Episodes

  • Writer, researcher, and podcaster Michael Butterfield returns for Part 3 of our discussion on the Zodiac case. In this episode, we discuss the murder of Paul Stine, a cab driver who was shot and killed by the Zodiac on October 11, 1969, in San Francisco.

    Michael is the host of the podcast Zodiac: A to Z and the author of the upcoming book The Zodiac Killer: The Story of America’s Most Elusive Murderer, scheduled for release on May 6, 2025.

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    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

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  • Writer, researcher, and podcaster Michael Butterfield returns for Part 2 of our discussion on the Zodiac case. In this episode, we focus on the chilling attack at Lake Berryessa on September 27, 1969. The victims were college students Cecelia Shepard and Bryan Hartnell. While Bryan survived, Cecelia tragically succumbed to her injuries.

    Michael walks us through the details of this attack and how it differed from the earlier shootings. We discuss what the killer’s behavior may reveal, and how it fits within the broader pattern of attacks attributed to the Zodiac.

    Michael is the host of Zodiac: A to Z and the author of the upcoming book The Zodiac Killer: The Story of America’s Most Elusive Murderer, scheduled for release on May 6, 2025.

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    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

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  • Writer, researcher, and podcaster Michael Butterfield joins us to examine the series of murders attributed to the person who called himself the Zodiac. Michael has dedicated 30-plus years to investigating this case. In this episode, we discuss the earliest known attacks: the December 20, 1968, murders of Betty Lou Jensen and David Faraday on Lake Herman Road in Benicia, California, and the July 4, 1969, shooting of Darlene Ferrin and Michael Mageau at Blue Rock Springs Park in Vallejo, California. (Michael survived.)

    You can listen to Michael's podcast, Zodiac: A to Z, a deep-dive series that methodically examines the Zodiac Killer case, exploring each suspect, clue, and theory with a focus on separating fact from speculation. Michael also has an upcoming book titled The Zodiac Killer: The Story of America's Most Elusive Murderer, scheduled for release on May 6, 2025.

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    For additional information and resources, please visit our episode website: https://www.truecrimeconsult.com/80-profiling-the-zodiac-killer-part-1/

    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

    If you enjoyed this episode, consider supporting us on Patreon for early and ad-free episodes. Visit Patreon.com/theconsultpod to become a subscriber.

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  • We answer listener questions about our analysis of the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee.

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    For additional information and resources, please visit our episode website: https://www.truecrimeconsult.com/79-profiling-the-murderer-of-hae-min-lee-listener-questions/

    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

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  • We continue our analysis of the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee, exploring her victimology and risk level. We then conclude with our assessment of the offender’s characteristics and motive.

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    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

    If you enjoyed this episode, consider supporting us on Patreon for early and ad-free episodes. Visit Patreon.com/theconsultpod to become a subscriber.

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  • We begin our examination of the murder of 18-year-old Hae Min Lee, who disappeared after school on January 13, 1999. Nearly a month later, on February 9, her body was discovered in Baltimore’s Leakin Park. In this episode, we break down the circumstances of her disappearance, the crime scene, and the autopsy. Through an in-depth discussion of behavior, we analyze what it reveals about the offender and their possible motive. Part 1 of 2.

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    For additional information and resources, please visit our episode website: https://www.truecrimeconsult.com/77-profiling-the-murderer-of-hae-min-lee-part-1/

     

    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

     

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  • Retired FBI agent and senior polygraph examiner George Olivo joins The Consult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the polygraph. With years of experience administering polygraphs, he explains how they really work, their strengths and limitations, and the myths that have surrounded them.

    For more information about George Olivo and his services, please visit his website: https://georgeolivo.com/

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    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

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  • Jason Usry, host of the new podcast Inconceivable: The Story of Temujin Kensu, joins The Consult to discuss his investigation into the 1986 murder of Scott Macklem. Temujin Kensu was convicted of the crime, but many believe he was wrongfully convicted. Jason approached the case with an open mind, initially assuming Kensu’s innocence before uncovering more complex truths. This episode explores his journey, his visit to Michigan, and conversations with those involved.

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  • In this episode, we discuss Ellen Greenberg’s victimology and give our final thoughts.

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    For additional information and resources, please visit our episode website: https://www.truecrimeconsult.com/74-the-death-of-ellen-greenberg-part-4/

    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

    If you enjoyed this episode, consider supporting us on Patreon for early and ad-free episodes. Visit Patreon.com/theconsultpod to become a subscriber.

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  • We continue our examination of Ellen Greenberg’s death. In this episode, we discuss the 911 call.

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    For additional information and resources, please visit our episode website: https://www.truecrimeconsult.com/73-the-death-of-ellen-greenberg-part-3/

    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

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  • We continue our in-depth examination of Ellen Greenberg’s death. In this episode, we analyze and debate the autopsy findings, exploring the key findings and their implications. Part 2 of 4.

