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51: Johnson County’s Other Serial Killer & the Graduate Jan 16, 2019

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Brandi starts us off with the story of Johnson County’s other serial killer. That’s right, folks. There’s more than one.
In the late 80’s, young women in Johnson County apartment complexes had a good reason to be afraid. Three twenty-something’s vanished without a trace. Their apartments showed no signs of a break in. But there weren’t signs of murder, either. For a while, all anyone could go on was a sinking suspicion that something was terribly wrong.
Then, to everyone else in Sugar Land, Texas, the Whitaker family seemed to have it all. But that all changed one winter night in 2003. The family went out to celebrate Bart Whitaker’s graduation from Sam Houston State University, and when they arrived back home, a masked gunman shot all four of the family members. Kevin died almost immediately. Trisha died in the hospital. Bart and his father Kent survived. They begged police to find the people responsible for the crime. But police didn’t have to look too far…
And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.
In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
The 48 hours episode, “Sugar Land: Life or Death”
And a tad from “Thomas Bartlett Whitaker,” Wikipedia.com
In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“Gone in an Instant” episode, On The Case With Paula Zahn
“CRIME HISTORY: Serial Killer Richard Grissom — A Conviction Without Any Corpses” by Terri Osborne, crimefeed.com
“Jurors Convict Grissom in Triple Murder, Eight Other Counts” by Richard D. Lipsey, Associated Press
“20 Years Later, Killer Refuses to Reveal Bodies’ Location” Associated Press

50: The Wood Chipper Murder & a Robbery Gone Wrong Jan 09, 2019

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If there was one thing Helle Crafts’ friends knew for certain, it was that Helle’s husband Richard was a violent sketch ball. So when she didn’t show up for work one day, they got suspicious. Richard’s explanations were less than reassuring. Was she visiting her mother in Denmark? Or was she with a friend on vacation? The story kept changing, but one thing remained the same — Helle was nowhere to be found.
Then Brandi continues her Johnson County, Kansas, series with a robbery gone terribly wrong. It all started at the She’s a Pistol gun store in Shawnee, Kansas. Becky Bieker owned the store with her husband Jon. She was behind the counter on January 9, 2015 when four teenagers entered the store. Two of them were armed. One of the teens punched Becky, knocking her unconscious. Shortly afterward, Jon came out of a back room, gun drawn. A gun battle ensued. Later, one of the teens’ lawyers mounted an… interesting legal defense.
And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.
In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
“50-year sentence imposed in wood chipper murder,” New York Times
“Wood Chipper Murder” Crime Library
“The Disappearance of Helle Crafts” episode of Forensic Files
“23 years ago Richard Crafts was more willing to part with his wife than his money,” NewsTimes.com
“Crafts unconcerned at wife’s disappearance, her friends say,” Hartford Courant
“Chopped to bits,” Daily News
“Richard Crafts denies killing his wife, says he believes she is alive,” Hartford Courant
In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“Owner Killed, Three Shot in Attempted Robbery at Gun Shop” Associated Press, NBC News
“Co-owner of Shawnee gun shop dies; three suspects shot during attempted robbery” by Michelle Pekarsky and Megan Brilley, Fox 4 “Suspect in ‘She’s A Pistol’ murder to plead guilty, while 3 alleged accomplices prepare for murder trial” by Michelle Pekarsky, For 4 KC
“Four Charged With Murder In Gardner Man’s Death” Danedri Thompson, The Gardner News
“She’s a Pistol gun store in Shawnee is closing” by Tony Rizzo, The Kansas City Star
“Judge denies defendant’s self-defense claim in She’s a Pistol killing” by Tony Rizzo, The Kansas City Star
“Owner of She’s A Pistol tearfully announces store’s closure amid mounting expenses” by Shannon O’Brien, Fox 4 KC
“Trial begins for ‘She’s A Pistol’ gunman who claimed he shot store owner in self-defense” by Kerri Stowell, FOX 4 KC
“On day three of his trial, She’s A Pistol suspect pleads guilty as charged” by Nick Sloan and Natalie Davis, KCTV5
“One man convicted for role in deadly shooting at ‘She’s A Pistol’ sentenced to ‘Hard 25’ for murder” by Andrew Lynch, FOX 4 Kc

