True Crime Recaps

By Amy Townsend, Chris NathanTrue Crime

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Typical duration
17 min
per episode

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True Crime Recaps episodes

August 06 The Natalie McNally Case: The Fake Livestream That Hid a Killer
Just days before Christmas in 2022, Natalie McNally was found murdered in her home in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. Fifteen weeks pregnant with her first child, her death devastated her family and stunned investigators.
At first, Natalie's boyfriend, Stephen McCullagh, appeared to have an unbreakable alibi. While the murder was believed to have taken place, he seemed to be livestreaming a video game to thousands of viewers online. But as detectives dug deeper, digital forensic evidence revealed that the livestream had been carefully staged.
In this episode of True Crime Recaps, we break down the investigation, the digital evidence that unraveled the deception, and how a meticulously planned alibi ultimately collapsed in court.
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18 min
August 05 The Tony Parsons Case: Buried Alive? The Crime That Shocked Scotland
In September 2017, Tony Parsons, a 63-year-old retired Royal Navy officer, set off on a 104-mile charity bike ride through the Scottish Highlands. He never made it home.
After being struck by a truck, Tony was believed to have survived the initial collision. Instead of calling emergency services, two brothers concealed what had happened, transporting him to a remote location where his body remained hidden for years. His disappearance became one of Scotland's most heartbreaking missing person cases until an unexpected confession finally uncovered the truth.
In this episode of True Crime Recaps, we examine the disappearance of Tony Parsons, the years-long investigation, the evidence that finally solved the case, and the disturbing decisions made in the aftermath of the collision.
This episode was originally recorded on May 9, 2026, and first released as a members-only bonus episode on May 20, 2026. It is now available to all listeners as part of our updated membership programme.
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42 min
August 04 The Rachel Nickell Case: The Robert Napper Investigation
The murder of Rachel Nickell shocked Britain and became one of the country's most infamous unsolved crimes. But while many people know the headlines, the full story behind the investigation—and how police focused on the wrong suspect for years—is even more disturbing.
In this episode of True Crime Recaps, we examine how Robert Napper repeatedly came to the attention of investigators before eventually being identified through DNA evidence. We also explore the controversial investigation into Colin Stagg, the undercover police operation that became one of the UK's most criticized criminal investigations, and the devastating consequences of one of Britain's most significant miscarriages of justice.
From missed warning signs and investigative failures to the forensic breakthrough that finally uncovered the truth, this is the complete story behind the Rachel Nickell case.
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24 min
August 01 They Seemed Like the Perfect Neighbours
Gerald and Alice Uden looked like a typical older couple living a quiet life in rural Missouri. Friendly neighbors. Churchgoing. The kind of people who blend into small-town life without a second thought. But behind that ordinary exterior was a decades-long trail of cold cases, missing persons, and two separate murder investigations that would eventually collide into one disturbing truth.
The first case dates back to the mid-1970s, when Alice Uden claimed she shot her abusive husband, Ronald Holtz, in self-defense before disposing of his body in an abandoned mine shaft. Years later, Gerald Uden’s ex-wife Virginia and her two young sons disappeared in 1980 after leaving to meet him for a hunting trip and were never seen again. The vehicle they were last in was later found burned with evidence of violence inside, but with no bodies recovered, the case went cold for decades.
It wasn’t until the 2000s that investigators began reopening both cases, eventually recovering Ronald Holtz’s remains from a Wyoming mine shaft. That discovery led to Alice’s arrest and conviction for his murder. Soon after, Gerald confessed to killing Virginia and the boys, claiming he disposed of their bodies in remote locations, but they were never recovered. In the end, both were convicted, both gave conflicting accounts, and both spent their final years in prison as the truth remained partially buried somewhere in the American West.
#TrueCrimeRecaps #GeraldUden #AliceUden #RonaldHoltz #VirginiaUden #RichardUden #ReganUden #UdenMurders #OzarksCrime

