Notorious Bakersfield

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Notorious Bakersfield is a podcast that steps back in time to look at some of Bakersfield's most notorious crimes, events, and characters that have impacted this Central California Valley community.

Robert Petersen

Bakersfield, CA, USA

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    • Jun 24, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 19m AVG DURATION
    • 217 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Notorious Bakersfield podcast is an incredible gem that I am proud to say I love. Hosted by the notorious Robert Petersen, who also happens to be my little brother, this podcast delves into the local true crime history of Bakersfield in a captivating and engaging manner. What sets this podcast apart is the unique perspective that Robert brings as a lifelong resident of the town. His extensive knowledge and research, combined with his passion for storytelling, make for an unforgettable listening experience.

    One of the best aspects of The Notorious Bakersfield podcast is Robert's ability to tell these stories without resorting to hyperbole or sensationalism. He presents each cold case in a well-balanced and thoughtful manner, providing listeners with a thorough analysis that leaves them wanting more. The sound bytes are engaging and keep you hooked from start to finish. It's clear that a lot of hard work and effort goes into each episode, and it truly pays off.

    However, my one complaint about this podcast is the frustrating wait time between episodes. Having become addicted to Robert's storytelling abilities, waiting seven days for the next installment feels like an eternity. Additionally, while I appreciate the concise nature of each episode, I can't help but wish they were longer. The content is so fascinating and well-presented that it leaves me craving for even more information.

    In conclusion, The Notorious Bakersfield podcast is an absolute treasure for both residents of Bakersfield and true crime enthusiasts from all over. Whether you're familiar with the town or not, Robert's storytelling ability will captivate you from start to finish. The local knowledge he brings adds an extra layer of depth and authenticity to each episode. If you haven't already checked out this podcast, I highly recommend giving it a listen - you won't be disappointed. Keep up the excellent work, Robert!



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    Latest episodes from Notorious Bakersfield

    Encore: A Guilty Conscience

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2025 30:43


    Send Robert a Text! Joe and Dorothy Parrott were slain in their home in August 2008. Their murders went unsolved for months. This is their story. Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1 ***SUBSCRIBE HERE*** For only $4 per month, you can Subscribe to Notorious Bakersfield to get access to the entire back catalog of episodes. Subscribe here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1784628/subscribe

    The Dana Butler Mystery | E177

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2025 53:16


    Send Robert a Text! In April 1979, 14-year-old Dana Butler left her Bakersfield home to visit her grandparents—but never arrived. Two and a half days later, her body was discovered near Alfred Harrell Highway, launching a homicide investigation that would haun  Bakersfield to this day. The case, tangled in allegations of drugs, power, and corruption, would eventually point to a well-connected former law enforcement official—whose shocking death only deepened the mystery.***SUBSCRIBE HERE***For only $4 per month, you can subscribe to Notorious Bakersfield to get access to the entire back catalog of episodes. Subscribe here:https://www.buzzsprout.com/1784628/subscribe Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1 ***SUBSCRIBE HERE*** For only $4 per month, you can Subscribe to Notorious Bakersfield to get access to the entire back catalog of episodes. Subscribe here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1784628/subscribe

    Shot In The Back| E176

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2025 19:03


    Send Robert a Text! When an off duty Kern County Sheriff's deputy shot and killed a fleeing unarmed teenage burglary suspect in the back, authorities grapple with whether a crime was committed.Buy your tickets to the Kern Literacy Council's Wine & Words fundraiser here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-words-notorious-bakersfield-robert-petersen-tickets-1343029008919***SUBSCRIBE HERE***For only $4 per month, you can subscribe to Notorious Bakersfield to get access to the entire back catalog of episodes. Subscribe here:https://www.buzzsprout.com/1784628/subscribe Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1 ***SUBSCRIBE HERE*** For only $4 per month, you can Subscribe to Notorious Bakersfield to get access to the entire back catalog of episodes. Subscribe here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1784628/subscribe

