Burden of Proof

In this episode, we dive into the tragic case of Kirsten Costas, a 15 year old high school student and cheerleader from the quiet suburb of Orinda, California, whose life was cut short by a fatal act of jealousy. Kirsten was lured out under false pretenses by her classmate Bernadette Protti and the evening took a horrifying turn.

What drove this deadly encounter between the two girls? We explore the toxic pressures of high school popularity, envy, and the shocking lengths Bernadette went to fit in. We discuss the events leading up to Kirsten's death and discuss the dynamics behind this heartbreaking crime.

Join us as Savannah examines how the intense desire to belong can sometimes lead to devastating consequences and Elysia asks all the questions no one can answer.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

https://murderpedia.org/female.P/p/protti-bernadette.htm 

https://loriajohnston.medium.com/kirsten-costas-the-real-life-death-of-a-cheerleader-95bc7b3f393

https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueCrime/comments/o6eupy/37_years_ago_today_kirsten_costas_15_was_murdered/

https://clickamericana.com/topics/crime/the-real-death-of-a-cheerleader-1985

https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl?cost1=500&year1=198407&year2=202408

https://deadlywomen.fandom.com/wiki/Bernadette_Protti#:~:text=She%20had%20several%20older%20sisters,wealthier%20friends%2C%20including%20Kirsten%20Costas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qrGrV51egc&t=893s

https://www.tuko.co.ke/facts-lifehacks/435391-the-story-bernadette-protti-everything-know/#google_vignette

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

In this episode, we dive into the haunting case of the Rogers family murders also known as the Tampa Bay murders, a crime that shocked Florida in 1989. While on a dream vacation, Joan Rogers and her two daughters, Michelle and Christe, were lured onto a boat by Oba Chandler. What started as a friendly offer turned into a horrific crime when the family was bound, assaulted, and thrown into Tampa Bay to drown.

Tune in as Elysia unravels the chilling details of this tragic case, the investigation that followed, and how Chandler was ultimately caught and brought to justice years later. Meanwhile, Savannah gags at the thought of a dairy farm life.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

Family Massacre: The Rogers Family, Season 1, Episode 10

Forensic Files: Water Logged, Season 14, Episode 8

https://projects.tampabay.com/projects/classics/angels-and-demons/

https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/supreme-court/1997/84812-0.html

https://library.law.fsu.edu/Digital-Collections/flsupct/dockets/84812/84812ans.pdf

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14143195/joan_mae_rogers

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14143204/michelle_lee_rogers

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14143213/christe-eugenia-rogers

https://www.tampabay.com/narratives/2019/06/05/from-2011-i-dont-need-any-closure-hal-rogers-rebuilds-his-life-oba-chandler-is-about-to-lose-his/

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

In this episode we unravel the horrifying story of Bruce McArthur, a seemingly harmless landscaper who preyed on Toronto's LGBTQ+ community. From his unsuspecting double life to the slow investigation that uncovered his gruesome crimes, we discuss each layer of the case.

We touch on the lives of his victims, the mistakes and breakthroughs that shaped the investigation, and the broader social context surrounding Toronto's marginalized communities. This episode isn't just about the crimes; it's about the resilience of a community, the failures of a system, and the haunting question of how evil can sometimes hide in plain sight.

Tune in as Savannah pieces together how McArthur was able to evade capture for so long - and how he was finally brought to justice. Meanwhile, Elysia is completely baffled by how someone with such violent tendencies waited so long to act on them.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/hunter-what-made-serial-killer-bruce-mcarthur-tick 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/mcarthur-investigation-timeline-1.4697727 

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/a-timeline-of-the-toronto-police-investigation-into-bruce-mcarthur-and-the-gay-village-serial/article_373b4ce0-a463-5f5f-a28b-366a57d112db.html 

https://www.grunge.com/377322/heres-what-we-know-about-serial-killer-bruce-mcarthurs-childhood/ 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bruce-mcarthur-documents-released-1.4724392

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

Kay was just your typical single mother who was trying to find companionship, love and perhaps a good role model for her son, Jason. In December of 1993, she thought she may have found just that with Victor Gunnarsson. Right when Kay thought the relationship was moving forward though, Victor disappeared.

She didn't have much time to worry about Victor's disappearance because just six days later, Kay's mother, Catherine Miller, was murdered. With little to no evidence at the scene, detectives pressed Kay for any information that could help. It turned out she and Jason had been receiving threatening letters and calls, but they had no proof it was connected to Catherine's murder. When Victor's body was found in January of 1994, all signs began pointing at Kay's ex fiance, LC Underwood.

