Richard McCroskey was a sad and lonely wannabe rapper, who went by “Syko Sam” in the world of horrorcore hip hop, who found love on the internet when he met sixteen-year-old Emma Niederbrock, who went by “Ragdoll,” on Myspace.

But when she broke his heart, he murdered her, her entire family, and her best friend Melanie Wells, in what has become known as the Farmville Murders, earning him the moniker the Myspace Killer.

MURDER COASTER PODCAST

Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer

Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com

Facebook: Murder Coaster

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/

Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.

Razakel’s Store razakelstore, and on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3X1RL9kEizLAhWGhuvyQ5O

FEATURING THE SONGS:

“Stability” by Zorro courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to Zorro on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1RrZDKz5tA9AWiVzXGWEBY

“Hell Wildfire” by Sightless in Shadow courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to Sightless in Shadow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2lgpW7hh6xtnhsQ1HWeThQ

“Schizo” and “Sinister” by Anno Domini Beats courtesy of the YouTube Audio Library. Listen to Anno Domini Beats on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7zyB5bod57okoaZHfLw3BP

“Spider Legs” by Dyalla courtesy of the YouTube Audio Library. Listen to Dyalla on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2n5nqJyjPU7aLL0zbDa34D

“Sad Boi”, “Unbeatable Arcade Machine”, “Carnival Of Souls” and “Dance Of The Dead” by HoliznaCC0 courtesy of the Free Music Archive. Listen to Holizna on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0d0B0niv35b6O1ubn40mQp

“Ceremony” by Mother Witch courtesy of the Free Music Archive.  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“GIMMI DAT” by Janset courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to Janset on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4BQwAf1cKRdVbCNyX0gdlP

RESOURCES:

NBC BAY AREA September 22, 2009 Gruesome Details Revealed in “Syko Sam” Killings – NBC Bay Area

NBC NEWS September 20, 2010 by Steve Helber Aspiring rapper gets life in prison in Va. killings

WVEC 13 News Now September 20, 2010 by WVEC Staff Aspiring rapper pleads guilty to killing 4 in Farmville | 13newsnow.com

Insane Clown Posse - Wikipedia

Horrorcore - Wikipedia

Farmville murders - Wikipedia

Serial Killers Ink Interview with Richard “Syko Sam” McCroskey

Richard McCroskey | Photos | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers

SF WEEKLY September 22, 2009 Update: Chilling New Details Emerge in Syko Sam Horrorcore Murders Case | Music | sfweekly.com

The Case of the Farmville Murders documentary by Haunted Autopsy The Case of The Farmville Murders

The Disturbing Case of the Horrorcore Killer documentary by EWU Crime Story The Disturbing Case of the Horrorcore Killer | Documentary

#myspacekiller #horrorcorekiller

Border Patrol Agent Juan David Ortiz was a devoutly religious family man with three children.  He was highly educated with a master’s degree in international relations. He was a patriot and Iraq War Veteran. He was also a serial killer targeting the sex workers on Laredo, Texas’s infamous San Bernardo Avenue.

MURDER COASTER PODCAST

Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer

Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com

Facebook: Murder Coaster

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/

Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.

FEATRUING THE SONGS:

“No es un Secreto” and “Cachetona” by Nico Rengifo courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to Nico Rengifo on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5xxLU1EEH6Xq6Q0GPMTDq5

“My Déjà Vu” by Ira Moon Courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to Ira Moon on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/67Igb36AtIfQCazubVJEeo

“You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger with a Flamenco Guitar” by Jonathan Bondesson courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to Johnathan Bondesson on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0UjANQ8PKTv3xXwJbDx3n6

“Traviesa” by Bambi Haze courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to Bambi Haze on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0UX7qu7SgBuaJUSmq2DzNj

REFRENCES:

The Devil Behind the Badge: The Horrifying Twelve Days of the Border Patrol Serial Killer by Rick Jervis.  Dey Street Books August 6, 2024. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062962966

La Gordiloca: (9) Facebook

USA HERALD October 20, 2024 by Samuel Lopez “Fat Crazy Lady” Shocks the System: Groundbre...

