December 23rd, 1997. Reading, Pennsylvania. Just two days before Christmas, Melvin Ortiz was out with friends at a child’s birthday party. That same night, a fatal shooting took place at a local business, Effie’s Pizza Villa, causing the death of owner George Clauser. Two witnesses came forward to tell the police that Melvin committed the robbery. Despite having a very solid alibi and strong evidence in his favor, Melvin was sentenced to life in prison at age 19. Many people believe that politics and a poor investigation led to the wrongful conviction of Melvin Ortiz.

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The Generation Why Podcast released its first episode in 2012 and pioneered the true crime genre in the podcasting world. Two friends, Aaron &amp; Justin, break down theories and give their opinions on unsolved murders, controversies, mysteries and conspiracies. All episodes are available for free, with ad-free episodes available for Wondery+ subscribers.

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November 13th, 1971. The Pas, Manitoba. 19-year-old Helen Betty Osborne was a Cree woman who was abducted and murdered by four white men in a small town. It took over a decade for the perpetrators to face charges, despite the fact that many people in the community knew the names of all involved. 

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When ex-Bunny girl Jayne Gaskin spots the desert island of her dreams for sale online, she decides to risk it all. Trading in their English village home, Jayne and her family relocate to their own private paradise, just off the coast of Nicaragua. And a reality TV crew follows them to film a new show, No Going Back. But soon they all discover that paradise has its secrets. The locals claim the island belongs to them, and it’s been sold illegally. Jayne’s not leaving without a fight. A fight that will soon turn deadly.




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July 12, 1988. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the summer of 1988, 4-year-old Barbara Jean Horn went missing from her home in Philadelphia PA. Last seen holding hands with an unknown man, she was later found dead, beaten and bloodied, in a TV box two blocks away from her home. With no leads to go on, other than a composite sketch of the unknown male, the case went cold. But several years later, in 1992, new detectives on the case arrested a man whom they claimed confessed to the crime.

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Barbara Jean Horn - 565

December 11, 1964, Los Angeles, CA. Sam Cooke, legendary singer, songwriter, activist, and businessman was shot to death in a motel wearing only a jacket and wristwatch. Bertha Franklin, the motel’s manager, and Lisa Boyer, the woman he arrived with, claimed Sam attacked them individually and Franklin shot him in self-defense. Conspiracy theories and doubts about the investigation continue to plague the case decades later.

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Sam Cooke - 564

January 12th, 2022. Harris County, Texas. After 41 years, two murder victims known as the Harris County Does were finally identified as Dean and Tina Clouse, a young married couple with a child. After speaking to their families, investigators focused on finding their daughter, Holly Marie, who had never been located. https://justicefordeanandtina.com/

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Melvin Ortiz - 460

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