Daniel Brophy was a beloved chef and culinary instructor in Portland, Oregon. On June 2, 2018, he was found shot to death inside his classroom at the Oregon Culinary Institute. The investigation led to his wife, Nancy Crampton Brophy, a romance novelist who had once written an essay titled "How to Murder Your Husband." Evidence included gun parts purchased online, life insurance policies, and surveillance footage. In May 2022, Nancy was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. This case proves that sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction.

When Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain vanished in May 2024, her husband Tyler publicly pleaded for her safe return. At a March 2025 press conference, Tyler stood next to Nikki's sisters and FBI agents, asking for help to find her. But in August 2025, Tyler was arrested and charged with Nikki's murder. Prosecutors allege he had a motive to silence her—one involving a disturbing history. Nikki is still missing. A $30,000 reward is offered for information.

In 1969, Jane Mixer, a 23-year-old University of Michigan law student, was found shot and strangled in a cemetery. For 30 years, her case was unsolved. In 2001, DNA testing pointed to Gary Leiterman, who was convicted in 2005. But the conviction was controversial—three scientists later argued the DNA was likely lab contamination. Gary maintained his innocence until his death in prison in 2019. Was he truly guilty, or was Jane's real killer never caught?

On October 2, 2018, Cheryl Coker vanished from her Riverside, Ohio home. Her SUV was found in a Kroger parking lot with her purse and phone inside. Cheryl—a bubbly mom and grandmother—had not left voluntarily. For 18 months, her family searched desperately. In April 2020, her remains were found in a wooded area. Police believe she was murdered at home. The only person of interest is her husband, Bill Coker. Despite strong evidence, no charges have been filed. Cheryl's family is still waiting for justice.

In July 1988, Lieth Von Stein was brutally murdered in his Washington, North Carolina home while his wife Bonnie barely survived. The crime scene looked like a burglary, but nothing was taken. As detectives investigated, they uncovered a conspiracy involving Lieth's stepson Chris and his college friends who were obsessed with Dungeons & Dragons. The motive? A $2 million inheritance. This case explores how greed, entitlement, and fantasy role-playing led to one of North Carolina's most shocking family murders—a plot orchestrated by college kids who thought they could get away with it.

Some lawsuits are so absurd they make you lose faith in humanity. This episode covers the wildest, most frivolous legal cases in American history. From Anna Ayala's Wendy's finger fraud (she planted a severed finger in her chili to sue for millions) to the man who sued himself, to the guy who demanded $67 million over a lost pair of pants—these stories prove greed and audacity know no bounds. We're diving into scams, frauds, and legal schemes so unbelievable you'll think we made them up. Spoiler: we didn't.

When a friend found 58-year-old Janie Ballard stabbed over 70 times in her Little Rock home, investigators immediately suspected her own daughter, Leslie, and Leslie's much older husband, Mike McCool. Leslie had grown up with every advantage, but after meeting Mike—a manipulative bodybuilder 22 years her senior with a violent past—she transformed completely. When Janie cut Leslie out of her will, the relationship turned deadly. This case explores how manipulation, greed, and toxic family dynamics led to one of Arkansas's most shocking matricides.

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 early 2018, 25-year-old Trish Haynes told her family she was heading to New Hampshire to clear up a court matter. Then she vanished. Four months later, a shocking discovery was made: a jawbone sealed inside a washing machine at the bottom of Grant Pond. Trish had been raised by her devoted grandparents and had dreams of modeling. She had a big heart and saw the best in everyone. Despite ample circumstantial evidence, no one has ever been held accountable for her murder. This is Trish's story, told with the help of her family.

In October 2016, Bianca Rudolph was found dead from a gunshot wound in a Zambian safari cabin. Her husband Larry claimed it was an accident, but investigators discovered a pattern of infidelity, a long-term affair with his office manager Lori Milliron, and nearly $5 million in life insurance payouts. This update episode covers the full story—from the suspicious death to the investigation, trial, and verdict. Larry Rudolph was convicted of murder and mail fraud. Lori was convicted as an accessory. Justice for Bianca came years later, but it finally came.

