On the night of January 6, 2007, couple, Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom were saying goodbye to one another as they left a friend's apartment when they were approached by a few individuals planning to steal Channon's vehicle. The carjacking then turned fatal when Christopher was tortured, raped, and shot, his body then left to burn near the railroad tracks. Channon was kept in the home of the ringleader, LeMaricus, where she was brutally raped and tortured, bleach poured down her throat and on her body to dispose of evidence, and then ultimately wrapped in trash bags and stuffed into a trash can with a broken neck, left to slowly suffocate.

Sources:

AUDIO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqS6OFuUXe8

http://www.wbir.com/video/news/local/gary-christian-remembers-his-lost-little-girl/51-2471894?jwsource=cl

Satterfield, Jamie. (2017, January 6). Time no cure for pain in torture slayings of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom. Retrieved from: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2017/01/06/time-no-cure-pain-torture-slayings-channon-christian-and-christopher-newsom/96196018/

Donila, Mike. (2017, January 5). 10 years later: Remembering Christian-Newsom. Retrieved from: https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/10-years-later-remembering-christian-newsom/381967577

Gregg, Maggie. (2019, August 13). Timeline of the Channon Christian-Christian Newsom Murders. Retrieved from: https://www.wvlt.tv/content/news/Timeline-of-the-Channon-Christian-Christopher-Newsom-murders--513420461.html

On June 11, 2001 police entered the mobile home of Barbie and Ken Atkinson after Ken showed a neighbor that they had been keeping their 8 year old daughter, Lauren Kavanaugh, in a 4x9 closet for 5 years. When police saw Lauren, she was severely malnourished, only weighing 25.6 pounds, the size of a toddler, with matted, lice-filled hair and obvious signs of severe abuse. It was a shock that she even survived, but she lives with the constant trauma of the abuse, and her case is one of the most severe of child-abuse ever seen.

Farwell, Scott. Interactives: The Girl in the Closet. The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved from: http://res.dallasnews.com/interactives/2013_October/lauren/#.XqO17vaSlPZ

Farwell, Scott. 'My life hasn't ever been normal' The story of the girl in the closet-in brief. Retrieved from: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2018/12/20/my-life-hasn-t-ever-been-normal-the-story-of-girl-in-the-closet-lauren-kavanaugh-in-brief/

Lockett, John. (2017, January 26). Horrifying ordeal of girl raped, tortured, ... Retrieved from: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2709088/horror-ordeal-of-girl-raped-tortured-live-in-filthy-cupboard-for-five-years-from-age-of-three/

Vries, Lloyd. (2002, December 13). Closet Girl's Stepdad Gets Maximum. Retrieved from: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/closet-girls-stepdad-gets-maximum/

Emily, Jennifer. (2019, February 28). 'Girl in the Closet' Lauren Kavanaugh Indicted after Admitting she sexually assaulted a teenage girl. Retrieved from: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2019/03/01/girl-in-the-closet-lauren-kavanaugh-indicted-after-admitting-she-sexually-assaulted-a-teenage-girl/

Audio/Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x80u-8yI2GE&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h-C3ph1wWc#action=share

https://youtu.be/9x7we8rPxhI

On June 23, 1965, police were called to do a welfare check on elderly couple Fred and Edwina Rogers in their Texas home, and when police arrived to view the home, they found a chilling discovery. Edwina and Fred had been dismembered and placed onto the shelves in the icebox after being beaten. Edwina had been beaten and shot execution style while Fred was beaten with a claw hammer, his eyes gouged out and genitals mutilated. Evidence has pointed to their reclusive son who was 43 years old and living with them, as the murderer but he had fled and was never found.

Sources:

Leigh, Cat. (2019, May 6). The Icebox Murders. Retrieved from: https://medium.com/true-crime-by-cat-leigh/the-icebox-murders-907f8c565e5e

True Crime and Coffee Reddit User. (2019). The Icebox Murders: The Unsolved Murder and Dismemberment of Fred and Edwina Rogers. Retrieved from: https://www.reddit.com/r/UnsolvedMurders/comments/cgxmiz/the_icebox_murders_the_unsolved_murder_and/

Rossen, Jake. (2019, November 4). Cold Case: Revisiting Houston’s Infamous Ice Box Murders. Retrieved from: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/602369/ice-box-murders-houston

Video: KHOU 11: Missing Pieces: The Icebox Murders. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2xlhcBjDE8

Samuel Little is a serial killer who traveled the United States, beating and strangling an upwards of 93 women between the years 1970-2005. He is known for his 700 hour long confession that included colored chalk drawings of his victims and vivid descriptions that most would find difficult to remember. He has been matched to 50 cases, convicted of 8 of the murders, and an additional 40 remain pending. He went unnoticed for so long due to his choice of victims, often African American females who were involved in sex work and drugs. Their deaths were often ruled overdoses, accidental, or by natural causes, with some being ruled as homicides but no one could ever find the killer until he was picked up for a warrant on charges involving narcotics in a Kentucky homeless shelter. His DNA was collected and matched to three murders, and he finally made a confession to a Texas Ranger when linked to a fourth murder in Texas. He is not often heard of when it comes to discussing famous serial killers, which is baffling, as his victim count far exceeds Dahmer's, Bundy's, and any of the widely talked about serial killers.

