She was 17. Full of dreams, ready to start her first job, and just weeks away from graduating high school. But in late 1988, Junko Furuta’s life was stolen in one of Japan’s most shocking and heartbreaking crimes. Held captive for 44 days, her suffering exposed not only the darkness of her attackers but also the failings of a system meant to protect her.

In this episode of Sleepless at 3AM, I take you inside the haunting case that shook Japan: the cruelty she endured, the justice that fell short, and the echoes of her story that still linger today. This isn’t just a true crime story—it’s a story about fear, silence, and the fight to remember a young girl whose voice was taken far too soon.

Ashley Bocanegra was a 30-year-old mother who had just started rebuilding her life—new job, new goals, and a quiet home in a gated Georgia community where she hoped to raise her son in peace. But behind those gates, a twisted web of jealousy, betrayal, and rage was already tightening around her.

What started as a secret office romance ended in a brutal, calculated ambush—one carried out not by strangers, but by a teenage girl and a woman who saw Ashley not as a person… but as a threat that needed to be eliminated.

And the most chilling part?
They filmed it.
Then laughed about it.

In this episode brought to us by Sophia, I'll be diving into the shocking murder of Ashley Bocanegra—a case that will leave you angry, heartbroken, and haunted by the coldness of the people who took her life.

On April 20th, 1999, two high school seniors walked into Columbine High School with guns, explosives, and a plan that would shatter countless lives and change the way we think about school safety forever. In this episode, I walk you through the timeline of that devastating day—what happened minute by minute, who was lost, and how those who survived are still carrying the weight. You’ll hear about moments of bravery, heartbreak, and resilience, as well as the questions that still haunt us more than two decades later.

Whether you think you know the story or you’re hearing the details for the first time, this is an episode that’s not just about what happened—it's about why it still matters.

Grab a blanket, something to snack on, and settle in. This is Columbine.

Show Notes:

Columbine Memorial
ColumbineMemorial.org
Transcript of the basement tapes:
https://schoolshooters.info/sites/default/files/columbine_basement_tapes_1.0.pdf
Rachel’s Challenge
https://rachelschallenge.org

Voices of Columbine - The Family of Matthew Kechter
https://extras.denverpost.com/news/kechter0416.htm

Daniel Mauser’s Memorial Site
DanielMauser.com

Forensic Recreation by VIPPrimo on Youtube
https://youtu.be/t6ywBBrwt9A?si=-2wqWVwgpjM_nq-9

Long before the gunfire and headlines, there were journals, warning signs, and choices. In this episode, I go back—before the massacre at Columbine High School—to examine the lives of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Who were they really? Were they bullied outcasts, psychopaths in the making, or something else entirely? I’ll walk you through their friendships, their online footprints, their disturbing journals, and the chilling preparations that led up to April 20, 1999. This isn’t about excusing what they did—it’s about understanding how they got there. Because the warning signs were there. And they were loud.

Dylan Klebold’s Journal Entries & Other Writings:
https://schoolshooters.info/sites/default/files/klebold_journal_0.pdf

Dylan’s Journal (Facsimile)
https://schoolshooters.info/sites/default/files/klebold_journal_facsimile.pdf

Eric Harris’ Journal Entries:
https://schoolshooters.info/sites/default/files/harris_journal_0.pdf
Eric’s Online Content:
https://schoolshooters.info/sites/default/files/Eric_Harris_Online.pdf

In today’s Dark History story, we’re gonna check out one of the most brutal and tragic chapters of Dutch history. The De Witt brothers, Johan and Cornelis, were once powerful figures in the Dutch Republic, but in 1672, their world would unravel in the most horrific way. Betrayed, hunted, and publicly executed by a mob driven by political hatred, the brothers’ violent end marked a turning point in the nation's political landscape. Join me as we explore their rise, their fall, and the gruesome legacy that haunts Dutch history to this day.

The Corpses of the De Witt Brothers Is part of the Rijksmuseum's permanent collection and is accessible to the public. View the painting through the digital catalog here: Rijksmuseum.nl

A pizza delivery, a collar bomb, and a scavenger hunt with deadly stakes. In this episode, I unravel the bizarre and horrifying case of Brian Wells—an ordinary man caught in an extraordinary and sinister plot. Was he a victim or a co-conspirator? Who were the twisted minds behind the plan, and how did they find each other? From frozen bodies in freezers to shocking confessions years later, this story is stranger than fiction—and far more disturbing.

When Alison Botha's life was violently shattered one night in 1994, survival seemed impossible — yet against all odds, she fought back. In this episode, I take you through Alison’s story: her unimaginable attack, her relentless will to live, the groundbreaking trial that followed, and the legacy she built from her pain. From the darkest corners of human cruelty to the astonishing power of hope, this is a story I will never forget — and I don't think you will either. Stay with me as I uncover the true meaning of resilience, survival, and the triumph of the human spirit.

In 2007, the world of professional wrestling was shaken to its core by an unthinkable tragedy. Chris Benoit was a world-renowned wrestler, celebrated for his technical skill and dedication to his craft. But behind the curtain was a man spiraling into darkness. This week, I'm giving you a special episode while I am recovering from surgery. My boyfriend, JJ will be narrating my research as we dive into the chilling and heartbreaking story of the Benoit family murders—a case that forced fans, professionals, and medical experts to confront uncomfortable truths about brain trauma, mental health, and the cost of fame.

In today’s episode, we'll dive into the tragic and chilling case of Preston Lord, a young man whose life was brutally cut short by a group of teens known as the Gilbert Goons. What seemed like an ordinary night at a house party turned into a deadly attack that would shake the community to its core. Stick around as we unravel the story of violence, gang mentality, and a justice system that failed to act until it was too late.