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18-year-old Aaron Iturra seemed to have it all: popularity, a close-knit family, and a big heart. So, why did someone kill him in his bed? The investigation into his murder would reveal a very unlikely killer. 

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Episode Source List:

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/jul/24/gang-mom-sentenced-for-arranging-murder/

https://www.oxygen.com/an-unexpected-killer/aaron-iturra-murder-arranged-by-gang-mom-mary-thompson

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Judge+refuses+to+cut+sentence+for+%27gang+mom%27.-a0216445619

https://apnews.com/article/233b15db660d6da92561930233528ff3 

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-25-me-16836-story.html 

“The Crusader’s Son.” I’d Kill for You. Season 2, Episode 8. 

“Hidden Betrayal.” An Unexpected Killer. Season 2, Episode 13.

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In July 2004, a family tragedy shook the small New Mexico town of Hondo. A ghastly murder on a rural ranch owned by a famous investigative reporter revealed dark family secrets and a teen’s need for escape.

Episode Source List:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/teen-guilty-in-ranch-killings/ 

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/10/08/new.mexico.posey.release/index.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna12665680 

https://www.scdailypress.com/2010/06/25/relatives-in-nm-ranch-slayings-win-87-million-judgment/ 

https://www.heraldbulletin.com/archives/man-who-killed-3-at-sam-donaldsons-nm-ranch-freed/article_c0e1aed7-f0b2-5ece-8c26-1fdc1077380e.html 

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/07/11/2003178541 

https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=90026&page=1 

https://www.abqjournal.com/12183/555am-cody-posey-out-of-jail.html 

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In January 2023, a chance encounter between two men ended in a bloody murder in front of the Portland Art Museum.  

Episode Source List:

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/read.cfm?id=452731 

https://katu.com/news/local/man-allegedly-stabbed-to-death-near-art-museum-for-peeing-in-front-of-suspect-crime-murder-homicide-stabbing-violence-city-arrest-police-travel-shooting-assault-weird 

https://www.portlandtribune.com/news/update-fatal-downtown-stabbing-suspect-arrested/article_bdb292d2-a248-11ed-84ac-4b100f259062.html 

https://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com/obituary/jonathan-bennett

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In February 2015, a gruesome discovery behind a vacant building revealed a twisted plan to murder 29-year-old mom-to-be Samantha Dean. This web of deceit would involve multiple (pretty dumb) hitmen and take the FBI all the way to the island of Bali in Indonesia. 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod

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Episode Source List:

https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Clark_-_07.23.15.pdf 

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2179005-vontrey-clark-search-warrant 

https://casetext.com/case/in-re-moore-4242041 

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/ag-paxton-announces-guilty-verdict-freddie-smith-capital-murder-trial 

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/bastrop-county/timeline-the-murder-of-samantha-dean/ 

https://people.com/crime/samantha-dean-murder-ex-texas-cop-and-father-of-child-detained-in-indonesia/ 

https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/warrant-dean-murder-scene-appeared-staged/269-152624959 

https://people.com/crime/former-texas-police-officer-pleads-guilty-to-killing-girlfriend-who-was-7-months-pregnant/ 

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/bastrop-county/vontrey-clarks-longtime-girlfriend-issues-statement/ 

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2022/07/08/man-found-guilty-in-murder-for-hire-death-of-pregnant-samantha-dean/65369567007/ 

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/state-to-pursue-death-penalty-against-former-austin-officer-vontrey-clark/269-488087056 

https://www.porterloring.com/obituaries/Samantha-Elizabeth-Dean?obId=18143261 

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After committing four horrific crimes in Colorado, the hammer-wielding attacker hitchhiked to Kingman, Arizona. A day after his arrival, he committed another violent bludgeoning. This crime would get him caught–at least temporarily. It turns out, he was slippery–and would use him time outside of bars to resume his crime spree.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod 

