Episode 271: The Girl Who Cried Orphan - Barbora Skrlova, Part 2
Bizarre Crimes Child Abuse/Domestic Violence

Episode 271: The Girl Who Cried Orphan - Barbora Skrlova, Part 2

We continue the story of Barbora Skrlova from where we left of last week. In part two, you’ll learn all the details of the bizarre unfolding of events in the Mauerova home. I’ll conclude by telling you the unbelievable tale o...

Episode 239: The Ties That Bind: The Crimes of Shelly Knotek - Part 2
Child Abuse/Domestic Violence Female Killers Multi-part Episodes Family Narcissist

Episode 239: The Ties That Bind: The Crimes of Shelly Knotek - Part 2

This is part 2 of a 2-part- episode. As we continue the story, Shelly and Dave Knotek have isolated themselves, their three daughters, nephew, and a boarder, Kathy Loreno, in their Ramond, Washington home. The torture and abu...

Episode 238: The Ties That Bind: The Crimes of Shelly Knotek - Part 1
Child Abuse/Domestic Violence Female Killers Multi-part Episodes

Episode 238: The Ties That Bind: The Crimes of Shelly Knotek - Part 1

Shelly Knotek has been called “America’s Most Evil Mom”. She abused, tortured, and humiliated her children and partners, but her control and abuse went beyond her own family members. One-by-one people she took into her home a...

Episode 237: The Ties That Bind - The Turpin Family
Bizarre Crimes Child Abuse/Domestic Violence

Episode 237: The Ties That Bind - The Turpin Family

In this month’s series, we’ll take a look at the fascinating phenomenon of narcissistic family cults - a family unit that exhibits all the hallmarks of a traditional cult group but is led by a narcissistic family member - usu...

Episode 198: Chopped: David Viens
Bizarre Crimes Child Abuse/Domestic Violence Killer Spouses Missing Persons

Episode 198: Chopped: David Viens

In this series we'll take a look at the restaurant industry to ask "What happens when good cooks go bad?".  In this episode, a restaurateur in Southern California is suspected of murder when his wife disappears. What detectives discover would...

Episode 181: Bad Teacher: Mary Kay Letourneau
Child Abuse/Domestic Violence Sex Crimes/Rape

Episode 181: Bad Teacher: Mary Kay Letourneau

In this month's series "Bad Teacher" I'll share cases of educators who committed newsworthy crimes.  First up, a 34-year-old teacher scandalizes the nation when she is convicted of child rape with one of her 6th grade students.  Sources:...

Episode 178: Familiar Strangers: Walter Collins, Part 2
Child Abuse/Domestic Violence Child Victims Historical Crimes Multi-part Episodes Serial Killers

Episode 178: Familiar Strangers: Walter Collins, Part 2

On this second part of a two-part episode we continue the story of 9-year-old Walter Collins who went missing from Los Angeles in 1928.  In part two, we discover that a serial killer, Gordon Stewart Northcott, has been preying on boys and young...

Episode 172: Till Death Do Us Part: Kelly Ecker and Scott Samson
Child Abuse/Domestic Violence Killer Spouses

Episode 172: Till Death Do Us Part: Kelly Ecker and Scott Samson

A bride sees many red flags in her relationship before walking down the aisle, but her fear of angering her fiancee would compel her to go through with the ceremony.  Within hours, that decision would become fatal.   #domestic violence...

Episode 166: StepMonsters - Joshua and Jerome Ellis
Child Abuse/Domestic Violence International Crimes Killer Kids

Episode 166: StepMonsters - Joshua and Jerome Ellis

An abusive stepfather gets his comeuppance when his stepsons turn on him resulting in a grisly murder.  Resources: "Joshua and Jerome Ellis guilty of stepfather killing", BBC News, Feb 26, 2014.  "Kids Who Kill: Responsible Child inspired by...

Episode 165: StepMonsters: Tracey Wright
Child Abuse/Domestic Violence International Crimes

Episode 165: StepMonsters: Tracey Wright

A child, unwanted from birth and neglected by her birth parents, is hopeful that her new stepmother will love her like a daughter. It is not to be and her story will become a cautionary tale in the U.K. of how the child protective system spectacularly...

Episode 164: StepMonsters: The Disappearance of Charlie Bothuell
Child Abuse/Domestic Violence Missing Persons

Episode 164: StepMonsters: The Disappearance of Charlie Bothuell

In our new series, “StepMonsters,” I’ll share stories of bad stepparents whose actions became true crime news.  In this first episode I'll share the story of a young boy who went missing and was found in a very unlikely place.  Was he...