The Case of Jeanette Maples

This week, Drewby and Yergy discuss Paul Bernardo and his wife Karla Homolka, a seemingly unlikely pair of Canadian killers. Known as the “Ken and Barbie Killers” for their good looks, the young couple induced fear throughout southern Ontario in the 1990s with a string of sex attacks and killed at least three minors between 1990 and 1992 before they were arrested.  Bernardo is known for initially committing a series of rapes in Scarborough, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto, between 1987 and 1990. While he was at large, he was dubbed "The Scarborough Rapist" and these went unsolved for over five years until his capture. Homolka attracted worldwide media attention when she was convicted of manslaughter following a plea bargain to serve only 12 years in the rape-murders of two Ontario teenage girls, Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French, as well as the rape and killing of her sister Tammy. Homolka and Bernardo were arrested in 1993. Bernardo was convicted of what became known as the Schoolgirl Murders and received life imprisonment. Homolka stated to investigators that Bernardo had abused her and that she had been an unwilling accomplice to the murders. As a result, she struck a deal with prosecutors for a reduced prison sentence of twelve years in exchange for a guilty plea to the charge of manslaughter. However, videotapes of the crimes surfaced after the plea bargain and demonstrated that Homolka was a more active participant than she had claimed. Public outrage about Homolka's plea deal continued until her high-profile release from prison in 2005. Following her release from prison, Homolka settled in the province of Quebec, where she married Thierry Bordelais, the brother of her lawyer Sylvia Bordelais. She briefly lived in the Antilles and Guadeloupe but by 2014 had returned to Quebec. This episode is brought to you by Scary Time, help support us by clicking the link to check out Scary Time here: http://www.dummies.fan/mmachine Join Our Facebook Group to Request a Topic: https://t.co/DeSZIIMgXs?amp=1 Support Our Patreon For More Unreleased Content: https://www.patreon.com/themiserymachine PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/themiserymachine Instagram: miserymachinepodcast Twitter: misery_podcast Discord: https://discord.gg/kCCzjZM #podcast #documentary #truecrime  Source Material: https://listverse.com/2017/06/22/10-little-known-facts-about-the-ken-and-barbie-killers/ https://allthatsinteresting.com/paul-bernardo-karla-homolka-ken-and-barbie-killers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karla_Homolka https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Bernardo https://criminalminds.fandom.com/wiki/Paul_Bernardo_and_Karla_Homolka

9 Nov 202046min

This week, Drewby and Yergy discuss another local case taking place in the early morning hours of Halloween 2016, in the small town of Winthrop, Maine. Andrea Balcer, a 17 year old student with a seemingly bright future ahead of her, snaps, leaving her mother Ali, father Tony, and their family dog dead in her wake. The only survivor of the horror was Christopher, Andrea's then 24 year old brother. We discuss the known theories as to why Andrea may have committed such heinous acts, and how her actions shattered her family and community.  This episode is brought to you by Scary Time, help support us by clicking the link to check out Scary Time here: http://www.dummies.fan/mmachine Join Our Facebook Group to Request a Topic: https://t.co/DeSZIIMgXs?amp=1 Support Our Patreon For More Unreleased Content: https://www.patreon.com/themiserymachine PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/themiserymachine Instagram: miserymachinepodcast Twitter: misery_podcast Discord: https://discord.gg/kCCzjZM #podcast #documentary #truecrime #halloween Source Material: https://mycrimelibrary.com/andrew-balcer-teen-killer-transgender-teen-murders-parents/ https://bangordailynews.com/2018/12/04/news/woman-gets-sentenced-to-40-years-for-killing-her-parents-and-dog-on-halloween/ Photos courtesy of Ali Balcer/Facebook, RevTony Exiles/Facebook, and pressherald.com

2 Nov 202035min

This week, Drewby and Yergy discuss the life and death of Elliott Smith, who was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and lived much of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity. Smith's primary instrument was the guitar, though he also played piano, clarinet, bass guitar, drums, and harmonica.  Smith was a drinker and drug user. He was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and major depressive disorder. His struggles with drugs and mental illness affected his life and work, and often appeared in his lyrics. In 2003 at the age of 34, he died in Los Angeles, California from two stab wounds to the chest. The autopsy evidence was inconclusive as to whether the wounds were self-inflicted or the result of homicide. At the time of his death, Smith was working on his sixth studio album, From a Basement on the Hill, which was posthumously completed and released in 2004. We discuss some of the theories surrounding the case, specifically the evidence that has circulated that his then girlfriend, Jennifer Chiba may have allegedly had something to do with his death. We also discuss the state of the music scene at the time, and how his music and the music of others may have influenced the romanticism of self harm and abuse among fans during the early 2000's. Join Our Facebook Group to Request a Topic: https://t.co/DeSZIIMgXs?amp=1 Support Our Patreon For More Unreleased Content: https://www.patreon.com/themiserymachine PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/themiserymachine Instagram: miserymachinepodcast Twitter: misery_podcast Discord: https://discord.gg/kCCzjZM #podcast #documentary #truecrime  Source Material: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliott_Smith https://www.theguardian.com/music/2004/mar/19/popandrock.elliottsmith https://drownedinsound.com/news/8767-elliott-smith--coroners-report-posted-online-happy-ending-release-shelved https://youtu.be/AzfQ7bZgQtc https://justiceforelliottsmithcom.wordpress.com/

