Buried Bylines

A Michigan couple, Paul and Christy Akeos, are currently detained in Mexico after being accused by a timeshare company, Palace Resorts, of fraud. The company alleges the couple breached their membership contracts by promoting their benefits on social media and encouraging others to exploit them. They also dispute over $100,000 in chargebacks. The Akeos' lawyer denies the fraud claims. The family says they have proof that Palace Resorts breached their contract, and that the chargebacks are legal.

You may remember Lindsey Hull from our guest episode on Larry Nassar. Beyond being a wonderful guest, she’s a close friend of Mallory’s and more like family. Christy and Paul are her mom and stepdad. This situation has been incredibly hard to navigate and now we need your help. PLEASE, if you feel inclined… research, share, tag and call upon lawmakers to bring momma Christy and Paul HOME #JusticeForAkeos

#UPDATE: The family’s lawyer confirms that the evidence the Akeo’s defense team submitted in their second hearing was not admitted, simply because it was not in Spanish. The judge has also granted Palace Resorts a six month extension to gather evidence, and denied house arrest to the Akeos… meaning they are stuck in the Mexican prison for at least another six months. We will continue to provide updates as we get them.

SOURCES:

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/27/us/michigan-couple-mexico-timeshare-payments/index.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1OAM5M7fihptfliwMh7Q2yvzuXg__yTug-giw9jWM4wwxOrw_lbjjuLlk_aem_GxNeJb6nY1lnsEDvsD8sWQ

https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/michigain-couple-jailed-in-mexico-family-says/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3e09zAnMkigQdlc68diz1kltm7IwBtjYyltoWGZ0LdGtOKrYW1EKhIUw0_aem_-qeHWdUdFCYpHTXY4SEVQw#dxu3l80a4pl9oug0a3ujtvjnrv8fdq3qb

https://www.fox47news.com/news/state/spring-arbor-couple-held-in-mexico-for-three-weeks-over-timeshare-dispute?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3LDgBUyiHx6KGhXVtXQjo37-1wVVB634vSSz-UunDZ0OYX8Ql0lfSWhwA_aem_sK4qaLabe80VdBY1C2P8bw

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/video/american-couple-held-mexican-prison-timeshare-dispute-120165461?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2Q246lfkZaquvSSGANxsIQRxOG1iYULywFDFBtz9M27uLbvafaEbDGOU8_aem_DyHKmXGavUnDTwMkn3El_w

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1181758753391408

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/mexico/michigan-grandparents-detained-mexico-timeshare-rcna198301?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2lcUbNf0b-k4xgqaGgY1zXrO3W0qmlttOYCaX-QbRck1FNJNwdR5F6RGQ_aem_Pj0gM0tzijBGLKOWVefRPw

https://abc7ny.com/post/michigan-couple-chisty-paul-akeo-held-mexican-prison-timeshare-dispute-palace-resorts-cancun/16085372/

https://www.foxla.com/news/cartel-violence-against-americans-tropical-resorts

https://www.reddit.com/r/palaceresorts/comments/1agkw48/got_sucked_into_membership_scam_how_do_i_cancel_it/?rdt=42786

https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/palace-elite-resorts-class-action-lawsuit-alleges-timeshare-scam/

https://worldjusticeproject.org/news/mexican-police-rarely-investigate-crime-world-justice-project-shows-can-change

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2024/02/22/thousands-of-americans-fall-prey-to-mexican-cartel-cjng-timeshare-scam/72695295007/

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/27/us/michigan-couple-mexico-timeshare-payments/index.html

https://timeshareconsumerassociation.org.uk/2018/02/02/palace-elite-resorts-under-investigation/

https://www.wlns.com/news/michigan/where-in-mexico-are-the-spring-arbor-parents-being-held/

https://www.facebook.com/lindsey.lemke1/posts/pfbid024WzYSW7uuuTMtZfzEx2NPkPAo81DqSAbG5WMgmseSmkP5vHoc2bnDLNqtQhjqZtdl

This week we're examining two Indiana cold cases that happened within a year of each other. In both cases a young woman was murdered and police seem to know who committed the crime but don't have enough evidence to go to court. However, one case received a ton of local media attention, while the other hasn't been mentioned since 1995. Get ready to park yourself at speculation station because we have A LOT TO SAY. Stick around for a mini update on Delphi and our uncensored thoughts on Casey Anthony's TikTok page.

