Tragedy or Sinister Plot? Unlocking the Secret Of Spreckels Mansion

This week, Chris and Amy profile several women who belong to an unfortunate fraternity, women who have survived being attacked by a serial killer. In the first story, Chris details the harrowing escape of Lisa McVey from infamous serial killer Bobby Joe Long. Bobby Joe Long sexually assaulted and murdered at least 10 women for almost a year. Lisa was snatched off of her bike at the age of 17 by Bobby after working a late shift. She endured horror for almost 2 days, but was able to gain his trust and convinced him to let her go. On May 23, 2019, Bobby was put to death by the state of Florida.In the second story, Chris details some of the very few survivors of Ted Bundy, one of arguably the most deranged serial killers in American history. Kathy Kliener was attacked in her room while attending Florida State University. She ended up being one of the only people to be able to identify him at his trial. Another woman who testified against Bundy at his trial was Cheryl Thomas, another woman that Bundy attacked and left for dead. Bundy survived almost a decade past his trial before being put to death.And finally, Chris discusses Paul Stephani, also known. as the Weepy-Voiced Killer due to his phone calls to police after his killings in which he confessed through tears. He was able to murder 4 women in Minneapolis-St.Paul area. His final intended victim, Denise Williams, was stabbed nearly to death with a screwdriver, but was scared away by another man walking by. Denise was left bloodied on the ground, but was able to recover from her injuries. Later in his trial, Stephani was identified by people close to him by the voice on those phone calls.Send your true crime suggestions to hello@truecrimerecaps!Support the show AND listen ad-free here!: https://truecrimerecaps.supercast.tech/Get 10% Off by visiting BetterHelp.com/recaps!Analuisa.com/true! Go treat yourself and your loved ones and use code TRUE to get 10% off!Go to Apostrophe.com/TCR and click Begin Visit, then use our code TCR at sign up and you’ll get $15 off your dermatology visit!Follow TCR on YouTube here!Follow TCR on Instagram here!Follow TCR on Facebook here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesGet all the crime in half the time! Watch True Crime Recaps on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube or Snapchat! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. New episodes weekly!

9 Jun 202130min

What kind serial killer's crimes put so much fear into authorities that they reclassified him as a terrorist? That would be Israel Keyes. Keyes was a killer like no other. He would hide weapons in random areas all across the United States, and he didn't have a specific type of victim, anyone could've been at the other end of Israel's fury. Amy and Chris explore the dizzying case that the FBI chased for decades that was only closed when Israel made a small yet crucial mistake. They explore how Keyes was able to allude investigators for so long by traveling constantly, killing indiscriminately, and funding his murderous sprees through home and bank robberies. Chris and Amy also delve into Keyes' background in the military and get into details of just a few of his many murders across the country.Go to DAILYHARVEST.com and enter promo code true to get $25 off your first box! Send your true crime suggestions to hello@truecrimerecaps!Support the show AND listen ad-free here!: https://truecrimerecaps.supercast.tech/Follow TCR on YouTube here!Follow TCR on Instagram here!Follow TCR on Facebook here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesGet all the crime in half the time! Watch True Crime Recaps on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube or Snapchat! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. New episodes weekly!

2 Jun 202132min

You probably think you've heard about every fringe cult there is, but you'd be wrong. This week, Amy and Chris discuss four unsettling and underreported cults, starting with the Alachua County cult in Florida, House of Prayer. Anna Young was the merciless leader of the group, worshipped by the other members. But Anna, known as "Mother Anna" was ultimately ousted by her own daughter, Joy Fluker, for her horrendous abuse of minors, which culminated in the death of two toddlers.In the second story, Chris recounts the case of Lawrence "Larry" Ray. Larry moved into his daughter's dorm at Sarah Lawrence College. He began grooming and manipulating his daughter's roommates, which he used to extort them and create a bizarre sex cult, forcing the students to sleep with each other while he watched. Despite other parents reporting him, the college stated that there was nothing they could do. Lawrence kept his ruse up for over 10 years before we he was arrested, but he still seems to have a hold over some of his "group members."Next, Amy discusses the voodoo cult leader Mark Steven Foster. Mark was found dead on the side of a road with a strange and cryptic note in his shoe. Investigators had no idea this would start the pulling of the thread of Mark's unusual life, and his unusual death. When Mark's home was searched, police discovered pornography and other disturbing items, linking him to a bizarre cult. But it gets stranger. Investigators found out that Mark had convinced his friends to murder him for insurance money, but the note they found in Mark's shoe was Mark's attempt to pin the crime on his co-conspirators to ensure they wouldn't get away with it.Finally, Chris brings you the story of the Love Has Won group. Amy Carlson led the cult and was thought to be the reincarnation of several famous figures, from Jesus Christ to Marilyn Monroe, and more. Amy claimed to be in close connection with angels and ghosts, including dead celebrities. So if Amy was so beloved, why was she discovered as a mummified corpse in a small mountain town?When you’re ready to undo some damage, hit the reset button with the OUAI Detox Shampoo. Go to theouai.com and use code TCR to get 15% off your entire purchase!Go to Hellofresh.com/tcr12 and use code tcr12 for 12 free meals, including free shipping!Send your true crime suggestions to hello@truecrimerecaps!Support the show AND listen ad-free here!: https://truecrimerecaps.supercast.tech/Follow TCR on YouTube here!Follow TCR on Instagram here!Follow TCR on Facebook here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesGet all the crime in half the time! Watch True Crime Recaps on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube or Snapchat! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. New episodes weekly!