49: Cheaters… with Daryl Pitts! Jan 02, 2019

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The day has arrived. Kristin’s dad Daryl Pitts, a.k.a. DP, *cringe* is on the podcast! Our theme this week is cheaters, because what could be more fun to discuss with your father?
Brandi starts us off with yet another brutal attack in Olathe, Kansas. Late at night on February 28, 1982, Melinda Harmon ran to her neighbors for help. She told them that two masked men had just broken into her home. They’d killed her husband David right in front of her. Police rushed to the scene, but the evidence didn’t match Melinda’s story.
Then Daryl tells us about a strange night in March of 2011, when Kandi Hall called police to report that two men were shot in a Walgreens parking lot. One was her husband; the other was her boss and lover. Kandi’s husband Rob survived, but Emmett Corrigan wasn’t so lucky.
Then Kristin tells us about Leon Jacob, a greasy-haired guy who fancied himself a bit of a ladies man. His charm worked on recently divorced veterinarian Valerie McDaniel. The couple quickly moved in together. Together, they plotted to murder their exes.
And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.
In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
“Toxic Love” episode of 20/20
“What happened in bizarre murder-for-hire plot that led to veterinarian’s suicide, her boyfriend in prison,” ABC News
In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“A Knock on the Door” episode 48 Hours
“Conspiracy To Kill” by Richard Jerome, People Magazine
“Police Catch Woman and Her Young Paramour 20 Years After They Beat Husband To Death So They Could Be Together” by Benjamin H. Smith, oxygen.com
“In a Limbo of Another Kind” by Marek Fuchs, The New York Times
“Killer in infamous Olathe love triangle case soon will go free” by Tony Rizzo, The Kansas City Star
In this episode, Daryl pulled from:
“Deadly Desire” episode of Dateline
An episode of Dr Phil
“Dr. Phil Show does not provide healing for Ashlee Birk,” by Maggie O’Mara for USA Today
“Woman’s affair with her boss leads to deadly parking lot confrontation,” by Jason Mattera for True Crime Daily
Articles for Idahonews.com
Articles in the Idaho Statesman by Cynthia Sewell

48: Holiday Crimes! Dec 25, 2018

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Around the holidays, a lot of people bake cookies for their neighbors. It’s supposed to be a nice, friendly gesture. But boy, can it backfire! Teenagers Taylor Ostergaard and Lindsey Zellitti learned that lesson the hard way when they anonymously left a plate of cookies at Wanita Young’s house. Their late night cookie drop scared the crap out of Wanita. She was so shaken that she went to the hospital the next day, suffering from what appeared to be a heart attack.
Then Brandi tells us about the time Santa robbed a bank. The robbery took place on December 23, 1927, in Cisco, Texas. A man dressed as Santa Claus entered First National Bank. His armed accomplices followed. Together, the men terrorized the customers and emptied the bank’s safe. Afterward, Santa and his gang took off. What followed was the largest manhunt Texas has ever seen.
And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.
In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
The book, “The Party of the First Part: The Curious World of Legalese,” by Adam Freedman
“Family says they are under attack in cookie caper,” Associated Press
“Nation rallies around girls sued by neighbor over late-night cookies,” East Bay Times
“Teens sued for cookie delivery to neighbor,” ABC News
In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“The Santa Claus Bank Robbery” by Boyce House, Startling Detective Adventures
“The Night the Posse Chased Santa Claus” by Maggie Van Ostrand, TexasEscapes.com
“Santa Claus Bank Robbery” by Walter F. Pilcher, Texas State Historical Association
“Santa Claus Bank Robbery” wikipedia.org

47: Subway Spokesman Jared Fogle & a Brutal Attack on a Midwestern Family Dec 19, 2018

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John Duffield woke to a horrifying sound. It was his 15 year old son, Paul, calling out for help. John sprang out of bed to find Paul lying on the couch, bleeding from a massive head wound. But Paul’s injuries were just the start of the horror. John’s 12-year-old daughter Janelle was dead in her room. His 17-year-old daughter Kelly was missing. Investigators were puzzled. Was Kelly taken, or did she leave willingly? Was it really possible that John slept through this bloody attack? And if so, did that mean that this attack was carried out by a cold-blooded stranger?
Then Kristin tells us about the downfall of former Subway spokesman and total creep Jared Fogle. When Jared was in college, he lost an astonishing 245 pounds by eating two Subway sandwiches a day for eleven months. His story made national headlines, and he quickly became the face of Subway. It was a win-win. Subway’s profits soared. Jared became a millionaire many times over. Subway couldn’t have asked for a better spokesman. Jared was just a genuine, boring midwestern guy. At least, that’s what everyone thought.
And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.
In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
An episode of Dr. Phil
“Jared Fogle pens icky, flirty letter to woman from prison,” The Mercury-News
“U.S. Atty: Jared Fogle used “wealth status and secrecy” to exploit kids,” CBS News
“Why Jared Fogle was — and still might be — the perfect Subway spokesman,” The Washington Post
“Subway Guy Visits Somerset,” Commonwealth Journal
“Why did the Jared Fogle investigation take so long?” My Suncoast
“From obesity to duplicity: Jared’s fall to Earth,” USA Today
“Jared Fogle,” wikipedia
In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“Silent Night” episode Ice Cold Killers
“Man convicted in 35-year-old Olathe murder wants out of prison” by Peggy Breit, KMBC 9 News
“Michael Cade K0044347” jococourts.org

