The Guilty Files

In this gripping episode of The Guilty Files: Uncovered, Brian unpacks the chilling story of Jeremy Bryan Jones—a charismatic drifter who used charm, stolen identities, and the cracks in the system to hide in plain sight across the American South. For over a decade, Jones drifted from state to state under the name John Paul Chapman, manipulating those around him, passing background checks, and leaving behind a trail of violence that went undetected for far too long.

But in September 2004, a natural disaster set in motion a series of events that would finally expose the predator beneath the persona.As Hurricane Ivan barreled into Alabama, Jeremy Jones found shelter with the Bentley family—strangers who offered him a place to stay during the storm. Just days later, in the quiet rural community of Turnerville, 45-year-old Lisa Marie Nichols was dead. A beloved mother and community member, Lisa had no idea the man knocking on her door that day was a killer. What followed was a tragic encounter that shocked the community and led to Jones’s arrest—but that was just the beginning.

The story takes a bizarre turn when Jones, just days after the murder, called police himself. Casually chatting about the weather, he confessed to killing a woman, leading investigators to keep him on the line long enough to locate and arrest him at a Mobile bus station. Once in custody, Jones began confessing to a staggering number of crimes—twenty-one murders across five states, including the infamous Freeman family killings in Oklahoma and the murder of Tina Mayberry in Georgia. But the shocking wave of admissions soon gave way to confusion and frustration, as Jones began recanting his claims one by one.

He would later admit to fabricating many of the stories to earn better food and phone privileges in jail, leaving behind a tangled mess for investigators and desperate families trying to find the truth.The case revealed just how vulnerable systems were at the time. Jones had managed to use a stolen identity for years, slipping through the cracks of disconnected databases and outdated protocols. A fingerprint on a beer can at the crime scene, DNA evidence linking him to Lisa’s murder, and bloodstains on his clothing painted a clear picture.

 But the ease with which he moved through communities—passing background checks and gaining people’s trust—was a wake-up call for law enforcement nationwide.The courtroom saw swift justice. In October 2005, Jones was tried and found guilty on all counts, including capital murder, rape, burglary, sexual abuse, and kidnapping. The jury voted 10-2 in favor of the death penalty, and he was sentenced to die by lethal injection. His appeals have been denied, and he remains on death row at Holman Correctional Facility in Alabama.

For Lisa’s family, the trial brought some measure of closure, but for the loved ones of other victims Jones claimed responsibility for, the aftermath was far murkier. Many were left in limbo, unsure if their grief had been exploited by a man who treated life and death like a game.

The Bentley family, who had welcomed Jones into their home during the hurricane, struggled with the deep betrayal of having unknowingly harbored a killer. And the small town of Turnerville would never be the same again.This case isn’t just about one murder—it’s about the broader dangers posed by predators who exploit trust, the phenomenon of false confessions in serial crime cases, and how the systems we rely on can fail in devastating ways. It also highlights how moments of chaos, like natural disasters, can create openings for the most dangerous individuals to do the most harm.

In this episode, Brian unravels the layers of deception, examines the legal and investigative missteps, and reflects on the long shadow Jones cast over the victims, their families, and the communities left reeling in his wake.

 Listener discretion is advised, as the episode includes explicit details of sexual violence, homicide, and disturbing crime scenes. This is a story that forces us to look closely at the dark corners of human behavior—and the systems we trust to keep us safe.

Tune in to The Guilty Files: Uncovered for the full story.

If you’re drawn to real criminal investigations, cold cases, and the details that don’t always make it into the official report, make sure you’re following The Guilty Files wherever you listen.

Turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode — because each case unfolds in two parts, and the truth is rarely found in just one.If you value careful analysis, real law enforcement insight, and true crime without the sensationalism, consider leaving a five-star rating and written review.

It helps more than you know and allows us to keep bringing these case files to light.

Until next time —The facts matter.
The details matter.
And the truth is often redacted.