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    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

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  • In this episode of The Consult, we begin our examination of the death of Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old teacher found dead in her Philadelphia apartment in 2011. Initially ruled a homicide, her manner of death was later changed to suicide - despite 20 stab wounds, including injuries to the back of her neck. This controversial case has led to ongoing legal battles and lingering questions. We begin by breaking down the crime scene and key case facts, in our quest to answer whether Ellen’s death was truly self-inflicted. Part 1 of 4.

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    For additional information and resources, please visit our episode website: https://www.truecrimeconsult.com/71-the-death-of-ellen-greenberg-part-1/

    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

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  • In this episode, retired FBI profiler Julia Cowley talks with Heidi Miller and Erin Ryan of the Sherry Black Foundation. Heidi’s mother, Sherry Black, was brutally murdered in 2010, and her case remained unsolved for years. Through perseverance and forensic advancements, justice was finally served. Now, Heidi and her family are dedicated to helping others find answers through their foundation.

    Erin Ryan, the Executive Director of the foundation, discusses their mission to support law enforcement through advanced training, resources, and advocacy for families of violent crime victims. We explore how investigative genetic genealogy, law enforcement collaboration, and community engagement are shaping the future of solving cold cases.

    Learn more about the Sherry Black Foundation here: www.sherryblackfoundation.org.

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    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

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  • In this episode, FBI profiler Julia Cowley is joined again by Detective Ben Pender of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Department to discuss the 2010 murder of Sherry Black in South Salt Lake City, Utah. Ben provides a step-by-step account of the investigation, sharing how Sherry’s killer was ultimately identified and brought to justice.

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    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

    If you enjoyed this episode, consider supporting us on Patreon for early and ad-free episodes. Visit Patreon.com/theconsultpod to become a subscriber.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  • In this episode of The Consult, retired FBI profiler Julia Cowley is joined by Detective Ben Pender of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Department to discuss the 2010 murder of Sherry Black in South Salt Lake City, Utah. Sherry, the owner of a local bookstore, was found stabbed and beaten to death by her husband, Earl, in her store. Julia and Ben discuss his background in law enforcement, the details of this haunting case, and the victimology surrounding Sherry's life and tragic death. This is Part 1 of a two-part series.

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    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

    If you enjoyed this episode, consider supporting us on Patreon for early and ad-free episodes. Visit Patreon.com/theconsultpod to become a subscriber.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  • In this episode of The Consult, retired FBI profiler Julia Cowley talks with former FBI Assistant Director Frank Figliuzzi to discuss his book, Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers. They explore the chilling reality of transient predators operating along America's highways, the behavioral patterns that define these offenders, and the victimology. Frank shares fascinating insights into the collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies that led to critical breakthroughs, as well as the challenges and triumphs of pursuing justice for these often-overlooked victims.

    To learn more about Frank and his work, please visit his website: FrankFigliuzzi.com. You can also purchchase Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers here: Amazon.

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    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

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  • We conclude our discussion with writer Jeffrey Cintolo about the unsolved murder of 19-year-old Theresa Corley. Theresa’s body was found on December 8, 1978, in a gully alongside Interstate 495 in Bellingham, Massachusetts.

    If you have any information about Theresa Corley’s murder, please contact the Bellingham Police Tip Line at (508) 657-2863 or email [email protected].

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    For additional information and resources, please visit our episode website: https://www.truecrimeconsult.com/66-the-unsolved-murder-of-theresa-corley-part-3/

    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

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  • We continue our discussion with writer Jeffrey Cintolo about the unsolved murder of 19-year-old Theresa Corley. Theresa’s body was found on December 8, 1978, in a gully alongside Interstate 495 in Bellingham, Massachusetts. Jeffrey is writing a book about Theresa's case. Part 2 of 3.

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    https://www.truecrimeconsult.com/65-the-unsolved-murder-of-theresa-corley-part-2/

    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

    If you enjoyed this episode, consider supporting us on Patreon for early and ad-free episodes. Visit Patreon.com/theconsultpod to become a subscriber.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  • In this episode of The Consult, we delve into the unsolved murder of Theresa Corley, a 19-year-old woman whose body was discovered on December 8, 1978, in a gully alongside Interstate 495 in Bellingham, Massachusetts. Joining us is writer Jeffrey Cintolo, who is currently working on a book about Theresa’s case. We discuss the facts surrounding her murder, the investigation, and the lingering questions that remain over four decades later. Part 1 of 3.

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    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

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  • Jack Fox, the host of Never A Truer Word on YouTube, joins Julia Cowley for an in-depth discussion on statement analysis. They discuss its significance, Jack’s methodology, common indicators of truthfulness and deception, and the challenges involved in applying the technique. The conversation also delves into Jack’s analysis of The Watcher case, and he offers some of his fascinating insights.

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    Music “Light in the Basement” by John Hanske. Listen to more of John’s music on Spotify.

    If you enjoyed this episode, consider supporting us on Patreon for early and ad-free episodes. Visit Patreon.com/theconsultpod to become a subscriber.

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