How To Size People Up Like An FBI Behavioral Analyst

Whether walking through a dimly lit parking lot, meeting someone new, or even evaluating the behavior of people close to you, the ability to read people and size them up could mean the difference between safety and danger. This episode teaches you how to think like an FBI Behavioral Analyst. Robin Dreeke, who headed the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Program, joins me to discuss his framework for predicting human behavior. Dreeke wrote the book, “Sizzling People Up”, based on his years in countere

A Terrifying New Scam Bringing Fraudsters to Your Home

Beware of the Fraudster Knocking At Your Door Scammers don’t just lurk online—they may be coming straight to your front door. For centuries, con artists have refined their craft, using deception and misdirection to separate victims from their money. But today’s fraudsters have more sophisticated tools than ever before. The worst part? You won’t even realize you’ve been conned until it’s too late. In this episode, I break down the playbook of modern swindlers with Jim Grinstead, veteran newspa

The Devil In My Friend. The Family Man. The Stone Cold Killer.

How well do we truly know our friends? Can we discern when they are lying, or even worse, when they might be hiding a deadly secret? In this episode, I delve into the unsettling story of Fred Roehler, who seemed to embody the perfect father and husband in the idyllic setting of Malibu, California. However, beneath this facade of a picture-perfect family lies a chilling tale of deception, tragedy, and murder. Join me as I unravel the mystery that Ivor Davis and his wife Sally, both seasoned

How The Chinese Communist Party Is Stealing America’s Future

How The Chinese Communist Party Is Stealing America’s Future

How long would you tolerate thieves breaking into your home to steal your precious jewels? For years, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been getting away with doing just that by orchestrating the theft of cutting-edge technologies and intellectual property– the crown jewels of the United States economy and its national security. Chinese companies controlled by the CCP have been embedding themselves into the heartland of American business by systematically investing in and buying U.S. comp

The $30 Billion Secret The Government Doesn’t Want You To Know

The $30 Billion Secret The Government Doesn’t Want You To Know

Baby Face Nelson: The Boy Who Became America’s Most Ruthless Killer

In the blood-soaked pantheon of Depression-era gangsters, one killer stood apart – not for his height, but for his face. Witnesses consistently described him as looking like “an angel,” with bright blue eyes and features so youthful that bank tellers often mistook him for a teenage messenger boy. That angelic countenance masked the soul of perhaps the most efficient killer in gangster history. Baby Face Nelson didn’t just rob banks – he hunted F

Baby Face Nelson: The Boy Who Became America’s Most Ruthless Killer

Sextortion Is Why Social Media Scares Me For The Safety Of Our Children

We used to fear sexual predators stalking our neighborhoods, ready to snatch our children off the streets. We called it “Stranger Danger”. But “Stranger Danger” has moved online with Sextortion schemes on the social media platforms and gaming apps our children use daily. Organized crime rings now prowl the internet, tricking teenagers into sharing explicit images through these familiar channels. Once they have those images, the nightmare begins. These criminals blackmail the

Sextortion Is Why Social Media Scares Me For The Safety Of Our Children

Getting Away with Murder: Learning from Dateline and Other True Crime Shows

Getting Away with Murder: Learning from Dateline and Other True Crime Shows

Mike Cox’s name is synonymous with Texas crime reporting. Cox spent decades covering grisly crimes, working as a police beat reporter and later as the Chief of Media Relations for the Texas Department of Public Safety and authoring books about the Texas Rangers. His latest book, Getting Away with Murder: Learning from Dateline and Other True Crime Shows, blends his sharp wit with his vast experience in law enforcement, offering readers a tongue-in-cheek take on crime and the often

Blood And Ink On The Police Beat Covering Serial Killer Henry Lee Lucas

Blood And Ink On The Police Beat Covering Serial Killer Henry Lee Lucas

True Crime Reporter® presents a story that straddles the line between horror and history. Mike Cox, a veteran police beat reporter and former chief of media relations for the Texas Department of Public Safety, spent his life documenting murder cases and bringing clarity to chaos.  From unraveling the disturbing confessions of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas to sorting out the facts for the press at the Luby’s Cafeteria massacre, Cox's career has been one immersed in blood and ink.  In this e

Inside The Mind Of The Border Patrol Serial Killer Juan David Ortiz

Juan David Ortiz, a U.S. Border Patrol supervisor, wore the uniform of a trusted protector.  But he lived a double life -- husband, father, war veteran, and respected agent. Yet beneath this facade of normalcy lay a monster. Over the course of twelve days in 2018, Ortiz unleashed his dark urges on the streets of Laredo, Texas, brutally ending the lives of four vulnerable women. What drove a man like Ortiz to commit such heinous acts? I explore that question through the eyes of Lyz

A Funeral Home Murder Mystery: Joe Pulizzi’s Bold Leap into Crime Writing

Joe Pulizzi, the Godfather of Content Marketing, takes an audacious leap into crime fiction, delivering a story that is as mesmerizing as it is chilling.  Set within the haunting confines of a funeral home, "The Will To Die" unravels a dark and twisted narrative brimming with suspense, secrets, and a touch of macabre. Pulizzi's protagonist, a marketing professional, finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and danger. He is compelled to uncover the mysteries buried deep within the family

A Funeral Home Murder Mystery: Joe Pulizzi’s Bold Leap into Crime Writing

11 Days of Terror: The Deadly Texas Prison Hostage Crisis That Gripped The Nation

Chaos erupted inside the impenetrable Walls Unit prison in Huntsville during the scorching Texas summer of July 1974.  Frederico “Fred” Gomez Carrasco, a notorious drug lord often compared to Pablo Escobar of today, orchestrated a takeover that would become the longest prison siege in U.S. history. Carrasco, known as "The Mexican Connection," smuggled guns into the prison and, along with two accomplices, took teachers and librarians hostage.  For eleven harrowing days, they threatened a

11 Days of Terror: The Deadly Texas Prison Hostage Crisis That Gripped The Nation

The Devil In My Friend. The Family Man. The Stone Cold Killer.

How well do we truly know our friends? Can we discern when they are lying, or even worse, when they might be hiding a deadly secret? In this episode, I delve into the unsettling story of Fred Roehler, who seemed to embody the perfect father and husband in the idyllic setting of Malibu, California. However, beneath this facade of a picture-perfect family lies a chilling tale of deception, tragedy, and murder. Join me as I unravel the mystery that Ivor Davis and his wife Sally, both se

The Devil In My Friend. The Family Man. The Stone Cold Killer.

John Dillinger: The Rise and Fall of America’s Public Enemy Number One

John Dillinger & The Lady In Red Confronted Leaving The Biograph Theater in Chicago July 22, 1934. Artists Rendition John Dillinger was the most famous outlaw of the 1930s—a charming yet elusive bank robber who captured the public's imagination and fueled an entire genre of crime melodramas during the darkest days of the Great Depression. His daring escapades, including multiple jailbreaks and bank heists, captivated the nation and earned him the moniker of "Public Enemy Number One" from F

John Dillinger: The Rise and Fall of America’s Public Enemy Number One

The Postman Cometh: A Deadly Delivery That Went Tick, Tick, Tick In Small-Town Texas

The arrival of a mysterious box at a government office in a small Texas town shattered its quiet morning routine.  Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere turned to chaos as panicked men and women ran screaming from the building into the street.  They were the targets of a sinister plot designed to kill them all with a powerful pipe bomb in a case of domestic violence. FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast  SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS O

The Postman Cometh: A Deadly Delivery That Went Tick, Tick, Tick In Small-Town Texas

The arrival of a mysterious box at a government office in a small Texas town shattered its quiet morning routine.  Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere turned to chaos as panicked men and women ran screaming from the building into the street.  They were the targets of a sinister plot designed to kill them all with a powerful pipe bomb in a case of domestic violence. FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast  SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leav

Blood Pacts and Breaking Bad: The Rise and Fall of the Devil Lovers

In the shadow of Texas' heartland, a clandestine cult flourished under the guise of dark rituals and methamphetamine production. Known as the Devil Lovers, this group of middle-aged men and women from prominent Waco families engaged in sinister ceremonies, pledging allegiance to their enigmatic leader, David Russell Zell. Their twisted journey from occult gatherings to running the state's largest illicit meth lab in the late 1980s unfolded a tale stranger than fiction. Join investigative repor

Blood Pacts and Breaking Bad: The Rise and Fall of the Devil Lovers

In the shadow of Texas' heartland, a clandestine cult flourished under the guise of dark rituals and methamphetamine production. Known as the Devil Lovers, this group of middle-aged men and women from prominent Waco families engaged in sinister ceremonies, pledging allegiance to their enigmatic leader, David Russell Zell. Their twisted journey from occult gatherings to running the state's largest illicit meth lab in the late 1980s unfolded a tale stranger than fiction. Join investigat

True Crime Meets Fiction: Exploring Serial Killer Psychology with David Bethel

Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs dives into the mind of a serial killer with author John David Bethel as we explore his latest novel “Mapping The Night.” Bethel's books stand out for their profound basis in real-life cases.  His fiction and nonfiction offer a unique lens through which to explore the darkest corners of the human mind. FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast  SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one – it really helps. TE

True Crime Meets Fiction: Exploring Serial Killer Psychology with David Bethel

Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs dives into the mind of a serial killer with author John David Bethel as we explore his latest novel “Mapping The Night.” Bethel's books stand out for their profound basis in real-life cases.  His fiction and nonfiction offer a unique lens through which to explore the darkest corners of the human mind. FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast  SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one –

A Case Of Pure Evil Haunts Dallas FBI Agent

Genaro “Geno” Ruiz Camacho's drug empire thrived on violence.  In the late 1980s in Dallas, he ruled with an iron fist and displayed an almost unimaginable cruelty towards those who crossed his path. This story is about violence, revenge, and an unrelenting pursuit of justice led by FBI Special Agent Tase Bailey.  I uncover how Camacho's brutality shaped one of the most notorious federal investigations in Texas history and how it haunted the investigators for years to come. FOLLOW the True Crime

A Case Of Pure Evil Haunts Dallas FBI Agent

Genaro “Geno” Ruiz Camacho's drug empire thrived on violence.  In the late 1980s in Dallas, he ruled with an iron fist and displayed an almost unimaginable cruelty towards those who crossed his path. This story is about violence, revenge, and an unrelenting pursuit of justice led by FBI Special Agent Tase Bailey.  I uncover how Camacho's brutality shaped one of the most notorious federal investigations in Texas history and how it haunted the investigators for years to come. FOLLO

Better Be On Your Best Behavior When Police Wear Body Cameras

If Minneapolis police officers had been wearing body cameras, would it have prevented the excessive force that led to the murder of 46-year-old George Floyd? Dr. Jennifer Matthews says Body-Worn Cameras are reshaping Police-Citizen Interactions, and she believes that it could have made a life-saving difference. Matthews has implemented, managed, and trained more than 3,000 Chicago area law enforcement officers in Body-Worn Camera programs. Matthews shares insights from her PhD dissertat

Better Be On Your Best Behavior When Police Wear Body Cameras

If Minneapolis police officers had been wearing body cameras, would it have prevented the excessive force that led to the murder of 46-year-old George Floyd? Dr. Jennifer Matthews says Body-Worn Cameras are reshaping Police-Citizen Interactions, and she believes that it could have made a life-saving difference. Matthews has implemented, managed, and trained more than 3,000 Chicago area law enforcement officers in Body-Worn Camera programs. Matthews shares insights from her PhD dissertation for W

Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Black Widow Part 3

Sandra Bridewell has fallen from grace in Dallas Society.  Shunned by neighbors and most friends in the posh Highland Park community that is home to oil and real estate barons. In Parts 1 & 2 Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Black Widow we reveal Bridewell's connection to three mysterious shooting deaths and the stories about them label Sandra, The Black Widow. She flees to the West Coast to escape her scandalous reputation. True Crime author John Leake unveils in his book The Meaning of Malice:

Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Black Widow Part 3

Sandra Bridewell has fallen from grace in Dallas Society.  Shunned by neighbors and most friends in the posh Highland Park community that is home to oil and real estate barons. In Parts 1 & 2 Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Black Widow we reveal Bridewell's connection to three mysterious shooting deaths and the stories about them label Sandra, The Black Widow. She flees to the West Coast to escape her scandalous reputation. True Crime author John Leake unveils in his book The Meaning o

Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Texas Black Widow Part 2

Dallas Socialite Sandra Bridewell cultivated an image of elegance and vulnerability. In part one of our series, Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Black Widow, Sandra Bridewell’s first husband’s life tragically ends with his alleged suicide. Was the promising young dentist driven to shoot himself in a fit of depression over the crushing burden of mounting debt from Sandra’s lavish lifestyle? Or was there a sinister motive for murder? True crime author, John Leake continues the story from

Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Texas Black Widow Part 2

Dallas Socialite Sandra Bridewell cultivated an image of elegance and vulnerability. In part one of our series, Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Black Widow, Sandra Bridewell’s first husband’s life tragically ends with his alleged suicide. Was the promising young dentist driven to shoot himself in a fit of depression over the crushing burden of mounting debt from Sandra’s lavish lifestyle? Or was there a sinister motive for murder? True crime author, John Leake continues the story from his book

Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Texas Black Widow Part 1

Amidst the sprawling cityscape of Dallas, where power and prosperity intersect with secrets and lies, Sandra Bridewell's story unravels. Bridewell was a beautiful, alluring socialite in the affluent enclave of Highland Park when Dallas was the world’s most popular TV show and the Dallas Cowboys were America’s team.  It is a tale woven with deception, sex, and the dark underbelly of high society in a close-knit community known as the Beverly Hills of the Southwest – Highland Park. Known

Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Texas Black Widow Part 1

Amidst the sprawling cityscape of Dallas, where power and prosperity intersect with secrets and lies, Sandra Bridewell's story unravels. Bridewell was a beautiful, alluring socialite in the affluent enclave of Highland Park when Dallas was the world’s most popular TV show and the Dallas Cowboys were America’s team.  It is a tale woven with deception, sex, and the dark underbelly of high society in a close-knit community known as the Beverly Hills of the Southwest – Highland Park. Known infamousl

Inside The Digital Slaughter House Of Pig Butchering Scams

A new breed of con artists herd unwitting victims into a digital slaughterhouse. Master manipulators use a scam called “Pig Butchering.” They fatten up their prey with affection and the promise of riches, like feeding a hog on the way to the slaughterhouse. Pig Butchers use psychological manipulation to bleed victim’s savings.  If you believe similar schemes have victimized your family, friends, or business, report them to your local FBI Field Office, the Federal Trade Commission

Inside The Digital Slaughter House Of Pig Butchering Scams

A new breed of con artists herd unwitting victims into a digital slaughterhouse. Master manipulators use a scam called “Pig Butchering.” They fatten up their prey with affection and the promise of riches, like feeding a hog on the way to the slaughterhouse. Pig Butchers use psychological manipulation to bleed victim’s savings.  If you believe similar schemes have victimized your family, friends, or business, report them to your local FBI Field Office, the Federal Trade Commission, and the FBI’s

The Secret Service Files: Cracking New York’s Counterfeit Underworld

In the shadowy underworld of early 20th-century New York City, a nefarious counterfeiting operation run by cunning Sicilian criminals thrived—until William Flynn and the U.S. Secret Service set their sights on bringing the ring to justice. At the heart of the story is the classic clash between good and evil, law and lawlessness. But in William Flynn, we have the archetypal determined detective hero - relentless, clever, and utterly committed to justice. This is a follow-up to our last e

The Secret Service Files: Cracking New York’s Counterfeit Underworld

In the shadowy underworld of early 20th-century New York City, a nefarious counterfeiting operation run by cunning Sicilian criminals thrived—until William Flynn and the U.S. Secret Service set their sights on bringing the ring to justice. At the heart of the story is the classic clash between good and evil, law and lawlessness. But in William Flynn, we have the archetypal determined detective hero - relentless, clever, and utterly committed to justice. This is a follow-up to our last episode ab

The Bulldog Detective: The Untold Story of America’s First Top Cop

Through the mist of forgotten histories, the figure of William J. Flynn beckons, offering a glimpse into a life that, though eclipsed by time, remains a testament to human endeavor and spirit. In the early 20th century, Flynn, known as the “Bulldog Detective,” was one of the most famous detectives in America. As head of the U.S. Secret Service and later the Bureau of Investigation (forerunner of the FBI), Flynn led the chase for counterfeiters, took on the first Mafia crime family, pursued Germa

The Bulldog Detective: The Untold Story of America’s First Top Cop

Through the mist of forgotten histories, the figure of William J. Flynn beckons, offering a glimpse into a life that, though eclipsed by time, remains a testament to human endeavor and spirit. In the early 20th century, Flynn, known as the “Bulldog Detective,” was one of the most famous detectives in America. As head of the U.S. Secret Service and later the Bureau of Investigation (forerunner of the FBI), Flynn led the chase for counterfeiters, took on the first Mafia crime family, pursued

Searching For Patty Hearst: Militant Marxist or Brain Washed?

The mystery of Patty Hearst's transformation from a college student born into privilege to a Marxist militant wielding an M-1 carbine in a bank robbery remains as compelling as ever on the 50th anniversary of her kidnapping.  The abduction of William Randolph Heart’s granddaughter captured America’s attention in 1974. The saga of 19-year-old Patty Hearst pushed the impeachment of President Richard Nixon off newspaper headlines.  Searching for Patty Hearst by journalist Roger Rapoport delves into

Searching For Patty Hearst: Militant Marxist or Brain Washed?

The mystery of Patty Hearst's transformation from a college student born into privilege to a Marxist militant wielding an M-1 carbine in a bank robbery remains as compelling as ever on the 50th anniversary of her kidnapping.  The abduction of William Randolph Heart’s granddaughter captured America’s attention in 1974. The saga of 19-year-old Patty Hearst pushed the impeachment of President Richard Nixon off newspaper headlines.  Searching for Patty Hearst by journalist Roger Rapoport de

Unmasking Evil: Face-to-Face with the Son of Sam

David Berkowitz, known as the “Son of Sam,” terrorized New York City for a year in the late 1970s with a series of random murders and cryptic taunts to police and the press. Ever since then, the question of why he did it and if Berkowitz had accomplices from a Satan-worshipping cult has produced ceaseless speculation.  Now, Dr. Michael Caparrelli provides new insights into the mind of David Berkowitz in a new book titled Monster Mirror. Dr. Caparrelli is a behavioral scientist and was a pastor

Unmasking Evil: Face-to-Face with the Son of Sam

David Berkowitz, known as the “Son of Sam,” terrorized New York City for a year in the late 1970s with a series of random murders and cryptic taunts to police and the press. Ever since then, the question of why he did it and if Berkowitz had accomplices from a Satan-worshipping cult has produced ceaseless speculation.  Now, Dr. Michael Caparrelli provides new insights into the mind of David Berkowitz in a new book titled Monster Mirror. Dr. Caparrelli is a behavioral scientist and was a p

The Axe Falls: The Shocking Execution of the Teenage Queen

I opened my reporter's notebook to the historical case called the "Nine Days Queen." It's a tragic story from 16th-century England about Lady Jane Grey. Her life, a fleeting moment in the annals of English royalty, ended abruptly with her execution at just 16 years old. I take you to London's National Gallery to see her last moment poignantly captured in oil on canvas. National Gallery painting "Execution of Lady Jane Grey": https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/paul-dela

The Axe Falls: The Shocking Execution of the Teenage Queen

I opened my reporter's notebook to the historical case called the "Nine Days Queen." It's a tragic story from 16th-century England about Lady Jane Grey. Her life, a fleeting moment in the annals of English royalty, ended abruptly with her execution at just 16 years old. I take you to London's National Gallery to see her last moment poignantly captured in oil on canvas. National Gallery painting "Execution of Lady Jane Grey": https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/paul-delaroche-the-execut

The Bank Robber, The Fugitive, The Pilot, and The Mena Arkansas Conspiracy.

This story shrouded in mystery, involves a Texas prison escapee that could be ripped straight from a spy novel. Bank robber and suspected drug smuggler Charles J. Woods of Dallas made a daring escape from a Texas prison and subsequently disappeared into the realm of the Mena Arkansas Conspiracy.  In my exclusive interview with fugitive hunter Louis Fawcett, we unravel the threads of Woods' escape to the mysterious town of Mena, Arkansas. The town's small airport in the Quachirta mountains was th

The Bank Robber, The Fugitive, The Pilot, and The Mena Arkansas Conspiracy.

