrays Tanya Kach in The Girl Locked Upstairs, breaks down one of the most chilling parts of Tanya’s story: why she was the perfect target for a predator. At just 14, Tanya was isolated, vulnerable, and desperate for connection. Jordyn explains how a school security guard recognized those vulnerabilities and systematically exploited them until Tanya became dependent on the very man abusing her.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you stumble upon a wedding, do you stop to watch or keep going? A viral video of a shirtless peeping tom at a hotel has us talking. Benny Blanco ate pizza for five days for every meal, could you do it? What has us Burnin Up for the Jonas Brothers? We are in for Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey’s new comedy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are we so obsessed with the lawyers behind true crime’s biggest cases? Elisa Donovan and Jennifer Fessler dive into our fascination with courtroom stars lie Johnny Cochran, Marcia Clark, and Camille Vasquez – and why Kevin Reddington has become a standout in the Lindsay Clancy trial. They break down how charisma, confidence and courtroom presence can turn lawyers into celebrities and even chang the way we see the people on trial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wall Street titan. A secret affair. A brutal murder inside a Hamptons mansion. Missing security footage. A millionaire murdered in his own home. More than 20 years later, people are still asking the same question: What really happened? Elisa Donovan and actor Shawn Christian unpack the twists, motives, and mysteries behind this infamous Hamptons case.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eva LaRue is breaking her silence on the terrifying 12-year stalking ordeal she kept private for years and the shocking reality that her stalker is now out of prison and back in society. LaRue reveals the threats that left her living in constant fear, how the ordeal impacted her daughter Kaya, and why stalking victims can feel trapped even when no physical crime has occurred. Now, she is telling her story in My Nightmare Stalker: The Eva LaRue Story and revealing what finally made her ready to speak out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After immersing himself in the Night Stalker's life to prepare for his starring role, Lou Diamond Phillips put on a hoodie and prowled a neighborhood like Richard Ramirez . What happened next stopped the experiment in its tracks. Plus, Lou reveals the chilling truth about the killer that disturbed him most.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen if you want to… Is a wedding with three dresses and 14 bridesmaids too much? We are sat for Alix Earle’s new reality show… bring on the family drama! Is the End of Oak Street scarier than Jurassic Park? Why is everyone getting sick this summer? A Bachelor Nation star we think would be perfect on Dancing with the Stars this season! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone thinks they know the Sherri Papini case. Jaime King isn’t so sure. In a candid conversation with Elisa Donovan, Jaime opens up about questioning the headlines and her gut instinct to tell Sherri’s story.She also shares the words in the script she almost couldn’t say out loud and why she believes the truth may be more complicated than the public wants it to be.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filmmaker Josh Zeman joins Killer Thriller to revisit The Killing Season, the groundbreaking docuseries that took viewers inside the investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders years before a suspect was arrested. Josh opens up about the victims whose cases were overlooked, the failures and infighting that plagued the investigation, and what his team uncovered while following the trail of missing women and suspected serial killers along Long Island’s South Shore. He also reflects on the emotional toll of working alongside victims’ families and reveals a crucial clue his team discovered during the making of The Killing Season that he wishes they had pursued further.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Francine Hughes confessed to killing her husband, but millions of Americans still believed she was the victim. Richard Masur takes us inside the true story behind The Burning Bed, the landmark true story crime drama that changed the national conversation about domestic violence. Did the jury get it right?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen if you want to … Was the Netflix film The Last House inspired by COVID? Why is Brad Pitt revealing everything to Esquire? Remember To Catch a Predator? Now it has turned into a thriller starring Robert Pattinson and we have thoughts. The true meaning of our childhood fears and paranoia revealed. Real life run-ins with Michael Keaton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filmmaker Joe Berlinger joins Killer Thriller Docu to go inside Netflix’s The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare and explain why he refused to rush one of America’s most closely watched murder cases. Joe discusses putting the victims, not the killer, at the center, the unanswered questions around the plea deal, and how online theories have changed the way we consume real-life tragedy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elisa Donovan and Jennifer Fessler examine two cases that captivated the nation: the Idaho murders and Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three children. They explore the role of mental health, the responsibility of true crime storytellers, and why we’re drawn to stories that confront the darkest parts of the human experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Amish husband secretly living as "Amish Stud." Multiple affairs. A wife who never saw it coming. Kirsten Vangsness joins Elisa Donovan to explore the shocking true story behind Amish Stud, revealing how charm, loneliness, and manipulation can lead someone to do the unthinkable. Follow Kirsten on Instagram: @kirstenvangsnessSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen if you want to… See why Harry Styles is the coolest performer on stage. Breaking the fourth wall on a reality show.. is it cringey? Are they or aren’t they… two A list stars were spotted with matching rings on THAT finger. Men getting plastic surgery… needed or not needed?