Hidden True Crime

By Hidden True Crime | Daylight MediaSociety & Culture Documentary News True Crime News Commentary

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45th
on Documentary
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Typical duration
81 min
per episode
If it hooks
45%
finish an episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Hidden True Crime episodes

December 01, 2025 Sentencing SCANDAL-How Did Convicted Predator Walk Free? Psychologist Unpacks Jesse Mack Butler Case
After Lauren broke down the Jesse Mack Butler case, John is here with his analysis...how a now convicted predator, is walking free with no jail time, what risks that creates and how society sees cases like these.
Jesse Mack Butler Backstory:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sadistic-teen-predator-they-refused-to-stop/id1521619380?i=1000738639418
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0y1YfCREO2HqBX5WwST4c0?si=be73ece100ab42fb

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About Hidden True Crime
What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.
Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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1 hr 47 min
November 29, 2025 Zoo Couple & Secret Recording Changes EVERYTHING | New Melodee Buzzard Updates
In this episode, Lauren breaks down the newest and most unsettling developments in the disappearance of Melodee Buzzard, including the wigs, the multi-state road trip, the switched license plates, the bizarre “zoo couple” Ashlee claims took her daughter, and the troubling interview with Tyler Brewer that only raises more questions. With conflicting statements, dismissed charges, disturbing behavior, and a timeline that grows shakier by the day, we ask the question investigators—and Melodee’s family—are desperate to answer: Where is Melodee Buzzard?
Sponsor
Go to ⁠https://shopbeam.com/TRUECRIME⁠ to get up to 50% off Dream while the Black Friday sale lasts.
About Hidden True Crime
What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.
Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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27 min
November 27, 2025 The Sadistic Teen Predator They Refused to Stop | Inside the Jesse Mack Butler Horror in Stillwater
In a case that is going viral, 18 year old Jesse Mack Butler, who was charged with a slew of crimes against two young girls, has walked free, despite a 78 year sentence. In this episode, Lauren breaks down the case, what happened and what legal decisions led to Jesse walking free.

Sponsor
Go to https://shopbeam.com/TRUECRIME to get up to 50% off Dream while the Black Friday sale lasts.
About Hidden True Crime
What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.
Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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51 min
November 25, 2025 Teen Burglary Turns Deadly & Caught on Camera… Self-Defense or Ambush?! | The Elm Street Murders
A retired security engineer, a small Minnesota town, and two teens who picked the wrong house on Thanksgiving Day—what happened in Byron Smith’s basement has been debated for more than a decade as one of the most chilling self-defense cases in America.

Sponsors
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Sources:
https://www.justiceforbyronsmith.com/further-information
https://www.10minutemurder.com/blog/thanksgiving-day-2012-how-byron-smith-executed-two-teen-burglars/
https://youtu.be/rgwIKrsE3M0?si=NuNaiwDGYRdZv8s7
https://youtu.be/waswKMganjI?si=yvZsxn1CrS8ZRnlo
https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/your-verdict-neighbor-kills-two-teens-breaking-in-his-house-self-defense-or-revenge-based-on-the-movie-dont-breathe.4874745/page-2
https://www.startribune.com/little-falls-trial-pits-the-right-of-self-defense-vs-murder/255041461
https://www.emblombrennyfuneral.com/obituaries/nicholas-brady
https://podcasts.happyscribe.com/dateline-nbc/12-minutes-on-elm-street
https://www.hometownsource.com/morrison_county_record/news/local/two-lf-teens-charged-in-connection-with-burglary-of-smith/article_5f271cba-81b6-507e-a229-3df72c8c39c9.html
https://www.hometownsource.com/morrison_county_record/news/publicsafety/kriesel-convicted-of-meth-possession-sentence-stayed/article_6bd14ba1-ce93-539f-bd19-0c76d47a4d7a.html
https://www.10minutemurder.com/blog/thanksgiving-day-2012-how-byron-smith-executed-two-teen-burglars/
https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/20/20-633/159775/20201105123712731_Petition.pdf
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/crime/byron-smith-testifies-in-restitution-appeal/89-105774134
Star Tribunehttps://www.startribune.comIn Little Falls trial, Byron Smith finally testifies, breaks down on stand
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/20-633_f2qg.pdf
https://www.justiceforbyronsmith.com/the-ambush-
https://www.grandforksherald.com/newsmd/witnesses-testify-they-saw-fear-in-smith-in-days-before-littls-falls-shooting
https://www.justiceforbyronsmith.com/about
https://www.oxygen.com/dateline-the-smoking-gun/crime-news/byron-david-smith-fatally-shoots-haile-kifer-nicholas-brady
https://www.startribune.com/bail-lowered-for-man-accused-of-killing-2-little-falls-teens/183841961
https://youtu.be/b7-xa9VHBgY?si=XTulloNSqH8Via5H
https://youtu.be/7SxydkG1Zw8?si=PQVnPfTbL783J5gr
https://youtu.be/BtznJOJaXkE?si=qeqvn0EgwBoPqD_G
https://truecrimenews.com/2018/04/19/retired-security-expert-kills-unarmed-teen-burglars-records-reaction-waits-24-hours-to-report/
https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s/smith-byron-david.htm
https://www.startribune.com/slain-teenage-cousins-linked-to-an-earlier-little-falls-break-in/181119611
https://themurderblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/12/case2-the-castle-doctrine-murders-how-much-force-is-reasonable-force/
https://ccwsafe.com/resources/byron-david-smith-part-1-the-limits-of-home-defense/
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/171965/smith-v-united-states/
https://www.sctimes.com/story/opinion/2014/09/11/letter-testimony-smith-hearing-raises-questions/15483825/
https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/man-serving-life-sentence-for-double-homicide-sues-author-publishing-company-over-book-on-his-case/
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/171965/smith-v-united-states
https://law.justia.com/cases/indiana/court-of-appeals/2019/18a-cr-1732.html
https://www.justice.gov/osg/brief/united-states-v-smith-petition-0
https://themurderblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/12/case2-the-castle-doctrine-murders-how-much-force-is-reasonable-force
https://www.startribune.com/questions-tear-at-those-who-knew-two-slain-little-falls-teens/180785621
https://youtu.be/rR_enPmJ9I4?si=kNXXNMtZnZCXzYxO