Tune in as Savannah unknowingly opens the episode perfectly with the perils of dating (especially with a large age gap). Elysia then gives her emotional whiplash in this unbelievable but true story about how one bad relationship can ruin so many lives.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

Forensic Files: To the Viktor, Season 10, Episode 39

Dead of Winter: Cold Blue, Season 2, Episode 2

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/nc-court-of-appeals/1435151.html

https://casetext.com/case/underwood-v-harkleroad#:~:text=FACTUAL%20AND%20PROCEDURAL%20BACKGROUND,and%20murder%20of%20Viktor%20Gunnarsson.

https://www.wbtv.com/story/11823288/judge-orders-new-trial-for-cop-convicted-of-murder/

https://www.salisburypost.com/2011/01/12/no-new-trial-for-l-c-underwood/

https://www.wataugademocrat.com/news/convicted-felon-former-officer-dies-while-serving-sentence-for-25-year-old-murder/article_122572e8-7598-58ce-b4ee-8d36d0f5f428.html

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206535233/lamont_claxton-underwood/photo

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme were just your typical teenage girls living in Christchurch, New Zealand in the 1950's, or so everyone thought. The pair became fast friends through their mutual health issues that excluded them from gym class. Then, they just as quickly established their mutual love for all things dark and depraved.

The girls' became obsessed with each other and with living out their disturbing fantasies. Pauline's parents in particular became extremely concerned with the relationship. So, when Juliet's parents, Henry and Hilda Hulme, decided to ship her to South Africa, Pauline knew her mother, Honorah Parker, would stop her from going with Juliet.

Tune in as Savannah details the unbelievable plan and flawless execution Pauline and Juliet conducted. Meanwhile, Elysia is simply befuddled as to why they would ever think it would work.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/parker-hulme-murder 

https://www.criminalbroads.com/episodes/2021/8/11/the-parker-hulme-murder-case 

https://youtu.be/3ZNxBbRb2Co?si=LxA7Jp1lcXiBvyts

https://allthatsinteresting.com/pauline-parker-juliet-hulme 

https://wondery.com/shows/morbid-a-true-crime-podcast/episode/10863-heavenly-creatures-the-parker-hulme-murder/ 

https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Digitised/ParkerHulme/Page23.asp 

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

To celebrate our 100th case, we discuss the women who inspired Maureen Dallas Watkins' play and longest running musical, Chicago. During the height of prohibition the beautiful and classy pair ended up in Cook County's murderess row after being charged with the murders of their lovers.

Belva Gaertner, the real life counterpart to Velma Kelly, was accused of shooting her lover after a drunken fight in her own car. After weeks of dominating the newspaper headlines, she had competition when Beulah Annan, counterpart to Roxie Hart, joined the cell block after shooting her lover while her husband was at work.

Join in as Savannah and Elysia put on their 100 year old personas and dance to Hula Lou, Beulah's favorite song. We discuss the crimes, trials, and how it was that they were acquitted.

Don't forget to let us know if you've seen Chicago for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

"The Girls of Murder City: Fame, Lust, and the Beautiful Killers Who Inspired

https://www.chicagohistory.org/true-crime-beulah-annan/

https://chicagology.com/notorious-chicago/beaulahandbelva/

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2023/03/09/photos-chicagos-murderess-row-in-1924-and-all-that-jazz/

https://blog.history.in.gov/maurine-dallas-watkins-sob-sisters-pretty-demons-and-all-that-jazz/

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By: https://archive.org/details/78_hula-lou_california-ramblers-milton-charles-and-wayne-king_gbia0430195a

Possibly America's most infamous family annihilator, John Emil List shocked all of the country in 1971 when he killed his mother, wife and three children before fleeing New Jersey. Convinced he was "saving their souls" the devoutly religious Lutheran saw the death as the only way they would be accepted into Heaven.

Perhaps more shocking than their murders was the well laid plan that gave John an entire month head start before detectives would be looking for him. He made a clean getaway assuming a new identity as Bob Clark and living a new but very similar life for 18 years.