    Little Jorge Garza | E175

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 18:10


    Send Robert a Text! In the Summer of 1981, the community of Arvin, CA was stunned by the brutal murder of a 5-year-old boy. The trial of the accused, Filepe Sixto, dragged on for months. ***SUBSCRIBE HERE***For only $4 per month, you can subscribe to Notorious Bakersfield to get access to the entire back catalog of episodes. Subscribe here:https://www.buzzsprout.com/1784628/subscribe Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1  Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1 ***SUBSCRIBE HERE*** For only $4 per month, you can Subscribe to Notorious Bakersfield to get access to the entire back catalog of episodes. Subscribe here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1784628/subscribe

    Dr. Tupac's Fall From Grace | E174

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 22:03


    Send Robert a Text! He came to Bakersfield in 2001 as a respected dental specialist with impressive credentials. But behind the newspaper ads and TV commercials was a man with a troubling past. This is the story of Dr. Robert Tupac's dramatic rise—and devastating fall. Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1 ***SUBSCRIBE HERE*** For only $4 per month, you can Subscribe to Notorious Bakersfield to get access to the entire back catalog of episodes. Subscribe here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1784628/subscribe

    College Heights Shootout | E173

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 20:36


    Send Robert a Text! On a misty Sunday morning in January 1970, gunfire shattered the quiet of a northeast Bakersfield neighborhood when an undercover heroin bust turned into a chaotic shootout outside a 7-Eleven. What followed was a dramatic case of mistaken identity, a wounded state narcotics agent, and a story that would echo through Bakersfield lore for decades.Support Notorious Bakersfield, Buy Me A Coffee:   Click Here!  Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Chinese Food & Double Murder | E172

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 26:06


    Send Robert a Text! This is a tale of jealousy, violence, and a midnight meal gone horribly wrong—one that began inside a Chinese restaurant on L Street in the summer of 1902 and ended with two people dead. The man accused of pulling the trigger was a troubled oil field worker known around town as Kid Robbins. Support Notorious Bakersfield, Buy Me A Coffee:   Click Here!  Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Suicide Or Murder? | E171

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 17:08


    Send Robert a Text! When Bakersfield police officers discovered Clifford Johnson's body in an upper-middle-class neighborhood in Northeast Bakersfield, they initially believed it was a clear case of suicide. But was it? Support Notorious Bakersfield, Buy Me A Coffee:   Click Here!  Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Murder At Tex's Barrel House | E170

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 19:40


    Send Robert a Text! Notorious Bakersfield Brief: This is a bizzar story about how a 78-year-old great grandmother fought off a rapist.  On a April night in 1984, a young woman named Kathy Hyde visited Tex's Barrel House, a popular Country/Western bar near Garces Circle. An encounter in the parking lot would lead to a horrifying act of violence that would leave one person dead, another permanently scarred, and a mystery that would haunt Bakersfield for years. This is the story of Murder at Tex's Barrel House.Support Notorious Bakersfield, Buy Me A Coffee:   Click Here!  Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Before It Was Mexicali | E169

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 20:47


    Send Robert a Text! In this episode you will learn what was located at the location of Bakersfield's Mexicali restaraunt, and the headline-making crime that took place there almost 80 years ago.   Support Notorious Bakersfield, Buy Me A Coffee:   Click Here!  Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    The Pump Room Murder | E168

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 22:05


    Send Robert a Text! Notorious Bakersfield Brief: Harley Harty was a retired deputy from the KCSO. His life was never the same after he suffered a stroke in 1979. The Pump Room Murder: Bob and Doris Gardner purchased the Pump Room bar on Edison Highway in 1986. This new chapter in their lives quickly turned violent.  Support Notorious Bakersfield, Buy Me A Coffee:   Click Here!  Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Encore: He Said His name Is Mateo

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 14:21


    Send Robert a Text! Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Remembering Maria | E167

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 22:55


    Send Robert a Text! Notorious Bakersfield Brief: The Lottery CurseMaria Pizano and her three young children sought refuge from her abusive partner. Despite making progress in separating herself from him, things took a tragic turn. Support Notorious Bakersfield, Buy Me A Coffee:   Click Here! Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Rickshaw Neil | E166

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 19:42


    Send Robert a Text! Have you seen the guy running through the streets of downtown Bakersfield pulling a rickshaw? Have you ever wondered what his story is? I recently had a conversation with "Rickshaw Neil."  Support Notorious Bakersfield, Buy Me A Coffee:   Click Here! 