You can find his other confessions as well as pictures on the FBI source included below.

Sources:

Grey, Orrin. (2020, January 27). Samuel Little: The Most Prolific Serial Killer in United States History. Retrieved from: https://the-line-up.com/samuel-little-serial-killer

Margaritoff, Marco. (2019, February 27). The Grisly Story of Samuel Little, The Most Prolific Serial Killer in American History. Retrieved from: https://allthatsinteresting.com/samuel-little

Fbi.gov. (2019, October 6). FBI Seeking Assistance Connecting Victims to Samuel Little’s Confessions. Retrieved from: https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/samuel-little-most-prolific-serial-killer-in-us-history-100619

Biography.com. (2019, December 5). Samuel Little. Retrieved from: https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/samuel-little

Videos retrieved on FBI. Gov: https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/samuel-little-most-prolific-serial-killer-in-us-history-100619

On February 4, 2010, Joseph and Summer McStay, as well as their two toddler sons, Joseph, Jr. and Gianni vanished from their home. Nine days after they went missing, it was reported to police, as people realized that they had not simply went on vacation. Joseph's vehicle was found left at the United States Mexico border, and the scene in their home looked as if they were taken in the middle of a normal day as popcorn had been spilled on the couch, and a carton of raw eggs had been left on the counter. The family's remains were finally found in a shallow grave in the desert on November 13, 2013 by a passing motorcyclist. It was determined that the family had died from blunt force trauma. Joseph's friend and business partner, Charles "Chase" Ray Merritt was arrested in November of 2014 when his DNA had been found in the family's vehicle. He had bludgeoned the family to death with a sledgehammer and buried them in the desert, all for financial gain as he had a gambling addiction. Chase Merritt was sentenced to death finally 10 years after the crime in January 2020.

Note: I'm not sure what was wrong with my microphone, but throughout the episode it would get crackly and I tried my best to re-record and edit the segments. :( Sorry!!

Sources :

Crime Museum. (2017). McStay Family. Retrieved from: https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/cold-cases/mcstay-family/

Figueroa, Teri. (2019, May 28). The missing McStay family: A timeline of the disappearance, investigation, discovery, and trial. Retrieved from: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/story/2019-05-28/the-missingmcstay-family-a-timeline-of-the-disappearance-investigation-discovery-and-trial

AP & Reuters. (2015, January 25). McStay home revealed what led police to believe they had been murdered. Retrieved from: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2926153/Half-eaten-bowls-popcorn-couch-packed-suitcases-bedroom-Court-docs-reveal-scene-McStay-family-home-led-police-believe-d-kidnapped-murdered.html

Payne, Will. (2014, January 4). EXCLUSIVE: McStay family husband feared his wife was POISONING him before they disappeared and were found dead in desert, claims explosive new book. Retrieved from: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2533474/EXCLUSIVE-McStay-family-husband-feared-wife-POISONING-disappeared-dead-desert-claims-explosive-new-book.html

Videos: Law & Crime: McStay Family Murder-Sentencing-Charles Merritt Gives His Statement and Sentencing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o81HVaKYhz8

Law & Crime: McStay Family Murder-Sentencing-Victim Impact Statements Continue, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5GC4UjU-Co&t=1785s

On October 1,1993, 12 year old Polly Klaas and two friends were excited to have a sleepover at Polly’s home where they would eat ice cream, try on Halloween Costumes, and play board games. The sleepover did not go as planned when at 10:30 PM, Polly went to get supplies for the party and came face to face with a bearded man standing in her doorway. He tied up the other two girls and took Polly away into the night. Her body was found 9 weeks after her kidnapping when the man who had been arrested in suspicion for her kidnapping confessed and told police where to find her. Her case was the first to ever be shared on the internet in 1993 and helped pave the way for Megan’s Law, Amber Alerts, and California’s Three Strikes Law.

Sources:

CBS News Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRmBd0DiH6Q

PollyKlaas.org. (NA). Polly's Story. Retrieved from: http://www.pollyklaas.org/about/pollys-story.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAhJTyBRAvEiwAln2qB31nTT20Eblqtza3_7-idbItz4ipazIQU4BYmrMY_qonP1utBNU7eRoCb_0QAvD_BwE

The Press Democrat. (2013, September 29). 20 Years Later, Petaluma remembers Polly Klaas. Retrieved from: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/2218985-181/20-years-later-petaluma-remembers?sba=AAS

Associated Press. (1994, May 15). Slumber Party Excitement Turned to Terror, Girls Recall. Retrieved from: https://www.deseret.com/1994/5/15/19109038/slumber-party-excitement-turned-to-terror-girls-recall

Warren, Jennifer. (1994, May 12). Run-In With Klass Murder Suspect Recalled. Retrieved from: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-05-12-mn-56799-story.html

On October 24, 2019, the step-daughter of heavyweight UFC fighter, Walt Harris was reported missing. Aniah Haley Blanchard’s body was found 5 weeks after being reported missing and 3 men are being charged in her kidnapping and murder. The story is recent, so the men have not received official sentences as of right now.

