Bad Seeds: Lowell Lee Andrews

In this week’s episode, a young woman, newly engaged and expecting a baby, goes for a morning run in the serene beachfront town of Ceiba, Puerto Rico, and finds herself trapped in a nightmare.  Still finding the inner courage to keep her wits about her, the terrified woman’s actions would help solve her own murder.   Sources:  “Kidnap Victim Called Fiancee Before Slaying,” SFGate.com, Feb 7, 2009. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Kidnap-victim-called-fiance-before-slaying-3173177.php  “Murder in Puerto Rico,” Latitude38.com, Feb 6, 2009. https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/murder-in-puerto-rico/  “Puerto Rican Indicted in Pregnant Woman’s Slaying,” SavannahNow.com, Feb 5, 2009. https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/2009/02/06/puerto-rican-indicted-pregnant-womans-slaying/13603126007/  “Puerto Rican Man Gets 105 Years in Killing of Pregnant San Jose Native,” Associated Press, June 1, 2009.  https://coastalcourier.com/news/state-national/puerto-rican-gets-105-years-for-killing-savannah-woman/      Links:  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

29 Heinä 202417min

In this month’s series, “Resorting to Murder,” I share cases proving that murder never takes a holiday. This week’s case tells the story of a rocky mother-daughter relationship, a fight over an inheritance, and a cold-blooded murder that occurred at a luxury resort.  Was the murder of socialite Sheila von Wiese-Mack the desperate act of an abused child or spurred on by an entitled young woman’s greed?   Sources:  https://www.chicagotribune.com/2015/12/09/heather-mack-accuses-slain-mom-of-cheating-her-out-of-inheritance/ https://people.com/heather-mack-suitcase-killer-everything-to-know-7509623  Heather Mack discusses her relationship with mother: Exclusive (people.com) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/american-couple-sentenced-to-prison-for-bali-suitcase-murder/  https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/interviews-with-bali-suitcase-killers-uncovers-disturbing-details-behind-the-gruesome-murder/ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3838671/Body-Suitcase-killer-Tommy-Schaefer-claims-ex-Heather-Mack-does-drugs-drinks-sex-female-prisoners-daughter-close-speaking-time-conviction-letter-friends.html   Links:  Once Upon a Crime on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

22 Heinä 202434min

In this month’s series, I’ll share cases of vacations that turned deadly.  Even in the most serene and beautiful locations, murder never takes a holiday.   This week, an award-winning television producer, his beautiful and successful Brazilian-born wife, and young children take a family vacation to a tropical resort.  When Monica Beresford-Redman is found murdered just yards from their hotel suite, her husband becomes the main suspect.   Was the circumstantial evidence all pointing to Bruce Beresford-Redman as the murderer merely a series of coincidences or proof of his guilt?  Was he a victim of terrible luck, or did he resort to murder?    Sources:  48 Hours: Bruce Beresford-Redman: The Verdict, Season 28, Episode 22, 2015.  In the Matter of the EXTRADITION OF Bruce Ainsley BERESFORD-REDMAN. United States District Court, Ninth Circuit, California, C.D. California. Dec. 2, 2010.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Beresford-Redman https://abcnews.go.com/US/documents-detail-beresford-redman-death-mexico/story?id=12815694 https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/beresford-redman-cancun-murder-tv-producer/2419136/ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7453793/Survivor-producer-jailed-wifes-death-spotted-release.html https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/a-survivor-producer-a-dead-2-755386/   Links:  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast CrimeCon UK - September 21st and 22nd in London. Get your discounted ticket by using my discount code ONCEUPON when you purchase your ticket at www.crimecon.co.uk. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

15 Heinä 202423min

In this episode of Once Upon A Crime, we delve into the horrific story of Christian Longo, a man who portrayed himself to his family, friends, and community as a devoted husband, loving father, and successful businessman while leading a double life. He lived a life of lies and deception.  When he could no longer keep up the facade, he disposed of his old life in favor of a new one…by destroying his entire family.   This is the second installment of the 'Deadly Dads' series, highlighting fathers who became nightmares for their families.   00:00 Introduction 01:32 The Discovery Of Bodies 03:06 Investigations and Christian Longo's Lies 06:09 Family Background and Financial Deception 09:38 A Life of Crime and On The Run 11:58 Final Crimes and Capture 17:05 Trial, Sentencing, and Aftermath   Sources: State v. Longo, Filed Nov. 9, 2006, Supreme Court of the State of Oregon “The Journalist and the Murderer,” Michael Finkel, Vanity Fair Magazine, June 2005.  “Longo Prosecutors Offer Motive,” Andrew Kramer, Associated Press, March 12, 2003 “The Pretender: The Case of Christian Longo”, 48 Hours, CBS News, Original air date May 31, 2005.    Links:  Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime Our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