SOURCES:

https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/xuvlgz/sheri_herr/?rdt=44607

https://www.in.gov/isp/crime-reporting/cold-case-investigations/cold-cases-by-county/fort-wayne-district-investigations/sheri-r-herr-10131989/

https://www.in.gov/isp/crime-reporting/cold-case-investigations/cold-cases-by-county/versailles-district-investigations/keyla-weddel-08181988/

https://tribtown.com/2018/08/18/30_years_later_medora_teachers_murder_still_unresolved/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/207050939/?match=1&terms=keyla%20weddel

https://www.newspapers.com/image/207051983/?match=1&terms=keyla%20weddel

https://www.newspapers.com/image/207056976/?match=1&terms=keyla%20weddel

https://www.newspapers.com/image/148665129/?match=1&terms=keyla%20weddel

https://www.newspapers.com/image/147929415/?terms=keyla%20weddel

https://www.newspapers.com/image/179187235/?match=1&terms=keyla%20weddel

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1073143141/?match=1&terms=sheri%20herr

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1073565579/?terms=sheri%20herr

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1073460997/?terms=sheri%20herr

https://www.newspapers.com/image/253010048/?match=1&terms=sheri%20herr

https://www.newspapers.com/image/253404934/?match=1&terms=sheri%20herr

https://www.woodtv.com/news/target-8/left-in-blood-the-cathy-swartz-murder/amp/ 

It’s another Q & A episode! We noticed some new followers, so we wanted to host another episode where we answer all of your burning questions. Among them: If you were a kitchen utensil, what would you be? Who is burying the body and who is on lookout? What are your favorite podcasts? AND MORE! Listen along as Mallory and Megan spill their guts. And as for the last, unofficial question, please let us know where you stand. We love you! Thanks for listening.

We needed a bit of a palette cleanser, so Megan is bringing us back into the world of white-collar crime. However, today's case is TECHNICALLY legal, it doesn't make it any less shady. Shrinkflation is when a company makes changes to a product, reducing its value, while keeping the price the same or even increasing the price ever so slightly. This entirely legal practice is yet another way for companies to cut corners at the expense of consumers. BUT we're here to help you stay informed and know what to look for!

SOURCES:

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/07/business/skimpflation-whole-food-ingredients/index.html

https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2022/12/01/beyond-inflation-numbers-shrinkflation-and-skimpflation

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/skimpflation-inflation-reducing-food-service-quality/

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20231003-skimpflation-an-even-sneakier-form-of-shrinkflation

https://www.axios.com/2023/12/01/skimpflation-prices-inflation

https://www.ipsos.com/en/data-dive-shoppers-noticing-shrinkflation-skimpflation-amid-cost-living-crisis

https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/skimpflation-grocery-shopping-edgar-dworsky-consumer-world/

https://fortune.com/europe/2023/12/29/skimpflation-shrinkflation-barclays-supermarkets-2023-price-inflation/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-skimpflation-mohamad-kinan-othman-0wqhf/

https://blog.bham.ac.uk/business-school/2023/10/10/shrinkflation-and-skimpflation-a-permanent-loss-in-what-your-money-can-buy/

https://www.thedailymeal.com/1709226/what-is-skimpflation-explained/

https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/farmers-markets-accepting-benefits

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/how-are-shrinkflation-and-skimpflation-hurting-your-pockets/3085950/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrinkflation 

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66809188

https://www.forbes.com/sites/markfaithfull/2023/09/15/so-size-does-matter-as-carrefour-calls-out-shrinkflation-in-stores/ 

We have another exciting guest episode for you! In episode 65, Mallory covers the Seminole Heights serial killer, who pled guilty to multiple charges related to a series of murders. Ann Brey joins us to talk about how she LITERALLY WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE KILLER.

Howell Emanuel Donaldson III admitted to killing four people in the Seminole Heights neighborhood of Tampa, Florida, in 2017. They were Benjamin Edward Mitchell, Monica Carisa’s Hoffa, Anthony Namibia, and Ronald Felton. The victims were targeted randomly, and the murders led to widespread fear in the community. Listen now to learn how a McDonalds salad bag led to his downfall.

