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The Mysterious Disappearance and Death of Tom Brown: A Texas Mystery That Wonât Rest. Part 2
On the night of November 23, 2016, in the small town of Canadian, Texas, 18-year-old Thomas Brown vanished without a trace. What should have been a quiet Thanksgiving Eve quickly spiraled into one of the most confounding mysteries in Texas true crime history.
Now that his remains have been recovered, there are even more questions than answers. Was it a homicide? Was it a suicide?
The case has spawned years of speculation, accusations, and investigationsâyet to this day, one undeniable fact remains: someone is lying about what happened to Tom Brown.
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The Mysterious Disappearance and Death of Tom Brown: A Texas Mystery that Won't Rest.
Unravel the Unsolved Mystery of Tom Brown in this gripping True Crime Podcast episode. On November 23, 2016, 18-year-old Thomas Brown vanished from Canadian Texas, a quiet Texas Panhandle town in Hemphill County. His remains were later found near Lake Marvin in 2019, sparking theories of Suicide Or Murder and allegations of a cover up. Join us as we investigate the Tom Brown Case, scrutinize Sheriff Nathan Lewis, and follow private investigator Philip Kleinâs quest for answers. From Small Town Secrets to Teen Disappearance, this Texas Crime story leaves more questions than answers. Tune in for the latest on this haunting Cold Case and discover What Happened To Tom Brown in CanadianTX. True Crime. UnsolvedCases. and JusticeForTom.
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Murder in Bel-Air: The Scorned Lover and the Houseboy
If thereâs one thing Hollywood socialites should know by now, itâs that mixing business with pleasureâespecially when it involves a live-in employeeâis a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately, Norma Thompson McCauley, a wealthy Bel-Air divorcee, learned this lesson the hard way. And by hard way, we mean stabbed and strangled to death by her former houseboy-turned-lover, John Russell Crooker, Jr., in July of 1955.
Norma was the kind of woman who knew how to live well. With the lush backdrop of Bel-Air as her playground, she enjoyed the finer things in life, including a houseboy who quickly became much more than just a helping hand. Enter John Crooker, a 30-year-old man in law school at UCLA, who was supposed to be dusting chandeliers and pouring cocktailsânot plotting murder. But once Norma tired of their affair and sent him packing, Crooker proved that hell hath no fury like a jilted domestic servant.
On the night of July 4, 1955, Crooker let himself into Normaâs swanky estate, and hid in a closet until she came home from a party. When John knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Norma was cutting him loose, their conversation escalated, and soon, Norma lay dead in her home, the victim of a scorned loverâs blind rage. Crooker, however, didnât get far. It turns out the Bel-Air elite came to Normaâs defense, saying sheâd told them that Crooker said he would kill her if she broke it off. Within days, he was in cuffs.
The prosecution had a smoking gun in the form of Crookerâs signed confessionâone that he later claimed was coerced by the LAPD, an argument that wasnât exactly unheard of in the 1950s. Regardless, the jury didnât buy it. Crooker was convicted and sentenced to die in Californiaâs gas chamber. Case closed, right? Not so fast.
Enter Judge Stanley Mosk, the man who presided over Crookerâs trial. Mosk, apparently struck by a bout of judicial guilt, later admitted he regretted allowing the confession as evidence. Years later, when Mosk climbed the political ladder to become Californiaâs Attorney General, he personally petitioned the governor to commute Crookerâs death sentence to life without parole.
And because the universe loves irony, years after that, the very same governor decided that even life without parole was too harsh. So in 1972, after serving 17 years at San Quentin, John Russell Crooker, Jr. walked out of prisonâalive, breathing, and free.
So, whatâs the moral of the story? For one, if youâre a high-society socialite with a penchant for hiring your lovers, maybe draft an airtight NDA (or at least a solid security plan). And if youâre a judge with a conscience, be careful what you regretâbecause one moment of hesitation can turn a gas chamber sentence into a second chance at life.
