True Crime Society

True Crime Society

Listen in as Stephanie and Olivia from the popular True Crime Society social media accounts chat about the latest cases taking the internet by storm. In this casual and conversational podcast, the hosts breakdown timelines and go over the most popular (and sometimes ridiculous) theories. read less

Our Editor's Take

True Crime Society started as a Facebook group run by Stephanie Summer and Olivia McKenzie. This popular forum was a place for people to discuss true crime. Stephanie and Olivia launched their podcast in 2020. The True Crime Society podcast is on a mission to investigate the most curious crimes and cases. Every week, the hosts select a real-life crime to share with listeners.

True Crime Society focuses on both high-profile and lesser-known crimes. The hosts discuss stories relating to the fascinating world of cults. They talk about Teal Swan, who claims she is part human, part extraterrestrial. They look at the details of the mysterious murders of American sisters Anne and Robin Korkki. The real-life story that inspired the Netflix series The Watcher is a topic of discussion on the show.

Stephanie and Olivia don't simply retell the stories of the crimes. They consider the significance of the timelines of the crimes. They consider fascinating and controversial theories. They encourage listeners to join in on the thought-provoking discussions.

Before the hosts get into the dark and twisted tales, each episode begins with some light conversation. Listeners get to know Stephanie and Olivia on a personal level. The duo share details about their lives.

Stephanie and Olivia share updates on the cases on their social media channels. The show's Instagram handle is @truecrimesociety. They may announce recent arrests or developments in the cases they've discussed on the show. They also post information from each episode on their truecrimesocietyblog.com blog.

