Murder Files Unsealed

By AC WilsonSociety & Culture True Crime

Murder Files Unsealed episodes

June 26 Cops Find Missing 5-Year-Old Murdered in Chinese Restaurant Freezer
This tragic narrative details the investigation into the death of five-year-old Ashley Zhao, whose body was discovered hidden in her parents' Chinese restaurant freezer. Initially, her parents, Leang Zhao and Mingming Chen, reported her missing to the police, claiming she had wandered away while they were busy working. However, inconsistencies in their stories and a chilling comment from their older daughter, Jojo, led authorities to search the premises and uncover the remains. Leang eventually confessed that Mingming had fatally struck Ashley in a fit of rage, after which the couple staged a disappearance to protect their livelihoods. The legal aftermath resulted in both parents receiving prison sentences for their roles in the girl's death and the subsequent cover-up. Following the discovery, the local community gathered to honor Ashley's memory, remembering her as a vibrant and friendly child.

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Content Warning: This podcast contains discussions of homicide, violence, abuse, and other graphic themes related to real-life criminal events. It is intended for mature audiences and listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes AI-generated content.
35 min
June 25 Missing Teacher Wasn’t in the Lake… He Was Found in His Burned Car
The provided transcript details a search operation conducted by the Adventures With Purpose diving team to locate Carlton Keon Osborne, a missing teacher from Lake Providence. Using specialized sonar equipment and aerial mapping, the team systematically inspected various bodies of water, including sewage treatment ponds, boat ramps, and river shoots near his last known location. Despite their thorough efforts to scan deep areas capable of hiding a Toyota Camry, the team did not find the vehicle in the water. The episode concludes with a report that law enforcement ultimately discovered a burned-out car containing skeletal remains in a deep, overgrown ditch. This discovery, located near the intersection of Highway 65 and Highland Road, suggests that the vehicle was hidden by dense vegetation rather than submerged in the areas initially searched by the civilian dive team.

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Content Warning: This podcast contains discussions of homicide, violence, abuse, and other graphic themes related to real-life criminal events. It is intended for mature audiences and listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes AI-generated content.
35 min
June 25 The Shocking Murder of 13-Year-Old Lauren Landavazo
This transcript details the tragic murder of 13-year-old Lauren Landavazo, who was gunned down while walking home from school in Wichita Falls, Texas. Family members and officials describe Lauren as a vibrant, compassionate "social butterfly" whose life was senselessly ended by Kody Lott, a young man who had obsessively watched her from afar. Following a community-led manhunt, Lott was apprehended and eventually confessed, citing delusional motives and jealousy over Lauren’s beauty and her boyfriend. Though Lott received a life sentence, his eligibility for parole spurred the family to advocate for "Lauren’s Law," which increased protections for children in the Texas legal system. Ultimately, the source serves as both a somber tribute to a young girl’s legacy and a narrative of a family seeking justice in the wake of an unthinkable nightmare.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed--6017387/support.

Content Warning: This podcast contains discussions of homicide, violence, abuse, and other graphic themes related to real-life criminal events. It is intended for mature audiences and listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes AI-generated content.
44 min
June 24 The Confession of Barry Lee Fairchild
This source details the 1983 kidnapping, rape, and murder of Air Force nurse Marjorie Mason and the subsequent execution of Barry Lee Fairchild. The episode examines the controversy surrounding Fairchild’s videotaped confession, which he claimed was coerced through police brutality and physical abuse under Sheriff Tommy Robinson. Legal challenges emphasized Fairchild’s low IQ and mental capacity, suggesting he may not have understood his rights or the consequences of his statements. While a federal judge briefly vacated his death sentence upon concluding he was not the triggerman, a higher court later reinstated the penalty. The narrative explores the lack of physical evidence and the use of a disputed watch to link him to the crime. Ultimately, the materials highlight a divisive legal battle that concluded with Fairchild's execution in 1995 despite lingering questions about his guilt.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed--6017387/support.

Content Warning: This podcast contains discussions of homicide, violence, abuse, and other graphic themes related to real-life criminal events. It is intended for mature audiences and listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes AI-generated content.
28 min
June 24 The Psychiatrist and the Sledgehammer Attack
This source examines the bizarre attempted murder of Dr. Michael Weiss by his cousin, Jake Nolan, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Though Nolan confessed to the 2012 attack, he claimed he was psychologically manipulated and "weaponized" by his other cousin, a psychiatrist named Dr. Pamela Buchbinder. The episode details the vicious custody battle between the two doctors and suggests Buchbinder groomed Nolan to eliminate her former partner. Evidence of her involvement included a hand-drawn map of the victim’s office and surveillance footage of her purchasing the sledgehammer used in the assault. Ultimately, Nolan received a nine-and-a-half-year sentence, while Buchbinder later accepted a plea deal for eleven years in prison.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed--6017387/support.

Content Warning: This podcast contains discussions of homicide, violence, abuse, and other graphic themes related to real-life criminal events. It is intended for mature audiences and listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes AI-generated content.
42 min
June 24 Michael Gledhill Found Mentally Incompetent To Stand Trial in Killing of Top Gun Actor James Handy
This episode documents the tragic 2026 death of veteran character actor James Handy, who was fatally stabbed in his Tarzana home by his girlfriend’s son, Michael Gledhill. The report details the perpetrator's schizophrenia diagnosis and his subsequent refusal to take medication, leading to a psychotic break and his eventual declaration of mental incompetence by a judge. Beyond the crime, the text honors Handy’s prolific career, highlighting his roles in major films like Top Gun: Maverick and Jumanji. It also examines the broader legal and social implications of managing severe mental illness within the American criminal justice system. Ultimately, the source serves as both a tribute to a respected Hollywood professional and a case study on the complexities of mental health care and family tragedies.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed--6017387/support.

Content Warning: This podcast contains discussions of homicide, violence, abuse, and other graphic themes related to real-life criminal events. It is intended for mature audiences and listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes AI-generated content.
34 min
June 23 Nancy Guthrie: Ransom note connected to her disappearance said she had died
The episode details the unsolved abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of television journalist Savannah Guthrie, from her Arizona residence in early 2026. Evidence suggests a masked intruder entered the home shortly after Guthrie's pacemaker stopped recording data, sparking an intensive multi-agency investigation. The case took a tragic turn when the family received a ransom demand followed by a second message claiming the victim had unintentionally died. Despite a massive monetary reward and advanced forensic testing on DNA evidence, no suspects have been charged and her remains have not been located. This overview examines the disturbing timeline of the disappearance and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to find resolution for the grieving family.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed--6017387/support.

Content Warning: This podcast contains discussions of homicide, violence, abuse, and other graphic themes related to real-life criminal events. It is intended for mature audiences and listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes AI-generated content.
17 min
June 23 Marilyn Monroe - Questioning the Official Cause of Death
The episode examines the mysterious circumstances surrounding the 1962 passing of Marilyn Monroe, contrasting the official suicide ruling with enduring conspiracy theories. It details the toxicology findings and the actress’s history of mental health struggles while highlighting investigative inconsistencies, such as the lack of pill residue and a delayed police report. The narrative explores Monroe's rise from a turbulent childhood to Hollywood stardom, emphasizing how her high-profile connections to the Kennedy family fueled rumors of a cover-up. Various perspectives are presented, ranging from claims of medical malpractice to potential involvement by the mob or government agencies. Ultimately, the sources illustrate how the gaps in the official record have transformed a tragic overdose into a lasting cultural enigma. This overview serves as a comprehensive look at the intersection of celebrity, power, and unresolved history.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed--6017387/support.

Content Warning: This podcast contains discussions of homicide, violence, abuse, and other graphic themes related to real-life criminal events. It is intended for mature audiences and listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes AI-generated content.
43 min
June 22 She Went to Jamaica For Her Birthday. Now, Her Husband Has Been Arrested
This episode details the tragic homicide of Melissa Kerry Samnath, a New York accountant who traveled to Jamaica to celebrate her birthday with her husband, Dane Anthony Watson. After sending a final distress message to her family, Samnath died from blunt force trauma and was abandoned at a local hospital. The narrative follows the subsequent police investigation, which led to Watson’s surrender and murder charges following the discovery of forensic evidence. Beyond the specific crime, the sources explore the broader dangers of domestic violence and the risks associated with international romance. Her family’s efforts to seek justice and raise awareness serve as a poignant conclusion to this account of a life cut short.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed--6017387/support.

Content Warning: This podcast contains discussions of homicide, violence, abuse, and other graphic themes related to real-life criminal events. It is intended for mature audiences and listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes AI-generated content.
38 min
June 22 Gilgo Beach serial killer sentenced to multiple life terms
The episode details the conviction and sentencing of Rex Heuermann, a Manhattan architect who committed a series of brutal murders on Long Island. After decades of remaining a cold case, the investigation utilized DNA evidence and vehicle records to link Heuermann to at least eight victims, primarily marginalized women and sex workers. The source explores the methodical double life of the killer, the systemic failures that delayed justice, and the emotional victim impact statements delivered during the 2026 court proceedings. By documenting the forensic breakthroughs and the specific histories of the women killed, the text highlights the transition from a notorious mystery to a finalized legal resolution. Ultimately, the narrative serves as a tribute to the victims while examining the psychological and social implications of one of America’s most high-profile serial murder investigations.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed--6017387/support.

Content Warning: This podcast contains discussions of homicide, violence, abuse, and other graphic themes related to real-life criminal events. It is intended for mature audiences and listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes AI-generated content.
42 min

About Murder Files Unsealed

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to "Murder Files Unsealed" a True Crime Podcast, your portal into the darkest corners of the human psyche and the chilling stories that have left an indelible mark on society. Join us as we…