Criminal
SamfunnHistorieTrue crimeCriminal is the first of its kind. A show about people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle of Investigation.
Siste episoder av Criminal podcast
- Downfall of a Manchester Gangster: The Blackrod Dealer Story (00:19:33)
This is the story of how a six-month police investigation brought down a cocaine empire operating right in the heart of Greater Manchester. It's a tale of three men, fourteen kilograms of cocaine, and the lavish lifestyle that ultimately led to their downfall. This is the case of Keiron Leonard and his gang.
- Scott–Valardi & Richthofen Murders (00:53:30)
This episode examines two family murder cases that reveal how greed can destroy multiple generations at once. The first case takes us to Pendleton, South Carolina, on Halloween 2015, when four members of the Scott–Valardi family were found dead. Amy Valardi and her husband, Ross, became the primary suspects, allegedly murdering Amy’s mother, stepfather, biological grandmother, and step-grandmother for money and inheritance after years of financial pressure. With the case still awaiting trial and Amy and Ross held without bail, the mystery and motives behind the killings continue to raise the unsettling question: how far will someone go for financial gain?The second case brings us to São Paulo, Brazil, on the night before Halloween in 2002, when Suzanne von Richthofen conspired with her boyfriend, Daniel Cravinhos, and Daniel’s brother to kill her own parents. Her motive was a mix of forbidden love and a desire for wealth and independence. In this episode, you will learn how these two separate tragedies reveal the same disturbing pattern—heinous decisions driven by material desire. You will also gain insight into how investigators uncovered the motives, lies, and connections among the perpetrators, and what can be learned from cases where the killers come from within the family.This episode includes AI-generated content.
- Arkansas Twin Tragedies (00:38:02)
This episode reveals two true stories that shook Arkansas in 2025—two different tragedies, yet both born from the darkness of the human soul. First, the Jennings Family Massacre in Bryant, where Jared Mitchell shot and killed his mother, stepfather, and sister in a shocking and brutal attack. Three young children survived to bear silent witness to their family's tragedy. Although Jared had a history of mental illness and had been forcibly hospitalized in the past, these early warnings were ignored, and the motive for the murders remains a mystery. Even more horrifying, after slaughtering his family, Jared simply sat calmly in his truck, as if nothing had happened.From Bryant, the story shifts to Devil's Den State Park, where Clinton and Kristen Brink were brutally murdered while hiking with their two daughters. The perpetrator, Andrew James Man—a schoolteacher with no criminal record—shocked everyone. DNA left at the scene eventually linked him not only to this case, but also to a series of other murders in state parks named “Devil's.” In this episode, you will learn how these two tragic cases reveal the hidden dark side of humanity: from ignored signs of mental illness to predators without motive hiding behind normal faces.This episode includes AI-generated content.
- Candyman Murder Case & Klouse Family Massacre (00:45:58)
This episode explores two family tragedies that shook the world of true crime: Ronald Clark O’Brien, the infamous “Candyman,” who on Halloween 1974 poisoned his own son for insurance money — a case that forever changed the way people view trick-or-treating. Even more shocking: he also gave the poisoned candy to four other children, and his phone call to the insurance company the very next morning became strong proof of his motive. From there, we shift to the 2013 Klouse Family Murders in Alberta, Canada, where a house fire revealed a brutal, premeditated killing carried out by the family’s only surviving son, Jason Klouse — complete with impossible alibis and bizarre claims of seeing his family’s ghosts.In this episode, you will discover how financial motives, greed, and deceit can destroy families that should have been safe. You’ll learn how investigators uncovered key evidence from small, overlooked details — from poisoned Pixy Stix candy to supernatural alibis used to justify murder. This episode provides a deep look into the psychology of the perpetrators, their moral collapse, and how layers of lies eventually crumble under the weight of undeniable evidence.This episode includes AI-generated content.
- Keely Bunker & The Row Family (00:47:36)
Two tragedies on two continents, yet they share a similar pattern: trust that turns into unimaginable violence. In 2019, Keely Bunker was found dead after being murdered by her childhood friend, Wesley Street. With over 100 wounds, an alibi that changed four times, and attempts to twist the facts with a “rough sex” defense, this case was not only horrific but also historic. Street's tactics ultimately led to changes in British law, making Keely's legacy a warning to other victims. These manipulative facts show how perpetrators can appear convincing, even while hiding their cruelty.The story continues in Kapunda, Australia, with the brutal massacre of the Row family in 2010: Andrew, Rose, and Chantel, who was pregnant, were stabbed 112 times. The horror intensifies when it is revealed that the perpetrator slept in Chantel's room after killing them, using the victim's own kitchen knife, without taking any valuables. In this episode, you will learn how patterns of extreme violence, personal grudges, and rejection can escalate into disproportionate brutality. Two cases—two perpetrators—and the same dark pattern: obsession, anger, and the desire to destroy.This episode includes AI-generated content.
