The Pandemonium Witches: Murders, Mystery, and Mayhem

Three young girls, three different towns in Northern California - and one monstrous thread tying their stories together: Curtis Dean Anderson.

In 1988, 7-year-old Amber vanished without a trace.

In 1999, 7-year-old Xiana disappeared on her way to school.

But in 2000, 8-year-old Midsi Sanchez was abducted - and did the unthinkable: she escaped.

Her bravery cracked open a horrifying pattern and helped expose Anderson for what he was - a manipulative predator hiding in plain sight.

Join Cat and Rachel as they piece together the chilling timeline of a serial child abductor who thrived in the gaps of a broken system.

This episode is a tribute to the lost, the survived, and the truths that finally came to light.

If you or someone you know needs to reach out to someone when you can't find your way out of the dark, DL the WhiteFlagApp or reach out to someone by texting 988 - or going to https://www.samhsa.gov/

Remember: You are not alone. It's important to seek help early and to be patient and understanding with yourself and others.

Mental health is a journey, and it's okay to ask for support

Links We Used:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidnapping_of_Amber_Swartz-Garcia
• https://www.fbi.gov/sanfrancisco/press-releases/2013/fbi-seeks-publics-help-in-identifying-alleged-victims-of-convicted-killer
• https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/curtis-dean-anderson
• https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/fbi-asks-public-to-help-identify-victims-of-vallejo-serial-killerr/2051372/
• https://www.mercurynews.com/2009/07/06/pinole-police-curtis-dean-anderson-killed-amber-swartz-garcia/
• http://marinij.com/2012/08/13/now-a-missing-child-advocate-vallejos-midsi-sanchez-defied-all-the-odds-and-helped-take-down-a-monster/
• https://abc7.com/archive/6902134/
• https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2009/07/07/convicted-child-killer-told-police-he-took-life-of-pinole-girl/
• https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/missing-8-year-old-girl-from-vallejo-defies-all-odds-now-24-finds-purpose-in-life
• https://www.reddit.com/r/gratefuldoe/comments/1at5xfh/curtis_dean_andersons_unknown_victims/
• https://www.thereporter.com/2013/04/16/help-sought-to-id-other-potential-victims-of-curtis-dean-anderson/
• https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/ip/andersoncd.pdf/view
• https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/videos/episode-194-serial-predator-curtis-dean-anderson-part-3/
• https://www.instagram.com/p/C53VTVnMJ-H/
• https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/videos/episode-193-serial-predator-curtis-dean-anderson-part-2/
• https://www.parentsformeganslaw.org/curtis-dean-anderson-convicted-kidnapper-and-murderer-may-have-killed-others-says-fbi-2/
• https://www.alamy.com/curtis-dean-anderson-appears-for-his-arraignment-in-a-san-jose-calif-courtroom-thursday-may-13-2004-on-charges-he-killed-7-year-old-xiana-fairchild-anderson-43-who-was-represented-by-a-public-defender-did-not-enter-a-plea-on-the-murder-kidnapping-and-molestation-charges-against-him-xiana-disappeared-in-december-1999-and-her-fate-remained-a-mystery-until-her-skull-was-discovered-more-than-a-year-later-a-santa-clara-county-judge-pleaded-not-guilty-on-behalf-of-anderson-who-refused-to-enter-a-plea-in-a-san-jose-calif-courtroom-thursday-oct-14-2004-ap-photopaul-sakuma-image542737396.html
• https://www.houstonchronicle.com/crime/article/Son-of-notorious-kidnap-killer-Curtis-Dean-13553578.php
• https://www.smdailyjournal.com/news/bay_area/volunteers-react-to-finding-xianas-remains/article_d44f82c2-f743-5e37-adce-e5f0a10837b7.html
• https://www.jiosaavn.com/shows/i-survived-escaping-a-serial-killer-after-being-kidnapped-at-8-years-old.-meet-midsi-sanchez/yIWcAj5-zgs_

In this short but chilling episode, we dive into the brutal 1959 murders of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas - a case that shocked the nation and inspired Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood.

