Scams, Money, & Murder

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.
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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.
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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.
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This week in crime history, we revisit two of the most infamous killers of the 20th century — men whose charm masked unimaginable evil.
On December 30th, 1977, Ted Bundy slipped through the ceiling of his Colorado jail cell and vanished into the night, igniting one of the most infamous manhunts in American history. His escape would lead to more murders and cement his place as one of the world’s most notorious serial killers.
Then, we travel back to January 3rd, 1972, when John Wayne Gacy — a seemingly ordinary suburban businessman known for his charity work and clown performances — claimed his first victim. Over the next six years, Gacy would lure and murder more than 30 young men, hiding many of their bodies beneath his home.
Join Vanessa Richardson as she unpacks the twisted psychology and lasting impact of these two killers who redefined how America sees evil — reminding us that the most dangerous monsters often look just like everyone else.

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

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

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In 1975, 22 year-old Travis Walton was struck by a blinding light in the Arizona forest and vanished without a trace. Five days later, he returned with a story that defied belief. In this episode of Crimes Of… Sabrina and Corinne uncover the truth behind the Travis Walton Incident: the alien abduction case that made headlines and still haunts UFO history.
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In 1995, a woman checked into Oslo’s Plaza Hotel under a fake name. Days later, she was found dead in her room: no ID, no fingerprints, and no one looking for her. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, we investigate the chilling mystery of the Oslo Plaza Woman and why some believe she wasn’t just hiding… she was hunted.
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She was vibrant, loved, and days away from motherhood. He was calculating, distant, and hiding more than one secret. This episode of Clues with Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore dissects the chilling puzzle behind Laci Peterson’s murder—and the evidence that finally exposed the man behind it. Morgan and Kaelyn examine how a wandering dog, a secret boat, and one woman’s brave confession cracked open the case.
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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.
Follow Murder: True Crime Stories on your podcast app: https://play.megaphone.fm/6g4bv3tos9yn9abg2yeakg

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.
Follow Murder: True Crime Stories on your podcast app: https://play.megaphone.fm/6g4bv3tos9yn9abg2yeakg

Happy Holidays, Crime House community! Coming soon to the Scams, Money, and Murder Feed, Crime House’s Vanessa Richardson will be curating collections of themed episodes from our deep library of true crime cases and mysteries. What better place to start than this holiday season? We’re bringing you 12 Days of Crimes-Mas: daily crime cases from across the Crime House library. From the biggest cases of the year, to holiday themed true crime cases, there will be episodes for you all holiday season long beginning tomorrow.

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

🎧 Need More to Binge? 

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

Follow me on Social

Instagram: @Crimehouse

TikTok: @Crimehouse

Facebook: @crimehousestudios

X: @crimehousemedia

YouTube: @crimehousestudios