Nikki With An “i”

In 2016, police in Columbus, Ohio, were dispatched to a homeless encampment known as a "tent city" near the Scioto River. Upon arrival, they discovered a gruesome crime scene—the brutal murder of a camp resident, Cathleen Howatt. Her death set off a complex and tragic investigation, drawing in law enforcement, as well as Cathleen’s loved ones, into a web of conflicting accounts, substance abuse, and the harsh realities of life on the streets of Columbus. As authorities closed in on Cathleen’s killer, tensions escalated, leading to a dramatic and intense confrontation between detective and suspect.    Thank you to Peyton Williams and Jeanette Bradley for speaking with us.  Written by John Garland Wells, Executive Produced by Michael Ojibway. View full episode source list at https://www.invisiblechoir.com/listen/tentcity  Support Our Sponsors:  Squarespace: Go to https://www.squarespace.com/choir for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, use offer code “CHOIR” to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain!  Rocket Money: Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way by going to https://www.rocketmoney.com/invisible.  HungryRoot: Go to https://www.hungryroot.com/choir and use code CHOIR to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choir for life!  Hers: Visit ForHers.com/choir for your personalized weight loss treatment options!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16 Feb 1h 7min

In March 2017, a 25-year-old man in Dubuque, Iowa placed a frantic phone call to 911. He claimed his girlfriend had just died in front of him - by stabbing herself in the stomach. The next day, he was arrested and charged with her murder. But was her death a suicide or a homicide? The question would divide a community, send shockwaves through the courts, and pit two families against each other.  Written and produced by Jessamyn Ansary, Executive Produced by Michael Ojibway. View full episode source list at https://www.invisiblechoir.com/listen/nopeace    Support Our Sponsors:  Acorns: Visit acorns.com/choir or download the Acorns app to start saving and investing for your future today!  Green Chef: Go to greenchef.com/invisiblefree and use code “invisiblefree” to get started with FREE salads for two months plus 50% off your first box!  Quince: Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to quince.com/choir for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Feb 1h 2min

On October 23rd, 2022, 21-year-old Jared Dicus and 21-year-old Anggy Diaz posted a photo on Facebook that surprised their friends and family alike. It was a picture of Jared holding Anggy in his arms as they shared a kiss, celebrating the fact that they had just gotten married. This announcement came as a shock to their friends and family for a couple of reasons: first, no one was invited, and second, they had met less than a year ago. However, setting aside judgment, it appeared that the two truly loved each other, and perhaps this was just another story of love at first sight. Yet, despite how good things seemed, something dark was brewing beneath the surface, only to be revealed after a disturbing 911 call was made just a few months later. Written by Trevor Pason, edited and engineered by Scott Ecklein, and executive produced by Michael Ojibway. View full episode source list at https://www.invisiblechoir.com/listen/unseen  Support Our Sponsors:  Squarespace: Go to https://www.squarespace.com/choir for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, use offer code “CHOIR” to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain!  Rocket Money: Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way by going to https://www.rocketmoney.com/invisible.  Acorns: Visit acorns.com/choir or download the Acorns app to start saving and investing for your future today!  Hers: Visit ForHers.com/choir for your personalized weight loss treatment options!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Jan 1h 15min

When a wealthy businessman and his live-in friend were discovered dead in an upscale Arkansas neighborhood in 2002, the execution-style murders sent ripples across the country. Shortly after, a woman goes missing from her job in Salt Lake City, Utah. What connects these two horrific events is a single man and a lifetime of growing delusions, culminating in a shocking nine-year ordeal of violence and delayed justice. Written by John Garland Wells, edited and engineered by Scott Ecklein, and executive produced by Michael Ojibway. View full episode source list at https://www.invisiblechoir.com/listen/hgwt  Support Our Sponsors:  Rocket Money: Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way by going to https://www.rocketmoney.com/invisible.  Acorns: Visit acorns.com/choir or download the Acorns app to start saving and investing for your future today!  HungryRoot: Go to https://www.hungryroot.com/choir and use code CHOIR to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choir for life! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Jan 1h 23min