This story shrouded in mystery, involves a Texas prison escapee that could be ripped straight from a spy novel. Bank robber and suspected drug smuggler Charles J. Woods of Dallas made a daring escape from a Texas prison and subsequently disappeared into the realm of the Mena Arkansas Conspiracy.  In my exclusive interview with fugitive hunter Louis Fawcett, we unravel the threads of Woods' escape to the mysterious town of Mena, Arkansas. The town's small airport in the Quachirta mountai

Why A Serial Killer’s Cell Phone Threats from Death Row Haunt Us Today

Death Row Calling--I Know Where Your Daughters Live I delve into the shadowy underworld of contraband communication, where prisoners wielding illegal cell phones orchestrate a web of threats and criminal enterprises from behind bars.  My story revolves around the chilling case of Richard Tabler, a serial killer on Texas Death Row.  Tabler's audacious use of a smuggled cell phone to threaten a Texas Senator ignited a political firestorm, unmasking a glaring security breach within the prison syste

Why A Serial Killer’s Cell Phone Threats from Death Row Haunt Us Today

Death Row Calling--I Know Where Your Daughters Live I delve into the shadowy underworld of contraband communication, where prisoners wielding illegal cell phones orchestrate a web of threats and criminal enterprises from behind bars.  My story revolves around the chilling case of Richard Tabler, a serial killer on Texas Death Row.  Tabler's audacious use of a smuggled cell phone to threaten a Texas Senator ignited a political firestorm, unmasking a glaring security breach within the pri

A Texas Prison Warden’s Tips On How To Stay Safe From Criminal Minds

Nothing Good Happens After Midnight In the vast, rugged terrain of Texas, where the stories of outlaws and the law are etched into the very soil, we find a beacon of knowledge in an unexpected place: the walls of a maximum-security prison.  My guest, David Stacks guest is a seasoned Texas prison warden, a guardian of society's most dangerous individuals. The retired Warden is now the Director of the Texas Prison Museum in Huntsville, Texas. Having spent decades overseeing some of

A Texas Prison Warden’s Tips On How To Stay Safe From Criminal Minds

Nothing Good Happens After Midnight In the vast, rugged terrain of Texas, where the stories of outlaws and the law are etched into the very soil, we find a beacon of knowledge in an unexpected place: the walls of a maximum-security prison.  My guest, David Stacks guest is a seasoned Texas prison warden, a guardian of society's most dangerous individuals. The retired Warden is now the Director of the Texas Prison Museum in Huntsville, Texas. Having spent decades overseeing some of the most notori

Hard Time In Hell Among Texas Most Dangerous Prisoners

In this episode, I’m going to take you behind the high walls and razor wire into the dark corners of the largest prison system in the world.  David Stacks, a former Texas prison warden with 30 years of frontline experience, provides an unfiltered look at life behind bars. Today, Stacks is the director of the Texas Prison Museum. He’s here with stories from inside the toughest Texas prisons that held the meanest of the mean. FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast  SIGN UP FOR

Hard Time In Hell Among Texas Most Dangerous Prisoners

In this episode, I’m going to take you behind the high walls and razor wire into the dark corners of the largest prison system in the world.  David Stacks, a former Texas prison warden with 30 years of frontline experience, provides an unfiltered look at life behind bars. Today, Stacks is the director of the Texas Prison Museum. He’s here with stories from inside the toughest Texas prisons that held the meanest of the mean. FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast  SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsl

Echoes of Evil: Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff 25 Years Later.

This episode marks a somber milestone.  The 25th anniversary of the execution of Kenneth Allen McDuff – a name that chills the soul of the men and women in law enforcement who hunted him down – and the families of his victims. McDuff, infamously dubbed the 'Broomstick Killer,' was a figure of unparalleled brutality. His story isn't just a tale of sadistic crimes.  It's a saga that shook the very foundations of the Texas criminal justice system.  Kenneth Allen McDuff being escorted into

Echoes of Evil: Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff 25 Years Later.

This episode marks a somber milestone.  The 25th anniversary of the execution of Kenneth Allen McDuff – a name that chills the soul of the men and women in law enforcement who hunted him down – and the families of his victims. McDuff, infamously dubbed the 'Broomstick Killer,' was a figure of unparalleled brutality. His story isn't just a tale of sadistic crimes.  It's a saga that shook the very foundations of the Texas criminal justice system.  Kenneth Allen McDuff being escorted into the Texas

Dollars for Terror: The Holy Land Foundation's Illegal Scheme To Fund Hamas

In the wake of the recent Hamas terrorist attack that killed more than 1,300 Israelis, my True Crime Reporter® podcast opened its investigative archive on the Gaza-based group's past fundraising and recruitment in the United States. After my embedded assignment with the U.S. Army during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, investigative producer Todd Bensman and I focused on how terrorists were using the Internet to raise money and recruit followers. Our investigation uncovered a monthly online magaz

Dollars for Terror: The Holy Land Foundation’s Illegal Scheme To Fund Hamas

From The Investigative Archives In the wake of the recent Hamas terrorist attack that killed more than 1,300 Israelis, my True Crime Reporter® podcast opened its investigative archive on the Gaza-based group's past fundraising and recruitment in the United States. After my embedded assignment with the U.S. Army during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, investigative producer Todd Bensman and I focused on how terrorists were using the Internet to raise money and recruit followers. Embedded Reporter Ro

Dollars for Terror: The Holy Land Foundation’s Illegal Scheme To Fund Hamas

From The Investigative Archives In the wake of the recent Hamas terrorist attack that killed more than 1,300 Israelis, my True Crime Reporter® podcast opened its investigative archive on the Gaza-based group's past fundraising and recruitment in the United States. After my embedded assignment with the U.S. Army during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, investigative producer Todd Bensman and I focused on how terrorists were using the Internet to raise money and recruit followers. Emb

The John Dillinger Enigma: Did The FBI Really Kill Public Enemy #1?

During the Great Depression, Newsreels about John Dillinger, the first gangster declared Public Enemy #1, drew cheers from movie audiences across America and hisses when pictures of J. Edgar Hoover appeared on screen. Agents from what would become the FBI killed Dillinger in a hail of gunfire while leaving Chicago’s Biograph Theater on July 22, 1934. The case put the FBI on the map and, to this day, plays a major part in the bureau’s historical legacy. But questions persist about whether the FBI

The John Dillinger Enigma: Did The FBI Really Kill Public Enemy #1?

PDuring the Great Depression, Newsreels about John Dillinger, the first gangster declared Public Enemy #1, drew cheers from movie audiences across America and hisses when pictures of J. Edgar…

The John Dillinger Enigma: Did The FBI Really Kill Public Enemy #1?

PDuring the Great Depression, Newsreels about John Dillinger, the first gangster declared Public Enemy #1, drew cheers from movie audiences across America and hisses when pictures of J. Edgar…

Unmasking PTSD: A Cop's 26-Year Struggle Beyond the Badge

After 26 years in law enforcement, Glen Williams has experienced the toll that bearing witness to violence and tragedy can take. Williams, like many first responders, bottled up the pain and soldier on. Unaware that his PTSD was wrecking his life at home and on the job.  Hello, this is Robert Riggs.  In this episode of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast,  we look behind the badge of the men and women in blue. Glen Williams has written a book titled Bridging The Gap aimed at helping police office

Unmasking PTSD: A Cop’s 26-Year Struggle Beyond the Badge

After 26 years in law enforcement, Glen Williams has experienced the toll that bearing witness to violence and tragedy can take. Williams, like many first responders, bottled up the pain and soldiered on. Unaware that his PTSD was wrecking his life at home and on the job.  Hello, this is Robert Riggs.  In this episode of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast,  we look behind the badge of the men and women in blue. Glen Williams has written a book titled Bridging The Gap aimed at helpi

Unmasking PTSD: A Cop’s 26-Year Struggle Beyond the Badge

After 26 years in law enforcement, Glen Williams has experienced the toll that bearing witness to violence and tragedy can take. Williams, like many first responders, bottled up the pain and soldiered on. Unaware that his PTSD was wrecking his life at home and on the job.  Hello, this is Robert Riggs.  In this episode of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast,  we look behind the badge of the men and women in blue. Glen Williams has written a book titled Bridging The Gap aimed at helping police office

Crisis-Proof Your Life: Fieldcraft Survival on Personal Safety & Preparedness

There's a crime trend sweeping the United States of flash mob thieves charging into department stores to make off with armfuls of loot. Gangs rush inside affluent suburban neighborhoods in night to break into cars. This episode of the True Crime Reporter® podcast responds to those of you asking me what they should do amid a growing wave of violence in urban America and overseas. A U.S. businesswoman recently told me she is afraid to work alone in a big city. I contacted Kevin Estela, the Directo

Crisis-Proof Your Life: Fieldcraft Survival on Personal Safety & Preparedness

There's a crime trend sweeping the United States of flash mob thieves charging into department stores to make off with armfuls of loot. Gangs rush inside affluent suburban neighborhoods in night to break into cars. This episode of the True Crime Reporter® podcast responds to those of you asking me what they should do amid a growing wave of violence in urban America and overseas. A U.S. businesswoman recently told me she is afraid to work alone in a big city. I contacted Kevin Estela, the Directo

Crisis-Proof Your Life: Fieldcraft Survival on Personal Safety & Preparedness

There's a crime trend sweeping the United States of flash mob thieves charging into department stores to make off with armfuls of loot. Gangs rush inside affluent suburban neighborhoods in night to break into cars. This episode of the True Crime Reporter® podcast responds to those of you asking me what they should do amid a growing wave of violence in urban America and overseas. A U.S. businesswoman recently told me she is afraid to work alone in a big city. I contacted Kevin Estela, th

No Justice for A Texas Cowboy: A $750 Million Elder Abuse Tragedy

Investigative Reporter Stephen Michaud, among the nation’s best, spent six years unraveling how an iconic ranch was taken from a dying Texas Cowboy. It's a sprawling Texas ranch near the border with Mexico where the biggest producing gas well in the United States was struck in 2004. The ranch and its mineral assets have amassed a 750 Million dollar fortune.   But, the cowboy who once owned it and his relatives never saw a penny. According to my guest, it’s a case of elder abuse like none other.

No Justice for A Texas Cowboy: A $750 Million Elder Abuse Tragedy

Investigative Reporter Stephen Michaud, among the nation’s best, spent six years unraveling how an iconic ranch was taken from a dying Texas Cowboy. It's a sprawling Texas ranch near the border with Mexico where the biggest producing gas well in the United States was struck in 2004. The ranch and its mineral assets have amassed a 750 Million dollar fortune.   But, the cowboy who once owned it and his relatives never saw a penny. According to my guest, it’s a case of elder abuse like none other.

No Justice for A Texas Cowboy: A $750 Million Elder Abuse Tragedy

Investigative Reporter Stephen Michaud, among the nation’s best, spent six years unraveling how an iconic ranch was taken from a dying Texas Cowboy. It's a sprawling Texas ranch near the border with Mexico where the biggest producing gas well in the United States was struck in 2004. The ranch and its mineral assets have amassed a 750 Million dollar fortune.   But, the cowboy who once owned it and his relatives never saw a penny. According to my guest, it’s a case of elder abuse like non

The Reporter Behind the Crime Stories: Robert Riggs Tells All

In this week’s episode of True Crime Reporter®, Michael Jackson, the host of the A Funny Way of Looking Podcast, interviews me about the age-old appeal of crime stories. Michael’s podcast aims to educate in a fun environment, enlighten, entertain, and inspire listeners and viewers. We talk serial killers, journalism ethics, the scariest criminal I ever met, and more. Plus, Michael hits me with a two-option answer quiz called "This Or That?" to reveal more about the real Robert Riggs. Here’s Mich

The Reporter Behind the Crime Stories: Robert Riggs Tells All

In this week’s episode of True Crime Reporter®, Michael Jackson, the host of the A Funny Way of Looking Podcast, interviews me about the age-old appeal of crime stories. Michael’s podcast aims to educate in a fun environment, enlighten, entertain, and inspire listeners and viewers. We talk serial killers, journalism ethics, the scariest criminal I ever met, and more. Plus, Michael hits me with a two-option answer quiz called "This Or That?" to reveal more about the real Robert Riggs. Here’s Mich

The Reporter Behind the Crime Stories: Robert Riggs Tells All

In this week’s episode of True Crime Reporter®, Michael Jackson, the host of the A Funny Way of Looking Podcast, interviews me about the age-old appeal of crime stories. Michael’s podcast aims to educate in a fun environment, enlighten, entertain, and inspire listeners and viewers. We talk serial killers, journalism ethics, the scariest criminal I ever met, and more. Plus, Michael hits me with a two-option answer quiz called "This Or That?" to reveal more about the real Robert Riggs.

Defusing Tension in 90 Seconds: A Game Changer for Inmates and the Public

Doug Noll says murderers are not born, they're bred. Today kids revert to what they see around them...violence. Doug Noll founded the Prison of Peace Project. Noll teaches hardcore inmates how to de-escalate an angry, emotional person in 90 seconds or less. It’s a skill that we can all benefit from learning in this era of violence. Hello, this is Robert Riggs taking you inside the crime scene tape in this episode of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast. Besides telling interesting crime stories, it

Defusing Tension in 90 Seconds: A Game Changer for Inmates and the Public

Doug Noll says murderers are not born, they're bred. Today kids revert to what they see around them...violence. Doug Noll founded the Prison of Peace Project. Noll teaches hardcore inmates how to de-escalate an angry, emotional person in 90 seconds or less. It’s a skill that we can all benefit from learning in this era of violence. Hello, this is Robert Riggs taking you inside the crime scene tape in this episode of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast. Besides telling interesting crime

Defusing Tension in 90 Seconds: A Game Changer for Inmates and the Public

Doug Noll says murderers are not born, they're bred. Today kids revert to what they see around them...violence. Doug Noll founded the Prison of Peace Project. Noll teaches hardcore inmates how to de-escalate an angry, emotional person in 90 seconds or less. It’s a skill that we can all benefit from learning in this era of violence. Hello, this is Robert Riggs taking you inside the crime scene tape in this episode of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast. Besides telling interesting crime stories, it

Mexican Cartels Use The Occult To Indoctrinate Child Soldiers

Free from Mexican narco's occult witchcraft, Ed Calderon savors the American experience. Calderon fled Mexico with this three-year-old daughter when he had to choose between working for a cartel in his police uniform or getting assassinated.  Ed Calderon - Former Mexican Counter Narcotics Officer I’m back with my third and final episode interviewing Ed Calderon. Calderon found refuge in America with help from a Navy Seal.  Today he works as a security consultant. We go back to

Mexican Cartels Use The Occult To Indoctrinate Child Soldiers

Free from Mexican narco's occult witchcraft, Ed Calderon savors the American experience. Calderon fled Mexico with this three-year-old daughter when he had to choose between working for a cartel in his police uniform or getting assassinated.  Ed Calderon - Former Mexican Counter Narcotics Officer I’m back with my third and final episode interviewing Ed Calderon. Calderon found refuge in America with help from a Navy Seal.  Today he works as a security consultant. We go back to a time in his hom

Cartels Offered a Choice Between Two Evils. Take The Silver or Take the Lead.

Ed Calderon says the incomplete wall on the U.S. Southern border with Mexico is like Swiss cheese. "It won't stop any of the growing threats posed by the Mexican drug cartels," he says. Ed Calderon spent a dozen years working in counter-narcotics and organized crime investigations in the northern border region of Mexico. Ed Calderon - Former Mexican Counter Narcotics Officer Fled For His Daughter's Life To The U.S. The former state police officer knew he had to leave when the leadership of his

Cartels Offered a Choice Between Two Evils. Take The Silver or Take the Lead.

Ed Calderon says the incomplete wall on the U.S. Southern border with Mexico is like Swiss cheese. "It won't stop any of the growing threats posed by the Mexican drug cartels," he says. Ed Calderon spent a dozen years working in counter-narcotics and organized crime investigations in the northern border region of Mexico. Ed Calderon - Former Mexican Counter Narcotics Officer Fled For His Daughter's Life To The U.S. The former state police officer knew he had to leave when the leader

Mexican Cartels Use The Occult To Indoctrinate Child Soldiers

Free from Mexican narco's occult witchcraft, Ed Calderon savors the American experience. Calderon fled Mexico with this three-year-old daughter when he had to choose between working for a cartel in his police uniform or getting assassinated.  I’m back with my third and final episode interviewing Ed Calderon. Calderon found refuge in America with help from a Navy Seal.  Today he works as a security consultant. We go back to a time in his hometown of  Tijuana, Mexico, before the cartels

Cartels Offered a Choice Between Two Evils: Take The Silver or Take the Lead.

Ed Calderon says the incomplete wall on the U.S. Southern border with Mexico is like Swiss cheese. "It won't stop any of the growing threats posed by the Mexican drug cartels," he says. Ed Calderon spent a dozen years working in counter-narcotics and organized crime investigations in the northern border region of Mexico. The former state police officer knew he had to leave when the leadership of his drug squad under a new presidential administration told him, “You can take the silver, or you can

China, Mexico, and Fentanyl: A Recipe for U.S. Security Threats

Former Mexican counter-narcotics officer Ed Calderon predicts a day of reckoning. If you were a fan of Narcos or Sicario, brace yourself to hear the real story about what’s happening south of the U.S. border. Ed Calderon is a man who should not be alive. He fled death threats and now lives in the United States, where he is a security consultant.   Over the next three episodes, Calderon will take us inside the crime scene tape in Mexico, where cartels, dirty police officers, and serial killers fr

China, Mexico, and Fentanyl: A Recipe for U.S. Military Intervention

Former Mexican counter-narcotics officer Ed Calderon predicts a day of reckoning. If you were a fan of Narcos or Sicario, brace yourself to hear the real story about what’s happening south of the U.S. border. Ed Calderon is a man who should not be alive. He fled death threats and now lives in the United States, where he is a security consultant.  Ed Calderon - Former Mexican Counter Narcotics Officer Over the next three episodes, Calderon will take us inside the crime scene tape in

China, Mexico, and Fentanyl: A Recipe for U.S. Military Intervention

Former Mexican counter-narcotics officer Ed Calderon predicts a day of reckoning. If you were a fan of Narcos or Sicario, brace yourself to hear the real story about what’s happening south of the U.S. border. Ed Calderon is a man who should not be alive. He fled death threats and now lives in the United States, where he is a security consultant.  Ed Calderon - Former Mexican Counter Narcotics Officer Over the next three episodes, Calderon will take us inside the crime scene tape in Mexico, wher

Death On Two Wheels: Everyone Wants A Piece Of The Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang

A violent war for control of illicit drugs and weapons leaves a deadly trail of bullets and blood across highways in the U.S. Southwest. It started eight years ago in a hail of gunfire between the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang and the Cossacks at the Twin Peaks Restaurant in Waco, Texas. The violence escalated starting in May of 2023 leaving dead bodies on an interstate highway in Texas, at a biker bar in Oklahoma City, and at a once peaceful bike rally in New Mexico. There's no sign of temper

Death On Two Wheels: Everyone Wants A Piece Of The Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang

The Bandido's Intimidating Presence On U.S. Highways A violent war for control of illicit drugs and weapons leaves a deadly trail of bullets and blood across highways in the U.S. Southwest. It started eight years ago in a hail of gunfire between the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang and the Cossacks at the Twin Peaks Restaurant in Waco, Texas. The violence escalated starting in May of 2023, leaving dead bodies on an interstate highway in Texas, at a biker bar in Oklahoma City, and at a o

Death On Two Wheels: Everyone Wants A Piece Of The Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang

The Bandido's Intimidating Presence On U.S. Highways A violent war for control of illicit drugs and weapons leaves a deadly trail of bullets and blood across highways in the U.S. Southwest. It started eight years ago in a hail of gunfire between the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang and the Cossacks at the Twin Peaks Restaurant in Waco, Texas. The violence escalated starting in May of 2023, leaving dead bodies on an interstate highway in Texas, at a biker bar in Oklahoma City, and at a once peace

Flipping Off Angry Drivers Can Get You Killed On US Highways

Road rage violence shatters records on US Highways. Experts say a perfect storm of post-pandemic anger and violent criminals out of jail due to liberal bail practices has set off a wave of deadly road rage shootings. Retired Houston Police Captain Greg Fremin tracks the growing carnage at Sam Houston State’s College of Criminal Justice.  The numbers have run off the highway as stressed-out, violent drivers turn their rage into the wild wild west on American highways.  On average, 44 people are k

Flipping Off Angry Drivers Can Get You Killed On US Highways

Road rage violence shatters records on US Highways. Experts say a perfect storm of post-pandemic anger and violent criminals out of jail due to liberal bail practices has set off a wave of deadly road rage shootings. Capt Greg Fremin (Ret'd) Houston Police Department Retired Houston Police Captain Greg Fremin tracks the growing carnage at Sam Houston State’s College of Criminal Justice located in Huntsville, Texas. The numbers have run off the highway as stressed-out, violent drivers turn their

Flipping Off Angry Drivers Can Get You Killed On US Highways

Road rage violence shatters records on US Highways. Experts say a perfect storm of post-pandemic anger and violent criminals out of jail due to liberal bail practices has set off a wave of deadly road rage shootings. Capt Greg Fremin (Ret'd) Houston Police Department Retired Houston Police Captain Greg Fremin tracks the growing carnage at Sam Houston State’s College of Criminal Justice located in Huntsville, Texas. The numbers have run off the highway as stressed-out, violent drivers tu

