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True Crime Campfire — True Crime
True Crime Campfire

Join hosts Katie and Whitney for a different kind of true crime podcast. You can start with season 1, The Puppet Master and the Prince of Darkness, a deep dive into the most bizarre murder case you’ve never heard of. Or start with season 2, which covers a different stranger-than-fiction story each week. This bingeworthy show combines meticulous research with a refreshing mix of comic relief and seamless storytelling. There’s plenty of room around the campfire–come help us roast murderers and marshmallows!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-campfire–4251960/support.

Copyright: © Copyright True Crime Campfire

Latest Episodes:

Wondery Presents: Fed Up Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

When Emily Gellis hears rumors of people suffering horrible side effects from a trendy diet she springs into action. Armed with over a hundred thousand Instagram followers, Emily launches a social media crusade to expose F-Factor and its founder, Tanya Zuckerbrot. It’s the start of a feud that will attract trolls, lawyers, and, eventually, national media all because of fiber. From Wondery, this is a story about wealth, wellness, and influence hosted by Casey Wilson.
Listen to Fed Up: wondery.fm/TCC_FedUp
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-campfire--4251960/support.

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Magick Money: Greed Goblin Dawn Bennett Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

I read a book once about the inner workings of Wall Street. I don’t really like to talk about it—I still get a little nauseous when I think about it. Yechh. One of the most memorable bits, though, was an interview with an investment banker who said, with a total lack of irony, “What good does it do me to make ten million if the guy down the hall is making twenty?” When the author said, “Well…okay, but when is it enough?” the guy looked at him like he’d just grown a second head. “Enough? It’s never enough.” That right there, campers, is the engine that drives some of the worst stuff in the world. And there’s no shortage of assholes in the clown car—some of whom are more than willing to resort to fraud to get there. Join us for the story of Dawn Bennett, a woman who rose to fame as one of the "best" financial advisors in the country, then crashed and burned spectacularly, despite her efforts to put curses on the SEC agents coming after her for fraud. Yeah, you read that right: Curses.
Sources:
CNBC's "American Greed," episode "The Luxury Curse Scam"
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dawn-bennett-ponzi-scheme-suspect-paid-720k-for-prayers-by-hindu-priests-in-india/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhansen/2019/10/04/when-a-financial-advisor-turned-to-hoodoo-spells/?sh=514afa3146bb
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/dj-bennett-brings-luxury-to-sporting-goods/2012/12/23/3c9a365e-43cc-11e2-8061-253bccfc7532_story.html
https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/former-financial-advisor-sentenced-20-years-federal-prison-her-conviction-17-federal
https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/crime/bs-md-cr-maryland-investment-adviser-sentenced-0801-20190801-ueewer72wnglvdpwimudumebje-story.html
https://www.sec.gov/alj/aljdec/2016/id1033jeg.pdf
https://www.sec.gov/litigation/complaints/2017/comp23922.pdf
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/07/how-to-find-a-financial-advisor-who-wont-make-your-money-disappear.html
Follow us, campers!
Patreon (join to get all episodes ad-free, at least a day early, an extra episode a month, and a free sticker!): https://patreon.com/TrueCrimeCampfire
Facebook: True Crime Campfire
Instagram: https://gramha.net/profile/truecrimecampfire/19093397079
Twitter: @TCCampfire https://twitter.com/TCCampfire
Email: truecrimecampfirepod@gmail.com
MERCH! https://true-crime-campfire.myspreadshop.com/
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Lady Judas: Serial Killer Judy Buenoaño Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

We’ve seen it a hundred times by now—evil comes in many different forms. Sometimes, you can see it coming a mile away. But sometimes it’ll look like a million dollars, dressed to the nines and fluttering its eyelashes at you, making you feel like you’re the only guy in the room. Stay frosty out there, fellas. Evil comes in many shapes, and sometimes they’re extra pleasing. Join us for the story of one of America's scariest female serial killers, a woman whose sophisticated exterior hid a heart of blackest darkness.
Sources:
Chicago Tribune: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-11-14-8503180695-story.html
Michael Newton, An Encyclopedia of Modern Serial Killers: Hunting Humans
Investigation Discovery's "Diabolical," Episode "The Devil Wears False Eyelashes"
https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/state/2019/08/23/last-meals-of-gary-ray-bowles-danny-rolling-and-others-executed-by-state-of-florida/4395061007/
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1998-03-31-9803310252-story.html
http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/buenoano450.htm
https://murderpedia.org/female.B/b/buenoano-judy.htm
https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/supreme-court/1988/68091-0.html
https://casetext.com/case/buenoano-v-state-1
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1671479/state-v-buenoano/?
Follow us, campers!
Patreon (join to get all episodes ad-free, at least a day early, an extra episode a month, and a free sticker!): https://patreon.com/TrueCrimeCampfire
Facebook: True Crime Campfire
Instagram: https://gramha.net/profile/truecrimecampfire/19093397079
Twitter: @TCCampfire https://twitter.com/TCCampfire
Email: truecrimecampfirepod@gmail.com
MERCH! https://true-crime-campfire.myspreadshop.com/
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-campfire--4251960/support.