    Solved: Ruby Jackson Meriweather

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 20:17


    Send Robert a Text! Notorious Bakersfield Brief: A Greenlawn Cemetary worker was shot while on his lunch break in front of his coworkers in 1974. Ruby Lee Jackson Meriweather was murdered in 2000. Her case went unsolved for nine years.  Support Notorious Bakersfield, Buy Me A Coffee:   Click Here! Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Unsolved: Lorraine Rodriguez | E164

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 16:56


    Send Robert a Text! Almost thirty-seven years ago Lorraine Rodriguez was murdered. She was a single mother to two young daughters. Her case remains unsolved.  Support Notorious Bakersfield, Buy Me A Coffee:   Click Here! Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    The Silver Tongued Devil | E163

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 20:43


    Send Robert a Text! When an assailant beats a 90-year-old widow to death and seriously injures her daughter, it tends to shake up a community. Support Notorious Bakersfield, Buy Me A Coffee:   Click Here! Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Snapshot: An Oildale Double Murder | E162

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 22:51


    Send Robert a Text! Shirley Jordan and her 10 year-old son Joey were murdered in their Oildale duplex in 1995. This is their story. Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Psycho Scared | E161

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2025 25:18


    Send Robert a Text! Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho terrified audiences in 1960, forever changing how movies were experienced—including enforcing a strict "no late admission" policy to heighten suspense. That same summer, a Bakersfield teenager watched Psycho and returned home, only to hear unsettling noises from her neighbor's apartment—music, strange movements, and a chilling scream. Was it her imagination or something more terrifying? Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    The Meanest Man In Bakersfield |E160

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 19:38


    Send Robert a Text! This Notorious Bakersfield episode explores the reason why the city of Bakersfield has two dates of incorporation. You'll be surprised to learn it is because of one unpleasant character. Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Encore: I Guess Billy Is Crazy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 15:42


    Send Robert a Text! Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    A 1923 Murder Mystery | E159

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 18:34


    Send Robert a Text! On a quiet April night in 1923, an engineer at the San Joaquin Light and Power Company, made a chilling discovery while clearing debris from Mill Ditch. What initially appeared to be a discarded doll turned out to be the lifeless body of a toddler, sparking a mystery that would soon deepen with the discovery of a brutally murdered woman nearby. Over a century later, the identities of these victims remain unknown, and the case stands as one of Bakersfield's oldest unsolved crimes.Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Encore: Bakersfield's Mass Murder

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 54:35


    Send Robert a Text! Bakersfield had never witnessed a crime of such magnitude in its history. A crime so shocking and heinous, it left the entire city reeling.In the summer of 2003, five members of a single family were found slain in their central Bakersfield home. The victims ranged from an elderly grandmother to a six-week-old infant.Within hours of the gruesome discovery, Bakersfield was thrust into the national spotlight.Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Attack On The Panorama Bluffs | E158

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 17:44


    Send Robert a Text! In April 2002, a quiet Bakersfield neighborhood was shaken by a brutal daylight attack. A year later, another shocking assault unfolded on the nearby Panorama Bluffs, but this time, a retired police officer intervened, preventing a tragedy. These two harrowing incidents would eventually connect, exposing the violent crimes of one man and spotlighting the bravery of Billy George Martin who stood up when it mattered mostPurchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Fort Cook: Mystique & Murder | 157

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 22:54


    Send Robert a Text! Fort Cook, once an ambitious private resort envisioned as a celebrity haven, became a focal point of intrigue, rumors, and ultimately tragedy. The tale of its owner, Ronnie Cook—a musician turned entrepreneur—unfolds against a backdrop of mystique, scandal, and a shocking murder that shattered its idyllic façade.Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/2XONnB1

