Criminal

Black and white illustration of objects circling a black circle at the center of the image. The objects include: A set of bongos, a British passport, a stack of books, a key, a van, a camera, a hunting hound, and a three-ring binder with the text "Tradecraft binder 2."

By Any Means Necessary

Episode #321

2025-06-20 05:00:07

Download

In July 2010, a woman was on vacation with her boyfriend of six years — they were traveling around Italy in a van. One day, she was looking for a pair of sunglasses in the glove box, and she found a passport. It had her boyfriend’s photo — but a different name.
Black and white illustration of an EKG readout, with the line suddenly dropping around the 20 second marker, demonstrating an atrial flutter.

The Guru

Episode #320

2025-06-13 05:00:07

Download

In the late 1960s, a yogi named Swami Rama came to the United States. His followers believed he could read their minds, visit them in their dreams, and manipulate reality. Shruti Swamy was one of them.
Black and white illustration of a lemur sitting on a tree branch, looking directly at the viewer.

Professor Quaalude

Episode #319

2025-06-06 05:00:40

Download

John Buettner-Janusch was one of the first Americans to study lemurs. He held prestigious faculty positions at Yale, Duke and NYU, before surprising everyone with a series of increasingly bizarre crimes.
A black and white illustration of a long and steep waterslide ending with an upside down twist. In the background are clouds gathering.

Action Park

Episode #318

2025-05-23 05:00:31

Download

“Anyone who went to Action Park understood you could get really messed up going there. It was part of why you wanted to go.”
Black and white digital illustration of a game show set with two contestant stands, one displaying 18 points and the other displaying 10 points.

No Hint or Help

Episode #317

2025-05-16 05:00:19

Download

In the 1950s, a new television quiz show premiered called Twenty One. But the first episode was a disaster — so the producers decided to try something.
A black and white illustration of poppies in a vase that are drooping.

False Positive

Episode #316

2025-05-09 05:00:53

Download

The night before she gave birth, Susan Horton had a salad for dinner. The next day, doctors told her she’d tested positive for opiates - and reported her to child welfare authorities.
A drawing of a white pregnancy test on a black background. The test is positive.

Tabatha

Episode #315

2025-05-02 05:00:30

Download

When Tabatha Trammell was 50 years old, she started studying to become a doula — a support person for pregnant women. Today, most of her clients are incarcerated. She says she always tells them her own story when she meets them: “I went down that same road. But I'm here today. And I'm going to tell you how to navigate this prison system.”
An illustration of prison bars.

The Job

Episode #314

2025-04-25 05:00:53

Download

Frank Thompson had to prepare his staff to perform Oregon's first lethal injection in three decades. They simulated each step of the process over and over and over.
A black and white illustration of a shelving unit with boxes on it. At the bottom is a hole in the wall, with human legs sticking out of it while crawling through.

The Roofman, Part 2

Episode #313

2025-04-18 05:00:26

Download

“Was I surprised that he escaped? Not really.”
A black and white illustration of a McDonald's from above. There is a ladder leading to the roof, and a shadowed figure crouching by a hole in the roof.

The Roofman, Part 1

Episode #312

2025-04-11 05:00:29

Download

Between 1998 and 2000, more than 40 stores and chain restaurants across the country were robbed by a masked man who always entered through the roof. Police couldn’t figure out where he’d turn up next.
A black and white illustration of a weekly newspaper cover, with the word "Independent" written on the front. There is a cover photograph of a woman with short hair, smiling.

The Pride of Pine Hill

Episode #311

2025-04-04 05:00:25

Download

In the midst of the 1996 race for North Carolina governor, a new candidate emerged. Her name was Jolene Strickland, and her campaign slogan was “Too Good to be True.”
A black and white illustration of a rock face with a single sneaker laying on it.

The Bottom of the Cliff

Episode #310

2025-03-28 05:00:16

Download

In May of 2021, the National Park Service received a call that a woman had fallen over the Grandview Overlook at New River Gorge National Park. After days of searching with rappel lines, infrared cameras, and dogs, they didn't find anyone.
Black and white illustration of a long and skinny envelope that reads, "Last Will and Testament."

The Man Without a Will

Episode #309

2025-03-21 05:00:48

Download

A Toronto police officer was having an affair with a government worker – and then they found out about an elderly man who died with a large estate, and no will.

High Tide

Episode #308

2025-03-14 05:00:44

Download

Right after sunset, three boats sailed towards the rice plantations on the Combahee River. Harriet Tubman knew they had to hurry - they only had six hours before the changing tide would make it very difficult to get away.
A black and white digital illustration of a set table. In the middle, there is a bowl of food, topped with fruit. Around the bowl, there are other food items – a croissant on a plate and a salad – as well as a napkin, a restaurant menu, tableware and glasses.

Five Stars

Episode #307

2025-03-07 05:00:13

Download

“Christopher Kinahan is probably the most successful and entrepreneurial criminal that Ireland has ever produced.”
Illustration of a Texas House of Representatives seal, with part of the seal cut off by the edges of the frame. At the center of the seal is a star surrounded by branches of leaves.

The Stay

Episode #306

2025-02-28 05:00:08

Download

Last year, a committee of state lawmakers in Texas issued a subpoena for a man on death row to testify four days after he was scheduled to be executed. Today, what happened next in Robert Roberson's case.