American Nightmares: The Canal Murders

Phoenix cold case detectives finally have a name. Their investigation leads them to an eccentric figure in the city's steampunk scene known as the Arizona Zombie Hunter, who drives a decommissioned police car and has a disturbing history of violence. But a name isn't enough. Detectives devise an undercover plan to secretly obtain his DNA and learn whether they've finally found the Canal Killer.

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More than two decades after the murders of Angela Brosso and Melanie Bernas, the Phoenix Canal Murders remain unsolved. Then forensic genealogist Colleen Fitzpatrick approaches Phoenix police with an emerging technique that combines DNA analysis and family trees. Her work could finally give cold case detectives what they've been missing for more than 20 years: their killer's name.

Want the full story? On Apple Podcasts, you can binge every episode of American Nightmares ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge.

Hit ’subscribe’ at the top of the American Nightmares show page to unlock the whole series today. 

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Ten months after the murder of Angela Brosso, 17-year-old Melanie Bernas is killed while riding her bike along a Phoenix canal. The similarities are impossible to ignore. Then DNA evidence confirms investigators' worst fear: Angela Brosso and Melanie Bernas were murdered by the same man. A serial killer is stalking Phoenix.

Want the full story? On Apple Podcasts, you can binge every episode of American Nightmares ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge.

Hit ’subscribe’ at the top of the American Nightmares show page to unlock the whole series today. 

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In 1992, Phoenix, Arizona was experiencing one of the most violent years in its history. But the murder of 22-year-old Angela Brosso was different. Attacked while riding her bike along the Arizona Canal, her killing was so brutal it seemed ripped from a horror movie. The shocking crime would become the beginning of one of Phoenix's most notorious cold cases: The Canal Murders.

Want the full story? On Apple Podcasts, you can binge every episode of American Nightmares ad-free now by subscribing to The Binge.

Hit ’subscribe’ at the top of the American Nightmares show page to unlock the whole series today.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming September 15th to the American Nightmares award winning podcast feed.

In the early 1990s, a serial killer hunted the canals of Phoenix, Arizona. A violent psychopath. Two grisly homicides. Methods so disturbing they drew comparisons to Jack the Ripper himself.

For decades, the killer hid in plain sight — evading justice, living in a twisted world of fantasy, while Arizona's most infamous cold case grew cold. Investigators searched for answers. Families searched for closure. Neither found what they were looking for.

Until now.

Host Brian Peter Falk gets you closer to this chilling investigation Unraveling the threads of a case that shook a city, Brian goes beyond the headlines to uncover the dark truths that have remained buried for over thirty years. But as the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear — solving two murders is only the beginning.

How deep does this story really go? The truth lies below the surface.

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Before Season 6 begins, showrunner Brian Peter Falk and  former police commander Mike King — one of the central figures from Season 5 sit with the Executive Producer of The Gamut Podcast Network Dan Zampillo for an unfiltered conversation about what came before and what's coming next. They unpack the emotional fallout from American Nightmares Season 5 Gardens of Evil and pull back the curtain on the making of Season 6 The Canal Murders. It's equal parts debrief and preview, and whether you've been with American Nightmares from the beginning or you're just finding the series, this is the conversation you need before Season 6 drops.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming soon to the American Nightmares award winning podcast feed.

In the early 1990s, a serial killer hunted the canals of Phoenix, Arizona. A violent psychopath. Two grisly homicides. Methods so disturbing they drew comparisons to Jack the Ripper himself.

For decades, the killer hid in plain sight — evading justice, living in a twisted world of fantasy, while Arizona's most infamous cold case grew cold. Investigators searched for answers. Families searched for closure. Neither found what they were looking for.

Until now.

Host Brian Peter Falk gets you closer to this chilling investigation Unraveling the threads of a case that shook a city, Brian goes beyond the headlines to uncover the dark truths that have remained buried for over thirty years. But as the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear — solving two murders is only the beginning.

How deep does this story really go? The truth lies below the surface.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Following the story of Zion, survivors share the moments, memories, and manipulation that couldn’t be fully captured the first time. Jackie and Ron reflect on the turning point that led them to leave, as Arvin Shreve’s behavior grew increasingly disturbing.

Through deeply personal accounts, survivors reveal how fear, control, and religious rhetoric were used to strip away identity and maintain power within the group. Andrea and Amber speak to the lasting emotional impact—from the trauma inflicted on children to the psychological scars that linger into adulthood.

Centered on survivor voices, A Closer Look continues to add depth and perspective to the story of Zion—offering validation, understanding, and resources for those navigating similar experiences.

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What happens when you return to the place where it all began?

In Episode 2 of Gardens of Evil – A Closer Look Inside The Garden, hosted by Mike King, survivors revisit the neighborhoods where their childhoods were shaped, and where trauma still lingers beneath the surface.

As memories resurface, experts help explain why trauma doesn’t follow a linear path. Dr. Judy Ho breaks down how abuse disrupts memory, leaving survivors with fragmented and emotional recall, while Dr. Patrice Berry explores the critical role of validation, empathy, and safe support systems in the healing process.

For the first time, we also hear from the partners of survivors... those who stand beside them in the aftermath. Rocky and David share what it means to support someone you love through trauma, without judgment, and without trying to “fix” what can’t be undone.

This episode is about memory, resilience, and the quiet power of being believed—and what it takes to begin healing when the past is still present.

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After the events of Gardens of Evil, the story doesn’t end for the survivors.

In the first episode of our bonus series A Closer Look, we examine the lasting psychological impact of growing up inside the Zion Society cult. Survivors describe a childhood defined by constant monitoring, shame, and control—where even a child’s body weight was tied to spiritual worthiness.

Host Mike King speaks with survivors about the lifelong effects of coercive control: broken trust, complicated family relationships, and the challenges of parenting after trauma. Cult expert and sociologist Dr. Janja Lalich also joins the conversation to explain how cult recruitment works, why people stay, and why it can take decades for survivors to rebuild their lives.

This episode is dedicated to victims of child abuse, to those who escaped destructive mind control, and to the advocates who fight every day to protect children.

If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse, help is available. Support your local Children’s Advocacy Center and organizations that serve survivors.

Use code NIGHTMARES at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Shimmer Face Oil with your first purchase. #JonesRoadBeauty #ad

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