As for Crooker? He died in Oregon in 1992âtwenty years after his release.
Donât miss this weekâs episode filled with WW2 ex-husbands, adult bed-wetters and enough scandal in 1955 California to fill years of newspaper articles.
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In this gripping episode of Hitched 2 Homicide, we unravel one of Virginiaâs most shocking murder-for-hire casesâthe chilling story of Teresa Lewis.
When Teresa married Julian Lewis, a recent widower mourning the loss of his wife of nearly 30 years, it seemed like a second chance at happiness. Julian, vulnerable from his loss, was caring for his three grown children: Jason, serving in the Navy; Kathy, who had moved home to support him; and C.J. Lewis, a promising 25-year-old Army Reservist.
But behind closed doors, Teresaâs true intentions were far from loving. Motivated by greed and driven by the promise of a $250,000 life insurance payout, she manipulated two young menâMatthew Shallenberger and Rodney Fullerâusing seduction and the lure of wealth to convince them to commit murder.
On October 30, 2002, a night meant for rest became a scene of horror as Julian and C.J. were gunned down in their own home. What initially seemed like a home invasion quickly unraveled into a chilling murder-for-hire plot masterminded by Teresa herself.
As investigators dug deeper, the truth revealed betrayal, manipulation, and cold-blooded greed. While Shallenberger and Fuller received life without parole, Teresa was sentenced to death by lethal injectionâbecoming the first woman executed in Virginia since 1912.
But was Teresa truly aware of her actions? With an IQ of 72, questions about her mental capacity ignited national debate. Was she a calculating mastermindâor a vulnerable woman with diminished intellectual ability, manipulated by those she believed she controlled?
Join us as we explore the dark depths of greed, betrayal, and the controversial execution that made headlines across the nation.
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Trigger Warning: This episode of HITCHED 2 HOMICIDE discusses themes of murder, suicide, and domestic violence. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by dialing 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org. There is always someone ready to listen.
On April 23, 2018, an affluent neighborhood in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, became the backdrop for a chilling crime that stunned the nation. Jennair Gerardot, a woman deeply scorned by betrayal, meticulously planned and executed the murder of Meredith Chapman, the woman with whom her husband, Mark Gerardot, was having an affair. After carrying out the act, Jennair turned the gun on herself. The case sent shockwaves across the country, serving as a cautionary tale of how jealousy and heartbreak can drive a person to extreme actions.
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In the winter of 1950, a dramatic and tragic tale of love, betrayal, and death unfolded in the quiet town of Hutchinson, Minnesota. At the center of it all was 23-year-old Laura Safford Miller, a young woman whose name would soon be splashed across headlines in a case that captivated the state. Was she a scorned lover pushed to the edge, or an unfortunate victim of circumstance? The truth remains elusive.
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The Unsolved Mystery of Jeanette DePalma: Why Her Death Should Be Reopened
In 1972, the lifeless body of 16-year-old Jeanette DePalma was discovered on a cliff in Springfield, New Jersey known as the Devil's Teeth. Found after a local dog returned home with a decomposed forearm, her death has remained one of the most chilling mysteries of Union County. Declared a "suspicious death," the case has sparked widespread speculation of cult rituals, satanic panic, and foul play. Yet, despite decades of whispers and mounting evidence suggesting homicide, Jeanetteâs death remains unsolved. Itâs time to revisit her case with the tools of modern forensic science and the urgency that justice demands.Call to Action
As true crime enthusiasts and advocates for justice, we must lend our voices to Jeanetteâs story. Go to Justice for Jeannette. https://justiceforjeannette.com/ OR https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-jeannette-depalma-change-her-death-from-a-suspicious-death-to-a-homicide to sign the petition for Jeanette's case to be changed from suspicious death to homicide in order for it to be reopened.
