Science is supposed to cure disease and improve life, but sometimes confidence goes off the rails. Today, we are taking you on a tour through history’s wildest moments when science went completely off the rails, including incidents where confidence reached levels of blowing up a dead whale, dropping cats out of planes, and poisoning an entire generation.

In 2016, a string of professionals in the quiet mining town of Krugersdorp, South Africa, started disappearing after appointments with new clients. The killer was a team of believers doing the bidding of a woman who claimed to speak for God herself: Cecilia Steyn.

In the heart of Beverly Hills, just after a red-carpet movie premiere, the life of Ronni Chasen, one of Hollywood's most connected and beloved publicists, came to a violent and mysterious end. On November 16, 2010, the 64-year-old was gunned down in her Mercedes-Benz while stopped at a red light. The shocking murder of the woman who helped secure Oscar Gold for films like Driving Miss Daisy and The Hurt Locker instantly made national headlines.

Ronni's influential friends  quickly offered a combined $125,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. This massive reward signaled that her inner circle wasn't convinced the killing was a random act.

A tip to America's Most Wanted led police to Harold Martin Smith, a man with a lengthy criminal record living in a rundown apartment complex. When confronted by detectives, Smith ended his own life with a .38 caliber revolver.

The Beverly Hills Police Department officially closed the case in 2011, declaring Smith the sole killer and the motive of a random robbery gone wrong.

However, this "solved" status remains highly controversial due to several glaring contradictions:

• Ronni's purse was untouched and nothing was taken, contradicting the robbery motive.

• Police claimed Smith was on a bicycle, but her autopsy report suggests an unknown vehicle pulled up beside her car.

• The ballistic evidence was inconclusive; documents revealed the findings were "insufficient for an identification" to definitively match the bullet to Smith's gun.

• Law enforcement was criticized for failing to interview multiple residents and for poor evidence collection.

In the heart of Beverly Hills, just after a red-carpet movie premiere, the life of Ronni Chasen, one of Hollywood's most connected and beloved publicists, came to a violent and mysterious end. On November 16, 2010, the 64-year-old was gunned down in her Mercedes-Benz while stopped at a red light. The shocking murder of the woman who helped secure Oscar Gold for films like Driving Miss Daisy and The Hurt Locker instantly made national headlines.

Ronni's influential friends  quickly offered a combined $125,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. This massive reward signaled that her inner circle wasn't convinced the killing was a random act.

A tip to America's Most Wanted led police to Harold Martin Smith, a man with a lengthy criminal record living in a rundown apartment complex. When confronted by detectives, Smith ended his own life with a .38 caliber revolver.

The Beverly Hills Police Department officially closed the case in 2011, declaring Smith the sole killer and the motive of a random robbery gone wrong.

However, this "solved" status remains highly controversial due to several glaring contradictions:

• Ronni's purse was untouched and nothing was taken, contradicting the robbery motive.

• Police claimed Smith was on a bicycle, but her autopsy report suggests an unknown vehicle pulled up beside her car.

• The ballistic evidence was inconclusive; documents revealed the findings were "insufficient for an identification" to definitively match the bullet to Smith's gun.

• Law enforcement was criticized for failing to interview multiple residents and for poor evidence collection.

The entire country of Australia was held hostage by a desperate search after the Sydney double murder of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. On this episode, we delve into the chilling case of the former NSW Police Officer, Beau Lamarre-Condon, whose deadly obsession and tragic relationship led to a shocking disappearance and a killer hiding in plain sight. Hear the details of the terrifying 000 call and the dramatic turns in the ongoing legal case, including Beau Lamarre-Condon's controversial not guilty plea. This stark reminder of lives taken and power abused has captivated the nation.

In December 2022, a horrific discovery in the woods of Rice Borough, Georgia, shocked the nation: the dismembered torso of 40-year-old Mindy Kassotis. The victim was the wife of Nicholas Kassotis, a decorated Navy JAG officer, Georgetown law graduate, and a man who lived a profound double life.

The pursuit of viral fame on TikTok has created a dark undercurrent in the world of true crime. This episode exposes the alarming pattern of TikTok stars hiding violent reality behind their polished online personas, leading to shocking consequences. We examine crimes intertwined with the app, some happening right now in 2025.

We dive into the chilling, developing case of musician DV4D(David Anthony Burke). His rise to fame with the hit song "Romantic Homicide" was shattered when the decomposed body of 15-year-old runaway Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found in his Tesla in the Hollywood Hills.

Viral Lives, Violent Ends: Other TikTok True Crimes

D4vd's story is not an isolated incident. The pressure to maintain a perfect online image has driven others to commit unthinkable acts:

Convicted murderer and "Facebook Rapist" Thabo Bester faked his death to escape from a maximum security prison. We explore his life on the run and the shocking role of his accomplice, celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana.