    Encore: Downtown Mary

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 21:10


    Send Robert a Text! Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/cAA4NyF

    E156: Gone Fishing: How Trout's Sign Was Found

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 20:26


    Send Robert a Text! The mystery of Trout's iconic neon sign has captivated Bakersfield for nearly seven years, a symbol of the city's rich honky-tonk history and the famed Bakersfield Sound. From its rise as a beloved music hotspot to its unceremonious closure in 2017, Trout's embodied the spirit of a bygone era. When its legendary sign disappeared, rumors swirled, and efforts to uncover its whereabouts spanned years Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/cAA4NyF

    E155: Christmas Eve Crime Spree

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 21:53


    Send Robert a Text! Christmas Eve morning in 1979, a young man went on a crime spree that included kidnapping, rape and murder. Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/cAA4NyF

    E154: Bakersfield's Boy Hooligan To Outlaw

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 19:02


    Send Robert a Text! At the heart of this story is a young Bakersfield man whose path from a rebellious childhood to a hardened criminal would forever stain his family's name back home in Bakersfield.Purchase Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II here: https://a.co/d/cAA4NyF

    Encore: Diana Contreras

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 15:12


    Send Robert a Text! Diana Contreras was abducted from the Valley Plaza mall while Christmas shopping in 1993. Her body was found in Taft the next day. This is that story.

    E153: Witch Hunt

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 20:40


    Send Robert a Text!  The Kern County witch hunts of the 1980s involved a wave of child molestation and satanic ritual abuse accusations, leading to dozens of arrests and convictions based on coerced and unreliable testimony. Jackie and Jack Cummings, swept into the hysteria, fled to protect their family, enduring life on the run while fighting to clear their names. The Witches' Defense recounts their harrowing journey, exposing the flawed justice system and the mass panic that upended innocent lives.

    E152: Motel Double Murder

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 19:56


    Send Robert a Text! In April 1982, a husband and wife who managed a motel in Mojave were murdered. This is their story. 

    Encore: Remembering Tina Blunt

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 35:10


    Send Robert a Text!

    Encore: The Slaying Of Officer Maxwell

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 19:01


    Send Robert a Text!

    E151: Another Murder At The Padre

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 15:13


    Send Robert a Text! This is the second documented murder that has occurred at this iconic downtown Bakersfield hotel. https://2024halloween.supercast.com/

    E150: The Thirteen Year Old Killer

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 14:56


    Send Robert a Text! Yoli Espinoza was killed in her downtown Bakersfield apartment in 2003. One of her killers was a 14-year-old boy. https://2024halloween.supercast.com/

    E149: Driving Through Bakersfield Blindfolded

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024 18:41


    Send Robert a Text! In the mid-1920s showman Hayward Thompson brought his roadshow to Bakersfield for the citizens to marvel. https://2024halloween.supercast.com/

    Pop- Up Meet & Greet

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2024 1:00


    Send Robert a Text! I'll have a pop-up MEET & GREET tonight, Saturday, October 12th, from 7 to 9 pm at 3835 Ming Ave. That's the Starbucks, or the former Wendy's restaurant. If you're taking the Halloween Tour tonight, this location is the seventh point of interest on the tour. If you've already taken the tour, come by anyway. Stop in and say hi.Click here to purchase this year's Notorious Bakersfield Halloween Audio Driving Tour: https://2024halloween.supercast.com/I'll also have copies of Notorious Bakersfield The Book available for purchase. So if you haven't gotten your copy, now is your chance. Or if you have the book and need it autographed, bring it by. I'll be happy to sign it. 