SOURCES:

https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/seminole-heights-serial-killer-howell-donaldson-pleads-guilty-to-murders/

https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/howell-donaldson-iii-guilty-seminole-heights-serial-killer/67-b41bddd2-f7f6-4b14-bb02-c19eb749d28e

https://www.newspapers.com/image/477879816/?match=1&terms=%22Benjamin%20Edward%20Mitchell%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/472520478/?match=1&terms=%22Benjamin%20Edward%20Mitchell%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/479030744/?match=1&terms=%22Anthony%20Naiboa%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/354139945/?match=1&terms=%22Anthony%20Naiboa%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1129237853/?match=1&terms=%22Ronald%20Felton%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/471991422/?match=1&terms=%22Ronald%20Felton%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/475919112/?terms=%22Ronald%20Felton%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/475919152/?match=1&terms=%22Ronald%20Felton%22

https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/tampa-police-chief-optimistic-new-tip-connected-to-possible-serial-killer/28485/

https://www.wfla.com/news/local-news/the-gun-used-to-kill-4-in-seminole-heights/

https://www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2020/06/05/defense-seeks-four-trials-in-seminole-heights-killings/

https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/howell-donaldson-seminole-heights-serial-killer/67-3ebd5a25-bfa6-4f7b-a38f-f39f608bfe89

https://www.tampabay.com/news/tampa/2023/05/01/tampa-serial-killer-seminole-heights-howell-donaldson/

https://www.fox13news.com/news/suspected-seminole-heights-serial-killer-wants-key-evidence-tossed

https://abcnews.go.com/US/mcdonalds-manager-receive-entire-110k-reward-tip-led/story?id=51512315

https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/01/us/seminole-heights-killings-mcdonalds-reward-trnd/index.html

In May of 2019, 49-year-old Ronald Greene died after being arrested by Louisiana State Police after a chase. Body camera footage, released YEARS after the incident, shows troopers beating, choking, stunning, and dragging him on the ground while handcuffed. He was left face down on the ground for nine minutes. He died on the way to the hospital.

At least six white troopers were involved in the arrest; five were criminally charged in December 2022. As of January 2025, no officer has served any jail time in connection to Greene’s death. And just last week, federal prosecutors told the family they would not bring ANY charges in his death… citing insufficient evidence.

Ronald Greene was a barber. A cancer survivor. A father. He was beloved by those who knew him. And he deserves justice. Listen along as Megan breaks down what happened.

SOURCES:

https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/crime/2019/05/10/wm-man-dies-after-high-speed-chase-struggle-troopers/1169263001/

https://www.wbrz.com/news/wbrz-investigative-unit-a-timeline-of-the-investigation-into-the-death-of-ronald-greene/

https://apnews.com/article/death-of-ronald-greene-louisiana-race-and-ethnicity-77a2e9f468b244db0b5244bb8f24453b

https://apnews.com/article/ronald-greene-civil-rights-louisiana-police-investigation-7d24667bc1e1162b420f16fa7e780cae

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Ronald_Greene

https://lailluminator.com/2024/02/06/charges-stick-against-state-trooper-indicted-in-ronald-greene-death/

https://apnews.com/article/police-brutality-louisiana-ronald-greene-race-civil-rights-4446d9b069803545247c610882951763

https://lailluminator.com/2024/10/28/former-louisiana-state-trooper-avoids-trial-in-beating-death-of-black-motorist/

https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/crime/deputy-ronald-greene-battery-case-no-contest-plea/289-b4cac091-a8af-4d1a-b0f1-3c301bb6f890

https://apnews.com/article/ronald-greene-civil-rights-louisiana-police-investigation-7d24667bc1e1162b420f16fa7e780cae

https://apnews.com/article/ronald-greene-police-misconduct-louisiana-racial-injustice-a761c247993aa580859719fa727b2023

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/us/ronald-greene-death-federal-prosecutors-charges.html

https://www.wafb.com/2025/01/14/i-team-ronald-greenes-family-talks-nakamoto-after-learning-feds-wont-pursue-charges-tied-his-death/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/684313414/?terms=mona%20hardin

https://www.myarklamiss.com/video/three-years-after-ronald-greenes-death-his-family-remembers-him-with-an-im-your-brother-prayer-vigil/7673494/

This week we are covering a case involving a missing mother of two, multiple unreliable narrators, an underground bunker, and a WICKED palette cleanser. Buckle up for our first episode of 2025!