26 Mai 202122min

You might've heard about these stories, but this week, Amy and Chris dive deep into 3 of the most infamous unsolved crimes in American history. First up is the only unsolved hijacking in FBI history, the case of D.B. Cooper. On November 24, 1971, a mysterious man who identified himself as Dan Cooper sat calmly on a plane. He handed a flight attendant a note that told her he had a bomb and demanded $200,000 and 2 parachutes. Dan got his demand and jumped out of the back of the plane into the wilderness, never to be seen again. Many theories have arisen as to the fate of the hijacker, from dying in the rugged terrain to burying his money on the beach, but no decisive conclusion has ever been reached.In the second case, Amy delves into the body of a man found at Somerton Beach, Australia that has confounded investigators for decades. The Tamám Shud case, as it is often referred to, involves the discovery of an unidentified man found dressed in business attire slouched over on the beach in December 1948. It was later discovered that the man was dead, but his identity has never been determined. Strange notes and encrypted texts were found on him, leaving many to speculate that the man was involved in the Cold War or other secret operations, but even with advent of DNA technology, his background and identity remain murky.Finally, Chris explains the details surrounding the case that is usually referred to as the Lindbergh Baby case, or Lindbergh kidnapping. On March 1, 1932, Charles and Anne Lindbergh were approached by their nurse Betty Gow with a note. The note explained that their 20-month old son had been kidnapped and was demanding money. The investigation and subsequent trial turned into what many media outlets dubbed as the "crime of the century." And although a man named Bruno Richard Hauptmann was ultimately tried and executed for the crime, many doubts remain surrounding his guilt. Is it possible that an innocent man was put to death for one of the biggest crimes in U.S. history?Get 10% off your first month by visiting Betterhelp.com/recaps!Send your true crime suggestions to hello@truecrimerecaps!Support the show AND listen ad-free here!: https://truecrimerecaps.supercast.tech/Follow TCR on YouTube here!Follow TCR on Instagram here!Follow TCR on Facebook here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesGet all the crime in half the time! Watch True Crime Recaps on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube or Snapchat! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. New episodes weekly!

19 Mai 202131min

This week, Amy and Chris bring you three murders committed in the typically peaceful Amish community. The first is about Ed Gingerich, a mentally ill man who brutally murdered and disemboweled his wife Katie. Ed had frightened many people within his community before the murder due to his unhinged behavior, enough to the point that they resorted to calling 9-1-1. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and placed on medication, but he ultimately stopped taking it, which only made his state of mind worse. Ed was convicted of manslaughter and spent a little over 2 years in prison, despite community members pleading with authorities to keep Ed institutionalized.In the second case, Amy the killer Eli Stutzman, often known as a potential Amish serial killer. Eli was a closeted gay man living in an extremely devout Amish community. He was also a pathological liar, so the details of his life and whereabouts are difficult to verify. What is certain is that Eli became a person of interest after several murdered bodies were discovered that had connections to Eli, including his own son, Danny Stutzman, who he abandoned in a ditch.Finally, Chris details the story of the self-described "Amish Stud" Eli Weaver. Despite being married and having 5 children, Eli scoured the internet for women to sleep with, causing a lot of strife within his community. Eli's addiction to cheating ultimately became a horrific crime. Eli was able to convince his mistress, Barbara Raber, to shoot Eli's wife Barbara Weaver as she slept in their bed.Send your true crime suggestions to hello@truecrimerecaps!Support the show AND listen ad-free here!: https://truecrimerecaps.supercast.tech/Follow TCR on YouTube here!Follow TCR on Instagram here!Follow TCR on Facebook here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesGet all the crime in half the time! Watch True Crime Recaps on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube or Snapchat! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. New episodes weekly!

