When 34-year-old Sherri Papini vanished during an afternoon jog in Redding, California, in November 2016, her husband found her phone on the roadside with strands of her blonde hair tangled in the earbuds. Three weeks later, she reappeared on Thanksgiving morning—emaciated, bruised, with a chain around her waist. She claimed two Hispanic women had abducted and tortured her. The nation rallied around her. But investigators began noticing troubling inconsistencies in her story. This is Part 1 of one of the most shocking hoaxes in recent true crime history.

In Part 1, Sherri Papini claimed she was abducted and tortured by two Hispanic women. The nation believed her. But in Part 2, the truth unravels. Investigators discovered male DNA on Sherri's clothing—and it matched her ex-boyfriend, James Reyes. He revealed the shocking truth: Sherri had been staying with him the entire time. She asked him to brand her, cut her hair, and help stage the abduction. Sherri faked the whole thing, wasting hundreds of thousands in resources and sparking nationwide panic. This is how the hoax was exposed and the consequences she faced.

This week, we're taking a break from heavy true crime to share quirky summer crimes from quintessential vacation spots—beaches, ice cream shops, campgrounds, and lakes. From a filmmaker who exposed a theft ring targeting surfers in Newport Beach to a Michigan man stealing from campground payment boxes, these stories are lighthearted and bizarre. We'll also cover boat thefts in Germany and ice cream heists that required "pint locks." If you're looking for fun, quirky true crime, this episode is perfect. Crime doesn't take a summer vacation—it just gets more creative!

She was wealthy, stylish, and appeared to be living the dream life in Sydney, Australia. Then, without a trace, Melissa Caddick vanished. The mystery of her disappearance was only the beginning of a bizarre and captivating scandal that would unravel in the wake of her going missing. This episode dives into the life she projected, the multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme she was allegedly running, and the shocking discovery of a severed, decaying foot that washed up on a beach—which was later identified as belonging to Melissa. Join us as we explore the facts and fun facts of Australia, including the true fate of the con artist who disappeared into thin air.

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.

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.

In Part 1, we explored the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. In Part 2, we dive into the investigations and trials. Where did the live ammunition come from? Who was responsible? Investigators uncovered cost-cutting, unqualified staff, and ignored safety protocols. Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was forced to juggle two jobs. Alec Baldwin claimed he never pulled the trigger. The assistant director admitted he didn't check the gun. This episode examines the criminal charges and the difficult question of accountability when a preventable tragedy occurs.

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 June 19, 1982, James and Virginia Campbell were shot to death in their Houston home while they slept. The shocking answer to who killed them: their own daughter Cindy and her boyfriend David West. Cindy stood to inherit money and was willing to murder her parents to get it—while her young children slept down the hall. This case features one of the most incredible undercover investigations in true crime history, as a 23-year-old private investigator befriended David West for months to extract a confession. A chilling story of greed, betrayal, and family murder.

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.

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 July 6, 2012, 16-year-old Skylar Neese slipped out of her bedroom window to meet her two best friends, Sheila Eddy and Rachel Shoaf. She never came home. The girls told Skylar's parents they had dropped her off at midnight and didn't know where she went. But months later, Rachel confessed: she and Sheila had lured Skylar into the woods and murdered her. When asked why, Rachel's answer was chilling: "We didn't want to be friends with her anymore." This is the story of an unthinkable betrayal in a small West Virginia town.

In this week's episode, we unravel the tragic story of Jason Bass, a young man fatally stabbed in a Rhode Island road rage incident that quickly turned into a case of mistaken identity.

In September 2020, Andra Adams was tragically killed in Seattle, Washington, after being run over by her boyfriend.  While mounting questions surround her death, no charges have been filed, and her family continues to fight for accountability and answers.

In October 2021, Meghan Kiefer was brutally stabbed 54 times by her ex-boyfriend outside her Long Island home. In May 2023, he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, following his attempted flight to North Carolina after the crime.

Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old travel blogger, was found murdered in September 2021 after going missing during a cross-country trip with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. Her death sparked widespread media attention, and Laundrie was later found dead, with authorities concluding he was responsible for her murder. In this episode, the hosts of Moms and Mysteries sit down with Nichole Schmidt, Gabby Petito's mother, to discuss the foundation she and Gabby's family started, the warning signs of unhealthy relationships, the current state of domestic violence worldwide, and essential resources available for victims and survivors.

Special thanks to Nichole Schmidt, Gabby’s mom, for sharing her story and the important work the Gabby Petito Foundation is doing to raise awareness about domestic violence. To learn more, visit gabbypetitofoundation.org.

Francine Hughes, a mother of four, set fire to her Michigan home in 1977, killing her ex-husband after enduring thirteen years of relentless abuse. The case gained national attention and became a pivotal moment in raising awareness about domestic violence and the legal challenges survivors face.

Research by Elizabeth Atwood.

Emma Compton, a small business owner from Halifax County, Virginia, was found murdered in 2017 after disappearing under mysterious circumstances and after years of domestic violence at the hands of her husband. Seven years later, her family continues to seek justice, as no arrests have been made in the case, and they remain committed to raising awareness and finding answers for her unresolved murder.

Research assistance by Anna Luria and Whitney St. Andre. 

And thank you to Brandie from Evaporate the Missing, who put us in touch with Emma’s sister Shawna. 

If you have any information in Emma’s case, please call the Halifax County crime line at 434-476-8445.