Sources:

Robinson, Carol (2019, November 15). Lee County DA: Montgomery’s leniency allowed Ibraheem Yazeed to kidnap Aniah Blanchard. Retrieved from: https://www.al.com/news/montgomery/2019/11/lee-county-da-montgomerys-leniency-allowed-ibraheem-yazeed-to-kidnap-aniah-blanchard.html

Robinson, Carol. (2019, November 27). Aniah Blanchard’s body identified; case now a homicide investigation. Retrieved from: https://www.al.com/news/2019/11/remains-identified-as-aniah-blanchard-auburn-police-say.html

Charles, Safiya. (2019, November 14). Aniah Blanchard’s family still hears the voice and laughter of their ‘baby girl’. Retrieved from: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/11/14/aniah-blanchard-update-family-stories-missing-auburn-teen/2563965001/

Fiscus, Kirsten. (2019, December 4). Aniah Blanchard fought back and ‘went for the gun’ according to court records. Retrieved from: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/12/04/aniah-blanchard-fought-back-ibraheem-yazeed-kidnapping-murder-capital-missing-auburn-teen/2591999001/

Globe intel. (2019, October 31). Who is Aniah Blanchard? Missing step-daughter of heavyweight fighter Walt Harris. Retrieved from: https://globintel.com/usa/walt-harris-stepdaughter-aniah-blanchard-bio-wiki-age/

NBC News. (2019, November 2). Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcCwxwoeugw&t=38s

Conrad Henri Roy III committed suicide on July 12, 2014 by carbon monoxide poisoning after parking his truck at a Kmart parking lot and placing a gas powered water pump in the back, turning it on, and rolling up his windows. His girlfriend, Michelle Carter had been assisting him in researching the best method to do it, encouraging him to just do it already, and told him to re-enter his truck when he became scared. This episode delves into the troubled minds of both parties involved, and this is a perfect example of how fragile life really is.

Sources:

Liam. (2019, August 1). Michelle Carter Biography. Retrieved from: https://gossipgist.com/michelle-carter

ABC 20/20. Can Words Kill? Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/JCN2vrE_UK4

Breggin, Peter M.D. (NA). Michelle Carter Blog Series and Archive. Retrieved from: https://breggin.com/the-michelle-carter-case-archive/

Liam. (2019, August 1). Conrad Roy Biography. Retrieved from: https://gossipgist.com/conrad-roy

Truesdell, Jeff. (2020, January 23). Michelle Carter is Out of Prison After Manslaughter Conviction in Suicide-by-Text Case. Retrieved from: https://people.com/crime/michelle-carter-suicide-text-case-leave-prison/

Video links:

Court Trial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBxaUvGypF0

Conrad's Video Journal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHRsTpUbOms

Madalyn Murray O' Hair was a controversial "celebrity" throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. She was the founder of the American Atheists Organization, responsible for getting mandatory prayer removed from schools, and deemed "The Most Hated Woman in America". On August 27, 1995, her and her granddaughter, Robin Murray, and son, Jon Garth Murray suddenly vanished, a note found on their office stating: "The Murray O’ Hair family has been called out of town on an emergency basis. We do not know how long we will be gone at the time of writing this memo.” Many thought the family had fled the country, since they were severely hated, but some knew better and feared foul play. The police in Texas sensed no foul play and refused to take on the case, but a reporter, John MacCormick did not give up and soon, everything was brought to the surface.

Sources:

Bartlette, Delani ( 2020? January 13). The Mysterious Disappearance and Grisly Murder of Madalyn Murray O’ Hair. Retrieved from: https://medium.com/@delanirbartlette/the-mysterious-disappearance-and-grisly-murder-of-madalyn-murray-ohair-6465c9f9d6ce

The Full Wiki. (NA). Madalyn Murray O’ Hair. Retrieved from: http://www.thefullwiki.org/Madalyn_Murray_O%27Hair

DeLong, William. (2018, October 31). Madalyn Murray O’ Hair: The Founder of the American Atheists Who Was Gruesomely Murdered. Retrieved from: https://allthatsinteresting.com/madalyn-murray-ohair-most-hated-woman-in-america

Real Life Villains Fandom. (NA). David Waters. Retrieved from: https://real-life-villains.fandom.com/wiki/David_Waters

Phil Donahue Debate (1970): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ3cYR37dA4