The FOX True Crime Podcast

On April 29th, 2023, 29-year-old Lauren Heike was killed in broad daylight while hiking on a community trail in Phoenix, Arizona. Lauren was chased and stabbed 15 times by her attacker and ultimately died from her injuries. Less than a week later, authorities arrested 22-year-old Zion William Teasley, a convicted felon, in connection with Lauren's murder. Lauren's death sent shockwaves across the country and has left hikers with a sense of unease as they continue to pursue the hobby. CEO of Girls Fight Back Nicole Snell shares important tips for bettering personal safety and boundary-setting skills. She also explains how self-defense classes can be a source of empowerment. Later, Nicole discusses an instance in which she was forced to use these skills in order to stand her ground.

Self-defense expert Nicole Snell is the CEO of Girls Fight Back, a personal safety and empowerment program designed to give women and girls the tools they need to protect themselves and prevent violence. The company places an emphasis on helping young women cultivate confidence by providing them with necessary self-defense strategies and techniques and reminding them that they're worth fighting for. Nicole is also the founder of Outdoor Defense, a video series that educates viewers about defense strategies so that they can feel secure when pursuing outdoor activities.

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On the night of July 8th, 2006, Yolanda Silvera was carjacked, sexually assaulted, and shot by New Jersey serial killer Noah Cuebas. After being left to die, Yolanda was found the following morning just barely alive. She was rushed to a hospital where she remained in a coma for six months. Doctors were unsure whether or not Yolanda would ever wake up, walk, or even talk again. Despite all odds, Yolanda has made a remarkable recovery and is able to share her story almost 17 years later. 

Retired East Orange Detective Joseph Juliano worked on the case and discusses details from the attack, the arrest of Cuebas, and how Yolanda helped law enforcement link his violent crimes. Later, Yolanda Silvera shares what it meant for her to testify against Cuebas, her incredible recovery, and the goals she's currently working towards in her physical therapy.

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On Tuesday night, the four-day-long manhunt for the suspect involved in a mass shooting was brought to an end. The suspect, 38-year-old Mexican immigrant Francisco Oropesa is accused of killing five of his neighbors in a mass shooting in Cleveland, Texas Friday night. Oropesa opened fire after one of his neighbors asked him to stop firing his gun so that his children could sleep. Retired Chief Inspector and Commander of the U.S. Marshals' New York/New Jersey Fugitive Task Force Lenny DePaul shares details of the manhunt and explains what goes into law enforcement's intensive search for fugitives.

As one of the Regional Fugitive Task Force's original members, Lenny DePaul oversaw hundreds of arrests and investigated some of the U.S. Marshals' most-wanted fugitives. During his time with the Marshals Service, DePaul was given numerous awards, including the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation's Investigator of the Year award, as well as the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement.

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Sonny Franzese was one of the most formidable mobsters in America. With a career spanning over the course of 80 years, Franzese rose through the ranks of the Colombo Crime Family, ultimately earning the title of "underboss." Much of the family's success was due to the oath of Omertà, a sacred vow of silence which new recruits were ordered to take to prove their loyalty. When Sonny Franzese was sentenced to 50 years in prison, his son, Michael took it upon himself to make that vow and enter into the Colombo syndicate. Former Colombo Caporegime Michael Franzese shares the details of his life in the mafia, the impact it had on his family, and why he ultimately chose to walk away from the life of crime.

After leaving behind his career with the Colombo Crime Family, Michael Franzese has since become an author and motivational speaker. In his book, I'll Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse, Franzese shares business lessons he learned during his time as a mob boss.

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While genetic genealogy is typically used to reveal more details about one's ancestry, it can also be incredibly helpful in aiding law enforcement with their criminal investigations. With just one piece of DNA, scientists can identify both violent criminals and human remains, bringing answers to even the most mysterious cold cases. Chief Genetic Genealogist at Parabon Nanolabs CeCe Moore explains the background behind the genetic genealogy field, how DNA databases operate, and how the science has evolved to provide more details about criminals and victims alike. Later, she shares details from some of the cases she's worked on alongside enforcement.

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In the middle of the night in February 2010, a young woman was raped, strangled, and left to die in a snowy Virginia forest. After flagging down a couple driving by, the woman recounted the horrific story of the night before. Later that day, law enforcement would arrest Jorge Avila-Torrez for the attack. Little did they know that upon collecting his DNA, a string of previous assaults and murders connected to Avila-Torrez would be revealed. Former Federal and State Prosecutor Jonathan Fahey led the case. He shares the full story behind Jorge Avila-Torrez's crimes, how a confession was obtained, and details from the trial in the case against him.

