Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words

In 2001, Alissa Turney went missing from her home in Phoenix, Arizona. Her disappearance was quickly labeled a runaway case, and for years, it received little attention from law enforcement.But her sister, Sarah Turney, refused to let Alissa’s case disappear.In this episode, Sarah Turney shares the full story behind the disappearance of Alissa Turney, including the early failures in the investigation, the disturbing allegations of abuse and control inside their home, and the role their father, Michael Turney, played in the case. She explains how she began questioning the narrative she had been told and ultimately used social media and true crime platforms to bring national attention back to Alissa’s disappearance.That renewed attention led to the arrest of Michael Turney in connection with Alissa Turney’s case. However, the trial ended without a conviction, leaving critical questions unanswered and Alissa Turney still missing.Sarah Turney also discusses the emotional impact of the case, the challenges of navigating the criminal justice system, and the broader issues surrounding missing persons cases, child abuse, and investigative failures. Through her podcast Voices for Justice, she continues to advocate for Alissa Turney and other families seeking answers.This episode covers the Alissa Turney case, Sarah Turney’s fight for justice, the investigation into Michael Turney, and the ongoing search for answers in one of the most well-known missing persons cases in true crime.If you follow true crime, missing persons cases, or stories involving family advocacy and justice system failures, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode tells the heartbreaking story of Adam Oakes, a 19-year-old Virginia Commonwealth University student who died during a fraternity hazing ritual.Adam was excited about college. He was outgoing, compassionate, and the kind of person people naturally gravitated toward. But like so many freshmen, he also wanted to belong. That desire to fit in led him to accept an invitation to attend what he believed was part of a fraternity pledging process.That night, Adam was taken to an off-campus house where pledges were pressured to drink extreme amounts of alcohol as part of a hazing ritual. At some point, Adam consumed a fatal amount. Instead of getting him immediate help, members of the fraternity left him alone in a bedroom. By the time anyone checked on him the next morning, Adam was dead.His death shocked the community and exposed a hazing culture that often operates in secrecy, protected by silence and loyalty to the organization over the safety of the students involved.In this powerful conversation, Adam’s father, Eric Oakes, walks through who Adam was, what happened that night, and the devastating moment his family learned their son was gone. But Eric also talks about what came next. Rather than retreating into grief, he chose to fight for change.Eric founded the Love Like Adam Foundation, which works to educate students and families about hazing and push for stronger laws to hold organizations accountable. His advocacy helped lead to Adam’s Law in Virginia, legislation designed to strengthen hazing penalties and increase transparency around fraternity misconduct.This is not just a story about one tragedy. It’s a story about a culture that still exists on many campuses, and a warning that every parent sending a child to college needs to hear.Adam’s story is devastating. But Eric’s mission is simple: make sure no other family has to live through it.To learn more about Eric’s work, visit the Love Like Adam Foundation. (https://lovelikeadam.com)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Justin sits down with Joe Exotic to talk about life before and after the Tiger King phenomenon, the legal battles that landed him in prison, and why he continues to insist he was wrongly convicted. Joe discusses the conspiracy-to-commit-murder case that put him behind bars, the role he believes perjury and unreliable testimony played in the trial, and why he argues the justice system failed to fully investigate key details.The conversation also explores the broader impact of the case. Joe reflects on how incarceration has affected his life, his health, and the people around him, while Justin examines how media coverage and public perception shaped the narrative that millions of viewers came to believe. They discuss the difference between entertainment and reality, and how documentaries and news coverage can influence how the public views guilt, innocence, and accountability.The episode also touches on the world of big cats and private zoos, including debates over animal care, euthanasia decisions, and the ethical questions surrounding exotic animal ownership. Natasha joins the conversation to share her own background growing up around animals and to challenge some of the claims and assumptions made in the Tiger King series.Throughout the discussion, the focus remains on larger questions about justice, media influence, and the legal system. Joe talks about his ongoing efforts to appeal his conviction and his hopes for clemency, while Justin presses on what accountability should look like in controversial cases like this one.The result is a candid conversation about fame, prison, the power of storytelling, and the complicated intersection of law, media, and public opinion.