    E148: Tragedy At Centennial Garden

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 21:23


    Send Robert a Text! Construction was completed on Bakersfield's Centennial Garden Arena in 1998. It was the city's new pride and joy. Less than a year after opening, it was the site of a terrible accident. Purchase the 2024 Halloween Driving Tour here:  https://2024halloween.supercast.com/ https://2024halloween.supercast.com/

    E147: The Rapist Doctor

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 21:15


    Send Robert a Text! In the late 1980s, two Bakersfield women accused a Bakersfield physician of drugging and raping them. This is that story. Visit this link to purchase the all-new 2024 Halloween Tour: https://2024halloween.supercast.com/

    E146: Hindsight Is 20/20

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 19:55


    Send Robert a Text! Patty Saldana, a single mother to a teenage daughter, invited a boyfriend to stay in her house temporarily. It ended tragically.  Notorious Bakersfield: The Book is available for purchase!Order your copy here: https://a.co/d/3b1jj4F

    E145: UFOs Over Bakersfield

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 15:07


    Send Robert a Text! The Bakersfield Californian described the Summer of 1947 as "the Sumer of the flying saucers". A nationwide flying saucer craze was occurring, and even Bakersfield got caught up in it. Notorious Bakersfield: The Book is available for purchase!Order your copy here: https://a.co/d/3b1jj4F

    E144: Remembering Marques "The Dancing Cowboy" Morrison

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 22:43


    Send Robert a Text! For this episode, I'm stepping away from the usual Notorious Bakersfield tradition of covering stories from Bakersfield's distant past. Instead, today's episode highlights a more recent figure—someone many of us remember with fondness.I'm talking about Marques "The Dancing Cowboy" Morrison. For the past fifteen years, Marques was a familiar sight at the corner of Stockdale Highway and California Avenue. I interview Marques' older brother to learn more about Bakersfield's favorite human billboardNotorious Bakersfield: The Book is available for purchase!Order your copy here: https://a.co/d/3b1jj4F

    E143: A Guilty Conscience

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 28:51


    Send Robert a Text! Joe and Dorothy Parrott were slain in their home in August 2008. Their murders went unsolved for months. This is their story.Notorious Bakersfield: The Book is available for purchase!Order your copy here: https://a.co/d/3b1jj4F

    Encore: Tragedy On Truxtun Extension

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 16:00


    Send Robert a Text! This episode covers the 1999 tragic death of Melissa Lonon, an 18-year-old mother to two children.Notorious Bakersfield: The Book is available for purchase!Order your copy here: https://a.co/d/3b1jj4F

    E142: The Hammer Murder

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 21:06


    Send Robert a Text! This episode covers the brutal 1931 murder of Anna Garcia. Anna's homicide was shockingly brutal, with grotesque details that resemble a modern-day horror movie.Notorious Bakersfield: The Book is available for purchase!Order your copy here: https://a.co/d/3b1jj4F

    Encore: A Reporter's Death

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 13:10


    Send Robert a Text! I have COVID! I'll be back next week with a NEW Notorious Bakersfield story. Notorious Bakersfield: The Book is available for purchase!Order your copy here: https://a.co/d/3b1jj4F

    Encore: Murder At Wendy's

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 24:49


    Send Robert a Text! In February 1991, a Bakersfield Police officer solved a murder case almost by accident. He was at the right place at the right time.  Notorious Bakersfield: The Book is available for purchase!Order your copy here: https://a.co/d/3b1jj4F

    E141: The Two Jane Does

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 18:12


    Send Robert a Text! The identities of two homicide victims remained a mystery for 13 years. This is their story. Notorious Bakersfield: The Book is available for purchase!Order your copy here: https://a.co/d/3b1jj4F

    Encore: Murdered At KMC

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 21:04


    Send Robert a Text! This episode is a rerun of a story originally published in September 2023. I'll be back next week with an all-new Notorious Bakersfield story. Notorious Bakersfield: The Book is available for purchase!Order your copy here: https://a.co/d/3b1jj4F

    Encore: The Day Bakersfield Burned Down

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 20:06


    Send Robert a Text! This is a rerun episode from last summer. This episode cover the devastating 1889 fire that destroyed most of Bakersfield. The fire, which started as a minor kitchen fire, quickly spread and consumed the city.Notorious Bakersfield: The Book is available for purchase!Order your copy here: https://a.co/d/3b1jj4F

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