46: The Great Brink’s Robbery & the Murder of Kelsey Smith Dec 12, 2018

Show notes

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It was the late 1940s in Boston, Massachusetts, and a group of career criminals had a crazy idea. They wanted to rob the Brinks’ armored car depot. If they could pull it off, it would be the biggest robbery in United States history. For two years, they planned and plotted. They broke into the building to get a lay of the land. They stole the building’s lock cylinders, brought them to a locksmith, had keys made, and replaced the cylinders — all before the building reopened the next day. By the time they finally committed the robbery, they were like a well oiled machine. They were slick. They were smart. And they almost got away with it.
Then Brandi tells a story that hits close to home. On June 2, 2007, 18-year-old Kelsey Smith went to Target to find an anniversary present for her boyfriend. The trip shouldn’t have taken long. When Kelsey didn’t return home right away, her family started to worry. They searched for her, hoping that maybe she’d had car trouble. But a few hours later, they discovered her car in the parking lot of a nearby mall. Their hearts sank. Her wallet, purse, and Target bags were in the vehicle — but Kelsey was nowhere to be found.
And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.
In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
“Brink’s Robbery” fbi.gov
“The Great Brink’s Robbery of 1950: Not Quite the Perfect Crime,” New England Historical Society
In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“Kelsey Smith: Gone in an Instant” episode See No Evil
“Edwin Hall Guilty in Kelsey Smith Killing” by Diane Carroll, Laura Bauer, and Joe Lambe, The Kansas City Star
“Edwin Hall: I’m So, So Sorry” KMBC 9 News
“Murder of Kelsey Smith” wikipedia.org

45: The “Other” Craigslist killer & the Watts Family Murders Dec 05, 2018

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When Nicole Atkinson dropped her friend Shanann Watts off at home early one morning, everything seemed fine. But the next day, Shanann didn’t answer any of Nicole’s texts. Then Shanann missed her 10 a.m. doctor’s appointment. Nicole called Shanann’s husband, Chris, but he seemed kind of dismissive. That didn’t set well with Nicole. So she called the police.
Then Kristin wraps things up with a murdering con man. In the post-recession era, Richard Beasley dreamt up a near-perfect con — one that preyed on men who were down on their luck. He posted a job on Craigslist that promised $300 a week and a two-bedroom trailer — all in exchange for watching over a 688-acre ranch. Applications poured in. But there was no job. Richard’s Craigslist ad was his twisted way of luring unsuspecting men to Ohio.
And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.
In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
“Murder by Craigslist,” by Hanna Rosin for The Atlantic
“’Craigslist’ killer Richard Beasley sentenced to death,” Cleveland.com
“Death sentence for Craigslist killer upheld by Ohio Supreme Court,” Cleveland.com
“The Craigslist Killer: Richard Beasley” episode of Monster in my Family
In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“A Secret Mistress Comes Clean & a Suspicious Bed Sheet Spotted from the Sky: How Chris Watts Was Caught” by Adam Carlson, People Magazine
“Murder Suspect Husband Gave TV Interviews, Before His Arrest, Outside House Where Wife & Kids Likely Died” by Adam Carlson, People Magazine
“Chris Watts case: What we learned from unsealed affidavit” by Madison Park, CNN
“Timeline: Key dates in investigation of deaths of Shanann Watts, 2 daughters in Colorado” by Sady Swanson, Fort Collins Coloradoan
“Court documents: Watts children found in oil well, may have been strangled” by Coloradoan Staff, Fort Collins Coloradoan
“Chris Watts sentenced to five life terms without parole for killing pregnant wife, two daughters” by Blair Miller, Denver 7 News