USA TODAY July 30, 2024 by Rick Jervis Border Patrol serial killer Juan David Ortiz: One mystery remains

LAREDO MORNING TIMES December 7, 2022 by Zach Davis Former Laredo USBP agent convicted of killing 4 women

BORDER PATROL SERIAL KILLER: Conversations with Juan David Ortiz by Lyzza Janette. Independently published December 26, 2023 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8325437700

Juan David Ortiz - Wikipedia

Colin Pitchfork, the Footpath Phantom, was a murdering serial rapist who haunted the dark woods and paths of South Leicestershire England, stalking teenage girls like a troll in a fairy tale, and who would become the first killer ever caught and convicted with DNA evidence, a bizarre story with more twists, turns and red herrings than any mystery novel.

MURDER COASTER PODCAST

Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer

Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com

Facebook: Murder Coaster

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/

Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used with permission and many thanks.

FEATURING THE SONG:

“Easy to Love Hard to Find” by Roy Williams courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to Roy Wiliams on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/40fdTbomIApeeJW70KRHpw

REFERENCES:

The Blooding: The Dramatic True Story of the First Murder Case Solved by Genetic "Fingerprinting" by Joseph Wambaugh. Bantam, April 20, 2016. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0804150705

BBC NEWS June 15, 2023 by Alex Smith Colin Pitchfork: Double child killer and rapist to be released

BBC NEWS October 30, 2025 by Liam Barnes Double child killer Colin Pitchfork to stay in prison

True Crime Archives April 18, 2025 Colin Pitchfork: The First DNA Murder Conviction & How It Changed Forensics – True Crime Archives

Colin Pitchfork - Wikipedia

“Eddie” Heriberto Seda was a serial killer with an uncanny resemblance to Eddie Munster, who was obsessed with sorcery, necromancy, astronomy, magic and spells, and who envisioned himself as a continuation of the infamous Zodiac Killer who’d terrorized San Francisco twenty years earlier.

Like the original Zodiac Killer, Eddie wrote bizarre letters to the press and police, plunging New York into a state of panic and fear, becoming known as the New York Zodiac.

It is an utterly bizarre story, with a conclusion as wild as it gets. Buckle up!

MURDER COASTER PODCAST

Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer

Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com

Facebook: Murder Coaster

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/

Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.

FEATURING THE SONG:

“Arbitrary Laws” by No Son of Mine courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to No Son of Mine on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6QfLlpyGYVqMEPsOtMDEJV

RESOURCES:

Sleep My Little Dead: The True Story of the Zodiac Killer by Kieran Crowley.‎ St. Martin's Paperbacks July 13, 2003. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1429903295

New York Magazine April 9, 2004 “Kiss of the Scorpion Woman” by Esther Haynes Eddie Seda - Synthia China-Blast - Copycat Zodiac Killer - Nymag

THE TRUE CRIME DATABASE August 21, 2019 Heriberto Seda - The True Crime Database Membership Heriberto Seda Zodiac Copycat Zodiac II

Zodiac: The Shocking True Story of the Hunt for the Nation's Most Elusive Serial Killer by Robert Graysmith. Berkley, January 2, 2007. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0425212189

#newyorkzodiackiller #zodicakiller

Today we bring you a sad tale of punk rock defiance, laid low by a conformist in a Cadillac, and how the verdict of a town without pity shocked the world.

It is the story of Brian Deneke and the Death of Sunshine.

Today’s episode is filled with amazing bands from around the world who donated music, you can hear most of them on this Spotify Playlist and find all their links in the notes below.

DEATH OF SUNSHINE SPOTIFY PLAYLIST: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6VSMbWdy57JcrbNQaF5sKH?si=PYglHv6oSX67e0P9LOTQnw

MURDER COASTER PODCAST

Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer

Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com

Facebook: Murder Coaster

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/

Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.

FEATURING THE SONGS:

"Lies and Hypocricy” by Skeptic? used with permission and many thanks. Website: Who? (IsThis?) Listen to Skeptic? on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/665gxem306dmldd8RxOmmK

“Going Nowhere” by Something Wicked used with permission and many thanks, listen to Something Wicked on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5xbdTMhZ9BXg3hOcVXb9IF

“Dog Song” by Brain Dead Rejects used with permission and many thanks, listen to Brain Dead Rejects on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Fxp35kOydiA4SVCKAaFO2

“Smash and Grab” and “Birthday Cake” by Blackout Shoppers used with permission and many thanks, listen to Blackout Shoppers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/31rrpsOOmejJrmGj6NPxl6

“Necro Disco” and “East Shit Die” by Zombie Killers used with permission and many thanks. Listen to Zombie Killers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Qpw9ZLk5kOc8kIycsrouV

“Coffee’s Burnt” and “Broken Hearts” by Get in Loser used with permission and many thanks. Listen to Get in Loser on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ukvZ4ZFRy8wEWGvY0EwNl?si=DhPvj9pLSRqJ8aj8Er7K_Q

“Objects in Mirror” by The Discs used with permission and many thanks. Listen to The Discs on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6XPFF8Hr72uTbQ4eAqaLTP

“Commit a Madness” by Angerland used with permission and many thanks. Listen to Angerland on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QwCZyfyfwSbtT4RL4yAB3

“Wormholde” by Spider used with permission and many thanks. Listen to Spider on Bandcamp: Death Match (EP) | SPIDER

“WD-40 Tiramisu” by Donkey Cock used with permission and many thanks. Listen to Donkey Cock on Bandcamp: WD-40 tiramisu | Donkey Cock

“Enough” by Anymal Function used with permission and many thanks. Listen to Anymal Function on Bandcamp: ▶︎ In Constant Use | Anymal Function

“Nowhere Town” by Rumbrave used with permission and many thanks. Listen to Rumbrave on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3GFee947K2jXqafdCEEpbq?si=YDRYek0zTYabnJZvOertEg

“Amocat” by Bizzy Beaver featuring Marco Pirroni used with permission and many thanks. Listen to Bizzy Beaver on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/294Wrpqb7AE9SyBNEaKnyq

“No Way Back” by Under Earth courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to Under Earth on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KCr1XwV2Kh6lYpXRXU9bz

“Some Kind of Morning” and “Spins So Fast” by Austin Moffa courtesy of the Free Music Archive. Deed - Attribution 4.0 International - Creative Commons

“Original Rags” (1900, piano roll)by Scott Joplin CCO

RESOURCES:

 Texas Monthly November 1999 “The Outsiders” by Pamela Colloff Texas Monthly November 1999: The Outsiders or https://www.texasmonthly.com/true-crime/the-outsiders/

Dallas Observer October 21, 1999 “Anarchy in Amarillo” by Julie Lyons Anarchy in Amarillo | Dallas Observer

VICE December 12, 2017 “What the Killing of a Punk in Texas Says About America”

By Daisy Alioto What the Killing of a Punk in Texas Says About America

BOMB CITY 2017 film directed by Jameson Brooks

People Magazine November 15, 2022 by Steve Helling How the Killing of a Punk Rocker by a Clean-Cut Jock Tore a Texas City Apart

The Austin Chronicle February 8, 2018 by Marc Savlov Bomb City Retells the Tensions Behind the Killing of a Texas Punk

20/20 Downtown Television Series, January 6, 2000 “Town Without Pity”: 20/20 Downtown "Town without pity" Brian Deneke episode.

#punkrock #briandeneke

Welcome back to the second and final episode of Fast Times at Upper Merion High and the story of the Main Line Murders.

Get ready for craziness, for today’s episodes has more twists and turns than a python in a pretzel factory, and enough sex and drugs to make a hippie blush.

When we last left you things were really heating up in the elite upper-class Philadelphia suburb of Main Line as English teacher Bill Bradfield’s cult of nerds began infighting and the Prince of Darkness, Dr Jay C. Smith ramped up his nefarious criminal ways and today it all boils over into cold-blooded murder.

MURDER COASTER PODCAST

Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer

Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com

Facebook: Murder Coaster

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/

Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.

FEATURING THE SONG:

“You Will Fall” by Austin Moffa courtesy of the Free Music Archive. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

REFERENCES:

Echoes in the Darkness by Joseph Wambaugh. Bantam, September 1, 1987. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0553269321

Principal Suspect: The True Story of Dr. Jay Smith and the Main Line Murders by William C. Costopoulos. Camino Books, Inc. July 25, 2014. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1933822969

Engaged to Murder: The Inside Story of the Main Line Murders by Loretta Schwartz-Nobel. Independently published September 3, 2020. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8677251047

Court Frees Jay Smith | Death Penalty Information Center

Long before high school English teacher Susan Reinert was found dead, naked and beaten in the hatchback of her Plymouth Horizon, it was obvious that the staff of Upper Merion High were out of control and engaged in debauchery of all sorts.

The principal, Dr Jay C. Smith, whom staff and students alike referred to as the Prince of Darkness, had a penchant for bestiality, robbery and drug dealing.

The chair of the English Department, Bill Bradfield, a self-professed poet obsessed with fascist writer Ezra Pound, was known to be carrying on wild affairs with students and staff alike.

In the end five people would end up murdered or missing, including two children, in a bizarre case that’s come to be known as the Main Line Murders.

Buckle up and get ready for one hell of a ride, it’s Fast Times at Upper Merion High.

MURDER COASTER PODCAST

Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer

Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com

Facebook: Murder Coaster

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/

Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.

REFERENCES:

Echoes in the Darkness by Joseph Wambaugh. Bantam, September 1, 1987. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0553269321

Principal Suspect: The True Story of Dr. Jay Smith and the Main Line Murders by William C. Costopoulos. Camino Books, Inc. July 25, 2014. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1933822969

Engaged to Murder: The Inside Story of the Main Line Murders by Loretta Schwartz-Nobel. Independently published September 3, 2020. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8677251047

#mainlinemurders #themainlinemurders #susanreinert

Amelia Dyer, the Ogress of Reading, is believed to be responsible for the murder of up to 400 infants, delighting in their struggles as she strangled them to death, in late Victorian England.

Amelia, who was part of an underground network of baby farms, left dead babies in her wake everywhere she went, buried in gardens, tossed into weeds, thrown into the river.

Happy Holidays! It’s a doozy, listener discretion is advised.

MURDER COASTER PODCAST

Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer

Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com

Facebook: Murder Coaster

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/

Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.

FEATURING THE SONGS:

“Maple Leaf Rag (1899, Z. Brewster-Geisz version)” and

RESOURCES:

Amelia Dyer and the Baby Farm Murders by Angela Buckley. Manor Vale Associates, March 24, 2016 ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0993564003 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0993564000

The Baby Farm Murderer: The Story of Amelia Dyer, the Victorian Serial Killer by Stephen Jakobi. Pen and Sword True Crime. March 2026 ISBN:   103610916X ISBN13: 9781036109165

Amelia Dyer - Wikipedia

Gary Heidnik, the inspiration behind Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs, was many things. The bishop of his own church. A savvy financial investor with a genius level IQ.  A cannibal and cult leader trying to create his own perfect race of humans, as well as a murderer and serial rapist and registered nurse.

Strap in and prepare for a rough ride, listener discretion advised.

MURDER COASTER PODCAST

Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer

Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com

Facebook: Murder Coaster

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/

Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.

FEATURING THE SONGS:

“My Soul” by Mack Aroni courtesy of the Free Music Archive Deed - Attribution 4.0 International - Creative Commons

“Painless” and “Cry” by Sapio courtesy of the Free Music Archive. Deed - CC0 1.0 Universal - Creative Commons

“In A Good Place” by Tadz courtesy of the Free Music Archive. Deed - CC0 1.0 Universal - Creative Commons

“Soul Sync” by Ketsa courtesy of the Free Music Archive Deed - Attribution 4.0 International - Creative Commons

“Classified (Exclusive)” by Naishe courtesy of the Free Music Archive. Deed - CC0 1.0 Universal - Creative Commons

RESOURCES:

Cellar of Horror: The Story of Gary Heidnik by Ken Englade. St. Martin's Griffin, April 1992 ISBN13 : 9781250786692

The BASEMENT: True Crime Serial Killer Gary Heidnik by Rj Parker Ph D. Parker Publishing, October 4, 2016. ISBN-10 : 1987902130

THE CINEMAHOLIC May 25, 2024 by Naman Shrestha: Gary Heidnik's Survivors: Where Are They Today?

CRIME LIBRARY blog by Patrick Bellamy: Crazy or What? — Gary Heidnik: To Hell and Back — Crime Library

Welcome back to part two of the story of Ed Gein the Mad Butcher of Plainfield.

Last week we discussed the troubled relationship of Eddie’s parents George and Augusta, how his father died a drunken invalid, then the mysterious death of his brother, followed by the tragic death of his beloved mother Augusta, and how loneliness, grief and despair led him to begin exhuming bodies from their graves in search of a maternal presence.

Buckle up, because today’s episode is going to be wild!

MURDER COASTER PODCAST

Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer

Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com

Facebook: Murder Coaster

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/

Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.

References:

Deviant: The Shocking True Story of Ed Gein, The Original "Psycho" by Harold Schechter. ‎Gallery Books‎ April 1, 2025. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1668048177

Gein: "The Ghastly Legacy of Ed Gein: Unraveling the Disturbing Life and Crimes of America's Notorious Murderer and Body Snatcher" by Scott Bowser. September 2, 2023 ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CH48LC63

Edward Gein: America's Most Bizarre Murderer by Judge Robert H. Gollmar. Kensington Pub Corp January 1, 1989. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1558171879

Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done?  by Eric Powell and Harold Schechter. Albatross Funnybooks‎ August 24, 2021 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1949889048

The Ed Gein Chronicles by Scott Bowser. November 27, 2023 ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CP4CJQMQ

The Ed Gein File: A Psycho's Confession and Case Documents by John Borowski. Waterfront Productions September 11, 2025 ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FQXDX164

The Ed Gein Story: The Complete Archive of the Original Horror Story website: Home - The Ed Gein Story

PSYCHO: The Lost Tapes of Ed Gein 2023 TV Mini Series by MGM

FEATURING THE SONGS

“Ragtime Dance” and “Maple Leaf Rag (1899, Z. Brewster-Geisz version)” by Scott Joplin courtesy of the Free Music Archive. https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

“Power in the Blood” by HoliznaCC0 courtesy of the Free Music Archive.  https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

“If They Bury Alexander's Band” by Frank Curtis courtesy of the Free Music Archive.  https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

“I'm Certainly Living A Ragtime Life” and “The Ragtime Curate” by Antique Phonograph Music Program [Various Artists] courtesy of the Free Music Archive. Deed - CC0 1.0 Universal - Creative Commons

“Do You Remember” by Beat Mekanik courtesy of the Free Music Archive. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Singapore (1918, Rector Novelty Orchestra)by Gilbert and Friedland courtesy of the Free Music Archive. https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

“What Wondrous Love Is This?” Howie Mitchell & Charlotte Williams courtesy of the Free Music Archive. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“Ripley’s Believe it or Not – OTR” courtesy of the Internet Archive. Believe it or Not - OTR : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive Deed - Public Domain Mark 1.0 Universal - Creative Commons