Hidden True Crime

Latest Episodes:

Mother BRUTALLY Kills Pregnant Daughter then Steals her Baby?! | WHERE is Rebecca Park's Baby? Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

There are cases that shake a community, and then there are cases like this—where a 38-week-pregnant young mother vanishes, her body is later found in the forest, and her unborn baby is simply… gone. In this episode, we dive into the unfolding story of 22-year-old Rebecca Kay Park from Wexford County, Michigan—a full-term mom-to-be whose phone was tossed, and whose inner circle included a fiancé with a violent sexual history, a sister now accused of lying to investigators, and a biological mother and stepfather newly charged with her torture and murder. With court documents alleging a “frankly evil” premeditated attack and a community demanding answers, we walk through the chaotic timeline, the arrests, the search warrants, and the online interference to ask: what really happened to Rebecca—and where is her baby boy?

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About Hidden True Crime

What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.

Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sources- https://www.mlive.com/news/2025/11/sheriff-calls-for-stop-to-social-media-rumors-hindering-search-for-missing-pregnant-woman.html https://www.9and10news.com/2025/12/01/biological-mother-of-missing-rebecca-park-arrested-awaits-arraignment/ https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/rebecca-park-arrest-family-baby-mother-stepfather-of-missing-woman-held-in-wexford-county-jail-as-investigation-continues https://nypost.com/2025/12/01/us-news/baby-missing-after-pregnant-22-year-old-found-dead-in-mich-woods/ Mom, stepdad charged in Rebecca Park's death; baby dead1 day agoDetroit Free Press WPBNhttps://upnorthlive.comVolunteers rally in Cadillac to search for missing woman Rebecca Park People.comhttps://people.comRebecca Park Death Mystery: Pregnant Woman's Baby Gone, Mom in Jail Websleuthshttps://websleuths.comFound Deceased - MI - Rebecca Park, 22, approx 38 wks pregnant, last seen entering vehicle, phone found - Wexford County - Nov 2025 WPBNMissing woman found dead after missing for 21 days, searcher says; autopsy pending1 week ago Court TV‘Evil personified’: Details revealed in murder of Rebecca Park11 hours ago 9&10 NewsMissing woman Rebecca Park found dead after 21-day search1 week ago

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Utah Dad Charged with Torture after Hike from Hell | Micah Smith Full Story Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

A father sets out for what should have been a simple family hike—three kids, a familiar canyon, a day in the mountains. But by nightfall, it had spiraled into a near-fatal ordeal that left two young children fighting for their lives and investigators questioning everything about his decisions. Text messages, photos, and heartbreaking statements from the children now paint a picture far more disturbing than a tragic accident. Was this adventure gone wrong… or reckless endangerment that crossed into something darker?

About Hidden True Crime

Sources: Charging Documents https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/us/utah-dad-child-abuse-hike.html https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/utah-father-who-went-missing-with-3-children-on-hike-charged-with-child-torture-abuse https://nypost.com/2025/11/27/us-news/utah-dad-micah-smith-charged-with-child-torture-after-taking-children-hiking-resulting-in-them-missing-and-hospitalized/ https://www.abc4.com/news/crimes-against-children/father-big-cottonwood-hiker-missing-torture/amp/ https://people.com/utah-dad-who-got-stranded-on-hike-with-3-kids-charged-with-child-abuse-11858399 https://globalnews.ca/news/11546661/utah-father-child-abuse-charges-hike-kids/amp/ https://www.ksl.com/article/51411042/extremely-selfish-dad-charged-with-taking-young-kids-on-dangerous-hike-that-ended-in-a-rescue https://gephardtdaily.com/local/father-who-took-children-on-mountain-hike-in-snowstorm-arrested-for-alleged-child-torture-intentional-abuse/

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Sentencing SCANDAL-How Did Convicted Predator Walk Free? Psychologist Unpacks Jesse Mack Butler Case Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

After Lauren broke down the Jesse Mack Butler case, John is here with his analysis...how a now convicted predator, is walking free with no jail time, what risks that creates and how society sees cases like these.

