***Special Programming Note: For the months of June, July and August we will be moving to a bi-weekly release schedule. Your next episode will be out on June 25, 2018 and then biweekly for the rest of the summer.. In September we will be back to weekly episodes! This is to ensure our kids have great summers and don’t grow up to become psychopaths with Mommy issues. Thanks for understanding!***
This week we discuss a case so crazy, Marky Mark Wahlberg helped star in a movie about it. Buckle up for this story of the Sun Gym Gang where truth is way crazier than fiction.
If you’d like to support The Moms and get some fun perks, you can check out our Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/momsandmurderpodcast. We have some bonus episodes as well as stickers, mugs, and more!
As always, you can find us on Twitter, Instagram, and on our website at http://momsandmurder.com. Make sure you subscribe and rate our show to help others find us!
We updated our merch store, you can find that at momsandmurder.threadless.com!

Connect with us on social media at:
 Facebook.com/MomsAndRedRum
Instagram: @MomsAndMurder
 Twitter.com/MomsAndMurder



https://caselaw.findlaw.com/fl-supreme-court/1379043.html
 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10263530/Pain-and-Gain-the-true-story.html
 http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1998-02-25/news/9802250129_1_prosecutors-accounts-gail-levine
 http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/pain-and-gain-where-the-real-life-sun-gym-gang-characters-are-now-6391577
 http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article174659956.html
http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/pain-and-gain.php
 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/muscle-and-mayhem-the-real-life-story-behind-miamis-murderous-sun-gym-gang/
 
         
         
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Sun Gym Gang

Moms and Mysteries is a true crime podcast hosted by Mandy and Melissa, two friends who deep dive into a new case each week. Conversational in tone and heavy on the levity, you’ll enjoy their original takes on both the well-known, and those lesser heard of true crime stories.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

True crime

In July 2022, Strongsville, Ohio police responded to a car crash where three occupants, including Mackenzie Shirilla, Dominic Russo, and Davion Flanagan, were found. Tragically, Dominic and Davion were pronounced dead at the scene, while Mackenzie survived with critical injuries. Investigators soon shifted their focus from the accident being unintentional to the belief that Mackenzie purposefully crashed the car with the intention of killing both passengers.

Go Fund Me for Davion Flanagan's Scholarship Fund

Go Fund Me in Loving Memory of Dominic Russo

Thank you to this week’s sponsors!

Treat yourself to the best bras and shapewear on the market and save 20% Off at honeylove.com/moms20. Use our exclusive link to get 20% off - honeylove.com/moms20. 

Right now, Hungryroot is offering our listeners 40% off your first delivery and free veggies for life! Just go to Hungryroot.com/MOMS, to get 40% off your first delivery and free veggies for life! 

Help teach your kids about financial literacy with Greenlight! Sign up for Greenlight today and get your first month free at Greenlight.com/moms.. 

Elevate your hair wellness routine this year with Vegamour. For a limited time get twenty percent off your first subscription order by going to vegamour.com/moms and use code moms at check out. 

To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast. 

New merch! Check out Moms and Mysteries Threadless! You can also get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus merch and more at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast

Listen and subscribe to Melissa’s other podcast, Criminality!! It’s the podcast for those who love reality TV, true crime, and want to hear all the juicy stories where the two genres intersect. Subscribe and listen here: www.pod.link/criminality 

Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more!

Make sure you subscribe and rate our show to help others find us!
Sources:

https://appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch/Search/Details/W111780

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1kKlRJl57N4igmJfQ0GWt6YKaGXRFiLjG

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QP_WTQMrAcjKf4bW5VVrSQNsnBSzeFUj/view?usp=sharing


https://obits.cleveland.com/us/obituaries/cleveland/name/dominic-russo-obituary?id=36124708 

https://www.jardinefh.com/obituaries/Davion-Flanagan/#!/Obituary

https://www.gofundme.com/f/davion-flanagan

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hell-wheels-teen-killed-boyfriend-friend-crash-sentenced-15-years-life-rcna100928

https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-dominic-russo?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

https://lawandcrime.com/crime/teenager-could-walk-free-in-15-years-after-intentionally-driving-into-brick-wall-to-murder-her-boyfriend-and-another-man/

https://lawandcrime.com/crime/judge-convicts-teen-of-driving-into-brick-wall-on-purpose-in-order-to-murder-her-boyfriend-and-another-young-man/


Additional sources can be found at momsandmysteries.com. 


