Never Light Up A Room Podcast

We're back with our thirty second Leave the Light On episode where we recap the cases covered in the previous month, discuss true crime headlines from the month, and give you a sneak peek at what is coming up in the next month. If we know!

References:

CBS News, " Suspect in UNC student Faith Hedgepeth's murder left DNA on rum bottle covered in blood, prosecutors say", CBS News, October 8, 2026, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/faith-hedgepeth-murder-unc-suspect-dna-bottle-prosecutors-trial/ , Accessed October 29, 2026 

ED white, Mikella Schuettler, " Serial killer Ted Bundy is linked to another Utah teenager's 1974 killing through DNA testing" Yahoo! News, October 27, 2026, https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/utah-authorities-connecting-serial-killer-152942415.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall, Accessed October 29. 2026 

Boyette, Chris;  "From death row to a botched execution and back: A timeline of Christa Pike’s case"; CNN; Oct 30, 2026; https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/from-death-row-to-a-botched-execution-and-back-a-timeline-of-christa-pike-s-case/ar-AA2fVKcJ?ocid=BingNewsSerp; accessed Oct 31, 2026.  

Fears about tainted candy have been around probably as long as trick or treating has, and for the most part it is an urban legend. Each year there seems to be some hysteria around someone finding razor blades or needles in their kid's Halloween candy, but almost always this turns out to be a hoax or a prank. However, on Halloween night in 1974, an 8-year-old boy named Timothy O'Bryan nearly proved this urban legend to be real when he ate a Pixy Stick he received while trick-or-treating and died almost immediately after 

Sources: 

"Timothy Marc O'Bryan"; Find A Grave; https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15208882/timothy_marc-o'bryan; accessed Oct 24, 2026.  

""The Candy Man", 30 Years Later"; Offthekuff.com; Oct 29, 2004; https://murderpedia.org/male.O/o1/obryan-ronald-clark.htm; accessed Oct 24, 2026.  

"The Man Who Killed Halloween"; https://murderpedia.org/male.O/o1/obryan-ronald-clark.htm; accessed Oct 24, 2026.  

"Neumann, Sean"; " How the 'Candy Man' Killer, Who Murdered His Own Son, Continues to Haunt Trick-or-Treaters 50 Years Later"; People; Oct 27, 2024; https://people.com/candy-man-killer-timothy-obryan-murder-8732896; accessed Oct 24, 2026.  

Miller, Adam; " Trick or truth? The real story behind Halloween candy tampering"; CBC; Oct 31, 2019; https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/halloween-candy-tampering-urban-legend-truth-1.5341734; accessed Oct 24, 2026. 

 For years, Russell Williams appeared to have everything: a decorated military career, a position of authority, and the trust that came with commanding one of Canada’s largest air bases. But behind that carefully constructed public image was a disturbing secret life that would eventually escalate into something far more sinister. When two women connected to the military community became victims, investigators were faced with a case that would expose just how different the man they thought they knew really was. 

Sources: 

Cobb Chris, " Court hears details of final hours of Williams’ murder victims", Ottawa Citizen, October 21,2010, https://globalnews.ca/news/99998/court-hears-details-of-final-hours-of-williams-murder-victims/, Accessed October 19, 2026 

CBC News, " Col. Russell Williams timeline", CBC, September 26, 2020, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/col-russell-williams-timeline-1.913312, Accessed October 19, 2026  

Oshawa This Week, " Col. Russell Williams took numerous photos of Marie France Comeau", Durham Region, October 20, 2010, https://www.durhamregion.com/news/col-russell-williams-took-numerous-photos-of-marie-france-comeau/article_34f8638d-5876-5d46-bf58-ba8617cdbd73.html, Accessed October 19, 2026  

Sengupta, Sounak, " Russell Williams: Where is the Killer Now?", The Cinemaholic, April 25,2023, https://thecinemaholic.com/russell-williams-where-is-the-killer-now/, Accessed October 19, 2026 

Sengupta, Sounak, " Jessica Lloyd and Cpl. Marie-France Comeau Murders: How Did They Die? Who Killed Them?", The Cinemaholic, April 25, 2023, https://thecinemaholic.com/jessica-lloyd-and-cpl-marie-france-comeau-murders-how-did-they-die-who-killed-them/, Accessed October 19, 2026  

 This week we are exploring three Halloween themed crimes, including a pumpkin patch perpetrator, viral doorbell camera footage featuring masked figures, and a Michael Myers robbery.  

Sources: 

Morrison, Kent; “Edmonton pumpkin theft caught on camera”; Global News; Aug 17, 2028; https://globalnews.ca/news/4394933/edmonton-pumpkin-theft-caught-on-video/; accessed Oct 12, 2026. 

Bonavita, Julia; “Viral Halloween ‘break-in’ scare leads police to surprising discovery about suspects: report”; Fox News; Oct 28, 2025; https://www.foxnews.com/us/viral-halloween-break-in-scare-leads-police-surprising-discovery-about-suspects-report?msockid=0ec379440cb56fb121086e410d1d6e9e; accessed Oct 12, 2026. 