On the afternoon of March 19th, 2018, residents in Lake Wales, Florida were going about their usual day-to-day business. Adults were just getting off work, kids were returning home from school, and others were finishing up their errands. But, around 3 PM, that all changed when waves of police and paramedics made their way to a neighborhood on the south side of town, surrounding a small field near Caloosa Blvd and Lake Blvd. As public interest grew and residents watched on, they learned that just beyond that field, in a small but dense area of trees, lay the dead body of 15-year-old Giovanni Diaz. As for the suspect, 16-year-old Dillen Murray, he was already in custody, claiming that he had beaten the boy to death in self-defense. It just so happened that the community themselves had far more information than investigators initially realized, helping to piece together the puzzle of how a hang out between friends turned deadly. ***We originally covered this case in an abbreviated “Felony Friday” mini-episode back in 2020. This is a follow-up full length rewrite now that the perpetrator has been sentenced and all investigative reports have been made publicly available.*** Written by Trevor Pason, edited and engineered by Scott Ecklein, and executive produced by Michael Ojibway. View full episode source list at https://www.invisiblechoir.com/listen/secretproject  Support Our Sponsors:  Rocket Money: Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way by going to https://www.rocketmoney.com/invisible.  StoryWorth: Go to https://www.storyworth.com/invisible to save $10 on your first purchase! Bilt Rewards: Earn points by paying rent right now when you go to JoinBilt.com/choir!  Masterclass: Visit Masterclass.com/choir to receive up to 50% off a Masterclass membership, where you can learn from over 200+ of the world’s best!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Dec 20241h 21min

The Cloud 9 nightclub in Ocala, FL was a hotspot for young people seeking an unforgettable nightlife experience. The venue had become notable in the community for its raucous crowd and the constant illegal activities that occurred within. When 19-year-old college athlete Benetria Robinson returned home from college to Ocala to celebrate her aunt’s birthday at Cloud 9, neither she nor anyone else in attendance could have anticipated the dark turn the night would take when an argument started up in the middle of the club…  Written by John Garland Wells, edited and engineered by Scott Ecklein, and executive produced by Michael Ojibway. View full episode source list at https://www.invisiblechoir.com/listen/strengthnumbers   Support Our Sponsors:  Squarespace: Go to https://www.squarespace.com/choir for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, use offer code “CHOIR” to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain!  Rocket Money: Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way by going to https://www.rocketmoney.com/invisible.  Bilt Rewards: Earn points by paying rent right now when you go to JoinBilt.com/choir!  Acorns: Visit acorns.com/choir or download the Acorns app to start saving and investing for your future today!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 Dec 202452min

In the spring of 2022, Ashley Bocanegra found herself in an exciting new romantic relationship with Daniel Gonzalez… despite knowing it was a mistake. She was already in a committed long-term relationship and raising a young son. Daniel, too, was involved with someone else. But what Ashley never expected was how quickly things would spiral out of control when Daniel's fiancée discovered the affair… Written by Sam Foster, Edited and Engineered by Scott Ecklein, and Executive Produced by Michael Ojibway. “Surprise Attack - Intro” written, composed and performed by Scott Ecklein. View full episode source list at https://www.invisiblechoir.com/listen/surpriseattack    Support Our Sponsors:  Bilt Rewards: Earn points by paying rent right now when you go to JoinBilt.com/choir!  Ro Body: Sign up today at Ro.Co/Invisible and you’ll pay just $99 for your first month! Medication costs are separate. Masterclass: Visit Masterclass.com/choir to receive up to 50% off a Masterclass membership, where you can learn from over 200+ of the world’s best!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24 Nov 20241h 1min

"Have you ever seen a dead body?" It was a haunting question that marked the beginning of a gruesome discovery inside the Smylie family home in Brandon, MS, in March of 2024. A beloved high school teacher was found shot dead, and her husband narrowly escaped with his own life. Amid the chaos that followed, Heath Smylie recognized the killer—but if not for the footage captured on a home security camera in the family’s kitchen, no one might have believed him… Written by Sam Foster, Edited and Engineered by Scott Ecklein, and Executive Produced by Michael Ojibway. All original music written, composed and performed by Scott Ecklein. View full episode source list at https://www.invisiblechoir.com/listen/perfectstorm  Support Our Sponsors:  StoryWorth: Go to https://www.storyworth.com/invisible to save $10 on your first purchase! Rocket Money: Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way by going to https://www.rocketmoney.com/invisible.  Squarespace: Go to https://www.squarespace.com/choir for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, use offer code “CHOIR” to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain!  Bilt Rewards: Earn points by paying rent right now when you go to JoinBilt.com/choir!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Nov 20241h 3min