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Cleansed: An Amish Murder Story Jul 29, 2022

Show notes

It’s become a cliché in the telling of murder stories that someone will always say “This kind of thing just doesn’t happen here.” Somehow, despite mountains of evidence to the contrary, we’re good at convincing ourselves that there are safe zones…places that are immune to the darker shades of the human soul. Most of us—at least, the ones who make a study of darkness—know better by now. But even for us, there are some communities that do seem unlikely to wind up on a true crime podcast. Unlikely, maybe. But nevertheless, here we are. Join us for a story of devotion, deception, lust and betrayal, against the unexpected backdrop of the Amish country.
Sources:
Investigation Discovery, A Murder in Amish Country, ep. A Twisted Confession
Inmate profile and criminal complaint against Samuel Borntreger: https://www.insideprison.com/state-inmate-search.asp?lnam=Borntreger&fnam=Samuel%20H&county=&st_abb=MO&id=2025969725
Horror History: https://horrorhistory.net/2020/12/04/man-kills-his-wife-with-antifreeze-and-battery-acid/
https://www.scribd.com/doc/295500611/Samuel-Borntreger-Criminal-Complaint?irclickid=35FTDSWZszbEW4P3jgQVdWKAUkD3r7z1sxfsw40&irpid=10078&utm_source=impact&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=affiliate_pdm_acquisition_Skimbit%20Ltd.&sharedid=huffpost.com&irgwc=1
KTTN news: https://www.kttn.com/samuel-borntreger-could-face-additional-charges-of-child-abuse-and-sexual-misconduct/
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/amish-minister-confesses-to-killing-wife-9-years-ago-cops_n_5697cf0de4b0b4eb759d6db3
Follow us, campers!
Patreon (join to get all episodes ad-free, at least a day early, an extra episode a month, and a free sticker!): https://patreon.com/TrueCrimeCampfire
Facebook: True Crime Campfire
Instagram: https://gramha.net/profile/truecrimecampfire/19093397079
Twitter: @TCCampfire https://twitter.com/TCCampfire
Email: truecrimecampfirepod@gmail.com
MERCH! https://true-crime-campfire.myspreadshop.com/
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-campfire--4251960/support.

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The Time Traveler's Girlfriend: The Murder of Anna Repkina Jul 22, 2022

Show notes

David Foster Wallace once wrote that the truth will set you free, but not until it’s finished with you. Every time we tell a lie, we put it on our tab. That may work out for a while, but eventually the bill is gonna come due. And when that time comes, you better make sure you’ve got the money in the bank. Otherwise, your whole life’s gonna get repo’ed, and you’ll be there just standing in the wreckage. Especially if, like the guy in this week’s story, you’ve built your whole life on a lie.
Sources:
CBS' 48 Hours, Episode The Murder of Anna Repkina
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/anna-repkina-murder-william-hargrove-love-triangle-ultimatum-48-hours/
Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/11/04/william-chase-hargrove-anna-repkina-oregon-murder/
Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8898317/Man-serving-life-sentence-killing-Russian-bride-researched-time-travel-death.html
Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/man-convicted-murder-fiancee-william-hargrove-anna-repkina-alsea-oregon-time-travel-b1454490.html
https://nypost.com/2019/11/24/man-found-guilty-in-fiancees-murder-after-kfc-receipt-links-him-to-slaying/
Follow us, campers!
Patreon (join to get all episodes ad-free, at least a day early, an extra episode a month, and a free sticker!): https://patreon.com/TrueCrimeCampfire
Facebook: True Crime Campfire
Instagram: https://gramha.net/profile/truecrimecampfire/19093397079
Twitter: @TCCampfire https://twitter.com/TCCampfire
Email: truecrimecampfirepod@gmail.com
MERCH! https://true-crime-campfire.myspreadshop.com/
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-campfire--4251960/support.