NCIS Confidential: Solving Real-Life Cold Cases To Catch Killers

Former NCIS Special Agent Joe Kennedy established the first federal cold case homicide unit.  Starting in 1986 with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Kennedy investigated crimes involving sailors and marines around the world.  In this episode of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast, I take you inside the crime scene tape to hear about cold cases from a legendary member of the agency popularized by Hollywood. Although he is retired from NCIS, Joe Kennedy lends his cold case experience

NCIS Confidential: Solving Real-Life Cold Cases To Catch Killers

Former NCIS Special Agent Joe Kennedy established the first federal cold case homicide unit.  Starting in 1986 with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Kennedy investigated crimes involving sailors and marines worldwide.  In this episode of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast, I take you inside the crime scene tape to hear about cold cases from a legendary agency member popularized by Hollywood. Although he is retired from NCIS, Joe Kennedy lends his cold case experience to small law e

NCIS Confidential: Solving Real-Life Cold Cases To Catch Killers

Former NCIS Special Agent Joe Kennedy established the first federal cold case homicide unit.  Starting in 1986 with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Kennedy investigated crimes involving sailors and marines worldwide.  In this episode of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast, I take you inside the crime scene tape to hear about cold cases from a legendary agency member popularized by Hollywood. Although he is retired from NCIS, Joe Kennedy lends his cold cas

NCIS From Evidence to Arrest: Analyzing Murder Cases Step by Step

If you are a fan of the NCIS television drama, you are in for a treat. My guest is homicide investigator Joe Kennedy, a former Special Agent for the real-life NCIS. In this episode of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast, I lift the crime scene tape for Joe Kennedy to take you inside the anatomy of murder cases. He's written a book titled Solving Cold Cases: Investigation Techniques and Protocol. This is the first of a two-part series featuring Kennedy. The first focuses on his unconventional method

NCIS From Evidence to Arrest: Analyzing Murder Cases Step by Step

If you are a fan of the NCIS television drama, you are in for a treat. My guest is homicide investigator Joe Kennedy, a former Special Agent for the real-life NCIS. NCIS Special Agent Joe Kennedy Teaching Police In The Philippines Homicide Investigation In this episode of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast, I lift the crime scene tape for Joe Kennedy to take you inside the anatomy of murder cases. He's written a book titled Solving Cold Cases: Investigation Techniques and Protocol. This is the fir

NCIS From Evidence to Arrest: Analyzing Murder Cases Step by Step

If you are a fan of the NCIS television drama, you are in for a treat. My guest is homicide investigator Joe Kennedy, a former Special Agent for the real-life NCIS. NCIS Special Agent Joe Kennedy Teaching Police In The Philippines Homicide Investigation In this episode of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast, I lift the crime scene tape for Joe Kennedy to take you inside the anatomy of murder cases. He's written a book titled Solving Cold Cases: Investigation Techniques and P

Rise And Fall Of A Pro Pitcher: From the Bull Pen To The Texas Pen

The high school baseball player hung a homemade motivational sign on the wall of his bedroom.  It read Brandon Puffer will be a Major League Baseball player. Indeed, Puffer made it to what ballplayers call “The Show.”  Only to fall from the Bullpen to the State Penitentiary in Texas. Brandon Puffer was a pitcher on the Boston Red Sox baseball team when they broke a century-old curse and won the World Series in 2004. But four years later, a Texas jury sentenced Puffer to five years in prison. He

Rise And Fall Of A Pro Pitcher: From the Bull Pen To The Texas Pen

The high school baseball player hung a homemade motivational sign on the wall of his bedroom.  It read Brandon Puffer will be a Major League Baseball player. Indeed, Puffer made it to what ballplayers call “The Show.”  Only to fall from the Bullpen to the State Penitentiary in Texas. Brandon Puffer was a pitcher on the Boston Red Sox baseball team when they broke a century-old curse and won the World Series in 2004. But four years later, a Texas jury sentenced Puffer to fiv

Rise And Fall Of A Pro Pitcher: From the Bull Pen To The Texas Pen

The high school baseball player hung a homemade motivational sign on the wall of his bedroom.  It read Brandon Puffer will be a Major League Baseball player. Indeed, Puffer made it to what ballplayers call “The Show.”  Only to fall from the Bullpen to the State Penitentiary in Texas. Brandon Puffer was a pitcher on the Boston Red Sox baseball team when they broke a century-old curse and won the World Series in 2004. But four years later, a Texas jury sentenced Puffer to five years in pr

Inside the Dark World of a Prison Hitman Where Radios Explode

Programming was suddenly interrupted when an inmate's radio suddenly exploded. Little did he know that he was the target of a prison gang hit. So how could such a thing happen behind the bars of a maximum security prison in Texas? I spoke with the reputed prison gang hitman while he held a hoe weeding the warden's vegetable garden at a maximum security unit in East Texas. He was never charged or convicted of carrying out hits, but he certainly had a reputation. Although he claimed to be out of

Inside the Dark World of a Prison Hitman Where Radios Explode

Programming was suddenly interrupted when an inmate's radio suddenly exploded. Little did he know that he was the target of a prison gang hit. So how could such a thing happen behind the bars of a maximum security prison in Texas? I spoke with the reputed prison gang hitman while he held a hoe weeding the warden's vegetable garden at a maximum security unit in East Texas. He was never charged or convicted of carrying out hits, but he certainly had a reputation. Although he claimed t

Inside the Dark World of a Prison Hitman: Inmate Bomb Assassin

The reputed prison gang hitman held a hoe while weeding the warden's vegetable garden at a maximum security unit in East Texas. Although he claimed to be out of the gang -- there's no such thing, it's blood in, blood out -- I asked how you could make a bomb behind bars. He grinned and slowly tilted his head down. He tapped his foot on a bag of fertilizer and said, "I knew about the explosive properties of ammonium nitrate long before those boys in Oklahoma City." He referred to Timothy McVeigh,

Unveiling Manipulation: Lies Used to Take Advantage of the Innocent

Would You Believe This Face? Do text messages warn you that your streaming account has a billing issue or an unpaid customs charge on a package? Those are just some of the latest scams criminals use to fleece you. Hello, I’m Robert Riggs with a story from inside the crime scene tape where people bleed money. Lies designed to cheat you or break your heart thrive on the Internet. The truth is in short supply. In this episode of True Crime Reporter®, I want to arm you with some to

Unveiling Manipulation: Lies Used to Take Advantage of the Innocent

Would You Believe This Face? Do text messages warn you that your streaming account has a billing issue or an unpaid customs charge on a package? Those are just some of the latest scams criminals use to fleece you. Hello, I’m Robert Riggs with a story from inside the crime scene tape where people bleed money. Lies designed to cheat you or break your heart thrive on the Internet. The truth is in short supply. In this episode of True Crime Reporter®, I want to arm you with some tools to protect you

Texas Justice Prevails: Texas Deputy Steve January Arrested Killers For 34 Years

Steve January, the Chief Deputy of the McLennan County Sheriff in Waco, Texas, was a lawman cut from denim of the old west. Hundreds of officers recently paid their last respects to January, whose life was not cut short by a bullet from his many face-offs with killers but by cancer.  I’m Robert Riggs with a story about an officer who fought many a round seeking justice inside the crime scene tape. L to R Robert Riggs & Chief Deputy Steve January Hold "Yellowstone" Hoodie Worn By Nicole Sheridan

Texas Justice Prevails: Texas Deputy Steve January Arrested Killers For 34 Years

Steve January, the Chief Deputy of the McLennan County Sheriff in Waco, Texas, was a lawman cut from denim of the old west. Hundreds of officers recently paid their last respects to January, whose life was not cut short by a bullet from his many face-offs with killers but by cancer.  I’m Robert Riggs with a story about an officer who fought many a round seeking justice inside the crime scene tape. L to R Robert Riggs & Chief Deputy Steve January Hold "Yellowstone" Hoodie Worn By Nicole

Unveiling Manipulation: Lies Used to Take Advantage of the Innocent

Do you know someone who speaks with a forked tongue? Do text messages warn you that your streaming account has a billing issue or an unpaid customs charge on a package? Those are just some of the latest scams criminals use to fleece you. Hello, I’m Robert Riggs with a story from inside the crime scene tape where people bleed money. Lies designed to cheat you or break your heart thrive on the Internet. The truth is in short supply. In this episode of True Crime Reporter®, I want to arm

Texas Justice Prevails: Texas Deputy Steve January Arrested Killers For 34 Years

Steve January, the Chief Deputy of the McLennan County Sheriff in Waco, Texas, was a lawman cut from denim of the old west. Hundreds of officers recently paid their last respects to January, whose life was not cut short by a bullet from his many face-offs with killers but by cancer.  I’m Robert Riggs with a story about an officer who fought many a round seeking justice inside the crime scene tape. Steve and I were last pictured together holding up a barrel racing jacket given to the Sheriff’s of

Fearless In The Face Of Murder: Unstoppable Detective Johnny Bonds

God forbid if I ever was murdered, I would want Johnny Bonds on the case.    His name sounds like a film noir detective. Johnny Bonds is the stuff true crime legends are made of.  In 1972, he became the youngest officer ever assigned to the elite homicide division in Houston, Texas.  He had a sixth sense of how to approach people or investigations. He relentlessly hunted down killers and challenged powerful politicians who got in the way of justice.  Bonds became known as “The Cop

Fearless In The Face Of Murder Unstoppable Detective Johnny Bonds

God forbid if I ever was murdered, I would want Johnny Bonds on the case.    His name sounds like a film noir detective. Johnny Bonds is the stuff true crime legends are made of.  In 1972, he became the youngest officer ever assigned to the elite homicide division in Houston, Texas.  He had a sixth sense of how to approach people or investigations. He relentlessly hunted down killers and challenged powerful politicians who got in the way of justice.  Bonds became known as “The Cop Who Wouldn’t Q

Fearless In The Face Of Murder: Unstoppable Detective Johnny Bonds

God forbid if I ever was murdered, I would want Johnny Bonds on the case.    His name sounds like a film noir detective. Johnny Bonds is the stuff true crime legends are made of.  In 1972, he became the youngest officer ever assigned to the elite homicide division in Houston, Texas.  He had a sixth sense of how to approach people or investigations. He relentlessly hunted down killers and challenged powerful politicians who got in the way of justice.  Bonds became known as “The Cop Who Wouldn’t Q

She Lived Next Door To America's Most Infamous Killer: The UNABOMBER

Before, there was Osama bin Laden. Before, there was Timothy McVeigh. There was Ted Kaczynski.  The UNABOMBER. FBI codename for “UNiversity and Airline BOMBER.” For sixteen years, Jamie Gehring grew up next door to Ted Kaczynski. She never had a clue that the man who appeared to be a harmless hermit was one of the most notorious serial killers of the 20th Century.  Hello. I’m investigative reporter Robert Riggs here to ask you a chilling question from inside the crime scene tape. Do any of us re

She Lived Next Door To America’s Most Infamous Killer: The UNABOMBER

Before, there was Osama bin Laden. Before, there was Timothy McVeigh. There was Ted Kaczynski.  The UNABOMBER. FBI codename for “UNiversity and Airline BOMBER.” For sixteen years, Jamie Gehring grew up next door to Ted Kaczynski. She never had a clue that the man who appeared to be a harmless hermit was one of the most notorious serial killers of the 20th Century.  Hello. I’m investigative reporter Robert Riggs here to ask you a chilling question from inside the crime scene tape. D

She Lived Next Door To America’s Most Infamous Killer: The UNABOMBER

Before, there was Osama bin Laden. Before, there was Timothy McVeigh. There was Ted Kaczynski.  The UNABOMBER. FBI codename for “UNiversity and Airline BOMBER.” For sixteen years, Jamie Gehring grew up next door to Ted Kaczynski. She never had a clue that the man who appeared to be a harmless hermit was one of the most notorious serial killers of the 20th Century.  Hello. I’m investigative reporter Robert Riggs here to ask you a chilling question from inside the crime scene tape. Do any of us re

How DNA Forensic Genetic Genealogy Brought A Monster To Justice

50 Sexual Assault Victims Will Never Forget The Stare of Serial Rapist David Hawkins When He Held A Gun To Their Heads This is the third episode in my series about how new DNA technology solves previously unsolvable cold cases.  It’s called FGG -- Forensic Genetic Genealogy. I’m investigative reporter Robert Riggs taking you inside the crime scene case into how the first use of forensic genetic genealogy in Dallas County, Texas, caught a serial rapist responsible for over 50 victims. 76-year-old

How DNA Forensic Genetic Genealogy Brought A Monster To Justice

50 Sexual Assault Victims Will Never Forget The Stare of Serial Rapist David Hawkins When He Held A Gun To Their Heads This is the third episode in my series about how new DNA technology solves previously unsolvable cold cases.  It’s called FGG -- Forensic Genetic Genealogy. I’m investigative reporter Robert Riggs taking you inside the crime scene case into how the first use of forensic genetic genealogy in Dallas County, Texas, caught a serial rapist responsible for over 50 victims. 76

How DNA Forensic Genetic Genealogy Brought A Monster To Justice

This is the third episode in my series about how new DNA technology solves previously unsolvable cold cases.  It’s called FGG -- Forensic Genetic Genealogy. I’m investigative reporter Robert Riggs taking you inside the crime scene case into how the first use of forensic genetic genealogy in Dallas County, Texas, caught a serial rapist responsible for over 50 victims. 75-year-old David Thomas Hawkins of Fort Worth, Texas, left a trail of victims along his truck route for at least ten years. The i

Solving The Toughest Cold Case Murders With Forensic Genetic Genealogy

The Golden State Killer got away with 12 murders, 50 rapes, and more than 100 burglaries for over forty years before being caught.  DNA evidence from his crime scenes never matched DNA samples in the FBI’s CODIS databases because he had never been arrested for murder or rape. Eventually, investigators uploaded the profile to genealogy sites and identified a relative on the killer’s family tree. It led to the conviction of James DeAngelo, a 72-year-old former police officer. I’m investigative rep

Solving The Toughest Cold Case Murders With Forensic Genetic Genealogy

The Golden State Killer got away with 12 murders, 50 rapes, and more than 100 burglaries for over forty years before being caught.  DNA evidence from his crime scenes never matched DNA samples in the FBI’s CODIS databases because he had never been arrested for murder or rape. Eventually, investigators uploaded the profile to genealogy sites and identified a relative on the killer’s family tree. It led to the conviction of James DeAngelo, a 72-year-old former police officer. I’m inves

Solving The Toughest Cold Case Murders With Forensic Genetic Genealogy

The Golden State Killer got away with 12 murders, 50 rapes, and more than 100 burglaries for over forty years before being caught.  DNA evidence from his crime scenes never matched DNA samples in the FBI’s CODIS databases because he had never been arrested for murder or rape. Eventually, investigators uploaded the profile to genealogy sites and identified a relative on the killer’s family tree. It led to the conviction of James DeAngelo, a 72-year-old former police officer. I’m investigative rep

The Power of Forensic DNA: Bringing Killers and Sexual Predators to Justice

The Double Helix That Catches Killers And Sexual Predators Sitting across the desk from a DNA profiler, she told me that I was leaving a trail of cells in her office that would lead back to me, especially if I committed a crime there.  The rapid advancement of science and technology makes DNA evidence  a powerful investigative tool for catching killers and rapists, solving cold cases, identifying missing persons, and clearing the innocent. I’m investigative reporter Robert Riggs here to take you

The Power of Forensic DNA: Bringing Killers and Sexual Predators to Justice

The Double Helix That Catches Killers And Sexual Predators Sitting across the desk from a DNA profiler, she told me that I was leaving a trail of cells in her office that would lead back to me, especially if I committed a crime there.  The rapid advancement of science and technology makes DNA evidence  a powerful investigative tool for catching killers and rapists, solving cold cases, identifying missing persons, and clearing the innocent. I’m investigative reporter Robert Riggs here

The Power of Forensic DNA Bringing Killers and Sexual Predators to Justice

Sitting across the desk from a DNA profiler, she told me that I was leaving a trail of cells in her office that would lead back to me, especially if I committed a crime there.  The rapid advancement of science and technology makes DNA evidence a powerful investigative tool for catching killers and rapists, solving cold cases, identifying missing persons, and clearing the innocent. I’m investigative reporter Robert Riggs here to take you inside the crime scene tape to look at how DNA plays a cent

The Enduring Fascination of Bonnie and Clyde: A Love Story Gone Wrong

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were two of the most notorious outlaws in American history, forever linked to the public consciousness.  They were young, daring, and dangerous, and they captured the imagination of a country struggling through the Great Depression. But behind the legend lay the harsh reality of their lives, a story of poverty, violence, and desperation. They met in Dallas, Texas, and were immediately drawn to each other.  Together, Bonnie and Clyde embarked on a crime spree that w

The Enduring Fascination of Bonnie and Clyde: A Love Story Gone Wrong

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were two of the most notorious outlaws in American history, forever linked to the public consciousness.  They were young, daring, and dangerous, and they captured the imagination of a country struggling through the Great Depression. But behind the legend lay the harsh reality of their lives, a story of poverty, violence, and desperation. They met in Dallas, Texas, and were immediately drawn to each other.  Together, Bonnie and Clyde embarked on a crime spr

The Enduring Fascination of Bonnie and Clyde: A Love Story Gone Wrong

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were two of the most notorious outlaws in American history, forever linked to the public consciousness.  They were young, daring, and dangerous, and they captured the imagination of a country struggling through the Great Depression. But behind the legend lay the harsh reality of their lives, a story of poverty, violence, and desperation. They met in Dallas, Texas, and were immediately drawn to each other.  Together, Bonnie and Clyde embarked on a crime spree that w

A Shocking Failure of Justice: A Serial Rapist And Serial Killer Murder Six Teens

Texas Death Row Inmates Called Them The “Macs.” Kenneth McDuff and Jerry McFadden.   Two violent psychopaths hated and feared by fellow death row inmates.  Two killers with a lust for randomly abducting, raping, and murdering young people. Two killers whose victims would still be alive if Texas had kept them behind bars.  In this episode, investigative reporter Robert Riggs takes listeners inside the crime scene tape of one of Texas' most brutal killers. He called himself "The Animal." We want

A Shocking Failure of Justice: A Serial Rapist And Serial Killer Murder Six Teens

Kenneth McDuff - "The Brookstick Killer" & Jerry McFadden "The Animal" Texas Death Row Inmates Called Them The “Macs.” Kenneth McDuff and Jerry McFadden.   Two violent psychopaths hated and feared by fellow death row inmates.  Two killers with a lust for randomly abducting, raping, and murdering young people. Suzanne Harrison Gena Turner Bryan Boone Two killers whose victims would still be alive if Texas had kept them behind bars.  In this episode, investigative reporter Robert Riggs takes liste

A Shocking Failure of Justice: A Serial Rapist And Serial Killer Murder Six Teens

Kenneth McDuff - "The Brookstick Killer" & Jerry McFadden "The Animal" Texas Death Row Inmates Called Them The “Macs.” Kenneth McDuff and Jerry McFadden.   Two violent psychopaths hated and feared by fellow death row inmates.  Two killers with a lust for randomly abducting, raping, and murdering young people. Suzanne Harrison Gena Turner Bryan Boone Two killers whose victims would still be alive if Texas had kept them behind bars.  In this episode, investigative repo

Inside the Minds of Death Row Inmates: A Terrifying Journey Into Evil

Jerry "Animal" McFadden Pastor Wayne Whiteside says, “there are people that seem to be hell-bent on being held bound.” Whiteside knows of what he preaches after ministering to prison inmates for thirty-nine years. He spent the last 24 years talking with death row inmates in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. Whiteside says he has looked evil in the eye and seen nothing but empty souls. He has come face to face with the worst of the worst of serial killers who i

Inside the Minds of Death Row Inmates: A Terrifying Journey Into Evil

Jerry "Animal" McFadden Pastor Wayne Whiteside says, “there are people that seem to be hell-bent on being held bound.” Whiteside knows of what he preaches after ministering to prison inmates for thirty-nine years. He spent the last 24 years talking with death row inmates in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. Whiteside says he has looked evil in the eye and seen nothing but empty souls. He has come face to face with the worst of the worst of serial killers who inflicted unimag

Inside the Minds of Death Row Inmates: A Terrifying Journey Into Evil

Pastor Wayne Whiteside says, “there are people that seem to be hell-bent on being held bound.” Whiteside knows of what he preaches after ministering to prison inmates for thirty-nine years. He spent the last 24 years talking with death row inmates in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. Whiteside says he has looked evil in the eye and seen nothing but empty souls. He has come face to face with the worst of the worst of serial killers who inflicted unimaginable pain and sufferin

China Kills Hundreds With Deadly Fentanyl – It Ought To Be A Crime

Mexican cartels aided by China are poisoning the United States with deadly fentanyl overdoses. The death toll is equivalent to a jumbo jet load of passengers crashing daily. What better way to undermine a country without firing a shot?  In this episode, I conduct a wide-ranging discussion about the Iraq war's consequences on U.S. security.  This is a timely conversation because March 20th of, 2023, marks the 20th anniversary of the war in Iraq. David Grantham, an intelligence offi

