About this episode

Laura Palmer investigates the double murder of Andrew and Lizzie Kostyniuk, focusing on the suspect known as 'Bad Grandpa'.

A double murder. A robbery motive that doesn't add up. And a family theory that's been passed down in whispers for decades. In this episode, host Laura Palmer digs into the suspect, Shauna's family calls "Bad Grandpa" Joseph Charles Phillips, a convicted predator with a grudge, a motive, and, according to someone who knew him, sudden money after the killings. Through long-buried psychiatric records, jailhouse letters, and a remarkable conversation with an 85-year-old who knew both the victims and the suspect, the story of who may have killed Andrew "Curly" and Lizzie Kostyniuk comes into sharper focus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Laura Palmer

Topics covered

• double murder
• family theory
• suspect investigation
• true crime
• psychological records
• robbery motive

Keywords

• double murder
• robbery motive
• family theory
• Joseph Charles Phillips
• true crime
• psychiatric records
• jailhouse letters

More episodes of Island Crime

• S9 E8 Open & Shut · July 10, 2026 · 35 min
• S9 E7 The Murder House · July 3, 2026 · 36 min
• S9 E6 The Paper Trail · June 26, 2026 · 41 min
• S9 E5 Bad Grandpa Part 2 · June 19, 2026 · 43 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Island Crime podcast page.