Murder, Mother & Me

In November 2022, the quiet college town of Moscow, Idaho was rocked by a brutal crime. Four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were found murdered in their off-campus home on King Road. The shocking discovery sent waves of fear through the community and drew national attention. As fear grips the small town of Moscow, Idaho, investigators sift through digital breadcrumbs, surveillance footage, and a mysterious white Elantra. In part two, we follow the trail that led police to suspect Bryan Kohberger — and uncover how one of the most haunting college town mysteries of our time began to unravel.

In November 2022, the quiet college town of Moscow, Idaho was rocked by a brutal crime. Four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were found murdered in their off-campus home on King Road. The shocking discovery sent waves of fear through the community and drew national attention. As investigators searched for answers, rumors spread, and a small town that once felt safe was consumed by confusion and grief. In Part 1, we look at the victims, the timeline of that tragic night, and the early days of an investigation that left more questions than answers.

In August 2013, 19-year-old college student Bryce Laspisa vanished under mysterious circumstances after a late-night drive from his campus in Northern California. His SUV was found wrecked and abandoned at Castaic Lake, but Bryce was gone—leaving behind more questions than answers. Was he running from something, suffering a mental break, or the victim of foul play?

In 2016, 23-year-old RAF gunner Corrie McKeague vanished after a night out in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. His disappearance sparked one of the most extensive and baffling investigations in the UK, involving CCTV analysis, massive landfill searches, and countless theories. Despite years of searching, no trace of Corrie has ever been found—leaving behind haunting questions about what really happened in the early hours of that September morning.

He called himself The Zodiac. Beginning in the late 1960s, a shadowy figure began a spree of brutal attacks across Northern California, targeting young couples in secluded areas. But what truly set this case apart was the killer’s obsession with attention. He sent a series of cryptic letters and ciphers to local newspapers, taunting police, boasting about his crimes, and threatening more violence if his demands weren’t met.With at least five confirmed victims - and claims of many more - the Zodiac Killer left behind a trail of fear, confusion, and unsolved puzzles. Despite decades of investigation, countless suspects, and modern forensic efforts, the killer’s identity remains unknown.Join us for this 2 part special as we unravel the Zodiac’s crimes, examine the chilling letters and codes, explore the main suspects, and look at the theories that still haunt investigators to this day. This is the story of a killer who turned murder into a game and vanished without a trace.

He called himself The Zodiac. Beginning in the late 1960s, a shadowy figure began a spree of brutal attacks across Northern California, targeting young couples in secluded areas. But what truly set this case apart was the killer’s obsession with attention. He sent a series of cryptic letters and ciphers to local newspapers, taunting police, boasting about his crimes, and threatening more violence if his demands weren’t met. With at least five confirmed victims - and claims of many more - the Zodiac Killer left behind a trail of fear, confusion, and unsolved puzzles. Despite decades of investigation, countless suspects, and modern forensic efforts, the killer’s identity remains unknown. Join us for this 2 part special as we unravel the Zodiac’s crimes, examine the chilling letters and codes, explore the main suspects, and look at the theories that still haunt investigators to this day. This is the story of a killer who turned murder into a game and vanished without a trace.

In 1999, 19-year-old Stephanie Neiman was kidnapped, shot, and buried alive in Oklahoma after witnessing a violent crime. Her killer, Clayton Lockett, was sentenced to death; his botched 2014 execution drew national attention, but her family urged focus on Stephanie’s courage and tragic loss.

In 2021, 23 year old Chandler Halderson from Wisconsin told police his parents had vanished during a weekend getaway. But as the investigation unfolded, disturbing secrets surfaced. What began as a routine missing persons case took a grim turn when dismembered remains were found. Chandler, a seemingly ordinary young man, was charged with their murders. Prosecutors revealed a trail of deception he had woven to hide the truth about his life. Ultimately convicted and sentenced to life without parole, the case left lingering questions about what truly drove him to commit such a horrific act.