China Kills Hundreds With Deadly Fentanyl - It Ought To Be A Crime

Mexican cartels aided by China are poisoning the United States with deadly fentanyl overdoses. The death toll is the equivalent of a jumbo jet load of passengers crashing every day. What better way to undermine a country without firing a shot?  In this episode, I conduct a wide-ranging discussion about the consequences of the war in Iraq on U.S. security.  This is a timely conversation because March 20th of, 2023, marks the 20th anniversary of the war in Iraq. David Grantham, an intelligence off

China Kills Hundreds With Deadly Fentanyl – It Ought To Be A Crime

Mexican cartels aided by China are poisoning the United States with deadly fentanyl overdoses. The death toll is equivalent to a jumbo jet load of passengers crashing daily. What better way to undermine a country without firing a shot?  In this episode, I conduct a wide-ranging discussion about the Iraq war's consequences on U.S. security.  This is a timely conversation because March 20th of, 2023, marks the 20th anniversary of the war in Iraq. David Grantham, an intelligence officer for the Tar

Women Who Kill: This Bank Robber Viciously Shot Her Victim In The Back

Jerry and Dava Truett lived well beyond their means in the small central Texas town of Kosse. They owned a lake house and a speed boat. They drove a pair of expensive pickup trucks and numerous recreational vehicles. Townfolk thought they were receiving oil and gas money from their farmland or had an inheritance. How Did They Live Such An Extravagant Lifestyle On Small-Town Wages? The small community of 500 people confronted the cold-blooded truth about the couple's lifestyle when 52-y

Women Who Kill: This Bank Robber Viciously Shot Her Victim In The Back

Jerry and Dava Truett lived well beyond their means in the small central Texas town of Kosse. They owned a lake house and a speed boat. They drove a pair of expensive pickup trucks and numerous recreational vehicles. Townfolk thought they were receiving oil and gas money from their farmland or had an inheritance. How Did They Live Such An Extravagant Lifestyle On Small-Town Wages? The small community of 500 people confronted the cold-blooded truth about the couple's lifestyle when 52-year-old M

Women Who Kill: This Bank Robber Viciously Shot Her Victim In The Back

Jerry and Dava Truett lived well beyond their means in the small central Texas town of Kosse. They owned a lake house and a speed boat. They drove a pair of expensive pickup trucks and numerous recreational vehicles. Townfolk thought they were receiving oil and gas money from their farmland or had an inheritance. The small community of 500 people confronted the cold-blooded truth about the couple's lifestyle when 52-year-old Michael Wells was murdered inside the First State Bank of Kosse. Willia

Idaho Arrest Affidavit Traces Path Of Suspected Killer of 4 Students

Homicide detectives and even killers categorize the slain four University of Idaho students as “shiny” victims.  They were young, innocent, and attractive.   John Moriarty, the former Inspector General of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, says such cases motivate investigators to go the extra mile to solve the crime. “It’s the ultimate good versus evil,” said Moriarty. Investigators used sophisticated techniques detailed in an arrest warrant affidavit, including DNA, cell phone data, and

Idaho Arrest Affidavit Traces Path Of Suspected Killer of 4 Students

Homicide detectives and even killers categorize the slain four University of Idaho students as “shiny” victims.  They were young, innocent, and attractive.   John Moriarty, the former Inspector General of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, says such cases motivate investigators to go the extra mile to solve the crime. “It’s the ultimate good versus evil,” said Moriarty. Investigators used sophisticated techniques detailed in an arrest warrant affidavit, including DNA, cell

Idaho Arrest Affidavit Traces Path Of Suspected Killer of 4 Students

Homicide detectives and even killers categorize the slain four University of Idaho students as “shiny” victims.  They were young, innocent, and attractive.   John Moriarty, the former Inspector General of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, says such cases motivate investigators to go the extra mile to solve the crime. “It’s the ultimate good versus evil,” said Moriarty. Investigators used sophisticated techniques detailed in an arrest warrant affidavit, including DNA, cell phone data, and

True Crime Reporter® Answers Questions About Murder Mysteries

This episode marks Part 2 of questions posed to investigative reporter Robert Riggs by true crime fan and Texas A&M architecture major Patricia Rocha. Hopefully, listeners can take away advice about staying safe in the wake of an arrest of a suspect in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students on November 13, 2022, at their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho. Two other roommates upstairs slept through the brutal slayings. The mysterious murder struck fear in college students acro

True Crime Reporter® Answers Questions About Murder Mysteries

This episode marks Part 2 of questions posed to investigative reporter Robert Riggs by true crime fan and Texas A&M architecture major Patricia Rocha. Hopefully, listeners can take away advice about staying safe in the wake of an arrest of a suspect in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students on November 13, 2022, at their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho. Two other roommates upstairs slept through the brutal slayings. The mysterious murder struck fear in college stud

True Crime Reporter® Answers Questions About Murder Mysteries

This episode marks Part 2 of questions posed to investigative reporter Robert Riggs by true crime fan and Texas A&M architecture major Patricia Rocha. Hopefully, listeners can take away advice about staying safe in the wake of an arrest of a suspect in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students on November 13, 2022, at their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho. Two other roommates upstairs slept through the brutal slayings. The mysterious murder struck fear in college students acr

Reporter Robert Riggs Answers Questions About Serial Killers

In a new press conference-style episode, True Crime Reporter's Robert Riggs takes questions from fans.  True crime fan Patricia Rocha turns the table on Riggs and asks what it is like to go inside the crime scene tape. Riggs recently met Rocha, an architecture student, and her friends at a ceremony for Outstanding Alumni from the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University. Afterward, Rocha and her friends peppered him with questions about true crime cases. Looking on was Bill Peel, an

Reporter Robert Riggs Answers Questions About Serial Killers

Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff's Mug Shots Record Life Of Crime In a new press conference-style episode, True Crime Reporter's Robert Riggs takes questions from fans.  True crime fan Patricia Rocha turns the table on Riggs and asks what it is like to go inside the crime scene tape. Riggs recently met Rocha, an architecture student, and her friends at a ceremony for Outstanding Alumni from the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University. Afterward, Rocha and her friends peppered him with questi

Reporter Robert Riggs Answers Questions About Serial Killers

Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff's Mug Shots Record Life Of Crime In a new press conference-style episode, True Crime Reporter's Robert Riggs takes questions from fans.  True crime fan Patricia Rocha turns the table on Riggs and asks what it is like to go inside the crime scene tape. Riggs recently met Rocha, an architecture student, and her friends at a ceremony for Outstanding Alumni from the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University. Afterward, Rocha and her friends peppered him

Why & How Women Murder – Love Triangles and Hiring Hitmen

What goes on inside the minds of women who commit murder and other crimes? In my previous episode on December 13, 2022, titled A Mother’s Pursuit of Justice: The Contract Murder of Dan Markel, I reported that three women are the focus of an eight-year-long murder investigation. Markel, a distinguished law professor at Florida State University was gunned down by hitmen at his Tallahassee home in 2014. Katherine Maguahua (phonetic pronunciation: MAC-BANA-WAH) was the go-between for the contract ki

Why & How Women Murder - Love Triangles and Hiring Hitmen

What goes on inside the minds of women who commit murder and other crimes? In my previous episode on December 13, 2022, titled A Mother’s Pursuit of Justice: The Contract Murder of Dan Markel, I reported that three women are the focus of an eight-year-long murder investigation. Markel, a distinguished law professor at Florida State University was gunned down by hitmen at his Tallahassee home in 2014. Katherine Maguahua (phonetic pronunciation: MAC-BANA-WAH) was the go-between for the contract ki

Why & How Women Murder – Love Triangles and Hiring Hitmen

What goes on inside the minds of women who commit murder and other crimes? In my previous episode on December 13, 2022, titled A Mother’s Pursuit of Justice: The Contract Murder of Dan Markel, I reported that three women are the focus of an eight-year-long murder investigation. Markel, a distinguished law professor at Florida State University was gunned down by hitmen at his Tallahassee home in 2014. Katherine Maguahua (phonetic pronunciation: MAC-BANA-WAH) was the go-between for the co

A Mother’s Pursuit of Justice: The Contract Murder of Dan Markel

FSU Law Prof Dan Markel Was Shot Point Blank By Contract Killers as He Pulled Into The Garage of His Home Murder is a life sentence for the victim’s family and friends. Closure is a myth perpetuated by the news media.  During three decades of investigative reporting, Robert Riggs has witnessed how the victim’s families often suffer in silence and are left out of the confusing criminal justice process. In this episode of the True Crime Reporter® podcast, Ruth Markel shares a remarkable s

A Mother’s Pursuit of Justice: The Contract Murder of Dan Markel

FSU Law Prof Dan Markel Was Shot Point Blank By Contract Killers as He Pulled Into The Garage of His Home Murder is a life sentence for the victim’s family and friends. Closure is a myth perpetuated by the news media.  During three decades of investigative reporting, Robert Riggs has witnessed how the victim’s families often suffer in silence and are left out of the confusing criminal justice process. In this episode of the True Crime Reporter® podcast, Ruth Markel shares a remarkable story of g

A Mother’s Pursuit of Justice: The Contract Murder of Dan Markel

Murder is a life sentence for the victim’s family and friends. Closure is a myth perpetuated by the news media.  During three decades of investigative reporting, Robert Riggs has witnessed how the victim’s families often suffer in silence and are left out of the confusing criminal justice process. In this episode of the True Crime Reporter® podcast, Ruth Markel shares a remarkable story of grief, resilience, and hope during an eight-year murder investigation that is not over. Her son, Dan

"To Catch A Predator" -- Reporter Chris Hansen Launches True Crime Nation

Chris Hansen, the journalist who created the televised series To Catch A Predator, warns that the problem of adults preying on children for sex is growing at an alarming rate.  The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has reported that during the peak of the pandemic, inappropriate contacts between adults and children, predatory contacts, as well as the transmission of inappropriate material between adults and children shot up nearly 900%. Indicative of the problem is the case

“To Catch A Predator” — Chris Hansen Reports How Children Are At Risk On Social Media

Chris Hansen, the journalist who created the televised series To Catch A Predator, warns that the problem of adults preying on children for sex is growing at an alarming rate.  The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has reported that during the peak of the pandemic, inappropriate contacts between adults and children, predatory contacts, as well as the transmission of inappropriate material between adults and children shot up nearly 900%. Indicative of the problem is the case of t

“To Catch A Predator” — Chris Hansen Reports How Children Are At Risk On Social Media

Chris Hansen, the journalist who created the televised series To Catch A Predator, warns that the problem of adults preying on children for sex is growing at an alarming rate.  The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has reported that during the peak of the pandemic, inappropriate contacts between adults and children, predatory contacts, as well as the transmission of inappropriate material between adults and children shot up nearly 900%. Indicative of the problem is the cas

Deep Fried Theft Rings Cash In On Blackmarket Cooking Oil

Cooking oil left over from french fries and fried chicken has become liquid gold.  Organized criminal gangs are emptying storage tanks at restaurants and convenience stores across the United States. Hello. I’m investigative reporter Robert Riggs with an unusual story from inside the crime scene tape.  Did you know a gallon of used cooking oil is now worth more than a gallon of gasoline? The thefts fuel a multimillion-dollar black market. Gary Edgington Working Counter Insurgency a

Deep Fried Theft Rings Cash In On Blackmarket Cooking Oil

Cooking oil left over from french fries and fried chicken has become liquid gold.  Organized criminal gangs are emptying storage tanks at restaurants and convenience stores across the United States. Hello. I’m investigative reporter Robert Riggs with an unusual story from inside the crime scene tape.  Did you know a gallon of used cooking oil is now worth more than a gallon of gasoline? The thefts fuel a multimillion-dollar black market. Gary Edgington Working Counter Insurgency and IED's in Ira

Deep Fried Theft Rings Cash In On Blackmarket Cooking Oil

Cooking oil left over from french fries and fried chicken has become liquid gold.  Organized criminal gangs are emptying storage tanks at restaurants and convenience stores across the United States. Hello. I’m investigative reporter Robert Riggs with an unusual story from inside the crime scene tape.  Did you know a gallon of used cooking oil is now worth more than a gallon of gasoline? The thefts fuel a multimillion-dollar black market. Here to talk about it is Gary Edgington, a 40-year law enf

Whoever Comes In This Room Is Going To Die With Us

Sitting in the maternity ward of Dallas Methodist hospital, 30-year-old Nester Oswaldo Hernandez told his girlfriend that “we are both going to die today, and whoever comes in this room is going to die with us.” Hernandez, a violent offender out on early parole in Texas, executed a social worker and a nurse as they entered the room of his girlfriend and newborn baby, according to a Dallas police arrest warrant. Hernandez had just accused his girlfriend of cheating on him. He pistol-whipped her a

“Whoever Comes In This Room Is Going To Die With Us”

Nester Oswaldo Hernandez -- Parolee Charged With Murdering 2 Nurses In Dallas June 2022 Sitting in the maternity ward of Dallas Methodist Hospital, 30-year-old Nester Oswaldo Hernandez told his girlfriend “we are both going to die today, and whoever comes in this room is going to die with us.” Hernandez, a violent offender out on early parole in Texas, executed a social worker and a nurse as they entered the room of his girlfriend and newborn baby, according to a Dallas police arrest warra

“Whoever Comes In This Room Is Going To Die With Us”

Nester Oswaldo Hernandez -- Parolee Charged With Murdering 2 Nurses In Dallas June 2022 Sitting in the maternity ward of Dallas Methodist Hospital, 30-year-old Nester Oswaldo Hernandez told his girlfriend “we are both going to die today, and whoever comes in this room is going to die with us.” Hernandez, a violent offender out on early parole in Texas, executed a social worker and a nurse as they entered the room of his girlfriend and newborn baby, according to a Dallas police arrest warrant. He

How A Single Hair Caught A Killer

In the previous episode, we showed how homicide detectives solved 50-year-old cold cases. They analyzed old evidence by using new DNA extraction technology pioneered by Othram, a forensic genealogy lab in Texas. Othram provided new leads by finding relatives of suspects on genealogy databases. As revolutionary as that seems, it was just a few years ago that the FBI pioneered the use of mitochondrial DNA in a Texas murder case. Mitochondrial DNA is handed down from mother to child, so it can only

How A Single Hair Caught A Killer

The previous episode showed how homicide detectives solved 50-year-old cold cases. They analyzed old evidence using new DNA extraction technology pioneered by Othram, a forensic genealogy lab in Texas. Othram provided new leads by finding relatives of suspects on genealogy databases. As revolutionary as that seems, it was just a few years ago that the FBI pioneered the use of mitochondrial DNA in a Texas murder case. Mitochondrial DNA is handed down from mother to child, so it can only tell you

How A Single Hair Caught A Killer

The previous episode showed how homicide detectives solved 50-year-old cold cases. They analyzed old evidence using new DNA extraction technology pioneered by Othram, a forensic genealogy lab in Texas. Othram provided new leads by finding relatives of suspects on genealogy databases. As revolutionary as that seems, it was just a few years ago that the FBI pioneered the use of mitochondrial DNA in a Texas murder case. Mitochondrial DNA is handed down from mother to child, so it can on

Murderers Can Run, But They Can’t Hide From Their Forensic DNA Genealogy

14-year-old Stephanie Anne Isaacson Prom Photo 1989 14-year-old Stephanie Anne Isaacson left her father’s apartment in North Las Vegas on June 1, 1989. She walked through an empty sandlot, her usual shortcut, to the Eldorado High School. The ninth grader never attended her 7:30 AM class at Eldorado High School. Later that evening, officers found her body under a piece of discarded carpet in a sandlot that Isaacson used to take a shortcut to school. Stephanie was the victim of a blitz attack. Her

Murderers Can Run But They Can’t Hide From Their Forensic DNA Genealogy

14-year Stephanie Anne Isaacson left her father’s apartment in North Las Vegas on the early morning of June 1, 1989. She walked through an empty sandlot, her usual shortcut, to the Eldorado High School. The ninth grader never made it to her 7:30 AM class at Eldorado High School. Later that evening, officers found her body under a piece of discarded carpet in a sandlot that Isaacson used to take a shortcut to school. Stephanie was the victim of a blitz attack. Her black shirt was pulled up, and h

Murderers Can Run, But They Can’t Hide From Their Forensic DNA Genealogy

14-year-old Stephanie Anne Isaacson Prom Photo 1989 14-year-old Stephanie Anne Isaacson left her father’s apartment in North Las Vegas on June 1, 1989. She walked through an empty sandlot, her usual shortcut, to the Eldorado High School. The ninth grader never attended her 7:30 AM class at Eldorado High School. Later that evening, officers found her body under a piece of discarded carpet in a sandlot that Isaacson used to take a shortcut to school. Stephanie was the victim of a bl

Heat2: The Hollywood Shootout In Which Life Imitates Art

As I stood in the LA office of the FBI’s bank robbery coordinator,  veteran FBI Agent Bill Rehder pointed to a wall plastered with bank surveillance photos. 33-year veteran FBI Agent Bill Rehder Ran The FBI Bank Robbery Squad In Los Angeles Rehder ticked off the nicknames of a rogue’s gallery of serial bank robbers. The baby bandits, the big nose bandit, the big ears bandit, the skunk bandit, the ponytail bandit, the grandpa bandit. Hello, I’m Robert Riggs with a story from inside

Heat2: The Hollywood Shootout In Which Life Imitates Art

I’m Robert Riggs and in this episode, I take you inside the crime scene tape of the once bank robbery capital of the world. In 1997, I was in the Los Angeles office of the FBI’s bank robbery squad, reporting on an epidemic of violent take-over bank robberies.  Veteran FBI Agent Bill Rehder pointed to a wall plastered with bank surveillance photos. clad head to toe in black body armor and armed with assault rifles.  Rehder focused on two heavily armed gunmen he had dubbed “The Hi Incident Bandits

Heat2: The Hollywood Shootout In Which Life Imitates Art

As I stood in the LA office of the FBI’s bank robbery coordinator,  veteran FBI Agent Bill Rehder pointed to a wall plastered with bank surveillance photos. 33-year veteran FBI Agent Bill Rehder Ran The FBI Bank Robbery Squad In Los Angeles Rehder ticked off the nicknames of a rogue’s gallery of serial bank robbers. The baby bandits, the big nose bandit, the big ears bandit, the skunk bandit, the ponytail bandit, the grandpa bandit. Hello, I’m Robert Riggs with a story from inside the crime scen

From Gunship Pilot - To FBI Agent - To NYT's Best Selling Author Don Bentley

Don Bentley’s career zigzagged from flying an Army helicopter gunship on combat missions in Afghanistan to working counterintelligence for the FBI, to now writing suspense-filled novels based on the knowledge of his previous careers. In my last episode, former FBI agent Don Bentley took us inside the training of Special Agents at the elite FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. After the FBI, Bentley launched a successful writing career. He intimately knows the subject that he writes fiction about.