26 Okt 202042min

***MISSING*** Brittany Omstead  23 years old From Butler, PA Last seen Friday, 10/23/2020 at 10:30am 5'4 and of average build Curly blonde hair and blue eyes. Was thought to be last seen wearing a hoodie and sweatpants. Was supposed to be a bridesmaid in a wedding today, however her dress is still hanging up at her residence. Her vehicle and cell phone were also left at her residence. Investigating Agencies: Pennsylvania State PD (Butler County) - (724) 284-8100 Butler County Sheriff - (724) 284-5245 Butler City PD - (724) 287-7743 Slippery Rock PD - (724) 794-8528 There is a search today at: 211 Drake Lane Slippery Rock, PA Please contact Meredith Mays at (724) 712-1795 to help Please wear orange as it is hunting season Volunteers needed to cover over 211 acres Find Brittany FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3335458833218975/?ref=share Join Our Facebook Group to Request a Topic: https://t.co/DeSZIIMgXs?amp=1 Support Our Patreon For More Unreleased Content: https://www.patreon.com/themiserymachine PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/themiserymachine Instagram: miserymachinepodcast Twitter: misery_podcast Discord: https://discord.gg/kCCzjZM #podcast #documentary #truecrime

24 Okt 20201min

A year later, Drewby and Yergy revisit the case of the Dnepropetrovsk Maniacs, who are Ukrainian serial killers responsible for a string of murders in Dnipropetrovsk (now known as Dnipro) in June and July of 2007. The case gained additional notoriety because the killers made video recordings of some of the murders, with one of the videos leaking to the Internet, subsequently going viral and leading to worldwide attention. Two 19‑year-old locals, Viktor Sayenko, and Igor Suprunyuk, were arrested and charged with 21 murders. A third conspirator, Alexander Hanzha, was charged with two armed robberies that took place before the murder spree. On 11 February 2009, all three defendants were found guilty. Sayenko and Suprunyuk were sentenced to life imprisonment, while Hanzha received nine years in prison. The lawyers for Sayenko and Suprunyuk launched an appeal, claiming that the two were framed by higher ranking members in the Ukraine government. This appeal was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Ukraine in November 2009. Footage of the atrocities continues to circulate to this day. We discuss the likelihood of this case gaining worldwide notoriety if it wasn't for the presence of the snuff-like videos taken by the perpetrators.  Join Our Facebook Group to Request a Topic: https://t.co/DeSZIIMgXs?amp=1 Support Our Patreon For More Unreleased Content: https://www.patreon.com/themiserymachine PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/themiserymachine Instagram: miserymachinepodcast Twitter: misery_podcast Discord: https://discord.gg/kCCzjZM #podcast #documentary #truecrime  Source Material: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dnepropetrovsk_maniacs https://www.reddit.com/r/serialkillers/comments/6safme/the_dnepropetrovsk_maniacs_ukraines_most/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Casefile/comments/b3l1pk/dnepropetrovsk_maniacs_scared_the_crap_out_of_me/ https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/7827c4/til_of_the_dnepropetrovsk_maniacs_they_were_two/ https://www.reddit.com/r/serialkillers/comments/5yyttn/has_there_ever_been_worse_serial_killers_than_the/ https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s/suprunyuck-igor.htm https://criminalminds.fandom.com/wiki/The_Dnepropetrovsk_Maniacs https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s/sayenko-viktor.htm

19 Okt 202047min

This week, Drewby and Yergy revisit the tragic case of Ronnie McNutt with a very special guest, Josh Steen from JustUsGeeks.com. Josh was a personal friend of Ronnie's that worked with him over the years creating content for their podcast, and was one of the folks that unfortunately witnessed his final moments. We were privileged to have him sit down with us for an interview to set the record straight about who Ronnie was as a person and what went on that evening, and shed some light on his movement, #ReformForRonnie - which is aimed at holding social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Google accountable for upholding their own terms of service by accepting responsibility for all content created and distributed on their platforms, and in addition, to respond efficiently when terms of service and standard violations occur.  Suicide Hotlines Worldwide: http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html LGBTQ+ Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/lgbtq/ Veterans Crisis Line: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ Join Our Facebook Group to Request a Topic: https://t.co/DeSZIIMgXs?amp=1 Support Our Patreon For More Unreleased Content: https://www.patreon.com/themiserymachine PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/themiserymachine Instagram: miserymachinepodcast Twitter: misery_podcast Discord: https://discord.gg/kCCzjZM #podcast #documentary #truecrime #2hoursand41minutes #ReformForRonnie  Source Material: http://justusgeeks.com/reformforronnie-a-call-for-change/ https://heavy.com/news/2020/09/ronnie-mcnutt-facebook-video/?fbclid=IwAR3bE17OeEERkg77Ko0argmkojYager4WzpwSjpx1ANfKIZyLCNwbROupMo

12 Okt 20201h 42min

This week, Drewby and Yergy shift gears to a local case that has haunted the community of Jay, Maine for 3 decades - one that we hope will soon be solved so that she can be laid to rest and her family can have some long deserved closure. This week we are discussing the disappearance of Kimberly Moreau. Kim Moreau was a beautiful 17 year old girl that went missing from the small mill town of Jay, ME after skipping her junior prom following a fight with her then boyfriend. It is alleged that she spent the day with a friend and two 25 year old men joyriding in a white Trans AM, although the events of May 10th and 11th, 1986 unclear and subject to wide rumor and speculation. Kim's family has never given up hope - handling much of the investigative legwork themselves after local and state police proved to be grossly negligent in the handling of Kim's case. There was been many extensive searches in recent years, and police allege that of all of the missing person cases in the state, Kim's case is the one in which they receive the most frequent tips, even after 3 decades.  We discuss the background of Kim's case - discussing Kim as a person, and providing  details in to what is alleged to have happened during the day she disappeared. We also discuss some of the more recent searches, some of the theories of what happened to her, and delve into the backgrounds of the folks tied to her disappearance.  Maine State Police: (207) 743-8282 Livermore Falls Police Department: (207) 657-3030 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: https://www.missingkids.org/ Join Our Facebook Group to Request a Topic: https://t.co/DeSZIIMgXs?amp=1 Support Our Patreon For More Unreleased Content: https://www.patreon.com/themiserymachine PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/themiserymachine Instagram: miserymachinepodcast Twitter: misery_podcast Discord: https://discord.gg/kCCzjZM #podcast #documentary #truecrime  Source Material: https://www.centralmaine.com/2015/08/06/police-renew-search-in-1986-kimberly-moreau-cold-case-2/ https://wgme.com/news/local/police-find-no-sign-of-kimberly-moreau-under-livermore-farm-stand https://wgme.com/news/local/34-years-later-family-still-searching-for-kimberly-kim-moreau-who-went-missing-at-17 https://www.facebook.com/groups/403335559702829 https://www.facebook.com/Finding-Kimberly-2240297219619943 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQMqtDLDBkQ&t https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeNeAs2dDxM

5 Okt 202040min

As Suicide Prevention Month comes to a close, Yergy and Drewby discuss the life and death of Ian Curtis, who was an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was the lead singer and lyricist of the post-punk band Joy Division and recorded two albums with the group: Unknown Pleasures (1979) and Closer (1980). Curtis was known for his bass-baritone voice, dance style, and songwriting typically filled with imagery of desolation, emptiness, and alienation. Curtis suffered from severe epilepsy and depression and took his own life on the eve of Joy Division's first North American tour and shortly before the release of Closer. While there are some different theories as to why Curtis did it, the general consensus is because of his severely compromised quality of life due to his largely uncontrolled epilepsy. Unfortunately, the advancements of modern medicine had not yet caught up when Curtis was alive, and because of this, medication was virtually no help to him. His death lead to the band's dissolution and the subsequent formation of New Order.  We discuss our own personal struggles with chronic health conditions and the failure of the for-profit health care system in the United States - and how dealing with illness and medical debt can lead to hopelessness and despair, and ultimately suicide in some cases.  Suicide Hotlines Worldwide: http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html LGBTQ+ Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/lgbtq/ Veterans Crisis Line: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ Join Our Facebook Group to Request a Topic: https://t.co/DeSZIIMgXs?amp=1 Support Our Patreon For More Unreleased Content: https://www.patreon.com/themiserymachine PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/themiserymachine Instagram: miserymachinepodcast Twitter: misery_podcast Discord: https://discord.gg/kCCzjZM #podcast #documentary #truecrime #suicideawareness #suicideawarenessmonth #mentalhealth Source Material: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Curtis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy_Division https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ian-curtis-of-joy-division-commits-suicide

28 Sep 202050min