Bear Brook

NHPR

Jason Carroll is serving life in prison for a murder he says he didn’t commit. The only evidence against him? His own taped confession. More than 30 years later, is it possible to get to the truth – and who gets to tell it? More at bearbrookpodcast.com read less

Our Editor's Take

Bear Brook is a true crime podcast by New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR). Host Jason Moon narrates fascinating murder investigations. The first season explores the Bear Brook State Park murders. Season two details the decades-long story of Sharon Johnson's death. The show interviews those closest to the cases.

Moon is a reporter and producer at NHPR. Before covering these stories, he didn't consider himself a crime reporter. His other work covered political news, focusing on presidential elections. Moon has also reported a variety of stories local to New Hampshire. With this podcast, he provides compelling narratives for tragic, controversial cases.

Season one details how new DNA techniques helped solve a cold case. Near Bear Brook State Park, locals discovered two steel barrels containing four bodies. A hunter found one in 1985. Parkgoers uncovered the other in 2000. The murdered woman and young girls went unidentified for decades. In 2014, police identified the bodies using advancements in DNA profiling.

The murders seemed like isolated incidents at first. But, police discovered a complex web of crimes across the United States. This case has had a lasting effect on forensics and murder investigations. While the main suspect never faced trial for these murders, he went to prison for another crime.

The second season explores Jason Carroll's controversial case. In 1988, he confessed to murdering Sharon Johnson. The ensuing trial led to Carroll's conviction. Despite claiming police coerced his recorded confession, he remains in prison today. Why did he confess to the murder if he didn't do it? How is Johnson's husband involved? This season aims to answer these difficult questions.

Besides delivering the show's skillful narration, Moon creates its excellent soundtrack. The solemn piano underscores the emotional weight of these stories. Fans of the show can find detailed timelines of each case on the show's website. Bear Brook provides periodic updates as new developments in Carroll's case emerge. The show will also feature other true crime stories in additional seasons.

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Play Trailer

Bear Brook: The Trailer

Bear Brook: The Trailer

Two barrels. Four bodies. And the decades-long mystery that led to a serial killer. Bear Brook: A podcast about a cold case that's changing how murders will be investigated forever. From New Hampshire Public Radio. Visit bearbrookpodcast.com Follow on Twitter: @bearbrookpod Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders? Email us.

Season 2

Trailer: Bear Brook S2: A True Crime Story

Trailer: Bear Brook S2: A True Crime Story

Jason Carroll is serving life in prison for a murder he says he didn’t commit. The only evidence against him? His own taped confession. More than 30 years later, is it possible to get to the truth – and who gets to tell it?From the creators of the hit podcast Bear Brook comes A True Crime Story. In the show’s second season, host Jason Moon returns with a new, even more complex story: In 1989, New Hampshire police charged three men in the murder of a pregnant woman named Sharon Johnson. But only 19-year-old Jason Carroll was convicted. Police built the case against him around his own taped confession.For more than 30 years, that story has profoundly shaped the lives of many people. A True Crime Story is about what happens when the official narrative is challenged. When alternate versions are told by lawyers – and podcasters – as part of a mounting effort to free Jason Carroll from prison and clear his name. Host Jason Moon documents how those involved grapple with the idea that the prevailing story about who killed Sharon Johnson could be a lie. And he brings a fresh examination of the evidence to a state that has never exonerated anyone for murder.

Episode 1: Extraordinary

Episode 1: Extraordinary

Sharon Johnson’s family and friends have spent the last 35 years coping with her brutal murder. But what if that story was based on a lie? The man imprisoned for her murder maintains his innocence.For more on the case, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. To make a donation in support of Bear Brook, click here.

Episode 2: The Pursuit

Episode 2: The Pursuit

We begin with the story police told about Sharon Johnson’s murder. The veteran detective on the case develops a theory involving her husband and a teenager. A surprising admission leads to a new break in the case.For more on the case and to see a timeline of Sharon's last day, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. To make a donation in support of Bear Brook, click here.

Episode 3: The Breaking Point

Episode 3: The Breaking Point

Police interrogate a second teenager named Jason Carroll – with help from Jason’s own mother.For more on the case, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. To make a donation in support of Bear Brook, click here.

Episode 4: ‘Promises Have Been Made’

Episode 4: ‘Promises Have Been Made’

One set of confessions leads to another and three men are arrested for Sharon Johnson’s murder. Then, an alleged secret comes to light that changes everything.For more on the case and to see a timeline of the interrogations, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. To make a donation in support of Bear Brook, click here.