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The Butcher, Baker, and Nightmare Maker of Alaska: The Chilling Case of Robert Hansen Part Two of Two
For over a decade, the frozen wilderness of Alaska served as the haunting backdrop to one of the most sinister crime sprees in modern history. Robert Hansen, infamously dubbed the "Butcher Baker," lived a double life as a mild-mannered baker and a sadistic predator. Between 1971 and 1983, Hansen raped 30 and murdered at least 17 women, forever etching his name in the annals of true crime infamy.The Early Years of a Predator
Born in Estherville, Iowa, in 1939, Hansen endured a turbulent childhood marked by severe acne and a debilitating stutter. These insecurities led to social isolation, breeding resentment toward women who, he claimed, ridiculed and rejected him. As a young adult, he found solace in two things: hunting and his deepening fantasies of dominance and revenge.From Baker to Monster
Hansen moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in the late 1960s, where he established himself as a successful baker and a family man. Beneath the façade, however, lurked a methodical killer. Hansen would frequent Anchorageâs red-light district, luring sex workers and exotic dancers with promises of money or gifts. Once they were in his control, he subjected them to unspeakable acts of violence.The Hunting Ground
Hansenâs modus operandi was as chilling as it was unique. After abducting his victims, he would fly them in his private plane to remote locations in the Alaskan wilderness. There, he would set them loose, only to hunt them down like animals. Armed with a rifle and a twisted sense of superiority, Hansen turned the vast, snow-covered terrain into his personal killing field.The Victims
Though Hansenâs confirmed victims numbered 17, authorities believe the true toll may be much higher. These women were often marginalized individualsârunaways, sex workers, and dancersâwhose disappearances were tragically overlooked by society. Their bodies, some found years later, bore the horrifying evidence of Hansenâs sadistic games.The Fall of the Butcher Baker
Hansenâs reign of terror came to an end in 1983, thanks to the courage of Cindy Paulson, an 18-year-old sex worker who managed to escape his clutches. Paulsonâs harrowing account of her abduction and assault gave investigators the breakthrough they needed. A search of Hansenâs home revealed an arsenal of weapons, as well as a hidden map marked with the burial sites of his victims.Justice Served
In a dramatic courtroom revelation, Hansen confessed to the murders to avoid the death penalty. He was convicted of four murders but admitted to 17, and was sentenced to 461 years plus life in prison without the possibility of parole. He died in prison in 2014 at the age of 75.sources used for this podcast
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The Butcher, Baker, and Nightmare Maker of Alaska: The Chilling Case of Robert Hansen Part One of Two
For over a decade, the frozen wilderness of Alaska served as the haunting backdrop to one of the most sinister crime sprees in modern history. Robert Hansen, infamously dubbed the "Butcher Baker," lived a double life as a mild-mannered baker and a sadistic predator. Between 1971 and 1983, Hansen raped 30 and murdered at least 17 women, forever etching his name in the annals of true crime infamy.The Early Years of a Predator
Born in Estherville, Iowa, in 1939, Hansen endured a turbulent childhood marked by severe acne and a debilitating stutter. These insecurities led to social isolation, breeding resentment toward women who, he claimed, ridiculed and rejected him. As a young adult, he found solace in two things: hunting and his deepening fantasies of dominance and revenge.From Baker to Monster
Hansen moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in the late 1960s, where he established himself as a successful baker and a family man. Beneath the façade, however, lurked a methodical killer. Hansen would frequent Anchorageâs red-light district, luring sex workers and exotic dancers with promises of money or gifts. Once they were in his control, he subjected them to unspeakable acts of violence.The Hunting Ground
Hansenâs modus operandi was as chilling as it was unique. After abducting his victims, he would fly them in his private plane to remote locations in the Alaskan wilderness. There, he would set them loose, only to hunt them down like animals. Armed with a rifle and a twisted sense of superiority, Hansen turned the vast, snow-covered terrain into his personal killing field.The Victims
