True Crime

Ray William Johnson: True Story Podcast

The Official Podcast of Ray William Johnson, storyteller and comedian. Tune in for the best stories of True Crime and Pop Culture.

Latest Episodes:

This SNL Star Lost Everything // The Kenan Thompson Story Jun 20, 2026

Show notes

Kenan Thompson lost an estimated $1.5 million in childhood earnings after a trusted family accountant absconded with his money. Thompson, who had granted the accountant power of attorney, discovered the devastating theft while attempting to buy his first home in Atlanta. He later faced unpaid tax issues with the IRS, which forced him into bankruptcy.

He Almost Got Away with This // He Almost Got Away With This Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Mark Winger is an Illinois nuclear engineer who was initially hailed as a hero in 1995 after claiming he shot and killed a shuttle driver, Roger Harrington, who had broken into his Springfield home and bludgeoned Winger's wife, Donnah, with a hammer. Police originally closed the case believing Harrington acted in retaliation over a previous customer complaint, allowing Winger to collect life insurance and marry his daughter's new nanny.

The Real Story of Goodfellas Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

James "Jimmy the Gent" Burke was a ruthless Irish-American associate of the Lucchese crime family who masterminded the 1978 Lufthansa heist at JFK Airport, netting over $5 million. Driven by paranoia, he subsequently orchestrated the murders of numerous accomplices to keep the stolen money and avoid prosecution.

The Gold Digger is in BIG Trouble // The Celeste Beard Murder Story Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

Celeste Beard Johnson is a Texas woman convicted of orchestrating the 1999 murder of her wealthy, 74-year-old multimillionaire husband, Steven Beard. After marrying Steven in 1995, Celeste embraced a lavish lifestyle, but the marriage grew strained as he threatened to curtail her extravagant spending. While receiving treatment at a psychiatric facility, Celeste met Tracey Tarlton, whom she allegedly manipulated into murdering Steven.

Post Malone is in Danger // The Cherish Gomer Stalker Story Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Cherish Gomer was arrested multiple times for repeatedly trespassing at the Utah home of musician Post Malone. Police and family noted the behavior escalated from simply showing up at the property to instances like walking barefoot from Salt Lake City and jumping in front of the artist's moving vehicle. Claiming a spiritual connection, Gomer racked up multiple felony charges for stalking and violating protective orders.

The Tragic Ending of Aaliyah Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Pop star Aaliyah died instantly in a tragic plane crash on August 25, 2001, in the Bahamas. After wrapping the music video for "Rock the Boat" at Marsh Harbour Airport, the 22-year-old singer and eight others boarded a Cessna 402B bound for Florida. The flight ended in devastation when the aircraft, carrying excessive luggage, crashed shortly after takeoff due to being hundreds of pounds overloaded.

He Could've Been a Super Star // The XxxTentacion Murder Story Jun 13, 2026

Show notes

XXXTentacion was ambushed and fatally shot on June 18, 2018, while leaving RIVA Motorsports in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The 20-year-old rapper, born Jahseh Onfroy, had just withdrawn cash from a bank. As he attempted to drive away, an SUV blocked his vehicle, and two masked gunmen confronted him at his driver’s window.

This Unpopular Gamer Got Revenge // The David Katz Murder Story Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

In August 2018 David Katz was responsible for a shooting at a Madden NFL 19 video game tournament in Jacksonville, Florida. Katz, a 24-year-old competitive gamer from Baltimore Maryland, opened fire inside the GLHF Game Bar after losing earlier in the tournament.

This Teacher is in BIG Trouble // The JoAnne Chambers Scandal Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

JoAnne Chambers, a first-grade teacher at Coolbaugh Learning Center in Monroe, Pennsylvania, seemingly endured an 18-month nightmare of terrifying harassment. However, investigators eventually discovered that Chambers herself was the mastermind behind the entire campaign to frame her colleague, Paula Nawrocki.

He Deserves to be in Prison // The Edward Shin Murder Story Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Edward Shin was convicted in 2011 for the first-degree murder of his business partner, Chris Smith, whose body has never been found. In 2010, Shin killed Smith inside their San Juan Capistrano, California office after a bitter legal and financial dispute over their lucrative marketing firm, 800Xchange.

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