Crime Night

A disturbing pattern of dismemberment cases across Wisconsin raises the possibility that a serial killer may have been operating for decades. At least twelve victims have been discovered under horrifying circumstances, with some found missing their heads or hands. Among the cases are the murders of Reese Pocan, Ray Torlot, and Julia Baez—separate tragedies that may be connected by a much darker thread.For years, these crimes were investigated independently by different jurisdictions, making it difficult for authorities to recognize a larger pattern. But as investigators and reporters began examining the cases together, similarities emerged that suggested these victims may not have been isolated incidents. Even more chilling is the story of one victim who reportedly feared she would be killed by the same person responsible for murdering her cousin—and ultimately appeared to predict her own fate.Now, questions are being raised about whether fragmented investigations allowed a potential serial offender to remain hidden for years. With cold cases still unresolved, investigators are calling for greater cooperation across Wisconsin and urging anyone with information to come forward.How many victims could be connected—and could the answers to these long-forgotten murders finally reveal the killer behind them?You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/crimenight1Produced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/

When Lizzbeth Aleman-Popoca disappeared in Connecticut, her longtime boyfriend, Jonathan Jara-Ruiz, claimed that she had abandoned their young daughter and fled to Mexico. But Lizzbeth’s family refused to accept his story. As they began investigating on their own, they uncovered evidence that directly contradicted his claims—including surveillance footage showing that Lizzbeth’s car had never disappeared as he had alleged.Their search ultimately led investigators to a devastating discovery: Lizzbeth’s body was found buried behind Jara-Ruiz’s workplace. What began as a disappearance surrounded by uncertainty became a murder investigation, with the family’s determination playing a crucial role in uncovering the truth.Lizzbeth’s case also highlights the terrifying risks faced by people trying to leave abusive relationships and the legal and systemic obstacles that can prevent families from getting answers quickly. Her story is a painful reminder that warning signs of abuse should never be ignored—and that sometimes, the people closest to a victim may be the ones who refuse to stop searching for the truth.How many warning signs have to be missed before a desperate situation becomes irreversible?You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/crimenight1Produced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/

Nolan Wells, a college athlete on a holiday trip to Horn Island, Mississippi, vanished under circumstances that have left his family questioning nearly every detail of what happened. Two days later, his body was recovered from the water, and authorities initially leaned toward an accidental drowning. But for Nolan’s parents, the timeline surrounding his disappearance raised troubling questions—especially after his companions returned home with his cell phone.As the family began challenging the circumstances of Nolan’s death, tensions grew between his parents and the friends who had been with him. Competing autopsy findings offered conflicting interpretations, while GPS data and a chaotic distress call became crucial pieces of evidence. Some believe the audio captured during the call may contain sounds that could shed light on what happened in Nolan’s final moments.The case has since become a battle for transparency, with the family pursuing digital forensic analysis and expert examination of ocean tides to reconstruct the events surrounding his disappearance. Questions about the timeline, the behavior of those around him, and the role of local authorities continue to fuel suspicions of possible foul play.Was Nolan Wells the victim of a tragic accident, or did something far more sinister happen on Horn Island? The search for answers continues as his family refuses to accept a story they believe remains incomplete.You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/crimenight1Produced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/

Renowned filmmaker Joe Berlinger has spent decades examining some of the most disturbing and controversial cases in America, using true crime filmmaking as a way to explore deeper questions of justice, accountability, and human suffering. In this conversation, he reflects on his career and his ongoing work surrounding the unsolved murder of JonBenét Ramsey.Berlinger argues that advances in DNA analysis and modern investigative technology could potentially provide answers in the Ramsey case, but only if authorities are willing to fully revisit the evidence. He also criticizes the Boulder Police Department for what he describes as years of tunnel vision, while examining how relentless media coverage contributed to the public vilification of the Ramsey family.The discussion also revisits Berlinger's groundbreaking work on the West Memphis Three, whose wrongful convictions became the subject of his documentaries and helped draw international attention to their case. For Berlinger, true crime is more than entertainment—it carries a moral responsibility to pursue accuracy, fairness, and the truth, particularly when real lives and wrongful convictions are involved.As he reflects on the emotional burden of documenting injustice, Berlinger also looks toward a future beyond crime documentaries, including projects centered around music. After decades of confronting some of society's darkest stories, how much can one filmmaker endure in the pursuit of justice?You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/crimenight1Produced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/

