Harvard morgue scandal exposed. In this episode of The Jim Rathmann Podcast, Jim breaks down one of the most disturbing criminal cases in recent history: the Harvard Medical School morgue scandal involving stolen human remains, fake ashes, and a nationwide black-market network.

What began as a trusted donation to science turned into a years-long nightmare for hundreds of families.

From 2018–2023, Harvard Medical School morgue manager Cedric Lodge allegedly orchestrated the theft and sale of human body parts, allowing buyers to hand-select remains and shipping them across the country. Families were given fake ashes while their loved ones were trafficked as “oddities.”

Jim walks through:

How donated cadavers were stripped, sold, and resold nationwide

The shocking role of accomplices and oddity dealers

The investigation that finally cracked the case

The devastating impact on families who trusted elite institutions

The horrifying story behind the Lux Law, created after a stillborn infant’s remains were sold instead of cremated

This episode isn’t just about crime — it’s about trust, accountability, and honoring the dead. If this could happen at Harvard, where else could it be happening?

Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode contains descriptions of child exploitation, grooming, self-harm, and suicide. Listener discretion is strongly advised. The information shared is for educational and awareness purposes only and should not be considered legal or professional advice. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement or the appropriate authorities right away.

Stay tuned for more episodes to come., where Jim will wrap up reveal the case.

Follow Jim on Instagram: @therealjimrathmann

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Produced at: Hi Hello Labs (Orlando, FL)

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In this episode of The Jim Rathmann Show, Jim dives into one of the most depraved criminal cases of his career—one that blurs the line between a criminal investigation and a real-life horror movie. When historic graves began to be desecrated at the Civil War–era Mount Moriah Cemetery near Philadelphia, investigators expected a case of simple vandalism; instead, they uncovered a gruesome, multi-state enterprise run by 34-year-old Jonathan Gerlach. Jim breaks down the investigation that led to the discovery of over 100 sets of human remains hidden in Gerlach’s home and storage units, ranging from centuries-old skeletons to recent burials still containing pacemakers and even the remains of infants.

Jim walks you through every chilling detail of the investigation, beginning with how old-school police instincts combined with modern license plate readers and DNA evidence to catch a grave robber in the act. He takes you inside the search warrants that uncovered a macabre collection of bodies staged for display and skulls packaged for shipment, revealing the dark pipeline to the online oddities market. You’ll learn how stolen remains are funneled through private Facebook groups and digital marketplaces to oddities collectors seeking everything from human bones for "art" to skin for tanning. Jim also exposes the shocking legal loopholes regarding "antique" remains that allow this underground oddities trafficking to persist across state lines, while reflecting on the devastating emotional toll inflicted on families whose loved ones were stolen from their final resting places.

Follow Jim on Instagram: @therealjimrathmann

Special thanks to our partners: Podgo and Hi Hello Labs in Orlando, Florida, for powering and producing this show.

Sponsored by: Podgo Services

Produced at: Hi Hello Labs (Orlando, FL)

Disclaimer: This episode contains descriptions of grave desecration and the handling of human remains. Listener discretion is strongly advised. The information shared is for educational and awareness purposes only.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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In this gripping episode of The Jim Rathmann Show, Jim dives deep into the disturbing rise of 764—a decentralized, predatory network that has moved far beyond the traditional boundaries of online crime. With a major new case surfacing in California, the threat is no longer theoretical; it is on our doorstep.

To pull back the curtain on this digital underworld, Jim is joined by acclaimed investigative journalist Ali Winston. Winston, known for his relentless reporting on extremist groups and surveillance, breaks down the dark origins of 764. Together, they trace how this group evolved from fringe chat rooms into a sophisticated machine designed for "extortion-as-a-sport" and the psychological destruction of the vulnerable.

In this episode, we discuss:

The California Connection: An inside look at the latest case sent shockwaves through local law enforcement.

The Genesis of Terror: Ali Winston reveals the ideological and technical roots of the 764 network.

Digital Warfare: How 764 uses "sextortion" and "blackmail" as tools for control rather than profit.

This is a must-listen for parents, educators, and law enforcement. The digital landscape has changed, and the predators of 764 are playing by a much more dangerous set of rules.