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Alleged Murderer & Children's "Author" Kouri Richins | Beau Mann Found Deceased
May 25 2023
Alleged Murderer & Children's "Author" Kouri Richins | Beau Mann Found Deceased
In March 2022, Kouri and Eric Richins were apparently celebrating the purchase of a new multi-million dollar home.  Kouri made her husband a Moscow Mule and took it to him in bed, as part of the celebrations.  Kouri went to bed and when she woke, she found Eric cold and dead in their bed. After he died, Kouri wrote a children’s book regarding grief titled ‘Are you with me?’  Police eventually determined that Eric died from a fentanyl overdose.   Following a police investigation, police determined that Kouri allegedly purchased the fentanyl on the black market, days before Eric died.  She had also taken out numerous life insurance policies on her husband.  Eric had learned of some of the life insurance changes before his death, and he wrote Kouri out of his will.  When she found this out, she assaulted a family member of Eric’s. In May 2023, Kouri was arrested and charged one first degree felony count of aggravated murder, as well as three second degree felony counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. There has been a huge update in the case of missing person Beau Mann.  We first covered Beau’s case in February 2022.  In April 2023, Beau’s remains were found in the yard of an abandoned building in Santa Monica, just 0.2 miles from where he was dropped off in an Uber.   In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss the cases of Wicked Wife, Kouri Richins and the recovery of Beau Mann. ** If you’d like to skip straight to the crime content, please goto (8:12) ** Read our blog for Eric’s case - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/05/22/wicked-wives-kouri-richins/ Read our blog for Beau Mann - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/05/08/beau-mann-found-deceased-in-a-yard-in-los-angeles/ This episode is sponsored by: MasterClass – With MasterClass, you can learn from the world’s best minds – anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace.  Visit MasterClass.com/tcs to get 15% off an annual membership.
The Mysterious Death of John O'Keefe
May 11 2023
The Mysterious Death of John O'Keefe
On January 29, 2022, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe went out for a night of drinking with his girlfriend Karen Read.  After midnight, they decided to leave the bars and head to an after-party at a friend’s home.   What happened next is unclear.  We know that both John and Karen were likely intoxicated.  Karen eventually told police that she felt unwell so she dropped John off and headed home.  She woke up at around 5am and realized that John had not returned home.  She started retracing her steps and she went back to the house where the after-party was held.  There she found John’s cold and lifeless body in the snow.   This case is very convoluted.  Karen was charged with manslaughter following John’s death – her SUV had apparent damage to the back and it was insinuated that she hit him while driving intoxicated.  In the past few weeks though, Karen’s attorneys have filed documents that indicate there may have been a cover up by John’s colleagues, other members of law enforcement.  It is claimed that John was likely beaten to death at the after-party and that he may have been attacked by a dog on the premises.  An attendee at the after-party also googled ‘how long to die in the cold’ at around 2.30am on the morning that John died.   In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss the death of John O’Keefe – was he killed by his girlfriend or is there a cover-up involving law enforcement?   You can read our blog for this case - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/05/07/what-happened-to-john-okeefe/     If you’d like to skip straight to the crime content, please goto (7:03) for updates on Madeline Kingsbury, Casey and Vicky White. Please go to (12:36) for the start of the John O'Keefe episode.
The Abduction & Rescue of Elizabeth Smart
Apr 20 2023
The Abduction & Rescue of Elizabeth Smart
Elizabeth Smart was 14 years old in June 2002. She was asleep in a bedroom with her younger sister when her life would change forever. Brian David Mitchell broke into the Smart home and abducted Elizabeth.  She was held captive and subjected to rape and abuse.    Brian’s wife Wanda Barzee was part of the plan.  The couple even took Elizabeth out in public - she was photographed at a party months after she was abducted. Thankfully in March 2003, an astute member of the public recognized Elizabeth in Sandy, Utah - even though she was wearing a grey wig and a veil.   Police were called and astoundingly, Elizabeth was reunited with her family.  In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we tell Elizabeth Smart’s story and run through her amazing life following her recovery. If you’d like to skip straight to the crime content, please go to (10:26) Read our blog for this case https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/04/04/the-remarkable-recovery-of-elizabeth-smart/ This episode is sponsored by: ettitude - Imagine sleeping at your favorite hotel every night!  That's exactly what slipping into ettitude's sheets feels like.  Visit ettitude.com/tcs for $25 off your bedding order. Microdose Gummies – To learn more about microdosing THC, goto microdose.com and use code TCS to get free shipping and 30% off your first order. June’s Journey - Can you crack the case? Download June’s Journey for free today on iOS and Android Skylight Frames - To get 10% off, up to $30 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame just go to SkylightFrame.com/Society
The Murder of Gannon Stauch
Apr 13 2023
The Murder of Gannon Stauch