Tune in as Savannah details what drove this seemingly devoted family man to kill his entire family and Elysia really commits to John's theory that a man should just work hard.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/04/12/Chronology-of-John-Emil-List/6707639892800/ 

https://www.americas-most-haunted.com/2016/06/28/twisted-mind-family-annihilator-john-list/ 

https://www.historic-newspapers.com/blog/the-list-murders/ 

https://fatherwantsusdead.com/ 

https://www.historydefined.net/john-list/

https://allthatsinteresting.com/john-list

https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=132646&page=1

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

The working class community on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio were shocked when two teenage girls went missing almost exactly one year apart. Little did they know another young woman had been taken before that as well. All three victims had one thing in common. They knew who the perpetrator was.

Ariel Castro was fairly well known on the west side. Many people thought they knew the Little Puerto Rico neighborhood resident, but on May 6, 2013 they found out the horrific truth.

Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus had been abducted by Ariel and spent the better part of a decade being tortured. Tune in as Elysia dives into how Ariel lived a double life for so long without getting caught and Savannah talks a lot about pitchforks.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

The Cleveland Kidnappings

"Hope: A Memoir of

https://abc.com/episode/a6ad4d49-3c5a-42db-bc20-ec60ce22a45c

https://www.biography.com/crime/ariel-castro

https://www.usnews.com/news/newsgram/articles/2013/06/12/ariel-castro-pleads-not-guilty-to-kidnapping-rape-and-murder-charges

https://www.cleveland.com/court-justice/2014/05/ariel_castro_files_documents_o.html

https://www.cleveland.com/court-justice/2014/05/ariel_castro_files_kidnapper_a.html

https://vladimiraras.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/plea-agreement-ariel-castro.pdf

https://mediaassets.news5cleveland.com/uploads/wews_castro_sentencing.PDF

https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/ng/date/2013-08-01/segment/01

"Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed" by Michelle Knight

"Life After Darkness" by Michelle Knight now known as Lily Rose Lee

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

We pick up after Ti has died and Do shifts the group's focus with a slightly more religious view and a little less sci fi perspective. Though, they still very much prepare to "graduate" to the alien ship that they believe Ti will now send for them. In order to shed more of their humanity, many of the members make major physical sacrifices.

The 1990's gave them a renewed hope that the computer age would both keep the income flowing and assist them in spreading their message to the masses. However, Do's videos met more ridicule than popularity. Still, they held on that their ship would come and believed that it had when reports of a UFO following the 1997 sighting of the comet Hale-Bopp. Unfortunately, their belief led to the largest mass suicide by willing participants in U.S. history.

Tune in as Savannah shares the weirdly peaceful ending to the group and Elysia explains why she would likely never get caught up in a cult.

Don't forget to leave us your Heaven's Gate name or the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

https://www.max.com/shows/heavens-gate-the-cult-of-cults/83f1cb47-bce8-4e60-a9d3-9153e5d4c455

https://academic.oup.com/jcmc/article/3/3/JCMC334/4584381

https://daily.jstor.org/behind-the-curtain-of-the-heavens-gate-cult/

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42491283/steven_terry-mccarter

https://www.heavensgate.com 

https://www.amazon.com/Father-Jesus-Heavens-Gate-Witnesses/dp/152465762X 

https://people.com/crime/heavens-gate-cult-suicide-remembering-lives-lost/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/cult/overview.htm

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

When Marshall "Herff" Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles met during a stint in the psych ward of their local hospital, the pair hit it off instantly. They decided to go on a spiritual journey together once released and left their lives behind. Influenced by a number of spiritual, religious and cultural practices, they came to the conclusion that they were to lead a group of people to Heaven. However, they viewed Heaven different than most.

Traveling the west coast, they made strides in recruiting members to their group until a couple of curious sociologists infiltrated the group and made what they learned public. The group abruptly stopped recruiting and even made cuts to those already following. That's when things grew even stranger.

Tune in as Savannah breaks down the beginning of this long running cult and the critical turning point that shaped its future. Meanwhile, Elysia strives to maintain composure though her head wants the implode.

Don't forget to leave us your Heaven's Gate name or the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

https://www.max.com/shows/heavens-gate-the-cult-of-cults/83f1cb47-bce8-4e60-a9d3-9153e5d4c455

https://academic.oup.com/jcmc/article/3/3/JCMC334/4584381

https://daily.jstor.org/behind-the-curtain-of-the-heavens-gate-cult/

https://www.amazon.com/Father-Jesus-Heavens-Gate-Witnesses/dp/152465762X/ref=asc_df_152465762X/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693413892191&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3777191151684894304&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9052080&hvtargid=pla-944822343526&psc=1&mcid=963616406ae53e10bc8bd071f4f027c7&gad_source=1

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