Murder For Sale

Murder For Sale

By SickBird ProductionsSociety & CultureDocumentaryTrue CrimeHistory
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Murder For Sale episodes

  • Gary Krueger and The Rat Man

    In the final episode of this season, hosts Val and Spencer Burmester delve into the twisted and chilling saga of Gary Krueger, a person of interest in multiple murders and bank robberies in Washington state. They recap Krueger’s criminal activities, including the notorious murder of realtor Mike Emert and explore the connections between Gary Krueger and another individual also named Gary Krueger, known as 'The Rat Man’. Both Garys coincidentally have ties to the Windermere Real Estate Brokerage. The hosts analyze the evidence, question potential motives, and discuss the mysterious disappearances and unresolved cases linked to these individuals. What will be the final verdict? This is Murder For Sale.

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    17 min
  • The Life of Gary Krueger

    Welcome back to another episode of Murder For Sale! This week, hosts Val and Spencer Burmester delve into the life and dark history of former Seattle police officer Gary Krueger. Spanning decades, this episode explores Krueger's descent from a decorated cop with PTSD into a life filled with violent crimes including multiple murders, bank robberies, and associations with organized crime. Val and Spencer recap Krueger's complex story, detailing his troubled past, encounters with law enforcement, and ultimate connection to numerous unsolved cases. Don't miss this chilling investigation into how a once-respected officer became a notorious criminal.


    As realtors, we are put in these vulnerable positions everyday. Open houses, touring vacant homes, and showing homes to strangers. All are inherently dangerous, but part of the job. So vigilance is key

    To learn more about ways to protect yourself on the job, and hear more about these stories, you can visit our instagram at @murderforsale. Thanks for listening.


    Episode 3 Timeline: (WARNING: Spoiler Alert)


    January 28, 1948

    • Gary Krueger is born in Seattle.

    1966-1969

    • Gary Krueger joins the Marines and serves in Vietnam as part of the Combined Action Group. He witnesses significant combat, including the Tet Offensive. He was honorably discharged in January 1969. Friends and family notice changes in his behavior post-war. 

    1970

    Police Incident: While working as a Seattle police officer, Krueger is involved in an incident where he uses a chokehold on a Vietnam veteran who later dies from his injuries. Krueger is not reprimanded.

    1974

    Police Brutality: Krueger beats a man while another officer observes. The officers are reprimanded but not charged; the beaten man receives $3,000 in civil court from the city.

    1979

    Violent Incident: A man high on PCP tries to shoot Krueger with his own weapon. Krueger nearly beats the man to death and is only stopped when other officers intervene. This incident leads to Krueger being deemed a liability and forced into retirement.

    1980

    Career Change: Krueger obtains his real estate license, but the career does not succeed. He experiences financial struggles and bankruptcy.

    1981

    Gas Station Murder: Former police officer Terry Dolan is shot dead outside his gas station. Krueger, a high person of interest, is suspected due to his past grievances with Dolan. However, evidence is insufficient for a conviction.

    1984

    Foreclosure and Murder: Jim Barry, a real estate attorney dealing with Krueger’s foreclosure, is found murdered in his office. Krueger’s anger over his financial situation and the foreclosure is suspected to be a motive. The method of the murder suggests a personal vendetta or contract killing.

    October 24, 1985

    Mob Hit: Mario Vaccarino, a union leader, is found dead in his bathtub, sprinkled with parmesan cheese—a sign of a mob hit. Betty Krueger later claims that Gary was paid to kill Vaccarino, which would suggest this as another possible murder tied to him.

    October 1986

    Bank Robberies: Krueger is arrested following a high-speed chase in a stolen Chrysler. Authorities find evidence linking him to at least 10 bank robberies across Western Washington between 1984-1986. He pleads guilty to two robberies and is sentenced to 15 years but released after 6 years for good behavior.

    January 1999

    Theft Charge: Krueger receives a misdemeanour charge for third-degree theft but avoids jail time.

    March 2001

    Bank Robbery: Krueger robs a bank in Issaquah, WA. He returns to rob the same bank again two months later. He is arrested and convicted, receiving a 70-month sentence due to his PTSD diagnosis.

    2004

    Early Release: Krueger is released early from prison with the condition of submitting his DNA to federal authorities.

    2007

    DNA Collection: Federal parole officers collect Krueger’s DNA, which is then sent to the FBI.

    2011

    DNA Match: The DNA collected from Krueger matches the DNA found in the 2001 murder of realtor Mike Emert. 

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    24 min
  • A Doctor on the Shores of Lake Washington

    In this gripping episode of Murder for Sale, hosts Val and Spencer Burmester delve into the chilling story of realtor Mike Emert's unsolved murder and a harrowing home invasion targeting Dr. Craig McAllister. Years of investigations reveal two men connected to these crimes: John Allen Bradshaw and former Seattle police officer Gary Kruger. Unravel the mystery as DNA evidence ties these violent acts together, uncovering a web of past misdeeds and cold-blooded intentions.