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Murders of Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan

Donna O’Steen was found stabbed to death in her home after failing to pick up her daughter from piano lessons. Many believe the investigation into her murder was overshadowed by the assassination of Thomas Wales, an Assistant U.S. Attorney, leading many to believe that authorities prioritized solving his murder over Donna’s, leaving both cases unsolved.

Thank you to this week’s sponsors!

Looking to get into shape, but don’t have much time? Check-out Total Gym! For an ADDITIONAL 20% off your order, head to TotalGymDirect.com/MOMS.
Get more from delivery, for less with DashPass: zero-dollar delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders. Sign up for DashPass today and get your first 30 days free if you’re a new member. Subject to change.
Indulge in affordable luxury! Go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. 

 Stop wasting money on things you don’t use. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions by going to RocketMoney.com/ MOMS.





To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast. 

New merch! Check out Moms and Mysteries Threadless! You can also get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus merch and more at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast


Listen and subscribe to Melissa’s other podcast, Criminality!! It’s the podcast for those who love reality TV, true crime, and want to hear all the juicy stories where the two genres intersect. Subscribe and listen here: www.pod.link/criminality 

Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more!

Make sure you subscribe and rate our show to help others find us!

Sources:

https://www.westsideseattle.com/ballard-news-tribune/2011/11/19/ten-years-later-donna-osteens-family-continues-look-answers

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Next-move-in-O-Steen-case-A-reward-1099931.php

https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20041106&slug=sketches06m

https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/Mother-found-slain-at-home-1071204.php

https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/Friend-s-slaying-seems-impossible-1072507.php

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/A-year-after-woman-s-murder-Sunset-Hill-still-1104748.php

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Can-anyone-help-connect-the-dots-in-Ballard-1158593.php

https://www.seattleweekly.com/news/murder-in-ballard/

https://www.seattleweekly.com/news/a-killing-in-the-neighborhood/

https://www.genealogybuff.com/wa/king/webbbs_config.pl/noframes/read/96

https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/thomas-crane-wales

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1031184016/?terms=donna%20o%27steen&match=1

https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/unsolved/murder-donna-osteen-inside-ballard-home-unsolved/281-f3cc2ca2-d86a-4dfe-a4ff-0c9d85eacdf8

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/broken-hearts-and-an-empty-home-1086708.php

https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20011110&slug=ballard10m_

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/20-years-after-unsolved-killing-of-federal-prosecutor-thomas-wales-in-seattle-details-emerge-about-the-fbis-theory/

https://www.milton.edu/milton-graduate-federal-prosecutor-victim-of-seattle-gun-man/

https://seattlemag.com/who-killed-tom-wales/

https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/thomas-crane-wales


https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/20-years-after-unsolved-killing-of-federal-prosecutor-thomas-wales-in-seattle-details-emerge-about-the-fbis-theory/ 


https://projects.seattletimes.com/2016/wales-timeline/ 


https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/seattle-federal-prosecutor-thomas-wales-was-possibly-killed-by-hired-gunman-fbi-official-says/ 



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Murder of Donna O'steen

Albert Johnson Walker, dubbed "The Rolex Killer," is a Canadian convict serving time for embezzlement and the murder of Ronald Platt. He notably did this by assuming aliases,  and even deceiving others into believing his daughter was his spouse.


Thank you to Anna Luria with your help in researching this episode!

Thank you to this week’s sponsors!

 Get 15% off a Skylight Frame at SkylightFrame.com/MYSTERIES. 