25-year-old Samantha Sperry was last seen on March 28, 2018, in a small rural town outside Paducah, Kentucky. It's reported she rode 4-wheelers in the woods with her boyfriend's father before the vehicle got stuck. Officials were told the two went their separate ways... but Samantha has not been seen since. Meet us at Speculation Station because we aren't sure Samantha even entered the woods that night... and we're not alone!

SOURCES:

https://wherearetheypodcast.medium.com/the-mysterious-disappearance-of-samantha-rose-sperry-485453db67f4

https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/samantha-sperrys-family-joins-sheriff-to-seek-answers-for-her-disappearance/article_9dbd6b14-0443-11eb-8c27-93d393de69a9.html

https://charleyproject.org/case/samantha-rose-sperry

https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/missing-in-america/family-police-searching-missing-kentucky-woman-samantha-sperry-n874131

https://www.facebook.com/samantha.jones.sperry/

https://www.wkms.org/society/2019-03-28/community-gathers-at-candlelight-vigil-for-missing-woman-samantha-sperry

https://www.newspapers.com/image/553575629/?match=1&terms=%27samantha%20jones%20sperry%27

https://www.newspapers.com/image/498300527/?match=1&terms=%27samantha%20jones%20sperry%27

https://www.newspapers.com/image/725093144/?match=1&terms=%22samantha%20sperry%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/593319342/?match=1&terms=%22samantha%20sperry%22

https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/monday-marks-five-years-since-samantha-sperry-disappeared-in-graves-county/article_d7de09a8-cd12-11ed-97d4-9bd383d29271.html

https://www.newspapers.com/image/463433537/?match=1&terms=samantha%20sperry

https://www.facebook.com/WPSDLocal6/videos/118205406896653

https://www.kfvs12.com/2019/04/03/fugitive-found-underground-bunker-during-search-missing-woman/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/884440867/?match=1&terms=rhen%20hendrickson

https://www.facebook.com/MissingPeopleInAmerica/posts/sperry-was-last-seen-in-graves-county-kentucky-on-march-28-2018-she-and-her-boyf/955600106595615/

http://www.gravescountysheriff.com/coldcases.php

What a year it’s been! A lot… and we mean A LOT of crazy things have happened in 2024. Join us as Mallory recaps the biggest crime stories of each month, including: the Karen Read murder case, Trump’s attempted assassination, the Delphi murders case finally going to trial, Luigi Mangione, & much, much more! **TW: Episode includes mentions of child abuse & murder**

As we wrap up the year, we want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We have the best little podcast community two former Midwest newsies could ask for. We wish you all the health and happiness in the new year. Keep those case suggestions coming! We want to bring light to as many cases as we can. See ya in 2025!

SOURCES:

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/ex-con-activist-sheldon-johnson-charged-murder-headless-torso-bronx/5204980/

https://abc7ny.com/post/yonkers-body-found-police-identify-person-interest-new-video-possibly-linked-gruesome-murder/15155688/

https://www.theroot.com/hold-up-this-kansas-city-mother-put-her-baby-to-sleep-1851252962

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article296816954.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-trial-timeline-john-okeefe/#:~:text=April%2016%2C%202024%20%E2%80%93%20Karen%20Read's,without%20a%20full%20jury%20seated.

https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-trial-timeline-john-okeefe/

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/karen-read-trial-john-okeefe-death-what-know-rcna155905

https://rmvlawyer.com/blog/the-karen-read-case-a-summary/

https://theweek.com/digest/round-up/10-things-you-need-to-know-today-january-24-2024

https://apnews.com/article/james-crumbley-jennifer-crumbley-oxford-school-shooting-e5888f615c76c3b26153c34dc36d5436

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/13/donald-trump-hush-money-stormy-daniels

https://apnews.com/article/fordyce-grocery-store-shooting-arkansas-e02f24bf5a11479400398229b213db16

https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/23/us/arkansas-grocery-store-shooting-investigation/index.html

https://www.thv11.com/article/news/crime/trial-date-gunman-deadly-shooting-mad-butcher-fordyce/91-eb9e728d-9b7c-49cb-90ff-27a7af9eb3b6

https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-rally-a1bcbaa4a604e09be8cc22893751895b

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/sean-combs-charged-manhattan-federal-court-sex-trafficking-and-other-federal-offenses?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://people.com/diddy-will-have-cornish-hen-for-lunch-and-pb-and-j-sandwiches-again-for-christmas-dinner-in-jail-8763486?

https://people.com/judge-rules-diddy-claim-feds-leaked-infamous-cassie-video-cnn-8762357?utm

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/24/us/menendez-brothers-case-trial-now/index.html

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/serial-killer-warren-luther-alexander-dna-arrest-b2597541.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/luigi-mangione-peak-design-backpack-ceo?utm_source=chatgpt.com

We're back and we're in Canada. Megan tries to speak French. Apologies in advance but we are excited to shed light on this case!

