Crisis & Consequences

Girl in the Picture. Suzanne Sevakis.

The mystery of a missing person spans 40 years, taking more twists and turns than even the Escape Pod cohosts can count! 

As a teenage girl in the mid-1980s, this wannabe escape artist was known as a smart girl and good friend with big dreams, but – time and time again – one person kept preventing her from reaching her full potential. In the end, he couldn’t escape the many investigators who pursued truth and justice for a woman whose true identity took decades to reveal. 

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes graphic content about kidnapping and violence against women and children. 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1 10:33 The first of several stories that, eventually, collide.  

• Topic #4 56:20 Escapism, cohost-style 

Resources & Links 

• https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/girl-in-the-picture-netflix-suzanne-sevakis-b2116243.html  

• “Girl in the Picture” Netflix documentary 

• https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/inside-the-true-crime-netflix-documentary-girl-in-the-picture/5FGD3MCIDBEIPOHHXZFJWSOVFM/  

• https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/cold-case-investigation  

• General mail: [email protected]  

A Swedish man joins a Pentecostal church in 1989 and soon becomes a pastor. But he has a unique way of fighting off the devil: with sex – and sex with women who aren’t his wife. (Spoiler alert: she’s a pastor, too, and claims to be the “bride of Christ.”) In time, their love triangle starts to look more like a love hexagon, and the body count begins to grow. 

Plus, co-host Charity shares her own story of seeking out a church where she thought she could belong, only to find a religious sect using scare tactics (and pet bunnies on Easter?) to try to influence a small child. It’s a pretty crazy story too! So jump into the Escape Pod this week for a wild ride of “religion” gone very wrong! 

DISCLAIMER: The Escape Pod and its cohosts are, in no way, passing judgement (pun intended) on ALL churches or faith leaders. The first story in this episode is shared in keeping with our focus on tales of true crime; the second is a co-host's personal experience trying to find a spiritual home but being sorely disappointed with her search. 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1   6:30 Introduction of key members of church in Sweden 

Resources & Links 

• https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9462799/How-Pentecostal-pastor-convinced-lover-murder-wife.html  

• General mail: [email protected]  

Summary of Episode 

If you’ve ever asked the question, “What is wrong with people?” then this episode is for you! 

Join co-hosts Julie and Charity in the Escape Pod for three very odd but true stories of people who failed to escape from their very bad ideas – including a case of insurance fraud that led to severe (and severed?) consequences. 

CORRECTION: In “The Office” episode referenced here, Andy was the driver of the car, while Dwight was pushed into the shrubbery. (We apologize to our fellow Office fans for the mix-up.) 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1   4:03 6 for 1: Police investigating a car theft end up with way more suspects than they bargained for.  

• Topic #4 26:52 Escapism, co-host-style! 

Story #1: 

• https://www.ccso.us/press-releases/12662/ 

Story #2: 

• https://www.salisburypost.com/2023/04/23/charges-upgraded-to-attempted-murder-for-alleged-arsonist/ 

Story #3: 

• https://people.com/man-allegedly-convinced-friend-amputate-legs-insurance-scam-authorities-8611327  

Escape Pod Show Notes – Episode 16: THE AGREEMENT (KAMARIE’S STORY) 

Date: 5/17/2024 

Episode Title and Number: THE AGREEMENT: Kamarie’s Story – Ep. 16 

Summary of Episode 

A little girl goes missing in Georgia just days before Christmas. It doesn’t take investigators long to find the body of Kamarie Holland or the person suspected of killing her. As they dig into the case, investigators not only learn about the suspect’s violent past, but also that one of the people closest to Kamarie may have made the deal that ultimately led to her death. 

Kamarie couldn’t escape her fate, but as co-hosts Charity and Julie explain in this episode of The Escape Pod, those responsible for her death couldn’t escape the justice system either. 

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains content about physical and sexual violence committed against children. 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1    9:35  | Dec. 13, 2021: Kamarie Holland goes missing. 

Resources & Links 

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqj2770kI44  

Are you an escape artist and would like to share your story? We want to hear from you!

• Submit listener stories: [email protected]  

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He could be in prison; instead, he’s in the Escape Pod, sharing his story of escaping cycles of addiction and criminal activity. 

Michael will be the first to tell you he didn’t have a “hard knocked” life. He grew up in a loving, two-parent home. He went to college, got good grades, and earned a degree. But he also had a curiosity for drugs at a very young age, and that curiosity led to harder drugs, grand theft, and many other problems. 

After several arrests, broken relationships, and a crash that could have killed him, Michael asked for help, and his escape from his “delusional” self finally began. 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1   3:05 Meet escape artist Michael, a guest at the OneHeart campus. 

• Topic #4 57:07 Workout junky! Michael fills the addiction void with much healthier habits. 

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.  

• http://escapepod.live 

Her trauma was extensive, but it was no match for her faith and resilience. "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."

From testifying against her father at age 5, to dealing with toxic relationships and addiction as an adult, escape artist Linda is brutally honest about the “crappy hand” life dealt her. But she’s also brutally honest about her faith in God, her love for her children, and her new-found peace of mind. 

Buckle up for this episode of the Escape Pod, as we experience the highest of highs and lowest of lows on Linda’s journey toward transformation. 

Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1   2:40 Meet escape artist Linda, a guest at the OneHeart campus. 

• Topic #4 37:17 An opportunity arises … but she’s not ready. 