Though Hansenâs confirmed victims numbered 17, authorities believe the true toll may be much higher. These women were often marginalized individualsârunaways, sex workers, and dancersâwhose disappearances were tragically overlooked by society. Their bodies, some found years later, bore the horrifying evidence of Hansenâs sadistic games.The Fall of the Butcher Baker
Hansenâs reign of terror came to an end in 1983, thanks to the courage of Cindy Paulson, an 18-year-old sex worker who managed to escape his clutches. Paulsonâs harrowing account of her abduction and assault gave investigators the breakthrough they needed. A search of Hansenâs home revealed an arsenal of weapons, as well as a hidden map marked with the burial sites of his victims.Justice Served
In a dramatic courtroom revelation, Hansen confessed to the murders to avoid the death penalty. He was convicted of four murders but admitted to 17, and was sentenced to 461 years plus life in prison without the possibility of parole. He died in prison in 2014 at the age of 75.sources used for this podcast
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Rod Matthews: The Classmate Killer Who Sought to Feel the Thrill of Murder
Rod Matthews was a seemingly typical 14-year-old boy living in Canton, Massachusetts, in 1986. However, beneath the surface of his suburban life lurked a chilling curiosity: he wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone. His victim? A fellow classmate, Shaun Ouillette.The Build-Up to Murder
Rod Matthews wasnât your average teenager. Classmates described him as quiet, but he had a dark obsession with violent movies and crime stories. As his fascination grew, so did his urge to commit a heinous act. Matthews allegedly told friends that he wanted to kill someone to see how it felt.Shaun Ouillette, a kind-hearted 14-year-old, had no idea that his invitation to hang out with Matthews on November 20, 1986, would be a fatal mistake. Lured into the woods near Matthews' home, Ouillette was brutally beaten to death with a baseball bat.
The Investigation
When Sean didnât return home, his parents reported him missing. Days later, a search party found his body in the woods. The evidence pointed to Matthews, whose friends later admitted that he had confessed to the murder. The chilling part? Matthews seemed disturbingly calm when recounting the crime.Trial and Conviction
Rod Matthews was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Despite his young age, he was tried as an adult and convicted. In 1987, he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years. Matthews has sought parole multiple times, but the nature of his crime and his lack of remorse kept him behind bars for 37 years. In 2024 when Rod was released at the age of 51.The Psychology Behind the Crime
Matthewsâ case is a stark reminder of how untreated mental health issues and violent obsessions can lead to tragedy. Experts who reviewed the case noted that Matthews exhibited signs of psychopathy, including a lack of empathy and a fascination with violence.The Legacy of Sean Ouillette
Shaun Ouilletteâs murder shocked the nation and left a lasting impact on the small community of Canton. His family has worked tirelessly to keep his memory alive, advocating for victims' rights and harsher penalties for juvenile offenders who commit heinous crimes.
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The Edmonton New Yearâs Nightmare: Phu Lamâs Bloody Massacre
Thuy Tien Truong, Lamâs estranged wife, 35 years oldElvis Lam, their 8-year-old sonThanh Ha Thi Truong, Tienâs sister, 33 years oldValentina Nguyen, Haâs daughter, 3years oldVan Dang Truong, Father of Thuy Tien and Ha Truong, 55 years oldThi Dau Le, Mother of Tien, 55 years oldViet Nguyen, Tienâs new boyfriend, 41 years old
On New Yearâs Day 2014, the city of Edmonton, Alberta, was rocked by one of the most horrifying mass murders in Canadian history. Phu Lam, a 59-year-old man, killed eight people, including his wife and young son, before taking his own life. This shocking act of violence left a lasting scar on the community and raised many questions about the man behind the massacre and the events that led to such a tragic outcome.
The Victims
Phu Lamâs rampage claimed the lives of:After carrying out the murders, Lam drove to another residence in Edmonton; the home of David Lu and his wife Cyndi Duong. Cyndi, the daughter of one of Phu Lamâs enemies, he shot and killed her when her father wasnât at her home.