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14 min
July 30 The Cowden Family Mystery
A relaxing Labor Day camping trip in Oregon turned into one of the state's most haunting unsolved mysteries. In September 1974, Richard and Belinda Cowden and their two young children disappeared from their campsite near Carberry Creek without leaving behind any signs of a struggle. Their truck, belongings, fresh milk, wallets, and even their valuables were still sitting exactly where they should have been, but the family had vanished.
After one of the largest searches in Oregon history failed to uncover a single clue, hope slowly faded. Then, seven months later, hikers made a gruesome discovery deep in the forest. Hidden inside a secluded cave and scattered across a nearby hillside were the remains of the missing family. The shocking crime scene raised even more questions than answers, including whether the victims had been held somewhere before they were killed.
Investigators eventually focused on violent ex-con Dwain Lee Little, whose criminal past, connection to the area, and possible access to the suspected murder weapon made him the leading suspect. Yet despite decades of investigation, no one has ever been charged with the murders of the Cowden family. In this episode of True Crime Recaps, we examine the evidence, the suspects, and the disturbing mystery that continues to haunt Oregon more than 50 years later.
#TrueCrimeRecaps #CowdenFamily #RichardCowden #BelindaCowden #DavidCowden #MelissaCowden #DwainLeeLittle

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14 min
July 28 Taylor Parker: After the Murder
After murdering her pregnant friend Reagan Hancock and abducting her unborn daughter, Taylor Parker faced overwhelming evidence against her. But instead of accepting responsibility, prosecutors say she spent her time in jail inventing increasingly elaborate stories, manipulating fellow inmates, and trying to convince anyone who would listen that she had been framed.
Jurors heard testimony from prison staff, therapists, and inmates who described Parker as unusually intelligent, highly manipulative, and completely lacking remorse. She allegedly forged fake confessions, recruited inmates into bizarre escape plans, blamed imaginary gangs for the murder, and even tried to create false eyewitnesses who could support her ever-changing versions of events.
By the time Taylor Parker's trial came to an end, prosecutors argued that her behavior behind bars revealed just how dangerous she truly was. The jury ultimately agreed, sentencing her to death for the brutal murder of Reagan Hancock and her unborn daughter, Braxlynn, a decision shaped not only by the crime itself, but by everything Parker did after her arrest.
#TrueCrimeRecaps #TaylorParker #ReaganHancock #BraxlynnHancock #TaylorParkerCase #Members

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1 hr 15 min
July 25 The Thomas Plamberger Case
In January 2025, experienced climber Thomas Plamberger and his girlfriend, 33-year-old Kerstin Gurtner, set out to climb Austria's tallest mountain via the technical Stüdlgrat route. As a winter storm moved in, temperatures dropped below zero and visibility disappeared, but the couple continued climbing despite worsening conditions. Even after a rescue helicopter repeatedly flew overhead, Thomas never signaled that they needed help.
Just 50 meters below the summit, Kerstin became too exhausted and disoriented to continue. Thomas later said they agreed he would climb over the summit and descend the easier route while she waited. Prosecutors argued he abandoned her without leaving vital emergency gear, then didn't call for help until he reached a mountain hut hours later. By the time rescuers reached Kerstin the following morning, she had died from exposure.
Investigators used GPS data, rescue call records, and witness testimony to challenge Thomas's version of events. The court also heard from an ex-girlfriend who testified that Thomas had abandoned her on the same mountain years earlier. In 2026, he was convicted of grossly negligent manslaughter after the judge ruled that, as the more experienced climber, he had a duty to protect Kerstin and that his decisions contributed to her death.
#TrueCrimeRecaps #AlpineDivorce #ThomasPlamberger #KerstinGurtner #MountainTragedy #Hiking

