Never Light Up A Room Podcast

By Never Light Up A Room PodcastTrue Crime

Never Light Up A Room Podcast episodes

February 12, 2025 Episode 046: The Death of Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan
In the early morning hours of July 31, 2022, Mackenzie Shirilla drove her car 100mph into a brick building. The crash resulted in the deaths of the two passengers in the car, Dominic Russo, who was Mackenzie’s boyfriend, and Davion Flanagan, who was a friend of Dominic’s. The crash was originally considered an accident, but after further investigation it was determined that Mackenzie intentionally crashed her car, intending to kill Dominic and Davion.
Sources:

“State v. Shirilla, 2024-Ohio-4674", Court of Appeals of Ohio, Sept 26, 2024,https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/8/2024/2024-Ohio-4674.pdf, accessed Jan 30, 2025.

Lenthang, Marlene, “Father of 20-year-old murdered by girlfriend in 100 mph crash doesn’t want life in prison for her”, NBC News, Aug 18, 2023,https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ohio-teen-100-mph-crash-father-boyfriend-life-prison-rcna100635, accessed Jan 31, 2025.

Acosta, Nicole, “Sister of Man Killed by Girlfriend in Intentional Crash at 100 mph Says Family 'Will Never Be Whole Again’”, People, Aug 24, 2023,https://people.com/sister-man-killed-girlfriend-intentional-crash-100-mph-family-never-be-whole-again-7852471, accessed Jan 30, 2025.

Smith, Jen, “Mackenzie Shirilla is a remorseless bully who murdered our son: Davion Flanagan's parents speak out against 'hell on wheels' driver who they say has STILL not apologized for horror crash”, Daily Mail, Sept 23, 2023,https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12546707/Mackenzie-Shirilla-remorseless-bully-murdered-son-Davion-Flanagans-parents-speak-against-hell-wheels-driver-say-not-apologized-horror-crash.html, accessed Jan 30, 2025.

Smith, Jen, “Mackenzie Shirilla's mother tried to blame crash that killed two on her being DIZZY - despite cops finding magic mushrooms and weed at scene and her previous threats against her boyfriend”, Daily Mail, Aug 17, 2023,https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12416779/Mackenzie-Shirillas-mother-tried-blame-crash-killed-two-DIZZY-despite-cops-finding-magic-mushrooms-weed-scene-previous-threats-against-boyfriend.html, accessed Feb 1, 2025.

Mandenberg, Yelena, Ohio 'killer teen' went to concert after murdering boyfriend and man by driving into wall at 100mph, The Mirror, Jan 11, 2025,https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/ohio-killer-teen-went-concert-904452, accessed Feb 1 2025.

“'She's Always Taken the Easy Way Out': Families Speak at Sentencing”, CourtTV, 8/21/2023,https://www.courttv.com/title/shes-always-taken-the-easy-way-out-families-speak-at-sentencing/, accessed Feb 1, 2025.

“Mackenzie Shirilla, Mom and Attorney Beg Judge for Mercy”, CourtTV, Aug 21, 2023,https://www.courttv.com/title/mom-attorney-and-mackenzie-shirilla-beg-judge-for-mercy/, accessed Feb 1, 2025.

1 hr 30 min
February 05, 2025 Episode 045: The United California Bank Heist of 1972
In March of 1972 a crew of burglars from Youngstown Ohio travelled to Laguna Niguel California to get the score of a life time. One small mistake foiled the crew from pulling off an almost perfect heist.
Sources

“Amil Dinsio – Master Bank Burglar”, https://amildinsio.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com, Accessed Feb 2 2025

“Masterminds E005 The Laguna Niguel Heist”, Daily Motion, https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2pddqy, Accessed Feb 2 2025

Lawrence Lease, “Unraveling the United California Bank Heist”, Hubpages, Updated April 10, 2023, https://discover.hubpages.com/politics/The-United-California-Bank-Heist-A-Tale-of-Robbery-and-Betrayal?utm_source=chatgpt.com, Accessed Feb 2 2025

The FBI Files, “The Perfect Heist” youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvrBNCZqRig Accessed Jan 31 2025
,

Courtney Razee, “The United California Heist” Genially, November 30, 2022, https://view.genially.com/6386b5630bebe600195b18b9/presentation-the-united-california-heist, Accessed Feb 2 2025
54 min
February 01, 2025 Leave The Light On January 2025
We’re back with our eleventh Leave The Light On episode where we recap the cases we covered in the previous month, discuss crime headlines from the month, and give you a sneak peek at what is coming up in the next month. If we know!
References:
Asma-Sadeque, Samira, “'Slender Man' Stabber Morgan Geyser Will Be Freed from Psychiatric Hospital 11 Years After Attacking Classmate”, People, Jan 10, 2025, https://people.com/slender-man-stabber-morgan-geyser-will-free-psychiatric-hospital-8772496, accessed Jan 27, 2025.