The Crime
Phu Lam began his killing spree at the home he once shared with his wife and her family. Armed with a stolen handgun, he methodically targeted his estranged wife and members of her extended family. Most of the victims were found in their beds, suggesting that they were attacked while sleeping and unable to defend themselves.After committing these heinous acts, Lam drove to the residence of Cyndi Duong where he killed her in front of her children. It is believed to be retribution for a decades-old feud with Duongâs father. Finally, he drove to a Vietnamese restaurant owned by his former common-law wife, where he was working as a maintenance man servicing equipment in her kitchen at the time. Then, using the same gun to take his own life, and was later discovered by police.
Impact on the Community
The Phu Lam murders left the Edmonton community in shock and mourning. Candles and flowers lined the sidewalks near the crime scenes, as neighbors and friends struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the tragedy. Authorities highlighted the importance of addressing domestic violence and mental health issues to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Remembering the Victims
In the wake of the Edmonton mass murder of 2014, friends and community members focused on honoring the victims rather than the perpetrator. The families were described as kind, hardworking, and deeply connected to their community. Little Elvis, at just eight years old, was remembered for being a quiet and kind student. Valentina was only three. Phu Lam and Tien Truongâs one year old daughter was spared, as was Haâs eight-month-old baby.
IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW IS EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC ABUSE, PLEASE CALL 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) OR TEXT "START" TO 88788.
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Christmas is supposed to be a season of joy, family gatherings, and celebration, but in 2007, the holiday took a grim turn for Jack and Elaine Denney of Locust Grove, Oklahoma. The couple, beloved in their tight-knit community, were brutally murdered in their home on December 23rd. What was once a quiet holiday in Cherokee County became a nightmare that sent shockwaves across the stateâand left family and friends searching for answers.
Jack and Elaine Denney, both in their 60s, were known for their kindness and generosity. Jack, a supervisor of mechanical maintenance for the Grand River Dam Authority, and Elaine, a devoted homemaker, had been pillars of their community for years. The thought of anyone harming them was unthinkable. Yet, in the darkness of December 23, their lives were snuffed out in a crime so brutal it shocked seasoned investigators.
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The holiday season of 1987 in Russellville, Arkansas, should have been a time of joy and family togetherness. Instead, it became the setting for one of the most shocking family massacres in U.S. history, orchestrated by Harold Gene Simmons Sr. Over the course of several days, Simmons murdered 16 people, 14 of whom were his own family members, in a calculated spree that left a small town reeling and the nation horrified.
On December 22, 1987, Simmons set his murderous plan into motion. He began by killing his wife, Rebecca, and eldest son, Gene Jr., in their home. He then fatally strangled Gene Jr.'s daughter, his three-year-old granddaughter, Barbara before disposing their bodies in a cesspit he had his children dig earlier on the property.
Then he waited for four of his children to come home from school. When they arrived, one by one, he strangled and drowned them in a rain barrel outside their home.When the other family members arrived for the Christmas holiday on December 26th, Simmons systematically executed them along with their spouses and children, using a variety of methods including strangulation and shooting. Simmons ensured that no one was left alive to escape or call for help.
After annihilating his family, Simmons did not stop. On December 28, he drove to Russellville, Arkansas and targeted former coworkers and acquaintances he believed had wronged him. He killed two and injured four others in a cold-blooded rampage before calmly surrendering to police.
The sheer brutality of Simmons' crimes stunned the nation. In total, he had murdered 16 people, making it one of the deadliest familial massacres in U.S. history. Simmons showed no remorse during his trial and even requested to waive his appeals. He was convicted and sentenced to death, and on June 25, 1990, he was executed by lethal injection at the Arkansas State Penitentiary.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, there is help available. Reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org for confidential support.
For more true crime stories like this one, listen to Hitched 2 Homicide on your favorite podcast platform.
