Craving Crimes

Come along with me as we explore the infamous case known as the University of Idaho murders. In this episode, we'll delve into the lives of the four victims: Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. We'll dissect the chilling details that led up to the tragedy on November 13, 2022, unravel how the perpetrator, 28-year-old Bryan Kohberger, a PhD Criminology student, was caught, and so much more. Stay tuned for an in-depth exploration of this unsettling series of events. Listen to Craving Crimes, a podcast by the Criminology and Criminal Justice Collective at the University of Michigan Dearborn.

David Kroupa, also known as Dave, is a recently single father of two. He moved to Omaha Nebraska to become close to his children. Since he is single, he is so ready to mingle. So, he signs up for online dating. Soon, he is matched with  Liz Goylar, a single mother of two. Dave is not looking for anything serious and Liz is seemingly okay with that. However, this relationship fizzles out. He soon meets Cari Goylar at his mechanic dealership. She is also on the same dating site as Dave. They click instantly and he even invites her to his apartment. Then, a knock on his door changes everything.

In this episode of the Craving Crimes Podcast, we explore the haunting tale of the Zodiac Killer, an unidentified serial murderer who terrorized Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. We discuss the elusive killer's uncertain origins, the captivating yet frustrating police investigation, and the enduring mystery of the case. Learn about the various theories surrounding the Zodiac Killer's identity and the profound impact of these crimes on popular culture and the world of true crime. Join us as we unravel one of the most enigmatic and chilling criminal cases in history, including how the Zodiac Killer targeted teen couples, adding an even more sinister dimension to his crimes.

Some high heels are “to die for,” but for this South Dakota man, they’re “to kill for”. Jerome “Jerry” Brudos had a deep fascination for women’s footwear and undergarments that he would follow women and sexually assault them. Then, he murdered four women between the years of 1968 and 1969. He would dress their dead bodies in undergarments and take photos of them. Then, he would cut off a body part to leave as a trophy for himself. After, he would tie their body parts to a car part and toss them into the Long Tom River in Oregon where he was residing. His obsession with high heels gave him the nickname, “The Shoe Fetish Slayer.”

The Black Dahlia Murder is a term that refers to the unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short, a young woman who was found brutally killed and mutilated in Los Angeles in 1947. Her body was discovered on January 15, 1947, in a vacant lot in the Leimert Park neighborhood. The body was cut in half, drained of blood, and posed in a provocative manner. The murder of Elizabeth Short became one of the most sensational and widely publicized crimes of the 20th century, with media coverage and speculation surrounding the case continuing to this day. The crime scene was thoroughly investigated, and numerous suspects were questioned, but no one was ever charged with the murder. The case has also become a subject of fascination for true crime enthusiasts and amateur investigators, who continue to analyze and speculate about the identity of the killer.

"The Dating Game". A popular American television show where bachelorettes choose between three available men that are looking for love to go on a date with and, hopefully, find something more. Except, what happens when one of the striking bachelors turns out to be a convicted murderer? Rodney Alcala appeared on (and won) "The Dating Game" in 1978, after having committed the murders of two women and taking the lives of multiple more. His reign of terror certainly does not make him a very appealing bachelor anymore.

Molly was dropped off by her mother Magi to begin her eighth day of work as a lifeguard at Comins Pond in Warren, Massachusetts. Shortly thereafter, the first of the children and their parents arrived for swimming lessons. They noticed that Molly was not at her post. Molly's water bottle, sandals, beach chair, whistle, police radio, and first aid kit where left behind. A search of the area did not reveal what happened to her; she had disappeared without a trace.

Joe “The Cannibal” Metheny raped and butchered at least 10 people through the 1990s, targeting sex workers and the homeless. In addition to the murders, he saved the meatiest parts of the victims from being mixed with beef and pork, which were made into hamburgers. These were sold to unsuspecting passersby at his barbecue pit stand outside his home. According to Metheny, the human body tasted very similar to pork; if you mixed it together, no one could tell. For what he has done, he expressed no remorse.

Brandon Swanson, the man who allegedly disappeared into thin air.  Brandon Swanson disappeared the night of May 14th, 2008. Extensive searches have found no body to this day or any trace of the college student who allegedly left a party with his friends that night. With no physical evidence, dead ends, and no leads, one question remains: Where is Brandon Swanson?

On May 6, 1996, Sherri Dally dropped her kids off at school and then went to run some errands at her local store. Little did she know, she would never make it home. Behind her she left her purchases, van, purse, and a trail of unanswered questions. The only suspects? Her husband and his apparent mistress. Who could do such a thing to an innocent mother. The answer might be closer than you think.