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Out of the Picture: A Story of Murder for Hire Jul 15, 2022

Show notes

It takes a special kind of narcissism to feel entitled to murder somebody. Especially when the motive is just to get them out of your way, because they’re inconveniencing you. And it takes an even bigger ego to decide that you’re not gonna do your dirty work yourself—you’re gonna outsource it instead. We’ve seen plenty of murder for hire schemes before on this show, and as you’ve probably noticed, they don’t tend to go real well. And you usually find, at their center, a person so self-involved that they view the world as their own personal chessboard to manipulate as they choose. What’s unusual about this week’s story is that it involves not one of these narcissistic little gremlins—but two. It offers us a tantalizing peek at what happens when two people get together to bring out each other’s darkest desires. Join us for the bizarre story of Drs. Leon Jacob and Valerie McDaniel, who conspired together to murder their exes. Although the plan was to eliminate two people, only one life was ultimately lost, and it's probably not the one you're expecting.
CWs: Suicide, domestic violence
Sources:
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/operation-murder-1/#x
https://www.peacocktv.com/watch/playback/vod/GMO_00000000375791_01/e01627d5-a717-34b3-8a7e-f64ffb972d60?paused=true
https://abcnews.go.com/US/happened-bizarre-murder-hire-plot-led-veterinarians-suicide/story?id=54092867
https://www.chron.com/news/article/Failed-Houston-doctor-Leon-Jacob-sentenced-to-12781963.php
https://www.fox26houston.com/news/leon-jacob-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-in-murder-for-hire-case
https://abc13.com/murder-for-hire-trial-case-plot-leon-jacob/3263581/
https://media.click2houston.com/document_dev/2017/03/21/Leon%20Jacob%20Youngstown%20Hospital%201_9189482_ver1.0.pdf
https://media.click2houston.com/document_dev/2017/03/21/Leon%20Jacob%20Ohio%20Burglary%203_9189481_ver1.0.pdf
https://media.click2houston.com/document_dev/2017/03/21/Leon%20Jacob%20Divorce%204_9189477_ver1.0.pdf
https://media.click2houston.com/document_dev/2017/03/21/Leon%20Jacob%20Harris%20County%20Assault%20Case%207_9189478_ver1.0.pdf
Follow us, campers!
Patreon (join to get all episodes ad-free, at least a day early, an extra episode a month, and a free sticker!): https://patreon.com/TrueCrimeCampfire
Facebook: True Crime Campfire
Instagram: https://gramha.net/profile/truecrimecampfire/19093397079
Twitter: @TCCampfire

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Out of Luck: A Murder at the Mansion Jul 08, 2022

Show notes

We all wish we could win the lottery. I mean, who doesn’t love the idea of a life-changing financial windfall? The chance to pursue your real passions, get all your loved ones out of debt, travel, just…not have to worry anymore? But for the tiny percentage of people who actually do win the lottery, against almost impossible odds, the reality often ends up a lot more complicated than they expect. According to the NY Daily News, about 70 percent of lottery winners end up flat broke within 7 years. Worse than that, some believe there’s a curse attached to winning. Take the case of Jeffery Dampier, who won a 20 million dollar jackpot in the 90s, started a popcorn business, and ended up brutally murdered by his sister in law and her boyfriend. And we all remember Abraham Shakespeare from an earlier season of TCC, a man who used his lottery winnings to revitalize his community—until he was manipulated into signing over his fortune, then murdered by a scam artist named DeeDee Moore. These are just two examples of many. It’s one of those “careful what you wish for” things—a lesson the people in this week’s story had to learn the hard way. Join us for a true whodunnit, a twisting, turning story of ambition, deception, secrets and betrayal.
Sources:
https://www.the-sun.com/news/3890533/lotto-winner-fatally-injected-husband-squandered-cash/#:~:text=Joseph%20Roncaioli%2C%2072%2C%20was%20found,she%20split%20with%20her%20friend.&text=Prosecutors%20told%20his%20trial%20he,retirement%2C%20the%20Toronto%20Star%20reported.
https://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2011/05/16/md_convicted_of_poisoning_wife_loses_appeal.html
https://www.lottoanalyst.com/lottery-winner-ibi-roncaioli
http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2017/09/legends-of-team-canada-stelio-zupancich.html
Investigation Discovery's "Your Number's Up," episode "Cruel Hand of Fate"
Follow us, campers!
Patreon (join to get all episodes ad-free, at least a day early, an extra episode a month, and a free sticker!): https://patreon.com/TrueCrimeCampfire
Facebook: True Crime Campfire
Instagram: https://gramha.net/profile/truecrimecampfire/19093397079
Twitter: @TCCampfire https://twitter.com/TCCampfire
Email: truecrimecampfirepod@gmail.com
MERCH! https://true-crime-campfire.myspreadshop.com/
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-campfire--4251960/support.