- Obsession and Betrayal: Starbucks & Leming (01:13:29)
Two true stories that reveal the darkest side of love and obsession. In 2011, Channon Starbucks was found dead in Deer Park, Washington, her body arranged in a humiliating manner to divert suspicion. Her ex-husband, Klay Starbucks, attempted to cover up his crime by sending messages from the victim's cell phone and deleting a 14-second recording of the 911 call. However, a small detail—DNA traces under Channon's fingernails—eventually uncovered the lie and revealed the grudge that led to the tragedy.Four years later in Canada, Robert Leming appeared to be a loving stepfather. But behind his calm demeanor lay a dark secret. After Jasmine Lovett and her daughter Aaliyah went missing, Leming's lies were gradually exposed through his behavior and forensic evidence. In this episode, you'll learn how two men who seemed “normal” turned into cold-blooded killers—and the psychological patterns linking jealousy, betrayal, and deadly obsession.This episode includes AI-generated content.
- Beason’s Bloody Secret: The Harris Brothers (00:32:10)
On a quiet night in September 2009, a family in Beason, Illinois—the G family—was brutally murdered in their own home. Within hours, six lives were shattered, and a young child became the sole surviving witness to the tragedy that shook the entire town. Police discovered a crime scene so gruesome it left even veteran investigators shaken, with evidence pointing to an unexpected suspect: the family’s own son-in-law, Christopher Harris. What appeared to be an ordinary domestic story turned out to hide secrets, lies, and a deadly obsession.In this episode, you will learn how a small town turned into a nightmare, how investigators uncovered small clues that revealed the true killer, and how one young child survived the most brutal night in Illinois. From harrowing testimonies to confessions behind bars, this story shows how far crime can hide behind a seemingly loving facade.This episode includes AI-generated content.
- The Madeleine Case: Missing Evidence & Scandal (00:56:42)
On the night of May 3, 2007, three-year-old Madeleine McCann disappeared from her family's vacation apartment in Portugal, sparking a global search fraught with controversy. Her parents, Jerry and Kate McCann, were accused of negligence for leaving Maddie and her twins while they dined nearby—a decision that sparked public outrage. This episode will peel back the layers of the scandal: from Eddie the cadaver dog sniffing out human remains in the apartment room and the family's rental car, to Kate McCann's refusal to answer 48 specific questions from police, to alleged British diplomatic pressure that may have botched the case. Now, attention shifts to the main suspect, Christian Brückner, a convicted sex offender with a heinous history.
- Matthew Ecker’s Bloody Affair (00:59:38)
In the early hours of December 9, 2022, Matthew Ecker called 911 from the apartment of Alexandra “Alex” Pennig, a nurse he referred to as a friend—but who was actually his secret lover for two years. Matthew, a married man and father of four, insisted that Alex, known for her kind-hearted and caring nature, had taken her own life with his gun. However, Matthew's story began to unravel when detectives arrived: the blood in the bathroom had dried, the gun was too clean, and there was not a single drop of blood on his body, even though he claimed to have tried to save Alex. The striking differences between Matthew's narrative and the forensic findings, including fragments of a door key that suggested coercion, turned what initially appeared to be a suicide tragedy into a suspected murder.
- The Decker Family Murders: A Father on the Run (00:37:30)
In this episode, you will learn how a father became a national fugitive, how warning signs were ignored by the courts and the community, and how war trauma and mental illness can lead to unimaginable tragedy. We also discuss the connection between the Decker case and the horrific case of Emanuel Harrow, two tragedies that highlight the darkest side of family and the failure of child protection.
- The Disappearance of Bart and Christa (00:37:13)
In this episode, you will learn about the terrible motivation behind this crime—namely, Bart Halderson's attempt to expose Chandler's entire life as a fantasy, from college to his job at American Family Insurance and his dream job at SpaceX. You will also learn about the crucial role played by Chandler's girlfriend, Cat, who unknowingly provided vital clues in the form of Snapchat location data that led police to discover Christa's remains near the Wisconsin River. The Chandler Halderson case is a chilling lesson in how unchecked lies can destroy a family and why seemingly “normal” people can commit the most heinous crimes.
