Killer Bites

In September 1988, 7-year-old Jaclyn Dowaliby vanished from her bedroom in Midlothian, Illinois, in the middle of the night. Her mother reported her missing early that morning, and just days later, her body was discovered in a field — sparking one of the most controversial child murder cases of the late 1980s. At first, suspicion fell on her stepfather, David Dowaliby, after a neighbor with a history of mental illness claimed to have seen someone with a “big nose” near the family home. Despite flimsy evidence, David was arrested, tried, and convicted of Jaclyn’s murder, serving 583 days in prison before his conviction was overturned. With his release, the case unraveled into even deeper uncertainty, and law enforcement never secured another solid lead.

To this day, the case remains unsolved, with rumors swirling about family conflicts, mental illness, and whether Jaclyn’s schizophrenic uncle could have played a role in her death. Was David wrongfully accused in a rush to find a suspect, or was justice interrupted before the full truth came out? Over three decades later, Jaclyn’s story still leaves behind unanswered questions and a haunting mystery: who really silenced this 7-year-old girl?

In January 2013, the body of 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson was found rolled up in a gym mat inside his high school. At first, investigators ruled it a tragic accident—claiming he had fallen in while reaching for a pair of sneakers. But the story didn’t sit right with Kendrick’s family. The more they looked into the details, the more disturbing questions arose: Why were there inconsistencies in the autopsy reports? Why was there missing surveillance footage? And why did it seem like key evidence was ignored or dismissed?

What started as a heartbreaking loss soon spiraled into one of the most controversial and debated cases in recent memory. Kendrick’s parents believe their son was murdered and that a massive cover-up has kept the truth buried. Was this really an accident—or something far darker?

In June 2002, the quiet life of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was shattered in the most terrifying way imaginable. While the rest of her family slept, a stranger crept into her bedroom, pressed a knife to her throat, and forced her into the night with one chilling warning: Stay silent or your family dies. What followed was nine long months of captivity, control, and manipulation that pushed Elizabeth to the edge of survival. This case shocked America, not only because of the brutality of her abduction but also because of the resilience Elizabeth showed when she was finally rescued. Was her freedom the end of the nightmare—or the beginning of a different kind of battle?

Seventeen-year-old Kelsey Smith was just running a quick errand at Target, picking up an anniversary gift for her boyfriend. But as she walked back to her car, her night—and her life—was stolen in an instant. What seemed like a safe suburban shopping trip turned into a nightmare when Edwin Hall, a man with a dark past, snatched her in broad daylight. Within hours, her disappearance gripped Kansas, sparking a frantic search that revealed chilling details about Hall’s behavior: packing for a “family vacation” just as the investigation closed in, acting suspicious while the community begged for answers.

But the biggest questions still linger: Why Kelsey? What drove Hall to target a teenage girl who had her whole life ahead of her? Was it a premeditated attack, a random act of violence, or the twisted fallout of a man unraveling from his own demons?

In this episode of Killer Bites, we dive into one of the most infamous unsolved disappearances in college history: Kristin Smart. A bright, ambitious student at Cal Poly, Kristin vanished in 1996 after attending a frat party—and to this day, her whereabouts remain a mystery. What really happened that night? And why did authorities fail to investigate her disappearance for decades properly?

We break down the timeline, explore the shocking gaps in the investigation, and dig into allegations that the university may have helped cover up key evidence. From mishandled leads to suspicious behavior by fraternity members, this case is a mix of college scandal, potential corruption, and a haunting disappearance that has left a community searching for answers. Join us as we unpack the twists, the theories, and the chilling reality behind Kristin Smart’s case.

On March 7, 2015, Ashlee Martinson—known online as “Vampchick”—snapped. After years of enduring abuse and failed attempts to escape her violent home, the 17-year-old turned on her parents in a brutal act of revenge. The media was quick to paint her as a goth-obsessed teen lost in her love for horror stories, heavy makeup, and dreams of becoming a mortician. But the truth behind Ashlee’s life is far more disturbing than any headline. This isn’t just the story of a teen killer—it’s a chilling look at what years of trauma, silence, and darkness can do to someone who feels completely trapped. Was Ashlee a monster born from her own obsessions, or a victim pushed to her breaking point?

In this episode, we dive into one of New York’s strangest and most haunting crime stories—the brutal axe attack on Peter and Joan Porco. Late one night in 2004, the couple was viciously assaulted in their own home. What makes this case so unbelievable is what happened next: Peter, mortally wounded, somehow got up the next morning, made breakfast, and even began his routine before finally collapsing—earning him the chilling nickname of the “dead man walking.” Joan, though left critically injured, miraculously survived and later played a pivotal role in identifying the attacker. But the biggest twist? The person behind the crime turned out to be far closer than anyone imagined. This case isn’t just about violence—it’s about betrayal, survival, and the shocking unraveling of a family.

In 1990, 15-year-old twins Jeannette and Dannette Millbrook walked out of their Augusta, Georgia neighborhood and were never seen again. But what’s most disturbing isn’t just their disappearance—it’s how law enforcement handled it. The original detective on the case was criticized for dismissing leads, mishandling evidence, and ultimately closing the file far too quickly. For decades, the twins’ family fought to keep their story alive while officials seemed determined to silence it. Their disappearance was even erased from official records for years, as if the girls had simply never existed. Now, more than 30 years later, questions remain: was this just incompetence, or an intentional cover-up that cost Jeannette and Dannette their chance at justice?

Where is Morgan Nick? One summer day in 1995, a six-year-old girl named Morgan Nick was taken out to a ballgame by her mom. After finally getting permission to go play around in a sandy spot by the parking lot with some friends, Morgan Nick went missing. No one’s really sure what happened or why but over 25 years later, Morgan Nick’s disappearance remains a mystery. Where is Morgan Nick?

In 1933, two maids turned killers in one of France’s most infamous crimes. Christine and Léa Papin were inseparable sisters, working in service to a wealthy family in Le Mans. But one stormy night, the pair erupted into a frenzy of violence, brutally murdering their employer’s wife and daughter in a way so gruesome it left the nation horrified. Why did they do it? Was it deep resentment, years of mistreatment, or something more chilling — a shared psychosis known as folie à deux, the “madness of two”?

In today’s episode, Brandi unpacks the shocking details of the Papin sisters’ crime, their strange bond, and the chilling aftermath. From the brutal crime scene to the courtroom that couldn’t make sense of their relationship, this case still fascinates psychologists, criminologists, and true crime fans nearly a century later. Strap in — this is not just a murder story, it’s a descent into the darkest corners of the human mind.