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Thieves Like Us: The Greatest Art Heist of the 21st Century Jul 01, 2022

Show notes

Some people are born for a certain vocation. Mozart, for music. Shakespeare, for drama. Steven Hawking, for physics, and...let's say...Machine Gun Kelly? for rap music. Vjeran Tomic was born for the steal—as comfortable scaling the side of a tightly-guarded museum as a leopard is, stalking through the jungle. He says he’s in it for the love of art—a modern-day Robin Hood. But we seem to remember something about Robin Hood giving the money away…hmm.
Sources:
The New Yorker, Jake Halpern: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/01/14/the-french-burglar-who-pulled-off-his-generations-biggest-art-heist
The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/20/arts/design/vjeran-tomic-paris-spiderman-sentenced-to-8-years-for-art-heist.html
The Daily Beast: https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-spiderman-art-heist-and-the-five-missing-masterpieces
Follow us, campers!
Patreon (join to get all episodes ad-free, at least a day early, an extra episode a month, and a free sticker!): https://patreon.com/TrueCrimeCampfire
Facebook: True Crime Campfire
Instagram: https://gramha.net/profile/truecrimecampfire/19093397079
Twitter: @TCCampfire https://twitter.com/TCCampfire
Email: truecrimecampfirepod@gmail.com
MERCH! https://true-crime-campfire.myspreadshop.com/
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-campfire--4251960/support.

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Designing Murder: The Disappearance of Billy McGrath Jun 24, 2022

Show notes

Everybody has a skeleton or two in the closet, and most of us are able to leave it right where it is, cover it up with old coats and mothballs and forget all about it. But some skeletons are bigger and meaner than others, and for the man at the center of this story, it would be hard to imagine one worse. And he was living in fear that it was about to come busting out of there and trample all over his life. He thought he was doing everything he needed to do to prepare for it. But at the end of the day, it wasn’t his past he had to worry about. It was a threat he never saw coming. Join us for a twisting story of greed and betrayal, and a missing persons case that turned into a truly heartbreaking murder.
Sources:
Court paperwork, State v. Tocker: https://www.leagle.com/decision/inazco20121002008
https://mylifeofcrime.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/william-mcgrath-murder-august-2009-phoenix-az-bradley-tocker-convicted-of-his-murder/
https://disappearedblog.com/william-mcgrath/
Investigation Discovery's "Disappeared," episode "Murder by Design"
Oxygen's "Buried in the Backyard," episode "Living in Fear"
Follow us, campers!
Patreon (join to get all episodes ad-free, at least a day early, an extra episode a month, and a free sticker!): https://patreon.com/TrueCrimeCampfire
Facebook: True Crime Campfire
Instagram: https://gramha.net/profile/truecrimecampfire/19093397079
Twitter: @TCCampfire https://twitter.com/TCCampfire
Email: truecrimecampfirepod@gmail.com
MERCH! https://true-crime-campfire.myspreadshop.com/
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-campfire--4251960/support.

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Introducing: Hollywood & Crime, The Execution of Bonny Lee Bakley Jun 20, 2022

Show notes

On May 4, 2001, Bonny Lee Bakley was found fatally shot in a car on a dark North Hollywood street. The prime suspect was her husband, famed actor Robert Blake. But Bonny, a longtime con artist, had plenty of enemies. She left behind a trail of men she’d scammed, and she had a volatile relationship with Christian Brando, the troubled son of movie star Marlon Brando.
Not since the O.J. Simpson case had the eyes of the nation been so fixated on a homicide. The search for Bonny’s killer took detectives on an eleven-month odyssey across the country and through Hollywood's underbelly of hustlers, drug addicts, and would-be hitmen. It would be the most expensive murder investigation in LAPD history to date.
This is the story of Robert and Bonny’s toxic relationship, her shocking murder, and his chaotic trial. Did actor Robert Blake kill his wife? Or was the murder someone else's vendetta?
From Wondery, and the team behind the hit series Hollywood & Crime (The Dating Game Killer, The Wonderland Murders, Death of Starlet) comes a six-part series about love, obsession and fame gone wrong. Co-hosted by Tracy Pattin and Josh Lucas.
Listen at wondery.fm/TCC_TEOBLB
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-campfire--4251960/support.

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