Cirrone, James, “Transgender Slender Man stabber Morgan Geyser to be released from prison despite victim Payton Leutner's pleas”, Daily Mail, Jan 9, 2025, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14268555/slenderman-stabbing-morgan-geyser.html, accessed Jan 27, 2025.

Shapiro, Emily and Robinson, Kelley, “'Slender Man' teen to be released, survivor's family wishes she served longer sentence”, ABC News, Sept 13, 2021, https://abcnews.go.com/US/slender-man-teen-conditional-release-mental-health-facility/story?id=76386897, accessed Jan 27, 2025.

“Slender Man”, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slender_Man, accessed Jan 27, 2025.

Associated Press, “Man shot himself in head before Cybertruck exploded outside Trump's Las Vegas hotel, officials say”, CBC, Jan 2, 2025, https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/tesla-cybertruck-trump-hotel-explosion-1.7421747, accessed Jan 27, 2025.

Brigham, Noble, “Man behind Cybertruck explosion ‘broken’ by 2019 deployment, ex-girlfriend says”, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jan 13, 2025, https://www.msn.com/en-us/public-safety-and-emergencies/general/man-behind-cybertruck-explosion-broken-by-2019-deployment-ex-girlfriend-says/ar-BB1roFL3?ocid=BingNewsSerp, accessed Jan 27, 2025.

Maryclaire Dale, “Accused in death of former Flames star Gaudreau pleads not guilty to homicide charges” cbc.ca, January 7th. 2025, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/gaudreau-flames-suspect-pleads-not-guilty-1.7424999 , Accessed Jan 28, 2025

Caroll Alvarado, Elizabeth Wolfe, Avery Schmitz, “A visual timeline of the New Year’s attack that left at least 14 dead in New Orleans, CNN US, January 3rd, 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/02/us/timeline-truck-attack-new-orleans-dg/index.html , Accessed Jan 29, 2025

Gary Marti, “Peeping Tom”, pharses.org, https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/peeping-tom.html , Accessed Jan 30, 2025

FBI National Press Office, “FBI Statement on the Attack in New Orleans”, FBI.gov, January 1st, https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-statement-on-the-attack-in-new-orleans, Accesses Jan 29, 2025

Prasad, Sumith, “Mike Nifong: Where is Ex-DA of Durham County Now?”, The Cinemaholic, June 3, 2022, https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-the-staircases-mike-nifong-now/, accessed Jan 30, 2025.

“Michael Peterson Trial”, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Peterson_trial, accessed Jan 30, 2025.
1 hr 6 min
January 29, 2025 Episode 044: The Murder of Laken Riley
On Feb 22, 2024, 22-year-old Laken Riley went for run on her college campus, but sadly, Laken never made it home from this run. Laken’s body was found over 60 feet off the running trail several hours later. Police immediately began searching for a suspect in Laken’s murder, and they soon came across Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela. Join us as we discuss Laken’s story and lasting impact she has left behind.
Sources:

Vago, Steven; DeGregory, Priscilla, “Emotional bodycam footage of officer attempting to resuscitate Laken Riley shown in court: ‘I’m not getting any pulse’”, New York Post, Nov 15, 2024, https://nypost.com/2024/11/15/us-news/laken-riley-bodycam-footage-shows-officers-trying-to-resuscitate-student/, accessed Jan 5, 2025.

Deliso, Meredith, “Timeline: Laken Riley's last moments retraced during trial on Georgia nursing student's murder”, ABC News, Nov 20, 2024, https://abcnews.go.com/US/laken-riley-case-murder-trial-texts/story?id=116009547, accessed Jan 5, 2025.

“Laken Riley murder suspect was grilled by wife in jail phone call played in court: "What happened with the girl?"”, CBS News, November 20, 2024, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/laken-riley-murder-suspect-grilled-by-wife-jail-phone-call/, accessed Jan 5, 2025.