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In this powerful and deeply unsettling episode, Jim Rathmann exposes the dark reality of the 764 network, a nihilistic violent extremist movement targeting children through online gaming platforms like Roblox, Discord, and other digital spaces.

Jim breaks down a real case out of Vernon, Connecticut, involving a 17-year-old honor roll student who was groomed, exploited, and ultimately manipulated into becoming an active participant in online bomb threats, swatting incidents, and digital extortion. What began as victimization escalated into coordinated threats against schools, religious institutions, public libraries, and government buildings, triggering a massive law enforcement response across state and federal agencies.

Joining Jim is Detective Thomas Van Tassel of the Vernon Police Department, a nationally recognized investigator with deep expertise in digital forensics and online extremism. Together, they unpack how the case unfolded, how investigators identified digital patterns across international borders, and why the FBI has labeled networks like 764 a modern-day terrorist threat.

Most importantly, this episode equips parents, educators, and guardians with critical insight into:

How children are groomed online through gaming and chat platforms

Warning signs of online exploitation and self-harm

How extremist groups manipulate vulnerable youth

Practical steps parents can take to protect their children’s devices and digital lives

This is not fear-mongering. This is awareness. And it may save a life.

If you have children who game online, this episode is required listening.

Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode contains descriptions of child exploitation, grooming, self-harm, and suicide. Listener discretion is strongly advised. The information shared is for educational and awareness purposes only and should not be considered legal or professional advice. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement or the appropriate authorities right away.

Stay tuned for more episodes to come., where Jim will wrap up reveal the case.

Follow Jim on Instagram: @therealjimrathmann

Special thanks to our partners: Podgo and Hi Hello Labs in Orlando, Florida, for powering and producing this show.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to The Jim Rathmann Podcast. Today’s episode covers one of the most disturbing and urgent threats facing children online today — the rise of a digital extremist network known as 764, a group the FBI has identified as a form of modern-day terrorism.

Jim breaks down how 764 operates across platforms like Discord, Telegram, Roblox, and Minecraft, how they specifically target vulnerable kids ages 9–17, and the terrifying grooming tactics they use — from emotional manipulation to coercion, self-harm, animal cruelty, and even suicide.

This episode also explores the heartbreaking case of 13-year-old Jay Taylor, whose death exposed the global scale of this network and triggered major FBI investigations spanning the U.S., Australia, and Germany. Jim walks through how predators build trust, obtain personal data, and weaponize shame to control their victims.

Parents, guardians, educators, and anyone responsible for children must see this episode. Jim shares the red flags to watch for, behavior changes that could signal online exploitation, and the critical steps families must take to protect their children.

If you witness or suspect online exploitation, report it immediately:

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: www.ic3.gov

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: www.missingkids.org

NCMEC Hotline: 1-800-THE-LOST

A full multi-part series is coming, including expert interviews and former FBI investigators who have worked these cases firsthand.

Stay vigilant. Protect your children. Share this episode with anyone who needs to know what is happening online.

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Welcome back to The Jim Rathmann Podcast. In this Part 4 deep dive into the Melanie Curtin case, Jim walks you through exactly why the First Circuit Court of Appeal threw out her conviction and what the Louisiana Supreme Court decided next. From excluded evidence to prejudicial testimony, he breaks down the legal moves that led to Melanie’s case being overturned and what it really means for her future in court.
Jim unpacks the seven key issues the appellate court identified, including the internet search history that was kept from the jury, the role-playing and fetish evidence that was blocked, and the unrelated videos that were allowed in and helped sway the jury. He also examines the recent legal wrangling over what can be presented at the new trial, the push to close the courtroom, and why that matters for Melanie’s constitutional right to a fair and public proceeding.
You will also hear about the juror misconduct allegations, the chaotic deliberation room, the victims who fought subpoenas to avoid testifying, and the investigator decisions that raise serious questions about bias and selective prosecution. Jim explains why he believes this case is a textbook example of malicious prosecution and a complete miscarriage of justice, and why he feels strongly that Melanie Curtin does not belong in prison for life.
If you care about true crime, constitutional rights, and how the system is supposed to work, this episode will challenge you to look past headlines and dig into the facts. Jim encourages you to read the public records, review the transcripts yourself, and decide where you stand.