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Thanksgiving. A time for gratitude, family bonding, and epic overeating. But in 2006, the Keller Plaza apartments in Oakland, California, became the stage for a gruesome act of revenge that no amount of gravy could smooth over. Enter Asmerom Gebreselassie, a man whose holiday spirit leaned more toward "killjoy" than "cornbread joy."
A Recipe for Catastrophe
Asmerom Gebreselassie, 47, and his brother Tewodros, 43, didnât exactly bring pumpkin pie to the family gathering that fateful day. Instead, they arrived with a heap of unfounded suspicions and a deadly plan. The brothers were convincedâwithout a shred of evidenceâthat their sister-in-law, Winta Mehari, was responsible for the death of their brother, Abraham Tewolde, earlier that year. Medical experts had already ruled it a natural death, but logic didnât make it onto their Thanksgiving menu.Denied an invitation (because threatening people tends to get you booted from the guest list), Asmerom cooked up a sinister plan. Tewodros, the âfriendlierâ brother, used his rapport with the Mehari family to gain entry to the apartment. Once inside, he called his big brother to crash the feastâand not in the fun âsurprise, I brought wineâ way.
When the Turkey Turned Cold
Asmerom arrived, and the scene quickly turned from awkward family tension to unthinkable horror. Armed and dangerous, he opened fire, killing Winta Mehari (28), her brother Yonas Mehari (17), and their mother Regbe Bahrengasi (50). This wasn't a crime of passion; it was cold, calculated vengeance served with a side of cruelty. The once festive gathering was reduced to chaos, tears, and shattered lives.The Aftermath: A Cold Serving of Justice
The Gebreselassie brothers were arrested and charged with first-degree murder, among other offenses. Their trial in 2011 was as dramatic as a courtroom drama binge on Netflix. Asmerom fired his lawyers, represented himself (badly), and frequently lashed out at the judge. If courtroom antics earned points, Asmerom wouldâve scored big; instead, he earned a lifetime supply of prison sentences.After nearly seven years of delays, a jury found the brothers guilty. Asmerom was sentenced to three consecutive life terms without parole, plus an extra life sentence and another 132 years (just in case). Tewodros wasnât far behind, receiving a similarly hefty punishment.
A Community Carved in Two
Oaklandâs tight-knit Eritrean community was left devastated. Some sided with the brothers, seeing them as victims of systemic injustice, while others rallied behind the Mehari family. The courtroom, packed during the trial, became a powder keg of grief, anger, and divided loyalties.Asmeromâs Encore of Defiance
True to form, Asmerom ended his trial with a dramatic flair. At sentencing, he lashed out at the judge, calling him âcriminalâ and âevil,â before being forcibly removed. Even behind bars, his defiance remained unshakenâbut itâs hard to keep up a vendetta when youâre serving three life sentences.sources used for this podcast
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Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and celebration, but in Chester, Virginia, on November 23, 2017, it turned into a nightmare. Christopher Gattis, a 58-year-old youth pastor, committed an unthinkable act: he murdered his wife, stepdaughter, and her boyfriend, turning a holiday of joy into a story of heartbreak.
To the outside world, Chris Gattis seemed like a respectable man. He worked as a youth pastor at Grace Lutheran Church and was known in the community as calm and devout. But behind the closed doors of his home, there were deep-rooted tensions that no one fully realizedâuntil it was too late.The Victims
Gattis' victims were the people closest to him:
- Jeanett Gattis (58): His wife, known for her warmth and kindness.
- Candice (Candy) Kunze (30): His stepdaughter, full of life and love for her family.
- Andrew Buthorn (36): Candiceâs boyfriend, who had traveled from Oregon to spend Thanksgiving with the Gattis family.
What Happened That Night?
Thanksgiving evening should have been a time for laughter and leftovers, but at the Gattis home on Dogwood Ridge Court, an argument erupted. Though the exact details remain unclear, itâs known that the conflict centered on long-standing tensions between Christopher and his stepdaughter, Candy, as well as her boyfriend, Andrew.