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39 min
November 23, 2025 Psychologist Breaks Down His Interview with Accused Child Killer | Michael "Monkey" Vaughan Case
After the probable cause affidavit has come out, Dr. John compares his interview with Stacey to the affidavit... The moments that stand out, what he thinks a defense will be, and what Stacey's confessions mean.

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About Hidden True Crime
What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.
Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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1 hr 33 min
November 20, 2025 The Dark Psychology of Jodi Arias — Why Revenge Became Deadly
Our guest today is Briana Whitney, a local Phoenix reporter who just finished a new documentary on Jodi Arias. Briana joins us to talk about the Jodi Arias case and what she learned about Jodi while they communicated.
Obsessed: Unraveling Jodi Arias | True crime documentary https://youtu.be/xt4EHxymIlg?si=htFC-i0t3akhhb1h
Sponsors:
Nurture Life: For 55% off your order + FREE shipping, head to http://NurtureLife.com/HIDDEN and use code HIDDEN.
Aura: You can go to my sponsor https://aura.com/hiddentruecrime to try 14 days for free. That’s enough time for Aura to start scrubbing your personal info off these data broker sites, without you lifting a finger.
Keeper: Now playing in theaters
About Hidden True Crime
What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.
Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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58 min
November 18, 2025 A Chainsaw, A Screwdriver, & A Cross | Paxton Wallace FULL STORY + Exclusive Interview
A 3:40 a.m. 911 call. A man waiting outside with a hammer in one hand and a cross in the other. Inside, a crime scene so brutal seasoned detectives called the victim “unrecognizable.” In this episode of Hidden True Crime, Lauren sits down with the family of 31-year-old Paxton April Wallace—a daughter, big sister, caretaker and dog mom whose life was stolen by the man they once welcomed into their home. We walk through the chilling police report, Jeffrey Rael’s “demon mode” claims, Paxton’s desperate attempts to escape escalating abuse, and the systemic failures that left her without safe options. This is the story behind the headline—a family’s grief, a community’s wake-up call, and why Paxton’s loved ones are begging you to listen.
About Hidden True Crime
What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.
Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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56 min
November 15, 2025 Criminal Psychologist Talks to Man Charged w/ Kidnapping & Murdering Michael Vaughan | Stacey Wondra
In January of 2024, at the request of 3rd parties, Dr. John interviewed Stacey Wondra, who at the time, was a suspect in the case of missing 5-year-old Michael "Monkey" Vaughan. Just a couple of weeks ago, Stacey was charged with kidnapping and murdering Michael. And now, Hidden True Crime is publicly releasing the interview between John and Stacey.
Make the switch to Sundays. Go right now to http://sundaysfordogs.com/HIDDEN and get 50% off your first order. Or, you can use code HIDDEN at checkout.
Get 15% off OneSkin with the code HIDDEN at https://www.oneskin.co/HIDDEN #oneskinpod
About Hidden True Crime
What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.
Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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1 hr 59 min
November 13, 2025 Horror, Confessions & Religious Delusions-Inside the Murder Charges | Michael Monkey Vaughan
“I don’t even know anything about this little boy…” That’s what Stacey Wondra told Dr. John in our January 2024 interview—now he and his then-wife, Sarah, are charged with first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, and destruction of evidence in the disappearance of 5-year-old “Monkey” Vaughan. In this hard but essential episode, we walk through the newly released probable-cause affidavits, timeline, and key evidence—alongside excerpts from our interview—to reveal what investigators say happened the night Michael vanished.

Sponsors:
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About Hidden True Crime
What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.
Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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53 min
November 11, 2025 Ashlee Buzzard Imprisonment Victim Speaks Out as Melodee Buzzard Remains Missing
Ashlee Buzzard was arrested on Friday, November 7th on a felony charge of false imprisonment and the victim has now publicly come forward. Plus, Lauren is joined by Anne Emerson of the Criminally Obsessed Network to discuss her experience in covering this case and a bit about what she uncovered on Ashlee's childhood.
Subscribe to ⁠ @CriminallyObsessed ⁠
Subscribe to ⁠ @KUTV2News ⁠ here for Utah News: https://youtube.com/@kutv2news?si=PlckTEP4hM5vo4ZB
About Hidden True Crime
What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.
Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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36 min

About Hidden True Crime

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Hidden True Crime. Hosted by journalist Lauren Matthias and forensic psychologist Dr. John Matthias, Hidden True Crime explores the hidden motives, relationships, beliefs, and psychology behind some of the world's most compelling criminal cases.