From Gunship Pilot – To FBI Agent – To NYT’s Best Selling Author Don Bentley

Don Bentley Pictured With His Helicopter Gunship In Afghanistan Don Bentley’s career zigzagged from flying an Army helicopter gunship on combat missions in Afghanistan to working counterintelligence for the FBI, to now writing suspense-filled novels based on the knowledge of his previous careers. In my last episode, former FBI agent Don Bentley took us inside the training of Special Agents at the elite FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. After the FBI, Bentley launched a successful writi

From Gunship Pilot – To FBI Agent – To NYT’s Best Selling Author Don Bentley

Don Bentley Pictured With His Helicopter Gunship In Afghanistan Don Bentley’s career zigzagged from flying an Army helicopter gunship on combat missions in Afghanistan to working counterintelligence for the FBI, to now writing suspense-filled novels based on the knowledge of his previous careers. In my last episode, former FBI agent Don Bentley took us inside the training of Special Agents at the elite FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. After the FBI, Bentley launched a successful writing career

This Bank Gets Robbed Every Day – Former FBI Agent Don Bentley

There’s a bank in Quantico, Virginia, that gets robbed every day. And I am going to take you there. Hello. I’m Robert Riggs.  In this episode of True Crime Reporter®, former FBI Agent Don Bentley takes us inside the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. New Special Agents start their career there in an intensive 20-week long training program. Realistic training scenarios unfold in a mock town called Hogan’s Alley named after a comic strip from the 1890s. Town House In Hogan's Alle

This Bank Gets Robbed Every Day – Former FBI Agent Don Bentley

There’s a bank in Quantico, Virginia, that gets robbed every day. And I am going to take you there. Hello. I’m Robert Riggs.  In this episode of True Crime Reporter®, former FBI Agent Don Bentley takes us inside the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. New Special Agents start their career there in an intensive 20-week long training program. Realistic training scenarios unfold in a mock town called Hogan’s Alley named after a comic strip from the 1890s. Town House In Hogan's Alley That Is The Site

This Bank Gets Robbed Every Day - Former FBI Agent Don Bentley

There’s a bank in Quantico, Virginia that gets robbed every day. And I am going to take you there. Hello. I’m Robert Riggs.  In this episode of True Crime Reporter®, former FBI Agent Don Bentley takes us inside the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. New Special Agents start their career there in an intensive 20-week long training program. Realistic training scenarios unfold in a mock town called Hogan’s Alley named after a comic strip from the 1890s. I’ve reported there many times on stories ran

When First Responders Need Help This Is Why They Call SWAT

In the previous episode, Inside Story Of The Deadliest Attack On Police Officers Since 9/11, the negotiator for the Dallas SWAT team revealed the inside story about the mass killer who ambushed Dallas officers during a Black Lives Matter protest five years ago. Members of our True Crime Community have asked to learn more about the purpose of SWAT teams. SWAT stands for Special Weapons and Tactics.  It’s a highly trained elite unit selected from rank and file officers who apply.  In the True Crim

When First Responders Need Help This Is Why They Call SWAT

In the previous episode, Inside Story Of The Deadliest Attack On Police Officers Since 9/11, the negotiator for the Dallas SWAT team revealed the inside story about the mass killer who ambushed Dallas officers during a Black Lives Matter protest five years ago. Members of our True Crime Community have asked to learn more about the purpose of SWAT teams. SWAT stands for Special Weapons and Tactics.  It’s a highly trained elite unit selected from rank-and-file officers who apply.  In the True Crim

When First Responders Need Help This Is Why They Call SWAT

In the previous episode, Inside Story Of The Deadliest Attack On Police Officers Since 9/11, the negotiator for the Dallas SWAT team revealed the inside story about the mass killer who ambushed Dallas officers during a Black Lives Matter protest five years ago. Members of our True Crime Community have asked to learn more about the purpose of SWAT teams. SWAT stands for Special Weapons and Tactics.  It’s a highly trained elite unit selected from rank-and-file officers who apply.  In the

Inside Story Of The Deadliest Attack On Police Officers Since 9/11

On the evening of July 7, 2016, Black Lives Matter protesters marched in downtown Dallas and other cities across the nation. They peacefully gathered in response to the police shootings of two black men, Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. A few blocks from the site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, an African American man who had left the U.S. Army following disgraceful conduct got out of his SUV ready for combat. The mass murderer arrived with a calculated plan to kill police

Inside Story Of The Deadliest Attack On Police Officers Since 9/11

On the evening of July 7, 2016, Black Lives Matter protesters marched in downtown Dallas and other cities nationwide. They peacefully gathered in response to the police shootings of two black men, Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. A few blocks from the site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, an African American man who had left the U.S. Army following disgraceful conduct got out of his SUV, ready for combat. The mass murderer arrived with a calculated plan to kill pol

Inside Story Of The Deadliest Attack On Police Officers Since 9/11

On the evening of July 7, 2016, Black Lives Matter protesters marched in downtown Dallas and other cities nationwide. They peacefully gathered in response to the police shootings of two black men, Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. A few blocks from the site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, an African American man who had left the U.S. Army following disgraceful conduct got out of his SUV, ready for combat. The mass murderer arrived with a calculated plan to kill police offic

Tales of Murder And Mayhem From Former U.S. Prosecutor Bill Johnston

The True Crime Reporter® Podcast features stories and interviews from the respective careers of investigative reporter Robert Riggs and former U.S. prosecutor Bill Johnston. Listeners have asked how both of them got involved in investigating criminal cases. In response, the podcast featured an episode with Riggs on July 4, 2022, explaining how he first got involved digging for information during the Watergate scandal case while working for Congressman Wright Patman. In this episode, we cover the

Tales of Murder and Mayhem from Former Prosecutor Bill Johnston.

The True Crime Reporter® Podcast features stories and interviews from the respective careers of investigative reporter Robert Riggs and former U.S. prosecutor Bill Johnston. Listeners have asked how both of them got involved in investigating criminal cases. In response, the podcast featured an episode with Riggs on July 4, 2022, explaining how he first got involved in digging for information during the Watergate scandal case while working for Congressman Wright Patman. In this episode,

Tales of Murder and Mayhem from Former Prosecutor Bill Johnston.

The True Crime Reporter® Podcast features stories and interviews from the respective careers of investigative reporter Robert Riggs and former U.S. prosecutor Bill Johnston. Listeners have asked how both of them got involved in investigating criminal cases. In response, the podcast featured an episode with Riggs on July 4, 2022, explaining how he first got involved in digging for information during the Watergate scandal case while working for Congressman Wright Patman. In this episode, we cover

From Convict To CEO — Turning Inmates Into Business Entrepreneurs

Many U.S. prisons are trade schools for crime. High recidivism rates underscore the failure of the current criminal justice system. Released and rearrested inmates pass through an expensive revolving door.  The Texas prison used to be called the Texas Department of Corrections (TDC), but there was little evidence that it corrected bad behavior.  In Texas, nearly one-fourth of the prisoners released return within three years. Nationally, half of the prisoners released return within three

From Convict To CEO — Turning Inmates Into Business Entrepreneurs

Many U.S. prisons are trade schools for crime. High recidivism rates underscore the failure of the current criminal justice system. Released and rearrested inmates pass through an expensive revolving door.  The Texas prison used to be called the Texas Department of Corrections (TDC), but there was little evidence that it corrected bad behavior.  In Texas, nearly one-fourth of the prisoners released return within three years. Nationally, half of the prisoners released return within three years. H

From Convict To CEO -- Turning Inmates Into Business Leaders

Many U.S. prisons are trade schools for crime. High recidivism rates underscore the failure of the current criminal justice system. Released and rearrested inmates pass through an expensive revolving door.  The Texas prison used to be called the Texas Department of Corrections (TDC), but there was little evidence it was correcting bad behavior.  In Texas, nearly one-fourth of the prisoners released return within three years. Nationally, half of the prisoners released return within three years. B

The Growing Threat Of Grievance Killings - Why People Are Loosing It

A growing threat of grievance- shooting is taking center stage across the world.   Recent examples include the assassination of Japan’s popular prime minister to a patient in Tulsa, Oklahoma who gunned down two doctors and two medical personnel because he was angry about ongoing pain following his surgery. Sasha Larkin, the Deputy Chief of the Homeland Security Division at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, describes this new threat. The 22-year veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan P

The Growing Threat Of Grievance Killings – Why More People Are Losing It

A growing threat of grievance killings is taking center stage across the world.   Recent examples include the assassination of Japan’s popular prime minister to a patient in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who gunned down two doctors and two medical personnel because he was angry about ongoing pain following his surgery. Sasha Larkin, the Deputy Chief of the Homeland Security Division at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, describes this new threat. Dep Chief Sasha Larkin of the Homeland Sec

The Growing Threat Of Grievance Killings – Why More People Are Losing It

A growing threat of grievance killings is taking center stage across the world.   Recent examples include the assassination of Japan’s popular prime minister to a patient in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who gunned down two doctors and two medical personnel because he was angry about ongoing pain following his surgery. Sasha Larkin, the Deputy Chief of the Homeland Security Division at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, describes this new threat. Dep Chief Sasha Larkin of the Homeland Security Div

Police Waited To Subdue Killer While Uvalde School Children Lay Dying

A 77-page report by a special committee of the Texas House of Representatives concluded that no one was able to stop the gunman from carrying out the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, in part because of “systemic failures and egregious poor decision making” by nearly everyone involved who was in a position of power. 376  law enforcement officers descended on the school in a chaotic, uncoordinated scene devoid of clear leadership and a sense of urgency to take down the gunman, according

Police Waited To Subdue Killer While Uvalde School Children Lay Dying

A 77-page report by a special committee of the Texas House of Representatives concluded that no one was able to stop the gunman from carrying out the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, in part because of “systemic failures and egregious poor decision making” by nearly everyone involved who was in a position of power. 376  law enforcement officers descended on the school in a chaotic, uncoordinated scene devoid of clear leadership and a sense of urgency to take down the gunman, accord

Police Waited To Subdue Killer While Uvalde School Children Lay Dying

A 77-page report by a special committee of the Texas House of Representatives concluded that no one was able to stop the gunman from carrying out the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, in part because of “systemic failures and egregious poor decision making” by nearly everyone involved who was in a position of power. 376  law enforcement officers descended on the school in a chaotic, uncoordinated scene devoid of clear leadership and a sense of urgency to take down the gunman, according

A Love Triangle Ends In An Alleged Murderous Fit Of Jealous Rage

25-year-old Anna Moriah Wilson, known as “Mo” was an up-and-coming professional cyclist in gravel racing. Friends described her as a beacon and light and energy. But another cyclist, Kailin Armstrong allegedly snuffed out that light in a hail of gunfire. Shockwaves from the grievance killing spread from Austin, Texas where the murder occurred to news media around the world. It is a true-crime story that is stranger than fiction.   Two female cyclists vying for the affectio

A Love Triangle Ends In An Alleged Murderous Fit Of Jealous Rage

25-year-old Anna Moriah Wilson, known as “Mo” was an up-and-coming professional cyclist in gravel racing. Friends described her as a beacon and light and energy. But another cyclist, Kailin Armstrong allegedly snuffed out that light in a hail of gunfire. Shockwaves from the grievance killing spread from Austin, Texas where the murder occurred to news media around the world. It is a true-crime story that is stranger than fiction.   Two female cyclists vying for the affection of a male cyclist wer

A Love Triangle Ends In An Alleged Murderous Fit Of Jealous Rage

25-year-old Anna Moriah Wilson, known as “Mo” was an up-and-coming professional cyclist in gravel racing. Friends described her as a beacon and light and energy. But another cyclist allegedly snuffed out that light in a hail of gunfire. Shockwaves from the grievance killing spread from Austin, Texas where the murder occurred to news media around the world. It is a true-crime story that is stranger than fiction.   Two female cyclists vying for the affection of a male cyclist were on a tragic coll

50th Anniversary of the Watergate Scandal -- Inside The Investigation

Many of you have asked how Robert became an investigative reporter.  After all, most of the stories you hear on this podcast come out of my reporter’s notebook. Riggs' career path has zigged and zagged from when I received a degree in Architecture and Construction from Texas A&M University and upon graduation, he headed off to Capitol Hill. In this episode, my cohost, former prosecutor Bill Johnston takes me back to the Watergate scandal of 50 years ago. Bill has never heard some of these st

The Watergate Scandal — A Tale Of Bribery And International Intrigue

Many of you have asked how Robert became an investigative reporter.  After all, most of the stories you hear on this podcast come from my reporter’s notebook. Riggs' career path has zigged and zagged since I received a degree in Architecture and Construction from Texas A&M University. Upon graduation, he headed off to Capitol Hill. In this episode, my cohost, former prosecutor Bill Johnston, takes me back to the Watergate scandal 50 years ago. Bill has never heard some of these stories,

The Watergate Scandal — A Tale Of Bribery And International Intrigue

Many of you have asked how Robert became an investigative reporter.  After all, most of the stories you hear on this podcast come from my reporter’s notebook. Riggs' career path has zigged and zagged since I received a degree in Architecture and Construction from Texas A&M University. Upon graduation, he headed off to Capitol Hill. In this episode, my cohost, former prosecutor Bill Johnston, takes me back to the Watergate scandal 50 years ago. Bill has never heard some of these stories, and in l

Stop The Killing – How To End The Mass Shooting Crisis

Katherine Schweit headed up the FBI’s active shooter program, where she authored the bureau’s landmark research about mass shootings and how to respond best to save lives. In the wake of the massacre of children and their teachers in Uvalde, Texas, school safety weighs heavily on the minds of teachers and students’ families.  In this episode of True Crime Reporter®, investigative reporter Robert Riggs and Schweit discuss why the number of mass shootings is spiking to the point that some parents

Stop The Killing – How To End The Mass Shooting Crisis

Katherine Schweit headed up the FBI’s active shooter program, where she authored the bureau’s landmark research about mass shootings and how to respond best to save lives. In the wake of the massacre of children and their teachers in Uvalde, Texas, school safety weighs heavily on the minds of teachers and students’ families.  In this episode of True Crime Reporter®, investigative reporter Robert Riggs and Schweit discuss why the number of mass shootings is spiking to the point that some pa

Stop The Killing - Former FBI Agent Katherine Schweit On Mass Shootings

Katherine Schweit headed up the FBI’s active shooter program where she authored the bureau’s landmark research about mass shootings and how to best respond to save lives. In the wake of the massacre of children and their teachers in Uvalde, Texas, school safety weighs heavily on the minds of teachers and students’ families.  In this episode of True Crime Reporter®, investigative reporter Robert Riggs and Schweit discuss why the number of mass shootings is spiking to the point that some parents a

She Butchered Her Sons and Took A Nap. A Case of Freed To Kill.

For many years Texas had a law and order image. Politicians campaigned for office about getting tough on crime. A gubernatorial candidate’s TV ads featured actors wearing black and white overalls swinging sledgehammers in the prison yard. His voice-over pledged to teach youthful criminals “the joy of busing rocks.” In fact, Texas ran a revolving door prison system. Lawmakers passed tougher laws but refused to spend money to build prisons to hold more convicted

She Butchered Her Sons And Took A Nap. She Was Freed To Kill.

For many years, Texas had a law and order image.  Politicians campaigned for office about getting tough on crime. A gubernatorial candidate’s TV ads featured actors wearing black and white overalls swinging sledgehammers in the prison yard. His voice-over pledged to teach youthful criminals “the joy of busing rocks.” Texas ran a revolving-door prison system.   Lawmakers passed tougher laws but refused to spend money to build prisons to hold more convicted criminals. The public did

She Butchered Her Sons And Took A Nap. She Was Freed To Kill.

For many years, Texas had a law and order image.  Politicians campaigned for office about getting tough on crime. A gubernatorial candidate’s TV ads featured actors wearing black and white overalls swinging sledgehammers in the prison yard. His voice-over pledged to teach youthful criminals “the joy of busing rocks.” Texas ran a revolving-door prison system.   Lawmakers passed tougher laws but refused to spend money to build prisons to hold more convicted criminals. The public did not know about

Cold War Secrets: A Cyanide Murder Mystery Involving the FBI and CIA

Was it a case of cloak and dagger among spies? Or was it a plain old case of murder driven by lust and the desire for money? It is a mystery that lives on 50-years after a popular Czech professor vanished from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Was he a double agent or triple agent that crossed his masters in a Cold War game of spy vs. spy? Is he living out his years on a tropical island or do his remains lie at the bottom of an abandoned gold mine? Pulitzer Prize-winning author Eileen Welso

Cold War Secrets: A Cyanide Murder Mystery Involving the FBI and CIA

Was it a case of cloak and dagger among spies? Or was it a plain old case of murder driven by lust and the desire for money? It is a mystery that lives on 50 years after a popular Czech professor vanished from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Was he a double or triple agent who crossed his masters in a Cold War game of spy vs. spy? Is he living out his years on a tropical island, or do his remains lie at the bottom of an abandoned gold mine? Pulitzer Prize-winning author Eileen Welsome pr

Cold War Secrets: A Cyanide Murder Mystery Involving the FBI and CIA

Was it a case of cloak and dagger among spies? Or was it a plain old case of murder driven by lust and the desire for money? It is a mystery that lives on 50 years after a popular Czech professor vanished from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Was he a double or triple agent who crossed his masters in a Cold War game of spy vs. spy? Is he living out his years on a tropical island, or do his remains lie at the bottom of an abandoned gold mine? Pulitzer Prize-winning author Eilee

Rev Matt Baker – The Sinister Minister Who Almost Got Away With Murder

Matt Baker, the charismatic Baptist minister who almost got away with murdering his wife is among our most popular episodes. On his way to the pulpit in Waco, Texas, Baker molested numerous young women. An investigation of the Southern Baptist Convention, America’s largest Protestant denomination, revealed that church leaders covered up sexual assaults by hundreds of pastors like Matt Bakers for twenty years. A seven-month investigation conducted by Guidepost Solutions released in May o

Rev Matt Baker – The Sinister Minister Who Almost Got Away With Murder

Matt Baker, the charismatic Baptist minister who almost got away with murdering his wife is among our most popular episodes. On his way to the pulpit in Waco, Texas, Baker molested numerous young women. An investigation of the Southern Baptist Convention, America’s largest Protestant denomination, revealed that church leaders covered up sexual assaults by hundreds of pastors like Matt Bakers for twenty years. A seven-month investigation conducted by Guidepost Solutions released in May of 2022 fo

Rev Matt Baker - The Sinister Minister Who Murdered His Wife

Matt Baker, the charismatic Baptist minister who almost got away with murdering his wife is among our most popular episodes. On his way to the pulpit in Waco, Texas, Baker molested young women. An investigation of the Southern Baptist Convention, America’s largest Protestant denomination, revealed that sexual assaults by hundreds of pastors like Matt Bakers were covered up by church leaders for twenty years. A seven-month investigation conducted by Guidepost Solutions released in May of 20

Jail House Romances: Why Do Women Fall In Love With Serial Killers?

Can you imagine yourself falling in love with a serial killer or murderer to the point you will give up your family, career, and even your life for them? A veteran Alabama jail officer, Vicky White, did just that in April of 2022 when she staged a getaway with a capital murder suspect. The 56-year-old White had an unblemished record.  She was on her last day of work before retirement. Her colleagues had just voted her Corrections Employee of the Year for a fifth time before she went on the run.

Jail House Romances: Why Do Women Fall In Love With Serial Killers?

Can you imagine yourself falling in love with a serial killer or murderer to the point you will give up your family, career, and even your life for them? A veteran Alabama jail officer, Vicky White, did just that in April of 2022 when she staged a getaway with a capital murder suspect. The 56-year-old White had an unblemished record.  She was on her last day of work before retirement. Her colleagues had just voted her Corrections Employee of the Year for a fifth time before she went on the

The Greatest Escape From Texas Death Row Since Bonnie & Clyde

In this vintage photo 1993, Peabody Award-Winning Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs stands on a guard tower overlooking Texas Death Row. Poking up behind him to the right of the large spotlight is the steeple of the prison, the chapel, where seven condemned prisoners made their daring break for freedom five years later.  29-year Martin Gurule, a cold-blooded killer from Corpus Christi in South Texas, made it over the prison’s fence on a foggy Thanksgiving night under a hail of ri

The Greatest Escape From Texas Death Row Since Bonnie & Clyde

In this vintage photo 1993, Peabody Award-Winning Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs stands on a guard tower overlooking Texas Death Row. Poking up behind him to the right of the large spotlight is the steeple of the prison, the chapel, where seven condemned prisoners made their daring break for freedom five years later.  29-year Martin Gurule, a cold-blooded killer from Corpus Christi in South Texas, made it over the prison’s fence on a foggy Thanksgiving night under a hail of rifle fire from

Jailhouse Romances: Why Do Women Fall In Love With Serial Killers

Can you imagine yourself falling in love with a serial killer or murderer to the point you will give up your family, career, and even your life for them? A veteran Alabama jail officer, Vicky White did just that in April of 2022 when she staged a getaway with a capital murder suspect. The 56-year-old White had an unblemished record. She was on her last day of work before retirement. Her colleagues had just voted her Corrections Employee of the Year for a fifth time before she went on the r

The Greatest Escape From Texas Death Row Since Bonnie & Clyde

In this vintage photo from 1993, Peabody Award-Winning Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs stands on a guard tower overlooking Texas Death Row. Poking up behind him to the right of the large spotlight is the steeple of the prison chapel where seven condemned prisoners made their daring break for freedom five years later. 29-year Martin Gurule, a cold-blooded killer from Corpus Christi in South Texas made it over the prison’s fence on a foggy Thanksgiving night under a hail of ri

Prison Inmate Sued Because His Rice Krispies Did Not Snap, Crackle, Pop

Frivolous lawsuits filed by convicted criminals flooded the federal court system in Texas. A prison inmate who regarded himself as the "Perry Mason" of the Texas prison sued for millions of dollars because his Thanksgiving Turkey was served cold. Another sued because his Rice Krispies Cereal did not Snap, Crackle, Pop as advertised. This underscores why the True Crime Reporter® podcast features true crime stories that are stranger than fiction. Investigative reporter Robert Riggs dusted off

Prison Inmate Sued Because His Rice Krispies Did Not Snap, Crackle, Pop

Frivolous lawsuits filed by convicted criminals flooded the federal court system in Texas. A prison inmate who regarded himself as the "Perry Mason" of the Texas prison sued for millions of dollars because his Thanksgiving Turkey was served cold. Another sued because his Rice Krispies Cereal did not Snap, Crackle, or Pop as advertised. FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast  SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one – i

Prison Inmate Sued Because His Rice Krispies Did Not Snap, Crackle, Pop

Frivolous lawsuits filed by convicted criminals flooded the federal court system in Texas. A prison inmate who regarded himself as the "Perry Mason" of the Texas prison sued for millions of dollars because his Thanksgiving Turkey was served cold. Another sued because his Rice Krispies Cereal did not Snap, Crackle, or Pop as advertised. FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast  SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one – it really helps. TEL