In the gripping second part of the Daniel Markel case we delve deeper into the intricate web of deceit surrounding the murder-for-hire plot. This episode focuses on the trials of the two masterminds behind the shocking crime: Charlie and Donna Adelson.

• Charlie Adelson's Trial: The episode begins with the conviction of Charlie Adelson. The state's case was built on compelling evidence, including audio recordings from a Miami restaurant where Charlie discussed killing a blackmailer or a police officer. The money trail connecting the Adelson family's dental practice to Katie Magbanua, the ex-girlfriend of the hitman, also played a crucial role. Charlie took the stand in his own defense, claiming he was being extorted by the hitmen. This defense was ultimately not believed by the jury, leading to his conviction for first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation.

• Donna Adelson's Arrest and Trial: Just seven days after her son's conviction, the matriarch, Donna Adelson, was arrested at Miami International Airport as she and her husband, Harvey, were attempting to flee to Vietnam, a non-extradition country. Key evidence against her included monitored phone calls where she discussed fleeing the country and a recording where she was overheard mulling over extradition policies and reading text messages from her daughter, Wendi. During her trial, testimony from her fellow inmates revealed her attempts to orchestrate false testimony and her admission of her role in the murder. The verdict was unforgettable, as Donna gasped dramatically when she was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation, becoming the fifth person convicted in Dan's murder.

• The Family's Web of Lies: The podcast also uncovers new details about the involvement of other family members. Wendi Adelson, Dan's ex-wife, testified under immunity but was confronted with her past inconsistencies about her knowledge of the murder plot. It was also revealed that Donna and Wendi had a deep knowledge of Dan's daily routine, and Wendi's ex-boyfriend testified that she once mentioned Charlie looking into a hitman for $15,000.

• Legacy and Justice: The episode concludes with the powerful impact of the case on Dan Markel's parents, Ruth and Phil Markel. Their advocacy led to a new law and a long-awaited reunion with their grandsons.

In this episode, we delve into the shocking murder of Harvard-educated law professor Dan Markel. His life was cut short in a targeted hit that investigators believe was a murder-for-hire plot.

This is more than just a true crime drama; it's a story of a devoted father and brilliant legal scholar caught in a bitter family feud that spiraled into something unthinkable. Dan's divorce from his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, became an all-out war over the custody of their two young sons and relocation to South Florida.

You'll hear about the powerful and controlling Adelson family, specifically Wendy's parents, Donna and Harvey, and her brother, Charlie, who had an "obsession" with their hatred of Dan. As the story unfolds, you’ll discover disturbing emails from Donna Adelson detailing a plan to manipulate Dan, including using his Jewish faith against him, and even joking about dressing the children in Hitler Youth uniforms.

The police investigation quickly turned to the Adelson family after Wendy made some unusual comments and her boyfriend, Jeff Lacasse, urged them to look into her family. The timing of the murder, which took place just after a hearing on family control was set, was not lost on investigators, who saw a clear motive for murder. After his death, Wendy quickly moved their children to Miami and cut off contact with Dan's parents.

Join us for Part 1 of this unbelievable case as we explore the chilling details that lead to the death of Dan Markel. The second part of this episode is available now on Patreon and will be available everywhere on Thursday.

This week, we discuss a series of "intellectual crimes" in which the stolen objects were more valuable for their history and status than for their resale price.  And stick around for an artsy "Last Thing Before We Go".

The Boston Public Library's "Lost" Art: We dive into the bizarre case of two priceless artworks—an Albrecht Dürer engraving and a Rembrandt van Rijn etching—that went missing from one of the country's most prestigious libraries. The disappearance caused a media uproar and led to the resignation of the library's president . But in a twist, the art was never stolen; it was just in the wrong spot for an entire year. 

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: We explore the story of John Charles Gilkey, a man driven by intellectual vanity who used stolen credit card numbers to amass a collection of rare books worth over $200,000. Gilkey wasn't in it for the money; he simply wanted to appear to be a sophisticated intellectual . His obsessive "bibliokleptomania" forced the rare book community to tighten security and share information on thefts. 

The Notorious Map Thief: Next, we cover Edward Forbes Smiley III, a charming and respected rare map dealer whose financial troubles led him to a life of crime. Using an X-Acto blade, he would carefully slice rare maps out of centuries-old atlases from institutions like Yale and Harvard. We reveal how a single misplaced blade led to his downfall, exposing his theft of nearly 100 maps .

The Notorious Map Thief: Next, we cover Edward Forbes Smiley III, a charming and respected rare map dealer whose financial troubles led him to a life of crime. Using an X-Acto blade, he would carefully slice rare maps out of centuries-old atlases from institutions like Yale and Harvard. We reveal how a single misplaced blade led to his downfall, exposing his theft of nearly 100 maps.

On a warm summer night in 1908, 19-year-old Hazel Drew disappeared from Troy, New York. Her body was found days later, and the brutal details of the crime sparked a century-old mystery.