    As realtors, we are put in these vulnerable positions everyday. Open houses, touring vacant homes, and showing homes to strangers. All are inherently dangerous, but part of the job. So vigilance is key.

    To learn more about ways to protect yourself on the job, and hear more about these stories, you can visit our instagram at @murderforsale. Thanks for listening.

    Episode 2 Timeline: (WARNING: Spoiler Alert)

    March 26, 2010

    • Dr. Craig McAllister, an orthopaedic surgeon, picks up his 20-year-old son from the airport and returns home to his Lake Washington residence. As McAllister and his son approach the house, they are confronted by a man in black clothing and a ski mask. The man threatens them with a gun.
    • The police arrive but find no trace of the attackers, who have vanished. A ski mask is recovered from the scene.

      • July 2010

      • DNA from the ski mask is matched to John Alan Bradshaw, a 65-year-old man with a criminal record for money laundering and arson.

      September 2010

      • A body is found floating in Lake Washington, near the site of the McAllister home invasion. The body is identified as Gary Krueger, a former Seattle police officer.

      One Year After Gary Krueger’s Body is Found

      • Detectives match DNA found in Mike Emert's stolen Cadillac to Gary Krueger, linking him to Emert’s murder.

      Ongoing

      • Bradshaw's whereabouts remain unknown. Theories suggest he might have drowned or fled to Mexico. Sonar searches for his body in the lake yield no results.

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      20 min
    • A Realtor, a Doctor, and a Crooked Cop

      In this first episode of 'Murder for Sale,' hosts Val and Spencer Burmester delve into the chilling case of Mike Emert, a realtor in Woodinville, Washington, who was brutally murdered by a client known only as 'Steven.' This episode unravels the intricate web of unsolved crimes, including other murders, bank robberies, and home invasions, that are connected to Emert's case. The hosts also share personal ties to the story and explore the unsettling possibility of multiple suspects. Join them each week as they uncover the layers behind the gruesome murder of a well-respected realtor and the mystery that still perplexes investigators to this day.

      As realtors, we are put in these vulnerable positions everyday. Open houses, touring vacant homes, and showing homes to strangers. All are inherently dangerous, but part of the job. So vigilance is key

      To learn more about ways to protect yourself on the job, and hear more about these stories, you can visit our instagram at @murderforsale. Thanks for listening.


      Episode 1 Timeline: (WARNING: Spoiler Alert)

      November 13, 1960

      Michael Emert is born in Walla Walla, Washington.

      1980s

      • Emert is inspired by his successful realtor uncle to pursue a career in real estate.

      1990s

      • Emert moves to Seattle and starts working with A Pacific Northwest Real Estate Brokerage named "Windermere"
      • Emert meets Mary Beth, who is also employed at the brokerage. They got married in 1996.
      • Mary Beth has a daughter from a previous marriage, and Emert becomes a devoted stepfather.

        • January 3, 2001

        • Emert meets a prospective client named “Steven” for the first time at Park Place Mall in Kirkland. They tour four homes, including one in Woodinville.

        January 4, 2001

        • Emert picks up “Steven” at the Park Place Mall to show him the Woodinville house again.
        • Gail Garland, the homeowner, arrives at her house around 12:30 PM and discovers Emert's body in the bathroom. He has been beaten and stabbed 19 times. Emert's car, wallet, cell phone, and other personal items are missing.

          January 4, 2001 (Evening)

          • Emert’s black Cadillac Escalade is found at Park Place Mall, where he initially met “Steven.”
          • DNA samples from the car are sent to CODIS but do not yield any matches.

            • A Few Days After January 4, 2001

            • Emert’s wallet is found near a ferry dock in Seattle, and his ATM card is used after his death. The police do not disclose details about the ATM transactions or phone calls made from his cell phone.

            Weeks After January 4, 2001

            • Investigators identify a suspect: a homeless man with a limp and cane named Jeffrey John Solo, who matches “Steven’s” description and frequented the Park Place Mall. Solo is the father of Olympic soccer player Hope Solo.

            Early 2000s

            • Solo is questioned and cooperates with investigators, passing a polygraph test and providing DNA samples. Despite being a person of interest, he is not arrested due to insufficient evidence.

            March 25, 2010

            • Jeffrey John Solo is officially cleared as a suspect after nine years of being a person of interest. Investigators continue to search for the true perpetrator, believing that the killer may have had an accomplice.

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            20 min

          About Murder For Sale

          From the publisher's feed

          Welcome to Murder For Sale, where mother-and-son realtors Val and Spencer Burmester expose crimes committed against realtors on the job.