The FOX True Crime Podcast

On Saturday, June 10th, 2023 Unabomber Ted Kaczynski was found dead in his federal prison cell at age 81. A mathematics prodigy, Kaczynski received a Harvard education and worked as a professor at UC Berkeley before isolating himself from society. In a remote cabin in Montana, Kaczynski created a number of bombs targeting people who he believed were responsible for the industrialization of society and the advancement of technology. 

Retired FBI Profiler Dr. Mary Ellen O'Toole shares her reaction to Kaczynski's death and discusses her involvement in the Unabomber case. Later, she explains how the FBI looks out for warning signs exhibited by Kaczynski while investigating today's criminals as well.

During her time with the FBI, Dr. O'Toole investigated various high-profile criminals and cases, including the Zodiac Killer, the Toy Box Killer, and the bombing at the 2002 Olympic games. Dr. O'Toole was one of the most senior profilers with the FBI and was recognized for her expertise in "psychopathy." In her book, Dangerous Instincts, she details how readers can understand human behavior to keep themselves safe from harm.

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Crime scenes tend to be a gruesome sight to see. But after the police put up the yellow caution tape and collect the evidence, who's responsible for cleaning up the mess left behind? That's where the Soul Mediators come in. 

Crime scene cleaners Tom DeSena and Junior Lallbachan provide an in-depth look at their line of work. They share stories from some of their most shocking jobs, discuss their toughest cleaning challenges, and even give some cleaning advice for listeners at home. Later, they explain how they hope to provide families with the closure needed to move forward from a traumatic event.

Tom DeSena and Junior Lallbachan document their jobs all across social media. You can find them on Instagram and TikTok as @TheSoulMediators.

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On May 24th, 2023 62-year-old Raul Meza Jr. called the police and confessed to the murder of his 80-year-old roommate, Jesse Fraga, just four days earlier. During the call, Meza also implicated himself in the 2019 murder of 66-year-old Gloria Lofton. Upon his apprehension by the U.S. Marshals, Meza was found with a bag containing zip ties, duct tape, ammunition, and a pistol, leading authorities to believe he was ready to kill again. Meza was arrested in 1982 for the murder of 8-year-old Kendra Page but was released 11 years into his 30-year sentence. Now, police are investigating Meza's possible connection to 8-10 other murders.

KTBC FOX 7 Anchor John Krinjak and Reporter Angela Shen discuss the latest news surrounding Meza's arrest and the ongoing investigation into his potential connection to past murders. Later, they share how the news has impacted the Austin community, as well as reactions from victims' families.

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After spending just over two months in office, President Ronald Reagan was adjusting to his new life as the United States Commander in Chief. On March 30th, 1981, as he was departing from a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton Hotel, President Reagan was shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr., a mentally-disturbed man who attempted a presidential assassination to impress Actress Jodie Foster. Jeffrey James is a retired Supervisory Special Agent with the United States Secret Service presidential detail who served as the case manager for John Hinckley Jr. and shares details about Hinckley's life, the assassination attempt, and how the incident changed the way the Secret Service ran operations.

In 1996, Jeffrey James was sworn in as a United States Secret Service Special Agent, beginning his 22-year-long career within the federal government. During his time in the Secret Service, he was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge and also served as the Liaison to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Now, he works as the President of Capitol Security Consultants, as well as the Chief of Police at Robert Morris University.

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On the night of May 3rd, 2007, British 3-year-old Madeleine McCann went missing while on a family vacation to Portugal. That night, Madeleine’s parents Gerry and Kate McCann dined with friends at a nearby restaurant, leaving the toddler and her two younger siblings alone in the apartment at which they were staying. The adults took turns checking on the children throughout the evening, but as Kate returned to the complex, she discovered Madeleine was missing. Her disappearance sparked an international search effort, as well as a global media frenzy. 16 years later, the investigation continues with new developments in the case.

FOX News London-based Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent Greg Palkot joins with updates from the latest search operation in Portugal, as well as details about the current suspect in the case. Later, he discusses why Madeleine's disappearance continues to garner media attention all these years later.