Lume’s Starter Pack is perfect for new customers.As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET 15% ALL Lume products with our exclusive code - and if you combine the 15% off with the already discounted starter pack, that equals over 40% off their Starter Pack! Use code MOMS for 15% off your first purchase at LumeDeodorant.com. 

Treat yourself to the best bras and shapewear on the market and save 20% Off at honeylove.com/moms20. After you purchase, they’ll ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them we sent you. Shape your life with Honeylove. 

Go to Zocdoc dot com slash MYSTERIES and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today.  That’s Zocdoc.com/mysteries.

To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast. 

New merch! Check out Moms and Mysteries Threadless! You can also get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus merch and more at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast


Listen and subscribe to Melissa’s other podcast, Criminality!! It’s the podcast for those who love reality TV, true crime, and want to hear all the juicy stories where the two genres intersect. Subscribe and listen here: www.pod.link/criminality 

Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more!

Make sure you subscribe and rate our show to help others find us!



Sources:

https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/1998/1998canlii14906/1998canlii14906.html?resultIndex=1&resultId=f1166d704fdb41f181a2faf6029ba65e&searchId=2024-03-10T15:39:21:852/af7095a1abc64780a9e24625766e3ce5&searchUrlHash=AAAAAQAVQWxiZXJ0IEpvaG5zb24gV2Fsa2VyAAAAAAE

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1012290821/?terms=%22Albert%20Johnson%20Walker%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1012599590/?terms=%22Albert%20Johnson%20Walker%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/979328251/?terms=%22Albert%20Johnson%20Walker%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/802775469/?terms=%22Albert%20Johnson%20Walker%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1012805886/?terms=%22Ronald%20Joseph%20Platt%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/465855387/?terms=%22Albert%20Johnson%20Walker%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/727340200/?terms=%22Ronald%20Joseph%20Platt%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/732064418/?terms=%22Ronald%20Joseph%20Platt%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/995096470/?terms=%22Ronald%20Joseph%20Platt%22&match=1


The remaining sources can be found at momsandmysteries.com. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Murder of Ronald Platt

In 2017, Sara Starr, a beloved teacher in Coffee County, Alabama, was tragically found shot dead in her driveway. Despite years of investigation due to sparse evidence, authorities ultimately uncovered a complex murder-for-hire scheme. 

Thank you to Sydney Pacha for your help researching this story. 

If you'd like to hear our new weekly mini-sode, it's available for free on Patreon right now!  
Thank you to this week’s sponsors!

Get your food to work for you and check out Hungryroot! Hungryroot is now offering our listeners 40% off your first delivery and free veggies for life. Just go to Hungryroot.com/MOMS, to get 40% off your first delivery and get your free veggies!

Unlock Jennifer Anniston-approved hair at  lolavie.com. As our loyal listeners you'll get an exclusive 15% off your entire order when you use code MOMS at checkout. 

If you want to take the next step in improving your health, go to lumen.me and use MOMS to get $50 off your Lumen. 

We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/MOMS. 

To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast. 

New merch! Check out Moms and Mysteries Threadless! You can also get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus merch and more at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast


Listen and subscribe to Melissa’s other podcast, Criminality!! It’s the podcast for those who love reality TV, true crime, and want to hear all the juicy stories where the two genres intersect. Subscribe and listen here: www.pod.link/criminality 

Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more!

Make sure you subscribe and rate our show to help others find us!


Sources:
**Indicates sources with photos 

Kurtis, Ken. "Sara Starr's husband terrified her before her murder: Witness." News4. Last modified September 12, 2023.**

U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District Alabama. "Coffee County Man and His Brother Found Guilty of Carrying Out a Murder-for-Hire Plot." United States Department of Justice. Last modified September 20, 2023.