Grissom, Jake; “Surveillance video laugh unravels ‘Michael Myers’ robbery scheme at Citrus County Florida liquor store”; Tampa Free Press; Sept 23, 2026; https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/surveillance-video-laugh-unravels-michael-myers-robbery-scheme-at-citrus-county-florida-liquor-store/ar-AA2cQg0v; accessed Oct 12, 2026.

In 1991, Kathy Page was found dead in her car just 100 yards from her home, in what initially appeared to be a tragic accident. But as investigators examined the scene, the evidence began to suggest that Kathy had been murdered somewhere else and her death had been carefully staged. With a troubled marriage, a secret night out, and questions surrounding the investigation itself, Kathy’s case would become a decades-long mystery that her family refuses to let disappear.

Sources:

Vanapalli, Viswa, “Kathy Page Murder: What Led to Her Tragic End?”, The Cinemaholic, August 2, 2022, https://thecinemaholic.com/kathy-page-murder-how-did-she-die-who-killed-her/, Accessed October 3, 2026

The True Crime Edition Writers, “The Real Story of ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”, The True Crime Edition, May 26, 2021, https://www.truecrimeedition.com/post/kathy-page, Accessed October 3, 2026

“Kathy Page”, Unsolved Mysteries Wiki, https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Kathy_Page, Accessed October 3, 2026

We're back with our thirty first Leave the Light On episode where we recap the cases covered in the previous month, discuss true crime headlines from the month, and give you a sneak peek at what is coming up in the next month. If we know!

References:

Silver, Lauren; “Tragedy, Tension & Testimony: 10 Unforgettable Moments From Lindsay Clancy’s Murder Trial”; Court TV; Aug 29, 2026; https://www.courttv.com/news/tragedy-tension-testimony-10-unforgettable-moments-from-lindsay-clancys-murder-trial/; accessed Sept 28, 2026 

Barrientos, Selena; Trepel, Skyler; “Lindsay Clancy’s Murder Case Ended in a Mistrial. Here’s What Happened to Her After She Admitted to Strangling Her Kids”; People; Sept 4, 2026; https://people.com/lindsay-clancy-case-trial-what-to-know-11784589; accessed Sept 28, 2026.  

Baker, KC; “Mackenzie Shirilla Loses Last Chance to Appeal Murder Conviction at State Level”; People; Sept 3, 2026; https://people.com/mackenzie-shirilla-loses-last-chance-to-appeal-murder-conviction-state-level-12094674; accessed Sept 28, 2026.  

In the early morning hours of June 14, 1991, 14-year-old Leslie Mahaffy found herself locked out of her home after spending the evening with friends. Tragically, Leslie was abducted from her front yard by Paul Bernardo. For 24 hours, Leslie faced unimaginable horrors at the hands of Paul and his Fiancé, Karla Homolka. Nearly a year later, on April 16, 1992, the couple did the same thing to 15-year-old Kristen French, who they abducted from a church parking lot while Kristen walked home from school.  

When Paul and Karla were finally caught, Karla tried to play the victim and took a deal with the prosecution in exchange for her testimony against Paul, which has now been referred to as the deal with the devil. Later, Karla confessed to her and Paul being responsible for the death of Karla’s younger sister, 15-year-old Tammy Homolka in December of 1990. 

Join us as we discuss this horrific case and the infuriating lack of justice surrounding it. 

Sources: 

Humphreys, Adrian; “'Why did you dismember my daughter?' Read full text of victims' statements from Paul Bernardo's parole hearing”; National Post; Nov 26, 2024; https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/full-text-victims-statements-leslie-mahaffy-kristen-french-paul-bernardo-parole; accessed Sept 19, 2026. 

"Key events in the Bernardo/Homolka case"; CBC News; June 17, 2010; https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/key-events-in-the-bernardo-homolka-case-1.933128, accessed Sept 4, 2026.  

“Murder of Leslie Mahaffy”; Alchetron; April 25, 2026; https://alchetron.com/Murder-of-Leslie-Mahaffy; accessed Sept 19, 2026.   

“Murder of Kristen French”; Alchetron; April 25, 2026; https://alchetron.com/Murder-of-Kristen-French; accessed Sept 19, 2026.  

“Murder of Tammy Homolka explained”; Everything Explained; https://everything.explained.today/Murder_of_Tammy_Homolka/; accessed Sept 20, 2026.  

Tunney, Catharine; “Paul Bernardo denied parole for a third time after victims' families pleaded with parole board”; CBC News; Nov 26, 2024; https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bernardo-parole-board-decision-1.7392791; accessed Sept 20, 2026.  

Mandel, Michele; “Mandel: Paul Bernardo's fourth parole hearing delayed to January”; Toronto Sun; Sept 18, 2026; https://www.msn.com/en-ca/crime/general/mandel-paul-bernardo-s-fourth-parole-hearing-delayed-to-january/ar-AA2cwKMf?ocid=BingNewsSerp; accessed Sept 20, 2026.  

“Bernardo asks to talk to police about Bain case”; CBC News; June 7, 2007; https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bernardo-asks-to-talk-to-police-about-bain-case-1.679346; accessed Sept 20, 2026 

With both Wally and Meg feeling under the weather, we are throwing it back to Episode 80 for you guys to enjoy!

In July of 2012, a routine inspection of the Saint-Louis-De-Blandford strategic maple syrup reserve in Quebec, Canada was being conducted. During the inspection, it was found that some of the barrels that should have been filled with sticky, sweet, maple syrup were empty and other barrels had been refilled with water. Upon further investigation it was discovered that over months, thieves had been stealing millions of dollars' worth of maple syrup. The crime later became known as the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist.

Sources:

Waxman, Olivia B., “What to Know About the Real Canadian Maple Syrup Heist That Inspired The Sticky”, Time, Dec 6, 2024, https://time.com/7200222/maple-syrup-heist-the-sticky-amazon/, accessed Oct 3, 2025.

Noakes, Taylor C., “Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist”, The Canadian Encyclopedia, Mar 28, 2022, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/great-canadian-maple-syrup-heist, accessed Oct 3, 2025.

Lyon, Rivy, “ The Great Maple Syrup Heist: How A Ragtag Group Of Thieves In Canada Stole $18 Million Worth Of Maple Syrup”, AllThatsInteresting.com, July 2, 2025, https://allthatsinteresting.com/great-canadian-maple-syrup-heist, accessed Oct 3, 2025.

Tisdale, Jennifer, “Richard Vallières Was Behind the 2012 Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist — Where Is He Now?”, Distractify, Dec 5, 2024, https://www.distractify.com/p/richard-vallieres-now, accessed Oct 3, 2025.

“Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist”, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Canadian_Maple_Syrup_Heist, accessed Oct 3, 2025.

"The Maple Syrup Heist." Dirty Money, directed by Brian McGinn, season 1, episode 5, Jigsaw Productions, 2018, Netflix, www.netflix.com/watch/80118100

 In January 1996, Olympic gold medalist Dave Schultz was at the top of the wrestling world when a shocking encounter at his home changed everything. His relationship with eccentric millionaire John du Pont had brought Dave into the strange and increasingly unsettling world of Foxcatcher Farms, where money, power, paranoia, and ambition collided. What happened behind the gates of the Foxcatcher estate would leave the wrestling community stunned and become one of the most bizarre murders in the history of American sports. 

Sources:  

Grokipedia, “Dave Schultz (amateur wrestler)” , https://grokipedia.com/page/Dave_Schultz_(amateur_wrestler), Accessed September 12, 2026 

Sometimes Interesting, “Tragic Story of The Abandoned FoxCatcher Farms”, Sometimes interesting, https://sometimes-interesting.com/tragic-story-of-the-abandoned-foxcatcher-farms/, Accessed September 12th, 2026 

Oliver, Mark, “John Du Pont, Dave Schultz, And The True Story Of ‘Foxcatcher’”, All Thats Interesting, August 30, 2023, https://allthatsinteresting.com/john-du-pont-dave-schultz, Accessed September 12th, 2026 

 In the summer of 2021, 22-year-old Gabby Petito and her boyfriend, 23-year-old Brian Laundrie, set out on a cross-country road trip from New York to Oregon. What was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime turned into a nightmare when Brian returned to his home in Florida in early September without Gabby. A nationwide search for Gabby ensued which sadly ended in tragedy.  

Sources: 

Louallen, Doc; " Gabby Petito’s parents reveal disturbing details about the case in new interview"; ABC News; May 19, 2025; https://abcnews.com/US/new-interview-gabby-petitos-parents-reveals-disturbing-details/story?id=118933322; accessed Sept 2, 2026.  

Piccotti, Tyler; "The Disappearance and Murder of Gabby Petito"; Biography.com; Feb 20, 2025; https://www.biography.com/crime/a63774730/gabby-petito-death-documentary-true-story; accessed Sept 2, 2026.  

Benson, Emma; "5 years after Gabby Petito's disappearance, her story continues to drive change"; KSL; Aug 25, 2026; https://www.ksl.com/article/51615683/5-years-after-gabby-petitos-disappearance-her-story-continues-to-drive-change; access Sept 2, 2026.  

Maranzani, Barbara; " Case File: Gabby Petito"; A&E; https://www.aetv.com/articles/gabby-petito; accessed Sept 2, 2026.  

"Gabby's Story"; Gabby Petito Foundation; https://gabbypetitofoundation.org/gabbys-story; accessed Sept 3, 2026.  

"Gabby Petito case: Full Utah Bodycam Video"; Fox 13 Tampa Bay; Sept 16, 2021; https://youtu.be/fCGsW41aQEw?si=IYSa-6LisArcMvMt; accessed Sept 4, 2026.