What began as an ordinary November day ended in a senseless tragedy that forever changed small-town America.

Join Rachel and Cat as we explore the crime, the killers, and the legacy of one of the most infamous family murders in U.S. history - all in under 40 minutes.

She was just 7 years old, riding her bike in her New Jersey neighborhood, when she had disappeared. Megan Kanka’s murder in 1994 shocked the nation - not just because of its brutality, but because her killer was a previously convicted sex offender living right across the street - and no one knew.

In this episode, Cat and Rachel dive into the heartbreaking case of Megan Kanka and how her death led to sweeping legal reform: Megan’s Law, a policy that forced states to make information about registered sex offenders publicly accessible. But has it worked? And what are the lasting impacts - both good and controversial?

In this twisted tale of small-town secrets and devastating betrayal, we dive into the brutal 1982 murders of Annette Cooper and Todd Schultz in Logan, Ohio - a case that shook the community and left more questions than answers.

Convicted killers Dale Johnston and Chester McKnight each claimed their own versions of the truth - but what really happened in those cornfields? Why does this story hit so close to home for us?

Rachel shares a jaw-dropping personal connection: her own father knew Todd Schultz - and might have crossed paths with the possible killer.

Was justice ever truly served, or is the real killer still out there, hiding in plain sight?

This one is personal, eerie, and absolutely unmissable.

Listen with Rachel, Cat, and Emilie as they untangle a web of lies, lost justice, and lingering questions in a case where the truth may still be buried.

Links We Used for Dale Johnson, Chester McKnight, Annette Cooper, Todd Schultz :

• https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=3798#:~:text=On%20October%204%2C%201982%2C%2018,Hocking%20River%20in%20West%20Logan.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murders_of_Annette_Cooper_and_Todd_Schultz
• https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2008/09/11/suspects-arraigned-in-1982-murder/24106870007/
• https://www.logandaily.com/news/interview-with-an-admitted-killer/article_5a24e8a3-98c4-54ee-83ca-35812a923ac0.html
• https://www.athensmessenger.com/news/logan-man-sentenced-in-1982-double-murder/article_77f06bca-d1a7-552e-83fa-6ac880893b2e.html
• https://www.10tv.com/article/news/crime/crime-tracker/wrongfully-convicted-man-works-clear-name-1982-double-murder/530-2d2309cf-41fa-4d3c-8f44-a9dd2acc0666
• https://www.perrytribune.com/news/brothers-of-murdered-victim-speak-out/article_d3f082bb-1d5b-5c07-a39e-fd2b8d911861.html
• https://www.witnesstoinnocence.org/single-post/dale-johnston
• https://www.oxygen.com/buried-in-the-backyard/season-2/episode-1/videos/buried-in-the-backyard-annette-cooper-and-todd
• https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/entertainment/human-interest/2017/09/20/delayed-justice-dale-johnston-case/6292266007/

Blanche Taylor Moore was the Southern belle with a deadly secret - she didn’t just serve sweet tea, she served murder.

In this episode, Rachel and Cat sip their way through the twisted true story of a charming church-going woman who left a trail of poisoned lovers, husbands, and maybe even a preacher or two in her wake.

How did Blanche get away with it for so long?

What finally exposed her fatal formula?

And how many people really took their last sip at her hand?

Cat, Rachel, and Em are heading into the fog-drenched streets of Victorian London to dig into one of the most chilling unsolved cases in history: Jack the Ripper.

A string of brutal crimes, eerie letters, and a suspect list packed with royals, doctors, and total wildcards - this mystery has it all.

We’re breaking down the clues, the chaos, and the legacy of a shadowy figure who disappeared without a trace.

Expect sharp takes, twisted theories, and more than a few “what the actual feck” moments as we ask: who was Jack the Ripper, and how did he just vanish?

Lock your doors and light the lamps - this one’s a wild ride.