- Dominico Gigante: The Family Executioner (00:31:42)
On March 1, 2023, the tranquility of the small town of Cocoa, Florida, was shattered by one of the most brutal crimes ever committed in the area. Dominico Claude Gigante, a man with a history of violence and cruelty toward animals, shot and killed four members of his own family—including his 15-year-old daughter, Kiara Turwilliger. That night, two young children witnessed an unimaginable nightmare. From the criminal background to the surveillance footage that revealed everything, this case shows how crime can grow from ignored violence.In this episode, you will learn how warning signs are often visible long before tragedy strikes, and how the legal system failed to stop a perpetrator with a history of extreme violence. We will also discuss shocking details from the investigation, camera footage, and the perpetrator's cold confession. Is someone who is capable of torturing animals destined to become a human killer? Listen to the end and judge for yourself.
- The Kilamarsh Hammer Murders: Inside Britain’s Family Nightmare (00:31:00)
In this episode, we uncover the horrifying story of Damian Bendal, a man whose calm confession—“I’ve killed four people”—shocked the quiet town of Kilamarsh, England. What began as a small-town romance turned into one of the most disturbing crimes in modern British history. Four innocent lives were taken in one night — Terry Harris, her children John Paul and Lacey, and Lacey’s friend Connie Gent — in an act so brutal that it left investigators and the public in disbelief. The bodycam footage, the ignored warnings, and the system failures that let a known violent offender live among children—this case reveals how horror can hide behind a mask of normalcy.In this episode, you’ll learn how a series of 51 probation failures allowed a dangerous man to slip through the cracks, and how one small community’s peace was destroyed forever. We’ll also explore the human side of this tragedy — the love, the loss, and the unanswered question of how justice can ever be enough. This isn’t just the story of a murderer; it’s a chilling examination of a system that failed to protect the innocent.
- The Most INSANE Twist You've Ever Heard !!! 'Cold-Blooded Murder' (00:26:40)
🕯️ Fayetteville, North Carolina. An Air Force captain. A marriage in trouble. A winter night. On December 17, 2000, Captain Marty Theer stopped with his wife after a holiday party. Moments later, gunfire rang out in the parking lot. By dawn, Marty was dead.
- David Bane: New Zealand’s House of Horrors (00:33:20)
In 1994, New Zealand was shaken by one of its most haunting crimes — the Bane family murders. Five members of one family were found dead, and the only survivor, 22-year-old David Bane, was accused of killing them all. What followed was not just a murder trial, but a decades-long national obsession. From eerie computer messages to a mysteriously burned-down house, every twist made the truth harder toa uncover.In this episode, you’ll learn how a seemingly clear-cut case turned into one of the most expensive and debated trials in New Zealand’s history. Was David truly a cold-blooded killer, or an innocent man framed by tragic circumstances? We’ll dive into the disturbing details, the bizarre family dynamics, and the evidence that continues to divide public opinion to this day.
- The Simmons Family Massacre: A Christmas of Blood (00:33:08)
On Christmas morning of 1987, the quiet town of Russellville, Arkansas, was shattered by a horror beyond imagination. Ronald Gene Simmons — a former Air Force sergeant and father of 14 — methodically murdered his entire family, one by one, over the course of a week. The victims included his wife, children, grandchildren, and even an infant. What drove a man once respected by his neighbors to turn his home into a house of death?This episode dives deep into the disturbing mind of Ronald Gene Simmons, exploring his years of control, isolation, and obsession that ended in one of America’s darkest massacres. From the chilling calmness during the murders to his shocking final words before execution, discover how this case forever changed the definition of family annihilation — and why his name still haunts true crime history.
- Allan Hawe: Ireland’s Dark Secret (00:30:57)
To the outside world, Allan and Clodagh Hawe were the image of perfection — respected teachers, loving parents, and pillars of their Irish community. But on the morning of August 29, 2016, everything changed. Inside their quiet home in County Cavan, police uncovered a horrifying scene: Clodagh and her three sons — Liam, Niall, and Ryan — brutally murdered by the very man who was supposed to protect them. What drove a seemingly gentle husband and father to commit such unthinkable violence? And why did the system fail to see the warning signs hiding behind his calm demeanor?In this episode, you’ll learn how deep control can hide under the mask of normalcy — and how silence, shame, and misplaced trust can build toward catastrophe. We’ll explore the hidden clues of coercive control, the unanswered questions around Allan’s counseling records, and the ongoing fight of Clodagh’s family for truth and justice. This isn’t just a story about murder — it’s a chilling reminder that evil can wear the face of respectability.