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 2004, Jennifer Wix and her 2-year-old daughter Adriana Robinson disappeared from Tennessee. They were never seen again. The last person to see them alive was Jennifer’s boyfriend, who told police that she left voluntarily. That explanation shaped the investigation from the very beginning and influenced how the case was handled for years.Over time, serious questions began to emerge. Jennifer had told her family she was afraid. Her relationship had become volatile, and in the days before she vanished, there were signs that something was wrong. The story about what happened that day never fully made sense, and years later, he admitted that he had lied about key details.The case was eventually reclassified as a homicide, but more than two decades later, no one has been arrested. Jennifer’s sister Casey Robinson has spent years fighting for answers, pushing law enforcement to keep the case alive, and refusing to let her sister and niece be forgotten.In this episode, Casey shares the full story of Jennifer and Adriana, the failures that defined the investigation, and what it is like to live for more than twenty years without closure. This conversation is about persistence, accountability, and a family that is still searching for the truth.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most people will never come face-to-face with a serial killer.Jarrett Ferentino has.Before becoming a nationally recognized legal analyst, Jarrett was a homicide prosecutor who helped build cases against some of the most dangerous criminals in America, including serial killer Hugo Selenski, who hid bodies on his own property while living in plain sight.In this episode of Unheard, Jarrett takes us inside the justice system from the perspective few ever experience.We discuss:• What it’s actually like to prosecute a serial killer• The Brittanee Drexel case and how forensic science finally solved it• How modern DNA technology is rewriting cold cases• Corruption, influence, and the role of powerful families• And how those same dynamics help explain how Jeffrey Epstein operated for so longThis conversation goes beyond individual crimes.It explores the intersection of justice, science, power, and accountability — and what happens when the system finally catches up.Jarrett Ferentino is a former homicide prosecutor, legal expert, and victims’ advocate who has spent his career pursuing justice for families who thought they might never get answers.Order Jarrett's New Book Here: https://a.co/d/0hcKf4hJThis is Unheard.—Follow Justin:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@justinthenickofcrimeInstagram: https://instagram.com/justinthenickofcrimeSubstack: https://justinthenickofcrime.substack.com—#truecrime #jeffreyepstein #serialkiller #unheard #hugoselenski #brittaneedrexel #truecrimepodcast #justiceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On July 6, 2024, Sonya Massey did what millions of Americans are told to do when they feel unsafe. She called 911 for help. She was alone in her home in Springfield, Illinois, and believed someone might be outside. Two sheriff’s deputies responded. Less than an hour later, Sonya was dead, shot inside her own kitchen by Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson. The body camera footage would later show Sonya apologizing, raising her hands, and trying to comply in the moments before the fatal shot was fired. Her death sparked national outrage, federal scrutiny, and protests across the country, but behind the headlines was a family left to live with the reality of what happened.In this episode of Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words, Justin Shepherd sits down with Sonya’s cousin, Sontae Massey, for a deeply personal and emotional conversation about who Sonya really was and what her loss has meant to those who loved her most. Sontae shares what Sonya was like beyond the news coverage, the moment the family learned she had been killed, and the painful aftermath that followed. She speaks openly about the investigation, the courtroom revelations, and the questions her family still carries. She also discusses the creation of the Massey Commission, formed in Sonya’s name to push for accountability, transparency, and systemic change.This conversation goes beyond the incident itself and explores the broader impact on a family, a community, and a country still grappling with issues of trust, justice, and accountability. It is a story about grief, resilience, and the determination to make sure Sonya Massey is remembered not just for how she died, but for who she was.