The Minds of Madness - True Crime Stories - Grip Tape

Latest Episodes:

Between The Madness - Episode 20 - Under Her Influence - The Polyamorous Cult of Martina Esqueda Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

In Maumee, Ohio, 26 year old Austyn McClellan walked into a gas station and asked a stranger if he could borrow her phone. He hadn't seen his mother in nearly two years, and with several people waiting for him outside, he quietly sent her a message asking her to come get him. Then, Austyn handed the phone back and walked outside. What his mother would soon discover would reveal the disturbing reality of the life her son had been living.

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Theme and Closing Track:
Original compositions created for The Minds of Madness

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Raycon - The Essential Open Earbuds are perfect for refreshing your routine this spring. Go to buyraycon.com/mindsofmadnessOPEN to get 20% off!
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Research & Writing:
Sherri Smith

Sources:
Law & Crime Network – Kidnapped Man Escapes Woman and Her 5 Lovers
Law & Crime Trial – Torture Victim Details Horrific Abuse
Court TV – Polygamist Leader Expresses Regret at Sentencing
Court TV – Judge Says She Is “Sickened” by Cult Leader at Sentencing
The Blade – Court Report
People – Man Allegedly Held Captive and Beaten
13abc/WTVG – Guilty Plea in Maumee/Toledo Kidnapping Case

Episode 337 - Blood Feud - The Refuge Road Massacre Sep 27, 2026

Show notes

In Pendleton, South Carolina, four members of the same family were found murdered inside their rural home. There were no signs of forced entry, no obvious struggle, and nothing to explain how the killers had gotten inside. But as investigators examined the scene, one disturbing possibility began to emerge. Whoever entered the house that night may have been invited in.

Research & Writing:
Ryan Deininger

Sources:
Woman convicted of murdering mother, grandmother, stepgrandmother
Trial Playlist
Anderson County woman convicted of killing four relatives is now in state custody
Upstate woman convicted of killing 4 family members files notice of appeal
My Mother Is A Murderer - Reddit Thread
Tips coming in on unsolved quadruple homicide
Trial begins for South Carolina woman facing charges in quadruple murder
Amy Vilardi Trial continues into Day 2 with emotional family testimonies
Amy Vilardi's Quadruple Murder Trial Day 3: Prosecutors detail evidence
Quadruple Murder Trial: Former cellmate testifies
Amy Vilardi: Guilty on All Counts
Ten Years After a Shocking Quadruple Murder, Amy Vilardi Finally Faces a Jury
'Grieving' Daughter Who Found Family Massacred Now on Trial
South Carolina couple is charged with murder in the 2015 killings of four of their family members
Couple charged in gruesome 2015 Pendleton quadruple homicide denied bond
Arrests made in ‘gruesome’ 2015 killings of SC couple and their elderly mothers
Press Conference
South Carolina shooting leaves four family members dead after 'violent deaths'
Gruesome details revealed in 'Unsolved Mysteries' podcast
Cold Justice Aids in Arrest of S.C. Couple Suspected of 2015 Halloween Quadruple Murder
Husband Charged in 2015 Quadruple Homicide Seeks Separate Trial From Co-Defendant Wife
Prosecutor at Ross Hearing
Ross Vilardi's Attorney Fox Carolina News
Only on FOX: Sheriff names persons of interest in Pendleton quadruple homicide
Cold Justice: House of Horrors
Carolina Crime Files: The Cost of Greed
Evidence revealed in Pendleton quadruple murder case
Anderson Co. Sheriff Updates On Pendleton Murders

Episode 336 - Wet Paint, Cold Body – The Case of Annamarie Cochrane-Rintala Sep 20, 2026

Show notes

In Granby, Massachusetts, 37 year old paramedic Annamarie Cochrane-Rintala was found dead at the bottom of her basement stairs. The scene around her was strange, with an apparent break-in and wet paint covering much of the basement. But as investigators tried to determine what had happened inside the home, one question would become increasingly difficult to answer. When exactly did Annamarie die?

Research & Writing:
Ryan Deininger

Between The Madness - Episode 19 - Little Felons - The Senseless Murder of Andreas “Andy” Probst Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

In Las Vegas, Nevada, 64 year old Andy Probst left home for his usual morning bike ride and never returned. What happened along a quiet stretch of road initially seemed to have a simple explanation. But weeks later, a disturbing video began circulating among local teenagers, revealing that there was far more to Andy’s final moments than anyone realized.

Please check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:
Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/madness
Quince - Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com/madness for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Raycon - The Essential Open Earbuds are perfect for refreshing your routine this spring. Go to buyraycon.com/mindsofmadnessOPEN to get 20% off!
HERS - Feel like your best self again, Visit forhers.com/MADNESS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.
Talkiatry - Head to Talkiatry.com/madness to complete the short assessment and get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.
Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free for three months - just head togranola.ai/MADNESS
Rula - Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at rula.com/madness
Keeper - Right now, Keeper's offering 60% off personal and family plans at Keepersecurity.com/MADNESS. This incredible offer is only for podcast listeners!

Research & Writing:
Sherri Smith

Research:
J.R. Rainbolt

Sources:
Fox5 Vegas — Police video provides new perspective
8 News Now — Teen expected slap on wrist
Las Vegas Review-Journal — Found not competent
Las Vegas Review-Journal — New carjacking charges
KTVB — Two men sentenced
Fox News — Sentencing
Fox5 Vegas — Sentencing
NBC News — Vicious online hate directed at newspaper
Clark County District Attorney sentencing statement, December 2025
Victim impact statements — Michael Probst, Taylor Probst, Crystal Probst, Gary Heindlmary
Judge Jacqueline Bluth sentencing remarks
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Case Report No. LLV230800048529

Episode 335 - Best Friend for Hire - The Murder of Teresa Sievers Sep 13, 2026

Show notes

In Estero, Florida, Dr. Teresa Sievers returned home alone after a weekend away with her family. By the next morning, she had failed to show up for work, and a close friend was sent to check on her. What he discovered inside her home would launch an investigation that stretched more than a thousand miles and exposed a conspiracy no one saw coming.

Please check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:
Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/madness
Quince - Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com/madness for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Raycon - The Essential Open Earbuds are perfect for refreshing your routine this spring. Go to buyraycon.com/mindsofmadnessOPEN to get 20% off!
HERS - Feel like your best self again, Visit forhers.com/MADNESS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.
Talkiatry - Head to Talkiatry.com/madness to complete the short assessment and get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.
Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free for three months - just head togranola.ai/MADNESS
Rula - Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at rula.com/madness
Keeper - Right now, Keeper's offering 60% off personal and family plans at Keepersecurity.com/MADNESS. This incredible offer is only for podcast listeners!

Research & Writing:
Ryan Deininger

Sources:
Wikipedia
11,000 Miles To Murder
Why Mark Sievers Bludgeoned His Wife Teresa Sievers to Death | A&E
On her birthday, friends and family remember slain Bonita doctor
Sievers a year later: Lives that disappeared behind the headlines
Who killed Dr. Teresa Sievers?
Law and Crime Network Trial Playlist
Court TV: Hammer Killing Murder Trial
Maps outlining Wrights & Rodgers trip to Florida
DCF aware of Sievers accusations
The Sievers murder: 9 things to know
Evidence in the murder of Dr. Teresa Sievers
Husband's chilling plot to kill his wife using his doppelganger best friend
Jimmy Ray Rodgers sentenced to life in prison
Mark Sievers denied death row appeal
Court TV 2025 Hearing

Episode 334 - Sneaking Out - The Murders of Lyric Woods and Devin Clark Sep 06, 2026

Show notes

In Orange County, North Carolina, 14 year old Lyric Woods disappeared after slipping out of her home in the middle of the night. In a neighboring county, 18 year old Devin Clark vanished that same weekend. At first, there seemed to be no connection between them. But a discovery along a secluded country road would reveal that their paths had crossed and leave investigators trying to understand what happened in the darkness that night.

Please check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:
Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/madness
Quince - Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com/madness for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Raycon - The Essential Open Earbuds are perfect for refreshing your routine this spring. Go to buyraycon.com/mindsofmadnessOPEN to get 20% off!
HERS - Feel like your best self again, Visit forhers.com/MADNESS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.
Talkiatry - Head to Talkiatry.com/madness to complete the short assessment and get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.
Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free for three months - just head togranola.ai/MADNESS
Rula - Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at rula.com/madness
Keeper - Right now, Keeper's offering 60% off personal and family plans at Keepersecurity.com/MADNESS. This incredible offer is only for podcast listeners!

