388: Murder at the Met (from "New York Homicide")
6Digest
The podcast delves into the real-life murder of Helen Mintix, a violinist at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1980. The episode explores the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the subsequent investigation, focusing on the elevator story and the last person to see Helen alive. The investigation leads to Craig Cremens, a stagehand who missed his cue and is identified as the man in the elevator. His nervous behavior and the fact that he was missing for a period of time raise suspicions. Craig Cremens eventually confesses to the murder, revealing that he hit on Helen in the elevator, she slapped him, and he became enraged, leading to a violent struggle that ended with him pushing her off the roof. The podcast discusses the aftermath of the crime, including Craig Kremens' conviction of felony murder and his eventual release in 2021. The podcast highlights the importance of telling Helen Mintix's story and giving a voice to her family and friends, emphasizing the need to remember her as a bright, talented, and loving young woman who was tragically murdered for no reason.
Outlines
Introduction and Merch Announcement
The podcast begins with a brief introduction and a reminder about the availability of new merch on their website.
Murder at the Met: Helen Mintix's Story
The episode delves into the real-life murder of Helen Mintix, a violinist at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1980. The podcast explores the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the subsequent investigation.
Sponsor Segments
The podcast features sponsored segments highlighting Masterclass, an online learning platform offering courses from renowned experts, and Flamengo razors, emphasizing their smooth shaving experience and affordable refills.
The Investigation Begins
The medical examiner's report reveals that Helen Mintix was alive when she was thrown from the roof. The investigation focuses on the elevator story, as the last person to see Helen alive is a mystery man.
Suspects Emerge
The police distribute a questionnaire to the Met staff to gather information about the night of the murder. A stagehand named Vincent becomes a suspect due to his shaved head and scratches on his face, but his alibi involves a violent argument with his wife.
Craig Cremens: The Missing Cue and the Ratting Out
The investigation focuses on Craig Cremens, a stagehand who missed his cue and is identified as the man in the elevator. His nervous behavior and the fact that he was missing for a period of time raise suspicions.
Confession and Sponsor Segment
Craig Cremens confesses to the murder and requests to speak to Detective Jerry Alon. The podcast then features a sponsored segment promoting Simply Safe home security systems.
The Investigation Continues: Laura's Testimony
The podcast continues the investigation, focusing on Laura, a dancer who witnessed Helen Mintix asking for a Russian dancer named Valerie Panov. Laura's testimony provides a crucial lead.
The Killer's Confusing Story
The podcast discusses the confusing story given by the suspect, Craig Kremens, who claims to have been on the elevator with the victim, Helen Mintix, but insists he had nothing to do with her death. The police lack sufficient evidence to hold him, but they suspect him and keep an eye on him.
The Confession and Aftermath
The police question Craig Kremens, who initially lies but eventually confesses to killing Helen Mintix. He reveals that he hit on her in the elevator, she slapped him, and he became enraged, leading to a violent struggle that ended with him pushing her off the roof. The podcast discusses the aftermath of the crime. Craig Kremens is convicted of felony murder and sentenced to 20 years to life. He is denied parole multiple times but is eventually released in 2021. The podcast expresses anger and frustration at the injustice of the situation.
Remembering Helen and Upcoming Episodes
The podcast highlights the importance of telling Helen Mintix's story and giving a voice to her family and friends. They emphasize the need to remember her as a bright, talented, and loving young woman who was tragically murdered for no reason. The podcast announces upcoming episodes, including the final episode of "Control All Desire," the "Man with a Thousand Kids" case, the "TikTok Star Murders," and a two-part episode on the Lacey Petersen documentary.
Keywords
Clove Hitch
A type of knot used in climbing and sailing, known for its secure hold and ease of untying. In the podcast, it is mentioned as a knot used to bind Helen Mintix, suggesting a possible connection to someone with experience in climbing or sailing.
Russian Defector
A person who has left their country of origin, often for political or ideological reasons, and sought refuge in another country. In the podcast, Valerie Panov, a famous Russian dancer, is a defector, adding an international element to the case.
Stage Hand
A person who works backstage in a theater, responsible for setting up and operating stage equipment, moving scenery, and assisting performers. In the podcast, stage hands play a significant role in the investigation, as they are potential witnesses and suspects.
Metropolitan Opera House
A renowned opera house in New York City, known for its grand architecture and prestigious performances. The murder of Helen Mintix at the Met adds a layer of intrigue and mystery to the case.