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Unheard, Justin sits down with legendary journalist Ashleigh Banfield for an honest conversation about truth, trauma, and the media machine that shapes how the world sees tragedy.Ashleigh reflects on her journey from small-town newsrooms to the center of history, including being in New York on 9/11, running for her life when the towers collapsed, and continuing to report in the aftermath. She opens up about the emotional toll of covering national tragedies like Sandy Hook, high-profile cases like Casey Anthony, and war zones around the world, and how those experiences permanently changed the way she approaches journalism.The conversation explores the responsibility of reporters in moments of crisis, the harm caused by conspiracy culture, and why empathy is not optional when telling stories involving victims and survivors. Ashleigh also talks about her evolution beyond traditional news and her work today as the host of the podcast Drop Dead Serious, where she continues to examine complex cases with depth, integrity, and compassion.This episode is a rare look behind the headlines and into the mind of someone who has spent a lifetime bearing witness to history.Follow our guest: https://www.dropdeadserious.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

He used to be a police officer who believed in the system. He wore a badge, took an oath, and built a career around enforcing the law. Years later, he was on the other side of it, charged in a bank heist that cost him his freedom and permanently altered the trajectory of his life.In this episode of Unheard, I sit down with Gary Sahlin to talk about how that transformation happened. Not in a motivational way. Not in a neatly packaged redemption arc. But in an honest, uncomfortable way that walks through the choices, pressures, and internal shifts that led a trained law enforcement officer to cross into criminal behavior.We talk about what was happening in his life before the robbery, how he justified what he was doing at the time, and the moment everything finally collapsed. He speaks openly about the crime, the arrest, federal prison, and what it’s like to live with a decision you can’t undo. There’s no attempt to minimize the damage or rewrite history. He owns what he did and talks about the consequences that followed.This is one of the most interesting stories you’ve probably never heard, not because it’s flashy, but because it exposes how thin the line can be between stability and self-destruction, between identity and illusion, and between who we believe we are and who we actually become.The conversation isn’t about glamorizing crime. It’s about reality. It’s about accountability. And it’s about hearing directly from someone who has lived on both sides of the justice system.🎙️ FOLLOW & SUPPORT UNHEARDSubscribe to Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words so you don’t miss new episodes.🎥 YouTube (full video episodes)🎧 All major podcast platforms (follow wherever you listen)🔔 Turn on notifications and download episodes, it helps ensure these stories continue to be told.If you’re having trouble finding Unheard or this episode on your preferred platform, drop a comment and we’ll get you the link.👤 FOLLOW THE HOSTFollow Just In The Nick of Crime for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and future episodes:📲 @JustinTheNickOfCrime on all platformsSubstack: https://justinthenickofcrime.substack.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/justinthenickofcrime1Instagram: https://instagram.com/justinthenickofcrimeTikTok: @justinthenickofcrimeCameo: https://cameo.com/JustInTheNickOfCrime📚 SUPPORT THE WORKSupport the show by purchasing books or merch:👉 http://justinthenickofcrime.com💵 CashApp: $JustinOnTikTok💵 Venmo: @JustinOnTikTok📧 Business inquiries:Justin@unheardmediagroup.comDISCLAIMER: This channel covers news stories and current events. All information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you or someone you know needs support, visit the appropriate website(s) for resources and helpline information.Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.© 2026 Unheard Media, LLC | JustInTheNickOfCrime™ All rights reserved#UnheardPodcast #Unheard #TrueCrimePodcast #TrueCrimeCommunity #TrueCrime #InTheirOwnWords #SurvivorVoices #JusticeForVictims #Accountability #PodcastLaunch #ElizabethSmart #ElizabethSmartFoundation #SurvivorAdvocate #EndChildAbuse #BelieveSurvivors #PodcastRecommendations #NewPodcast #YouTubePodcast #CrimeStoriesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this deeply moving episode of Unheard, survivor and advocate Elizabeth Smart shares her experience of surviving kidnapping and navigating the long, complex journey of healing after trauma. Elizabeth opens up about how the legal system can retraumatize survivors, why forgiveness is deeply personal, and what recovery really looks like beyond the headlines.This conversation explores trauma recovery, victim advocacy, consent education, body autonomy, and the critical role of family and support systems. Elizabeth also discusses grief, faith, public scrutiny, and how sharing survivor stories can create awareness, understanding, and change.Trigger Warning: This episode discusses trauma, abuse, and recovery.Topics include:trauma recovery, sexual assault survivors, victim advocacy, forgiveness and healing, consent education, legal system challenges, post-traumatic growth, survivor stories, mental health03:02 – Trauma and the Legal System05:53 – Faith, Trauma, and Complexity09:04 – What Forgiveness Really Means11:56 – Turning Trauma Into Advocacy15:02 – Why Justice Often Fails Survivors18:08 – Understanding Victimhood20:47 – Language, Consent, and Body Autonomy23:54 – Living Beyond Survival26:58 – Why Healing Is Not Linear29:53 – The Power of Support Systems33:14 – Strength and Resilience After Trauma36:03 – Setbacks in Recovery38:48 – Unfairness After Rescue42:23 – Centering Victims, Not Headlines43:56 – Family’s Role in Healing45:00 – Life After Trauma46:10 – Being a Public Figure After Trauma47:15 – Returning to “Normal”51:41 – What the Public Doesn’t See01:01:45 – The Reality of Long-Term Healing01:03:30 – Advice for Parents and Educators01:05:05 – Finding Hope and Joy01:06:03 – Elizabeth Smart’s Work and WritingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words is a groundbreaking true-crime podcast that hands the microphone back to those who were silenced. Hosted by investigative storyteller Justin Shepherd, Unheard goes beyond headlines and court transcripts to reveal raw, firsthand accounts from victims, survivors, and voices long overlooked by the justice system.This trailer offers a powerful introduction to the heart of the series—stories told without filters, agendas, or sensationalism. These are not retellings. These are lived experiences, shared by the people who carry them.🔎 What to Expect from Unheard:🗣️ Stories Told FirsthandEvery episode centers the voices of those directly impacted—speaking in their own words, on their own terms.🖤 Beyond the HeadlinesUnheard explores the emotional aftermath, unanswered questions, and human cost that rarely make the news.⚖️ Truth Without SensationalismThis series prioritizes authenticity and respect over shock value, creating space for honesty and nuance.🔦 Cases That Deserve AttentionFrom overlooked victims to stories buried by time, Unheard shines a light where silence once lived.🎧 A New Kind of True CrimeLess narration. More truth. This is true crime stripped down to its most human form.🔥 A Call to Listen DifferentlyUnheard challenges listeners to move beyond curiosity and toward understanding, empathy, and awareness.If you think you know true crime—listen again.Because some stories were never meant to stay silent.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this powerful episode of Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words, Justin (JustInTheNickOfCrime) sits down with journalist Ashleigh Banfield to discuss the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and the growing violence in America. They explore the role of social media in fueling outrage, the need for civic engagement through voting, and how kindness and grace can heal divided communities. The conversation also dives into the Brian Kohberger case, the psychology of violent offenders, and the impact crime has on the families of both victims and perpetrators.💥 Murder is never justified — violence is not the answer📱 Social media can amplify anger and division🗳️ Civic engagement and voting are crucial for real change💛 Acts of kindness can transform communities🧠 Understanding criminal psychology can prevent future violence🤝 Families of perpetrators also deserve compassion and support⏱️ Episode Chapters04:14 – The Tragic Assassination of Charlie Kirk07:12 – Cultural Degradation and Violence in Society10:01 – Social Media and Amplified Anger13:10 – Why Violence Isn’t the Solution16:20 – Civic Engagement & Voting Power19:19 – Kindness and Community Healing24:55 – Understanding Criminal Minds26:02 – Exploring the Psyche of a Criminal28:01 – The Influence of Ted Bundy30:02 – Dark Online Obsessions32:42 – Mistakes of a Criminal Mind35:46 – Early Signs of a Serial Killer37:23 – The Aftermath of Violence40:44 – The Complexity of Victimhood43:56 – Grace in Understanding46:10 – Reflections on Trauma & Reporting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.