Research & Writing:
Ryan Deininger

Sources:
WRAL story archive: Issiah Ross charged with murders of Lyric Woods and Devin Clark
Reports: Teens found dead on trail may have been in car with a third person
Devin Clark Lyric Woods suspect Issiah Ross
Orange County double murder trial | Everything you need to know at the end of week one
'They were executed:' State details evidence in Orange County double murders
Orange County jurors must weigh conflicting stories when double murder trial resumes
Teens’ families fill Orange County courtroom for murder suspect’s brief hearing
Suspect pleads self defense for alleged murder of Devin Clark, Lyric Woods
Devin Clark’s mother speaks out after trial
Issiah Ross trial: Man accused of 2022 double homicide claims self-defense
Issiah Ross Trial Playlist
Issiah Ross Testimony
Issiah Ross Testimony Continued
New details revealed in death of Orange County teen Lyric Woods from autopsy report
NC man charged with killing 2 teens in 2022 rejects plea deal, murder trial will move forward
Jan. 15, 2026: Afternoon session wraps up at Issiah Ross double murder trial
Orange County double murder trial; Suspects' friend says he confessed to the killings
Friend says Issiah Ross confessed double murder to him
Issiah Ross Argues Self-Defense In Double Murder Trial; Prosecution Wraps Testimony
Defense claims Issiah Ross acted in self-defense on night of Orange County double murder
Issiah Ross took the stand on final day of Orange County double murder trial
Issiah Ross Trial: Man accused of killing NC teens Lyric Woods, Devin Clark: Live Updates
Orange County double murder trial | Jury hears closing arguments
Issiah Ross double murder trial: Third day of jury deliberations ends with no verdict
Jury finds Issiah Ross guilty of 1 teen's death, hung on the other
Jan. 29, 2026: Judge sentences Issiah Ross to max 25 years
Man convicted of killing teen while mistrial declared in case of 14-year-old girl's murder
Future of pending murder charge against Issiah Ross remains unclear
Marcy Irene: Lyric Woods’ Family Picked On By Killer’s Mom
Closing Arguments

Between The Madness - Episode 18 - He Said I Look Good in Red - The Murder of Beauty Couch Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

In Austell, Georgia, 22 year old roller skating influencer Beauty Couch vanished just as her life seemed to be falling into place. When her family realized something was terribly wrong, investigators were already following a disturbing trail that began less than a mile from her home. What they uncovered would raise haunting questions about Beauty’s final hours and the person she may have trusted most.

Please check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:
Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/madness
Quince - Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com/madness for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Raycon - The Essential Open Earbuds are perfect for refreshing your routine this spring. Go to buyraycon.com/mindsofmadnessOPEN to get 20% off!
HERS - Feel like your best self again, Visit forhers.com/MADNESS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.
Talkiatry - Head to Talkiatry.com/madness to complete the short assessment and get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.
Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free for three months - just head togranola.ai/MADNESS
Rula - Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at rula.com/madness
Keeper - Right now, Keeper's offering 60% off personal and family plans at Keepersecurity.com/MADNESS. This incredible offer is only for podcast listeners!

Research & Writing:
Sherri Smith

Sources:
Opening Statements — Prosecution (ADA Stephanie Green) and Defense (Bryan Lumpkin), via Law and Crime Network
Testimony of Tracey Harris — First responding officer, Austell Police Department, via Law and Crime Network
Testimony of Deanna Thurman — Victim's mother, via Law and Crime Network
Testimony of Dr. Zoha Ashraf — Medical Examiner, Cobb County Medical Examiner's Office, via Law and Crime Network
Testimony of Detective Chance Cloud — St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana, via Law and Crime Network
Closing Arguments — Prosecution and Defense, via Law and Crime Network
Verdict and Sentencing — Judge Kimberly A. Childs presiding, via Law and Crime Network 11Alive News (WSB-TV affiliate) — Bobeth Yates, coverage of candlelight vigil including interviews with Kimberly Couch and Layla Brown, August 2023
WSB-TV Channel 2 — Michele Newell, Cobb County Bureau, coverage of verdict and sentencing, May 2026
Court TV — "Boyfriend sentenced for murder of roller-skating influencer found burned," May 23, 2026
FOX 5 Atlanta — "Cobb man gets life without parole for influencer girlfriend's murder," May 24, 2026
Marietta Daily Journal — "Beauty Couch killer sentenced to life without parole," May 23, 2026 Bold Journey Magazine — Interview with Beauty Katera Couch (undated, prior to August 2023)
Beauty Couch obituary — Davis-Struempf Chapel, funeral September 2, 2023
Instagram account @BeautyKatera
Teen Vogue — "For Young Black Women, Roller-Skating Is Survival, Resistance, and Joy," 2020

Episode 333 - A Deadly Mericle - The Murder of David Barron Aug 30, 2026

Show notes

In Broomfield, Colorado, Kristil Krug began receiving disturbing messages from someone who seemed to know her every move. She went to the police, changed her routines, armed herself, and turned her home into a fortress. But as the threats grew more sinister, Kristil began to wonder if the person she feared was closer than anyone realized.

Please check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:
Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/madness
Quince - Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com/madness for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Raycon - The Essential Open Earbuds are perfect for refreshing your routine this spring. Go to buyraycon.com/mindsofmadnessOPEN to get 20% off!
HERS - Feel like your best self again, Visit forhers.com/MADNESS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.
Talkiatry - Head to Talkiatry.com/madness to complete the short assessment and get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.
Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free for three months - just head togranola.ai/MADNESS
Rula - Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at rula.com/madness
Keeper - Right now, Keeper's offering 60% off personal and family plans at Keepersecurity.com/MADNESS. This incredible offer is only for podcast listeners!

Research & Writing:
Ryan Deininger

Sources:
James Barron Obituary
Female Georgia dentist from wealthy coastal enclave accused of killing boyfriend
Wealthy US Dentist Accused Of Murdering Her Boyfriend, Patients Express Shock
Dentist Accused of Shooting Her Partner to Death in Home in Upscale Georgia Neighborhood
St. Simons Island dentist charged with murder after deadly shooting
Civil lawsuit filed against Glynn County dentist
Dentist girlfriend accused of fatally shooting boyfriend through locked bedroom door
Wealthy Georgia Dentist Gunned Down Husband Inside Bedroom of $1.6M Mansion, Cops Say
Juror refuses to deliberate in Suzanne Mericle’s murder trial
‘He’s in my nightmares’: Suzanne Mericle accuses victim of abuse
St. Simons Island dentist convicted
Court TV Recap
Family of slain Gainesville man issues statement after Mericle found guilty
Dentist found guilty of murdering her boyfriend
Defense for St. Simons Island dentist rests
'I didn't have to do that': Prosecutors play video of St. Simons Island dentist
Defense says shooting was 'justified' in trial
Glynn County PD takes stand
Dentist says she texted another man night of shooting
St. Simons Island dentist on trial for murder of boyfriend takes witness stand
Justice Is A Process

Introducing THE FIRST 48, a new A&E and Crime House podcast! Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

For homicide detectives, their chance of solving a murder is cut in half if they don’t get a lead within the first 48 hours.

Adapted from the hit A&E true crime series The First 48, Crime House Studios brings you the podcast that drops you inside that critical window: the interrogations, the dead ends, and the breakthroughs that crack a case wide open. Each week, we revisit a landmark investigation from the franchise, pairing its signature investigative depth with immersive, long-form storytelling built for your ears.

Real detectives. Real cases. Real stakes. New episodes every Thursday. Follow wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Crime House Studios, A&E Global Media, and ITV America.

Listen here: https://pod.link/6786011424

Episode 332 - She Did Everything Right - The Case of Kristil Krug Aug 23, 2026

Show notes

Please check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:
Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/madness
Quince - Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com/madness for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Raycon - The Essential Open Earbuds are perfect for refreshing your routine this spring. Go to buyraycon.com/mindsofmadnessOPEN to get 20% off!
HERS - Feel like your best self again, Visit forhers.com/MADNESS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.
Talkiatry - Head to Talkiatry.com/madness to complete the short assessment and get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.
Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free for three months - just head togranola.ai/MADNESS
Rula - Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at rula.com/madness
Keeper - Right now, Keeper's offering 60% off personal and family plans at Keepersecurity.com/MADNESS. This incredible offer is only for podcast listeners!

Research & Writing:
Sherri Smith

Editing:
Aiden Wolf

Sources:
5280 Magazine — "Kristil Krug's Stalker Could Have Been Caught Weeks Before Her Murder — So Why Wasn't He?"
NBC News — "Kristil Krug blamed her ex when she was stalked and harassed. After her murder, her husband was convicted"
ABC News — "Colorado woman's stalker turns out to be husband in shocking murder case"
CBS News — "Why was Kristil Krug's murder case so hard to solve?"
CBS News — "Store receipt provides alibi for Utah man eyed in murder 500 miles away"
Adams & Broomfield County DA — Official Press Release: Sentencing
Denver7 — "Broomfield man sentenced to life in prison for killing wife after posing as her ex-boyfriend and stalking her"
9News — "Daniel Krug trial: Man accused of stalking wife by pretending to be ex"
KSAT — "Colorado man gets life in prison for killing his wife after posing as ex-boyfriend and stalking her"
Law and Crime Network — Sidebar with Jesse Weber — Body cam and interrogation footage (YouTube)
UNSEEN — Body cam footage compilation (YouTube)
48 Hours — "The Setup: Murder of Kristil Krug" — CBS News
20/20 — "He's Right Behind You" — ABC News

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