Murder: True Crime Stories

In the aftermath of Joan Risch’s sudden disappearance, investigators were left staring at a scene filled with unsettling clues. Blood on the kitchen floor. A phone torn from the wall. Two young children alone in the house. In Part 2, Murder: True Crime Stories examines how police processed the evidence and why the case quickly split into competing theories. Detectives traced blood types, followed reports of a woman seen walking along a nearby road, and scrutinized Joan’s recent interest in crime and disappearance stories. Was she the victim of a violent abduction, or had she carefully staged her own vanishing? As leads faded and the years passed, Joan’s disappearance became one of New England’s most enduring mysteries, leaving investigators and her family still searching for answers. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joan Risch seemed to embody suburban perfection. A devoted mother of two building a quiet life in Massachusetts in the early 1960s. In Part 1, Murder: True Crime Stories traces Joan’s journey from her childhood and adoption to her marriage and move to the small town of Lincoln. As neighbors describe her as intelligent and reserved, subtle details emerge in the days leading up to October 1961. When Joan vanishes from her kitchen, leaving behind bloodstains and two young children alone in the house, the community is left stunned. This episode sets the stage for one of New England’s most haunting and puzzling disappearances. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole, The Final Hours examines the moments just before a person disappears. The routines. The timelines. And the small details that often get overlooked,  until it’s too late. Sarah is an advocate for missing and murdered victims whose sister disappeared in 2001. Kourtney is a true crime storyteller and investigator who witnessed firsthand how crime can change a family forever. Together, they bring lived experience into every case, looking not only at what happened, but what led up to it. Listen to and follow The Final Hours on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts. New episodes are out every Monday. Listen here: https://play.megaphone.fm/dpvwewsiqralbvsx8wptag To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Murder: True Crime Stories, Carter Roy is joined by Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole from Crime House's new show, The Final Hours. Carter examines the disappearance of 15-year-old Emanuela Orlandi, a Vatican citizen who vanished after a music lesson in Rome in 1983. What began as a missing-person case quickly spiraled into one of the most complex and disturbing mysteries in modern history, involving anonymous phone calls, audio recordings, international terrorism claims, the mafia, and alleged Vatican cover-ups. As decades pass, new witnesses, secret documents, and shocking accusations raise a haunting question: did the Vatican know where Emanuela was all along? Her case remains unsolved—and uniquely chilling—as the only disappearance of a Vatican citizen in history.Listen to and follow The Final Hours with Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole wherever you listen to podcasts: https://play.megaphone.fm/zl8pwmgtteoqb01h_o7oww If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Murder: True Crime Stories, Carter Roy examines the final days of Selena Quintanilla’s life and the devastating events that followed when a trusted relationship fractured beyond repair. As Selena attempts to distance herself from someone she once relied on, a private conflict escalates into public tragedy. This episode walks through the confrontation that ended her life, the immediate aftermath, and the investigation that followed—along with the lasting impact Selena left on her family, her fans, and music history. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Murder: True Crime Stories, Carter Roy traces the rise of Selena Quintanilla from a gifted child performer in a family band to one of the most influential figures in Tejano music. As Selena’s fame grows, she inspires millions with her talent, warmth, and ambition—while quietly navigating the pressures of success and trust. The episode explores Selena’s close-knit world, the devoted fan base that surrounded her, and the gradual rise of a trusted insider whose admiration slowly turned into something far more dangerous, setting the stage for an unimaginable tragedy. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Murder: True Crime Stories, Carter Roy investigates the mysterious death of journalist Danny Casolaro, who was found dead in a West Virginia hotel room in 1991 just as he claimed to be on the verge of exposing a vast global conspiracy he called “the Octopus.” Danny believed powerful government officials, intelligence agencies, and criminal networks were secretly connected through stolen software, covert weapons programs, and international corruption. After his death was ruled a suicide, his most critical files vanished—fueling decades of suspicion. Was Danny unraveling under pressure, or was he silenced for getting too close to the truth? If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the 40-year anniversary of Sherri Rasmussen’s murder, Murder: True Crime Stories continues the story of a case that refused to stay buried. Carter and Vanessa examine the decades-long fight for justice, as ignored evidence, stalled leads, and mounting frustration finally give way to a shocking breakthrough. As forensic science advances and old assumptions are challenged, the investigation exposes deep flaws within the system meant to protect victims. This episode reflects on the cost of delayed accountability—and how perseverance ultimately brought long-overdue answers in a case that defined institutional failure for an entire generation. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the 40-year anniversary of the murder of Sherri Rasmussen, Murder: True Crime Stories revisits the beginning of a case that would haunt Los Angeles for decades. Carter is joined by Vanessa Richardson, host of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, to explore Sherri’s life, her new marriage, and the volatile love triangle unfolding just out of sight. What was initially labeled a burglary gone wrong quickly reveals deeper warning signs—obsession, jealousy, and investigative blind spots that shaped the case from day one. Four decades later, this episode examines how early assumptions and missed red flags set the stage for one of the most troubling failures of justice in modern true crime history. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Murder: True Crime Stories, Carter Roy revisits the terrifying reign of the Zodiac Killer, whose cryptic letters and brutal attacks paralyzed Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Taunting police and the media with ciphers, threats, and chilling promises, the Zodiac cultivated fear as deliberately as he committed murder. Despite surviving victims, physical evidence, and thousands of suspects, his identity remains unknown. From lovers’ lanes to city streets, this episode explores how the Zodiac built a legacy of terror—and why, decades later, the mystery still refuses to die. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Missy Avila’s body is discovered, investigators search desperately for answers—but the truth is closer than anyone expects. As the case drags on, manipulation, false leads, and psychological games torment Missy’s family and friends for decades. This episode follows the long road to justice, revealing how jealousy and deception masked the identities of those responsible—and how one crucial breakthrough finally exposed a horrifying betrayal. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Seventeen-year-old Missy Avila was popular, kind, and full of promise—but jealousy simmered beneath the surface of her closest friendships. As rumors, betrayal, and resentment escalated during high school, lines between loyalty and cruelty blurred. This episode explores Missy’s life, the toxic dynamics surrounding her, and the emotional tensions that built quietly for years. What seemed like ordinary teenage drama would soon spiral into something far darker. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1948, an unidentified man was found dead on an Australian beach with no wallet, no ID, and a cryptic message hidden in his clothing. Despite decades of investigation, his identity—and cause of death—remained a mystery. Was he a spy, a poisoned lover, or something else entirely? This episode unpacks one of the world’s most enduring cold cases, filled with coded messages, missing clues, and a relentless search for the truth that continues more than 70 years later. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the murders of Harold and Thelma Swain, investigators faced mounting pressure to deliver answers—but instead, the case spiraled into decades of missteps, false leads, and a wrongful conviction. In Part 2, Murder: True Crime Stories follows the long investigation that led to the arrest of Dennis Perry, the flaws in the evidence used to convict him, and the stunning DNA revelations that ultimately set him free after 20 years behind bars. As attention finally returns to the true suspect, this episode examines how race, politics, and systemic failure delayed justice—and why the Swains’ story is still unfolding 40 years later. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harold and Thelma Swain were pillars of the Black community in Waverly, Georgia, devoting their lives to service through Rising Daughter Baptist Church. But on the night of March 11, 1985, that sanctuary was shattered when a gunman walked into the church and murdered the beloved couple. In Part 1, Murder: True Crime Stories traces the Swains’ lives, their leadership during the Jim Crow era and Civil Rights Movement, and the shocking night that turned a place of worship into a crime scene. This episode sets the emotional and historical foundation for a case that would haunt the community for decades. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A brilliant intelligence analyst is found dead inside a locked sports bag in his London apartment—no signs of forced entry, no clear cause of death, and a trail of secrets left behind. Officially ruled an accident, the case quickly sparks global controversy. Was this a tragic mistake, a dangerous private life gone wrong, or an expertly executed assassination? This episode dives into one of the strangest deaths in modern history, exploring espionage, unexplained evidence, and the conspiracy theories that refuse to fade. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the aftermath of Pat Tillman’s death in Afghanistan, the U.S. military told a heroic story of enemy fire and battlefield bravery—but it wasn’t true. In Part 2, Murder: True Crime Stories unpacks how Pat was killed by friendly fire, how senior officials concealed that truth, and how his family spent years unraveling a web of misinformation, redactions, and institutional self-protection. Through congressional hearings, leaked memos, and relentless advocacy by Pat’s mother, this episode explores the cost of truth in wartime—and why the Tillman family refused to let their son’s death be rewritten. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pat Tillman was at the peak of his NFL career when he walked away from millions to enlist in the U.S. Army after 9/11. In Part 1, Murder: True Crime Stories traces Pat’s life—from his driven childhood and record-setting football career to the values that pushed him toward military service. As Pat deploys to Iraq and later Afghanistan, he begins questioning the war and the narratives surrounding it, even as the military and media shape him into a powerful symbol of sacrifice. This episode sets the stage for the tragic events that would transform Pat Tillman from a man into a myth. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A woman checks into a luxury hotel using a fake name—and is later found dead under suspicious circumstances. With labels removed from her clothes, no identification, and evidence suggesting the scene was staged, investigators are left with more questions than answers. This episode explores the haunting mystery of the Oslo Plaza Woman, a case filled with espionage theories, deliberate erasure, and unanswered questions about who she was—and why someone went to such lengths to make her disappear. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Travis Alexander was found brutally murdered in his Arizona home, investigators quickly realized this was no random attack. In Part 2, Murder: True Crime Stories follows the shocking discovery of Travis’s body, the damning digital evidence hidden inside a washing machine, and the unraveling lies of his ex-girlfriend, Jodi Arias. As her story shifted from denial to masked intruders to claims of self-defense, prosecutors built a devastating case fueled by forensic proof, explicit photographs, and her own contradictions. This episode examines the trial that transfixed the nation—and the final verdict that exposed obsession turned lethal. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices