In February 2020, 31-year-old Hannah Clarke was driving her three young children to school in Brisbane, Australia, when her estranged husband, Rowan Baxter jumped into the car and doused them with petrol. Behind closed doors, Hannah had endured years of coercive control, intimidation, isolation, and abuse. She had done what so many victims are told to do: she left, sought help from police, obtained a protection order, and documented her fears. It wasn't enough. In this episode, we examine the warning signs leading up to the murders, the systemic failures that left Hannah and her children unprotected, and the reforms that followed. It's a heartbreaking case that forever changed the conversation about domestic violence in Australia.

Today's snack: Lamingtons

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Sources:

• https://www.buzzfeed.com/lady_emerald/this-or-that-quiz This or that quiz
• https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hannahs-story/id1687003092 Hannah’s Story Podcast on Apple
• https://open.spotify.com/episode/6BbT3geVOTMQ7Adtj8UVG5 Hannah’s Story Podcast on Spotify
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzgaNFLu3T4&t=75s podcast with Sue & Lloyd Clarke
• https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/murder-suicide-case-nz-killer-rowan-baxters-ex-wife-hann
• https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/723664/cif-hannah-clarke-aaliyah-baxter-laianah-baxter-trey-baxter-and-rowan-baxter.pdf
• https://www.smallsteps4hannah.com.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• https://anzmh.asn.au/blog/the-inquest-into-the-murder-of-hannah-clarke-and-her-three-children
• https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/murder-suicide-case-nz-killer-rowan-baxters-ex-wife-hannah-clarke-called-her-dad-before-her-death/DVBXGMQVANBMJBJX62EGFLMKLM/ 
• https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/car-fire-murders-rowan-baxters-relatives-speak-out-about-his-upbringing/A3V5OZF5S4OY546JAXBYTP7LJM/ 
• https://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland/police-did-not-fail-hannah-clarke-but-training-overhaul-needed-coroner-20220629-p5axjs.html
• https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/140-women-and-girls-on-average-were-killed-by-a-loved-one-every-day-last-year-un-finds
• https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/murder-of-hannah-clarke-and-kids-prompts-incredible-surge-in-men-seeking-to-stop-domestic-violence/ajkjeig48
• https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/350550739/son-of-killer-rowan-baxter-who-murdered-estranged-wife-hannah-three-children-suing-her-parents
• https://www.odt.co.nz/news/australia/son-killer-kiwi-dad-suing-victims-parents
• https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-8036307/Estranged-son-killer-Rowan-Baxter-shows-support-Hannah-Clarke.html
• https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-31/qld-hannah-clarke-inquest-murder-domestic-violence-victim-impact/100942190
• https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/17/murders-hannah-clarke-and-children-shocked-australia-queensland-police-failures-text-messages-rowan-baxter
• https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/16/hannah-clarke-children-murder-qld-queensland-police

When 33-year-old Eleonora “Lina” Kaufman was found unresponsive with marks across her neck on her bathroom floor in Aventura, Florida, her sudden death shocked her community. Her husband, Adam Kaufman, claimed it was a tragic medical emergency. But as investigators secured the home, the physical evidence—from an engine block inexplicably radiating heat in the garage to unwrinkled pillows on the bed—just didn’t add up.

Eighteen months later, the medical examiner ruled Lina's death a homicide by mechanical asphyxiation, leading to Adam's arrest. What followed was a sensational legal battle pitting top forensic experts against one another over compromised DNA evidence, cryptic jailhouse phone calls, and a jury forced to choose between a cold-blooded murder and a tragic medical anomaly.