Episode 5: Trial in a Trial

Episode 5: Trial in a Trial

A new true crime story is told and when juries hear it, it leads to different results for all three defendants. During the first trial, the lead detective makes a big mistake.For more on the case and to see a table of confession discrepancies, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. To make a donation in support of Bear Brook, click here.

Episode 6: ‘Don’t Roll the Dice’

Episode 6: ‘Don’t Roll the Dice’

Jason Carroll stands trial twice – and the juries come up with their own versions of what happened.For more on the case, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. To make a donation in support of Bear Brook, click here.

Episode 7: This Side of the Line

Episode 7: This Side of the Line

How could someone possibly confess to murder if they didn’t do it? A modern understanding of confessions sheds new light on Jason Carroll’s case.For more on the case and to see selected data on exonerations, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. To make a donation in support of Bear Brook, click here. To explore more data, visit The National Registry of Exonerations.

Episode 8: The Box

Episode 8: The Box

The true crime media spotlight shines on Jason Carroll. Then, a chance encounter leads to a surprising discovery that changes the course of his case.For more on the case and to see selected data on exonerations, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. To make a donation in support of Bear Brook, click here. To explore more data, visit The National Registry of Exonerations.

Introducing: The 13th Step

Introducing: The 13th Step

Reporter Lauren Chooljian starts getting tips about the founder of New Hampshire’s largest addiction treatment network. He is allegedly sexually harassing or assaulting women — employees and former clients at his facilities. The tips send Lauren on a journey deep into the addiction treatment industry, which, as one source says, “needs a #MeToo movement.” The 13th Step is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio’s Document team. Listen to the whole series now by clicking here.

Bonus: ‘Crime Story’

Bonus: ‘Crime Story’

It’s been one year since we dropped Bear Brook Season 2. Here’s where things stand with Jason Carroll’s case and a refresher on how we got here – and where the case is going. Host Jason Moon talks with Kathleen Goldhar of CBC’s “Crime Story” podcast about the series.

Episode 9: The Reversal

Episode 9: The Reversal

The state of New Hampshire has made a sudden about-face: Prosecutors have now agreed to DNA test old evidence in Jason Carroll’s case. It’s the biggest development in the case in 35 years – and one step closer to possibly learning who killed Sharon Johnson.For more on the case, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. To make a donation in support of Bear Brook, click here.

Season 1

Bear Brook: The Trailer

Bear Brook: The Trailer

Two barrels. Four bodies. And the decades-long mystery that led to a serial killer. Bear Brook: A podcast about a cold case that's changing how murders will be investigated forever. From New Hampshire Public Radio. Visit bearbrookpodcast.com Follow on Twitter: @bearbrookpod Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders? Email us.

EP 1: Hide and Seek

EP 1: Hide and Seek

Three boys kick over a mysterious barrel in the woods. A small town cop fishes for answers. Evidence is buried, and the case goes cold. Click here to donate $20 and get ad-free episodes of Bear Brook a week early.

EP 2: Known Only To God

EP 2: Known Only To God

The discovery of a second barrel raises questions. A stalled investigation churns back to life and then stalls again. An amateur sleuth takes Jason into the forest. Want to make sure that NHPR continues creating projects like Bear Brook? Click here to donate $20. Thanks for your support.

EP 3: A Smaller Haystack

EP 3: A Smaller Haystack

After 30 years of torpor, investigators finally inch the Bear Brook case forward. A geologist uncovers the history buried in human teeth and hair. The faces of the victims are reconstructed. Want to make sure that NHPR continues creating projects like Bear Brook? Click here to donate $20. Thanks for your support.

EP 4: Eunsoon Jun

EP 4: Eunsoon Jun

An ominous New Year’s party introduction. An estranged cousin goes missing. Police question a man with multiple identities. A search leads authorities to his basement. Want to make sure that NHPR continues creating projects like Bear Brook? Click here to donate $20. Thanks for your support.

EP 5: Bloodline (PART 1)

EP 5: Bloodline (PART 1)

A child is abandoned. Timelines come together. A family tree begins to take shape. A chameleon is revealed. Want to make sure that NHPR continues creating projects like Bear Brook? Click here to donate $20. Thanks for your support.

EP 5: Bloodline (PART 2)

EP 5: Bloodline (PART 2)

This is part two of episode 5. A child is abandoned. Timelines come together. A family tree begins to take shape. A chameleon is revealed. Want to make sure that NHPR continues creating projects like Bear Brook? Click here to donate $20. Thanks for your support.

EP 6: Chameleon

EP 6: Chameleon

The case that was solved in reverse leaves many questions unanswered. New methods of inquiry are used to crack other cold cases. Do groundbreaking techniques come at the cost of genetic privacy? Want to make sure that NHPR continues creating projects like Bear Brook? Click here to donate $20. Thanks for your support.