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15 min
July 23 The Ohio House of Horrors
Police in Hamden, Ohio thought they were serving a misdemeanor warrant for indecent exposure when they entered the Siders family home on June 30, 2026. Instead, investigators say they discovered 16 children, ranging from 18 months to 18 years old, living in horrific conditions inside a home filled with garbage, human waste, and overwhelming filth. Authorities allege many of the children were confined to a single 12-by-12-foot room, several were unable to communicate, and nine required emergency medical treatment, with two flown to a children's hospital. Ohio's attorney general described the scene as "pure evil."
The investigation revealed Gary Siders Jr. married Elizabeth Russell in 2008 after she became pregnant at just 15 years old. According to her attorney, Elizabeth has given birth to all 16 children found in the home and had been isolated from the outside world since leaving school in the ninth grade. The case has sparked widespread debate over whether she should be viewed solely as one of the accused or also as a victim. Investigators also found the family had spent years moving from county to county, limiting contact with schools, neighbors, and extended relatives before settling in rural Vinton County.
Gary Siders Jr., Elizabeth Russell, Gary Siders Sr., and Christina Siders have each been charged with 16 felony counts of child endangerment and have pleaded not guilty. Authorities say additional charges remain possible as the investigation continues. While three defendants remain jailed on $300,000 bond, Gary Siders Sr. was released for medical treatment and will be monitored if discharged. Meanwhile, all 16 children remain in state care as officials work to provide medical treatment, counseling, and long-term support.
#TrueCrimeRecaps #GarySidersJr #ElizabethRussell #GarySidersSr #ChristinaSiders #OhioHouseOfHorrors #HamdenOhio #SidersCase

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10 min
July 21 Nolan Wells: Final Hours
Eighteen-year-old Nolan Wells had just graduated from high school, signed to play college football, and spent Fourth of July weekend on Horn Island with friends. According to investigators, everyone returned to the mainland except Nolan. Two days later, his body was found on the island, launching an investigation that has drawn national attention and left his family searching for answers.
As detectives worked to piece together Nolan's final hours, conflicting accounts emerged about what happened before he disappeared. A viral video shared by the Wells family's attorney has fuelled widespread speculation online, but investigators have not confirmed whether it is authentic or connected to Nolan's case. Questions also remain about Nolan's phone, the timeline of events, and what happened during his final hours.
At the time of this video, authorities say they have found no evidence that a crime was committed and believe Nolan may have drowned, although the investigation remains active. Nolan's family has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump, requested an independent autopsy, and continues to ask anyone who was on Horn Island that day to come forward with photos or videos that could help investigators.
As this is an active and developing case, the information discussed in this video is based on publicly available statements from investigators, attorneys, family members, and news reports available at the time of recording. Some details remain disputed, and new information may emerge as the investigation continues.
#TrueCrimeRecaps #NolanWells #HornIsland #Mississippi #Developing

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13 min
July 18 The Katie Janness Case
In July 2021, 40-year-old Katie Janness left her Atlanta apartment for what should have been a routine late-night walk with her dog, Bowie. Security footage captured the pair near the entrance of Piedmont Park just after midnight. Less than an hour later, Katie's partner used Find My iPhone to track her location inside the park, only to discover a horrifying crime scene.
Investigators described the attack as exceptionally violent. Katie and Bowie were both killed, yet nothing appeared to have been stolen. The brutality of the crime, the strange details left behind at the scene, and the fact that it occurred in one of Atlanta's busiest public spaces left investigators searching for answers. Despite witness appeals, surveillance reviews, and years of forensic work, no suspect has ever been publicly identified.
Now, years later, the case remains active. Detectives and the FBI continue to pursue new leads, including advanced DNA analysis and forensic genealogy techniques. With a reward offered and investigators still working the case, the question remains: who killed Katie Janness and Bowie in Piedmont Park and how did they disappear without a trace?

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19 min

About True Crime Recaps

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Hosts and storytellers Chris Nathan and Amy Townsend piece together the most gripping true crime cases the world can't stop talking about. From infamous serial killers to today's headline-making…