44: That’s My Foot & The Tyneside Strangler Nov 28, 2018

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When Shannon Whisnant bought a storage unit at auction, he got a whole lot more than he bargained for. He discovered a severed human foot tucked inside the unit’s BBQ grill. Turns out, the owner of the foot was alive and well, and he wanted it back. But Shannon wasn’t willing to let it go. He’d bought the foot fair and square. And plus, it might just be his ticket to fame.
Then Brandi tells us a story that’s as creepy as it is disturbing. In the late 60s, four year old Martin Brown died from a terrible accident. Later, in that same neighborhood, three year old Brian Howe went missing. But when police discovered his body, they quickly realized that Brian was the victim of a twisted killer. And in hindsight, perhaps Martin was, too. As police hunted down the responsible parties, evidence pointed them toward a surprising set of suspects — two young girls.
And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.
In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
The documentary, “Finders Keepers”
In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“Mary Bell” by Shirley Lynn Scott, Crime Library
“Mary Flora Bell” murderpedia.org
“The mob will move on, the pain never can” by Nicci Gerrard, Richard Brooks, Jonathon Calvert, Lucy Johnston and Andy McSmith, The Observer
“Mary Bell” wikipedia.org

43: Deadly Love & The Unbelievable Kidnapping Nov 21, 2018

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Randy Stone played a big role in his community. He owned an insurance business, was a former marine, and was an active member of New Hope Baptist church. But seemingly out of nowhere, after years of loyal church attendance, Randy cut ties with the church. A short time later, he was murdered. But who would want Randy dead, and why?
Then Kristin tells us about a kidnapping that sounds fishy as hell. A man dressed in a wetsuit woke Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn. He blindfolded them with blacked out swim goggles, forced them to drink sedatives, put headphones on them, and eventually left with Denise. When Aaron came to, there were motion detecting cameras everywhere. There was red tape on the first floor of the home. The rules were clear: if he stepped outside the lines, Dense would be hurt. When Aaron called police to report the horrific crime, they didn’t believe him.
And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.
In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
20/20 episode, “Stranger than fiction”
“‘I’m not guilty’: Matthew Muller gives jailhouse interview about bizarre kidnapping, assault on Vallejo couple,” NBC Los Angeles
“Primary suspect in Gone Girl kidnapping: ‘We fancied ourselves a sort of Ocean’s Eleven,’” People.com
“Harvard-educated lawyer charged in Gone Girl kidnapping that cops initially called a hoax,” People.com
“Vallejo kidnapping suspect Matthew Muller faces more criminal charges,” KRON4.com
“Man convicted in 2015 Vallejo kidnapping case returning to court, representing himself,” Fox40.com
In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“Killer Love” by Mark Morris and Brian Burnes, The Kansas City Star
“Former Marine’s Murder Exposes Wife’s Affair with Pastor” by Brooke Stangeland and Alexa Valiente

42: Spree Killer Charles Starkweather & the Pricey Murder for Hire Plot Nov 14, 2018

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Nancy Howard just wanted a quiet night at home. She pulled into the garage of her upscale home, got out of her car, and was about to head inside for dinner when an armed gunman grabbed her by the neck. The pair struggled. He shot her and left her for dead. But Nancy survived. Investigators were perplexed by the crime, but soon, the pieces came together. It was even stranger than they’d initially suspected.
Then Brandi tells us about infamous teenaged spree killer Charles Starkweather. In just two months, Charles killed eleven people. His underaged girlfriend was with him the entire time. Starkweather’s horrific crimes won a place in pop culture. The crimes inspired the film Natural Born Killers, a truly terrible Bruce Springsteen song, and were mentioned in Billy Joel’s, “We didn’t start the fire.”
And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.
In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
“How to not get away with murder” by Michael J Mooney for D Magazine
An episode of the podcast Swindled
“‘They got you, didn’t they?’ Denton County woman tells prison-bound ex who tried to have her killed,” The Dallas Morning News
“Love affair takes center stage in Carrollton murder-for-hire trial,” NBCDFW.com
“Appeal denied in John Howard case,” Carrollton Leader
“Trial begins for alleged hit man hired by North Texas man convicted of plotting to kill wife,” MySanAntonio.com
In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate” by Marilyn Bardsley, Crime Library
“Charles Raymond Starkweather” murderpedia.org
“The Killing Spree that Transfixed a Nation: Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate, 1958” by Lesley Wischmann, WyoHistory.org
“Charles Starkweather And Caril Fugate Trials: 1958” encyclopedia.com

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