The McMartin pre-school trial was one of the most infamous and controversial child sexual abuse cases in American history.  The case, which began in 1983, involved allegations of widespread abuse and satanic rituals at the McMartin pre-school in Manhattan Beach, California. This series on Foul Play will discuss difficult themes of sexual abuse and pedophilia. We recommend proceeding with caution.  Support our podcast by becoming a patron. Find us on all platforms. Visit us online. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

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S21 Ep1: McMartin Family Trials

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In this episode we delve into the chilling disappearance of Donna Lass, a 25-year-old nurse who vanished under mysterious circumstances from the Sahara Tahoe Casino Hotel in 1970. As we weave through the sinister trails left by the infamous Zodiac Killer, this episode explores how a cryptic postcard sent to the San Francisco Chronicle might be linked to her disappearance. The card, filled with perplexing symbols and dire messages, hints at the possibility that Lass could have been one of Zodiac’s victims. Our investigation takes us through the eerie details of the postcard, the ongoing Zodiac investigation, and the haunting reality that Lass was never seen again after her shift at the casino. Check out Magic Mind: They have a limited offer you can use now, that gets you up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code FOULPLAY20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://www.magicmind.com/foulplay

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* Check out Recess and use my code SHANE for a great deal: http://www.takearecess.com
* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code SHANE at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.
* Discover your inner detective when you download June’s Journey for free today on iOS and Android. 
* You deserve a healthier way to unwind. Head to takearecess.com/SHANE and get 15% off Recess Mood, your go-to alcohol replacement.


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S33 Ep9: Donna Lass

In this bonus episode we delve more into the unsolved murder of Cheri Jo Bates. On the night of October 30, 1966, Bates, an 18-year-old college student, met a tragic end on the campus of Riverside College in California. In this episode we discuss the Riverside Suspect and new evidence that came forward. 

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Recess and use my code SHANE for a great deal: http://www.takearecess.com
* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code SHANE at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.
* Discover your inner detective when you download June’s Journey for free today on iOS and Android. 
* You deserve a healthier way to unwind. Head to takearecess.com/SHANE and get 15% off Recess Mood, your go-to alcohol replacement.


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S33 Bonus #3: The Riverside Suspect

This bonus episode unfurls the perplexing case of Cheri Jo Bates, murdered in 1966, whose death sparked not only grief but a series of sinister letters that shook the Riverside community. Delve into the dark twists of this case as anonymous letters once believed to be from the infamous Zodiac Killer come to light as a disturbing prank by a troubled teen. Explore how these revelations shift the focus back to the quest for the real killer, reigniting a cold case that refuses to be silenced. Uncover the interplay of fact and fiction in an investigation that spans over five decades. As detectives employ cutting-edge DNA technology to solve the puzzle of the 2016 confession letter, the story takes a startling turn, offering a glimpse into the complexities of human conscience and the shadows of past actions. Join us as we piece together the intricate details of this haunting tale, reminding us that sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction. Tune in to confront the enigma of Cheri Jo Bates's untimely death and the eerie aftermath that continues to echo through the corridors of time. Visit us online at itsfoulplay.com Join our crime community at Patreon.com/itsfoulplay

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Recess and use my code SHANE for a great deal: http://www.takearecess.com
* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code SHANE at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.
* Discover your inner detective when you download June’s Journey for free today on iOS and Android. 
* You deserve a healthier way to unwind. Head to takearecess.com/SHANE and get 15% off Recess Mood, your go-to alcohol replacement.


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S33 Bonus #2: The Hoax Letters

Explore the haunting details of Cheri Jo Bates's brutal murder in 1966, set against the backdrop of a society captivated by the likes of the Beatles and the debut of Star Trek. Delve into a meticulously detailed recounting of her last known hours, the gruesome crime scene, and the chilling letters that followed, which stoked the fear and fascination surrounding the Zodiac Killer. This episode takes a deep dive into the complex web of evidence, from the infamous confession letter to the sinister poems left behind, as investigative journalist Paul Avery links the murder to the Zodiac's cryptic messages. Journey through the twists and turns of a case that has perplexed investigators for decades, featuring interviews, forensic analyses, and a look at the prime suspect "Bob Barnett." Tune in to unravel the layers of this cold case and the shadowy figure of the Zodiac, whose taunting games with the police and media continue to intrigue and horrify. Visit me online at itsfoulplay.com Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/itsfoulplay

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Recess and use my code SHANE for a great deal: http://www.takearecess.com
* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code SHANE at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.
* Discover your inner detective when you download June’s Journey for free today on iOS and Android. 
* You deserve a healthier way to unwind. Head to takearecess.com/SHANE and get 15% off Recess Mood, your go-to alcohol replacement.


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/foul-play-crime-series/donations

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S33 Ep8: The Murder of Cheri Jo Bates

In this bonus episode we dive into a haunting chapter of the Zodiac killer saga when the notorious serial killer directly reaches out for help through a dramatic interaction with famed attorney Melvin Belli. On October 22, 1969, in an audacious move, the Zodiac demanded Belli appear on a popular morning TV show, igniting a series of events filled with hope and deception. The episode unravels this bizarre engagement through the lens of Belli and the call-in show, capturing the tense exchanges and the desperate pleas of a caller identifying himself as 'Sam,' claiming to suffer from unbearable headaches since committing his crimes. The narrative takes a darker turn as it explores the aftermath of the televised plea, detailing a planned but failed meeting between Belli and the Zodiac in Daly City, and the investigative twists that followed. This episode sheds light on the complexities of tracing the Zodiac's calls, the skepticism around the authenticity of 'Sam,' and the chilling realization that the Zodiac’s communication might just be another manipulative game in his terrifying spree. In December 1969, a letter arrives at Belli's office, accompanied by a piece of blood-stained clothing from victim Paul Stine, reinforcing the grim reality of the Zodiac's deadly actions and his cryptic interactions with the public figures he drew into his orbit. Visit us online at itsfoulplay.com Join our Patreon and community at Patreon.com/itsfoulplay

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Recess and use my code SHANE for a great deal: http://www.takearecess.com
* Check out mylifeinabook.com and use code SHANE at checkout for 10% off. Create an unforgettable gift for your mom this Mother’s Day.
* Discover your inner detective when you download June’s Journey for free today on iOS and Android. 
* You deserve a healthier way to unwind. Head to takearecess.com/SHANE and get 15% off Recess Mood, your go-to alcohol replacement.


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/foul-play-crime-series/donations

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S21 Ep1: McMartin Family Trials

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