The sixth day of deliberations in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial takes a dramatic turn as a deeply divided jury struggles to reach a verdict. After previously declaring themselves deadlocked, the jury’s internal conflict becomes even more serious when reports emerge that one juror may be refusing to apply the law regarding reasonable doubt.The revelation sparks a tense courtroom confrontation, with the defense demanding that the holdout juror be removed. Instead, the judge provides additional legal instructions and faces a difficult question: is the juror simply reaching a different conclusion from the other eleven, or are they deliberately refusing to follow their sworn duty?With the extraordinary 11-to-1 split now publicly known, pressure mounts as deliberations continue into a seventh day. If the lone juror is ultimately determined to be following the law while remaining unconvinced, the trial could end in a mistrial caused by a hung jury.As the courtroom waits for the jury’s next move, the fate of the case may come down to a single question: can twelve jurors ever reach a unanimous verdict when one of them refuses to change their mind?You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/crimenight1Produced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/

In 1998, Marcus Rutledge, a young father living in Nashville, suddenly disappeared after failing to meet his girlfriend. What initially appeared to be a missing-person case soon revealed a hidden side of Marcus’s life. His family discovered that he had left college and secretly begun selling marijuana, a double life they knew little about.The investigation became even more complicated when detectives uncovered Marcus’s connection to the unsolved murder of his best friend and former roommate, along with a violent home invasion involving known criminals. Marcus’s abandoned car and a weapon were found soon after his disappearance, yet despite these disturbing clues, the case remained without answers for more than a decade.In 2024, a breakthrough finally transformed the case from a decades-old disappearance into a homicide investigation. Skeletal remains discovered years earlier were identified through DNA, confirming the fate Marcus’s family had feared. But identifying his remains did not answer the most important question: who was responsible for his death?With key suspects and potential witnesses either refusing to speak or no longer alive, Marcus’s family is left confronting decades of grief and unanswered questions. His story is a haunting reminder that even when a missing person is finally found, the search for justice can be far from over.You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/crimenight1Produced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/

The story of John Ackroyd reveals a disturbing trail of disappearances and unsolved cases stretching across Oregon’s Highway 20. It began with the 1978 disappearance of Kay Turner, whose remains were eventually found after Ackroyd himself suspiciously claimed to have discovered them. Despite a history of sexual assault and other warning signs, he remained free for years.Ackroyd later became a central suspect in the 1990 disappearance of his stepdaughter, Rachanda Pickle. The investigation finally gained momentum when a former alibi witness withdrew her original statement, helping prosecutors build a case that ultimately led to Ackroyd’s murder conviction.But the story may not end with the victims connected to his conviction. Other disappearances and unidentified remains throughout the Pacific Northwest have raised questions about whether Ackroyd could have been responsible for additional crimes that remain unsolved.The case stands as a haunting example of how missed warning signs and investigative failures can allow a dangerous offender to remain free for years—while families are left waiting decades for answers.You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/crimenight1Produced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/

The case of Karen Read centers on the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, who was found outside a fellow officer’s home during a snowstorm in 2022. Prosecutors argue that Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV and left him outside, pointing to evidence including damage to the vehicle and statements they say implicate her.The defense presents a radically different theory, alleging that O’Keefe was involved in a confrontation inside the house and that Read was framed as part of a wider law enforcement cover-up. The investigation itself became a major focus, with questions surrounding evidence collection, missing surveillance footage, conflicting phone data, and the conduct of lead investigator Michael Proctor.After the first trial ended in a hung jury and mistrial, the case remains deeply divided between competing interpretations of the evidence. As a second trial approaches, expert testimony about O’Keefe’s injuries, digital evidence, and the handling of the investigation could prove critical.At the center of it all is a question that has polarized the public: did Karen Read cause John O’Keefe’s death, or was she made the scapegoat for something that happened inside the house?You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/crimenight1Produced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/