As the argument escalated, Gattis retrieved a .45 caliber handgun. He shot his wife, Jeanett, and stepdaughter inside the home. Andrew tried to escape but was gunned down just outside, in the front yard. Neighbors heard the gunshots, but Chris called the authoritiesânot 911, but his alarm company. When police arrived, they found Chris Gattis calmly waiting on the porch. He was arrested on the spot.
Why Did It Happen?
There had been friction between Chris and Candy. Gattis reportedly disapproved of the couple staying in his home. These tensions came to a boiling point that Thanksgiving night, resulting in unimaginable violence.What Happened to Chris Gattis?
Christ Gattis was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. A year later, in November 2018, he pled guilty to all charges. The court sentenced him to 58 years of which heâs required by the state of Virginia to serve 85% of the time. He will be 109 before heâs eligible for parole.How Did the Community React?
The murders stunned the Chester community and left members of Grace Lutheran Church grappling with how someone they trusted could commit such horrific acts.A Sobering Reminder
The Gattis case is a chilling example of how unresolved family tensions can turn deadly. Domestic violence isnât always obvious, and even households that seem stable can hide serious issues.If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org. No one should have to face such pain alone.
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On January 16, 1984, a young family was found brutally murdered in their Aurora, Colorado home. Patricia Smith, a 50-year-old mother and grandmother, had been bludgeoned to death with a hammer. Days later, on January 19, an even more horrifying scene was discovered in Lakewood, Colorado, where Bruce, Debra, and Melissa Bennett were murdered in their family home. Bruce and Debra were found bludgeoned to death with a hammer, and 7-year-old Melissa was also killed in the attack. Only 3-year-old Vanessa Bennett survived, albeit with severe injuries.
The murders bore the same signature style â the brutal use of a hammer and intense violence. Investigators suspected they were dealing with the same killer, but despite exhaustive efforts, the case went cold for decades. The "Hammer Killer" was nowhere to be found. Until he was. Don't miss this episode of Hitched 2 Homicide where families finally have closure and justice.
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The Deadly Obsession of Christa Pike: The Devil in the Details
Born on March 10, 1976, Christa Pike grew up with a difficult family life. Her troubled upbringing involved abuse, neglect, and struggles with mental healthâfactors that, while tragic, would never justify the choices she made as a young woman. By her late teens, Christa found herself at Job Corps, a program designed to help troubled young adults get back on track by providing them with education and training. Here, she met and quickly fell for 17-year-old Tadaryl Shipp, a charismatic young man who would become more than just a boyfriend. Together, they would ignite a deadly obsession.The Backstory: Love, Obsession, and Dark Beliefs
Christa Pike and Tadaryl Shippâs relationship was intense and volatile. They were both drawn to the occult, dabbling in devil worship and dark rituals, something that set them apart and fed their shared intensity. Pikeâs obsession with Shipp was fierce, almost possessive, and she was jealous of anyone she thought might interfere. | One person, in particular, fueled Christaâs jealousy: Colleen Slemmer. Colleen, a fellow Job Corps student, had reportedly irritated Christa with minor slights. Pike became convinced that Colleen was trying to seduce Tadaryl, a suspicion that spiraled quickly in her mind.The Crime: A Night of Horror
On January 12, 1995, Christa Pike, Tadaryl Shipp, and a mutual friend named Shadolla Peterson lured Colleen Slemmer into a secluded, wooded area on the University of Tennesseeâs agricultural campus in Knoxville. Colleen thought they were going for a walk, perhaps to resolve whatever tension had built up between them. But what awaited her was no peace talkâit was a nightmare. | For the next thirty minutes, Colleen endured torture at the hands of Christa and Tadaryl. Christa Pike smashed Colleenâs skull with a large chunk of asphalt, ultimately killing her. But Pike wasnât finished. As a final, chilling souvenir, she kept a piece of Colleenâs skull, carrying it with her as if it were a trophy of her conquest.The Aftermath: An Unraveled Crime