24 Kesä 202425min

In this first episode of season 9 I’ll share the harrowing story of family annihilator, Ronald Gene Simmons. Known for his obsessive need for control and order, Simmons carried out a meticulously planned series of murders in December 1987, ultimately killing 14 of his family members and two others. This episode captures the disturbing details of his life, his manipulative and abusive behavior, and his final act of violent retaliation that led to his arrest, trial, and eventual execution in 1990.    00:00 Introduction to Family Annihilators 00:39 Case Overview: Ronald Gene Simmons 01:33 Early Life of Ronald Gene Simmons 07:16 Family Life and Military Career 22:09 Abuse and Control 38:32 Escalation and Mass Murder 44:05 Aftermath and Legal Proceedings 47:08 Conclusion Sources:  “Zero at the Bone,” authors Bryce Marshall and Paul Williams, Pocket Star Books, New York, NY, 1991. https://archive.org/details/zeroatbone00mars/page/n5/mode/2up?view=theater  https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s1/simmons-ronald-gene.htm https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/ronald-gene-simmons-3731/  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362847782_Defending_Ronald_Gene_Simmons_A_Question_and_Answer_Session_with_Attorney_John_Harris   Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

17 Kesä 202446min

We kick off the ninth season of Once Upon a Crime with an episode that dives into the chilling case of Michael Cummins, a 25-year-old from Westmoreland, Tennessee, who committed one of the state's most horrific mass murders. Cummins, who had a history of mental health issues and violent behavior, murdered eight people, including six family members, in 2019. 00:00 Celebrating a Milestone: 8 Years of Once Upon a Crime 00:47 Start of Season 9: Family Annihilators 01:35 Case Overview: Michael Cummins 02:11 Cummins' Troubled History 02:48 Escalating Violent Behavior 03:34 Cumulative Legal Troubles 06:27 Mental Health Struggles 07:37 2017-2019: Increased Violence and Arrests 14:26 The Massacre 19:29 Investigation and Capture 20:29 Trial and Sentencing 22:40 Community and Family Reactions 25:18 Concluding Remarks    Resources:  https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2019/04/30/sumner-county-killings-micheal-cummins-family-victims/3622442002/ ​​https://www.newschannel5.com/news/westmoreland-murder-suspect-armed-and-on-the-run https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2019/04/29/sumner-county-killings-who-suspect-michael-lee-cummins-tennessee-homicide-mass-murder/3609438002/ https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news/brain-scans-of-tennessee-man-who-admits-to-killing-eight-convince-prosecutors-to-drop-death-penalty   Links:  Once Upon a Crime on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10 Kesä 202426min

In the final episode of Season Eight of 'Once Upon A Crime,’ I delve into the case of Robert Durst, a wealthy New York real estate heir with a mysterious and criminal past. His involvement in several crimes, including the disappearance of his wife Kathie in 1982, the execution-style murder of his friend Susan Berman in 2000, and the murder and dismemberment of his neighbor Morris Black in Galveston, Texas in 2001, was famously told in the HBO documentary series “The Jinx,” in 2015. “The Jinx, Part 2” was just released as a follow-up series this month on HBO MAX and concludes this weekend.  In this final “Best Of” episode, we revisit my episode on Robert Durst from Season 6, in which I focused on Robert Durst’s involvement in the murder of Morris Black and examined how he was able to get away with murder.  00:00 Welcome to the Bonus Episode: A Season Finale Reflection 01:57 The Intriguing Case of Robert Durst: A True Crime Deep Dive 08:27 A More Casual Approach to Storytelling 10:15 The Bizarre and Gruesome Tale of Robert Durst in Galveston 18:36 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead to Season Nine Links:  Season 6, Episode 213: Getting Away with Murder - Robert Durst, https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/videos/episode-213-getting-away-with-murder-robert-durst/ Season 6, Episode 214: Getting Away with Murder - Doris Duke,  https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s6-ep214-episode-214-getting-away-with-murder-doris-duke/ Season 6, Episode 215: Getting Away with Murder - Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick,  https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s6-ep215-episode-215-getting-away-with-murder-ted-kennedy-and-chappaquiddick/ CrimeCon 2024: https://www.crimecon.com/ Use my discount code ONCE for 10% off your registration. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

24 Touko 202420min

This month in Once Upon a Crime’s “Best Of” series, we highlight significant episodes as the podcast rounds off its eighth year. This week, I’ve chosen to revisit a story from 2018 about the serial murders of over 500 women in Juarez, Mexico, between 1993 and 2011. You’ll hear about the disturbing pattern of disappearances and murders of young women from that city. The episode also discusses the widespread negligence and victim-blaming by the police, the negative impacts of labeling women based on their employment and economic status, and the appalling cycle of violence that seemed permitted due to a lack of legal repercussions. 07:49 The Border City of Juarez 08:04 Impact of NAFTA on Juarez 10:06 Role of Women in Juarez 17:04 Victim Blaming and Police Negligence Links:  Season 2, Episode 87: Last Stop: The Murdered Women of Juarez - https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s2-ep87-last-stop-diana-the-hunter-of-bus-drivers-and-the-murdered-women-of-juarez/ Let’s Taco ‘Bout True Crime: The Crime Junkie Plagiarism Scandal - https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/11008412 Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime CrimeCon 2024 in Nashville: https://www.crimecon.com/CC24 Sponsors:  Detective Perspective - Listen to Detective Perspective every Monday on all podcast platforms or watch on YouTube every Tuesday. Criminal Coffee - www.criminalcoffeeco.com - Use my discount code UPONACRIME10 for 10% off your order.  A portion of every bag or box of coffee sold is donated to help solve crime! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

20 Touko 202419min