In 2007, the world was rocked by the shocking revelation that a respected and decorated professional wrestler had murdered his wife and young son before taking his own life inside their suburban Georgia home.

As the story unfolded, it exposed a deeply tragic mix of steroid and drug abuse, unprocessed grief, chronic head trauma, and a volatile home life. Together, these forces created a perfect storm—one that led to a devastating mental collapse and the loss of three lives.

References:

Autopsyfiles.org - Chris Benoit Autopsy Report

Autopsyfiles.org - Nancy Benoit Autopsy Report

Benoit case - CID Case file - REDACTED.pdf - Google Drive

Chris & Nancy: The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide and Pro Wrestling's Cocktail of Death: Muchnick, Irvin: 9781550229028: Amazon.com: Books

The Chris Benoit 911 Calls

Original redacted 2007 Chris Benoit police files : r/masskillers

Wrestler Chris Benoit's doctor gets 10 years in prison - ESPN

05-12-09.pdf

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When several women are lured to Boston hotel rooms by a charming med student offering massages, only to be robbed—or worse—the city begins to unravel a chilling pattern. Behind the polished smile and prestigious future of Philip Markoff lies a secret life fueled by obsession, violence, and a terrifying double identity. In this episode of Koltergeist, we dive into the twisted case of the so-called "Craigslist Killer"—a man who seemed to have it all, yet harbored a darkness no one saw coming.

References:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1668674/

https://www.bostonherald.com/2010/08/16/the-craigslist-killing-a-timeline/

https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/philip-markoff

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In 1996, the peace of Shenandoah National Park was shattered by a gruesome discovery: the bodies of Lollie Winans and Julie Williams, two young, adventurous women with serious outdoor skills, were found brutally murdered near their campsite. They weren’t just victims—they were fearless, badass trailblazers who felt at home in the wild. As the investigation unfolded, it exposed more than just a killer. It revealed a deeper darkness: a culture of hate, fear, and prejudice, and more than one predator lurking in the shadows. But this story doesn’t end in silence—it ends in karma, long overdue and fiercely deserved.

References:

Jun 05, 1996, page 15 - The Grand Rapids Press at Newspapers.com

Apr 12, 2002, page A1 - Richmond Times-Dispatch at Newspapers.com

Apr 11, 2002, page 7 - St. Cloud Times at Newspapers.com 

Jan 01, 2006, page 2 - Potomac News at Newspapers.com 

Jun 05, 1996, page 1 - The Patriot-News at Newspapers.com

Sep 19, 1996, page 1 - Culpeper Star-Exponent at Newspapers.com

Apr 11, 2002, page 7 - St. Cloud Times at Newspapers.com

40 Years of Empowering Women Travelers | Adventures in Good Company

Jul 20, 2003, page 7 - The Roanoke Times at Newspapers.com

Trailed: One Woman's Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders: Miles, Kathryn: 9781616209094: Amazon.com: Books

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After beloved Montana outdoorsman Bill Stout is found shot to death in his home, a bizarre web of anonymous emails, nighttime prowlers, and escalating threats begins to surface. Was his brief affair to blame—or was something far more sinister lurking closer to home? In this gripping episode of Koltergeist, we unravel a chilling mystery of obsession, betrayal, and a haunting trail that led to murder.

References:

https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/889396/state-v-stout/?q=&court_fla=on&order_by=dateFiled+desc

https://mail.murderpedia.org/female.S/s/stout-anne.htm

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On Father’s Day 1991, a brutal and calculated crime unfolded inside the United Bank Tower in Denver, Colorado. Disguised and heavily armed, a man carried out one of the most violent bank robberies in American history. Within minutes, he gunned down four unarmed security guards—execution-style—and vanished with a bag of stolen cash. Despite multiple suspects and years of investigation, no one has ever been convicted. The killer walked away—and remains free to this day.

References:

Murders in the Bank Vault: The Father's Day Massacre and the Trial of James King: Phil H. Goodstein: Amazon.com: Books

Jun 19, 1991, page 14 - The Daily Sentinel at Newspapers.com

Inside the investigation into the 1991 Colorado Father’s Day bank massacre

Inside the investigation into the 1991 Colorado Father’s Day bank massacre

Unsolved: The Father's Day Bank Massacre and the Trial of James King - NewsBreak

Jul 07, 1991, page 3 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.com

Jul 05, 1991, page 14 - Morning Sentinel at Newspapers.com

You tube: From the Archives: Father's Day Bank Massacre | Teller IDs James King

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Episode Summary

In this episode of Koltergeist, we unravel the disturbing case of Jenelle Potter—a woman whose lies and online manipulation led to the murders of Billy Payne and Billie Jean Hayworth in a quiet Tennessee town. Jenelle, socially isolated and obsessed with online drama, created a fake CIA agent to convince her parents she was in danger. Her father, Buddy Potter, acted on that deception, with devastating consequences. This twisted story of catfishing, control, and murder shows just how deadly digital lies can become.

Episode Sources:

https://law.justia.com/cases/tennessee/court-of-criminal-appeals/2019/e2015-02261-cca-r3-cd.html

https://abcnews.go.com/US/social-media-feud-led-couples-murder/story?id=108711016

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Episode Summary:

A dashing Hollywood icon with a shadowy secret was murdered and his killer was never brought to justice. They said he had it all—fame, fortune, and a smile that made headlines. But behind the velvet ropes and silver screens, this actor carried a secret no one was meant to uncover. This episode delves into the mysterious and tragic death of Hogan’s Heroes star Bob Crane.

Sources for this episode are available upon request.

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Episode Summary

In this episode of Koltergeist, we explore the tragic stories of Bianca Devins and Grace Emmie Rose Millane—two young women whose lives were cut short by men they trusted. Bianca, a 17-year-old rising social media personality from New York, was brutally murdered by a friend she met online, with images of the crime shared across the internet in a chilling intersection of violence and digital culture. Grace, a 21-year-old British backpacker traveling alone in New Zealand, was killed by a man she met on a dating app during what was supposed to be a night out in Auckland. Through these cases, we examine the dark side of internet relationships, the dangers young women face both online and offline, and the broader implications for justice and online safety.

Episode Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Bianca_Devins

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bianca-devins-murder-violent-images-psychological-terrorism-48-hours/

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-63627166

https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/21/asia/grace-millane-killer-named-intl-hnk

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Episode Summary

On an ordinary spring evening, a little girl walked to the corner store to buy a pencil and was never seen alive again. The last person to see her was someone she was supposed to trust-a man in uniform patrolling the small town of Mascotte, Fl. This is the story of Teresa Mae McAbee, who was brutalized and murdered in 1987 by a small-town cop named James Duckett.

Episode sources are available upon request.

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In this episode, we delve into the infamous “Suitcase Murder” case of Melanie McGuire, a New Jersey fertility clinic nurse convicted of killing her husband, Bill McGuire, in 2004. After shooting him and dismembering his body, Melanie placed the remains into suitcases that later washed up in the Chesapeake Bay. Despite her claims of innocence, a mountain of circumstantial evidence—including surveillance footage, suspicious internet searches, and forensic links—led to her conviction. We explore the complex double life she was living and the chilling details that unraveled the truth behind the crime.

References:

https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/melanie-mcguire-suitcase-killer

https://www.amazon.com/Have-Kill-Melanie-McGuire-Gruesome/dp/B08ZDFPFHB

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