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Episode Source List:

https://www.courts.state.co.us/userfiles/file/Court_Probation/18th_Judicial_District/Arapahoe/Cases_of_Interest/Ewing%20DA%20Motion%202%20Complaint%20and%20Information%20Redacted.pdf 

https://www.da18.org/2021/08/murderer-of-auroras-bennett-family-sentenced-to-life-in-prison/ 

https://denvergazette.com/news/local/alex-ewing-receives-life-sentence-for-1984-hammer-killing-of-patricia-smith/article_f336cf30-ba8c-11ec-a1ef-53afacf29193.html 

https://www.9news.com/article/news/investigations/blame/opening-statements-1984-hammer-attack-patricia-smith/73-f14b0c60-2ef6-4c2d-92fc-a4fa3f10dc0d 

https://www.denverpost.com/2022/04/07/alex-ewing-hammer-killer-guilty-patricia-smith/ 

https://people.com/crime/bennett-killings-alex-ewing-sentenced-three-life-terms/

https://www.9news.com/article/news/investigations/blame/alex-ewing-court-outburst/73-48434654-4760-4daf-a260-c8bcd84e3e47 

https://people.com/crime/people-magazine-investigates-victim-colorado-hammer-killer-speaks-out/ 

https://www.9news.com/article/news/investigations/blame/alex-christopher-ewing-1984-colorado-hammer-attacks/73-d668975a-1b27-4ddb-872a-f58c186a4a9e 

https://www.denverpost.com/2015/02/01/aurora-woman-attacked-by-serial-killer-seeks-release-of-withheld-clue/ 

https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/alex-ewing-says-system-rigged-patricia-smith-murder-trial 

https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/vanessa-bennett-survivor 

“The Colorado Hammer Killer.” People Magazine Investigates. Season 6, Episode 5. 

“Lone Survivor.” Cold Case Files. Season 2, Episode 27.

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In 2010, a senseless murder rocked a private Christian school in Jacksonville, Florida. The reason for the murder is absolutely baffling. 

Episode Source List:

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/crime/2017/12/15/pair-convicted-classmate-s-murder-forgo-chances-lighter-sentences/15782343007/

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/crime/2010/02/11/stub-832/15956419007/ 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesunion/name/makia-coney-obituary?id=21957133 

https://www.news4jax.com/news/2017/11/27/man-who-shot-teen-classmate-in-thrill-kill-re-sentenced-to-life-with-review/ 

https://www.wokv.com/news/local/former-university-christian-student-loses-appeal-murder-case/rpvpty7qvHv247G93dAKtO/ 

https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/teen-killer-seeking-freedom/83450487/ 

https://www.staugustine.com/story/news/2010/02/15/teen-charged-student-slaying-attacked-jax-detention-center/16123363007/ 

https://www.wokv.com/news/family-murdered-jacksonville-student-sues-school/Vx5fWQap85Vu6klBz1Tg7J/ 

https://www.news4jax.com/news/2018/09/17/judge-mulls-thrill-kill-murderers-request-for-shorter-sentence/ 

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In February 2023, model and influencer Abby Choi disappeared on the way to pick up her child from school. After searching for her for days, authorities discovered a grisly scene in an apartment kitchen, complete with pots of human stew. Soon, they unraveled a devious plot worthy of a horror movie.

Episode Source List:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/abby-choi-murder-woman-arrested-in-killing-dismemberment-hong-kong-model/ 

https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/china/abby-choi-hong-kong-model-killed-alex-kwong-kong-chi-b2294710.html 

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/04/asia/hong-kong-murders-dismemberment-intl-hnk/index.html 

https://people.com/crime/abby-choi-model-body-parts-found-refrigerator-financial-dispute-ex-before-death/ 

https://globalnews.ca/news/9532914/hong-kong-model-abby-choi-woman-arrested-murder/ 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-64782060

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Over 12 days in January 1984, a hammer-wielding attacker terrorized the suburbs of Denver. In addition to harming several survivors, he took the lives of Patricia Smith, Debra Bennett, Bruce Bennett, and Melissa Bennett. When the murders stopped, investigators wondered why. Unbeknownst to everyone in Colorado, the elusive killer was already hitchhiking to his next destination. 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod 

PodMoth: https://podmoth.network/ 

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Episode Source List:

https://www.courts.state.co.us/userfiles/file/Court_Probation/18th_Judicial_District/Arapahoe/Cases_of_Interest/Ewing%20DA%20Motion%202%20Complaint%20and%20Information%20Redacted.pdf 

https://www.da18.org/2021/08/murderer-of-auroras-bennett-family-sentenced-to-life-in-prison/ 

https://denvergazette.com/news/local/alex-ewing-receives-life-sentence-for-1984-hammer-killing-of-patricia-smith/article_f336cf30-ba8c-11ec-a1ef-53afacf29193.html 

