REAL

In October 2024, news outlets reported that police in Northern Ireland had caught 'the UK's biggest catfish'. But 26-year-old Alexander McCartney did much more than just lie about who he was online. His crimes have devastated thousands of lives. And ended two.

This is Real.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains themes of suicide and child sexual abuse. Whilst the descriptions are not explicit, please take extra care whilst listening.

The Cyber Helpline: (UK & US)

https://www.thecyberhelpline.com/

Advice for helping keep children safe online:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

If you need support, please see the links below to organisations that can help:

https://www.mind.org.uk/ - Mental health & Identity support

https://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UK

https://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritans

https://988lifeline.org/ - Suicide Prevention USA

https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ - Suicide Prevention Australia

https://www.pieta.ie/ - Suicide Prevention Ireland

https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/ - For people who have been the victim of sexual abuse (UK)

https://www.rainn.org/ - Sexual Abuse Support USA

https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory - Sexual Abuse Support Australia

https://www.rcni.ie/useful-links/ - Sexual Abuse Support Ireland

If you would like to support for the show, you can do so here, thank you so much: 

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

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In December 2014, 39-year-old Angela Wrightson was at her home when the unthinkable happened, she was killed in her own home, where she should have felt safe.

But when the police discovered that this brutal and sustained attacked on a vulnerable woman had been committed by two vulnerable children, it left many questions including one vital one - could Angela's murder have been prevented?

This is Real.

https://www.crimecon.co.uk/ - If you would like to attend Crime Con London in June 2025, please see the details here. The discount code REAL10 will give you 10% off.

If you would like to support the show, please see the information here, thank you:

buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

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On the 13th of July 2024, 25-year-old Michael Frison went missing from a volunteer site in Sardinia, Italy.

With a criminal investigation now underway, Michael's mother gives us an update on the case.

This is a special four-part series of 'Real'.

The Official Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/michaelfrisonmissing

https://www.gofundme.com/f/funds-to-help-find-michael - If you'd like to support Cristina in her quest to find her son, you can do so here. Thank you.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 13th of July 2024, 25-year-old Michael Frison went missing from a volunteer site in Sardinia, Italy.

In this episode, we look at a disturbing email found on Michael's phone and the possible connection it could have to his disappearance.

This is a special four-part series of 'Real'.

The Official Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/michaelfrisonmissing

https://www.gofundme.com/f/funds-to-help-find-michael - If you'd like to support Cristina in her quest to find her son, you can do so here. Thank you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 13th of July 2024, 25-year-old Michael Frison went missing from a volunteer site in Sardinia, Italy.

In this episode, we continue to explore what happened in the lead up to his disappearance and the concerning discoveries found on Michael's mobile phone.

This is a special four-part series of 'Real'.

The Official Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/michaelfrisonmissing

https://www.gofundme.com/f/funds-to-help-find-michael - If you'd like to support Cristina in her quest to find her son, you can do so here. Thank you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 13th of July 2024, 25-year-old Michael Frison went missing from a volunteer site in Sardinia, Italy.

Up until last month, Michael's disappearance status was 'voluntarily missing' but it is now a criminal investigation. The details surrounding Michael's last few months are concerning and his mother Cristina wants to share those details in an attempt to find the son she so desperately misses.

This is a special four-part series of 'Real'.

The Official Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/michaelfrisonmissing

https://www.gofundme.com/f/funds-to-help-find-michael - If you'd like to support Cristina in her quest to find her son, you can do so here. Thank you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Helen Bailey was loved by many, including a legion of fans who loved her work. Her books provided entertainment and escapism and when she lost her husband in a tragic drowning accident, she became a pillar of strength for many, as she documented her journey with grief.

But in April 2016, Helen's family would be grieving her loss after she went missing and the outcome of a police investigation would be far more sinister than anyone could imagine.

This is Real.

If you would like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you:

buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

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In October 2023, Virginia McCullough was arrested for the murder of her parents, John and Lois. She has lived in their house with their bodies for over 4 years. (I covered this case in episode Episode 73 and the video version is on my YouTube channel link below).

2 weeks ago I received a message from a man called Ben who told me in December 2024, he went into the home of Virginia McCullough... and he wanted to tell me, and you, what he found...

This is Real.

Ben's accounts - @places_forgotten

https://www.instagram.com/places_forgotten

https://www.tiktok.com/@places_forgotten

YouTube video version of this case:

https://youtu.be/1RcGg7Y8EgM?si=sCUC-4adyBGccjy8

Naomi Channell Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/naomichannell

https://www.instagram.com/realtruecrimepodcast

If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you:

buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

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In September 2023, Essex Police forced their way into a family home, after two elderly people had been reported missing by their doctor... and they hadn't been seen since 2019.

There stood their daughter, with her hands up. And her chilling confession was caught on camera. But the police had no idea of the horrors they would find in that family home.

This is Real.

If you would like to support this independent podcast, you can do so here:

buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

Podcast recommendations:

COLD TAPES: https://www.coldtapes.com/

BRITISH MURDERS: https://www.britishmurders.com/

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When 36-year-old Elaine O'Hara went missing in August 2012, her family immediately became concerned. She had vanished without a trace.

But a year later, a series of extraordinary discoveries and some of the most incredible investigation work Ireland had ever seen, the truth about her disappearance was revealed and it is a case that Ireland, and the world could never forget.

This is Real.

Please note there are extremely disturbing and sensitive subjects raised throughout this episode and a trigger warning will play at the start of the episode.

If you would like to support this independent podcast, you can do so here, thank you:

buymeacoffee.com/podcast4justice

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.