This is where it all began. In 2017, our very first episode covered the Casey Anthony case. Eight years later, we're revisiting this infamous story with fresh perspective and updated information. In 2008, two-year-old Caylee Anthony disappeared from Orlando. Her mother Casey waited 31 days to report her missing. When Caylee's remains were found, Casey was charged with murder. The trial shocked the nation. Recently, Casey re-emerged on social media, rebranding herself as an advocate. This renewed episode is our definitive deep dive into one of the most controversial cases in true crime history.

On April 26, 1999, beloved British television presenter Jill Dando was shot and killed on her London doorstep in broad daylight. The murder shocked the UK and sparked one of the largest investigations in British history. Barry George was convicted in 2001 but acquitted in 2008 due to lack of evidence. Despite decades of investigation and countless theories, Jill Dando's murder remains unsolved. Who killed one of Britain's most beloved TV personalities?

On October 2, 2018, Cheryl Coker vanished from her Riverside, Ohio home. Her SUV was found in a Kroger parking lot with her purse and phone inside. Cheryl—a bubbly mom and grandmother—had not left voluntarily. For 18 months, her family searched desperately. In April 2020, her remains were found in a wooded area. Police believe she was murdered at home. The only person of interest is her husband, Bill Coker. Despite strong evidence, no charges have been filed. Cheryl's family is still waiting for justice.

In 1955, Ruth Ellis shot and killed her abusive lover David Blakely outside a London pub. At trial, she showed no remorse and admitted she intended to kill him. The jury took 14 minutes to convict her. On July 13, 1955, Ruth became the last woman executed in the UK. Her story is one of domestic abuse, desperation, and a legal system that failed her. Her execution sparked outrage and helped abolish capital punishment in Britain.

In 1987, Michelle Schofield was murdered in Lakeland, Florida. Her husband Leo was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. But Leo has always maintained his innocence. The Bone Valley podcast, created by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gilbert King, uncovered shocking evidence never presented at trial: DNA pointing to another suspect, ignored witness testimony, and a serial killer's confession. Despite this new evidence, Leo remains in prison. This episode features an interview with Gilbert King about his investigation and Leo's ongoing fight for freedom.

On February 17, 2018, 20-year-old Ryan Shtuka left a house party in Sun Peaks, British Columbia, and vanished. What should have been a short walk home became a haunting mystery. Despite extensive searches involving hundreds of volunteers and specialized teams, no trace of Ryan has been found. His family created the Shtuka Sora search organization and continues fighting for answers. Ryan's mother describes being caught between grief and hope—unable to fully grieve, but unable to give up.

In late 2019 and early 2020, residents of rural Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas reported massive swarms of mysterious drones flying over their property at night. Law enforcement saw 50 at once. Locals described large white drones surrounded by smaller ones with flashing lights. The FAA and FBI investigated but never solved the mystery. This episode features Gabe from the Obscure podcast, who investigated the phenomenon firsthand. Were they government surveillance? Private companies? Something else? The mystery remains unsolved.

On April 1, 2006, 27-year-old medical student Brian Shaffer went to the Ugly Tuna Saloona bar in Columbus, Ohio with friends. Security cameras captured him entering—but he was never seen leaving. When the bar closed, Brian had vanished. Despite extensive searches and hundreds of tips, no trace of Brian has been found in nearly 20 years. How does someone disappear from a crowded bar without being captured on camera? This case remains one of Ohio's most baffling unsolved mysteries.

On August 16, 1942, a US Navy blimp lifted off from San Francisco on routine patrol. Hours later, it crashed in Daly City—but the two crew members had vanished. The doors were open, equipment untouched, no distress call, no sign of struggle. Just an empty blimp drifting like a ghost ship. Eighty years later, the mystery remains unsolved. What happened to Lieutenant Ernest Cody and Ensign Charles Adams? This is one of the strangest unsolved mysteries in American military history.

Mandy and Melissa explore true crime firsts in this special bonus episode! They discuss the groundbreaking moments that changed criminal investigations forever, including the first DNA conviction (Colin Pitchfork, 1987), the first woman executed by the US government (Mary Surat for aiding in Lincoln's assassination), and a bizarre case where a parrot may have witnessed a murder. A fun, educational episode for true crime fans who love the history and science behind modern crime-solving!