In this week's Revisited episode, Brian and Dani pull no punches as they dive into the chilling case of Gary Michael Hilton—the so-called “National Forest Serial Killer.” With his string of murders stretching across state lines and spanning years, Hilton’s case exposes glaring gaps in communication between law enforcement jurisdictions and raises disturbing questions about how someone so unstable could fly under the radar for so long.

Brian brings a procedural breakdown of the timeline, the forensic fumbles, and the legal aftermath, while Dani takes us deep into the psychological shadows—unpacking Hilton’s erratic behaviors, emotional detachment, and obsession with control. The banter is sharp, the insights are real, and the stakes? As high as the Appalachian peaks Hilton once stalked.And because we’re nothing if not ride-or-die for our listeners, we’ve got something special for you at the end of this week’s episode.

Stick around all the way to the end because we’re dropping all three of our subscriber-only bonus segments right here in this very episode as a thank you for powering through our scheduling hiccups this week. You’ll hear The Redacted Report, where Brian exposes the lesser-known files and nearly buried truths.

Then it’s Inside The Mind, where Dani takes you on a psychological deep-dive into what really drives a killer like Hilton.

And finally, Behind The Badge, where both hosts throw off the gloves for an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like navigating cases like this from inside the system.

This is your one-time sneak peek into the bonus content we drop every week for subscribers. If you want more—more insights, more access, and more of The Guilty Files—click the link right here in the show notes to join us on Patreon, or if you’re listening on Apple Podcasts, hit that subscribe button to become a Guilty Files Detective. With either subscription, you’ll get early access to every episode, ad-free listening, and all three exclusive bonus segments for every single case.Thanks for sticking with us. Now buckle up—because this one gets dark.

Become A Detective

If you’re drawn to real criminal investigations, cold cases, and the details that don’t always make it into the official report, make sure you’re following The Guilty Files wherever you listen.

Turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode — because each case unfolds in two parts, and the truth is rarely found in just one.If you value careful analysis, real law enforcement insight, and true crime without the sensationalism, consider leaving a five-star rating and written review.

It helps more than you know and allows us to keep bringing these case files to light.

Until next time —The facts matter.
The details matter.
And the truth is often redacted.

In this emotionally charged episode of The Guilty Files: Revisited, Brian and Dani take on one of the most haunting and high-profile true crime cases of the last decade: the disappearance and murder of Gabby Petito.From the outside, Gabby’s story looked like a dream life shared through van-life vlogs and Instagram-perfect snapshots. But as Brian and Dani dig deeper into the case file, they expose the far more disturbing truth beneath the curated lens of social media.

What begins as a chronological walk-through of Gabby and Brian Laundrie’s cross-country trip quickly turns into a sobering examination of the red flags, missed intervention opportunities, and systemic failures that paved the way to tragedy.Brian brings his procedural lens to the infamous Moab police stop, offering a critical look at how law enforcement misread clear signs of domestic violence—and how that single decision might have changed the entire outcome.

 Dani, on the other hand, peels back the psychological layers of coercive control and emotional abuse, showing just how often the warning signs are hidden in plain sight, if only we’re willing to look.Together, they reflect on the media frenzy that surrounded the case—how internet sleuths, true crime TikTok, and mainstream outlets turned Gabby’s disappearance into a national obsession. They ask hard questions about who gets attention when they go missing, and who’s left in silence.

This episode isn’t just about Gabby’s death—it’s about the systems that failed her, the warning signs society ignores, and the echo chamber that sometimes does more harm than good. It’s about what it means to truly see someone who’s crying out for help in all the ways she can, without ever raising her voice.For Brian, it’s a case that exemplifies everything wrong with how we handle domestic calls in the field. For Dani, it’s a devastating reminder of how normalized emotional abuse has become, and how easily it gets dismissed until it’s too late. Listeners are reminded that this episode contains sensitive content, including discussion of domestic violence and intimate partner homicide.

Stay until the end for an exclusive teaser of the Behind the Badge bonus segment on Patreon, where Brian and Dani share their own personal stories of domestic calls that still haunt them to this day.

If you’re drawn to real criminal investigations, cold cases, and the details that don’t always make it into the official report, make sure you’re following The Guilty Files wherever you listen.

Turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode — because each case unfolds in two parts, and the truth is rarely found in just one.If you value careful analysis, real law enforcement insight, and true crime without the sensationalism, consider leaving a five-star rating and written review.

It helps more than you know and allows us to keep bringing these case files to light.

Until next time —The facts matter.
The details matter.
And the truth is often redacted.

This week on The Guilty Files, things look a little different—but don’t worry, we haven’t lost the plot (just maybe our minds). In this raw and unfiltered bonus episode, Brian and Dani pull back the curtain and get real about the chaos, curveballs, and caffeine it takes to keep this podcast alive. With life throwing punches and production delays piling up, they’re hitting pause on the usual case deep dives to share a heartfelt update, a few behind-the-scenes laughs, and some truly wild stories from their past lives in law enforcement.

From Dani’s unforgettable origin story as “Door Slam Dani” to Brian’s ride-along from hell featuring the mayor’s nephew, Yeezys, and an Instagram livestream gone horribly wrong, this episode is equal parts vulnerable and unhinged. It's also a love letter to the people who keep showing up—the listeners who’ve become part of the foundation as The Guilty Files grows brick by brick into something big. You’ll also hear how the team juggles not one, but three major shows (including Sasquatch Odyssey and Disturbing History), and what it really takes to run a studio while still showing up to tell the stories that matter. 

Listen To Disturbing History

Listen To Sasquatch Odyssey

Listen To Backwoods Bigfoot Stories

Plus, Brian and Dani lay out the updated release schedule and give a shout-out to the episodes you’ve been waiting for: the Gabby Petito and Gary Hilton deep dives, both landing this week.It’s honest. It’s chaotic. It’s real. And it’s a reminder that sometimes the best episodes are the ones where we show up not with all the answers, but with the truth—and a few disaster stories for good measure.Tune in, laugh with us, groan with us, and remember: we’re all just doing our best. The case files are still coming. But today? We’re letting it breathe.

If you’re drawn to real criminal investigations, cold cases, and the details that don’t always make it into the official report, make sure you’re following The Guilty Files wherever you listen.

Turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode — because each case unfolds in two parts, and the truth is rarely found in just one.If you value careful analysis, real law enforcement insight, and true crime without the sensationalism, consider leaving a five-star rating and written review.

It helps more than you know and allows us to keep bringing these case files to light.

Until next time —The facts matter.
The details matter.
And the truth is often redacted.

What makes a man vanish into the woods—only to return as a predator? In this week's ReWired, Dani ventures into the haunted trailheads of the human psyche to unpack the chilling case of Gary Michael Hilton, a drifter-turned-serial killer whose victims were hikers, wanderers, and lovers of the wild. But this isn’t just a rehash of his crimes—it’s an excavation. We peel back the camouflage of Hilton’s mind to explore:

• Why the wilderness became both his refuge and his hunting ground
• How psychological detachment and transient identity fueled his violence
• Whether a different intervention—or system—might have stopped him
• And the deeply unsettling question: was Hilton always a killer-in-waiting, or was he shaped by what we overlooked?

Dani dissects the justice system’s blind spots, the human cost of being ignored or misidentified, and the terrifying allure of the wilderness when survival turns sinister. This isn’t just about murder in the mountains—it’s about the cracks in society where monsters take root.✨

 Plus, an unforgettable personal story from Dani’s time in law enforcement—a haunting case that still lingers unsolved, echoing the same bystander indifference and missed chances.

🎙️ Stick around for the wrap-up where Dani recaps the layers of this psychological deep dive and teases what’s next: a no-holds-barred co-hosted finale with Brian on The Guilty Files: ReVisited, where everything you thought you knew about this case gets turned inside out.

If you’re drawn to real criminal investigations, cold cases, and the details that don’t always make it into the official report, make sure you’re following The Guilty Files wherever you listen.

Turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode — because each case unfolds in two parts, and the truth is rarely found in just one.If you value careful analysis, real law enforcement insight, and true crime without the sensationalism, consider leaving a five-star rating and written review.

It helps more than you know and allows us to keep bringing these case files to light.