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do people become killers? Criminal Minds star Kirsten Vangsness joins Elisa Donovan to explore the psychology behind violent crime, why understanding behavior matters more than simple labels, and what more than 20 years as Penelope Garcia taught her about the darkest parts of the human mind. Follow Kirsten on Instagram: @kirstenvangsnessSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filmmaker Sophia Maddox joins Killer Thriller Docu to discuss "My Grandfather Charles Manson" and the shocking discovery that one of America's most infamous killers was her grandfather. Sophia shares how the revelation unraveled generations of family secrets, forever changed her relationship with her father, and inspired a deeply personal documentary about identity, generational trauma, healing, and breaking the cycle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When survival depends on outsmarting the person holding you captive, courage takes on an entirely different meaning. Elisa Donovan talks with Girl in the Coffin star Tahirah Sharif about the psychology of captivity, why victims adapt in ways outsiders often misunderstand, and what stories like these reveal about fear, resilience, and the incredible instinct to survive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen if you want to…. Josh Hartnett's terrifying new thriller has us staying out of the ocean. A 16 year old lifeguard is impressing us with his heroic save in Santa Cruz, does this make us excited to watch Baywatch? Arizona State University is making “influencing” an official major… Why does this make us feel cringey? We’ve got a hot take, Is Voicemails from Isabelle ending too cliche?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenn Fessler and Elisa Donovan revisit the infamous Pamela Smart case, unpacking the scandalous relationship with her 15-year-old student that set the stage for one of the most controversial murder convictions in modern American history. They unpack the latest developments and court hearing in Smart's decades-long fight for freedom, debate whether she received a fair trial, and ask the question that still divides people more than 35 years later: Did the punishment fit the crime?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most murders aren't committed by serial killers or lifelong criminals. They're carried out by ordinary people whose emotions, relationships, and decisions spiral out of control. Elisa Donovan talks with David Lascher about starring alongside Melissa Joan Hart in Twisted Desire, a true crime drama inspired by real events that explores how teenage obsession, manipulation, and emotional turmoil can drive seemingly ordinary people to commit unimaginable actSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director Margaret Brown joins Killer Thriller Docu to discuss HBO's The Yogurt Shop Murders, the gripping documentary series exploring the 1991 murders of four teenage girls in Austin, Texas, and the decades-long search for justice. Margaret shares what drew her to one of Texas' most haunting unsolved cases, the emotional responsibility of telling a story rooted in unimaginable loss, and how false confessions and flawed interrogation tactics led to wrongful convictions. She also reveals what happened when the unimaginable occurred: just weeks after the documentary premiered, the case was finally solved - prompting the series to return for a stunning final episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donna Yaklich alleged that her police detective husband repeatedly abused her, threatened her life and left her believing there was nowhere she could safely turn. Then she recruited two young men to kill him. David Lascher joins Elisa Donovan to revisit the shocking case behind Cries Unheard, why the movie was far more brutal than he remembered, and the complicated question at its center: What happens when a victim of abuse becomes responsible for a crime herself?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen if you want to... Why has TikTok convinced us to watch The Odyssey? The Other Mommy trailer has us totally freaked out. Hear an unbelievable story of Sabine’s incidents when on a plane and an underground tunnel. Is it becoming normalized for men to shave their armpits?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Killer Thriller, Elisa Donovan is joined by Danielle Panabaker to discuss Lifetime’s new thriller Crowning at the Prom. Danielle opens up about playing a mother whose daughter’s carefully crafted perfect life begins to unravel after a devastating secret is revealed.The episode explores the real-life tragedies that mirror the film, the pressure to maintain a perfect image, hidden pregnancies, eating disorders, and the importance of creating a safe space for young people to ask for help.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Fessler sits down with former Stratton Oakmont insiders Ross Portenoy and Howie Gelfand to reveal the real story behind The Wolf of Wall Street. They share firsthand stories from inside Jordan Belfort's infamous firm, expose what the Leonardo DiCaprio movie didn't show, and separate fact from fiction. They also open up about the dark side of Stratton Oakmont - from addiction and the infamous yacht disaster to the lasting fallout, accountability, and rebuilding their lives after one of the biggest financial scandals in history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than 20 years, the murders of Laci Peterson and her unborn son, Conner, seemed like a closed case. But A&E's Scott Peterson: The New Evidence is challenging everything we thought we knew. This week on Killer Thriller Docu, Jennifer Fessler sits down with veteran defense attorney and ABC News legal consultant Chris Pixley to unpack the explosive new documentary, the evidence that could change the case forever, and why the Los Angeles Innocence Project believes Scott Peterson may not have received a fair trial. From overlooked witnesses to new forensic analysis, this is a conversation that will leave you questioning one of the most notorious murder convictions in modern history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen if you want to.. Do we prefer Hot Tom Cruise or a Digger Tom Cruise What you can learn from our mistakes when it comes to slime and kids. Which new shows are we watching, is Five Star Weekend and Elle worth the binge? Which major music star sat next to Danielle at the Hilary Duff concert?