In September of 1996, 15-year-old Melanie Ethier disappeared while walking home in Northern Ontario. She was reported missing later that day, but police have not been able to find a single shred of evidence related to her disappearance. Nearly 30 years later, the case is still open and active. Let's help bring justice to Melanie’s case!

SOURCES:

Canada's Most Notorious Cold Cases | Reader's Digest Canada

Disappearance of Melanie Ethier - Wikipedia

Police search wooded area in northern Ontario for clues in 1996 missing person case | CBC News

New video released on unsolved 1996 disappearance of a northern Ontario teen | CTV News

North Bay news: OPP continue to investigate the 1996 disappearance of Melanie Ethier | CTV News

The Disappearance Of Melanie Ethier - Last Seen in New Liskeard, Ontario - Missing Since 1996 - - Missing People Canada

https://globalnews.ca/news/3278576/more-than-20-years-later-ontario-mom-searches-for-answers-in-daughters-disappearance/

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/melanie-ethier-disappeared-on-a-short-walk-home-does-anyone-alive-know-who-took-her/article_c269b14e-b15f-50ef-8562-03f84cb565f2.html

https://missingpersonscenter.org/missing-persons-directory/missing-adults/melanie-nadia-ethier/

https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/1685dfon.html

https://speaker.northernontario.ca/melanie-ethier-case-remains-unsolved-after-28-years/

https://www.toronto.com/news/crime/behind-the-crimes-digital-tools-keep-heat-on-melanie-ethier-case-gone-cold/article_52fddafd-3159-5b83-89a2-bc9e6b0b4871.html?

https://amp.cbc.ca/embed/index.html?preview=0&embed_type=customhtml&content_id=1.6056346&position=0&api=prod

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/the-next-call-with-david-ridgen-transcripts-listen-1.6056432

Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. A jury found Richard Allen guilty on all four counts in the Delphi double murder trial. Prosecutors say Allen brutally killed 13-year-old Abigail (Abby) Williams and 14-year-old Liberty (Libby) German on that unseasonably warm February day in 2017. On this episode, Mallory and Megan discuss the ins and outs of the trial with Indianapolis TV reporter Max Lewis covered it for the entire four-weeks. You'll hear new details about the case, the crime scene, excluded evidence, potential theories, and more.

We covered the murders of these two young girls in our very first episode. Listen now as we discuss the case that will stay with us forever.

SOURCES:

https://www.in.gov/isp/crime-reporting/delphi-homicide-investigation/

https://www.wrtv.com/longform/delphi-daughters-a-360-tour-of-the-monon-high-bridge

https://mediaassets.theindychannel.com/html/delphi-timeline2/index.html

https://www.wthr.com/article/news/crime/delphi-girls-murdered/heres-a-timeline-of-major-developments-in-the-delphi-murders-case-indiana-libby-german-abby-williams-liberty-abigail-suspect-arrest/531-81e9ad04-0885-4d7e-8596-a0f13c2a2073

https://www.wishtv.com/news/crime-watch-8/carroll-county-judge-cites-blood-lust-for-info-recuses-self-in-delphi-murders-case/

https://www.wrtv.com/news/delphi/special-judge-releases-redacted-delphi-documents-charging-richard-allen

https://lawandcrime.com/live-trials/live-trials-current/delphi-murders/authorities-believe-unspent-bullet-found-near-delphi-murder-victims-came-from-richard-allens-gun-unsealed-affidavit-reveals/ 

https://fox59.com/indiana-news/who-is-richard-allen-what-we-know-about-delphi-suspect/

https://www.wthr.com/article/news/crime/delphi-girls-murdered/attorneys-for-delphi-killings-suspect-richard-allen-ask-judge-for-more-time-trial-delayed-indiana-libby-german-abby-williams/531-1dc2469f-b97d-4a64-a16c-5844c22c38a9

https://fox59.com/delphi-trial/delphi-murders-trial-day-by-day-summary-of-the-proceedings/