Today’s snack: Oreo BTS Brown Sugar Pancake flavor and Stuf of Doom flavor

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Sources:

• Trial Florida v. Adam Kaufman. Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County, Florida. May–June 2012. Court TV, https://www.courttv.com/trials/florida-v-adam-kaufman-2009/.
• ABC News Sechrist, Adam. "Adam Kaufman Trial: Detectives Handling Case Had Affair." ABC News, 18 May 2012.
• CBS News Glynn, Casey. "South Fla. developer Adam Kaufman acquitted in wife's 2007 death." CBS News, 6 June 2012.
• CBS News Moriarty, Erin. "'48 Hours' preview: When a murder suspect has an identical twin, solving the case can be doubly tricky." CBS News, 22 June 2013.
• CBS Miami "Not Guilty Verdict For Aventura Developer Accused In Wife's Death." CBS Miami, 5 June 2012.
• CBS Miami "Surgeon Testifies Lina Kaufman Was Healthy." CBS Miami, 15 May 2012.
• CBS Press Release "‘48 HOURS: LINA'S HEART’ – WOULD A TWIN KNOW IF HIS BROTHER WAS A KILLER?" Paramount Press Express / CBS Entertainment, 25 Oct. 2012.
• Court TV "FL v. Adam Kaufman: Spray Tan Murder Trial." Court TV.
• The Cinemaholic Sengupta, Sounak. "Adam Kaufman: Where is Lina Kaufman's Husband Now?" The Cinemaholic, 14 Apr. 2023.

When 33-year-old Sandra Bird, a devoted mother and the wife of popular Faith Lutheran Church pastor Tom Bird, was found dead in the Cottonwood River near Emporia, Kansas, the town mourned what appears to be a tragic car accident. But Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper John Rule felt like something was off. From a complete lack of skid marks to mysterious bloodstains found where they shouldn’t have been, the physical evidence just didn’t add up.

Months later, the community was rocked again when Martin Anderson, the husband of the church's secretary, Lorna Anderson, was gunned down on a dark highway in an apparent robbery gone wrong.

What followed was one of the most tangled criminal cases in Kansas history: competing trials, a jailhouse reversal, a made-for-TV movie, and a legal fight that stretched across nearly a decade.

Today’s snack: Lay's Argentinian-Style Steak with Chimichurri and Brazilian Style Garlic Sauce Chips

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When 33-year-old Sandra Bird, a devoted mother and the wife of popular Faith Lutheran Church pastor Tom Bird, was found dead in the Cottonwood River near Emporia, Kansas, the town mourned what appears to be a tragic car accident. But Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper John Rule felt like something was off. From a complete lack of skid marks to mysterious bloodstains found where they shouldn’t have been, the physical evidence just didn’t add up.

Months later, the community was rocked again when Martin Anderson, the husband of the church's secretary, Lorna Anderson, was gunned down on a dark highway in an apparent robbery gone wrong.

What followed was one of the most tangled criminal cases in Kansas history: competing trials, a jailhouse reversal, a made-for-TV movie, and a legal fight that stretched across nearly a decade.

Today’s snack: Biscoff Bala Baiana

Listen to part 2 on Patreon

Sources:

• Breneman, Allie. "Bird Bridge: What lies beneath." The ESU Bulletin, 30 Oct. 2025, https://esubulletin.com/19335/news/bird-bridge-what-lies-beneath/.
• Hrenchir, Tim. "Board grants parole to Lorna Anderson Moore." The Capital-Journal, 2 Feb. 2007. Google Groups, http://cjonline.com/stories/020207/bre_moore.shtml.
• Kraft, Scott. "Murderous Affair Shocks Kansas Town." Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 1986. Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/401821025/.
• Kraft, Scott. "Who Killed Sandy Bird?" Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2004.
• Norton, Bill. "A love worth killing for. Part I. The Preacher & The Spider Lady." The Kansas City Star, 1 Dec. 1985, p. 14. Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/679701233/.
• Norton, Bill. "Cleric convicted of killing spouse raps TV verdict." The Evansville Courier, 4 May 1987, p. 1. Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/768496369/.
• Sengupta, Sounak. "Martin Anderson Murder: What Happened to Lorna Elridge and Tom Bird?" 4 Nov. 2022.
• State v. Bird. 238 Kan. 160, 708 P.2d 946. Supreme Court of Kansas. 25 Oct. 1985.
• State v. Bird. 240 Kan. 288, 729 P.2d 1136. Supreme Court of Kansas. 5 Dec. 1986.
• "A Murderous Minister & His Mistress in Emporia, Kansas | City Confidential | A&E." YouTube, uploaded by A&E, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtEZYqZ69Vs 

When Judy Malinowski met Michael Slager in April 2015, she was ready for love again after beating ovarian cancer and opioid addiction but the relationship quickly turned violent. After dating for only a few months, Slager poured gasoline on Judy and set her on fire, burning more than 80% of her body. Judy's unforgettable story is one of extraordinary courage, resilience, and determination in the face of unimaginable suffering. Her will to live to make a difference for domestic violence survivors is inspirational.

