Crime Bistro

In one of the most frustrating and emotional episodes that I've ever done, we're diving into the case of Kelsey Berreth, a beautiful mother and incredibly intelligent young woman who was taken from this world in the most senseless manner. When Kelsey's fiancé, Patrick Frazee, reconnects with an ex-girlfriend of his in 2016, it was only a matter of time before the two of them started to plan a shockingly malicious and violent crime that would result in the death of Kelsey Berreth on Thanksgiving Day of 2018. It's a case that truly embodies the age-old idea that you never truly know someone, or their intentions, even if it's someone you love.

Brandon Lawson left his home in Texas one night in 2013, heading to his parents house about three hours away. He would never make it there. In a strange series of events, Brandon called his brother asking for assistance after he ran out of gas, and shortly after, called 911, asking for help and police. When his brother and a Sheriff's Deputy convened at the scene of Brandon's truck, there was no trace of him to be seen, and answers would remain elusive until early 2022. As we wait to find out what might have befallen Brandon that night, exploring the details and possibilities in this case is haunting, and it's one that will not leave your mind anytime soon.

This is the fifth edition of coffee chats, so I wanted to switch it up a little bit, and bring you a really fascinating look into polygraph tests. What are they? How do they work? What does it ACTUALLY mean for someone to pass or fail a polygraph? All of these are good questions, and we're answering all of them in this episode. From the invention of the polygraph, to how it has set standards in US courts, to the implications that it can have in criminal cases. This was a really interesting episode to put together, so grab yourself a coffee, and let's chat!

Part two of the Anna Delvey series, and things are only going to get crazier from here! This episode dives into exactly how Anna has been able to scam her way into a successful career in entertainment and the arts, rising to fame just as quickly as anyone we've ever seen. The episode also takes an in-depth look at Anna's trial, and all of the dramatics that transpired. Wardrobe malfunctions, scandalous relationships, jury deadlocks, and Dancing With the Stars - this episode truly has it all.

Anna Delvey has been making headlines across the world since her initial arrest and trial, but her true rise to fame happened while incarcerated at Rikers Island. And when people learned about her story, the scams she had been running, and the damage that she had caused, the fascination only grew. Anna Delvey managed to get away with hundreds of thousands of dollars of scams and thefts, largely unnoticed for a long time, only because people thought that she was an heiress, set to receive an unfathomably large trust fund. Part One of her story dives into her background, her scams, her incredible ambitions, and who Anna Delvey really is.

Welcome back to the Crime Bistro podcast, where this week we're taking on a fascinating story that will satisfy all of your dark history intrigue. The Golden Era of Hollywood is often glamorized, with stunning young film starlets who were pushing the boundaries of the art of movie-making, but what wrongs were really lurking behind closed doors? This episode will reveal some of the darker sides of the early film industry, framed against the tragic story of Judy Garland, and the shocking realities of filming of the most iconic movies of all time.

In early August of 1963, a highly organized group of 15 robbers faked a stop signal, boarded a mail train, and made away with millions of euros worth of cold, hard, cash. Amazingly, they executed this entire plot within only 15 minutes, however, did experience a couple of hiccups along the way. The twists and turns in this case are beyond fascinating, and it is one of the most drama-filled stories that you'll ever hear, It really goes to show that the age-old sentiment is completely true - sometimes, reality is just so much stranger than fiction.

In 2023, just over a year ago, 22-year-old Mercedes Vega was found dead in a burning car off of an Interstate near Tonopah, Arizona. She had suffered shocking injuries before her death, and as of right now, there are no official suspects or persons of interest in her case. However, recent developments have added a new layer to the investigation, as only last month we learned that Mercedes, along with two other girls who she worked with, had been the victims of eerily similar armed robberies. Mercedes herself was extremely helpful in the police investigation, leading to the arrest of the man who had robbed her in 2020. Are these new developments the leads that investigators need to finally bring Mercedes' killer to justice?

Oh boy, this one is quite the emotional roller coaster! On this week's episode of the Crime Bistro Podcast, I've compiled some of the creepiest hidden camera horror stories from the fine people of Reddit, and these are guaranteed to give you nightmares. These episodes are so much fun to record and make, since they're a little bit more casual, while staying on theme and really giving us all the chills! Enjoy the episode, and if you have your own story, I would love to hear it!

As we are heading quickly back into the fall months, college students all over the country are gathering early on their campuses to participate in the rushing and pledging of sororities and fraternities. These organizations are supposed to be academically driven, philanthropic, and true homes away from home, but are they? How much do we really know about Greek life, and what happens when the curtain is pulled back and people see the dark side of a fraternity or sorority? Greek life can be an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience for some, but for others, the consequence of rushing can be absolutely devastating, even deadly. Let's explore the twisted and fascinating world of Greek life together in this episode!