Until next time —The facts matter.
The details matter.
And the truth is often redacted.

In this episode of The Guilty Files: Uncovered, Brian pulls back the curtain on one of the most chilling and calculated serial killers to ever stalk America’s wilderness—Gary Michael Hilton.Known as “The National Forest Killer,” Hilton used the vast, unguarded expanses of America's public lands as his personal hunting ground. Between 2007 and 2008, Hilton committed a series of brutal murders across Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida, targeting hikers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts who thought they were safe in nature’s solitude.

Brian walks listeners through Hilton’s disturbing background, unraveling how a drifter with a manipulative charm and a long history of mental instability evolved into a predator who eluded capture for far too long. From the disappearance and beheading of 24-year-old Meredith Emerson in the North Georgia mountains, to the murders of John and Irene Bryant on a remote trail in North Carolina, and the horrifying fate of Sunday school teacher Cheryl Dunlap in Florida, this case is as horrifying as it is haunting.

This episode also examines the multi-jurisdictional manhunt, the forensic missteps, and the red flags missed by authorities over the years. Brian takes a methodical and investigative approach, analyzing Hilton’s patterns, his use of national forests to evade detection, and the terrifying reality that these killings weren’t just crimes of opportunity—they were calculated acts by a killer who knew how to blend into the backwoods like a ghost.

But there’s more to this case than the murders themselves. Brian also digs into the psychology of a man who weaponized loneliness, manipulated trust, and left a trail of trauma stretching across the southeastern United States. If you think the wilderness is peaceful, this story will make you think twice. 

Listener discretion is strongly advised. The episode contains details of violent crimes and disturbing behavior that may not be suitable for all audiences. Be sure to follow and subscribe to The Guilty Files wherever you get your podcasts. 

For bonus segments, behind-the-scenes content, and deeper dives into the case, join us on Patreon. And as always—stay curious, question everything, and never trust a closed case.

If you’re drawn to real criminal investigations, cold cases, and the details that don’t always make it into the official report, make sure you’re following The Guilty Files wherever you listen.

Turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode — because each case unfolds in two parts, and the truth is rarely found in just one.If you value careful analysis, real law enforcement insight, and true crime without the sensationalism, consider leaving a five-star rating and written review.

It helps more than you know and allows us to keep bringing these case files to light.

Until next time —The facts matter.
The details matter.
And the truth is often redacted.

Just a quick heads-up: this week’s Revisited episode on the Gabby Petito case is delayed — Dani’s feeling under the weather and couldn’t join for the recording. We’re giving him time to rest and bounce back, and we’ll drop the episode as soon as he’s back in action.

In the meantime, help us out by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts, dropping a five-star rating on Spotify, and turning on auto-downloads wherever you listen.

That way, the episode will be waiting for you the moment it goes live.

Thanks for your patience — and as always, stay curious, never trust a closed file, and keep those alibis tight.

If you’re drawn to real criminal investigations, cold cases, and the details that don’t always make it into the official report, make sure you’re following The Guilty Files wherever you listen.

Turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode — because each case unfolds in two parts, and the truth is rarely found in just one.If you value careful analysis, real law enforcement insight, and true crime without the sensationalism, consider leaving a five-star rating and written review.

It helps more than you know and allows us to keep bringing these case files to light.

Until next time —The facts matter.
The details matter.
And the truth is often redacted.

In this Rewired episode, Dani peels back the layers of one of the most haunting and highly publicized true crime cases of our time — the murder of Gabby Petito. The story was everywhere. Viral hashtags. 24-hour news cycles. Social media sleuths dissecting every second of footage. But behind the public obsession lies a deeply human story of control, power imbalance, emotional abuse, and the dangerous dynamics that often hide in plain sight. Dani takes us beyond the headlines and police reports, unpacking the psychological threads woven into Gabby and Brian’s relationship. 


From the disturbing behaviors captured on bodycam footage to the toxic patterns of coercive control, Dani explores the unsettling psychology that often fuels intimate partner violence — and how society sometimes misses the red flags until it’s too late. We examine the role of parasocial relationships, the true crime media machine, and the uncomfortable reality of how some victims are elevated while others remain invisible. Why did this case capture the public imagination so powerfully? What does it reveal about our collective fascination with tragedy? 