Jonathan Fahey worked at the United States Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Virginia, where he served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, leading various grand jury investigations. He would go on to serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, and would later become the Acting Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Now, Fahey works with Brown Rudnick LLP as Counsel in the firm's Litigation and Arbitration practice group.

For his work prosecuting the case against Jorge Avila-Torrez, Fahey was given the Attorney General's John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation.

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The United States Marshals Service is a federal agency responsible for the arrests of federal fugitives. With origins dating back to the nation's beginnings, the U.S. Marshals continue to serve the country by protecting the federal judiciary. Retired U.S. Marshal Bill Sorukas discusses the history of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Apprehension Program, how the group operates, and some of its high-profile cases.

After working as an undercover officer in Indiana, Bill Sorukas became a Deputy U.S. Marshal in the Southern District of California. He would soon become a Chief Inspector within the Investigative Operations Division. Bill also served as a Senior Fellow at the International Association of Chiefs of Police, where he helped establish the Center for the Prevention of Violence Against the Police. Now, he works as a Project Alert Consultant at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Bill was given many honors throughout his career, including the National Association of Police Organizations' "Top Cop" award for his work on the Beltway Snipers case, as well as the Attorney Generals Award for Distinguished Service for Investigative Excellence for his involvement with the investigation of Ed and Elaine Brown. In his book, Chasing Evil: Pursuing Dangerous Criminals with the U.S. Marshals, Sorukas details various high-profile cases on which he worked.

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In October 2002, a series of sniper attacks terrorized residents of Washington D.C. and the surrounding area. For three weeks, civilians were shot at random, sporadically injured, and killed while completing mundane activities in their day-to-day routine. As the shootings continued to unfold, people within the D.C. communities were paralyzed with fear, too afraid to step outside and live their lives. With virtually no actionable leads, law enforcement was tasked with the difficult mission of hunting down the Beltway Snipers. Retired U.S. Marshal Bill Sorukas was the Chief Inspector within the Investigative Operations Division at the time of the attacks. He shares how he became involved in the Beltway Sniper case, the sensitivity of the investigation, and how he was able to track down the shooters.

Bill Sorukas spent 28 years with the United States Marshals Service, managing program areas among various branches. For his work with the Beltway Snipers investigation, Bill was given the National Association of Police Organizations' "Top Cop" award. Sorukas now works with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as a Project Alert Consultant. In his book, Chasing Evil: Pursuing Dangerous Criminals with the U.S. Marshals, Sorukas details various high-profile cases on which he worked.

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To everyone that knew her, Ashley Eiffert was a ray of sunshine in her hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. At 19 years old, Ashley was pregnant with her first child with her boyfriend at the time, Joe Hill. During one of her prenatal doctor's appointments, Ashley met a woman named Nicole Johnson. Nicole, who had just lost a child, offered to donate baby clothes and furniture to Ashley. Shortly after arriving at her house, Nicole claimed Ashley had gotten into an argument with Joe on the phone, and soon left to go to a gas station. 20 years later, Ashley's family is still looking for answers. Ashley Eiffert's cousin Madeline Ludwick discusses the details of Ashley's disappearance, her efforts to revive the investigation, and how Hurricane Katrina hindered the case's progress.

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The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club became the face of the rebellion against the status quo during the midpoint of the 20th century. Known for their leather jackets and Harley-Davidson-riding packs, the group developed notoriety for their involvement in various violent crimes, including drug trafficking, extortion, assault, and homicide. Becoming a member of the mysterious organization is a feat that's as difficult as it is dangerous. Retired ATF Special Agent Jay "Jaybird" Dobyns discusses his involvement in a two-year-long undercover operation to infiltrate Hells Angels, the dangers he faced during his assignment, and how he was able to bring justice by taking down some of the most dangerous members.

After conducting over 500 undercover investigations spanning over 20 years, Jay Dobyns retired from his career with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. For his bravery and service, Dobyns has been decorated with numerous awards, including the ATF Distinguished Service Medal for Outstanding Investigative Accomplishment, the International Narcotics Officers Association Medal of Valor, the National Association of Police Officers "Top Cop" Award, and the U.S. Attorney General's Medal of Valor. In his best-selling book, No Angel, My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels, Dobyns details his treacherous mission of infiltrating Hells Angels.

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