Criminal

Black and white illustration of six windows on the side of a building. Three of the windows have people looking out.

The Man Nobody Killed

Episode #324

2025-07-11 05:00:23

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On September 15, 1983, Michael Stewart was on his way home from a nightclub in New York when police arrested him. Thirteen days later, he was dead. 
Black and white illustration of a beach at night with a full moon in the sky. There are two people on the beach looking at giant three-toed footprints in the sand with flashlights.

The Clearwater Monster

Episode #323

2025-07-04 05:00:19

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Early one morning in 1948, a phone call woke up the police chief in the small town of Clearwater, Florida. The caller said he’d seen something strange at the beach. Residents had found an odd set of footprints in the sand, and a rumor began circulating that Clearwater Beach had a sea monster.
Black and white illustration of an older man in a suit and tie holding a fedora to the side of his face. He has a very slight smile.

Uncle Harold

Episode #322

2025-06-27 05:00:35

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In 1997, Eric Konigsberg received a strange voicemail from someone in prison — a hit man who had confessed to at least ten murders. Eric and the man had never spoken before, but Eric had a hunch about who it was: his uncle.
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

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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

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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

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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

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“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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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“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

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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

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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

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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

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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.