Sheriff Parnell McNamara Rides Herd On The Lawless Solving Cold Cases

Sheriff Parnell McNamara promised his constituents in McLennan County, Texas around Waco that he would actively pursue cold cases. McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara & Reporter Robert Riggs McNamara was elected for a third four-year term in January 2021. He has made good on his campaign pledge to open up long-forgotten homicide cases. Because as McNamara sees it, no one should get away with murder, and the victim’s family deserves to know what happened. U.S. Marshall Guy McNamara 1933 (

Sheriff Parnell McNamara Rides Herd On The Lawless Solving Cold Cases

Sheriff Parnell McNamara promised his constituents in McLennan County, Texas around Waco that he would actively pursue cold cases. McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara & Reporter Robert Riggs McNamara was elected for a third four-year term in January 2021. He has made good on his campaign pledge to open up long-forgotten homicide cases. Because as McNamara sees it, no one should get away with murder, and the victim’s family deserves to know what happened. U.S. Marshall Guy Mc

Sheriff Parnell McNamara Rides Herd On The Lawless Solving Cold Cases

Sheriff Parnell McNamara promised his constituents in McLennan County, Texas around Waco that he would actively pursue cold cases. McNamara was elected for a third four-year term in January of 2021. And he has made good on his campaign pledge to open up homicide cases that had been long forgotten. Because as McNamara sees it no one should get away with murder and the victim’s family deserves to know what happened. The McNamara clan started in law enforcement in 1902 with Guy McNamara who P

How Cold Case Investigator Paul Holes Unmasked The Golden State Killer

Cold case investigator Paul Holes played a major role in ending a decades-long reign of terror by The Golden State Killer. First known as The East Area Rapist, a masked psychological sadist assaulted 50 women in Northern California between 1976 and 1979. He progressed from burglaries to vicious sexual assaults in the middle of the night, to bludgeoning his victims to death. Along the way, he called 911 to taunt the police. Suddenly it seemed he had disappeared. But he had moved to a new hunting

How Cold Case Investigator Paul Holes Unmasked The Golden State Killer

Cold case investigator Paul Holes played a major role in ending a decades-long reign of terror by The Golden State Killer. First known as The East Area Rapist, a masked psychological sadist assaulted 50 women in Northern California between 1976 and 1979. He progressed from burglaries to vicious sexual assaults in the middle of the night to bludgeoning his victims to death. Along the way, he called 911 to taunt the police. Suddenly it seemed he had disappeared. But he had moved to

How Cold Case Investigator Paul Holes Unmasked The Golden State Killer

Cold case investigator Paul Holes played a major role in ending a decades-long reign of terror by The Golden State Killer. First known as The East Area Rapist, a masked psychological sadist assaulted 50 women in Northern California between 1976 and 1979. He progressed from burglaries to vicious sexual assaults in the middle of the night to bludgeoning his victims to death. Along the way, he called 911 to taunt the police. Suddenly it seemed he had disappeared. But he had moved to a new hunting g

Death Row Interview With The Mass Killer Known As The "Terminator"

Doug Feldman’s resume gave no clue that a mass killer was lurking inside him. He graduated from a prestigious university. He was a financial wizard. He was the funniest man in the room at social functions. Everything appeared to be going his way. But beneath Feldman's cool exterior, a volcano was swelling up inside him. First, there were tremors. Then a deadly eruption against random strangers. Feldman cruised around Dallas on his Harley Davidson motorcycle randomly shooting truck drivers

Death Row Interview With The Mass Killer Known As The “Terminator”

Doug Feldman’s resume gave no clue that a mass killer was lurking inside him. He graduated from a prestigious university, was a financial wizard, and was the funniest man in the room at social functions. Everything appeared to be going his way. But beneath Feldman's calm exterior, a volcano was swelling inside him. First, there were tremors. Then, a deadly eruption against random strangers. Security Camera Footage of Mass Killer Doug Feldman Riding A Harley As He Randomly Guns Down A G

Death Row Interview With The Mass Killer Known As The “Terminator”

Doug Feldman’s resume gave no clue that a mass killer was lurking inside him. He graduated from a prestigious university, was a financial wizard, and was the funniest man in the room at social functions. Everything appeared to be going his way. But beneath Feldman's calm exterior, a volcano was swelling inside him. First, there were tremors. Then, a deadly eruption against random strangers. Security Camera Footage of Mass Killer Doug Feldman Riding A Harley As He Randomly Guns Down A Gasoline Ta

The High School Gang That Graduated To Cold-Blooded Murder

Gun-wielding gang members from Houston burst into a rural bank located a hundred miles north of Houston. The high school-age teenagers graduated from burglaries and drive-by shootings to cold-blooded murders that day. They left behind the bullet-riddled body of an 82-year-old woman who was tending her family’s graves. They robbed a bank and shot up the small town while making their getaway. They pistol-whipped a deputy sheriff and used his gun to shoot a Texas State Trooper.  Investi

The High School Gang That Graduated To Cold-Blooded Murder

Gun-wielding gang members from Houston burst into a rural bank located a hundred miles north of Houston. The high school-age teenagers graduated from burglaries and drive-by shootings to cold-blooded murders that day. They left behind the bullet-riddled body of an 82-year-old woman who was tending her family’s graves. They robbed a bank and shot up the small town while making their getaway. They pistol-whipped a deputy sheriff and used his gun to shoot a Texas State Trooper.  Investigative repor

The Teenage Gang That Graduated To Cold Blooded Murder

Gun-wielding gang members from Houston burst into a rural bank located a hundred miles north of Houston. The high school-age teenagers graduated from burglaries and drive-by shootings to cold-blooded murder that day. They left behind the bullet-riddled body of an 82-year old woman who was tending her family’s graves. They robbed a bank and shot up the small town while making their getaway. They pistol-whipped a deputy sheriff and used his gun to shoot a Texas State Trooper. Investiga

Do Murderous Roots Lie Within Your Family Tree?

It was called the "Ride Murder." The bullet-riddled body of an unidentified seaman from the Port of Houston, Texas, was found dumped in a ditch a few miles away. HELP US FIND THIS MAN'S FAMILY Two men and a woman used a “honey pot” trap to lure the seaman into their car to rob him. It was one of the most sensational murder trials ever brought in East Texas. School children paraded through the county jail on macabre field trips to get a look at the accused killers. Jailhouse Sketches by The Ride

Do Murderous Roots Lie Within Your Family Tree?

It was called the "Ride Murder." The bullet-riddled body of an unidentified seaman from the Port of Houston, Texas, was found dumped in a ditch a few miles away. HELP US FIND THIS MAN'S FAMILY Two men and a woman used a “honey pot” trap to lure the seaman into their car to rob him. It was one of the most sensational murder trials ever brought in East Texas. School children paraded through the county jail on macabre field trips to get a look at the accused killers. Jailhou

Do Murderous Roots Lie Within Your Family Tree?

It was called the Ride Murder. The bullet-riddled body of an unidentified seaman from the Port of Houston, Texas was found dumped in a ditch a few miles away. Two men and a woman used a “honey pot” trap to lure the seaman into their car to rob him. It was one of the most sensational murder trials ever brought in East, Texas. School children paraded through the county jail on macabre field trips to get a look at the accused killers. One of the defendants who had already killed a trave

A Sniper In The Tower–The First School Shooting–Why Did He Do It?

Before Columbine. Before Sandy Hook. Before Virginia Tech.  There was the Sniper in the Tower at the University of Texas. America’s first mass murder and school shooting unfolded on live television in Austin, Texas, more than a half-century ago. Since then, the question has lingered, “Why did he do it?” Gary Lavergne, the author of A Sniper in the Tower: The Charles Whitman Murders, addresses the whys and the myths about the why. In this True Crime Reporter™, Confidential investigati

A Sniper In The Tower–The First School Shooting–Why Did He Do It?

Before Columbine. Before Sandy Hook. Before Virginia Tech.  There was the Sniper in the Tower at the University of Texas. America’s first mass murder and school shooting unfolded on live television in Austin, Texas, more than a half-century ago. Since then, the question has lingered, “Why did he do it?” Gary Lavergne, the author of A Sniper in the Tower: The Charles Whitman Murders, addresses the whys and the myths about the why. In this True Crime Reporter™, Confidential investigative reporter

A Sniper In The Tower--Why Did He Do It?

Before Columbine. Before Sandy Hook. Before Virginia Tech. There was the Sniper in the Tower at the University of Texas. America’s first mass murder and school shooting unfolded on live television in Austin, Texas more than a half-century ago. Since then the question has lingered, “Why did he do it?” Gary Lavergne, the author of A Sniper in the Tower: The Charles Whitman Murders, addresses the whys and the myths about the why. In this True Crime Reporter™, Confident

CBS News Anchor Bob Schieffer Shocked By Broomstick Killer’s Brutality

Retired CBS News Anchor Bob Schieffer was the first reporter to interview Kenneth McDuff and cover his crimes in 1966. Back then Schieffer was the police beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Schieffer had just returned from a combat assignment covering the Vietnam War when the call came in from homicide detectives. The bullet-riddled bodies of 17-year old Robert Brand and his cousin 16-year-old Mark Dunnam had been found in the trunk of their abandoned car on a remote farm road

CBS News Anchor Bob Schieffer Shocked By Broomstick Killer’s Brutality

Kenneth McDuff "The Broomstick Killer" Retired CBS News Anchor Bob Schieffer was the first reporter to interview Kenneth McDuff and cover his crimes in 1966.  Fort Worth Star-Telegram police beat reporter Bob Schieffer; appeared in "The Anatomy of a Newspaper" article dated 01/12/1964 Back then, Schieffer was the police beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter Bob Schieffer in combat helmet while reporting from Vietnam, spring 1966 Schieffe

CBS News Anchor Bob Schieffer Shocked By Broomstick Killer’s Brutality

Kenneth McDuff "The Broomstick Killer" Retired CBS News Anchor Bob Schieffer was the first reporter to interview Kenneth McDuff and cover his crimes in 1966.  Fort Worth Star-Telegram police beat reporter Bob Schieffer; appeared in "The Anatomy of a Newspaper" article dated 01/12/1964 Back then, Schieffer was the police beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter Bob Schieffer in combat helmet while reporting from Vietnam, spring 1966 Schieffer had just retu

First There Was the Lone Ranger. Now There's Creed True.

We usually take our fans inside the crime scene tape of real-life crimes. But in this episode, we are testing out a fictional Texas Ranger superhero named Creed True, inspired by real-life cases. The Texas Ranger became a superhero in pop culture long before Spider-Man and fellow characters from Marvel Comics captured our collective imaginations. Think about how the phrase "Who was that masked man?" is now part of our vocabulary. Superheroes possess supernatural or superhuman powers and ar

First There Was the Lone Ranger. Now There’s Creed True.

We usually take our fans inside the crime scene tape of real-life crimes. But in this episode, we are testing out a fictional Texas Ranger superhero named Creed True, inspired by real-life cases. The Texas Ranger became a superhero in pop culture long before Spider-Man and fellow characters from Marvel Comics captured our collective imaginations.  Think about how "Who was that masked man?" is now part of our vocabulary. Superheroes possess supernatural or superhuman powers and are dedicated to f

First There Was the Lone Ranger. Now There’s Creed True.

We usually take our fans inside the crime scene tape of real-life crimes. But in this episode, we are testing out a fictional Texas Ranger superhero named Creed True, inspired by real-life cases. The Texas Ranger became a superhero in pop culture long before Spider-Man and fellow characters from Marvel Comics captured our collective imaginations.  Think about how "Who was that masked man?" is now part of our vocabulary. Superheroes possess supernatural or superhuman powers and are de

One Riot, One Ranger Fuels 200-Year Old Legend

Texas kicked off festivities on Texas Independence Day, to commemorate the 2023 Bicentennial of the Texas Rangers. As the Rangers approach their 200th year of service, their legend is embodied in the following quote. When Texas Ranger Captain Bill McDonald was sent to Dallas in the 1890s to prevent a scheduled prizefight, McDonald was greeted at the train station by the city's anxious mayor, who asked: "Where are the others?" McDonald supposedly replied, "Hell! ain't I enough? There's only one

One Riot, One Ranger Fuels 200-Year Old Legend

Texas kicked off festivities on Texas Independence Day, to commemorate the 2023 Bicentennial of the Texas Rangers. As the Rangers approach their 200th year of service, their legend is embodied in the following quote. When Texas Ranger Captain Bill McDonald was sent to Dallas in the 1890s to prevent a scheduled prizefight, McDonald was greeted at the train station by the city's anxious mayor, who asked: "Where are the others?" McDonald supposedly replied, "Hell! ain't I enough? There's onl

One Riot, One Ranger Fuels 200-Year Old Legend

Texas kicked off festivities on Texas Independence Day, to commemorate the 2023 Bicentennial of the Texas Rangers. As the Rangers approach their 200th year of service their legend is embodied in the following quote. When Texas Ranger Captain Bill McDonald was sent to Dallas in the 1890s to prevent a scheduled prizefight, McDonald was greeted at the train station by the city's anxious mayor, who asked: "Where are the others?" To which McDonald supposedly replied, "Hell! ain't I enough

History of the Texas Rangers

The Bonnie and Clyde gang rode roughshod over the Central United States during the Depression in the 1930s until Texas Ranger Frank Hamer came out of retirement and ended their deadly robbery spree in an ambush. Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker aka Bonnie and Clyde It’s one of many cases that contributes to the worldwide reputation of the Texas Rangers. In order to get a concise and accurate account of its history, Riggs went to the Official Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. Texas Ranger Hall

History of the Texas Rangers

The Bonnie and Clyde gang rode roughshod over the Central United States during the Depression in the 1930s until Texas Ranger Frank Hamer came out of retirement and ended their deadly robbery spree in an ambush. Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker aka Bonnie and Clyde It’s one of many cases that contributes to the worldwide reputation of the Texas Rangers. In order to get a concise and accurate account of its history, Riggs went to the Official Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. Texas

A Concise and Accurate History of the Texas Rangers

The Bonnie and Clyde gang rode roughshod over the Central United States during the Depression in the 1930s until Texas Ranger Frank Hamer came out of retirement and ended their deadly robbery spree in an ambush. It’s one of many cases that contributes to the worldwide reputation of the Texas Rangers. On March 1st of 2022, Texas kicked off plans to commemorate The Texas Ranger Bicentennial in 2023. Robert Riggs and Bill Johnston, the cohosts of True Crime Reporter™, are members of the

How Genetic Genealogy Solved The 1974 Murder Of Carla Walker

Fort Worth Cold Case detectives solved the murder of 17-year old Carla Walker after it had gone cold for nearly five decades. They analyzed old evidence using genetic genealogy and new DNA extraction technology pioneered by Othram, a forensic genealogy lab in the Woodlands a suburb of Houston. Othram matched the DNA to a test submitted to a genealogy site by a member of the killer’s family tree. Othram did not disclose the relative’s name. Cold case investigators Jeff Ben

How Det Jeff Bennett Used Genetic Genealogy To Solve The 47-Year Old Murder Of Carla Walker

Fort Worth Cold Case detectives solved the murder of 17-year-old Carla Walker after it had gone cold for nearly five decades. They analyzed old evidence using genetic genealogy and new DNA extraction technology pioneered by Othram, a forensic genealogy lab in the Woodlands, a suburb of Houston.  17-Year Old Carla Walker Abducted in August of 1974 Othram matched the DNA to a test submitted to a genealogy site by a member of the killer’s family tree. Othram did not disclose the relative’s name.  C

How Det Jeff Bennett Used Genetic Genealogy To Solve The 47-Year Old Murder Of Carla Walker

Fort Worth Cold Case detectives solved the murder of 17-year-old Carla Walker after it had gone cold for nearly five decades. They analyzed old evidence using genetic genealogy and new DNA extraction technology pioneered by Othram, a forensic genealogy lab in the Woodlands, a suburb of Houston.  17-Year Old Carla Walker Abducted in August of 1974 Othram matched the DNA to a test submitted to a genealogy site by a member of the killer’s family tree. Othram did not disclose the relative’s

After Hitmen Failed To Kill Her Husband She Pulled The Trigger

This is a story about two botched murder attempts by hired hitmen. And what happened when 65-year-old Joyce Sturdivant took matters into her own hands? One of the most common forms of homicide is when one half of a couple kills the other. Women are usually the victims of this form of homicide. Only one percent of male victims are killed by a partner. Joyce Sturdivant 76-years old - TDCJ Inmate #01783322 But in this case, 65-year-old Joyce Sturdivant knocked off her husband aft

After Hitmen Failed To Kill Her Husband She Pulled The Trigger

This is a story about two botched murder attempts by hired hitmen. And what happened when 65-year-old Joyce Sturdivant took matters into her own hands? One of the most common forms of homicide is when one half of a couple kills the other. Women are usually the victims of this form of homicide. Only one percent of male victims are killed by a partner. Joyce Sturdivant 76-years old - TDCJ Inmate #01783322 But in this case, 65-year-old Joyce Sturdivant knocked off her husband after the hitmen she

After Hitmen Failed To Kill Her Husband She Pulled The Trigger

This is a story about two botched murder attempts by hired hitmen. And what happened when 65-year old Joyce Sturdivant took matters into her own hands. One of the most common forms of homicide is when one half of a couple kills the other. Women are usually the victims of this form of homicide. Only one percent of male victims are killed by a partner. But in this case, 65-year old Joyce Sturdivant knocked off her husband after the hitmen she hired failed to kill Big Joe Sturdivant, a burly stock

Real Stories Of The Texas Highway Patrol

The men and women of the Texas Highway Patrol work alone, often at night, on remote stretches of highway. They drive distinctive black and white cruisers and SUVs with bright gold emblems in the shape of Texas on the side doors. Help might be a hundred miles away if a traffic stop turns bad. For example, in 2021, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Chad Walker was killed in an ambush. Walker stopped to help a driver in a disabled vehicle.  The driver jumped out of the car ar

Real Stories Of The Texas Highway Patrol

The men and women of the Texas Highway Patrol work alone, often at night, on remote stretches of highway. They drive distinctive black and white cruisers and SUVs with bright gold emblems in the shape of Texas on the side doors. Help might be a hundred miles away if a traffic stop turns bad. For example, in 2021, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Chad Walker was killed in an ambush. Walker stopped to help a driver in a disabled vehicle.  The driver jumped out of the car armed with a hand

Real Stories Of The Texas Highway Patrol

The men and women of the Texas Highway Patrol work alone, often at night, on remote stretches of highway. They drive distinctive black and white cruisers and SUV’s with bright gold emblems in the shape of Texas on the side doors. If a traffic stop turns bad, help might be a hundred miles away. For example in 2021 Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Chad Walker was killed in an ambush. Walker stopped to help a driver in a disabled vehicle. The driver jumped out of the car armed

How Mexican Cartel Hit Men Got Away With Murdering A U.S. Agent

The Los Zetas drug cartel ambushed two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on a dangerous stretch of highway on February 15, 2011. Special Agent Victor Avila was severely wounded. His partner, Jaime Zapata, was killed. Zapata was the first U.S. enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in Mexico since the murder of DEA agent Enrique “KiKi” Camarena. The ICE agents had been dispatched from Mexico City to Monterrey to pick up supplies without proper training or protection. Warnin

How Mexican Cartel Hit Men Got Away With Murdering A U.S. Agent

The Los Zetas drug cartel ambushed two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on a dangerous stretch of highway on February 15, 2011. Special Agent Victor Avila was severely wounded. His partner, Jaime Zapata, was killed. Zapata was the first U.S. enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in Mexico since the murder of DEA agent Enrique “KiKi” Camarena. The ICE agents had been dispatched from Mexico City to Monterrey to pick up supplies without proper training or protectio

How Mexican Cartel Hit Men Got Away With Murdering A U.S. Agent

The Los Zetas drug cartel ambushed two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on a dangerous stretch of highway on February 15, 2011. Special Agent Victor Avila was severely wounded. His partner, Jaime Zapata, was killed. Zapata was the first U.S. enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in Mexico since the murder of DEA agent Enrique “KiKi” Camarena. The ICE agents had been dispatched from Mexico City to Monterrey to pick up supplies without proper training or protec

Inside The Making Of Hollywood’s Greatest Crime Movies

Former NYPD Detective Randy Jurgensen walked a beat in Harlem all the way into Hollywood’s greatest crime dramas of all time. He is known as the cop who killed Sonny Corleone in The Godfather. Gene Hackman pats down NYPD Detective Randy Jurgensen to learn proper police procedures to use in the filming of The French Connection His walk of fame started when William Friedkin, the director of The French Connection, asked Jurgensen to demonstrate how to put a suspect against a wall for the “

Inside The Making Of Hollywood’s Greatest Crime Movies

Former NYPD Detective Randy Jurgensen walked a beat in Harlem all the way into Hollywood’s greatest crime dramas of all time. He is known as the cop who killed Sonny Corleone in The Godfather. Gene Hackman pats down NYPD Detective Randy Jurgensen to learn proper police procedures to use in the filming of The French Connection His walk of fame started when William Friedkin, the director of The French Connection, asked Jurgensen to demonstrate how to put a suspect against a wall for the “pat down.

Inside The Making Of Hollywood's Greatest Crime Movies

Former NYPD Detective Randy Jurgensen walked a beat in Harlem all the way into Hollywood’s greatest crime dramas of all time. His walk of fame started when William Friedkin, the director of The French Connection asked Jurgensen to demonstrate how to put a suspect against a wall for the “pat down”. Friedkin hired Jurgensen as the film’s technical consultant to advise him on how to realistically show the gritty side of heroin trafficking in the 1960s. It became Jurgensen's

A Woman’s Head Is Found Floating In A Lake…Who Did It?

When a woman’s head bobbed to the surface on Lake Waco in Central Texas, no one had the slightest clue about who she was or how she died. An autopsy revealed that she had been decapitated, and there was no sign of the rest of her body in the lake. As veteran Texas Ranger John Aycock began to learn more about the woman’s life (profilers call it victimology), he declared the likely identity of the murder suspect. Now, he just had to prove it. They call it a “Rangers Intuition” developed from years

A Woman’s Head Is Found Floating In A Lake…Who Did It?

When a woman’s head bobbed to the surface on Lake Waco in Central Texas, no one had the slightest clue about who she was or how she died. An autopsy revealed that she had been decapitated, and there was no sign of the rest of her body in the lake. As veteran Texas Ranger John Aycock began to learn more about the woman’s life (profilers call it victimology), he declared the likely identity of the murder suspect. Now, he just had to prove it. They call it a “Rangers Intuition” develope

A Woman's Head Is Found Floating In A Lake...Who Did It?

When a woman’s head bobbed to the surface on Lake Waco in Central Texas no one had the slightest clue about who she was or how she died. An autopsy revealed that she had been decapitated and there was no sign of the rest of her body in the lake. As veteran Texas Ranger John Aycock began to learn more about the woman’s life (profilers call it victimology), he declared the likely identity of the murder suspect. Now he just had to prove it. They call it a “Rangers Intuition”

Protect Your Self From Sexual Predators - Have A Plan Because They Do

When you hear about violent crime, do you think to yourself, “it would never happen to me?” When 29-year old Colleen Reed went to a self-service car wash in Austin, Texas none of her family or friends thought it would be the last time they would see her. Reed never imagined that serial killer Kenneth McDuff was stalking her. McDuff is featured in the first season of True Crime Reporter™ and our story is being turned into a tv series for a major streaming channel sch

Protect Your Self From Sexual Predators – Have A Plan… Because They Do

When you hear about violent crime, do you think to yourself, “it would never happen to me?” When 29-year-old Colleen Reed went to a self-service car wash in Austin, Texas, none of her family or friends thought it would be the last time they saw her.  Reed never imagined that serial killer Kenneth McDuff was stalking her.  McDuff is featured in the first season of True Crime Reporter®. I want you to understand that it can happen to you because “they walk among us.” Sexual predator

Protect Your Self From Sexual Predators – Have A Plan… Because They Do

When you hear about violent crime, do you think to yourself, “it would never happen to me?” When 29-year-old Colleen Reed went to a self-service car wash in Austin, Texas, none of her family or friends thought it would be the last time they saw her.  Reed never imagined that serial killer Kenneth McDuff was stalking her.  McDuff is featured in the first season of True Crime Reporter®. I want you to understand that it can happen to you because “they walk among us.” Sexual predators and killers d

Surrounded By Psychopaths With Author Thomas Erikson

After listening to our episodes about serial killer Kenneth McDuff, you have no doubt that McDuff is what FBI profiler Roy Hazelwood described as a textbook psychopath. But it’s not only criminals that are psychopaths. CEOs of major corporations, politicians, and entertainers score high on the checklist of psychopathic behavior. Think about your work colleagues or social circle.   Is your boss a narcissistic manipulator with no remorse? Do you know someone who takes pleasure in hu

Surrounded By Psychopaths With Author Thomas Erikson

After listening to our episodes about serial killer Kenneth McDuff, you have no doubt that McDuff is what FBI profiler Roy Hazelwood described as a textbook psychopath. But it’s not only criminals that are psychopaths. CEOs of major corporations, politicians, and entertainers score high on the checklist of psychopathic behavior. Think about your work colleagues or social circle.   Is your boss a narcissistic manipulator with no remorse? Do you know someone who takes pleasure in hurting others an

Surrounded by Psychopaths With Author Thomas Erikson

After listening to our episodes about serial killer Kenneth McDuff, you have no doubt that McDuff is what FBI profiler Roy Hazelwood described as a textbook psychopath. But it’s not only criminals that are psychopaths. CEOs of major corporations, politicians, and entertainers score high on the checklist of psychopathic behavior. Think about your work colleagues or social circle. Is your boss a narcissistic manipulator with no remorse? Do you know someone who takes pleasure in h

Best of True Crime Reporter® 2021 – Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff

In this “Best Of True Crime Reporter®”, we take you back to the first episode in our series about serial killer Kenneth Allen McDuff. It was a Webby Award Honoree for Best True Crime Podcast in 2021. McDuff is the only criminal in Texas history to have received three death sentences. Serial Killer Kenneth Allen McDuff is being escorted to a holding cell in the Texas Death Chamber. McDuff was believed to be the only condemned inmate in the nation ever paroled and then returned to dea

Best of True Crime Reporter® 2021 – Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff

In this “Best Of True Crime Reporter®”, we take you back to the first episode in our series about serial killer Kenneth Allen McDuff. It was a Webby Award Honoree for Best True Crime Podcast in 2021. McDuff is the only criminal in Texas history to have received three death sentences. Serial Killer Kenneth Allen McDuff is being escorted to a holding cell in the Texas Death Chamber. McDuff was believed to be the only condemned inmate in the nation ever paroled and then returned to death row for tw

"Best of True Crime Reporter™ 2021" -- Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff

In this “Best Of True Crime Reporter™”, we take you back to the first episode in our series about serial killer Kenneth Allen McDuff. It was a Webby Award Honoree for Best True Crime Podcast in 2021. McDuff is the only criminal in Texas history to have received three death sentences. Yet he got out of prison under a cloud of corruption after murdering three teenagers. An FBI profiler, the late Roy Hazelwood, described McDuff to me as the Great White Shark of serial killers. Yet

The Devil Lovers- The Satanic Cult of Murder & Meth

What is it about Waco, Texas? A whirlwind of bizarre events and violence seems to dump all sorts of strange creatures into Central Texas. Whether it is serial killers on the hunt for victims or the Branch Davidian Cult ending in a fiery inferno, it spins out true crime stories that are stranger than fiction. Investigative reporter Robert Riggs and former federal prosecutor Bill Johnston have been deeply involved in all of them.  In the previous episode called Murder, Mayhem, and Meth

The Devil Lovers - The Satanic Cult of Meth & Murder

What is it about Waco, Texas? A whirlwind of bizarre events and violence seems to dump all sorts of strange creatures into Central Texas. Whether it is serial killers on the hunt for victims or the Branch Davidian Cult ending in a fiery inferno, it spins out true crime stories that are stranger than fiction. Investigative reporter Robert Riggs and former federal prosecutor Bill Johnston have been deeply involved in all of them. In the previous episode called Murder, Mayhem, and Meth, they

The Devil Lovers- The Satanic Cult of Murder & Meth

What is it about Waco, Texas? A whirlwind of bizarre events and violence seems to dump all sorts of strange creatures into Central Texas. Whether it is serial killers on the hunt for victims or the Branch Davidian Cult ending in a fiery inferno, it spins out true crime stories that are stranger than fiction. Investigative reporter Robert Riggs and former federal prosecutor Bill Johnston have been deeply involved in all of them.  In the previous episode called Murder, Mayhem, and Meth, they talke

Murder, Mayhem, & Meth — Breaking Bad In Texas

If you were a Breaking Bad TV series fan, get ready to listen to the actual version in Texas. The TV series featured a fictional high school chemistry teacher named Walter White, diagnosed with a deadly brain tumor who manufactures high-grade meth to put away cash for his family’s future. It is not far from the truth.  During the 1980s, Central and East Texas were dotted with illicit meth labs set up in remote farmhouses. But these “Walter White”  meth kingpins typically became addic

Murder, Mayhem, & Meth — Breaking Bad In Texas

If you were a Breaking Bad TV series fan, get ready to listen to the actual version in Texas. The TV series featured a fictional high school chemistry teacher named Walter White, diagnosed with a deadly brain tumor who manufactures high-grade meth to put away cash for his family’s future. It is not far from the truth.  During the 1980s, Central and East Texas were dotted with illicit meth labs set up in remote farmhouses. But these “Walter White”  meth kingpins typically became addicted to their

Murder, Mayhem, & Meth -- The Real Breaking Bad In Texas Badlands

Murder Mayhem & Meth -- The Real Life Breaking Bad In Texas If you were a fan of the Breaking Bad TV series, get ready to listen to the real version in Texas. The TV series featured a fictional high school chemistry teacher named Walter White diagnosed with a deadly brain tumor who manufactures high-grade meth in order to put away cash for his family’s future. It is not far from the truth. During the 1980s, Central and East Texas were dotted with illicit meth labs set up in remot

The Day The Last Texas Ranger Died

Texas Ranger Stan Guffey 1946 - 1987 Courtesy Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, Waco, Texas In the previous episode of True Crime Reporter™ Texas Ranger Files, we told the story of brave Rangers who kept up the pursuit of kidnappers while their car was being riddled with gunfire and was engulfed in flames. Thirteen-year-old Amy McNiel the daughter of the pioneer in the development of the first hand-held calculator, was kidnapped by five men on the way to school in January 1985 Re

The Day The Last Texas Ranger Died

Texas Ranger Stan Guffey 1946 - 1987 Courtesy Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, Waco, Texas In the previous episode of True Crime Reporter™ Texas Ranger Files, we told the story of brave Rangers who kept up the pursuit of kidnappers while their car was being riddled with gunfire and was engulfed in flames. Thirteen-year-old Amy McNiel the daughter of the pioneer in the development of the first hand-held calculator, was kidnapped by five men on the way to school in January 1985 Retired Ranger

The Day The Last Texas Ranger Died - Saving A Two-Year Old Girl

In the previous episode of True Crime Reporter™ Texas Ranger Files, we told the story of brave Rangers who kept up the pursuit of kidnappers while their car was being riddled with gunfire and was engulfed in flames. Thirteen-year-old Amy McNiel the daughter of the pioneer in the development of the first hand-held calculator was kidnapped by five men on the way to school in January of 1985 Retired Ranger Captain Bob Prince recalled the tension-filled 48 hour, 600 mile game of cat and mouse

Texas Rangers Brave Bullets and Flames To Rescue 13-Year Old Girl From Kidnappers

The Texas Rangers constitute the oldest state law enforcement organization in North America, dating to 1823. You can read more about the Texas Rangers' history and influence on popular culture on our blog at the True Crime Reporter®website. L to R Bill Johnston, Ret'd Ranger Captain Bob Prince, Robert Riggs True Crime Reporter™ Podcast Robert and Bill interview retired Ranger Captain Bob Prince, a legendary modern-day Texas Ranger, about his most memorable case. Our story begins wit

Texas Rangers Brave Bullets and Flames To Rescue 13-Year Old Girl From Kidnappers

The Texas Rangers constitute the oldest state law enforcement organization in North America, dating to 1823. You can read more about the Texas Rangers' history and influence on popular culture on our blog at the True Crime Reporter®website. L to R Bill Johnston, Ret'd Ranger Captain Bob Prince, Robert Riggs True Crime Reporter™ Podcast Robert and Bill interview retired Ranger Captain Bob Prince, a legendary modern-day Texas Ranger, about his most memorable case. Our story begins with the rescue

Texas Rangers Brave Bullets and Flames To Rescue 13-Year Old Girl From Kidnappers

This episode marks the inaugural edition of the True Crime Reporter™ Texas Ranger Case Files. Robert Riggs and Bill Johnston feature exclusive stories about criminal cases in interviews with legendary officers of the Texas Rangers. The Texas Rangers constitute the oldest state law enforcement organization in North America dating to 1823. You can read more about the history of the Texas Rangers and their influence on popular culture on our blog at the True Crime Reporter™ website. Rob

The Mind Of A Murder – What Makes A Killer?

In our previous episode of the True Crime Reporter® podcast, we presented the murder case of Annie Laurie Williams.  Williams bludgeoned her 8 and 9-year-old sons to death and then dispassionately dismembered their bodies to dispose of them. Her acts are unthinkable. Robert Riggs and Bill Johnston contacted forensic psychiatrist Dr. Richard Taylor in the United Kingdom to gain perspective and understanding of such a crime. Dr. Taylor is the author of The Mind of a Murderer. He h

The Mind Of A Murder – What Makes A Killer?

In our previous episode of the True Crime Reporter® podcast, we presented the murder case of Annie Laurie Williams.  Williams bludgeoned her 8 and 9-year-old sons to death and then dispassionately dismembered their bodies to dispose of them. Her acts are unthinkable. Robert Riggs and Bill Johnston contacted forensic psychiatrist Dr. Richard Taylor in the United Kingdom to gain perspective and understanding of such a crime. Dr. Taylor is the author of The Mind of a Murderer. He has worked on mor

The Mind Of The Murderer - What Makes A Killer?

In our previous episode of the True Crime Reporter™ podcast, we presented the murder case of Annie Laurie Williams. Williams bludgeoned her 8 and 9-year-old sons to death and then dispassionately dismembered their bodies to dispose of them. Her acts are unthinkable. In order to bring perspective and understanding to such a crime, Cohosts Robert Riggs and Bill Johnston reached out to forensic psychiatrist Dr. Richard Taylor in the United Kingdom. Dr. Taylor is the author of The Mind o

The Ghastly Story Of A Mother Who Murdered Her Children

The 1950s were called the “Happy Days”. The war was over. The economy was booming. The American Dream was in full swing. In 1957 it was estimated that one baby was being born every second. The Lone Ranger was a hit TV show. Little boys acted out their mythical western adventures on stick horses. But the dream became a nightmare for two brothers in Texas. Their murders at the hand of their knife-wielding mother shocked the world. This is the story of how Annie Williams was supposed to

The Ghastly Story Of A Mother Who Dismembered Her Children 

The 1950s were called the “Happy Days.” The war was over, the economy was booming, and the American Dream was in full swing. In 1957, it was estimated that one baby was born every second. The Lone Ranger was a hit TV show. Little boys acted out their mythical western adventures on stick horses. But the dream became a nightmare for two brothers in Texas. Their murders at the hands of their knife-wielding mother shocked the nation. Annie Williams 1955 Mug Shot This is the story of

The Ghastly Story Of A Mother Who Dismembered Her Children

The 1950s were called the “Happy Days.” The war was over, the economy was booming, and the American Dream was in full swing. In 1957, it was estimated that one baby was born every second. The Lone Ranger was a hit TV show. Little boys acted out their mythical western adventures on stick horses. But the dream became a nightmare for two brothers in Texas. Their murders at the hands of their knife-wielding mother shocked the nation. Annie Williams 1955 Mug Shot This is the story of how Annie Willi

Criminal Intel: What Officers Learn About Crime From County Jails

David Grantham, a former Air Force Intelligence officer, encountered Al Qaeda, ISIS, and the Taliban during his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He headed up criminal intelligence operations for Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn from its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. Grantham holds a Ph.D. in History from Texas Christian University and a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy University. He reveals how the expiration of stimulus payments during the pandemic i

Criminal Intel: What Officers Learn About Crime From County Jails

David Grantham, a former Air Force Intelligence officer, encountered Al Qaeda, ISIS, and the Taliban during his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He headed up criminal intelligence operations for Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn from its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. Grantham holds a Ph.D. in History from Texas Christian University and a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy University. He reveals how the expiration of stimulus payments during the pandemic in the United

Criminal Intel: What Officers Learn About Crime From State Jails

David Grantham a former Air Force Intelligence officer encountered Al Qaeda, ISIS, and the Taliban during his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now he heads up criminal intelligence operations for Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn from its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. Grantham holds a Ph.D. in History from Texas Christian University and a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy University. He reveals how the expiration of stimulus payments during the pandemic in the United

Inside A Cold Case Unit Solving A 46-Year Old Murder

46 years after the abduction, torture, and murder of a 17-year-old girl, cold case detectives with the Fort Worth police department arrested a 78-year old Glen McCurley and charged him with capital murder. McCurley abducted Carla Walker from the parking lot of a bowling alley in 1974. Walker had been to a Valentine’s day dance with her 17-year old boyfriend. McCurley pistol-whipped Walker’s boyfriend and tried to shoot him in the head three times but the pistol’s magazine fell out.

Inside A Cold Case Unit Solving A 46-Year Old Murder

46 years after the abduction, torture, and murder of a 17-year-old girl, cold case detectives with the Fort Worth police department arrested a 78-year old Glen McCurley and charged him with capital murder. McCurley abducted Carla Walker from the parking lot of a bowling alley in 1974. Walker had been to a Valentine’s day dance with her 17-year old boyfriend. McCurley pistol-whipped Walker’s boyfriend and tried to shoot him in the head three times but the pistol’s magazine fell out. Walker’s life

How Cold Case Detectives Solved A 46-Year Old Murder

46 years after the abduction, torture, and murder of a 17-year-old girl, cold case detectives with the Fort Worth police department arrested a 78-year old Glen McCurley and charged him with capital murder. McCurley abducted Carla Walker from the parking lot of a bowling alley. Walker had been to a Valentine’s day dance with her 17-year old boyfriend. McCurley pistol-whipped Walker’s boyfriend and tried to shoot him in the head three times but the pistol’s magazine fell out. Wal

Inside The Police Beat Covering Texas Worst Serial Killer

Serial killer Kenneth McDuff fixated on the female reporters who covered his capital murder trial. After a Texas jury sentenced McDuff to death by lethal injection, he sent off a letter to one of the reporters. Rebecca Rodriguez Reporting Live For CBS 11 News in 2000 The letter written behind bars sickened reporter Rebecca Rodriguez She had covered the abduction of Colleen Reed, a petite 29-year-old accountant, from an Austin, Texas, self-service car wash shortly after Christmas in 1991. Colleen

Inside The Police Beat Covering Texas Worst Serial Killer

Serial killer Kenneth McDuff fixated on the female reporters who covered his capital murder trial. After a Texas jury sentenced McDuff to death by lethal injection, he sent off a letter to one of the reporters. Rebecca Rodriguez Reporting Live For CBS 11 News in 2000 The letter written behind bars sickened reporter Rebecca Rodriguez She had covered the abduction of Colleen Reed, a petite 29-year-old accountant, from an Austin, Texas, self-service car wash shortly after Christmas in 1

Inside The Police Beat Covering One Of The U.S. Worst Serial Killers

Serial killer Kenneth McDuff fixated on the female reporters who covered his capital murder trial. After a Texas jury sentenced McDuff to death by lethal injection, he sent off a letter to one of the reporters. The letter written behind bars sickened reporter Rebecca Rodriguez She had covered the abduction of Colleen Reed, a petite 29-year old accountant, from an Austin, Texas self-service car wash shortly after Christmas in 1991. The accountant was one of the dozens of young women who had myste

The Minister Who Almost Got Away With Murder

Husbands who murder their wives often go to great lengths to concoct stories about their disappearance or sudden death. They may give tearful appeals for help on television newscasts. They typically think that they are smarter than the police and can get away with murder. But there are no perfect crimes.   Murderers often slip up when they try to make the crime scene look like what they’ve seen on television shows.  Eagle-eyed investigators can see right through it. This episod

The Minister Who Almost Got Away With Murder

Husbands who murder their wives often go to great lengths to concoct stories about their disappearance or sudden death. They may give tearful appeals for help on television newscasts. They typically think that they are smarter than the police and can get away with murder. But there are no perfect crimes.   Murderers often slip up when they try to make the crime scene look like what they’ve seen on television shows.  Eagle-eyed investigators can see right through it. This episode goes inside two

The Minister Who Almost Got Away With Murder

Husbands who murder their wives often go to great lengths to concoct stories about their disappearance or sudden death. They may give tearful appeals for help on television newscasts. They typically think that they are smarter than the police and can get away with murder. But there are no perfect crimes. Murderers often slip up when they try to make the crime scene look like what they’ve seen on television shows. Eagle-eyed investigators can see right through it. This Tru

Don’t Fence Me In — No Texas Prison Could Hold Dennis Wayne Hope

Dennis Wayne Hope Willie Nelson sings about riding in the wide-open spaces with lyrics titled “Don’t Fence Me In”. “Don’t Fence Me In” was the ballad of Texas inmate Dennis Wayne Hope. Hope bragged that there wasn’t a prison in Texas that could hold him. The convicted armed robber even imitated the prisoner played by Paul Newman in Hollywood’s Cool Hank Luke. Hope purchased a Jaguar for his girlfriend with money stolen during robberies in Dallas, Texas. While on the

