The 1986 Disappearance of 7-Month-Old Christopher Abeyta

Timestamps (7:00) - Lost at Sea Data indicates that over 3,000 people are reported missing at sea, each year. In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss two separate disappearances where the people involved have vanished without a trace after allegedly boarding boats. Abigail Bernstein and her two young sons, Koa Kai and Kush, were last seen in October 2022 at the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor on Oahu, Hawaii.  They were allegedly boarding a boat for a long voyage.  The boat’s captain would return one year later and say that Abigail and the children left the boat because they were seasick.  No trace of the family has been found.  Did something happen during the voyage or has Abigail taken the children and gone off the grid? British woman Sarm Heslop and her American boyfriend Ryan Bane lived on Ryan’s boat ‘Siren Song’ in the US Virgin Islands in 2021.  Ryan has said that one night in March that year, he was awoken in the early morning hours by the anchor alarm.  When he got up, Sarm was nowhere to be seen.  Ryan waited 9 hours before calling police.  He has reportedly refused to let authorities search ‘Siren Song’ and he has since sold the vessel and returned to the United States. Read our blog for these cases - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2024/09/17/missing-at-sea-the-bernstein-family-sarm-heslop/ If you’d like to listen to this episode ad-free, please visit us on Patreon This episode is sponsored by Ibiana Ibiana is a free virtual treasure hunting platform where you can challenge your mind, solve riddles, and compete against others for a chance to win real cash prizes. Best of all, it’s absolutely free to play. Unlock your inner wit today by downloading the ibiana app or get more information at ibiana.com. Join the hunt today (it’s free).

3 Okt 202450min

Timestamps: (3:45) - Asha Degree On a cold and stormy night in February 2000 in Shelby, North Carolina, Asha Degree (9) got out of her bed.  She collected some of her favorite belongings and snuck out of her home.  She has not been seen since. Soon after Asha vanished, some of her belongings were found discarded in a nearby shed.  A photograph of an unidentified child was found amongst her things – the child has never been identified. 18 months after Asha disappeared, her backpack was found around 25 miles from where she was last seen.  The pack is said to have been wrapped in trash bags, and it contained items that did not belong to Asha.  Over the decades, the search for Asha has continued.  There has been recent movement in her case as police have executed search warrants at a property near Asha’s home.  A car that matched the description of one seen in the area at the time Asha disappeared has just been towed. In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss the disappearance of Asha Degree.  Was Asha lured away from her home and murdered? Read our blog for Asha’s case If you’d like to listen to this episode ad-free, please visit us on Patreon This episode is sponsored by: Factor - Factor's fresh, never frozen meals are dietitian-approved and ready to eat in just 2 minutes–so no matter how busy you are, you'll always have time to enjoy nutritious, great-tasting meals.  Head to FactorMeals.com/tcs50 and use code tcs50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month.

26 Sep 20241h 1min

Murder by poison is a rare method used by criminals.   It is used in just under one-half of one percent of cases. In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss three very different cases where people were intentionally poisoned, in an attempt to kill. Indiana man Alfred Ruf has just been jailed for drugging his wife Lisa multiple times.  When Lisa was unconscious, Alfred would sleep with her daughter.  Alfred told police that the end goal had been for Lisa to die.  Texas attorney Mason Herring and his wife Catherine were having marital issues and decided to separate. Soon after, Catherine found out she was pregnant with their third child, so the couple decided to try to make things work.  Mason decided to put an abortion drug into Catherine’s beverages, on repeated occasions. Catherine installed cameras in their home when she became suspicious after falling ill. Mason was eventually sentenced to a measly 180 days in jail after pleading guilty to charges of injury to a child and assault of a pregnant person.  The couple’s daughter was born 10 weeks premature and now attends therapy 8 times per week and she has developmental delays. Lana Clayton was millionaire Steven Clayton’s 7th wife. In 2018, Lana apparently found Steven laying at the bottom of a staircase. She ran outside and flagged down a motorist to ask for help.  Lana initially refused an autopsy for Steven and also told his family that he had no will, which not surprisingly, made them suspicious.  An autopsy was eventually carried out and it was discovered that Lana had poisoned Steven by putting eye drops into his coffee. She is also said to have thrown his phone into a lake so that he could not call for help following the poisoning.   Lana pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and tampering with a food or a drug causing death.  She was sentenced to 25 years in prison without parole. Read our blog for these cases A judge has granted the request for alleged murderer Bryan Kohberger to have his trial moved.  We discuss those updates in this episode. If you’d like to listen to this episode ad-free, please visit us on Patreon Be sure to check out our new fave podcast – Two Girls, One Ghost.   Join the summerween trend and satisfy your spooky itch with Two Girls One Ghost, but be warned, side effects might include a haunting or two, listen at your own risk!  This episode is sponsored by: IQbar- Start each day right with IQBAR's brain-and-body boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your twenty percent off, just text CRIME to sixty-four thousand. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details.