https://www.9news.com/article/news/investigations/blame/opening-statements-1984-hammer-attack-patricia-smith/73-f14b0c60-2ef6-4c2d-92fc-a4fa3f10dc0d 

https://www.denverpost.com/2022/04/07/alex-ewing-hammer-killer-guilty-patricia-smith/ 

https://people.com/crime/bennett-killings-alex-ewing-sentenced-three-life-terms/

https://www.9news.com/article/news/investigations/blame/alex-ewing-court-outburst/73-48434654-4760-4daf-a260-c8bcd84e3e47 

https://people.com/crime/people-magazine-investigates-victim-colorado-hammer-killer-speaks-out/ 

https://news3lv.com/news/local/nevada-inmate-to-stand-for-trial-for-colorado-murders-more-than-three-decades-later 

https://www.9news.com/article/news/investigations/blame/alex-christopher-ewing-1984-colorado-hammer-attacks/73-d668975a-1b27-4ddb-872a-f58c186a4a9e 

https://www.denverpost.com/2015/02/01/aurora-woman-attacked-by-serial-killer-seeks-release-of-withheld-clue/ 

https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/vanessa-bennett-survivor 

“The Colorado Hammer Killer.” People Magazine Investigates. S 6, Ep 5. 

“Lone Survivor.” Cold Case Files. S 2, Ep 27.

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On May 12, 2007, 20-year-old Maggie Haines awoke to screams coming from her brother’s bedroom. She ran to her neighbor’s house for help, narrowly escaping a knife-wielding killer. But who would murder a nice family like the Haines? The answer would prove to be just as shocking as the murders.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod

PodMoth: https://podmoth.network/

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Episode Source List:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/true-crime/wp/2017/01/25/a-tragic-ending-to-a-horrible-drama-convicted-of-murders-as-a-teen-he-killed-himself-in-prison/

https://lancasteronline.com/news/alec-kreider-killings-investigators-provide-haunting-details-of-haines-murders-lone-survivor-makes-emotional-statement/article_bc451961-679b-522b-9dfe-6181eb02880e.html

https://www.mcall.com/2017/01/24/man-convicted-of-3-murders-as-teen-kills-himself-in-prison/

https://www.wgal.com/article/tim-kreider-talks-about-turning-in-son-for-triple-murder/5890117#

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2017/01/father_of_triple_murderer_post.html 

https://lancasteronline.com/obituaries/thomas-a-lisa-b-and-kevin-t-haines/article_36fc5f02-6ae8-5519-b6fe-fd48362f0c70.html 

“The Perfect Family.” Unusual Suspects. Season 3, Episode 1. 26 February 2012.

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In September 2016, a driver found the bloody body of 15-year-old Nisa Mickens on a quiet suburban sidewalk in Brentwood, New York. The next day, authorities recovered the body of her best friend, 16-year-old Kayla Cuevas. The girls went to school with their killers, who were terrorizing the community. 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod

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Episode Source List:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/press-release/file/1087811/download 

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/ms-13-gang-members-indicted-2016-murders-three-brentwood-high-school-students 

https://pix11.com/news/local-news/long-island/teenage-girls-body-found-on-road-in-brentwood-police/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/report-ms-13-gang-members-arrested-in-slayings-of-ny-teen-girls/ 

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/feds-want-death-penalty-for-alleged-ms-13-leader-in-deaths-of-ny-teen-best-friends/2517420/ 

https://abc7ny.com/annmarie-drago-evelyn-rodriguez-kayla-cuevas-ms13/10388175/ 

https://longisland.news12.com/my-mom-was-a-warrior-anti-gang-activist-evelyn-rodriguez-remembered-years-after-her-death 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/30/nyregion/ms13-evelyn-rodriguez-kayla-cuevas.html

https://abc7ny.com/ms13-ms-13-evelyn-rodriguez-daughter-killed/4797863/ 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/02/11/death-penalty-justice-department/ 

https://www.scribd.com/document/367195951/Evelyn-Rodriguez-v-Brentwood-Union-Free-School-District  

https://www.deseret.com/2017/5/7/20496695/grieving-dad-runs-for-school-board-in-gang-scarred-suburb 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/nyregion/her-daughter-was-killed-by-a-gang-she-has-a-message-for-trump.html 

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/long-island-ms-13-gang-member-pleads-guilty-2016-murder-brentwood 

https://features.propublica.org/ms13-miguel/the-disappeared/