Jesse Mack Butler Backstory:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sadistic-teen-predator-they-refused-to-stop/id1521619380?i=1000738639418

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0y1YfCREO2HqBX5WwST4c0?si=be73ece100ab42fb

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About Hidden True Crime

Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Zoo Couple & Secret Recording Changes EVERYTHING | New Melodee Buzzard Updates Nov 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Lauren breaks down the newest and most unsettling developments in the disappearance of Melodee Buzzard, including the wigs, the multi-state road trip, the switched license plates, the bizarre “zoo couple” Ashlee claims took her daughter, and the troubling interview with Tyler Brewer that only raises more questions. With conflicting statements, dismissed charges, disturbing behavior, and a timeline that grows shakier by the day, we ask the question investigators—and Melodee’s family—are desperate to answer: Where is Melodee Buzzard?

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About Hidden True Crime

Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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The Sadistic Teen Predator They Refused to Stop | Inside the Jesse Mack Butler Horror in Stillwater Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

In a case that is going viral, 18 year old Jesse Mack Butler, who was charged with a slew of crimes against two young girls, has walked free, despite a 78 year sentence. In this episode, Lauren breaks down the case, what happened and what legal decisions led to Jesse walking free.

Sponsor

Go to https://shopbeam.com/TRUECRIME to get up to 50% off Dream while the Black Friday sale lasts.

About Hidden True Crime

Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Teen Burglary Turns Deadly & Caught on Camera… Self-Defense or Ambush?! | The Elm Street Murders Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

A retired security engineer, a small Minnesota town, and two teens who picked the wrong house on Thanksgiving Day—what happened in Byron Smith’s basement has been debated for more than a decade as one of the most chilling self-defense cases in America.

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Sources: https://www.justiceforbyronsmith.com/further-information https://www.10minutemurder.com/blog/thanksgiving-day-2012-how-byron-smith-executed-two-teen-burglars/ https://youtu.be/rgwIKrsE3M0?si=NuNaiwDGYRdZv8s7 https://youtu.be/waswKMganjI?si=yvZsxn1CrS8ZRnlo https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/your-verdict-neighbor-kills-two-teens-breaking-in-his-house-self-defense-or-revenge-based-on-the-movie-dont-breathe.4874745/page-2 https://www.startribune.com/little-falls-trial-pits-the-right-of-self-defense-vs-murder/255041461 https://www.emblombrennyfuneral.com/obituaries/nicholas-brady https://podcasts.happyscribe.com/dateline-nbc/12-minutes-on-elm-street https://www.hometownsource.com/morrison_county_record/news/local/two-lf-teens-charged-in-connection-with-burglary-of-smith/article_5f271cba-81b6-507e-a229-3df72c8c39c9.html https://www.hometownsource.com/morrison_county_record/news/publicsafety/kriesel-convicted-of-meth-possession-sentence-stayed/article_6bd14ba1-ce93-539f-bd19-0c76d47a4d7a.html https://www.10minutemurder.com/blog/thanksgiving-day-2012-how-byron-smith-executed-two-teen-burglars/ https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/20/20-633/159775/20201105123712731_Petition.pdf https://www.kare11.com/article/news/crime/byron-smith-testifies-in-restitution-appeal/89-105774134 Star Tribunehttps://www.startribune.comIn Little Falls trial, Byron Smith finally testifies, breaks down on stand https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/20-633_f2qg.pdf https://www.justiceforbyronsmith.com/the-ambush- https://www.grandforksherald.com/newsmd/witnesses-testify-they-saw-fear-in-smith-in-days-before-littls-falls-shooting https://www.justiceforbyronsmith.com/about https://www.oxygen.com/dateline-the-smoking-gun/crime-news/byron-david-smith-fatally-shoots-haile-kifer-nicholas-brady https://www.startribune.com/bail-lowered-for-man-accused-of-killing-2-little-falls-teens/183841961 https://youtu.be/b7-xa9VHBgY?si=XTulloNSqH8Via5H https://youtu.be/7SxydkG1Zw8?si=PQVnPfTbL783J5gr https://youtu.be/BtznJOJaXkE?si=qeqvn0EgwBoPqD_G https://truecrimenews.com/2018/04/19/retired-security-expert-kills-unarmed-teen-burglars-records-reaction-waits-24-hours-to-report/ https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s/smith-byron-david.htm https://www.startribune.com/slain-teenage-cousins-linked-to-an-earlier-little-falls-break-in/181119611 https://themurderblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/12/case2-the-castle-doctrine-murders-how-much-force-is-reasonable-force/ https://ccwsafe.com/resources/byron-david-smith-part-1-the-limits-of-home-defense/ https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/171965/smith-v-united-states/ https://www.sctimes.com/story/opinion/2014/09/11/letter-testimony-smith-hearing-raises-questions/15483825/ https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/man-serving-life-sentence-for-double-homicide-sues-author-publishing-company-over-book-on-his-case/ https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/171965/smith-v-united-states https://law.justia.com/cases/indiana/court-of-appeals/2019/18a-cr-1732.html https://www.justice.gov/osg/brief/united-states-v-smith-petition-0 https://themurderblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/12/case2-the-castle-doctrine-murders-how-much-force-is-reasonable-force https://www.startribune.com/questions-tear-at-those-who-knew-two-slain-little-falls-teens/180785621 https://youtu.be/rR_enPmJ9I4?si=kNXXNMtZnZCXzYxO

