Forensic Tales

#323 - In 1986, a Washington woman was convicted of intentionally killing two people with cyanide-laced extra-strength Excedrin capsules. One of the victims was her very own husband. The other was a complete stranger.  Her conviction and 90-year prison sentence became the first under federal product tampering laws instituted after the 1982 Chicago Tylenol murders that killed at least 7 people.  Is she a victim of a system that got it wrong during a time when people were paranoid of product tampering? Or is she guilty as charged? Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written & produced by Courtney Fretwell. If you’d like to support the show and help fund research, production, and editing, you can do so with a small monthly contribution on Patreon. Patreon supporters get early access to ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content. You can learn more at Patreon.com/ForensicTales. You can also watch Forensic Tales on YouTube. Just search Forensic Tales Podcast and be sure to subscribe. And if you enjoy the show, leaving a positive rating or review really helps others discover it. For a full list of sources used in this episode, visit ForensicTales.com. Until then… remember: not all stories have happy endings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#322 - In 2007, two-year-old Mariah Alvarez was rushed to a hospital in Brownsville, Texas. She wasn’t breathing. Doctors were unable to revive her. Within hours, suspicion turned toward her mother, Melissa Lucio. After a lengthy interrogation, Melissa said four words that prosecutors would later present as a confession. She was charged with capital murder, convicted, and sentenced to death. But over the years, serious questions have been raised about the case from the forensic conclusions surrounding Mariah’s death, to the interrogation tactics used by investigators, to testimony the jury never heard. Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written and produced by Courtney Fretwell. If you’d like to support the show and help fund research, production, and editing, you can do so with a small monthly contribution on Patreon. Patreon supporters get early access to ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content. You can learn more at Patreon.com/ForensicTales. You can also watch Forensic Tales on YouTube. Just search Forensic Tales Podcast and be sure to subscribe. And if you enjoy the show, leaving a positive rating or review really helps others discover it. For a full list of sources used in this episode, visit ForensicTales.com. Remember... not all stories have happy endings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#321 - In December 2004, 21-year-old Johnia Berry was attacked inside her Knoxville, Tennessee apartment. The crime scene raised more questions than answers. There were no clear signs of forced entry. The weapon came from inside the home. And despite the brutality of the attack, there was no obvious motive. Investigators initially focused on someone close to her, but forensic evidence would soon complicate that theory. A partial fingerprint. A single shoe print. And an unidentified DNA profile left behind at the scene. For years, the case seemed stalled. Then, an unexpected lead shifted the investigation in a new direction. In this episode of Forensic Tales, we examine the forensic evidence, the missteps, the turning points, and the lasting impact this case had on DNA laws in Tennessee. Because sometimes the science speaks clearly even when the “why” never does. Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written and produced by Courtney Fretwell. If you'd like to support the show and gain access to exclusive content, early and ad-free episodes, please consider joining the show's Patreon. You can support the show for as low as $3/month. Subscribe to Forensic Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen so you don't miss an episode. Also, be sure to follow us on YouTube. If you love the show, please leave a positive review or tell friends and family about us. For a complete list of sources used in this episode, visit our website. Remember... Not all stories have happy endings... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#320 - In 2008, a South Carolina man disappeared while checking his mail outside his home. His body was soon found in nearby woods, and an autopsy revealed he had been strangled to death. At first, the police had few suspects. But right before the case turned cold, investigators did something outside the box. They turned to cell phone forensics. Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written and produced by Courtney Fretwell. If you'd like to support the show and get access to early, ad-free episodes, consider joining the show's Patreon page. You can support the show for as little as $3/month. For a complete list of sources used in this episode, please visit our website. Listen on YouTube: Search Forensic Tales and subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BONUS UPDATE Yesterday, Juliana Peres Magalhães, the former au pair and key witness in the so-called “Au Pair Affair” murder trial, was sentenced. In this short follow-up episode of Forensic Tales, we recap the sentencing hearing, including the defense’s motion to exclude victim impact statements from Christine Banfield’s family, the judge’s ruling, and the final sentence handed down in connection with the death of Joseph Ryan. Juliana previously entered into a plea agreement and testified for the Commonwealth against Brendan Banfield, serving as the prosecution’s central witness in a case built heavily on digital forensic evidence and allegations of a calculated online setup. This episode breaks down what happened in court, what the sentence means, and how this development fits into the larger case. If you haven’t listened to our full trial recap, be sure to check out last week’s special episode for the complete breakdown. Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller audio production. The show is written and produced by Courtney Fretwell. If you'd like to support the show and get access to early, ad-free episodes, please consider joining the show's Patreon page. You can support the show for as low as $3/month. For more ways to listen and support, subscribe to Forensic Tales on YouTube. You can also leave the show a positive review or tell friends and family about the show. Remember... not all stories have happy endings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#319 - In May of 1993, three eight-year-old boys were brutally murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas. Within weeks, police arrested three teenagers, despite a complete lack of physical evidence tying them to the crime. What followed was an investigation shaped by fear, rumor, and the cultural panic of the early 1990s. A confession filled with factual errors. Forensic interpretations that would later be widely challenged. And a jury decision that would haunt the justice system for decades. In this episode of Forensic Tales, we take a forensic-first look at the case of the West Memphis Three, examining the crime scene, the investigative failures, the role of junk science, and how belief replaced evidence at every critical turn. We also explore why advances in DNA testing could still hold answers today and why, nearly thirty years later, the murders of Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers remain unresolved. Because this case didn’t end with justice. It ended with questions. Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written and produced by Courtney Fretwell. If you'd like to support the show and get access to early, ad-free episodes, please consider joining the show's Patreon. You can support the show for as little as $3/month. For a complete list of sources used in this episode, please visit our website. Listen on YouTube: Search Forensic Tales and subscribe. Not all stories have happy endings... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special Episode In February 2023, police were called to a quiet home in northern Virginia. Inside the master bedroom, they found Christine Banfield, a wife and mother, suffering from multiple stab wounds. A second man, Joseph Ryan, was also found dead. He had been shot inside the same room. Christine’s husband, Brendan Banfield, would later be charged with their murders. What followed was a case that quickly drew national attention, centered on allegations of a secret affair, digital deception, and a FetLife account prosecutors say was used to lure Ryan to the home. In this special episode of Forensic Tales, we break down the facts of the so-called “au pair affair murder trial,” including the competing narratives presented in court and the digital forensic evidence at the heart of the case. Was this a tragic, chaotic confrontation or a calculated online setup that ended in murder? This episode examines how modern investigations now extend beyond the physical crime scene and into logins, messages, and digital footprints before turning to the jury’s verdict. Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written and produced by Courtney Fretwell. If you'd like to support the show and get access to early ad-free episodes, please consider joining the show's Patreon page. You can support Forensic Tales for as little as $3/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#318 - In February 2005, an Ohio woman suddenly collapsed and died while driving to a local movie theater. At first, her death was thought to be the result of a minor car accident. But as the forensic evidence started to reveal itself, the thought that this woman died in a car accident seemed impossible. And the deeper investigators looked, the more suspicious one of the victim’s loved ones looked. If you’d like to help create compelling new cases, fund research, and assist with production and editing costs, you can support the show with a small monthly contribution. In return, you’ll be one of the first to listen to new, ad-free episodes and gain access to exclusive content. You can support the show for as low as $3/month. For a complete list of sources used in this episode, please visit forensictales.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#317 - When a pattern emerges in criminal investigations, it often becomes the strongest lead. In Southern California, that pattern pointed to a serial sexual offender who used a knife to control his victims and left DNA behind at multiple scenes. For years, the DNA sat unmatched. Today’s episode examines the San Diego Knifepoint Rapist case, the forensic evidence that connected the assaults, and how modern genetic genealogy transformed a cold case into a solved one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the Archives: The Mysterious Death of Tiffany Valiante In 2015, 18-year-old Tiffany Valiante was struck and killed by a train in New Jersey. Authorities quickly ruled her death a suicide but from the very beginning, her family has insisted that explanation doesn’t make sense. Tiffany had made plans for the future. She had no known history of depression. And crucial pieces of evidence, including her phone, shoes, and the circumstances surrounding how she ended up on the tracks, raised troubling questions that were never fully answered. In this episode, we take a closer look at Tiffany’s final hours, the investigation that followed, and the inconsistencies that continue to fuel doubt years later. Was this truly a suicide… or was something else overlooked? This is a case that has haunted listeners since it first aired and one that deserves another careful listen. Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written and produced my Courtney Fretwell. If you'd like to support the show & get access to early ad-free episodes, please consider joining the show's Patreon page. You can support the show for as low as $3/month. You can also support the show by leaving a positive review & telling friends and family. For a complete list of sources used in this episode, please visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#315 - In 1975, a three-year-old boy disappeared in Richmond, Virginia. Days later, his body was found in the James River, and a young neighbor, Marvin Grimm Jr., became the focus of the investigation. After hours of interrogation, Marvin confessed and later pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison. But decades later, advances in forensic science told a very different story. DNA testing excluded Marvin from every piece of biological evidence in the case. Experts identified clear red flags in his confession. And toxicology analysis made the prosecution’s timeline impossible. In 2024, nearly fifty years after his conviction, the courts ruled that Marvin Grimm Jr. was innocent. This episode examines how a confession, outdated forensic assumptions, and the absence of modern DNA testing combined to produce a devastating wrongful conviction, and how science ultimately helped set the record straight. Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written and produced by Courtney Fretwell. If you'd like to support the show and get access to early, ad-free episodes, consider joining the show's Patreon page. You can support the show for as little as $3/month. For a complete list of sources used in this, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#314 - For decades, Robert Eugene Brashers lived in near-total obscurity. While investigators across multiple states worked unsolved cases involving sexual assault and murder, his name never surfaced. Not because evidence was missing, but because the science needed to connect it all didn’t yet exist. In this episode of Forensic Tales, we trace the full scope of Brashers’ crimes: from a brutal attempted murder in Florida, to a series of sexual assaults and homicides stretching across the South and Midwest and finally, to the forensic breakthroughs that would link him to at least eight murders. Most people know Brashers’ name today because of one case: the 1991 Austin Yogurt Shop Murders. But that case is only part of a much larger story. Through advances in DNA analysis, ballistics, and investigative genetic genealogy, investigators were able to uncover a serial offender who had operated for years across state lines, evading detection and living an ordinary life in between acts of extreme violence. This episode focuses not just on one infamous crime, but on the many victims whose cases were finally connected and on how forensic science exposed a serial killer who had been hiding in plain sight. Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written and produced by Courtney Fretwell. If you'd like to support the show & get access to exclusive content, early ad-free episodes, and merchandise, consider joining the show's Patreon. To learn more: https://www.patreon.com/c/forensictales You can support the show for as little as $3/month. You can also support the show by subscribing or telling friends and family about us. Don't forget to follow us on YouTube. Remember... not all stories have happy endings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#313 - This week, we’re revisiting one of the most downloaded episodes of 2025. The death of UK spy Gareth Williams in 2010 has become one of the most high-profile unsolved mysteries in years after his naked body was discovered padlocked inside a duffel bag. Described as a genius mathematician who the intelligence service had recruited, Gareth’s exact cause of death remains unknown, and people can’t agree whether he could have locked himself in there on his own or whether someone else was responsible.  There have been a number of theories over the years, including sex games gone wrong and Russian spies. But even today, there are still so many unanswered questions about his death. What happened to Gareth Williams, and how can forensic science help us find those answers? Support If you love the show, the easiest way to show your support is by leaving us a positive rating with a review. You can also tell your family and friends about Forensic Tales. Patreon - If you would like to get early AD-free access to new episodes, have access to exclusive bonus content, snag exclusive show merch or just want to support what I'm doing, please visit our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/forensictales Support the show for as low as $3/month. Credits: Written and produced by Courtney Fretwell Rockefeller Audio production For a complete list of sources used in this episode, please visit forensictales.