Thapliyal, Oshika, “Jose Ibarra past criminal record explored amid Laken Riley murder guilty verdict”, SoapCentral.com, Nov 21, 2024, https://www.soapcentral.com/human-interest/news-jose-ibarra-past-criminal-record-record-explored-amid-laken-riley-murder-guilty-verdict, accessed Jan 10, 2025.

McDonagh, Shannon, “Man Convicted in Laken Riley Killing Seeks New Trial, Citing Legal Errors”, News Week, Dec 4, 2024, https://www.newsweek.com/laken-riley-murderer-seeks-new-trial-1995564, accessed Jan 12, 2025.

Bennett, Brian, “What’s in the Laken Riley Act?”, Time, January 10, 2025, https://time.com/7205925/laken-riley-act/, accessed January 12, 2025.

Court TV Staff, “The Murder Trial of Laken Riley: Verdict and Sentencing | Court TV Podcast”, CourtTV, Jan 7, 2025, https://www.courttv.com/news/the-murder-trial-of-laken-riley-verdict-and-sentencing-court-tv-podcast/, accessed Jan 11, 2025.

Court TV Staff, “The Murder Trial of Laken Riley: Closing Arguments | Court TV Podcast”, CourtTV, Dec 27, 2024, https://www.courttv.com/news/the-murder-trial-of-laken-riley-closing-arguments-court-tv-podcast/, accessed Jan 11, 2025.

Court TV Staff. “The Murder Trial of Laken Riley: DNA and Autopsy Testimony | Court TV Podcast”, CourtTV, Dec 18, 2024, https://www.courttv.com/news/the-murder-trial-of-laken-riley-dna-and-autopsy-testimony-court-tv-podcast/, accessed Jan 11, 2025.

Court TV Staff, “The Murder Trial of Laken Riley: Laken’s Last Moments and Ibarra’s Injuries | Court TV Podcast”, CourtTV, Dec 16, 2024, https://www.courttv.com/news/the-murder-trial-of-laken-riley-lakens-last-moments-and-ibarras-injuries-court-tv-podcast/, accessed Jan 11, 2025.

Court TV Staff, “The Murder Trial of Laken Riley: Laken’s Roommates Testify | Court TV Podcast”, CourtTV, Dec 4, 2024, https://www.courttv.com/news/the-murder-trial-of-laken-riley-lakens-roommates-testify-court-tv-podcast/, accessed Jan 11, 2025.

Court TV, “The Murder Trial of Laken Riley: Opening Statements | Court TV Podcast”, CourtTV, Nov 29, 2024, https://www.courttv.com/news/the-murder-trial-of-laken-riley-opening-statements-court-tv-podcast/, accessed Jan 11, 2025.
1 hr 7 min
January 22, 2025 Episode 043: The Duke University Lacrosse Scandal
On March 13th 2006 during spring break at Duke University the Lacrosse team that had to stay on Campus went on to throw a party at an off campus house where the team hired 2 exotic dancers to attend. Shortly after the 2 girls arrived they would both pick up and leave. While one left in a car the other would be convinced to go back inside and would eventually end up at the police department in Durham to accuse some of the team members of criminal actions.
Sources
William D. Cohan, “Remembering (and Misremembering) the Duke Lacrosse Case” Vanityfair.com, March 10th 2016, https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/03/duke-lacrosse-case-fantastic-lies-documentary?srsltid=AfmBOopi5a2mPU35xDSjsU2UUhsEF5V9-g1mMVfo2Gle636bXi06YDcL&utm_source=chatgpt.com, Accessed 01-11-2025

Jordana Comiter, “Revisiting the Duke Lacrosse Case After Crystal Mangum Admitted to Fabricating the Scandal: What Happened in 2006 and Where Are the Players Now?” people.com, December 13th 2024, https://people.com/duke-lacrosse-scandal-2006-what-to-know-8761056, Accessed 01-11-2025

Associated Press, “Timeline of Events in Duke Lacrosse 'Rape' Case” Foxnews.com, April 11 2007, https://www.foxnews.com/story/timeline-of-events-in-duke-lacrosse-rape-case?utm_source=chatgpt.com, Accessed 01-11-2025