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Psychologist Breaks Down His Interview with Accused Child Killer | Michael "Monkey" Vaughan Case Nov 23, 2025

Show notes

After the probable cause affidavit has come out, Dr. John compares his interview with Stacey to the affidavit... The moments that stand out, what he thinks a defense will be, and what Stacey's confessions mean.

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About Hidden True Crime

Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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The Dark Psychology of Jodi Arias — Why Revenge Became Deadly Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

Our guest today is Briana Whitney, a local Phoenix reporter who just finished a new documentary on Jodi Arias. Briana joins us to talk about the Jodi Arias case and what she learned about Jodi while they communicated.

Obsessed: Unraveling Jodi Arias | True crime documentary https://youtu.be/xt4EHxymIlg?si=htFC-i0t3akhhb1h

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About Hidden True Crime

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A Chainsaw, A Screwdriver, & A Cross | Paxton Wallace FULL STORY + Exclusive Interview Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

A 3:40 a.m. 911 call. A man waiting outside with a hammer in one hand and a cross in the other. Inside, a crime scene so brutal seasoned detectives called the victim “unrecognizable.” In this episode of Hidden True Crime, Lauren sits down with the family of 31-year-old Paxton April Wallace—a daughter, big sister, caretaker and dog mom whose life was stolen by the man they once welcomed into their home. We walk through the chilling police report, Jeffrey Rael’s “demon mode” claims, Paxton’s desperate attempts to escape escalating abuse, and the systemic failures that left her without safe options. This is the story behind the headline—a family’s grief, a community’s wake-up call, and why Paxton’s loved ones are begging you to listen.

About Hidden True Crime

Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Criminal Psychologist Talks to Man Charged w/ Kidnapping & Murdering Michael Vaughan | Stacey Wondra Nov 15, 2025

Show notes

In January of 2024, at the request of 3rd parties, Dr. John interviewed Stacey Wondra, who at the time, was a suspect in the case of missing 5-year-old Michael "Monkey" Vaughan. Just a couple of weeks ago, Stacey was charged with kidnapping and murdering Michael. And now, Hidden True Crime is publicly releasing the interview between John and Stacey.

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About Hidden True Crime

Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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