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In this episode of The Jim Rathmann Podcast, former homicide investigator and U.S. Secret Service agent Jim Rathmann returns for Part 3 of the Melanie Curtin case and breaks down the exculpatory evidence a jury never heard.
Jim walks through the internet search history and alleged fetish patterns of disgraced deputy Danny Perkins, the role-playing dynamics with his then-wife, and why that context matters for understanding the 17-minute video at the center of Melanie’s mandatory life sentence. He explains what the appeals court ruled, why the original conviction was tossed, and what evidence will finally be allowed into Melanie’s upcoming retrial in November 2025.
You will hear Jim’s perspective on:
What exculpatory evidence was kept from the jury
How the “rape shield” law was used in this case
Why juror #3 says they felt misled after the trial
The impact of media headlines linking Melanie to crimes against children
What the Attorney General’s office knew, presented, or allegedly withheld
Why Jim believes Melanie did not receive a fair and impartial trial
Jim also shares his personal connection to Danny Perkins from their days working together in law enforcement, and how it felt to learn the truth about someone he once trusted with his life.
As Melanie faces a second trial and the key witness prepares to take the stand again, Jim asks you to look at the facts for yourself and decide: Was Melanie Curtin given a fair trial, or was she used to make a narrative stick?
TRIGGER WARNING:
This episode discusses sex crimes, alleged drugging, abuse, and crimes involving children. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
Start with Part One if you haven’t watched it yet so this breakdown makes sense in full context.
Stay tuned for Part Four, where Jim will wrap up reveal the case.
Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss Part 4.

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In this episode of The Jim Rathmann Show, Jim returns with Part Two of the Melanie Curtin case and takes you inside the trial that led to her life sentence without parole – and why higher courts later called that conviction into question.
Jim breaks down:
How a 17-minute video from November 8, 2014 (the night LSU played Alabama) became the centerpiece of the prosecution’s case
What really happened in that video according to Juror #3, including key details the jury wasn’t allowed to fully understand
The expert witness controversy, including a toxicology expert testifying about impairment from a still photo
How exculpatory evidence, prior patterns, internet search histories, and the victim’s own background and sworn affidavit were kept away from the jury
The intense, allegedly coercive and hostile jury deliberations that ended with a guilty verdict after threats, shouting, and even a juror punching a wall
Why the First Circuit Court of Appeal and later the Louisiana Supreme Court both agreed that Melanie did not receive a fair trial and ordered the conviction tossed
What happened to Melanie next – ankle monitor, restricted movement, and the Attorney General’s continued push to retry the case
Jim also exposes the alleged contradictions between the victim’s testimony and her own past statements and documents, and raises serious questions about perjury, prosecutorial strategy, and the integrity of the criminal justice process in this case.
TRIGGER WARNING:
This episode discusses sex crimes, alleged drugging, abuse, and crimes involving children. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
Start with Part One if you haven’t watched it yet so this breakdown makes sense in full context.
Stay tuned for Part Three, where Jim will finally reveal the specific evidence that was excluded and why it could completely change how you see this case.
Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss Part 3.

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Welcome to The Jim Rathmann Podcast — where former Secret Service agent, homicide investigator, and LSU athlete Jim Rathmann takes a deep dive into some of the most complex and controversial cases in America.

In this episode, Jim covers:

How the arrest of Dennis and Cynthia Perkins exposed hundreds of thousands of disturbing files

How a single video from 2014 pulled Melanie Curtin into the case years later

Why Melanie became the first woman in Louisiana to receive life without parole for a woman-on-woman crime

The major exculpatory evidence that was not allowed in court

Why Jim — who once worked directly with Denny Perkins — believes a massive injustice occurred

What the upcoming retrial (November 17) could reveal

How victim testimony, missing follow-up questions, and blocked evidence shaped the original outcome

The timeline leading from the 2014 LSU–Alabama game to Melanie’s arrest in 2020

The emergency room records, text messages, and digital evidence that point to the possibility Melanie was drugged

Why critical search history from Denny’s devices — showing patterns and predatory behavior — was kept from the jury

Insight from a juror who sat on Melanie’s case

This is Part 1 of a full investigative breakdown.

If you care about justice, truth, and accountability, don’t miss this series.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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