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, Natalee Holloway's disappearance left more questions than answers. Long before Joran van der Sloot finally confessed to killing Natalee on a beach in Aruba in 2023, actress Amy Gumenick helped bring her story to millions of viewers. Amy looks back on playing Natalee while the case remained unsolved, the emotional responsibility of portraying a real victim, and how Joran van der Sloot's confession forever changed the way she sees the story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A newborn abandoned. A mother accused 30 years later. But is this case as straightforward as it seems? Jennifer Fessler sits down with ‘Baby Doe’ director Jessica Earnshaw to examine the shocking true story behind her powerful new documentary. They discuss the controversial prosecution of Gail Ritchie, the little-known phenomenon of pregnancy denial, the courtroom decisions that shaped her murder trial and why the verdict and why this case continues to divide audiences long after the verdict. It's a conversation that may leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about guilt, justice, and compassion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why did so many people...including judges, girlfriends, friends, and even complete strangers...trust Ted Bundy? Acclaimed filmmaker Joe Berlinger reveals the one thing about Ted Bundy that still unsettles him most, and it isn't the killings. From the people who loved him to the judges who trusted him, he explains why Bundy's greatest weapon was hiding in plain sight.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile glamorize Ted Bundy or expose the uncomfortable truth about one of history's most notorious serial killers? Acclaimed filmmaker Joe Berlinger addresses the criticism head-on. He explains why Zac Efron was the only choice to play Ted Bundy, why audiences were supposed to feel uncomfortable, and what the controversy says about the way we judge evil.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen if you want to… Are we over hearing about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding? Why we are so IN for Mariska Hargitay hosting the Emmys The surprise nomination for Summer House Hear why Michelle Obama and Kevin Hart are so relatable at the momentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile glamorize Ted Bundy or expose the uncomfortable truth about one of history's most notorious serial killers? Acclaimed filmmaker Joe Berlinger addresses the criticism head-on. He explains why Zac Efron was the only choice to play Ted Bundy, why audiences were supposed to feel uncomfortable, and what the controversy says about the way we judge evil.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Killer Thriller Docu host Jenn Fessler joins Elisa Donovan to swap unforgettable Fourth of July mishaps before diving into some of the holiday's most haunting true crime stories. From random acts of violence and manipulative con artists to suspicious husbands and enduring mysteries, they explore the real-life cases forever linked to the Fourth of July.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the release of the new Netflix documentary Michael Jackson: The Verdict, alongside renewed attention around the biopic Michael, public fascination with the case has surged once again. More than two decades after Michael Jackson was acquitted on all charges, the allegations, the trial, the media coverage, and his lasting legacy continue to sharply divide public opinion. Investigative journalist Diane Dimond, one of the first reporters to break coverage of the 1993 allegations, unpacks the case and its aftermath, drawing on decades of reporting across multiple trials, books, and documentaries. She takes listeners inside what it was like covering the courtroom in real time—from the shifting testimony and powerful defense strategies to the moments that shaped how the jury saw the case. She also breaks down what she believes is still missing from how the story has been told, and why the context inside the courtroom continues to fuel debate decades later.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when a television series takes on one of the most powerful companies in America Danny reveals how representatives connected to the company behind OxyContin tried to convince him he had the facts wrong and shares what he learned while investigating the people, decisions, and corporate practices that helped fuel the opioid epidemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Jacob Elordi the new Cruise Greeting someone Ma’am or Sir a thing of the past What do you watch to escape your real life? John Cena is all of us when a random person starts singing to him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A drug marketed as safe. Doctors who trusted the science. Families torn apart by addiction. Dopesick pulled back the curtain on the opioid epidemic and the devastating consequences that followed. Danny Strong discusses the investigation, the victims, and the shocking truths behind one of television's most powerful true-crime dramas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From notorious killers and headline-making scandals to the unsettling twists of Maternal Instinct, Elisa Donovan and Jenn Fessler swap their latest obsessions and explore the dark stories that captivate us, haunt us, and keep us hitting next episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A teenage girl disappears...left for dead in the woods by a trusted teacher. Against impossible odds and a harrowing thirty-hour ordeal, she survives. Jennie Garth discusses the emotional toll of portraying Ashley Reeves' mother, why the story hit especially hard as a mom of three daughters, and the scene that left her shaken long after filming ended.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen if you want to Two new movie trailers that have us talking Shakira Controversy Lindsey Hubbard is Mother Would you take a free helicopter ride from a stranger?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.