Dark Matter Moms

CAUTION WARNING! This episode contains talk of child sexual abuse.

What should of been a night filled with costumes, candy, and childhood excitement became one of Wisconsin's most heartbreaking tragedies.

In this episode of Dark Matter Moms, we examine the tragic abduction and murder of nine-year-old Lisa Ann French, whose life was stolen on Halloween night in 1973. We walk through the timeline of that fateful evening, the investigation that gripped Wisconsin, and the forensic evidence that ultimately led investigators to her killer.

More than fifty years later, Lisa's story continues to resonate, not only because of the unimaginable loss of a little girl, but because her case forever changed the way many families approached Halloween. Join us as we honor Lisa's memory, separate fact from fiction, and revisit one of Wisconsin's most haunting and unforgettable true crime cases.

When first responders arrived at the Ridge Motor Inn in Portage, Wisconsin, they found Tracy Krueger dead outside her motel room. Within 20 minutes, investigators had stopped her husband, Kevin Krueger, and uncovered evidence that would shape the homicide case against him.

In this episode of Dark Matter Moms, we walk through the investigation, the evidence, Kevin's statements to detectives, and the court proceedings that followed. From witness accounts and forensic evidence to the interrogation room, we separate documented facts from conflicting explanations to examine how this Wisconsin homicide case unfolded.

Join us as we explore the story behind the headlines and the investigation that led to a life sentence.

On the outside, Tim and Eve Nance looked like an ordinary Wisconsin couple trying to build a life together. But behind closed doors, their marriage was unraveling with betrayal, jealousy, and growing resentment. When Tim suddenly vanished in November 2013, Eve insisted he had simply disappeared. Detectives weren't convinced.

As investigators peeled back the layers, they uncovered a chilling murder, an elaborate attempt to hide the truth, and a web of lies that ultimately led to a shocking confession. In this episode of Dark Matter Moms, we break down the events that turned a missing person's case into one of Wisconsin's most disturbing domestic homicides.

Join us as we explore the tragic story of Tim and Eve Nance, and the devastating consequences of secrets kept behind closed doors.

On March 11, 1980, 18-year-old Marilyn McIntyre was found brutally murdered inside her Columbus, Wisconsin apartment while her 3-month-old son slept in the next room. Despite early suspicions, investigators couldn't gather enough evidence to make an arrest, and the case went cold for nearly 30 years.

Then, in an unbelievable twist, a wrong phone call reopened the investigation and put the case back into the hands of detectives determined to find answers.

This week, we're diving into the story of Curtis Forbes, the decades-long search for justice, and how one family's persistence helped solve one of Wisconsin's most fascinating cold cases.

🎙️ Join us as we discuss the investigation, changing witness statements, hidden clues, and the long road that finally led to a conviction.

⚠️ Content warning: This episode contains discussions of homicide, sexual violence, child endangerment, and abuse that may be difficult for some listeners.

Lori Esker seemed to have it all. She was a respected Wisconsin Dairy Princess, an honor student, and the picture of small-town success. But beneath that polished image was an obsession that would end in tragedy.

When 21-year-old Lisa Cihaski became engaged to Lori's former boyfriend, jealousy turned deadly. In September 1989, Lisa was found strangled in her car outside a motel in Rib Mountain, Wisconsin. Investigators would uncover a shocking story that stunned communities across the state and inspired the made-for-TV movie Beauty's Revenge. Lori Esker was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide in 1990.

This week, we're diving into the disturbing case of the Dairy Princess whose obsession destroyed multiple lives forever.

🎙️ Join us as we discuss the investigation, the motive, and how someone viewed as a hometown role model became one of Wisconsin's most infamous killers.

In this episode of Dark Matter Moms, we examine the 2004 homicide of Colette Carr in Portage, Wisconsin.

When first responders arrived at Colette's home after a frantic 911 call, they found a scene that would launch a lengthy investigation into her final hours. As detectives worked to piece together what happened, they uncovered conflicting accounts, witness testimony, forensic evidence, and a timeline that raised more questions than answers.

At the center of the investigation was Colette's estranged husband, Alan Larson. Prosecutors argued that a critical gap in his timeline, combined with physical and DNA evidence, pointed to his guilt. The defense challenged the state's case, setting the stage for a trial that would ultimately decide his fate.

Join us as we walk through the investigation, trial testimony, and the evidence presented in one of Portage's most tragic homicide cases.

We also take a moment to remember Colette Carr—a mother, daughter, sister, and friend whose life was taken far too soon.

CORRECTION: This episode incorrectly refers to a jury trial. Alan Larson entered a no contest plea before trial, so there was no jury verdict. References to testimony and evidence are based on the preliminary hearing and court records.

⚠️ This episode contains discussions of homicide, domestic violence, and graphic violence that may not be suitable for all listeners.

📧 Have a Wisconsin case you'd like us to cover? Email us at [email protected]

⭐ Follow, rate, and review Dark Matter Moms wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this episode of Dark Matter Moms, we travel back to 1977 and discuss one of Wisconsin's most haunting unsolved murders—the deaths of young sweethearts Tim Hack and Kelly Drew.

When the couple disappeared after attending a wedding dance in rural Wisconsin, their families and community desperately searched for answers. Months later, the heartbreaking truth was discovered, but the person responsible remained a mystery for decades.

It would take advances in DNA technology and a shocking confession before investigators finally connected the murders to a man named Edward Wayne Edwards—a convicted killer who spent years hiding in plain sight.

Join us as we break down the timeline, investigation, and eventual resolution of a case that haunted Wisconsin for over 30 years.

⚠️ This episode contains discussions of homicide and violence that may not be suitable for all listeners.

📧 Have a Wisconsin case you'd like us to cover? Email us at [email protected]

⭐ Follow, rate, and review Dark Matter Moms wherever you listen to podcasts.

On July 27, 2000, Elizabeth "Beth" Kutz left work and called her mother with a chilling message:

"If I'm not home by 3:45, come looking for me."

Beth never made it home.

In the days leading up to her disappearance, Beth told family and friends that her estranged husband, Daniel Kutz, had been following her, watching her, and refusing to accept the end of their marriage. When Beth vanished, investigators quickly focused on Dan—but without a body, proving what happened would be far from simple.

In this episode of Dark Matter Moms, we examine Beth's disappearance, the evidence presented at trial, the conflicting stories told by Daniel Kutz, and the questions that remain unanswered more than two decades later.

Despite a conviction for Beth's murder, one mystery remains:

Where is Elizabeth Kutz?

🎙️ Dark Matter Moms is a Wisconsin true crime podcast hosted by Sam and Sarah, exploring murders, missing persons, and criminal cases from across the state.

A Friday night out.

A missing woman.

A body discovered in a Wisconsin field.

When Nicole VanderHeyden failed to return home after an evening with friends, investigators began searching for answers. What they uncovered would lead them down a path of DNA evidence, digital tracking, conflicting accounts, and a suspect no one initially expected.

In our debut episode, we take a deep dive into the murder of Nicole VanderHeyden and the investigation that captured national attention.

Join Sam and Sarah as they examine the timeline, the evidence, and the case that would become one of Wisconsin's most talked-about murder trials.

🎙️ Dark Matter Moms — A Wisconsin True Crime Podcast.