Episode 20: Zhang

Yingying Zhang, a 26-year-old Chinese scholar at the University of Illinois at

Urbana-Champaign, tragically disappeared in June 2017. She was last seen entering a car on

campus, leading to a widespread search and investigation. The case took a grim turn when

Brendt Christensen, a former graduate student, admitted and bragged about the murder to his

girlfriend who was wearing a wire -- he was arrested and charged with her kidnapping and

murder. Despite extensive searches, Yingying's body was never found, deeply affecting her

family and the international community. In 2019, Christensen was convicted and sentenced to

life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Episode 19: Johnson In 2018, Laura Johnson, a mother and artist, tragically disappeared in Billings, Montana, under

suspicious circumstances involving her controlling boyfriend, Gregory Green. While initially

police believed Laura was a missing person who just didn't want to be found, her son Stephen

knew something was amiss - and spend hours doing his own investigating. Eventually a video

surfaced that caught Laura on camera one last time. Despite the absence of her body, Green

was convicted of her murder in 2020, largely based on surveillance footage and forensic

evidence, while Laura's family continues to search for her remains and seek closure.

Episode 18: Oxley

In the 2008 murder case of Ben Oxley in Minden, Nevada, a key development was the

involvement of his ex-wife, Dawn Oxley. Initially, the focus was on James Matlean, Ben's former

friend, who was charged with the murder. As the investigation progressed, Dawn's role in

planning the crime was uncovered. In a pivotal turn, Dawn received immunity for her testimony

against Matlean, providing essential details about the murder's planning and execution, possibly

linked to a custody dispute. This immunity grant, sparing her from charges despite her

involvement, sparked controversy and highlighted the complexities of legal strategies in criminal

cases.

Episode 17: Tokes

In February 2017, the tragic case of Reagan Tokes, a 21-year-old Ohio State University student, unfolded when she was abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered in Columbus, Ohio. The perpetrator, Brian Golsby, a recently released convict, was quickly apprehended and found guilty of these heinous crimes. This case not only caused immense grief but also sparked a significant outcry over the criminal justice system's handling of offenders on parole. In response, the Reagan Tokes Act was introduced and passed in Ohio. This legislation aimed to reform the state's parole and monitoring systems. It included measures for GPS tracking of released offenders, more individualized parolee monitoring, and reevaluation of sentencing guidelines to prevent similar tragedies. The Reagan Tokes Act stands as a legacy to Reagan's memory, representing a commitment to improving public safety and the criminal justice system.

Episode 16 - Ford

David Ford, a Lebanon Police Officer in Kentucky, and his wife Tonya Ford, lived what appeared

to be a normal life until February 2009, when a shocking event unfolded. David was found shot

to death in their home, turning the spotlight on Tonya as the prime suspect. The investigation

revealed strains in their marriage, an affair and even showing that the relationship that everyone

thought they had was no more than a distant memory -- leading to suspicions of Tonya's

involvement in David's death. In 2011, Tonya was charged and convicted for the murder of her

husband.

Episode 15 - Petito

In early 2021, Gabby Petito and her fiancé Brian Laundrie embarked on a cross-country road

trip across the United States, documenting their journey on social media. However, the

adventure took a tragic turn. In late August, Gabby mysteriously disappeared. After her family

reported her missing, a nationwide search began. In mid-September, Gabby's remains were

found in Wyoming, and her death was ruled a homicide. Brian Laundrie, initially a person of

interest, returned home without Gabby and soon disappeared. In October, his remains were

found in a Florida nature reserve, along with a notebook in which he claimed responsibility for

Gabby's death.

Episode 14 - Stern: Childhood friends Sarah Stern and Liam McAtasney's friendship took a dark turn in December 2016 when Sarah went missing, her car abandoned on a bridge. Unbeknownst to her, McAtasney harbored a greed-driven plan, strangling her, stealing money her mother left her from a lockbox, and disposing of her body with the help of another friend, Preston Taylor. McAtasney's motive was purely financial, revealed when a filmmaker, and friend Anthony Curry, captured a secret recording of his confession. McAtasney received a life sentence without parole, plus additional time for desecrating human remains, while Taylor was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Episode 13 - Koenig: Samantha Tessla Koenig, born in Anchorage, Alaska on August 30, 1993, tragically lost her life on February 1, 2012. At 18, she was known for her vibrant personality, love for animals, music, and photography, with dreams of working with animals or becoming a nurse in the Navy. Her life was cut short when she was abducted by the notorious serial killer Israel Keyes. He forced her into his truck, drove her around town, sexually assaulted and asphyxiated her, and went on a cruise afterward, leaving Samantha's family devastated. Keyes was eventually captured but committed suicide in December 2012, preventing a full investigation into his extensive crimes.

Episode 12: Anthony The tragic case of Gretchen Anthony, a woman known for her vibrant and positive personality, unfolded as a chilling tale of domestic violence and deceit. In March 2020, her estranged husband, David Anthony, murdered her in their Florida home. David's calculated attempts to cover up the crime included sending false messages claiming Gretchen was hospitalized with COVID-19, exploiting the pandemic's fear. His arrest in New Mexico led to a multi-state investigation. A plea deal saw David admitting guilt, providing the location of Gretchen's remains, and receiving a 38-year prison sentence. This case serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers within relationships and the devastating consequences of domestic violence.

Episode 11: Farver The murder of Cari Farver unfolded amidst a complex web of jealousy and obsession in her relationships with David Kroupa and Shanna "Liz" Golyar. In November 2012, Cari mysteriously vanished after leaving David's apartment, triggering suspicious text messages and turning the investigation from a missing person case into a potential homicide. The search for Cari's body faced complications due to digital impersonation, but forensic analysis eventually traced the messages back to Golyar's devices. The discovery of disturbing photos and Cari's personal items in Golyar's possession solidified her connection to the murder. Witness testimonies, including those of David Kroupa and Cari's mother, highlighted Golyar's jealousy and possessiveness. The subsequent trial, featuring digital evidence and emotional testimonies, sought justice in the digital age and brought closure to Cari Farver's tragic story.