Today's snack: Oreo Cakesters Confetti Cake

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Sources:

• https://www.judysfoundation.org/
• https://www.paramountplus.com/movies/video/ic8hltRIC14XlBHp1sJ_WHU3GgroSmdj/#open The Fire That Took Her 
• https://www.egan-ryan.com/obituary/Judith-Malinowski
• https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/judy-malinowskis-daughters-our-mommy-didnt-suffer-vain/530-6de5eb7f-fd48-4e56-87ff-314445285b16
• https://nc.prelawland.com/post/173290941067/unprecedented-decision-in-malinowski-case
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/1322732261/?match=1&terms=Judy%20Malinowski\
• https://www.weeklywilson.com/tag/judy-malinowski/
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/422380424/?match=1&terms=%22Judy%20Malinowski%22
• https://appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch/Search/DetailsPrint/A731261
• https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/michael-slager-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-after-pleading-guilty-in-judy-malinowski-murder-case/
• https://www.narconon.org/blog/ohio-among-top-four-states-for-opioid-related-addictions-and-death.html

In April 1989, four members of the Pelley family were brutally murdered inside their Indiana church parsonage just hours before prom. Investigators quickly focused on 17-year-old Jeff Pelley, but the case against him was entirely circumstantial and filled with lingering questions. Over the decades, the murders have sparked debate, allegations of tunnel vision, alternate theories, and claims of wrongful conviction.

In this two-part episode, we examine the complicated dynamics inside the blended Pelley family, the timeline prosecutors built their case around, the evidence both for and against Jeff, and the questions that still surround the murders more than 35 years later.

Support us on Patreon

Today's snacks: Carada Choc Ball and Cheetos Puffs Flamin' Hot Dill Pickle

In April 1989, four members of the Pelley family were brutally murdered inside their Indiana church parsonage just hours before prom. Investigators quickly focused on 17-year-old Jeff Pelley, but the case against him was entirely circumstantial and filled with lingering questions. Over the decades, the murders have sparked debate, allegations of tunnel vision, alternate theories, and claims of wrongful conviction.

In this two-part episode, we examine the complicated dynamics inside the blended Pelley family, the timeline prosecutors built their case around, the evidence both for and against Jeff, and the questions that still surround the murders more than 35 years later.

Listen to part 2 now

Today's snacks: BBQ chips from Lay's, Better Made and Busch's

Sources:

• Smith, Carlton. The Prom Night Murders: A Devoted American Family, TheirTroubled Son, and a Ghastly Crime. (2009) St Martin Press Paperbacks. 
• Collins, Jamie. I Am Jessica: A Survivor’s Powerful Story of Healing and Hope. (2018) Bold Whisper Books. 
• https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4BocUsSQBEla6rhVv4Qvuy?si=cd29e60111884bd1 CounterClock Podcast
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcwS2KefKcA&t=2s 48 Hours episode
• https://www.facebook.com/48hours/posts/police-in-lakeville-indiana-say-jeff-pelley-17-killed-his-family-to-make-his-198/1093956515937125/
• https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/evidence-photos-pelley-family-quadruple-murder/
• https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/in-supreme-court/1230713.html
• https://public.courts.in.gov/Decisions/api/Document/Opinion?Id=x0jKlMAx-gZmv4EhhqVqWX9OhIA35sjGaSBly2Eo9dLNxzy8pEeP9kliFiCH-l1o0
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/131577054/ava_joyce-pelley?utm_source=chatgpt.com#view-photo=229819654
• https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Cherished-life-7019590.php Jessi 
• https://nypost.com/2021/05/01/prom-night-murders-new-intel-points-to-dads-shady-past/ 
• https://www.justiceforjeff.org/
• https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/local/2022/01/03/prom-night-murders-counterclock-podcast-questions-jeff-pelleys-guilt/8975090002/
• https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/2022/03/16/jeff-pelley-indiana-prom-night-murders/7048236001/
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/522511070/?match=1&terms=%22Robert%20Jeffrey%20Pelley%22
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/516443144/?article=691a885a-1f57-4eb2-9df2-ecb8bb3fd66e&terms=%22Jeff%20Pelley%22
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/522510658/?match=1&terms=%22Jeff%20Pelley%22
• https://www.wndu.com/2024/04/29/jeff-pelley-convicted-nearly-20-years-ago-prom-night-killer-denied-retrial/