And how can we better recognize the early warning signs that may save lives? This is not just a retelling.

This is a rewiring — challenging you to see the Gabby Petito case through a different lens.

Listener discretion is advised.

If you’re drawn to real criminal investigations, cold cases, and the details that don’t always make it into the official report, make sure you’re following The Guilty Files wherever you listen.

Turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode — because each case unfolds in two parts, and the truth is rarely found in just one.If you value careful analysis, real law enforcement insight, and true crime without the sensationalism, consider leaving a five-star rating and written review.

It helps more than you know and allows us to keep bringing these case files to light.

Until next time —The facts matter.
The details matter.
And the truth is often redacted.

In this episode, Brian takes you inside one of the most heartbreaking and widely followed true crime cases of the last decade — the murder of Gabby Petito. What began as a young couple’s dream road trip across America spiraled into a national media firestorm, ending with tragedy, unanswered questions, and a haunting search for justice.

Brian strips away the headlines and viral headlines to walk through the factual timeline: the cross-country van life adventure, the disturbing police bodycam footage from Moab, Utah, the troubling behavioral red flags from Brian Laundrie, and the frantic search that captivated millions. He examines the investigation step-by-step, from the missing person report to the grim discovery of Gabby's remains in Grand Teton National Park, to the subsequent manhunt for Laundrie that ultimately ended with his suicide.

While the media cycle often sensationalized the story, The Guilty Files: Uncovered focuses on the hard facts, the official reports, the autopsy findings, and the investigative decisions that shaped this case. Brian applies his law enforcement experience to analyze key moments that could have shifted the outcome, and highlights the painful realities of domestic violence, public scrutiny, and law enforcement limitations that still fuel debate today.

This is the real story behind the headlines — told with clarity, respect, and an unflinching look at the human dynamics that turned a young couple’s social media dream into a national tragedy.

If you’re drawn to real criminal investigations, cold cases, and the details that don’t always make it into the official report, make sure you’re following The Guilty Files wherever you listen.

Turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode — because each case unfolds in two parts, and the truth is rarely found in just one.If you value careful analysis, real law enforcement insight, and true crime without the sensationalism, consider leaving a five-star rating and written review.

It helps more than you know and allows us to keep bringing these case files to light.

Until next time —The facts matter.
The details matter.
And the truth is often redacted.

In this episode of The Guilty Files: Revisited, Brian and Dani pull back the heavy velvet curtain on one of the South's most chilling and misunderstood cases: The Corpsewood Manor Murders.Set deep in the remote woods of Georgia, the brutal killings of Dr. Charles Scudder and Joseph Odom in 1982 were far more than a simple robbery gone wrong.

Brian uses his law enforcement and investigative background to walk us through the crime scene, the suspects, and the tragic chain of events that led two killers to this secluded sanctuary. Meanwhile, Dani peels back the layers of fear, rumor, and societal judgment that surrounded Corpsewood Manor—examining the cultural anxieties of the Bible Belt, homophobia, Satanic Panic, and the dangerous intersection of isolation and rumor-fueled hysteria.

Together, they explore the media myths, police missteps, and moral panic that still linger around this case, asking hard questions about justice, bias, and the way small-town narratives can distort the truth. Was Corpsewood a true den of evil as some claimed? Or were Scudder and Odom simply unconventional victims in a deeply intolerant time?It’s a case filled with shocking details, cultural complexities, and moral gray areas—and one that hits very close to home for Brian in more ways than one.

If you’re drawn to real criminal investigations, cold cases, and the details that don’t always make it into the official report, make sure you’re following The Guilty Files wherever you listen.

Turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode — because each case unfolds in two parts, and the truth is rarely found in just one.If you value careful analysis, real law enforcement insight, and true crime without the sensationalism, consider leaving a five-star rating and written review.

It helps more than you know and allows us to keep bringing these case files to light.

Until next time —The facts matter.
The details matter.
And the truth is often redacted.