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Annie Le was a brilliant young woman destined for greatness. While enrolled in a pharmacology graduate program at Yale University, Annie was just days away from marrying her college sweetheart. However, on September 8, 2009, Annie vanished from the campus laboratory in which she regularly worked. Annie's disappearance sent shockwaves across the campus and tragically on September 13, 2009, the day she was to be wed, Annie's body was discovered. Retired New Haven Police Lieutenant Lisa Dadio discusses her involvement with the investigation, how it evolved from a missing person case to a murder case, and how their work led to the swift arrest of Raymond Clark III.

Lisa Dadio spent 20 years with the New Haven Police Department, 16 of which were spent with the detective division. After ultimately rising to the rank of Lieutenant and commanding the Major Crimes Unit, Lisa retired from law enforcement and entered into the realm of higher education. She currently serves as the Assistant Dean for the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences at the University of New Haven.

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Before he was known as the Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo was known as the "East Area Rapist" by law enforcement. From 1976-1979, the Sacramento Sheriff's Department received various reports of home invasions and sexual assaults conducted by an unknown man. As a result of the serial attacks, a task force was soon formed in order to identify the attacker and bring an end to his horrific crimes.

As the sole female investigator on the case, retired Undersheriff in the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, Carol Daly understood the importance of bringing empathy to those who suffered from the traumatic attacks. She discusses her role in the investigation of the "East Area Rapist," her close relationship with the victims, and her reaction to Joseph DeAngelo's arrest all these years later.

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Throughout the 1970s and 80s, an unidentified man terrorized families across California. Responsible for more than 100 burglaries, over 50 rapes, and at least 13 homicides, the suspect was dubbed the "Golden State Killer." For decades, law enforcement worked tirelessly to uncover the identity of the murderer. In 2018, justice was served when former police officer Joseph DeAngelo was finally arrested at 74 years old. Retired FBI Agent and lead profiler on the Golden State Killer case Julia Cowley shares how she was brought onto the case, the work that went into creating Joseph DeAngelo's profile, and how her work played a pivotal role in the investigation.

Julia Cowley served as a Forensic Scientist and Special Agent with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Upon joining the FBI, Julia was assigned to the Boston Division where she investigated various violent crime cases and later rose to become the leader of their Evidence Response Team. In 2010, she was promoted to FBI Headquarters, where she worked in their Behavioral Analysis Unit.

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In 2005, 18-year-old Natalee Holloway went missing while on a graduation trip to Aruba with her fellow classmates. According to her peers, Natalee was last seen leaving a club with Joran van der Sloot, a man who would soon become the prime suspect in her disappearance. While serving a 28-year prison sentence in Peru for the murder of 21-year-old Stephany Flores, van der Sloot is to be extradited to the United States where he faces charges of extortion and wire fraud.

WBRC Anchor Jonathan Hardison has been covering the story from Birmingham, AL for years now. He discusses the timeline of events in the Natalee Holloway case, as well as the extradition and trial awaiting van der Sloot. Later, he shares the impact Natalee's disappearance has left on the community of Birmingham 18 years later.

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When thinking back to her childhood, Kerri Rawson is able to recall fond memories with her father, Dennis Rader. To other residents of Wichita, KS, Rader seemed like a model citizen. Little did they know the darkness he held within. Over the course of three decades, the infamous serial killer dubbed BTK ("Bind, Torture, Kill") murdered 10 innocent victims to satisfy his chilling sexual fantasies. It wasn't until Rader was arrested in 2005 that his family made the connection. Author and daughter of Dennis Rader, Kerri Rawson shares details from her childhood with a serial killer father, the impact the revelation had on her life, and how she learned to overcome the traumatic discovery.

In her memoirs, A Serial Killer's Daughter: My Story Of Faith, Love, And Overcoming, and Breaking Free: Overcoming The Trauma Of My Serial Killer Father, Kerri Rawson discusses how she navigated through the traumatic discovery of her father's secret life. With the help of therapy, faith, and family, Kerri could forgive her father for what he did to her, and ultimately learned to become herself again. Now, she works to help others by providing a voice for victims of trauma, crime, and abuse.

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