Join us as we explore the unsolved murder that inspired the fictional character of Laura Palmer from the cult classic TV series, Twin Peaks. We dive into the bizarre clues, conflicting timelines, and a tangled web of suspects that left investigators with more questions than answers. From the mysterious letters found in her trunk to her complicated secret life, this true crime case has all the elements of a classic whodunit.

Listen now to uncover the real-life mystery behind the case and decide for yourself who killed Hazel Drew.

In this episode we dive into five of the strangest and most unforgettable confessions in criminal history. While confessions can bring closure to grieving families, they are not always what they seem. We explore the astonishing statistics behind false confessions and how they can mislead justice.

We are revisiting the wild and unforgettable story of Michael Mastromarino, a former dentist and oral surgeon turned "body snatcher". This unusual true crime story, which made national headlines in 2005, exposes a horrific black market trade and has victims whose final wishes were utterly betrayed.

This is a re-release of our original 2020 episode, brought back because the details of this shocking case connect directly to our current bonus series on the Netflix documentary, The Kings of Tupelo.

An 80-year-old grandmother vanishes after a trip to the grocery store. What began as a missing person's case in South Carolina unraveled into a shocking story of trust, betrayal, and a serial predator hiding in plain sight. This South Carolina serial killer  also left a trail of other missing and murdered women in his wake. In this episode we discuss the chilling details of the Daniel Printz case and the forensic evidence that exposed him.

On Easter weekend in 2015, millions of pounds in jewels, gold, and cash vanished from a vault in London's famous jewelry district. It quickly became the biggest burglary in British history, and the suspects were unlike any criminal crew police had ever encountered.

• Not Ocean's 11, But Better: The crew consisted of a group of men in their late 50s, 60s, and 70s—a surprising band of "retirees" who were later dubbed The Bad Grandpas by the press.

• The Heist: We detail the bold, sophisticated, and frankly amazing operation where the gang, disguised in high-visibility jackets and hard hats, entered the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company. Over the course of four days, they used heavy-duty industrial equipment to drill through thick concrete and steel walls to access 73 safety deposit boxes.

• The Loot: The robbers made off with an estimated £14 million (over $18 million USD) in cash, gold, and priceless jewels, hitting regular citizens who relied on the vault to protect their most valuable and often irreplaceable assets.

• The Downfall: Despite the slick planning, the suspects were caught just 18 days later. We explore the mistakes the highly-visible, yet amateurish, criminals made, including the use of their own easily-traceable cars and the sheer difficulty of trying to liquidate such a massive, unique haul of jewels.

Join us as we explore the hilarious planning, the shocking execution, and the inevitable downfall of this infamous elderly crew who should have been planning their retirement, not a record-breaking robbery.

On a Thursday evening in September 1922, a phone call placed to Reverend Edward Hall—a respected Episcopal minister—would lead to one of the most sensational "Jazz Age" scandals in American history.

Two days later, the Reverend's body was found alongside his lover, choir singer Eleanor Mills, posed beneath a crab apple tree. Their passionate love letters were torn and scattered around them like confetti, a clear message from a killer driven by jealousy.

We are diving into one of the great unsolved mysteries of the Jazz Age, a case so baffling it feels like the plot of a spy novel. This is the story of Captain Alfred Lowenstein, the third-richest man in the world in 1928, a man who owned estates across Europe and brokered deals with kings.

An 18-year-old college freshman, full of creativity and ambition, walked out of her dorm room one cold February night and never made it back. Her family knew something was wrong immediately, but from the start, the investigation into her disappearance was plagued with delays and unanswered questions.

In 1954, one of the most sensational murder cases in American history began when Marilyn Sheppard was brutally murdered in her Ohio home. Her husband, respected osteopath Dr. Sam Sheppard (often referred to incorrectly as "Shepherd"), claimed a "bushy-haired intruder" was responsible. Prosecutors, however, were convinced it was a cold-blooded domestic murder.

We dive into the facts of this decades-long fight for justice:

• The Crime Scene: We detail the chaotic scene in the Sheppards' home and the initial story told by Dr. Sheppard: that he woke up to a struggle, pursued a mysterious intruder, was knocked unconscious, and awoke to find his wife dead.

• The Media Frenzy: The local press became judge, jury, and executioner, constantly publishing sensational, front-page headlines that declared Dr. Sheppard guilty before the trial even began. This relentless media pressure would later be cited as a violation of his rights.

• The Trial: Dr. Sheppard was convicted in a highly charged atmosphere. However, his defense never stopped fighting, and 12 years later, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the massive, prejudicial publicity had violated his constitutional right to a fair trial.

• The Cultural Impact: The story of the accused doctor and the fugitive hunt became the direct inspiration for the popular 1960s television series and the 1993 movie, The Fugitive.

Join us as we cover the initial investigation, the controversial Supreme Court ruling, the 1966 retrial that finally secured Sam Sheppard's acquittal, and the lingering debate over who truly killed Marilyn Sheppard.

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