What makes a serial killer? Mind of a Serial Killer takes you deep into the twisted minds of history’s most notorious serial killers. Every Monday, hosts Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristin Engels, a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, combines gripping true crime storytelling with expert psychological analysis to answer the question - what makes a serial killer? 

From Jeffrey Dahmer to Ted Bundy, explore not only their chilling crimes but the dark psychology behind them. Follow Mind of a Serial Killer wherever you get your podcasts!

In 2006, 41-year-old Renee Pagel was nursing instructor in Michigan. She had three children and was estranged from her husband Michael as the two were going through a divorce. On August 5th of that year, Renee didn't show up to an outing with friends. Her father went to her house to check on her and found her dead.

Join Mike and Morf as they discuss Renee Pagel. At the time she was killed, Renee was recuperating from donating a kidney to the father of one of her students. This was the type of selfless person that Renee was. Who would want her dead? Her estranged husband Michael was an obvious suspect but police were also looking at a man who rented an apartment on Renee's property. It would take good police work to solve Renee's murder.

You can help support the show at patreon.com/criminology

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On February 2nd, 2014, Super Bowl Sunday, at 11:30 PM, 26-year-old Brenda Lazaro called 911 in Coppell, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. She told the 911 dispatcher that her boyfriend, Jonathan Crews, had shot himself.

Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the death of Jonathan Crews. Many believe that Brenda was slow to call 911 that night and that she may have fired the fatal shot herself. To many, the clues don't add up to a self-inflicted gunshot.

You can help support the show at patreon.com/criminology

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On a dark night in April 1989, a young man named Chip Flynn was shot in a Florida orange grove. His ex-girlfriend Kim was the only surviving witness and claimed a Black man had robbed, kidnapped, and killed Chip. A year later, Crosley Green was sentenced to death by an all-white jury for Flynn's murder. After 32 years behind bars, a judge ruled Green was wrongfully convicted — so why is he still in prison?

Here’s a preview of the new “48 Hours” podcast, “Murder in the Orange Grove: The Troubled Case Against Crosley Green,” which offers the most comprehensive deep dive into this shocking case that leaves one man fighting desperately for his freedom. "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty has followed this controversial case for 25 years, delving into inconsistencies — from coerced confessions to allegations of a racial hoax — that challenge the integrity of the verdict. You can hear the rest of this episode by searching for “Murder in the Orange Grove: The Troubled Case Against Crosley Green”wherever you get your podcasts.

On July 12th, 1988, in Philadelphia, 4-year-old Barbara Jean Horn went outside to play. She was trying to find some of her friends to play with, but no one was home. This seemingly normal day turned into a nightmare when she went missing.

Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the disappearance and murder of Barbara Jean Horn. A witness saw her walking with a man who seemed to be leading her by the elbow. Less than two hours after she was officially listed as missing, her body was found inside a television box which had been set next to someone's trash cans. There have been a few suspects through the years but so far no one has been held accountable for Barbara Jean Horn's murder.

You can help support the show at patreon.com/criminology

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Corey Shaughnessy went to bed one night and woke up to find herself in a nightmare cowering in her closet between 2 rows of hangers and calling 911. Gunshots rang out some of which she fired in self-defense. She soon found out that her husband, Ted, had been shot and killed.

Join Mike and Morf as they discuss Ted and Corey Shaughnessy. Police had to try to find out who would want to kill the affluent couple who owned a successful jewelry store. Was this a robbery gone wrong or someone who knew the Shaughnessys and had a different reason to want them dead?

You can help support the show at patreon.com/criminology

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In 2017, Michele Neurauter was living in Corning, NY, with her 14-year-old daughter. She was going through a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband Lloyd Neurauter. When Michele was found dead, some in law enforcement thought it was a suicide. But that outlook quickly changed.

Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the murder of Michele Neurauter. Free of her abusive husband, Michele was finally beginning to live her life on her terms. Her death came as a shock to friends and family. Naturally, the ex-husband would be looked at first. But what came out about who all was involved in Michele's murder would shock everyone.

You can help support the show at patreon.com/criminology

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Gary Allen Srery was a Canadian serial killer who is known to have murdered at least four people. Unfortunately, it took the authorities many years to catch him, and they wonder just how many people he could have actually killed over those many years.

Join Mike and Morf as they discuss Gary Allen Srery. Srery was born and lived in the United States before he illegally entered Canada. He had a long criminal history that involved both countries but he never spent much time in prison for his convictions. Just how prolific might have Srery been as a serial killer and did he kill in the United States as well as Canada?

You can help support the show at patreon.com/criminology

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In 1987, Jaye Potter Mintz was murdered inside her North Carolina home. Inside the home but left unharmed was her son who was about to turn two. The child saw at least some of the horrific acts and was able to tell the police that a mean man hurt his mommy.

Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the murder of Jaye Potter Mintz. Jaye was trying to sell a waterbed through the classified ads in the newspaper. It is thought by most that a man who answered the ad went to Jaye's home and murdered her. But no one around the home saw anything or anyone at the house that day. 

You can help support the show at patreon.com/criminology

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