After seven tense days of deliberations, the trial of Lindsay Clancy ended in a mistrial when the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Despite being instructed to continue deliberating, the jurors remained deadlocked, with one juror reportedly refusing to accept the legal standard surrounding reasonable doubt.The defense made an unsuccessful emergency attempt to prevent the mistrial, while both sides reacted strongly to the outcome. Prosecutors stressed the need for justice for the three victims, while the defense continued to argue that the investigation and prosecution failed to adequately address the possibility of postpartum psychosis.The deadlocked verdict also highlights the immense emotional burden placed on jurors in high-profile cases, where reaching a unanimous decision can become an overwhelming responsibility. With the trial ending without a verdict, the next major question is whether prosecutors will seek a retrial, leaving the case—and the question of Lindsay Clancy’s criminal responsibility—far from resolved.You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/crimenight1Produced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/

The 1996 murder of JonBenét Ramsey remains one of the most enduring unsolved mysteries in America. After the six-year-old was found dead in her family’s home, investigators were confronted with a bizarre ransom note, a heavily contaminated crime scene, and conflicting theories about what had happened.As the investigation unfolded, tensions grew between the Ramsey family, the Boulder Police Department, and the District Attorney’s office. Media leaks and relentless tabloid coverage intensified public suspicion, while disagreements and bureaucratic infighting within the investigation created further obstacles to finding the truth.The case also sparked criticism from investigators and officials who publicly questioned how it was handled. Decades later, the evidence, unanswered questions, and competing theories surrounding JonBenét’s death continue to fuel one central mystery: who killed her, and why has the truth remained out of reach for so long?You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/crimenight1Produced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/

In 1984, a 14-year-old girl was tragically murdered on Thanksgiving Day in Rochester, New York, leaving her family devastated and a community searching for answers. For decades, the case remained unsolved as investigators pursued multiple suspects, many of whom were later cleared through advances in DNA technology.The long investigation brought years of heartbreak and uncertainty for her loved ones. However, a major breakthrough came in 2020 when familial DNA testing, combined with the determination of investigators, finally identified a potential suspect. Evidence revealed that the man had lived near the crime scene at the time of the murder, and DNA recovered from a preserved sexual assault kit provided the crucial link.Years after the crime, justice was finally served. In 2024, the suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, giving the victim’s family a long-awaited sense of closure.This case stands as a powerful reminder of how modern forensic science, persistence, and dedicated investigation can bring answers to families who have waited decades for justice.You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/crimenight1Produced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/

In 2014, the tragic death of a 15-year-old First Nations girl sparked nationwide grief and outrage across Canada. Her story revealed a series of devastating failures, as she repeatedly fell through gaps in systems meant to protect vulnerable young people.Before her death, warning signs were missed, including unanswered concerns, inadequate foster care support, and shortcomings in how her disappearance was handled. As investigators searched for answers, attention eventually turned to a man with a history of exploiting vulnerable women, whose connection to the case was built largely on circumstantial evidence and an undercover operation.Although recorded conversations suggested possible involvement in the disposal of a body, the absence of physical evidence and uncertainty surrounding key details resulted in his acquittal. The case left many questions unanswered and intensified discussions about justice, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable communities.In the years since, her memory has inspired advocacy efforts and safety programs dedicated to helping Indigenous youth. Her story remains a powerful reminder of the consequences when multiple systems fail those who need protection the most.You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/crimenight1Produced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/

In 1985, a quiet park in Muncie, Indiana, became the scene of a devastating double murder when two teenagers were found shot inside their car. The case quickly became surrounded by suspicion, conflicting stories, and unanswered questions that have lasted for nearly four decades.Early in the investigation, attention turned toward someone close to one of the victims due to unusual behavior at the crime scene and statements that raised concerns. However, further investigation eventually cleared that person, leaving authorities searching for new leads.Over the years, another convicted murderer became a major focus after numerous tips connected him to a possible drug-related motive. Despite failed polygraph results and troubling accusations from people close to him, DNA testing from evidence recovered at the scene failed to provide a direct connection.The investigation has since explored numerous theories, including possible links to other violent offenders and misleading claims from prison sources. Yet without a murder weapon, reliable witness testimony, or definitive forensic evidence, the case remains unresolved.Decades later, the search for justice continues as investigators and the victims’ families hope that new information will finally reveal who was responsible for the tragic loss of two young lives.You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/crimenight1Produced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/