The murder of Gannon Stauch was a case that bought the True Crime Society community together. We know many of you found us through this case originally.  The trial in this case has just started and we wanted to run through Gannon’s story again, while we wait for justice. Gannon was 11 in January 2020 when he went missing from Colorado Springs, Colorado.  His step-mother Letecia Stauch originally said that Gannon had gone to a friend’s home.  But she couldn’t name the friend, or in fact, any of Gannon’s friends. What actually happened to Gannon is horrendous. We know now that Letecia likely shot Gannon while he was in his bed. She wrapped his body in his bed sheets and stuffed his small body in a suitcase.  She lied to everyone – her husband, friends, police and the media – before fleeing Colorado with her daughter Harley.  It is believed she threw Gannon’s remains from a bridge in Florida and his body was found in March 2020. Letecia has been in prison since 2020 and her trial is finally underway.  In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we tell Gannon’s story and run through Letecia’s antics leading up to the trial.    TIME STAMPS Cleo Smith Update - (10:18) Gannon Stauch - (16:41) Read our blog for this case - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/03/20/gannon-stauch-murder-trial-daily-updates/ There has also been an update in the Cleo Smith abduction case and we discuss that in this episode.  This episode is sponsored by: ettitude - Imagine sleeping at your favorite hotel every night!  That's exactly what slipping into ettitude's sheets feels like.  Visit ettitude.com/tcs for $25 off your bedding order. Microdose Gummies – To learn more about microdosing THC, goto  microdose.com and use code TCS to get free shipping and 30% off your first order. This episode is sponsored by Better Help! Visit www.betterhelp.com/society today to get 10% off your first month.
Dentist James Craig Poisoned his Wife's Protein Shakes with Potassium Cyanide
Apr 6 2023
Dentist James Craig Poisoned his Wife's Protein Shakes with Potassium Cyanide
Dentist Dr James Craig and his wife Angela seemed to be living the dream with their six children in Aurora, Colorado.  James seemed to be well-liked, and by all accounts was a great employer.  There are photos of him online dressed up as the Tooth Fairy, always smiling broadly.  Angela had James down in her phone as ‘The Boy’.  The couple worked out together and appeared close.   Life is not always what it appears on the surface.  James was conducting an affair with an Orthodontist in Texas and he needed Angela out of the way.   James made a new email account and conducted searches about what the best way to kill someone with poison was.  He ordered potassium cyanide to be delivered to his office.   He put the poison in Angela’s protein smoothies, multiple times, until she finally died in hospital in March 2023.  In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss the insane case of Dr James Craig who allegedly poisoned his wife Angela to death.     If you’d like to skip straight to the story, please go to (8:26) Read our blog for this case - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/03/22/dr-james-craig-poisoned-his-wife-angela-to-death-with-cyanide/ Be sure to check out Obscura – A True Crime Podcast.  This podcast shines a spotlight on the darker things in life.  Listen wherever you get your podcasts!  This episode is sponsored by: Babbel - Start your new language-learning journey today with Babbel.  Visit Babbel.com/tcs for up to 55% off your subscription.
The Unsolved Murder of Journalist Jill Dando
Mar 30 2023
The Unsolved Murder of Journalist Jill Dando
Jill Dando was one of the most high profile personalities in England in 1999.  She had been named BBC Personality of the Year and her career as a journalist was going from strength to strength.  She was the host of ‘Crimewatch’ – a show similar to America’s Most Wanted, and she presented the television news daily. Her personal life was also flourishing.  She was engaged to Dr Alan Farthing (Queen Elizabeth’s personal doctor), and their wedding was set for later in 1999. On April 26, 1999, Jill went to her house in Fulham, London.  She was selling the property because she had moved in with Alan.  She went to her own place sporadically to get mail.  As she put her keys to the lock, a man ambushed Jill.  He pressed a gun to her head and fired.  Jill Dando was murdered in cold blood.   Now, almost 24 years later, Jill’s murder remains unsolved.  A man named Barry George was arrested for the crime and was later acquitted.  Was Barry really responsible?  Could her murder have been the result of a jilted lover?  Was Jill murdered as retribution for her role in Crimewatch? Or was she targeted for her journalistic involvement in the Kosovo War? In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss the unsolved murder of ‘Crimewatch’ host Jill Dando.   If you’d like to skip straight to Jill’s story, please go to (7:52) Read our blog for this case - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/03/27/the-unsolved-murder-of-crimewatch-host-jill-dando/ This episode is sponsored by: Babbel - Start your new language-learning journey today with Babbel.  Visit Babbel.com/tcs for up to 55% off your subscription.
The Disappearance of Maura Murray
Mar 23 2023
The Disappearance of Maura Murray
On February 9, 2004, , Maura Murray printed out some emails that indicated there had been some trouble between her and her boyfriend Bill Rausch.  She left the emails in plain sight, on top of some boxes in her dorm room.  She left campus and stopped at a liquor store in town where she purchased vodka, Kahlua, Baileys and boxed wine.   A few hours later, Maura crashed her vehicle in Woodsville, New Hampshire, around 150 miles from her dorm.  She got out of the wrecked vehicle and has never been seen again.  In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss one of the most infamous cold cases – where is Maura Murray? Did Maura leave to start a new life?  Was she murdered by an opportunistic killer?  Or does Bill know more?   Read our blog for this case - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/03/20/the-coldest-case-where-is-maura-murray/   This episode is sponsored by: ettitude – Imagine sleeping at your favorite hotel every night!  That's exactly what slipping into ettitude's sheets feels like.  Visit ettitude.com/tcs for $25 off your bedding order. Daily Harvest – Let Daily Harvest do more so you can do less!  Goto DailyHarvest.com/tcs to get up to forty dollars off your first box. June’s Journey – Uncover new secrets or start your investigation today!  Download June’s Journey on Android, iOS mobile devices, as well as on PC through Facebook games. Microdose Gummies – To learn more about microdosing THC, goto microdose.com and use code TCS to get free shipping and 30% off your first order.
