Digest

The podcast "That's Messed Up" delves into the true crime stories behind two episodes of the popular television series "Law and Order SVU." The first episode focuses on the cold case murder of Lisa Zeigurch, a young woman who worked at a card and gift shop in Agawam, Massachusetts. The case remained unsolved for years until DNA phenotyping, a new forensic technique, helped investigators narrow down the suspect pool to 11 individuals. One of these individuals, Gary, eventually confessed to the crime. The episode highlights the power of DNA phenotyping in solving cold cases and the importance of persistence in pursuing justice. The second episode explores the audacious Antwerp Diamond Heist, one of the most daring diamond robberies in history. The heist was orchestrated by a group of Italian thieves known as the "School of Turin," led by Leonardo Notarbertucci. The thieves meticulously planned and executed the heist, bypassing multiple security measures at the Antwerp World Diamond Center, including a three-ton steel door with a complex code and a foot-long key. They used a unique key to access a door that was not protected by cameras or ID badge requirements, and they disabled magnetic sensors, security cameras, and heat and motion sensors using various techniques. The episode details the thieves' actions inside the vault, where they used a custom-made tool to open 109 safe deposit boxes, stealing diamonds, gems, gold, silver, cash, and other valuables. The episode also recounts the investigation that led to the arrest of Leonardo and his accomplices, highlighting the role of a retiree named August van Camp who stumbled upon discarded evidence while walking his weasels in the woods. The episode concludes with the sentencing of the thieves and the lingering mystery surrounding the stolen goods.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Studio Talk

The podcast begins with a brief introduction to the hosts and the show's format. They then discuss their studio, the upcoming birthday of one of the hosts' husbands, and the unfairness of birthday month for those with birthdays later in the month.

00:00:39

The Murder of Lisa Zeigurch

The hosts discuss the cold case murder of Lisa Zeigurch, which was eventually solved through DNA phenotyping and the persistence of investigators. The episode highlights the power of DNA phenotyping in solving cold cases and the importance of persistence in pursuing justice.

00:17:11

The Antwerp Diamond Heist

The hosts delve into the story of Leonardo Notarbartolo, an Italian gem dealer who orchestrated one of the most audacious diamond heists in history, targeting the high-security vault of the Antwerp World Diamond Center. The episode details the meticulous planning and execution of the heist, highlighting the thieves' expertise in bypassing security systems and the scale and audacity of the robbery.

00:42:56

The Antwerp Diamond Heist: The Plan and Execution

The episode delves into the audacious 2003 Antwerp Diamond Heist, focusing on the meticulous planning and execution by the \"School of Turin\" thieves. The heist involved a unique key, a complex vault door, and a series of security measures that the thieves cleverly bypassed. The episode describes the thieves' actions inside the vault, where they used a custom-made tool to open 109 safe deposit boxes. They stole diamonds, gems, gold, silver, cash, and other valuables, highlighting the scale and audacity of the heist.

01:00:07

The Key to the Vault and Inside the Vault

The episode reveals how the thieves, led by Leonardo Notarbertucci, discovered the key to the vault hidden in a utility closet. This unexpected find simplified their task, highlighting the element of luck and the security flaws that allowed the heist to succeed. The episode describes the thieves' actions inside the vault, where they used a custom-made tool to open 109 safe deposit boxes. They stole diamonds, gems, gold, silver, cash, and other valuables, highlighting the scale and audacity of the heist.

01:03:57

The Escape, the Evidence, and the Investigation

The episode details the thieves' escape, their attempt to dispose of evidence, and the unexpected role of a retiree named August van Camp. August, while walking his weasels, stumbled upon the discarded evidence, leading to the thieves' eventual capture. The episode recounts the investigation that led to the arrest of Leonardo and his accomplices. The evidence included invoices, a business card, a half-eaten sandwich, and DNA evidence, showcasing the meticulous work of the investigators.

01:11:36

The Capture and the Aftermath

The episode recounts the investigation that led to the arrest of Leonardo and his accomplices. The evidence included invoices, a business card, a half-eaten sandwich, and DNA evidence, showcasing the meticulous work of the investigators. The episode concludes with the sentencing of the thieves and the lingering mystery surrounding the stolen goods. The episode highlights the impact of the heist on the victims and the enduring questions about the true extent of the stolen valuables.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the format of the True Crime Comedy Podcast \"That's Messed Up\"?

  The podcast breaks down an episode of Law and Order SVU, the true crime it's based on, and features a chat with an actor from the episode.

• How was the cold case murder of Lisa Zeigurch solved?

  DNA phenotyping, a new forensic technique, helped investigators narrow down the suspect pool to 11 individuals, leading to the identification of Gary, who eventually confessed to the crime.

• What were some of the security measures in place at the Antwerp World Diamond Center's vault?

  The vault had multiple overlapping security measures, including barricades, credentials, constant surveillance, a three-ton steel door with a complex code and a foot-long key, magnets, a seismic sensor, and multiple sensors inside the vault itself.

• What was the significance of the music box that Gary brought home to his ex-wife Joyce the night Lisa was killed?

  Music boxes were sold at Britney's Card and Gift Shop, where Lisa worked, making it a potential piece of evidence linking Gary to the crime scene.

• What was the role of Gary's ex-wife Joyce in solving the case?

  Joyce had initially reported her suspicions about Gary to her divorce attorney, who contacted the police. Her information, though initially dismissed, ultimately led to Gary being included in the list of suspects for DNA testing.

• How did the thieves manage to bypass the security measures at the Antwerp World Diamond Center?

  The thieves used a unique key to access a door that was not protected by cameras or ID badge requirements. They also disabled magnetic sensors, security cameras, and heat and motion sensors using various techniques, demonstrating their expertise in bypassing security systems.

• What role did August van Camp play in the capture of the thieves?

  August van Camp, a retiree who enjoyed walking his weasels in the woods, stumbled upon discarded evidence from the heist. He contacted the police, leading to the investigation and the eventual arrest of the thieves. His discovery highlighted the importance of seemingly insignificant details in solving crimes.

• What happened to the stolen goods from the Antwerp Diamond Heist?

  The whereabouts of the stolen goods remain a mystery. While some believe that the thieves made off with a significant amount of valuables, others speculate that the heist was part of an insurance scheme, and the stolen goods were ultimately recirculated through the diamond trade.

Show Notes