We are taking a wild ride back to the 1920s to meet the man whose name is now synonymous with financial fraud: Charles Ponzi. Born Carlo Pietro Giovanni Guglielmo Tebaldo Ponzi, he was an ambitious Italian immigrant who arrived in America and turned a simple idea into a record-breaking financial deception.

We are diving into the unsettling history of one of America's most famous and infamous reservoirs: Lake Lanier in Georgia. This manmade lake is beautiful on the surface, but beneath its murky waters lies a buried past—literally.

Before he was the Notorious B.I.G., Christopher Wallace was a kid from Brooklyn with big dreams. His rise to rap superstardom was meteoric, but it was cut short on March 9, 1997, when he was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. He was just 24 years old. Despite multiple witnesses, FBI investigations, and decades of speculation, his murder remains unsolved. Theories include gang retaliation, corrupt LAPD officers, and revenge for Tupac's death. This episode explores Biggie's life, the East Coast-West Coast rivalry, and the mystery that haunts hip-hop history.

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.

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.

In July 2002, former NBA champion Bison Dele sailed across the South Pacific with his girlfriend Serena Karlan, his brother Miles Dabord, and skipper Bertrand Saldo. In September, Miles returned alone. Bison, Serena, and Bertrand had vanished. Miles tried to access Bison's money before dying by suicide. Investigators believe Miles killed all three at sea, but their bodies were never found. Without evidence or a living suspect, the case remains unsolved.

On June 10, 2003, 28-year-old Stephanie Wasilishin went for a run on a trail near Prescott, Arizona. She never returned. Her body was discovered the next day—she had been sexually assaulted and murdered. Investigators collected DNA evidence, but despite extensive investigation and numerous leads, no one has ever been arrested. Stephanie's family has spent more than 20 years waiting for justice. Her killer is still out there.

If you have information, contact Yavapai County Sheriff's Office: (928) 771-3260

In this fun bonus Mailbag episode, Mandy and Melissa share hilarious stories submitted by listeners! From bizarre local news headlines to family members who committed low-stakes crimes, this episode is a lighter take on true crime. Mandy and Melissa laugh through absurd stories, share embarrassing personal moments, and remind everyone that true crime doesn't always have to be dark. A perfect palate cleanser between heavy cases!

Submit your story for the next Mailbag at momsandmysteries.com!

On June 1982, 20-year-old Kelly Bergh Dove was working the graveyard shift at a gas station in Harrisonburg, Virginia. At 2:27 AM, she called police to report a suspicious person outside. Minutes later, at 2:30 AM, Kelly was abducted while on the phone with the dispatcher. Her case has remained unsolved for over 40 years. Her body has never been found. Kelly's sister Elaine worked with us to share her story.

If you have information, contact Harrisonburg Police Department.

This week we are discussing the mysterious death of Christine Kettlewell just 8 days after her wedding. The cottage she was honeymooning in was burned to the ground, and Christine was found dead in the river close by. But the question remained, was this murder, suicide, or just a terrible accident?

This week we will be discussing the tumultuous relationship between Peggy McGuire and her husband Thomas McIntosh. Despite attempts to leave the relationship, including seeking a protective order, she tragically disappeared in November 2015 with her family still searching for answers.

This week we are discussing the baffling murder of Missy Bevers, a loving mother of three children, with a passion for helping others.

Research assistance by Anna Luria. Research by Haley Gray.

This week we are discussing Anthony Gignac, a con artist who spent years posing as various Saudi princes in order to swindle millions of dollars from businesses and people.

Research by Haley Gray with Haley Gray Research.

This week we are discussing Burt Pugach and Linda Riss, who married 14 years after Burt was convicted of hiring three men to maim Linda with lye.

Research by Haley Gray with Haley Gray Research.

This week we are discussing the death of Army Pfc. Denisha Montgomery-Smith was a mother of three known for her headstrong and caring nature.

NEW DATE AND TIME: February 15th at 7PM EST! Get tickets for our first Moment at www.moment.co/momsandmysteries

Research by Haley Gray with Haley Gray Research.

This week we are discussing the disappearance of a woman who went missing shortly before her early morning shift as a local news anchor in Mason City, Iowa.

Anyone with information on Jodi’s case can reach out to the Mason City Police Department at (641) 421-3636. Information can also be provided to the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations at (515) 725-6010 or dciinfo@dps.state.ia.us.

This week we are discussing the real-life story that inspired the upcoming Netflix series, “The Watcher”.

Research by Haley Gray with Haley Gray Research.