Social Scammers | Liver King, Madison Russo, Brittany Dawn Updates
Mar 9 2023
Social Scammers | Liver King, Madison Russo, Brittany Dawn Updates
In this age of social media, it can be all too easy for a person to pretend to be someone they are not. In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast we discuss the cases of social scammers – Liver King and Maddie Russo. Brian Johnson aka Liver Ling lives what he calls an “ancestral lifestyle”, which includes eating large amounts of raw organs and meat, and he recommends eating liver daily.  His businesses based on this ‘ethos’ are said to make around $100 m per year.  He vehemently denied taking any steroids to achieve his insane physique.  In December 2022, Liver King’s empire started to crumble.  He is now facing a $25m class action lawsuit after it was revealed that he was taking around $11,000 worth of steroids each month.  Maddie Russo was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer AND leukemia, at age 19.  Maddie seemed to be defying the odds after undergoing 15 rounds of oral chemo and 90 rounds of radiation.  Except, Maddie wasn’t sick at all.  Her lies became public in January 2023 after medical professionals became concerned about the legitimacy of photos that she posted of herself online.  When Maddie’s apartment was raided, police found wigs, cash and medication that did not belong to Maddie.  She had managed to scheme almost $40k from 439 donors.    No time stamp because the chat is mainly crime related :)   Read our blog for this case - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/03/05/social-scammers-liver-king-and-maddie-russo/ This episode is sponsored by Better Help! Visit www.betterhelp.com/society today to get 10% off your first month.
The Cases of Madison Brooks & Valentina Trespalacios
Feb 16 2023
The Cases of Madison Brooks & Valentina Trespalacios
Trigger warning for this episode – sexual assault.   Madison Brooks (19) loved spending time with her family and friends.  Her family have said she loved adventures and travel.   In the early hours of January 15, 2023 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Madison accepted a ride home from a bar with four males.  She seemed to be intoxicated according to CCTV and witness reports.  The story that these ‘men’ gave was that Madison consented to sex with two of them in the vehicle.  After they were done with her, they dropped her off on the side of the road.  Madison was killed shortly after this – she was struck by a vehicle. Investigation showed that Madison’s BAC was .319%.  According to University of Notre Dame research, a BAC of between .250 and .399 indicates alcohol poisoning and loss of consciousness.    This indicates that there is NO WAY Madison could have consented in that state.  Two of the males have now been charged with third-degree rape, and the additional two have been charged with a failure to intervene. In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss the death of Madison Brooks, as well as the murder of Valentina Trespalacios.  Colombian DJ Valentina Trespalacios (23) met American John Poulos on a dating app in 2022.  John abandoned his three children in America to move to Colombia.  The couple were seen on January 22, 2023 on CCTV, leaving a nightclub where Valentina had just finished a set at.  John was seen soon after putting a suitcase into his rental vehicle.    Hours later, a man came across the suitcase in a dumpster.  Valentina’s lifeless body had been shoved in the case, and her head was sticking out.  John was arrested soon after, while trying to flee the country.  His story was that the cartel were involved in Valentina’s death.  He has been charged with aggravated femicide, concealment, alteration and destruction of evidence.  John has told the court that he doesn’t feel safe in the Bogota jail and he has demanded additional security.   If you’d like to skip straight to the crime content, please goto (8:07) Read our blogs for these cases - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/02/01/valentina-trespalacios-was-murdered-and-her-body-dumped-in-a-suitcase/ https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/01/27/madison-brooks-assaulted-and-left-to-die/  This episode is sponsored by: BetterHelp – Betterhelp is a convenient, flexible and affordable option if you’re thinking of giving therapy a go.  Visit BetterHelp.com/society for 10% off your first month.
Deadly Dads | The Patel, Haight, & Crayton Families
Feb 9 2023
Deadly Dads | The Patel, Haight, & Crayton Families
On January 2, 2023, Dr Dharmesh Patel was driving his Tesla in Northern California.  In the vehicle were his wife Neha, and their two young children.   Exactly what happened is largely unknown, but Dharmesh allegedly steered the vehicle off the road and over a 300 foot cliff.  Miraculously, the entire family survived the incident.  As they were being rescued, Neha told paramedics that Dharmesh had deliberately tried to kill the entire family.   Join us for this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast as we discuss three cases of men who either attempted to kill or were successful in killing their families. Michael and Tausha Haight had been married for over 20 years.  There had been some incidents where police were called to the family home in the past in relation to Michael’s behavior, but no charges were ever filed.  In December 2022, Tausha filed for divorce.  On January 4, 2023, Michael’s daughter Macie texted a friend to say that her dad was acting weird.  When neighbors got to the Haight house, the found Michael and Tausha and their five children dead.  Tausha’s mother had also been murdered.  Was the divorce the final straw for Michael? Actor Robert Crayton was experiencing a mental health crisis.  He had been involuntarily committed in the past.  On January 7, 2023, Robert’s oldest child ran screaming from the family home in North Carolina.  Robert had murdered his wife and three of their children before he turned the gun on himself.     If you’d like to skip straight to the crime content, please goto (11:50) Read our blogs for these cases - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/02/01/actor-robert-crayton-killed-his-family-in-a-murder-suicide/  https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/02/01/michael-haight-killed-7-of-his-family-members-in-a-murder-suicide/ https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/01/15/dr-dharmesh-patel-41-attempted-to-kill-his-family-by-driving-their-tesla-off-a-300-foot-cliff/ This episode is sponsored by: Microdose Gummies - Go to microdose.com and use code TCS for 30% off your first order of THC gummies. Babbel - Start your new language-learning journey today with Babbel.  Visit Babbel.com/tcs for up to 55% off your subscription.
