Today's bitesize episode dives into two heartbreaking cases involving young boys — both of whom had their childhoods stolen in drastically different ways.

13-year-old Olly Stephens was killed for no other reason than standing up for what he believed in — lured by someone who claimed to love him, and left to die.

11-year-old Jordan Brown was convicted of murdering his stepmother and spent nine years in juvenile detention before finally being exonerated. But despite his legal vindication, a shadow of doubt still clings to him, as the case remains unsolved to this day.

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

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Our Facebook Community Members spoke, and the response was an overwhelming yes! During our season hiatus, I’ll be periodically bringing you bonus bitesize episodes—stories originally shared on my TikTok account before this podcast grew. 

Today's bitesize episode features two tragic cases, both involving women who were simply seeking love. Alice Ruggles began a relationship with an Army soldier, but when things turned sour and she broke it off, he refused to take no for an answer. 

Anggy Diaz thought she was the luckiest girl in the world when she married the love of her life—but within weeks of their wedding, his true colors emerged, with devastating consequences. 

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

Music from #Uppbeat

https://uppbeat.io/t/revo/kinetic

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In the final episode of Season 4, join me as I discuss the case of 47-year-old single mother Joanne Witt, who was found murdered in her El Dorado Hills, California, home. As investigators searched for her killer, the case took an unexpected turn. A brutal crime against a woman with no known enemies soon unraveled into a story of secrets, deception, and a forbidden romance with deadly consequences. As detectives pieced together the truth, they uncovered a chilling betrayal—but was justice truly served, or did a cold-blooded killer manage to save their own skin?

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

Music from #Uppbeat :

https://uppbeat.io/t/ak/midnight-stroll

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A devoted father or a calculated killer? On a sweltering June morning in Georgia, 22-month-old Cooper Harris was strapped into his car seat as his father, Justin Ross Harris, drove him to daycare—only Cooper never made it there. Left in the blistering heat for seven agonizing hours, the toddler’s tragic death seemed, at first, like a horrific accident. But as investigators dug deeper, troubling details began to emerge—extramarital affairs, secret online messages, and a search history that raised disturbing questions. Was this a case of fatal forgetfulness, or something far more sinister? In this episode, I examine the evidence, the defence, and the controversial decision that shook the case nearly a decade later.

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

★ Follow me on Tiktok for weekly bitesize cases 

Music from #Uppbeat :

https://uppbeat.io/t/ak/midnight-stroll

License code: OCHNSIEQIVR5SLQ7

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As a dedicated firefighter, 51-year-old Robbie Doerr had built a life centered around service and family. To those who knew him, he was loyal, hardworking, and devoted to his wife, Becky. But on a cool February night in 2019, Robbie was shot dead outside his home in Evansville, Indiana—a crime that seemed senseless at first. Was this a random attack, or something more personal? As investigators searched for answers, they uncovered secrets that would shake the case to its core.

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

Music from #Uppbeat :

https://uppbeat.io/t/ak/midnight-stroll

License code: OCHNSIEQIVR5SLQ7

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Mary Lynn Witherspoon was a beloved teacher in Charleston, South Carolina—graceful, kind, and dedicated to her students. But behind her poised exterior was a growing fear she couldn’t escape. For over 20 years, she was the target of an obsessive stalker who violated her privacy in chilling ways, leaving her feeling unsafe in the very place she should have been most secure—her own home. 

When, finally, measures to keep her safe were in place, the system meant to protect her failed at every turn. Then, on a quiet November morning, her worst nightmare became a reality in a way no one could have imagined. 

Why wasn’t Mary Lynn given the protection she so desperately needed? Join me as we unravel the devastating case of Mary Lynn Witherspoon and the haunting failures that led to her tragic fate. 

★ For more information on Stalking please visit SPARC in the US, or PAS in the UK. 1800RESPECT in Australia, and CASA in Canada

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

Music from #Uppbeat :

https://uppbeat.io/t/ak/midnight-stroll

License code: OCHNSIEQIVR5SLQ7

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Clare Bernal was a 22 year old British woman with her whole life ahead of her. She was ambitious, kind-hearted, and building a career she loved.. But what began as a brief romance with a co-worker soon turned into a chilling ordeal of obsession and fear.

When Clare ended the relationship, she thought it was over. But her ex-boyfriend refused to let go, stalking her relentlessly and making terrifying threats. Even after his arrest, the danger hadn’t passed—only weeks later, in broad daylight, Clare’s life was stolen in a brutal and calculated attack inside the job she loved.

How was a man, who displayed such clear warning signs, allowed to slip through the cracks? And why was Clare left vulnerable to a man so clearly dangerous? Join me as we delve into the heartbreaking case of Clare Bernal and the urgent conversations it sparked about stalking laws and victim protection.

★ If you believe you are being stalked, but not in immediate danger, contact [email protected] 

★ The National Stalking Helpline web page https://www.suzylamplugh.org/pages/category/national-stalking-helpline

★ Or call 0808 802 0300

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

Music from #Uppbeat :

https://uppbeat.io/t/ak/midnight-stroll

License code: OCHNSIEQIVR5SLQ7

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Celeste Manno was a 23-year-old Australian woman—a bright, compassionate young woman with her whole future ahead of her. She had a loving family, a promising career, and a kind heart that made a lasting impact on everyone she met. However, to one fleeting ex-colleague, a routine encounter with Celeste spiraled into a dangerous obsession, turning her promising future into a terrifying nightmare when she became the target of relentless stalking.

Celeste did everything right—blocking, reporting, seeking help—but the system meant to protect her failed in the worst possible way. On a quiet November night in 2020, her life was stolen in the place she should have felt safest.

How did this happen? And why, even with so many warning signs, was Celeste left vulnerable to a deadly obsession? Join me as I unravel the heartbreaking case of Celeste Manno and the urgent conversations it has sparked about stalking laws and protection for victims.

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

Music from #Uppbeat :

https://uppbeat.io/t/ak/midnight-stroll

License code: OCHNSIEQIVR5SLQ7

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Melissa Lamesch was just days away from welcoming her first child when tragedy struck. The 27-year-old EMT, known for her compassion and dedication to helping others, was found dead in her Illinois home following a fire. At first, the blaze seemed to be a tragic accident, but as investigators delved deeper, a chilling truth began to emerge.

What started as a mysterious fire unraveled into a shocking case of betrayal, deceit, and murder, leaving a community reeling and a family shattered. Who would commit such a heinous act, and why? Join us as we uncover the heartbreaking story of Melissa Lamesch and the disturbing secrets that came to light in the wake of her death.

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

Music from #Uppbeat :

https://uppbeat.io/t/ak/midnight-stroll

License code: OCHNSIEQIVR5SLQ7

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Steven Clark was 23 years old when he vanished without a trace during a Mother/Son walk along the beach on a chilly December afternoon in 1992. He was funny, intelligent, and full of quiet determination—a young man who had overcome so much after a life-changing childhood accident.

What began as a typical seaside outing would become one of England’s most perplexing missing persons cases. Decades later, the story took a shocking turn, raising questions about family dynamics, secrets, and the lengths to which some investigations can go.

What really happened to Steven Clark that day? And why, after nearly 30 years, do so many questions remain unanswered? Join me as we uncover the twists and turns of this unsolved case.

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

Music from #Uppbeat :

https://uppbeat.io/t/ak/midnight-stroll

License code: OCHNSIEQIVR5SLQ7

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.