19 Sep 202450min

TIMESTAMPS (7:45) - Updates - Matthew Perry (16:55) - Laci Peterson In 2002, Laci Peterson and her husband Scott found out that they were expecting their first child, a son they planned to name Conner. From the outside, the couple appeared to have a picture-perfect life.  Under the surface though, cracks were forming. From early on in their marriage, Scott had a number of affairs with other women.  In November 2002, he began an affair with a woman named Amber Frey.  He told Amber at one point that he had ‘lost his wife’ and the upcoming Christmas would be his first without her. On Christmas Eve 2002, Laci was around 8 months pregnant.  Scott said he left her at home watching Martha Stewart and that she was gone when he returned. The search for Laci and her unborn son was one of the most extensive and high-profile ever seen.  Laci and Conner’s remains would be found months after they vanished. Scott was arrested near the Mexican border and was charged in relation to the deaths of his wife and son.   22 years later, there is still movement in this case.  An organization called the LA Innocence Project is spearheading a new appeal to prove Scott’s alleged innocence. Read our blog for this case If you’d like to listen to this episode ad-free, please visit us on Patreon This week’s episode is sponsored by: Save time and money and shop Thrive Market today. Go to ThriveMarket.com/tcs for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!

12 Sep 20241h 22min

Timestamps (6:00) - Updates: Bryan Kohberger Trial, Wade Wilson Sentencing (22:17) - Cassidy Rainwater Missouri woman Cassidy Rainwater was down on her luck in 2021.  She told family that she was staying with an acquaintance, James Phelps, until she could get back on her feet.   When Cassidy’s family could not get in touch with her, they called in a welfare check.  Police went to James’ home and he told authorities that Cassidy had left in July 2021 to move to Colorado. Soon after Cassidy disappeared, an anonymous tip was sent in to the FBI.  The tipster said that there were photos of Cassidy on the dark web.  In the images, Cassidy could be seen being held captive in a cage.     James Phelps and a friend of his, Timothy Norton, would end up being arrested for Cassidy’s murder.  The men attacked Cassidy while she was sleeping and ended up dismembering her body.  Packages of her flesh were found in a freezer and had the date ‘July 24;’ written on them.  During court proceedings, the men admitted to going to their local Walmart in an attempt to find other victims. Both men are now serving life in prison.   If you’d like to listen to this episode ad-free, please visit us on Patreon!  Read our blog for this case -  https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2024/09/03/cassidy-rainwater-murdered-and-dismembered-after-being-held-captive-in-a-cage/  This week’s episode is sponsored by: Refuel smarter with IQBAR’s Ultimate Sampler Pack. That’s 7 IQBARs, 4 IQMIX sticks, and 4 IQJOE sticks. Get twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your twenty percent off, just text CRIME to 64-000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details.

5 Sep 20241h 1min

TIMESTAMPS (10:49) - Matthew Perry Start Celebrity Matthew Perry was very open about his decades-long struggle with addiction.  He estimated that over the years, he had spent around $9m on rehab costs.  At one point during his addiction, he was in a coma and on life-support for two weeks.  In 2023, Matthew seemed to be doing well.  Even some of his close friends believed he was sober.  Matthew had been getting legal ketamine treatment for his depression and his doctor thought that it was working well.  At some point in September 2023, things changed Matthew.  He worked with his assistant of 25 years, Kenneth Iwamasa, to begin obtaining more ketamine illegally.  They got the drugs from doctors and also from a drug dealer known as the ‘Ketamine Queen.’  Within weeks, Matthew had spent $55k on the drug,  On October 28, 2023,   Matthew told Kenneth to ‘shoot me up with a big one.’  Kenneth did so and he then left to run errands.  When he returned to Matthew’s home, he found the celebrity face down in his jacuzzi.  Paramedics were called and Matthew was declared dead at the age of 54.  Five people have recently been arrested and charged in connection with Matthew’s death.  His assistant is facing a possible sentence of 15 years in prison.  In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss the tragic death of Matthew Perry.  Who is to blame?  Read our blog for this case -  https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2024/08/20/the-tragic-death-of-matthew-perry-who-is-to-blame/ If you’d like to listen to this episode ad-free, please visit us on Patreon