- Casey Anthony: America's Most Hated (00:36:14)
This case shook America in 2008. A young mother named Casey Anthony was accused of murdering her two-year-old daughter, Kaylee Anthony — yet she was acquitted by the court despite overwhelming evidence. Chloroform in the trunk of the car, a search for “how to make chloroform” on her laptop, and a foul odor in the family car were just some of the pieces of a dark puzzle that was never completed. The world saw a woman partying and getting a tattoo that read Bella Vita (“Beautiful Life”) — while her child had disappeared without a trace.In this episode, you’ll learn how a mother could deceive all of America, why the jury ultimately acquitted her, and why many people still believe justice has not been served. We’ll also see how Casey, after 14 years, now calls herself a “legal advocate” and has returned to the public eye with a new story—even accusing her own father of being the culprit. Who is really lying? Who is truly guilty?
- Lyle & Eric: Children or Demons? (00:31:40)
On a summer night in 1989, the world was shocked by the brutal murder of wealthy couple Jose and Kitty Menendez in their luxurious Beverly Hills home. In an instant, this perfect family turned into a horrific tragedy. But what was even more shocking was the perpetrators—their own two children, Lyle and Eric. For years, society believed their motive was simply money and freedom, but new facts reveal a far more complex dark side: abuse, trauma, and silence that ensnared them.In this episode, you will learn how two young men from an elite family could turn into killers of their own parents. We will explore new evidence that has emerged after more than 30 years—including a letter written before the murder and shocking testimony from another victim that sheds light on the father's dark side. Were they ruthless killers hungry for inheritance, or victims who finally fought back? Listen and decide for yourself.
- Bad Henry: The Charlotte Murders (00:34:24)
Between 1990 and 1994, a quiet manager at Taco Bell was hiding a horrifying secret. Henry Louis Wallace — later known as “Bad Henry” — terrorized Charlotte, North Carolina, by brutally murdering at least 11 women he personally knew. For years, police failed to connect the dots, allowing one of America’s most dangerous serial killers to move freely among his victims.
- Zephen Xaver : The Sebring Massacre (00:29:51)
On January 23, 2019, the quiet town of Sebring, Florida became the scene of one of the most horrifying mass murders in the state’s history. Zephen Xaver, a 21-year-old man wearing a ballistic vest, walked into SunTrust Bank and executed five innocent women in cold blood. He then calmly called 911 to confess — even firing again while still on the phone. Investigators later learned that Xaver wasn’t motivated by money or revenge, but by something far darker: the voices in his head.In this episode, you’ll hear how the massacre unfolded minute by minute, how one employee survived by chance, and how Zephen’s chilling messages to his ex-girlfriend foreshadowed the tragedy. We’ll also explore the deeper psychological and social factors behind this crime — and ask the haunting question: could it have been prevented?
- The Chohan Family Murders (00:33:27)
It began with a picture-perfect family — Amarjit Chohan, his wife Nancy, their two little boys, and her mother. They had everything: love, success, and a thriving £5 million business. But within days, they vanished without a trace. Behind this disappearance stood Kenneth Regan, an ex-convict whose greed and deception would lead to one of the most chilling family murders in UK history.In this episode, you’ll discover how a tiny letter hidden in a sock became the final clue that exposed a twisted killer’s lies. Learn how one man’s obsession destroyed a family — and how a father’s final act of courage from beyond the grave brought justice at last.
- Abby & Libby : Delphi Murders (00:30:48)
The brutal murders of Abigail Williams (13) and Liberty “Libby” German (14) in Delphi, Indiana shocked the world. From Libby’s chilling Snapchat photo to the haunting “Down the Hill” audio, this case became one of America’s darkest mysteries. Over the years, suspicion fell on local man Ronald Logan, online predator Keegan Kline, and finally Richard Allen—a seemingly ordinary CVS employee. But is Allen truly guilty, or is there a deeper, darker truth?
- The Matsumoto Tragedy (00:38:25)
The 2003 Matsumoto family murder case in Fukuoka, Japan, was no ordinary tragedy. Four members of a seemingly perfect family were found brutally murdered, leaving a deep wound in Japanese society. Shocking facts emerged: the perpetrators were not local gangsters, but three international students from China who had originally come to Japan to study. From bloodstains, evidence such as handcuffs, to shocking confessions, every detail of this case further revealed the cruelty of the massacre.
- David Camm : The Family Murders (00:32:44)
The David Camm case is one of the most complicated true crime stories in American history. A former police officer, accused of murdering his wife and two children, faced three trials over a span of 13 years. From bloodstain evidence, suspicious phone calls, to prosecutors accused of hiding DNA facts, this case is full of plot twists that have divided the public: is David really the perpetrator, or is he the victim of a wrongful accusation?