L.A. Crimes

Astrology is a common conversation starter here in Los Angeles, to the point where people like Danielle Johnson made her living as an “Astrology Influencer,” selling her horoscope predictions and mantras to curious customers. But things turned sinister as a solar eclipse approached in 2024 that sent Danielle into a murderous spiral. Richard Winton joins Madison McGhee on this episode to lay out how the events of that day went down. 

In the so-called “Golden Age of Serial Murder,” Americans were introduced to names such as Ted Bundy, Gary Ridgeway, and Richard Ramirez in relatively short succession. What was it about this period of time that seemed to breed so many serial killers? In today’s episode, Madison McGhee is joined by Caroline Fraser, author of Murderland, to discuss her unique theory about what may have contributed to these men’s murderous psyches.

When the police received calls about a small house fire in San Marino, the last thing they expected to find was the body of local doctor and mother of two, Irene Gaw-Lai. Madison McGhee is joined by LA Times Reporter Salvador Hernandez to talk through the investigation that followed the fire and the layers of domestic conflict that built up to this morbid conclusion.

Madison McGhee is joined by friend of the pod, L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton, to untangle the crime web that was sewn by Eric Halem, an ex-reserve cop with wealthy connections and a history of criminal activity that extended through his LAPD career. 

If you hadn’t heard of Labubus before this episode…we’re jealous. Whether you are on the Labubu train or not, today’s story about a heist involving $30,000 worth of Labubus will capture your attention. L.A. Times Fast Break Reporter Nathan Solis joins Madison with all the wild details.

Neighbors didn’t exactly notice when the reclusive Charles Wilding wasn’t seen coming or going from his home in Sherman Oaks, but when a fiery redhead with a strange story suddenly moved into the quiet man’s estate, alarm bells started ringing. Madison McGhee is joined by L.A. Times Reporter Brittny Mejia to comb through the details of how this woman, Caroline Herrling, was able to manipulate her way to millions, and the trail of bodies she left in her wake. 

In the 1970s, Los Angeles was plagued by a series of gruesome murders that seemed to target vulnerable women around the area. Richard Winton joins Madison McGhee to rehash the happenings around these murders and how police were eventually able to track down the culprit behind this murder spree, as well as some recent updates to the case.

One of 2025’s biggest trials focused on the killing of John O’Keefe – a Boston police officer found unconscious in the snow outside a fellow officer’s home after a night of heavy drinking. Detectives zeroed in on O’Keefe’s girlfriend, Karen Read, with whom he had a fraught relationship. But did they prioritize her too quickly? Did they use her as a scapegoat to protect their fellow men in blue? According to Read’s defense team: Absolutely. Madison McGhee is joined by friend of the show Jami Rice to break down the details of the controversial case.

Pandora’s Box: The Fall of L.A.’s Sheriff is a six-part true crime investigation from the Los Angeles Times about one of the biggest law enforcement scandals in U.S. history.

Follow Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter Christopher Goffard as he uncovers how Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, once hailed as a reformer, became entangled in a shocking cover-up inside the nation’s largest jail system. From FBI informants and jailhouse brutality to corruption at the highest levels, this series reveals how deputies hid an inmate, intimidated federal agents, and ultimately brought down one of California’s most powerful sheriffs.

When people think of cults they tend to think of a bunch of long haired people in matching tracksuits on a farm somewhere. But the future is now and even cults have gone online. Madison McGhee speaks with Los Angeles Times reporter Nathan Solis about one such group: the 7M TikTok Dance Cult. It’s exactly what you think it is, but also so much more.