29 Aug 202458min

Timestamps (9:00) - Matthew Perry Arrests (14:16) - Deadly Dads ** TW - CHILD MURDER ** The United States has the highest rate of child murder among developed nations. The most common perpetrator of child homicide is a parent.  In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss two cases where children were murdered by a person who should have cared for them the most – their father. - In June 2023, Chad Doerman asked his wife and children to lay down with him for a nap.  As soon as they all climbed into bed, Chad got up and went to the gun safe.  He went on a heinous rampage, shooting his three sons dead.  Chad’s wife and step-daughter would survive the ordeal – it seems the boys were his main targets.  Chad hast just been sentenced to life in prison. - Corey Micciolo was born in 2014.  He lived for his early years with his mother Breanna.  His father Christopher Gregor would eventually be given residential custody due to Breanna’s addiction issues.  Breanna noticed bruises on Corey and his teachers have said that his demeanor changed over time.  CCTV of Corey and Christopher was found – Christopher was forcing Corey to run at high speeds on a treadmill and he stumbled and fell multiple times. Christopher also appeared to bite Corey at one point.  After the treadmill incident, Corey would pass away in hospital.  In August 2024, Christopher was sentenced to a total of 25 years in state prison for his role in Corey’s death.   Read our blog for these cases - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2024/08/19/deadly-dads-chad-doerman-and-christopher-gregor/ If you’d like to listen to this episode ad-free, please visit us on Patreon! This week’s episode is sponsored by: Refuel smarter with IQBAR’s Ultimate Sampler Pack. That’s 7 IQBARs, 4 IQMIX sticks, and 4 IQJOE sticks. Get twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your twenty percent off, just text CRIME to 64-000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details.

22 Aug 202458min

Timestamps: (6:30) - Asa Ellerup wears her wedding ring & brings their dog to Rex's hearing (10:23) - The Mormon wives get a Hulu docuseries (Taylor Frankie Paul) (13:23) - Lauren Dickason update (15:08 )- Heat Related Deaths On average, 37 children under the age of 15 die each year from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle.  In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss two cases where children died after being left unattended in the heat. Justin ‘Ross’ Harris and his wife Leanna had been having marriage troubles for years.  They were trying to stick it out, despite Ross’ having numerous affairs.  The couple had one child together, Cooper.  In June 2014, Ross texted one of the women he had been seeing and said "I need an escape. I love my son and all but we both need an escape.” Later that day, Ross took Cooper to breakfast and was meant to drop him off to daycare.  After driving for a mile, Ross somehow forgot that Cooper was in his car seat.  Ross parked the car in direct sunlight, got out of the vehicle and went into work. Seven hours later, after internal temperatures in the car reached around 125f, Ross left work and drove off.  Minutes later, he realized what he had done.  Cooper was dead in his car seat. Ross was charged with malice murder, two counts of felony murder, cruelty to children in the first and second degree, criminal attempt to commit a felony and dissemination of harmful materials to minors.  Many of these charges stemmed from Ross’ inappropriate communications with underage females that he engaged in sexting with. Ross was convicted in 2016.  He was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole plus 32 years.   However, in 2024, Ross was released from prison.  A court ruled that there should have been separate trials for the murder charges and the sex-crime charges and his convictions were overturned. Read our blog for this case In the second case, we discuss the death of 4-month-old Tanna Rae Wroblewski.  Tanna Rae was allegedly left alone on a boat in 121f heat on the July 4th weekend this year.  Her parents were said to be swimming and cooling off.  When they returned to check Tanna Rae some time later, she was bleeding from the ears.  The baby was transported to hospital where she passed from heat-related conditions.  There is an investigation into the baby’s death ongoing. We are now on Patreon with exclusive content and ad-free episodes - join us at Patreon.com/truecrimesociety This episode is sponsored by: Smalls - Cat food has been the same forever.  It’s time for cat food to move into the 21st century.  Now is the time to make the switch to Smalls.  Head to Smalls.com/TCS and use promo code TCS at checkout for 50% off your first order PLUS free shipping! Factor - . Factor's fresh, never frozen meals are dietitian-approved and ready to eat in just 2 minutes.  Head to FactorMeals.com/tcs and use code tcs50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month. Thrive Market - Save time and money and shop Thrive Market today. Go to ThriveMarket.com/TCS for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!

15 Aug 20241h 4min