Associated Press, “Law Panel Disbars D.A. in Duke Lacrosse Case” npr.org, June 16th 2007, https://www.npr.org/2007/06/16/11134497/law-panel-disbars-d-a-in-duke-lacrosse-case?utm_source=chatgpt.com, Accessed 01-11-2025

Wikipeda, “Duke University”, en.wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_University?utm_source=chatgpt.com, Accessed 01-11-2025

DURHAM (WTVD), “Looking back at the Duke lacrosse scandal 10 years later”, abc11.com, March 13th 2016, https://abc11.com/duke-lacrosse-scandal-mike-nifong/1244112/?utm_source=chatgpt.com, Accessed 01-11-2025

“'Innocent': The Case that Changed Duke”, issuu,com, March 10th 2016, https://issuu.com/dukechronicle/docs/the_case_that_changed_duke, Accessed 01-11-2025

David K.Li and Katie Wall, “Woman who accused Duke lacrosse players of rape in 2006 now admits she lied” nbcnews,com, December 13th 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/woman-accused-duke-lacrosse-players-rape-2006-now-admits-lied-rcna184136, Accessed 01-11-2025
49 min
January 15, 2025 Episode 040.5: *CORRECTED* Rachel Bellesen and the Death of Jacob Glace
In mid-December, we released episode 40: Rachel Bellesen and the Death of Jacob Glace. After releasing the episode, Rachel reached out to us and let us know that we had some inaccurate details in our episode. Rachel very kindly provided us with the corrected information and those details are included in this update episode.
Sources:

Allison Griner, “She killed her ex-husband in self-defense. Can she now find peace?”, The Guardian, Dec 12, 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/dec/13/rachel-bellesen-self-defense-montana-domestic-abuse, accessed Nov 11, 2024.
35 min
January 08, 2025 Episode 042: The Deaths of Sammy Weaver, Vicki Weaver, and Deputy US Marshal William (Bill) Degan at Ruby Ridge
In August of 1992, the US Marshals Services were called to a property in the remote Boundary County of Idaho, called Ruby Ridge, to arrest Randy Weaver who had failed to make his court appearance for gun charges. The exchange between the Weavers and the US Marshals soon turned violent and the FBI Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) was called in to help. Over 11 days, 3 people would end up losing their lives and the events that took place during the standoff would be hotly debated for many years to come.

Sources:

Lancaster, Joe, “Randy Weaver Dies”, Reason.com, May 13, 2022, https://reason.com/2022/05/13/randy-weaver-dies/, accessed Dec 14, 2024.

Editors, TheFamousPeople.com, “Randy Weaver Biography”, TheFamousPeople.com, Jan 5, 2021, https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/randy-weaver-11610.php, accessed Dec 14, 2024.

History.com Editors, “Ruby Ridge”, History.com, Aug 21, 2018, https://www.history.com/topics/1990s/ruby-ridge, accessed Dec 14, 2024.

Cantrell, Asher, “The Ruby Ridge Standoff Was Worse Than You Think”, Grundge.com, May 19, 2020, https://www.grunge.com/210766/the-ruby-ridge-standoff-was-worse-than-you-think/, accessed Dec 16, 2024

Fraga, Kaleena, “What Really Happened During The Siege At Ruby Ridge?”, Allthatsinteresting,com, June 16, 2024, https://allthatsinteresting.com/ruby-ridge-incident, accessed Dec 16, 2024.

Sengupta, Sounak, “Lon Horiuchi: What Happened to The Ruby Ridge Sniper?”, The Cinemaholic, Nov 15, 2023, https://thecinemaholic.com/lon-horiuchi/, accessed Dec 31, 2024.
Geranios, Nicholas, “20 years after Ruby Ridge, there's forgiveness”, NBC News, Aug 20, 2012, https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna48725729, accessed Dec 31, 2024.

“William Degan - Remembering Twenty Years Later”, U.S. Marshals Service, https://www.usmarshals.gov/who-we-are/history/roll-call-of-honor/william-degan-remembering-twenty-years-later, accessed Dec 31, 2024.

“Deputy U.S. Marshal William Francis Degan, Jr.”, Officer Down Memorial Page, https://www.odmp.org/officer/370-deputy-us-marshal-william-francis-degan-jr, accessed Dec 31, 2024.

“Waco siege”, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waco_siege, accessed Dec 31, 2024.

“Oklahoma City bombing”, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_bombing, accessed Dec 31, 2024.