Don’t Fence Me In — No Texas Prison Could Hold Dennis Wayne Hope

Dennis Wayne Hope Willie Nelson sings about riding in the wide-open spaces with lyrics titled “Don’t Fence Me In”. “Don’t Fence Me In” was the ballad of Texas inmate Dennis Wayne Hope. Hope bragged that there wasn’t a prison in Texas that could hold him. The convicted armed robber even imitated the prisoner played by Paul Newman in Hollywood’s Cool Hank Luke. Hope purchased a Jaguar for his girlfriend with money stolen during robberies in Dallas, Texas. While on the run, Hope sent imprisoned con

Don't Fence Me In - Why No Texas Prison Could Hold This Inmate

Willie Nelson sings about riding in the wide-open spaces with lyrics titled “Don’t Fence Me In”. “Don’t Fence Me In” was the ballad of Texas inmate Dennis Wayne Hope. Hope bragged that there wasn’t a prison in the state of Texas that could hold him. The convicted armed robber went as far as to imitate the prisoner played by Paul Newman in Hollywood’s Cool Hank Luke. During a television interview with investigative reporter Robert Riggs, Hope demons

A Sordid Tale Of Bribery And International Intrigue

As we work on future episodes about notorious prison breaks in Texas and violent crazy cults, I want to share an episode originally produced for our sister podcast Justice Facts. My cohost is Bill Johnston who is featured in Season 1 of my True Crime Reporter™ podcast called Free to Kill.  Johnston then a federal prosecutor launched the manhunt for serial killer Kenneth McDuff. If you have not listened to the 17-episode series, I strongly recommend that you subscribe to Season 1 - Episode 1 t

Murder Mayhem and Meth: The Real Breaking Bad In Texas

As we work on future episodes about notorious prison breaks in Texas and violent crazy cults, I want to share an episode from our sister podcast Justice Facts. My cohost is Bill Johnston who is featured in Season 1 of my True Crime Reporter™ podcast called Free to Kill.  Johnston then a federal prosecutor launched the manhunt for serial killer Kenneth McDuff. A television show based on the podcast is currently in development. If you have not listened to the 17-episode series, I stron

The Preacher and The Pipe Bomber Who Almost Got Away With Murdering Their Wives

As we work on future episodes about notorious prison breaks in Texas and violent crazy cults, I want to share an episode from our sister podcast Justice Facts. My cohost is Bill Johnston who was featured in Season 1 of my True Crime Reporter™ podcast called Free to Kill.  Johnston then a federal prosecutor launched the manhunt for serial killer Kenneth McDuff. A television show based on the podcast is currently in development.  If you have not listened to the 17-episode series, I strongly re

"Free To Kill" Inside The Minds Of Serial Killers Kenneth McDuff & Ted Bundy

Serial Killer Ted Bundy Kenneth Allen McDuff ranks among the most heartless and sadistic serial killers in American history. But what creates the McDuff’s and Ted Bundy’s of this world? Two former FBI profilers, who were among the founders of the Behavioral Science Unit based at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, gave me invaluable insight.  I met profilers John Douglas and Roy Hazelwood after they had retired from the bureau.  At that time, they were not widely known outside of law enforcem

Inside The Minds Of America’s 2 Worst Serial Killers: Kenneth McDuff & Ted Bundy Episode 17 Season 1

Serial Killer Ted Bundy Kenneth Allen McDuff ranks among the most heartless and sadistic serial killers in American history. But what creates the McDuff’s and Ted Bundy’s of this world? Two former FBI profilers, who were among the founders of the Behavioral Science Unit based at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, gave me invaluable insight.  I met profilers John Douglas and Roy Hazelwood after they had retired from the bureau.  At that time, they were not widely known outside of law enforc

"Free To Kill" These Wounds Don't Heal: The Living Hurt Forever by Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff

Colleen Reed You are about to hear how the murder of Colleen Reed on December 29th, 1991, by serial killer Kenneth McDuff impacted the life of her then-ten-year-old niece. Ms. Reed was abducted from an Austin car wash shortly after Christmas by McDuff and his accomplice, Alva Hank Worley. You can hear Worley's confession about the grizzly details of the young accountant's brutal murder in episode 6. At the time of this recording in December 2020, Ms. Reed’s niece had spent 29 years suffering fro

“Freed To Kill” These Wounds Don’t Heal. The Living Hurt Forever by Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff Episode 16 Season 1

Colleen Reed You are about to hear how the murder of Colleen Reed on December 29th, 1991, by serial killer Kenneth McDuff impacted the life of her then-ten-year-old niece. Ms. Reed was abducted from an Austin car wash shortly after Christmas by McDuff and his accomplice, Alva Hank Worley. You can hear Worley's confession about the grizzly details of the young accountant's brutal murder in episode 6. At the time of this recording in December 2020, Ms. Reed’s niece had spent 29 years s

"Free To Kill" Mysterious Secrets About Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff

The scandalous release of serial killer Kenneth McDuff and corruption inside the parole system triggered the passage of numerous legislative reforms dubbed “The McDuff Law.” But mysteries remain. How many violent inmates bought their way out of prison and were free to kill again? How many women did McDuff abduct and murder? McDuff always liked to have an accomplice to witness his evil acts. Did other accomplices get away with murder? Investigators sit down with investigative reporter Robert Rig

“Freed To Kill” Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff Is Six Feet Under But What Mysteries Remain? Episode 15 Season 1

The scandalous release of serial killer Kenneth McDuff and corruption inside the parole system triggered the passage of numerous legislative reforms dubbed “The McDuff Law.” But mysteries remain. How many violent inmates bought their way out of prison and were free to kill again? How many women did McDuff abduct and murder? McDuff always liked to have an accomplice to witness his evil acts. Did other accomplices get away with murder? Investigators sit down with investigative r

“Freed To Kill” Dead Man Walking Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff Enters The Texas Death Chamber Episode 14 Season 1

Investigative reporter Robert Riggs traced serial killer Kenneth McDuff’s footsteps from Texas’ Death Row to its Death Chamber at the Walls Unit in Huntsville, Texas.  The day before McDuff's execution, the prison system gave Riggs and his camera crew access to the Texas death chamber. Riggs fills in precise details about how the lethal injection was administered down to McDuff’s last words.  It's a step-by-step account that most people have never heard before. McDuff’s body went un

"Free To Kill" Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff Is A Dead Man Walking

Investigative reporter Robert Riggs traced serial killer Kenneth McDuff’s footsteps from Texas’ Death Row to its Death Chamber at the Walls Unit in Huntsville, Texas.  The day before McDuff's execution, the prison system gave Riggs and his camera crew access to the Texas death chamber. Riggs fills in precise details about how the lethal injection was administered down to McDuff’s last words.  It's a step-by-step account that most people have never heard before. McDuff’s body went unclaimed by f

"Free To Kill" How A Throbbing Toothache Made Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff Talk

Serial killer Kenneth McDuff held back on revealing where he buried Colleen Reed's body. McDuff and his accomplice Hank Worley abducted Ms. Reed from an Austin car wash in 1991. Seven years have passed, and the clock is ticking down toward McDuff's execution for her murder and that of Melissa Northrup. Prison investigator John Moriarty, federal prosecutor Bill Johnston, and U.S. Marshal Mike McNamara spent hours on Texas death row trying to get McDuff to reveal the location of his victims' bodie

“Freed To Kill” How A Throbbing Toothache Made Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff Talk Episode 13 Season 1

Serial killer Kenneth McDuff held back on revealing where he buried Colleen Reed's body. McDuff and his accomplice Hank Worley abducted Ms. Reed from an Austin car wash in 1991. Seven years have passed, and the clock is ticking down toward McDuff's execution for her murder and that of Melissa Northrup. Prison investigator John Moriarty, federal prosecutor Bill Johnston, and U.S. Marshal Mike McNamara spent hours on Texas death row trying to get McDuff to reveal the location of his victi

"Free To Kill" Face-To-Face With Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff On Texas Death Row

Kenneth Allen McDuff is being escorted into the Death House. McDuff was believed to be the only condemned inmate in the nation ever paroled and then returned to death row for another murder. He went to death row in 1968 for killing two teenage boys, was paroled after the death penalty was overturned, and returned to death row in 1991 for killing two women. 11/17/1998 Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff matter-of-factly described the last moments of his victims' lives as "using them up" to his accompl

“Freed To Kill” Face-To-Face With Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff On Texas Death Row Episode 12 Season 1

Kenneth Allen McDuff is being escorted into the Death House. McDuff was believed to be the only condemned inmate in the nation ever paroled and then returned to death row for another murder. He went to death row in 1968 for killing two teenage boys, was paroled after the death penalty was overturned, and returned to death row in 1991 for killing two women. 11/17/1998 Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff matter-of-factly described the last moments of his victims' lives as "using them up" to his acco

"Free To Kill" A Serial Killer Is The Only Man In Texas To Receive 3 Death Sentences

Kenneth McDuff’s first death sentence for the broomstick murders was commuted to life when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the death penalty in 1972.  Now, McDuff faces two more capital murder charges. Prosecutors want to make sure that McDuff keeps his date with the executioner. After being sentenced to die by lethal injection, Riggs asked McDuff, "What now, Kenneth?" McDuff looked Riggs in the eye and smugly said, “I guess I’m going to die. We all have to sometimes. You know.” FOLLOW the

“Freed To Kill” A Serial Killer Is The Only Man In Texas To Receive 3 Death Sentences Episode 11 Season 1

Kenneth McDuff’s first death sentence for the broomstick murders was commuted to life when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the death penalty in 1972.  Now, McDuff faces two more capital murder charges. Prosecutors want to make sure that McDuff keeps his date with the executioner. After being sentenced to die by lethal injection, Riggs asked McDuff, "What now, Kenneth?" McDuff looked Riggs in the eye and smugly said, “I guess I’m going to die. We all have to sometimes. You know.”

"Free To Kill" How A Serial Killer's Prison Pals Received Get Out Of Jail Free Cards

James Granberry Pleads the 5th In Senate Hearing Texas inmates and their families started receiving business cards and letters from the ex-parole board chairman, promising early release for a price. Former parole board chairman James Granberry, who played the key role in setting serial killer Kenneth McDuff free, set up a business as a parole consultant. He solicited money from inmate's families to get his old cronies on the parole board to release his clients from prison early. In Episode 10,

“Freed To Kill” How A Serial Killer’s Prison Pals Received Get Out Of Jail Free Cards Episode 10 Season 1

James Granberry Pleads the 5th In Senate Hearing Texas inmates and their families started receiving business cards and letters from the ex-parole board chairman, promising early release for a price. Former parole board chairman James Granberry, who played the key role in setting serial killer Kenneth McDuff free, set up a business as a parole consultant. He solicited money from inmate's families to get his old cronies on the parole board to release his clients from prison early. In

"Free To Kill" Dirty Little Secrets About The Parole Of Texas Worst Serial Killer

Kenneth McDuff’s confidential prison and parole records contained plenty of warning signs that he was a psychopathic killer who should never be released. Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs obtains McDuff’s records. Riggs exposes the lies the Texas Parole Board Chairman has been telling about his role in freeing McDuff. Along the way, Riggs discovers a secret process that released a hate crime killer in exchange for giving the parole board chairman a new car for himself and his mistress at th

“Freed To Kill” Dirty Little Secrets About Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff’s Parole Episode 9 Season 1

Kenneth McDuff’s confidential prison and parole records contained plenty of warning signs that he was a psychopathic killer who should never be released. Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs obtains McDuff’s records. Riggs exposes the lies the Texas Parole Board Chairman has been telling about his role in freeing McDuff. Along the way, Riggs discovers a secret process that released a hate crime killer in exchange for giving the parole board chairman a new car for himself and his mistr

"Free To Kill" My Little Gangster Spills The Beans About A $25K Bribe

Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs was investigating how serial killer Kenneth McDuff and dozens of other former death row inmates in Texas got out of prison when Riggs crossed paths with U.S. Marshals. The Marshal's nationwide manhunt captured McDuff working on a garbage truck in Kansas City.  But the question remained.  Who in their right mind on the Texas parole board would let this diabolical killer walk out of prison? McDuff's abduction and murder spree started shortly after he returned t

“Freed To Kill” McDuff Called Her “My Little Gangster” — She Spills The Beans About A $25K Bribe Episode 8 Season 1

Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs was investigating how serial killer Kenneth McDuff and dozens of other former death row inmates in Texas got out of prison when Riggs crossed paths with U.S. Marshals. The Marshal's nationwide manhunt captured McDuff working on a garbage truck in Kansas City.  But the question remained.  Who in their right mind on the Texas parole board would let this diabolical killer walk out of prison? McDuff's abduction and murder spree started shortly after he r

US Marshals Launch Nationwide Dragnet For Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff

The confession to the abduction and murder of a young accountant in Austin by Kenneth McDuff's accomplice gives U.S. Marshals the evidence they need to launch a nationwide dragnet for the serial killer. After combing every corner of Central Texas for weeks, the Texas posse realizes that McDuff has fled the state. In Kansas City, a garbage truck worker recognizes McDuff's mug shot in a TV crime show featuring the U.S. Marshals' search. The Marshals capture McDuff, but when they return the serial

“Freed To Kill” U.S. Marshals Launch A Nationwide Dragnet For Fugitive Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff Episode 7 Season 1

The confession to the abduction and murder of a young accountant in Austin by Kenneth McDuff's accomplice gives U.S. Marshals the evidence they need to launch a nationwide dragnet for the serial killer. After combing every corner of Central Texas for weeks, the Texas posse realizes that McDuff has fled the state. In Kansas City, a garbage truck worker recognizes McDuff's mug shot in a TV crime show featuring the U.S. Marshals' search. The Marshals capture McDuff, but when they return th

"Free To Kill" Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff's Accomplice Confesses -- It Is A Journey Into Darkness

Alva Hank Worley - McDuff Accomplice The U.S. Marshals Service Task Force locates one of McDuff’s prison pals. Every night, Deputy U.S. Marshals Parnell and Mike McNamara, along with U.S. federal prosecutor Bill Johnston, roll through the underbelly of Central Texas rousting parolees. Unlike the horse-bound Texas's posses of the past, the Marshals drive an SUV bristling with weapons. It's called "Big Foot". They use a technique called "driving them up" to break down one of McDuff's prison pals,

“Freed To Kill” Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff’s Accomplice Confesses — It Is A Journey Into Darkness Episode 6 Season 1

Alva Hank Worley - McDuff Accomplice The U.S. Marshals Service Task Force locates one of McDuff’s prison pals. Every night, Deputy U.S. Marshals Parnell and Mike McNamara, along with U.S. federal prosecutor Bill Johnston, roll through the underbelly of Central Texas rousting parolees. Unlike the horse-bound Texas's posses of the past, the Marshals drive an SUV bristling with weapons. It's called "Big Foot". They use a technique called "driving them up" to break down one of McDuff'

"Free To Kill" The Pistol Packin' Mama -The Making Of A Serial Killer

Addie McDuff - Mother of Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff The case of Kenneth Allen McDuff raises the age-old question about serial killers. Was McDuff the product of nature or nurture? Did genetics create this violent, uncaring monster, or did McDuff’s home life rob him of every ounce of compassion? The U.S. Marshal’s posse converges on McDuff’s mother, Addie, who was known as the “pistol-packing mama." Addie McDuff's pure hate and meanness shock all of the hard-nosed lawmen hunting for McDuff.

“Freed To Kill” The Pistol Packin’ Mama -The Making Of A Serial Killer Episode 5 – Season 1

Addie McDuff - Mother of Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff The case of Kenneth Allen McDuff raises the age-old question about serial killers. Was McDuff the product of nature or nurture? Did genetics create this violent, uncaring monster, or did McDuff’s home life rob him of every ounce of compassion? The U.S. Marshal’s posse converges on McDuff’s mother, Addie, who was known as the “pistol-packing mama." Addie McDuff's pure hate and meanness shock all of the hard-nosed lawmen hunti

“Freed To Kill” Bodies Start Turning Up Episode 4 – Season 1

When Falls County, Texas Sheriff Larry Pamplin heard Kenneth McDuff was out on parole, he prophetically stated, “I don’t know if will be a few days, a few weeks, or a few weeks, but bodies will start turning up.”  Indeed, a string of abductions started happening up and down the Interstate 35 corridor between Dallas and Austin. McDuff started a murderous crime spree that would span two and a half years. The paroled triple killer and an accomplice circled an Austin car wash, stalking a

"Free To Kill" Bodies Start Turning Up

When Falls County, Texas Sheriff Larry Pamplin heard Kenneth McDuff was out on parole, he prophetically stated, “I don’t know if will be a few days, a few weeks, or a few weeks, but bodies will start turning up.”  Indeed, a string of abductions started happening up and down the Interstate 35 corridor between Dallas and Austin. McDuff started a murderous crime spree that would span two and a half years. The paroled triple killer and an accomplice circled an Austin car wash, stalking a victim. I

"Free To Kill" An old-style Texas Posse Trails Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff

A pair of Deputy U.S. Marshals and a young, aggressive federal prosecutor suspects that triple killer and former death row inmate Kenneth McDuff is behind the abduction of a convenience store clerk in Waco, Texas.  When no other law enforcement organizations are willing to pursue a hot lead, the trio organizes an old-style Texas posse. The U.S. Marshals Service's top fugitive hunters join the posse. They recruit an Irish cop from New York City who works undercover in the Texas prison system.

“Freed To Kill” A Texas Posse Gets On The Trail Of Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff Episode 3 – Season 1

A pair of Deputy U.S. Marshals and a young, aggressive federal prosecutor suspects that triple killer and former death row inmate Kenneth McDuff is behind the abduction of a convenience store clerk in Waco, Texas.  When no other law enforcement organizations are willing to pursue a hot lead, the trio organizes an old-style Texas posse. The U.S. Marshals Service's top fugitive hunters join the posse. They recruit an Irish cop from New York City who works undercover in the Texas prison

"Free To Kill" Serial Killer Kenneth Allen McDuff is the Broomstick Killer

A Texas Sheriff and a U.S. Marshal describe the violent criminal history of Kenneth Allen McDuff -- AKA  "The Broomstick Killer." They and their fathers helped capture McDuff for the abduction and murder of three Fort Worth teenagers in 1966. The brutality and rape of a teenage girl with a jagged broomstick handle were seared into their memories. Twenty-five years later, they discover that McDuff is the modern-day  “Jack The Ripper” of Central Texas.  Two days after the former death row inmate

“Freed To Kill” Serial Killer Kenneth Allen McDuff is the Broomstick Killer Episode 2 – Season 1

A Texas Sheriff and a U.S. Marshal describe the violent criminal history of Kenneth Allen McDuff -- AKA  "The Broomstick Killer." They and their fathers helped capture McDuff for the abduction and murder of three Fort Worth teenagers in 1966. The brutality and rape of a teenage girl with a jagged broomstick handle were seared into their memories. Twenty-five years later, they discover that McDuff is the modern-day  “Jack The Ripper” of Central Texas.  Two days after the former death

“Freed to Kill” The Release of Serial Killers from Texas Death Row Episode 1 – Season 1

A violent crime wave swept across Texas in the late 1980s and early 1990s. You could pick up the newspaper any day or turn on the television anywhere, Houston, Dallas, particularly Houston, and the lead story was a stranger on stranger crime, horrific violence. A Houston mother was pulled out of her car by her hair women at a busy intersection by ex-cons looking for a full tank of gas.  They executed her and ran over her body as they drove away in her car with a full tank of gas. Sto

"Free to Kill" The Release of Serial Killers from Texas Death Row

A violent crime wave swept across Texas in the late 1980s and early 1990s. You could pick up the newspaper any day or turn on the television anywhere, Houston, Dallas, particularly Houston, and the lead story was a stranger on stranger crime, horrific violence. A Houston mother was pulled out of her car by her hair women at a busy intersection by ex-cons looking for a full tank of gas.  They executed her and ran over her body as they drove away in her car with a full tank of gas. Stories like

Introduction to True Crime Reporter™ Podcast – A Journey Into Darkness

Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs created an original true crime genre podcast based on three decades of real-life stories ripped from his reporter’s notebooks. The True Crime Reporter™  podcast tells the backstory of criminal cases using interviews with the law enforcement law officers that played key roles in the investigation. In every episode, Riggs pulls out his reporter’s notebooks. His law enforcement sources open up their case files. And they take listeners on a journey into darkness

Introduction to True Crime Reporter™ Podcast – A Journey Into Darkness

Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs created an original true crime genre podcast based on three decades of real-life stories ripped from his reporter’s notebooks. The True Crime Reporter™  podcast tells the backstory of criminal cases using interviews with the law enforcement law officers that played key roles in the investigation. In every episode, Riggs pulls out his reporter’s notebooks. His law enforcement sources open up their case files. And they take listeners on a journey into darkness.