Alternative Interests

Some people just aren't built for having families, and we believe Steven is one of those people. This story is fraught with abuse in all forms, perpetuated by one of the worst human meat bags we have covered so far. In Part 1, we discuss what little we know about Steven's early years and the first victim of his sick grooming. Please be advised, this episode includes a significant amount of discussion of child abuse that may be difficult to listen to.

Most of us have been taught from a young age that if we are in trouble and there is an emergency, we should call 911 for help. But what happens when we do everything right: we call the number, we give the information, and it still isn't enough? Denise's story is a tragic example of everyone doing exactly what we have been taught, and somehow still failing the person who needed help most.

Historian, professor, genius... just a few of the words used to describe Anatoly before he went mad. 

Often when we hear about Black Widows, we see the pattern of a cunning woman who plays the part of the grieving widow in order to maintain her cover. Lynn Turner did no such thing. Lynn lacked any kind of discretion when it came to getting exactly what she wanted, and she didn't try to make anyone like her except for the men she went after. Lynn's actions would go on to be documented in several true crime television shows, and actually became the inspiration for another case we covered in a previous episode.

This story features the harrowing details of a severely troubled young woman who horrifically murdered a 9 year old girl. Alyssa's childhood began rough, but her grandmother sought to give her the loving a stable home that her parents could not provide. Despite a plethora of red flags, a disturbing obsession and curiosity grew within her until she took the life of a sweet young girl who did nothing more than trust her neighbor. 

On October 2, 1999, Allyn Atadero allowed his children to go on a short hike with a group of adults that were volunteering at a cabin resort he owned and managed. Josallyn (6) and Jaryd (3) were excited to enjoy the beautiful day in the forest while Allyn performed his routine chores around the resort. By that afternoon, however, their lives would change forever when Jaryd went missing. The resulting search and rescue mission became one of the largest in Larimer County, Colorado history, and the mystery of what happened to Jaryd remains unsolved to this day. 

Mental health is a common theme among many true crime cases, and this week's case is no different. The particularly gruesome nature of the crime and the behavior after the murder make this story more disturbing. However, due to the severity of her mental illness, it is hard not to feel some level of empathy for the woman locked inside the prison of her distorted reality.

Please take note, this week's episode includes mention of animal abuse and graphic mutilation of a body.

In Amarillo, TX during the 1990's there was a building tension between two very distinct subcultures in the town's youth which erupted in a scene of absolute chaos one fateful December night. This murder tore the community of Amarillo apart and the effects still ripple through punk culture today. Brian Deneke's life was stolen. The justice system served a slap in the face to Brian, his memory, and his family, so we must remember him and the message his life can teach us. 

Marilyn Manson's speech - he begins speaking about Brian at 6:55

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RRC0Cvkr4M

In continuing the sad saga of the Stayner family, this week we talk about Steven's older brother Cary. When Steven returned home to them, things didn't go well in the Stayner household. Cary moved on to work at a lodge near Yosemite where he would become known as the Yosemite Park Killer.

Tim was a young father with a friendly and outgoing personality. While traveling home from his job with a traveling carnival, Tim boarded a Greyhound bus for the long journey home. 

Vince was a troubled man, on a mission to remove evil from the world. 

These two men met through odd circumstances, and ultimately Tim lost his life in a horrific attack that many have come to know worldwide. The true atrocity here is the absolute absence of justice served for Tim. 

Link to the interview with Vince:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/greyhound-killer-believed-man-he-beheaded-was-an-alien-1.1131575