Felony Murder
Felony murder is a legal doctrine that holds a person criminally liable for a death that occurs during the commission of a felony, even if the death was unintentional.
Social Media Obsession
Social media obsession refers to an excessive preoccupation with social media platforms, often leading to negative consequences such as neglecting real-life relationships, experiencing anxiety, and developing a distorted self-image.
Dark Underbelly of Social Media
The dark underbelly of social media refers to the negative aspects of social media, such as cyberbullying, online harassment, the spread of misinformation, and the exploitation of users for profit.
TikTok Star Murders
This refers to a specific case involving the murder of a TikTok star, which will be covered in an upcoming episode of the podcast.
Lacey Petersen Documentary
This refers to a Netflix documentary about the case of Lacey Petersen, a pregnant woman who was murdered by her husband. The podcast will be covering this case in two upcoming episodes.
Q&A
What was the name of the violinist who was murdered at the Metropolitan Opera House?
The violinist who was murdered was Helen Mintix.
What was the name of the Russian dancer who Helen Mintix was trying to meet?
The Russian dancer was Valerie Panov, a famous defector.
What was the name of the stagehand who was identified as the man in the elevator and ultimately confessed to the murder?
The stagehand was Craig Cremens.
What was the motive behind the murder of Helen Mintix?
The motive behind the murder is not explicitly stated in the podcast, but it is implied that Craig Cremens may have been motivated by a personal grudge or a desire for revenge.
What was the significance of the clove hitch knot used to bind Helen Mintix?
The clove hitch knot is a type of knot commonly used in climbing and sailing, suggesting that the killer may have had experience in these activities.
How did the police use the questionnaire to narrow down their list of suspects?
The police distributed a questionnaire to the Met staff, hoping to identify suspects who refused to answer or provided inconsistent information.
What was the significance of the fact that Craig Cremens missed his cue during the performance?
Missing a cue is a serious offense in the theater world, and the fact that Craig Cremens missed his cue raised suspicions among his fellow stagehands, who ultimately ratted him out.
What was the role of the medical examiner in the investigation?
The medical examiner determined that Helen Mintix was alive when she was thrown from the roof, providing crucial evidence for the investigation.
What was the significance of the fact that Valerie Panov was in the audience during the performance?
The fact that Valerie Panov was in the audience raised questions about why Helen Mintix was trying to meet him in his dressing room, as he was not in his dressing room at the time.
What was the significance of the fact that the stage doors at the Met were open and accessible to the public in 1980?
The open stage doors made it easier for someone to enter the building and potentially commit a crime, highlighting the security vulnerabilities of the time.
What was the suspect's story about his involvement with the victim?
The suspect, Craig Kremens, claimed to have been on the elevator with the victim, Helen Mintix, but insisted he had nothing to do with her death. He said they went their separate ways after the elevator ride, and he went to the electricians' lounge to get drunk.
Why did the police try to stop the Daily News from releasing the suspect's name?
The police were concerned that releasing the suspect's name would scare him off and make it harder to apprehend him. They also wanted to avoid potentially ruining the case by prematurely revealing his identity.
What was the suspect's confession like?
The suspect confessed to killing Helen Mintix, revealing that he hit on her in the elevator, she slapped him, and he became enraged, leading to a violent struggle that ended with him pushing her off the roof. He also admitted to trying to have sex with her before pushing her off the roof.
What happened to the suspect after his conviction?
Craig Kremens was convicted of felony murder and sentenced to 20 years to life. He was denied parole multiple times but was eventually released in 2021.
What is the podcast's message about the case?
The podcast expresses anger and frustration at the injustice of the situation, highlighting the senselessness of Helen Mintix's murder and the need to remember her as a bright, talented, and loving young woman who was tragically killed for no reason.
Show Notes
LOOKING FOR MORE TCO? On our Patreon feed, you'll find over 400 FULL AD-FREE BONUS episodes to BINGE RIGHT NOW, including our episode-by-episode coverage of popular documentary series like Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God, LulaRich, and The Curious Case of Natalia Grace; classics like The Jinx, Making A Murderer, and The Staircase; and well-known cases like The Menendez Murders, The Murder of Laci Peterson, Casey Anthony: American Murder Mystery, and The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann, and so many more!
The TCO Merch Store is open for a limited time only! Grab your swag here!
Table of contents
United States