Mysterious Missing Men | Updates: Opelika Jane Doe & Jared Bridegan
Feb 2 2023
Mysterious Missing Men | Updates: Opelika Jane Doe & Jared Bridegan
In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss the cases of four men who recently went missing:   - Bryce Borca (23) vanished in Eagan, Minnesota on October 30, 2022 after a night out on a party bus with friends.  Despite a large scale search, involving hundreds of people, Bryce remains missing. - In December 2022, Dr Bolek Payan dropped his beloved dogs off to their regular dog sitter.  He never picked them up.   The search for Bolek lasted for days, before his body was eventually found in a frozen over pond near his home.  Was this a case of suicide or misadventure? - George Musser (20) vanished from a bar in Stillwater, Minnesota on Christmas Eve 2022.  The temperature was around -4 that night and George had no jacket.  His body was found on Christmas Day, around 1.5 miles from the bar. - Theodore (Teddy) Egge (35) has been missing from Marinette County, Wisconsin since January 13, 2023.  His car ran out of gas and he was last seen walking along a road, apparently heading to the closest town.  No sign of Teddy has been found.    If you would like to start straight at the case content, please skip to (12:55) Listen on Spotify here https://open.spotify.com/episode/0DwVSsQN2yoCtu8QwGH5CW?si=jaRbNF6BQmC7gJyBDx13Ow And Apple here - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/true-crime-society/id1504300714?i=1000597653475   Read our blog here - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/01/30/missing-men-bryce-borca-dr-bolek-payan-george-musser-and-teddy-egge/   We also discuss some BIG updates in some previously covered cases – Opelika Jane Doe has been identified and arrests have been made.  An arrest has also been made in the Jared Bridegan murder case. Bryce Borca (23) vanished in Eagan, Minnesota on October 30, 2022 after a night out on a party bus with friends.  Despite a large scale search, involving hundreds of people, Bryce remains  missing.In December 2022, Dr Bolek Payan dropped his beloved dogs off to their regular dog sitter.  He never picked them up.   The search for Bolek lasted for days, before his body was eventually found in a frozen over pond near his home.  Was this a case of suicide or misadventure? George Musser (20) vanished from a bar in Stillwater, Minnesota on Christmas Eve 2022.  The temperature was around -4 that night and George had no jacket.  His body was found on Christmas Day, around 1.5 miles from the bar.Theodore (Teddy) Egge (35) has been missing from Marinette County, Wisconsin since January 13, 2023.  His car ran out of gas and he was last seen walking along a road, apparently heading to the closest town.  No sign of Teddy has been found.   If you would like to start straight at the case content, please skip to 12.55. Read our blog here - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/01/30/missing-men-bryce-borca-dr-bolek-payan-george-musser-and-teddy-egge/ We also discuss some BIG updates in some previously covered cases – Opelika Jane Doe has been identified and arrests have been made.  An arrest has also been made in the Jared Bridegan murder case.      This episode is sponsored by: June’s Journey - Start your investigation today and download June's Journey.  Available on Android and iOS mobile devices, as well as on PC through Facebook Games.
What Happened to Ana Walshe?
Jan 26 2023
What Happened to Ana Walshe?
Massachusetts woman Ana Walshe attempted to contact her mother overseas in the early morning hours of January 1, 2023.  Her mother was sleeping and missed the call.  She now regrets that, because Ana vanished shortly after and is assumed to have been murdered by her husband Brian Walshe. Brian’s (alleged) audacity is actually unbelievable.  He didn’t even report his wife missing, her employer called the police.  Brian’s criminal history started long before Ana’s disappearance.  He allegedly stole Andy Warhol paintings and sold fake art.  He also broke into the home of his deceased father and stole vehicles and invaluable art – he also attempted to sell the property, despite having no claim to it. Brian told police that Ana had gone to Washington DC to deal with a work emergency.  Except, right around the time she vanished, he purchased $450 in cleaning supplies, including mops, buckets, tarps, Tyveks, drop cloths and various kinds of tape. At the store, he was seen wearing a black surgical mask, blue surgical gloves and made a cash purchase. Brian also allegedly conducted google searches including: - Ten ways to dispose of a dead body if you really need to - Dismemberment and the best ways to dispose of a body - Can you be charged with murder without a body - Can you identify a body with broken teeth - How to dispose of a 115 pound woman’s body Brian has now been charged with Ana’s murder.  It is not believed her remains have been found, due to the method in which he disposed of them.     If you would like to start straight at the case content, please skip to (7:22) Read our blog here - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2023/01/15/ana-walshe-is-missing-after-her-husband-googled-how-to-dispose-of-a-115-pound-womans-body/    In this episode, we also discuss items seized from alleged Moscow murderer Bryan Kohberger’s apartment. This episode is sponsored by:   Microdose Gummies - Go to microdose.com and use code TCS for 30% off your first order of THC gummies.