Laci Peterson, a 27-year-old pregnant woman from Modesto, California, vanished on December 24, 2002. Her husband, Scott Peterson, told police she was missing after he returned from a solo fishing trip. As the investigation unfolded, suspicion turned toward Scott, especially after news of his affair surfaced. In April 2003, the remains of Laci and her unborn son were discovered. Scott was arrested, found guilty of both murders in 2004, and sentenced to life in prison. The case attracted widespread media attention and remains highly publicized.

In 2012, Canadian Luka Magnotta murdered and dismembered international student Jun Lin, filming the crime and posting it online. The disturbing video drew global outrage and triggered a massive international manhunt. Magnotta, who had a history of seeking online attention and infamy, fled the country but was captured in Berlin days later. The case exposed his deeply narcissistic behavior and previous acts of animal cruelty, and it raised serious questions about internet culture, violence, and notoriety in the digital age.

In 1947, Elizabeth Short, a 22-year-old aspiring actress was found mutilated and severed in Los Angeles. The media sensationalized the case, dubbing her "The Black Dahlia" and fueling rumors of Hollywood ties. Despite widespread attention and numerous suspects, the crime remains unsolved.

Zebb Quinn, a 19-year-old from Asheville, NC, vanished on January 2, 2000 after a meeting with a friend took a strange turn. Days later, his car was found abandoned, marked with cryptic symbols. Years passed before a suspect emerged, but the biggest mystery remains—where is Zebb?

Amy Lynn Bradley was a 23-year-old American woman who disappeared on March 24, 1998, while on a Royal Caribbean cruise with her family in the Caribbean. She was last seen early in the morning on the balcony of their cabin. Despite extensive searches, no trace of her was found on the ship or in the surrounding waters, leading to speculation that she may have been abducted. Over the years, there have been reported sightings of Amy in potential human trafficking situations, but none have been confirmed. Her case remains unsolved, and her family continues to seek answers.

Henry McCabe mysteriously disappeared on September 7, 2015, after a night out with friends in Minnesota. His last communication was a cryptic voicemail filled with eerie noises. His body was later found in a lake, with drowning ruled as the cause, but the bizarre circumstances remain a mystery.

In 2009, 28-year-old Susan Cox Powell vanished from her Utah home, leaving behind her two young sons. As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a history of control and dysfunction within the Powell family, including disturbing behaviors from Josh and his father, Steve Powell. Join us as we unravel the chilling details of the case that still haunts investigators and true crime enthusiasts to this day.

On July 13, 2011, 32 year old Rebecca Zahau was found hanging nude from a balcony with her hands and feet bound at the Spreckels Mansion in California. Her death was ruled a suicide by authorities however, Rebeccas family has long contested the ruling, believing she was murdered. The case remains a topic of debate, with questions surrounding the evidence, conflicting forensic reports, and suspicions about foul play.

In 1931, Julia Wallace was found murdered in her Liverpool home after her husband, William, was lured away by a mysterious phone call. Suspicion fell on him, leading to a conviction that was later overturned due to lack of evidence. Despite numerous theories, the case remains one of England’s most baffling unsolved mysteries.

In this episode we discuss The Columbine High School massacre which occurred on April 20, 1999, in Littleton, Colorado, when two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, carried out a planned attack on their school. Armed with firearms and homemade explosives, they killed 12 students and a teacher, injuring many more. The tragedy, one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history, shocked the nation and sparked debates about gun control, school safety, mental health, and media influence, leaving a lasting impact on American society.

On December 26, 1996, six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey was found dead in the basement of her Boulder, Colorado home. A mysterious ransom note, signs of strangulation, and a severe head injury pointed to foul play. The case quickly spiraled into a media frenzy, with suspicion falling on her family and theories of an intruder. Police missteps and conflicting evidence left the murder unsolved, making it one of the most infamous cold cases in American historyFollow us on instagram @murdermotherandmepodcast

On December 26, 1996, six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey was found dead in the basement of her Boulder, Colorado home. A mysterious ransom note, signs of strangulation, and a severe head injury pointed to foul play. The case quickly spiraled into a media frenzy, with suspicion falling on her family and theories of an intruder. Police missteps and conflicting evidence left the murder unsolved, making it one of the most infamous cold cases in American history Follow us on instagram @murdermotherandmepodcast