Crime Adjacent Live Episode 580: The Fairfield Sandwich Shop Murder

Crime Adjacent Live Episode 580: The Fairfield Sandwich Shop Murder

May 27, 2026 · 47 min · Episode 580

About this episode

This episode explores the unsolved murder of 17-year-old Samantha Carpenter in a Fairfield sandwich shop, delving into conspiracy theories surrounding the case.

On the morning of Saturday, Jan. 3, 1998, the body of 17-year-old Samantha Carpenter was discovered in the kitchen of a popular sandwich shop in Fairfield, California.  She had been hit on the back of the head, and then stabbed. Her jeans were discovered around her ankles, and her green sandwich shop apron was pulled over her head, concealing her face. This was, quite obviously, a murder.  Police even discovered the murder weapon on scene. But you’re about to hear why this case has been the source of endless conspiracy theories and cover-up allegations in this small Bay Area town, because those weapons ... they were never tested for prints. And Samantha’s body ... was never tested for DNA. Samantha Carpenter, Sam, was a bright, studious, hard-working high schooler with plans to leave this small town behind for good that year. Why? Because the people she was supposed to be able to count on most might also be the very people responsible for her murder. This is Crime Adjacent episode 580: The Fairfield Sandwich Shop Murder, told live in Memphis during our tour. OK, profilers. Can you solve an unsolvable murder? Join host and serial killer survivor Chase Patrick live on…

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