True Blue Crime

On January 9th, 2008, 22 year old Sophie Elliot was attacked in Dunedin, New Zealand by her ex-boyfriend. He would later try to use a 1961 law aimed at protecting victims of domestic abuse to get his crime reduced from murder to manslaughter. News of the violent murder and the use of the law sparked outrage in the low-crime country and the outcome of the trial contributed to changes in New Zealand law and an attempt by police to teach young people about toxic relationships. Listen along as we break down our 12th international episode with the tragic murder of a promising young woman. Music by Gioele Fazzeri from Pixabay.

After meeting Gabby's family at CrimeCon 2023, I felt I needed to redo Gabby's story and present it in a way that highlights not just what happened to her but the mission the foundation named after her is all about. When her tragic murder was front page news across the country in 2021, there was a lot discussion about the how it happened but not much about why it happened. In this two part series we will tell Gabby's story and talk about the dangerous relationship she found herself in and how we can prevent acts of domestic violence and homicide for women like Gabby. Music by Gioele Fazzeri from Pixabay.

After meeting Gabby's family at CrimeCon 2023, I felt I needed to redo Gabby's story and present it in a way that highlights not just what happened to her but the mission the foundation named after her is all about. When her tragic murder was front page news across the country in 2021, there was a lot discussion about the how it happened but not much about why it happened. In this two part series we will tell Gabby's story and talk about the dangerous relationship she found herself in and how we can prevent acts of domestic violence and homicide for women like Gabby. Music by Gioele Fazzeri from Pixabay.

In 2016, high school student Emma Walker was found deceased on her bed with a single gunshot wound to the head. Her ex boyfriend, who had cultivated an extremely unhealthy relationship with the young woman, was eventually found guilty of her murder after it was proven that he shot into the bedroom to scare her into dating him again and one of the shots proved to be fatal. Listen along as we use this story as a chance to discuss the signs and dangers of unhealthy relationships and remember a young woman filled with life and promise who lost her life under such tragic circumstances. Music by Gioele Fazzeri from Pixabay.

On Halloween night in 1974, a father took his two children out trick or treating. After returning home the children were allowed to eat on piece of candy before bed. Eight year old Timothy chose a giant pixy stix and after his father helped him open the tube containing the candy powder, the boy ingested some of the treat but immediately complained about a bitter taste. His father gave him some Kool-Aid to help swallow the powder but soon Timothy was vomiting and convulsing. He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead with cyanide poisoning. The resulting police investigation would reveal a sinister plot, scarier than any horror movie. Listen along as we discuss the tragic death of Timothy O'Bryan and the Candy Man Killer. Music by Gioele Fazzeri from Pixabay.

In 1990, in an affluent neighborhood outside West Palm Beach, FL, a person dressed as a clown delivered two balloons and some flowers to an unexpecting homeowner. After handing the items over the suspect shot and killed the homeowner and calmly walked away. The case would go on to be known as the Killer Clown case and for over 30 years the killer of Marlene Warren escaped justice. While investigators had a solid suspect early on it took advances in DNA to finally put the killer behind bars. Listen along as we discuss this troubling and frustrating case. Music by Gioele Fazzeri from Pixabay

In 2006 a 31 year old man named Daniel Ott was killed in a what police believed to be a murder for hire. The victim's background yielded no clues as to why he was targeted for death but after six months, investigators found another Daniel Ott in the area that was a much more likely victim and believed the younger Daniel was killed because he shared a name with a marked man. Listen along as we discuss the murder of Daniel Ott. Music by Gioele Fazzeri from Pixabay

On November 2, 2021 a beloved Spanish teacher from Fairfield, IA was killed while walking in a city park. The investigation revealed that two students were responsible for the murder and the motive revolved around the teacher giving one of the suspects a failing grade. Listen along as we discuss the sad and infuriating case of Nohema Graber. Music by Gioele Fazzeri from Pixabay

In 1984, the small village of Manley Hot Springs Alaska was the scene of a gruesome spree killing. A 25 year old man on the run from law enforcement in Illinois and Alaska killed seven people at a boat landing outside town. He had just killed his neighbor a couple week earlier and as law enforcement closed in, he shot and killed a trooper before being killed by the trooper's partner. Listen along as we discuss the brutal case of the Manley Hot Springs Massacre. Music by Gioele Fazzeri from Pixabay

In 1920 an Italian immigrant named Charles Ponzi found a legal way to get rich but he needed investment money. He convinced people he could double their money in 90 days and within 6 months he grew a company from nothing to be worth almost half a billion in today's money. His house of cards came crashing down and he spent 14 years in prison before being deported back to Italy and eventually dying penniless in Brazil in the late 1940's. Listen along as we discuss the life and crimes of the man behind the birth of the Ponzi scheme. Music by Gioele Fazzeri from Pixabay