Michele MacNeill was a devoted mother of eight and a respected member of her community. From the outside, her life looked picture-perfect—until cracks in her marriage began to surface.

As her husband Martin grew increasingly distant, Michele and her daughter Alexis uncovered evidence of a secret life he had been carefully hiding. Affairs, deception, and manipulation slowly came into focus, even as Martin insisted nothing was wrong.

When Michele agreed to undergo a facelift at her husband’s urging, it seemed like a chance to repair both her confidence and her marriage. Days later, she was dead. What first appeared to be a tragic accident would soon raise far more troubling questions.

Today's snacks: Tony's Chocolonely, Tiny Tony's and Pistachio Caramel Clusters

Support us on Patreon

Michele MacNeill was a devoted mother of eight and a respected member of her community. From the outside, her life looked picture-perfect—until cracks in her marriage began to surface.

As her husband Martin grew increasingly distant, Michele and her daughter Alexis uncovered evidence of a secret life he had been carefully hiding. Affairs, deception, and manipulation slowly came into focus, even as Martin insisted nothing was wrong.

When Michele agreed to undergo a facelift at her husband’s urging, it seemed like a chance to repair both her confidence and her marriage. Days later, she was dead. What first appeared to be a tragic accident would soon raise far more troubling questions.

Listen to part 2 today on Patreon

Today's snack: Shirley Temple bars

Sources:

• Hogan, Shanna (2015). The Stranger She Loved A Mormon Doctor, His Beautiful Wife and an Almost Perfect Murder. St. Martin’s Press (ebook). 
• https://www.hulu.com/watch/4b0eeefe-a55f-4a3e-bac0-c670f32da9fe 20/20
• https://www.peacocktv.com/watch/playback/vod/_/88283925-d78b-3b40-87be-682222e792f7?paused=true Dateline 
• https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3058-N-Millcreek-Rd-Pleasant-Grove-UT-84062/60844909_zpid/?mmlb=g,0 The MacNeil’s home
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/reactive-attachment-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352939
• https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2011/04/29/investigators-suspect-utah-doctor-killed-wife/
• https://abcnews.com/US/utah-doctors-life-lies-unravels-children-convinced-murdered/story?id=63609211 
• https://www.sltrib.com/news/courts/2017/07/22/prison-death-of-former-utah-doctor-and-convicted-killer-martin-macneill-was-a-suicide-police-officially-rule/

In 1964, an 18-year-old mother named Theresa Cross Sanders claimed self-defense after killing her abusive husband. Over the next two decades, Theresa—often a single parent—built a life in Northern California, raising six children behind closed doors in a home ruled by fear, violence, addiction, and control.

As the abuse escalated, two of her daughters vanished a year apart without anyone reporting them missing. Years later, the surviving children began breaking their silence, exposing one of the most disturbing family murder cases in California history.

Today's snack: Strawberry Banana Cookies (from the mind of Emma)

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Sources:

• https://www.hoopladigital.com/play/11557901
• https://medium.com/@crimesandcuriosities/the-worlds-most-evil-mother-86f46e54fccb
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRmQSul_0MU
• https://thecinemaholic.com/where-are-theresa-knorrs-sons-now/
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/st-joseph-man-sentenced-child-porn