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more at http://www.escapepod.live

• http://www.escapepod.live 

We’ve all been there – on a long car ride, waiting in line, stuck in traffic, etc., etc. - when you realize the extra-large coffee, half-gallon bottle of water, or super-sized iced tea you just finished was a REALLY bad idea because now you REALLY “gotta go.” But where you go and the circumstances surrounding that sweet release could be downright criminal.

On this episode of the Escape Pod, the level of criminality runs the spectrum – from a teen who simply didn’t know peeing in public was against the law, to a killer who left his mark (and the clue to identifying him) on his victim.

You’ll cringe. You’ll crack up. You’ll get a little bit of every emotion when you escape to the Escape Pod with Charity and Julie!

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers:

• Topic #1 11:53 16-year-old's murder case goes cold in Pennsylvania

Resources & Links

06.26.2004. Dan Conti. “Urine Stain Traced to Murder Suspect” https://archive.triblive.com/news/man-convicted-of-first-degree-murder-of-teen/

07.07.2004. Glenn May. “Suspect in murder of girl, 16 gets trial” https://archive.triblive.com/news/suspect-in-murder-of-girl-16-gets-trial/

10.12.2005. Dan Conti. “Man convicted of first-degree murder of teen”

https://archive.triblive.com/news/man-convicted-of-first-degree-murder-of-teen/

Huffpost. 10.25.2022. David Moye. “13 People Come Forward After Texas Janitor Is Accused Of Urinating In Water Bottles” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lucio-diaz-urinating-co-workers-water-bottle_n_63583a02e4b04cf8f3888649

ABC13 Eyewitness News Houston, TX. 01.26.2023. “Lawsuit filed after 13 women claim they contracted incurable STDs from bottles infected by janitor” https://abc13.com/houston-janitor-urinates-in-water-bottles-employees-infected-with-stds-lucio-diaz-charged-civil-lawsuit-filed/12737788/

• General mail: [email protected]

Twists and turns abound in this episode of The Escape Pod, as we deep-dive into the story of a Texas woman and mother of 5 who claims she and her husband were victims of a home invasion and her husband was kidnapped by the three intruders. 

While there’s no one way or “right way” to act in a high-crisis situation, police body-camera footage reveals extremely unusual behavior by the wife left behind. Was she a damsel in distress, or the ringleader who planned it all? And – most importantly – where's her husband, who was known by many as a hard-working man simply trying to provide for his big family? 

Plus, co-hosts Charity and Julie reveal the people, places, or things they’d like to escape from this week, including (but not limited to) strangers who stand WAY too close! Listen now! 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1   8:21 February 2015: Husband and wife have two very different days. 

• Topic #4 41:09 Escapism, cohost-style. 

Resources & Links 

https://www.bolde.com/samantha-wohlford-ernie-ibarra-killer-interview-slip-up/  

https://www.tuko.co.ke/facts-lifehacks/celebrity-biographies/486662-ernie-ibarra-jr-kidnapping-death-samantha-wohlford-guilty/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDoZVqlMdrA  

https://www.easttexasjournal.net/2018/01/05/mindless-slaying-takes-father-bound-love-children-woman-wanted-dead/  

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more – visit http://www.escapepod.live 

Contact Us! We want to hear your thoughts and your stories!! 

• General mail: [email protected]  

“Dr. X” drinks a glass of wine with dinner, performs emergency surgery that night, and remembers nothing the next day? It happened, and (spoiler alert!) the patient knew nothing. 

We talk often on the Escape Pod about how the brain is a funny thing. The doctor’s experience is just one of several true tales of people going beyond a state of impairment to “blackout” mode. They might seem perfectly normal, but – in fact – their brains are in a totally different state. In one case, a man uses his blackout drunkeness as an excuse for killing his boss. Does that defense fly in the courtroom? Find out in this episode of The Escape Pod! 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1   1:25 “Passing out” vs. “blacking out” 

Resources & Links 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/9424753/cider-teen-blackouts-hospital-drinking/  

https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/2020/11/11/blackout-wednesday-is-deadly-night-for-teens/114860816/  

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/healing-addiction/202203/true-story-alcohol-blackout  

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/blackout-drunk-defense-used-in-murder-trial-over-architects-death/71964/#:~:text=The%20defense%20for%20a%20man,he%20was%20%E2%80%9Cblackout%20drunk.%E2%80%9D  

https://www.rehabcenter.net/blacked-out-a-story-you-wont-remember/ 

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/higinio-salgado-man-sentenced-to-15-years-for-murder-of-architect/67093/ 

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more.  

• http://www.escapepod.live 

Aug. 2, 2011: It’s a beautiful summer afternoon in Rapid City, SD, when three police officers are dispatched to a call regarding suspicious activity in a residential neighborhood. One of those officers describes the call now as seemingly “benign” ... at least at first. The officers make contact with four people walking down the sidewalk, and shortly after, three of them are allowed to leave the scene, as there is no reason for arrest. The fourth, though, gives a fake name, which leads the officers to investigate further. Moments later, multiple shots are fired. 

Only one person escaped the shooting that day, but not unharmed. Tim Doyle tells his story on this episode of The Escape Pod. And – spoiler alert – his wife and podcast co-host Charity shares her experiences on Aug. 2 and in the days following that tragic event as well. 

It’s a longer-than-usual episode, but definitely worth your time to listen! 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1       5:17    Career Change: Tim goes from engineering to law enforcement 

• Topic #4 1:11:30    Tim discusses some of the lasting impacts of his injuries 

• http://www.escapepod.live