Lord, Debbie. "'I hope you rot': Daughter confronts dad who hired brother to kill ex-wife." KIRO 7. Last modified January 8, 2024.**

Quinn, Allison. "Slain Teacher's Brother-in-Law Wanted in Murder-for-Hire Plot." Daily Beast. Last modified February 3, 2022.**

Sabes, Adam. "Alabama man allegedly paid hitman with his motorcycle to kill ex-wife." New York Post. Last modified February 6, 2022.**

Dixon, Aaron. "'He's going to kill me.' Inside the relationship of Jason and Sara Starr." WDHN. Last modified September 12, 2023.

Galvan, Jamie E. "'Someone finally listened to us' | Grand jury convicts brothers in murder-for-hire plot to kill mother of 4." KHOU 11. Last modified September 23, 2023.

Robinson, Carol. "Alabama man, brother convicted of murder-for-hire for ex-wife's 2017 shooting death." AL.Com. Last modified September 20, 2023.**

Naham, Matt. "'You are useless' and 'I hope you rot': Brothers locked up for life in murder-for-hire shooting of elementary school teacher and mother of 4 just months after 'bitter divorce.'" Law & Crime. Last modified January 6, 2024.

Sorto, Marlon. "Two brothers convicted in murder-for-hire plot in killing of elementary school teacher over child support and alimony." CNN. Last modified September 22, 2023.**

﻿
Remaining sources can be found at momsandmysteries.com. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Murder of Sara Starr

In 1987, college student Cathy Sposito was brutally murdered while hiking in Yavapai County, Arizona. Decades later, through the efforts of volunteers and advances in genetic genealogy, her case and others were solved, providing closure to victims' families.
Thank you to Elizabeth Atwood for your help in researching the episode! 
If you’re interested in becoming a cold case volunteer with Yavapai County, visit Cold Case Volunteers YCSOAZ.gov. 
Thank you to this week’s sponsors!

Lume’s Starter Pack is perfect for new customers. It comes with a Solid Stick Deodorant, Cream Tube Deodorant, two free products of your choice (like Mini Body Wash and Deodorant Wipes), and free shipping. As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code MOMS at LumeDeodorant.com. 

Remember, it only takes 10-20 minutes a day to reshape your body. Head to TotalGymDirect.com/MOMS for an additional 20% off your order. Plus that includes a FREE AbCrunch attachment AND free shipping.

Stop wasting money on things you don’t use. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions by going to RocketMoney.com/MOMS. 

To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast. 

New merch! Check out Moms and Mysteries Threadless! You can also get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus merch and more at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast


Listen and subscribe to Melissa’s other podcast, Criminality!! It’s the podcast for those who love reality TV, true crime, and want to hear all the juicy stories where the two genres intersect. Subscribe and listen here: www.pod.link/criminality 

Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more!

Make sure you subscribe and rate our show to help others find us!

Sources


AZ Family Digital News Staff, Pulled from the grave: Man tied to decades-old Prescott college student's murder, AZ Family, 2023

N/A, Cathy Sposito's killer ID'd 36 years after college student murdered on Arizona trail, CBS News, 2023

Corrado, Brent, Garcia, Nicole, Cathy Sposito: Man who killed Arizona woman linked to other crimes, sheriff says, FOX 10, 2023

N/A, Bryan Bennett - Genealogy Explained, Genealogy Explained, 2023

N/A, Police say killer in nearly 36-year-old Arizona cold case died by suicide in Kentucky | News, Wdrb.com, 2023

N/A, Police ID killer in 1987 cold case on hiking trail that has haunted Yavapai County, Associated Press, 2023

Winters, Debra, Sheriff's Office links 1987 Sposito murder, other assaults to man who killed himself in 1994, The Daily Courier, 2023

Smith, Fred, 3 Are Sought to Help Find Hiker's Killer, Arizona Republic, 1987

N/A, Rocks Studied in Hiker's Slaying, Arizona Republic, 1987

Smith, Fred, 2 Rocks Examined in the Dath of Arizona Hiker on Prescott Butte, Arizona Republic, 1987


Remaining sources can be found at momsandmysteries.com. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Sun Gym Gang

Download our free app to listen on your phone