Links We Used - Jack The Ripper:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_the_Ripper
• https://www.jack-the-ripper.org/
• https://nypost.com/2025/02/15/world-news/jack-the-rippers-identity-revealed-after-dna-breakthrough-historian/
• https://www.science.org/content/article/does-new-genetic-analysis-finally-reveal-identity-jack-ripper
• https://www.txst.edu/gii/projects/jack-the-ripper.html
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/ripper_jack_the.shtml
• https://www.casebook.org/
• https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/we-may-finally-know-the-true-identity-of-jack-the-ripper-after-137-years-of-mystery/news-story/14f22046597546a64113567752d972c9

This week, Rachel, Cat, and Em dive axe-first into one of America's most infamous murder cases - the story of Elizabeth “Lizzie” Andrew Borden.

Accused of brutally murdering her father and stepmother in 1892, Lizzie was tried and acquitted… but the mystery (and the ghost stories) never died.

Join us as we hack into the twisted timeline of events, the scandalous trial, and the legacy Lizzie left behind - including a house that’s reportedly just as haunted as her reputation.

Expect Victorian repression, questionable alibis, spectral sightings, and the occasional unhinged theory from Cat. (Spoiler: the ghost is NOT more polite than the living.)

Was Lizzie a cold-blooded killer, a misunderstood daughter, or just a victim of the patriarchy and poor press?

Tune in for a paranormal-packed, true crime romp through Fall River’s darkest legend.

Links We Used - Lizzie Borden:

• https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-stories/the-lizzie-borden-house/#:~:text=The%20Lizzie%20Borden%20house%20is%20haunted%20by%20the%20spirits%20of,out%20in%20tribute%20to%20him.%20
• https://www.countryliving.com/life/travel/a45140/what-its-like-to-stay-lizzie-borden-house/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizzie_Borden%20
• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lizzie-Borden-American-murder-suspect%20
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-lizzie-borden-got-away-with-murder-180972707/%20%20
• https://westbranch.blogs.bucknell.edu/juliana-gray/09/2023/%20
• https://famous-trials.com/lizzieborden/1437-home

This week, it’s just your favorite witches, Cat and Rachel, flying full-speed into the most chilling true crime rabbit hole we've ever fallen into. A viral Facebook post from Mendocino County has ignited whispers, gasps, and full-blown Zodiac Killer theories - because one woman claims her own father is not only a mass un-aliver, but possibly the infamous Zodiac.

Dr. Jon Charles Trefil, a retired psychiatrist who is now living in a care facility, is at the center of this wild and terrifying storm. His daughter, Galina, has spent years trying to get law enforcement to take her seriously, and now the internet has joined in on the investigation.

From possible murder weapon handoffs to buried bodies in Mendocino forests, to eerie overlaps with the Zodiac's known crimes, we're laying it all out in the open.

We’re talking alleged confessions, law enforcement standstills, and a potential body count that spans decades and continents. Oh, and don’t worry - we’re also digging into the Zodiac case itself, comparing timelines, handwriting, and vibes. Because of course we are.

If you’ve ever wondered if the Zodiac Killer was your creepy neighbor… buckle up. This one’s messy, haunting, and full of twisted family secrets. True crime, possible possession, and a hefty sprinkle of chaos - just how we like it.

Links we used - John Trefil/TheZodiacKiller:

• https://www.lakeconews.com/news/81096-authorities-respond-to-social-media-posts-alleging-serial-killer-activity-on-north-coast
• https://mendovoice.com/2025/03/sheriff-addresses-viral-social-media-post-accusing-local-man-of-being-serial-killer/
• https://www.times-standard.com/2025/03/17/alleged-serial-killer-investigated-in-mendocino-county/
• https://www.kzyx.org/2025-03-17/daughter-says-retired-psychiatrist-is-serial-killer
• https://sfist.com/2025/03/16/mendocino-woman-claims-her-father-is-a-serial-killer-fbi-wont-pursue-case/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueCrimeMystery/comments/1jbafhi/dr_jon_charles_trefil_is_the_zodiac_killer/?rdt=65458
• https://www2.mbc.ca.gov/BreezePDL/document.aspx?path=%5CDIDOCS%5C20030225%5CDMRA1%5C&did=A1GZXSBB.DID
• https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/03/i-reached-out-to-mendocino-sheriff-matt.html
• https://kymkemp.com/2025/03/17/mendocino-county-sheriffs-office-responds-to-claims-of-serial-killer-allegations-from-local-woman/
• https://www.biography.com/crime/zodiac-killer
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac_Killer
• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Zodiac-killer
• https://ccjs.umd.edu/feature/umd-forensic-expert-team-might-have-identified-%E2%80%98zodiac%E2%80%99-serial-killer
• https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/mystery-zodiac-killer-documentary-20145089.php
• https://www.reddit.com/r/ZodiacKiller/

The Pandemonium team is back, and this time, we’re diving into one of the most chilling and frustrating unsolved murders caught on camera.

What do you get when you mix a Star Wars-loving, Harry Potter-obsessed woman, a mysterious hooded figure, and a brazen execution in broad daylight? You get the case of Elizabeth Barraza - a crime that is as senseless as it is terrifying.

Join Cat and Rachel as they break down the haunting final moments of Elizabeth’s life: a normal morning in her Texas driveway, setting up for a garage sale, until a hooded figure approaches, speaks to her briefly, and then - without warning - opens fire.

Who was the killer?

Why did they seem so calm and calculated?

How the hell has no one been arrested, despite the crime being caught on video?

We’re talking mystery cars, eerie coincidences, a still-grieving husband, and a motive that just doesn’t add up. Buckle up, because this case will have you double-checking your security cameras and side-eyeing every hooded figure in sight.

Links We Used - Elizabeth Barraza:

• https://www.whokilledlizbarraza.com/
• https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/tomball-texas-elizabeth-barraza-death-garage-sale/285-6c1cae40-d262-4d2e-bc7a-21ccfb300efe
• https://abc13.com/elizabeth-barraza-shot-and-killed-tomball-garage-sale-murder-who-murdered-husband-of-liz/14354199/
• https://abc13.com/elizabeth-barraza-shot-and-killed-tomball-garage-sale-murder-who-murdered-husband-of/14152888/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/LizBarraza/comments/19f0cch/what_we_know_so_far/
• https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/01/27/memorial-planned-for-tomball-woman-killed-in-unsolved-garage-sale-shooting/
• https://people.com/crime/police-seek-clues-garage-sale-shooting/
• https://www.fox26houston.com/news/elizabeth-liz-barraza-muder-shooting-tomball-garage-sale-2025-update
• https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2023/12/07/nearly-5-years-later-and-no-suspect-a-timeline-of-the-tomball-woman-killed-while-setting-up-for-garage-sale/
• https://open.spotify.com/episode/78ApYqad6JDaoIOjEAFsy5?si=_vi4nQUvTpK72EvuT0ou8g&nd=1&dlsi=b08aca2bcf7740a2

The Pandemonium team is back, and this time, we’re talking about one of history’s OG black widows - a sweet little lady who loved taking care of the elderly… right up until they mysteriously dropped dead.

Amy Archer-Gilligan ran a cozy little "rest home" in Connecticut, where the elderly could live out their golden years in peace. The only problem? They didn’t last long.

With an alarming number of residents dying suspiciously fast (and right after signing over their life savings), people started asking questions - like why Amy was buying arsenic by the bucket.

Join Rachel, Cat, and Em as they dive into this twisted tale of poison, greed, and one seriously shady business model.

Did Amy love money more than morals?

How did she manage to keep the bodies piling up for years without getting caught?

How did her crimes inspire one of Broadway’s most famous dark comedies?

Warning: If you have a grandma who loves baking and mysteriously mentions life insurance, you may want to double-check that tea she just poured you.