“A Review of Allegations of a Double Standard of Discipline at the FBI”, US Department of Justice, Nov 15, 2002, https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/archive/special/0211/chapter5.htm, accessed Jan 5, 2025.

“Ruby Ridge: Sara Weaver Discusses Inside Details of Siege - Pt. 1 - Crime Watch Daily”, Crime Watch Daily, June 1, 2016, https://youtu.be/IVLxdWwGB0I, accessed Jan 5, 2025.

“Ruby Ridge: Sara Weaver Discusses Inside Details of Siege - Pt. 2 - Crime Watch Daily”, Crime Watch Daily, June 1, 2016, https://youtu.be/SC820Ii_RxM, accessed Jan 5, 2025.

1 hr
January 01, 2025 Leave The Light On December 2024
We’re back with our tenth Leave The Light On episode where we recap the cases we covered in the previous month, discuss crime headlines from the month, and give you a sneak peek at what is coming up in the next month. If we know!
References:

Schmunk, Rhianna, “Luigi Mangione, suspect charged in CEO's killing, was caught in McDonald's with gun: police”, CBC, Dec 9, 2024, https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/luigi-mangione-brian-thompson-shooting-1.7405958, accessed Dec 29, 2024.

The Associated Press, “Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to murder and terror charges”, CBC, Dec 23, 2024, https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/mangione-trial-not-guilty-1.7417794, accessed Dec 29, 2024.

Cohen, Marshall and Klein, Betsy, “President Biden pardons his son Hunter Biden”, CNN, Dec 2, 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/01/politics/hunter-biden-joe-biden-pardon/index.html, accessed Dec 29, 2024.

Maggiore, Sabrina, “Man accused of stabbing girlfriend in head tells police “I’m sorry””, WFTV9, May 30, 2024, https://www.wftv.com/news/local/domestic-violence-homicide-man-accused-stabbing-girlfriend-head-tells-police-im-sorry/SFOPV7IR75G3RM6MWBZYAX3FMM/, accessed Dec 29, 2024.

Langston, Jacob, “Florida woman dies after being stabbed in head; boyfriend arrested”, Click Orlando, May 29, 2024, https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2024/05/29/florida-woman-dies-after-being-stabbed-in-head-boyfriend-arrested/, accessed Dec 29, 2024.

Petro, Allison; Crombleholme, Hayley; Atkins, Tony, “Police: Man arrested after fatally stabbing girlfriend in the head in Casselberry”, WESH2, May 30, 2024, https://www.wesh.com/article/man-fatally-stabs-girlfriend-in-the-head-casselberry/60941054, accessed Dec 29, 2024.

FOX 35 Digital Staff, “Florida man charged with murder after calling 911, saying he stabbed his girlfriend: police”, FOX 35, May 30, 2024, https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/boyfriend-murdered-casselberry-woman-charged-her-death-police-say, accessed Dec 29, 2024.
1 hr 45 min
December 25, 2024 Episode 041: 2024 Christmas Special
Happy Holidays! Tune in this week to hear the case of the kidnapping of Karen. Where things may not be what they seem to be.

Sources:
United States Census Bureau. "Winter Park town; Colorado" Accessed 12-20-2024
29 min
December 18, 2024 Episode 040: Rachel Bellesen and the Death of Jacob Glace
On Oct 8, 2020, Rachel Bellesen met with her abusive ex-husband, Jacob Glace, to discuss matters related to their children. During the meeting, things turned violent with Jacob attacking Rachel and Rachel had to use deadly force to defend herself. Rachel then faced a legal battle to prove if she was within her right to defend herself against Jacob.

Sources:

Allison Griner, “She killed her ex-husband in self-defense. Can she now find peace?”, The Guardian, Dec 12, 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/dec/13/rachel-bellesen-self-defense-montana-domestic-abuse, accessed Nov 11, 2024.

Kriti Mehrotra, “Where is Jacob Glace’s Ex-Wife Rachel Bellesen Now?”, The Cinemaholic, Aug 26, 2021, https://thecinemaholic.com/did-rachel-bellesen-kill-her-ex-husband-jacob-glace/, accessed Nov 25, 2024.
1 hr 1 min

About Never Light Up A Room Podcast

From the publisher's feed

We all know the cliche "they lit up a room". On this true crime podcast, we will explain why you should stay safe and never "light up a room"! We aim to shine a light on the well known cases as well…