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#312 - In 1991, John Kunco was convicted in Pennsylvania of raping and torturing a 55-year-old woman inside her apartment. There was no DNA evidence tying him to the crime. Instead, the case against him relied heavily on an alleged bite mark and a delayed voice identification. Kunco spent nearly 28 years in prison before advances in forensic science began to unravel the evidence used to convict him. DNA testing excluded him from key physical evidence, and the forensic dentists who testified at his trial later withdrew their conclusions, acknowledging that bite mark analysis is not a reliable forensic method. In 2018, Kunco’s conviction was vacated — but the case did not end there. Subsequent legal developments, including guilty pleas to reduced charges, complicated public understanding of whether Kunco was wrongfully convicted, raising difficult questions about how forensic failure, legal strategy, and justice intersect. Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written and produced by Courtney Fretwell. To listen to new episode early & ad-free, please consider joining the show's Patreon at patreon.com/forensictales Support the show for as little as $3/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#311 - In November 2008, 24-year-old Arpana Jinaga was found murdered in her Redmond, Washington apartment—just hours after attending a Halloween party with neighbors in her building. Arpana was a bright, accomplished software engineer with no known enemies, yet the crime scene was chaotic and filled with conflicting forensic clues. Despite multiple suspects, extensive DNA testing, and even a criminal trial, her killer has never been identified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In March 2008, 21-year-old Juliana Redding was found murdered inside her Santa Monica apartment. Juliana had moved to Los Angeles to study communications and pursue modeling, building a life close to the beach and staying closely connected to her family in Arizona. When she stopped responding to calls and messages, police conducted a welfare check and discovered signs of a violent struggle — along with attempts to start a fire inside the home. Investigators collected a significant amount of forensic evidence, but the case would take an unexpected turn in court. This episode examines Juliana’s life, the investigation into her death, and the questions that remain today. Despite the volume of forensic evidence, no one has ever been convicted of her murder. A stark reminder that even strong forensics don’t always lead to a clear resolution. For a complete list of sources, visit ForensicTales.com. To support the show and access early, ad-free episodes, join us on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/forensictales Forensic Tales is written and produced by Courtney Fretwell. A Rockefeller Audio Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A respected veterinarian is found dead under mysterious circumstances in an upscale Rancho Santa Fe neighborhood. What first looked like a car accident quickly turned into a homicide investigation filled with unanswered questions — a wrecked vehicle, blunt-force trauma, and no clear explanation of how Dr. Robert Stonebreaker ended up in a nearby driveway. Nearly 15 years later, the case remains unsolved. In this episode, we break down the timeline, the forensic inconsistencies, and the theories that still surround his death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we revisit the shocking murder of 23-year-old law student Jane Mixer, long believed to be a victim of Michigan’s “Co-Ed Killer.” When modern DNA testing finally pointed to an unexpected suspect, Gary Leiterman, the case was reopened, re-examined, and fiercely debated. Was the forensic evidence clear-cut? Or did lab contamination muddy the truth? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When 41-year-old Peggy Carr suddenly fell gravely ill, doctors were stumped. Her symptoms made no sense—burning limbs, hair loss, and paralysis with no clear cause. But when her teenage son and stepson became sick too, investigators uncovered a chilling truth: the Carr family had been poisoned. The substance was thallium—a deadly, nearly undetectable metal once used in rat poison. The discovery launched a full-scale forensic investigation that led detectives to a single suspect: a brilliant but disturbed neighbor with a background in chemistry and a fascination with murder. This is the story of how science, persistence, and an undercover operation exposed one of Florida’s most shocking poison cases. For a complete list of sources used in this episode, visit ForensicTales.com. Support the show and get early, ad-free access to episodes by joining us on Patreon. Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. Hosted and produced by Courtney Fretwell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1983, 19-year-old Barbara Grams was found murdered behind a dental office in Tampa, Florida. Detectives said a small mark on her cheek was a bite — and that 18-year-old Robert DuBoise’s teeth matched it. That single piece of forensic “evidence” sent him to death row. But nearly four decades later, new DNA testing proved what Robert had said all along — he was innocent. The mark wasn’t even a bite. This week on Forensic Tales, we uncover how junk science, unreliable witnesses, and a discredited forensic method stole 37 years of an innocent man’s life. Because in forensic science, the smallest mistake can destroy a life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices