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 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 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.

On July 9, 1975, an aspiring actor named Kelsey Grammer boarded a flight to Colorado Springs to identify the body of his younger sister, Karen Grammer. Before he became known as Frasier Crane, Kelsey was a big brother whose world was shattered when Karen was murdered just weeks before her 19th birthday.

Jennifer Kesse was a 24-year-old woman with a bright future who vanished from her home in Orlando, Florida, in January 2006. She had just returned from a trip and spoke to her family the night before. When she failed to show up for work, her family immediately knew something was wrong.

On Mother’s Day 2020, Suzanne Morphew, a wife and mother battling cancer, allegedly went for a bike ride near her home in the Colorado Mountains and vanished. What began as a missing persons case quickly unraveled into a web of confusing secrets, including an affair, deleted messages, and the shocking discovery of tranquilizer darts.

We discuss the unexpected role that actor David Schwimmer played in solving a violent crime and explore Ashton Kutcher’s chilling connection to a brutal murder. We also touch on Larry David’s quirky involvement in a life-or-death situation, proving that even comedic icons can find themselves tied to true crime. Beyond Hollywood, we uncover the surprising way Naomi Campbell and Mia Farrow became unexpectedly tied to one of the most notorious war crimes trials of the 21st century. Get ready for twists, turns, and some jaw-dropping celebrity connections that prove even the biggest names can get caught up in history’s darkest moments.

In the summer of 1965, Houston, Texas, police performed a welfare check that led to the discovery of one of the most disturbing crime scenes in the state's history. The dismembered bodies of Fred and Edwina Rogers were found chillingly placed inside their own refrigerator. The couple's son, Charles Rogers, vanished without a trace and remains the only suspect in this brutal case.

On October 21, 2021, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of the Western film Rust when a gun held by Alec Baldwin discharged during a rehearsal. The bullet struck Halyna in the chest, and she died from her injuries. She was 42 years old. How did a live round end up in a prop gun? Who was responsible? In Part 1, we explore the events leading up to Halyna's death, the chaotic production, the unqualified armorer, and the critical safety failures that turned a routine rehearsal into a fatal disaster.

From the outside, a prison is supposed to be impenetrable. But throughout history, inmates have used planning, luck, and shocking ingenuity to pull off some of the most daring escapes the world has ever seen. This week, we're diving into the legendary prison breaks, from those involving elaborate disguises and sheep, to the more shocking trend of helicopter escapes. We look at how inmates managed to learn to fly, bypass high-security walls, and why the most unlikely plans sometimes turn out to be the most successful. This episode is a wild look at the human will to be free, and the unexpected ways people try to game the system.

This week, we're joined by Ellen Marsh from I Think Not podcast for a special crossover episode all about Sean "Diddy" Combs! Ellen is our go-to expert on all things Diddy, and she breaks down the shocking allegations, the timeline, and what to expect as the trial unfolds. From his rise as a music mogul to his arrest, we're covering everything you need to know. This episode serves as a beginner's intro to the Diddy case, perfect whether you've been following every detail or you're just catching up. Don't miss this deep dive!

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.

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.