Christa Pikeâs arrogance proved to be her undoing. Bragging about the murder to friends, she showed off the fragment of Colleenâs skull as though it were a badge of honor. News of her boasting quickly spread through the Job Corps community and reached the ears of authorities. Within 36 hours, Christa Pike and Tadaryl Shipp were arrested. | During questioning, Pike showed no remorse, relaying the horrific details of the murder with chilling indifference. The physical evidence against her was overwhelming, including Colleenâs blood on her clothes and the skull fragment she had so brazenly kept as a memento. | In 1996, Christa Pike was found guilty of first-degree murder. The court, clearly appalled by the brutality of the crime, sentenced her to death. She was just 20 years old, making her the youngest woman on death row in the United States at the time.sources used for this podcast
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The Liske family seemed, on the surface, like any other. William Liske Sr. lived with his wife, Susan Liske, and her two sons, Derek and Devon, in a comfortable home nestled in the rural stretches of Oak Harbor, Ohio. But underneath this facade lay a brewing tension, especially between BJ and his step-mother. BJâs relationship with his family was strained, complicated by years of mental health struggles, previous altercations, and brushes with the law. Though BJ was no stranger to conflict, no one could have foreseen the murder of his father, stepmother and stepbrother on Halloween morning.
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The Chilling Halloween Night Murder of Peter Fabiano
Halloween night is supposed to be a time for tricks, treats, and innocent fun. But on October 31, 1957, one seemingly routine knock on the door in Los Angeles turned into a real-life nightmare. Peter Fabiano, a husband, father, and owner of a successful beauty salon, opened his door that evening, unaware that what awaited him wasnât a typical trick-or-treater, but cold-blooded murder.The Night of the Crime
It was just past 11 PM when Fabianoâs wife, Betty, heard the knock at their door. Peter answered, expecting late-night trick-or-treaters. Instead, a figure stood at the door dressed in a mask, aiming a paper bag toward him. Without warning, a shot rang out. Peter collapsed, and his life was over in an instant. The shooter fled into the night, leaving behind a shocked neighborhood and a grieving wife.A Case of Jealousy and Deception
It wasnât long before investigators began to uncover a tangled web of secrets, betrayal, and forbidden love. Betty Fabiano revealed to police that her husband had a falling out with a woman named Joan Rabel, a photographer with a peculiar interest in their marriage.As detectives dug deeper, they discovered that Rabel harbored romantic feelings for Betty and was intensely jealous of Peterâs role in her life. Rabel recruited her friend, a troubled woman named Goldeen Pizer, to carry out the murder. Pizer, captivated by Rabelâs manipulation, agreed to pull the trigger. On that fateful night, Pizer donned the disguise of a trick-or-treater and shot Peter Fabiano at point-blank range.
Justice for Peter Fabiano
The case shocked Los Angeles, not only for the brutal nature of the crime but also for the motive behind itâa twisted love triangle culminating in murder. Both Rabel and Pizer were eventually caught and confessed to their roles in the killing. In 1958, they were convicted of second-degree murder, with both women sentenced to prison.
To this day, Peter Fabianoâs murder serves as a reminder of how jealousy, manipulation, and obsession can spiral into unimaginable violence.
If you're fascinated by true crime stories like this, be sure to listen to our latest episode of Hitched 2 Homicide, where we delve even deeper into the plans of Joan Rabel to win back the affections of Betty Fabiano.
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February 18, 1949, London England. Mrs. Olive Henrietta Olivia Robarts Durand-Deacon is meeting a man at his workshop to discuss her new invention, false fingernails. What Olive doesnât know, is that the man she knew as a perfectly pressed and manicured neighbor, was actually a scam artist and serial killer who was going to murder her and put her body into a vat of sulphuric acid. Like the other wealthy victims, heâd lured with promises of business deals only to steal their assets, she was joining five other victims whose bodies were already sludge. This is a story of greed, narcissism and murder. This is John George Haigh. The Acid Bath Killer.
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