In the first episode of this New Year’s two-part special, Murder: True Crime Stories retraces the final hours of 17-year-old Olivia Hope and 21-year-old Ben Smart, who rang in 1998 at a massive party at New Zealand’s Furneaux Lodge before mysteriously vanishing. Through eyewitness accounts, detailed timelines, and growing concerns from loved ones, Carter Roy and guest host Vanessa Richardson unravel the pair’s movements that night—from youthful excitement and romantic sparks to a fateful ride on a water taxi with a drunken stranger and a promise of a place to sleep. As police launch a massive search through the Marlborough Sounds and sift through conflicting descriptions, dozens of witnesses, and more than 150 boats, the disappearance quickly shifts from confusion… to fear that something far darker occurred on the water.

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

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Merry Christmas! As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to bring you even more fascinating cases and gripping investigations.

More importantly, we'd like to thank you for listening, and making 2025 an unforgettable year, your support and curiosity keep us coming back week after week.

Please enjoy Carter's Best of 2025 selection, The Pickaxe Murders, and be sure to tune in next week for a special episode.

When 27-year-old Jerry Dean and 32-year-old Deborah Thornton were found dead in Houston, Texas in 1983, police desperately searched for their killer. Eventually, they honed in on a suspect with a vendetta against Jerry: his ex-girlfriend’s best friend, 23-year-old Karla Faye Tucker.

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

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Merry Christmas! As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to bring you even more fascinating cases and gripping investigations.

More importantly, we'd like to thank you for listening, and making 2025 an unforgettable year, your support and curiosity keep us coming back week after week.

Please enjoy Carter's Best of 2025 selection, The Pickaxe Murders, and be sure to tune in next week for a special episode.

In 1983, 27-year-old Jerry Dean was newly single and looking for a little fun. When he met 32-year-old Deborah Thornton at a pool party that summer, she seemed to have the same idea. But what should’ve been a simple one-night stand ended in a brutal double murder.

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

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Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Killer Minds, Crime House Daily and Crimes and more wherever you get your podcasts!

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Happy Holidays! Because you are part of the Crime House community, we’re treating you to a bonus holiday episode from our very own team — the same creators behind the show you’re listening to now.

This time, we’re showcasing a special holiday episode from our show, Clues with Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore. 

Join hosts Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore as they take you deep into the world of the most notorious crimes ever — where a single clue can crack a case wide open. From shocking murders to serial killers, Clues dives into all the forensic details and brilliant sleuthing of the world's most infamous cases.

In every episode they'll uncover the hidden details, analyze the overlooked evidence, and follow the trail of clues behind the biggest cases in history. Tune in for compelling storytelling, forensic analysis, and a thrilling ride through some of the world's most puzzling crime cases.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen: https://play.megaphone.fm/ajrhc0hiqwyg8sqq0tpira

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On Christmas Eve 2008, the Ortega family gathered at their home in Covina, California, for their annual holiday celebration. Laughter, food, and music filled the night—until a man dressed as Santa Claus knocked on their door. In Part 2 of The Santa Claus Massacre, Carter Roy reveals the shocking and tragic events that unfolded that night, when 45-year-old Bruce Pardo—Sylvia Ortega’s embittered ex-husband—turned holiday cheer into unimaginable horror. What began as a festive family gathering ended in one of California’s deadliest crimes. This episode traces Bruce’s meticulously planned attack, the inferno that followed, and the chilling aftermath that left investigators searching for answers—and a surviving family struggling to rebuild their lives. But out of the ashes, hope emerged: a story of survival, resilience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

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Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year — but for Bruce Pardo, the holidays brought something far darker. After losing his marriage, his family, and even his dog, Bruce’s bitterness turned deadly. In this first part of our Christmas Crime Special, we meet the Ortega family — a loving, tight-knit clan from Covina, California. When Sylvia Ortega met Bruce, she believed she’d finally found her happily ever after. But behind Bruce’s charming smile was a trail of deceit, neglect, and violence stretching back decades. As Carter Roy guides us through the Ortegas’ story, we uncover how one man’s obsession and thirst for revenge set the stage for one of the most horrifying crimes in Christmas history.

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

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After years of unanswered questions, Kendrick Johnson’s family finally convinced federal investigators to reopen the case. But what they uncovered only deepened the mystery. From missing organs and altered surveillance footage to high-profile lawsuits and allegations of FBI corruption, the fight for justice became bigger than anyone imagined. In Part 2, Carter Roy unravels the complex web of investigations, legal battles, and conspiracies surrounding Kendrick’s death — and the Johnson family’s decade-long quest for truth. Even after three autopsies and multiple investigations, the question remains: what really happened to Kendrick Johnson?

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

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When 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson failed to come home from school in Valdosta, Georgia, his family’s world was turned upside down. The next morning, Kendrick’s body was discovered inside a rolled-up gym mat at Lowndes High School. Authorities ruled his death a freak accident — but his family refused to believe it. In the first of this two-part investigation, host Carter Roy takes you inside the case that shocked the nation. From the mysterious discovery of Kendrick’s body to conflicting autopsies, missing evidence, and allegations of a cover-up, this episode examines the early investigation and how one family’s search for truth became a national movement.

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

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As the trial of Karen Read unfolds, the small town of Canton, Massachusetts, explodes into chaos. Online crusaders, corrupt investigators, and accusations of a police cover-up blur the line between truth and conspiracy. From courtroom twists to viral movements and a verdict that shocks the nation, this episode exposes how loyalty, power, and social media collided to rewrite a murder case in real time.
Listen to Crime House Daily with Katie Ring wherever you get your podcasts: https://play.megaphone.fm/x_6ohcviru2meohozntvgq

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

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When Boston police officer John O’Keefe is found dead in the snow outside a fellow officer’s home, his girlfriend, Karen Read, becomes the prime suspect. Investigators claim she hit him with her car while driving drunk — but as the case unfolds, it becomes clear something much darker might be hiding behind the badge. In this first episode, we explore John and Karen’s relationship, the night of the tragedy, and the investigation that would divide an entire community.
Listen to Crime House Daily with Katie Ring wherever you get your podcasts: https://play.megaphone.fm/x_6ohcviru2meohozntvgq

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

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Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Killer Minds, Crime House Daily and Crimes and more wherever you get your podcasts!

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