12 Mai 202137min

"I stabbed my sister!" These were the words repeated over and over by Claire Miller, the 14-year-old who allegedly stabbed her sister Helen to death and posted the video on Tik Tok. In the first case, Amy breaks down the bizarre, yet tragic details behind this ongoing case. Claire regularly posted videos on Tik Tok consisting of violent anime and other disturbing imagery. In late February, Claire admitted to stabbing her older sister Helen, who was wheelchair-bound due to cerebral palsy. Tik Tok removed an account that many believe belonged to Claire, who might've posted the murder on the platform. Although details are slowly emerging, we do know that Claire is being charged as an adult for the murder of Helen Miller.For the second story, Chris details how the disappearance of Sky Metalwala closely mirrors an episode of the long-running television series Law & Order. On November 6, 2011, Julia Biryukova claims to have been driving her children to a nearby hospital when her car ran out of gas. She says she pulled the car over and took her daughter to go to a gas station, while leaving Sky in the car. But instead of getting gas, she had her friend pick them up and return to her parked car. When they arrived back to Julia's car, Sky was missing and hasn't been seen since. Chris discusses the details that don't quite match up with Julia's account of events and how they are identical to an episode of Law & Order that she had watched previous to Sky's disappearance.Go to Hellofresh.com/tcr12 and use code tcr12 for 12 free meals, including free shipping!Send your true crime suggestions to hello@truecrimerecaps!Support the show AND listen ad-free here!: https://truecrimerecaps.supercast.tech/Follow TCR on YouTube here!Follow TCR on Instagram here!Follow TCR on Facebook here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesGet all the crime in half the time! Watch True Crime Recaps on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube or Snapchat! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. New episodes weekly!

28 Apr 202126min

This week, Amy and Chris are highlighting 2 remarkable cases that were solved using modern DNA techniques. The first story is the case of Mandy Stavik, who was found dead on Nov. 27, 1989. With no significant leads in the investigation, the case went cold for over 30 years. The case got a shot in the arm when 2 mothers randomly discussed the case at a water park. They named the same man as their main culprit and turns out they were right. Timothy Bass was later linked through DNA evidence and was convicted of raping and murdering Mandy 3 decades ago. He was convicted poetically on Mandy's mother's birthday.And in the second half, they discuss Lisa Ziegert, the teacher's assistant who was abducted while at her 2nd job back in 1992. In 2017, with the advent of DNA technology, Ziegert's killer was finally identified as Gary E. Schara. Gary had stalked Lisa before abducting and killing her, and was even linked to the murder back in 1993 when his then-wife told police he might be involved. But it wasn't until a composite was created decades later, and with the use of DNA samples collected from the crime scene, that this case could finally be closed and bring closure to the families involved.Send your true crime suggestions to hello@truecrimerecaps!Support the show AND listen ad-free here!: https://truecrimerecaps.supercast.tech/Follow TCR on YouTube here!Follow TCR on Instagram here!Follow TCR on Facebook here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesGet all the crime in half the time! Watch True Crime Recaps on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube or Snapchat! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. New episodes weekly!

21 Apr 202129min

This week, Amy and Chris delve into 2 horrific family murders. In the first half, Chris recounts the slaying of the McStay Family in the affluent Fallbrook, California. The McStay Family consisted of father Joseph, mother Summer, and children 4-year-old Gianni and 3-year-old Joseph Jr. Over a few days in early February 2010, friends and family of the family attempted to locate them, but they seemingly abandoned their car and belongings. On November 11, 2013, the remains of the family were found in the desert surrounding Victorville, California. Further investigation determined that Joseph's business partner Charles "Chase" Merritt was the likely culprit due to his connection with the family, his shady past and gambling debts. On January 21, 2020, Chase was sentenced to death by a jury, but is there more to this story?The second story has baffled investigators for almost a century! Amy recaps the case of the Gruber family murders, also known as The Hinterkaifeck murders. After the family was absent from the town for an entire week, the townspeople became concerned. Finally, investigators searched the house and found all 6 members of the family, as well as the maid who had just started her first day, brutally murdered by a farming mattock. They also found that someone, most likely the killer, had hung around the house after March 31, 1922, the night the family was slain. Though many have been arrested and investigated, there are still no lead suspects and the mystery of this horrible crime may never be solved.As a listener, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting our sponsor at BetterHelp.com/recaps!Send your true crime suggestions to hello@truecrimerecaps!Follow TCR on YouTube here!Follow TCR on Instagram here!Follow TCR on Facebook here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesGet all the crime in half the time! Watch True Crime Recaps on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube or Snapchat! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. New episodes weekly!

14 Apr 202134min