The holiday season is a time where some may feel lonely despite being surrounded by the holiday cheer. Some decide to seek some sort of companionship during this time to ease their feelings. Kevin Bacon, 25 year old stylist from Swartz Creek, Michigan was a beacon of light to his loved ones. In December 2019, during the holiday season he was feeling a little lonely after not having much luck in prior relationships. He decided to meet up with a contact he met on grindr on Christmas eve. But when he didn’t show to his family’s Christmas brunch the next day, everyone became immediately concerned. After reporting him missing to the authorities, his father found Kevin’s car, abandoned. Police were able to gain access to Kevins’ phone left inside the vehicle and traced his last messages to a secluded home belonging to Mark Latunski. Mark was no stranger to police but no one was prepared for the horrors they found in his basement. Latunski admitted to atrocities that shocked the small town of Swartz Creek. He would ultimately plead guilty to open murder and mutilation, sentenced to life without parole, never showing a flicker of remorse. This case reminds us that a choice for connection can unknowingly collide with another’s darkest intentions.   Sources: “The Cannibal Killer Who Met His Victim on Grindr” by Adam Janos on A&E Crime + Investigation on December 19, 2024 (https://www.aetv.com/articles/christmas-eve-cannibal-killer) “Latunski gets life sentence in murder and mutilation of Kevin Bacon” by Kayla Jones and Erin Bowling on WILX 10 on December 15, 2022 (https://www.wilx.com/2022/12/15/latunski-set-be-sentenced-murder-mutilation-kevin-bacon/) “Morrice Man Charged with Murder, Mutilation” by Roberto Acosta and Cole Waterman in The Bay City Times on December 31, 2019 “Man who killed Kevin Bacon, ate his testicles, sentenced to life in prison” by The Associated Press on Fox 25 on December 15, 2022 (https://okcfox.com/news/nation-world/kevin-bacon-death-mark-latunski-grindr-mark-latunski-michigan-throat-slit-hanging-ceiling-testicles-swartz-creek-disinterment-mutiliation-matthew-stewart-parole-detroit-bennington-township) “Shiawassee County Man Charged with Murder” by Kara Borg in The Lansing State Journal on December 31, 2019 “Grindr Murder: Could Kevin Bacon’s Death Have Been Prevented?” by Josph Jaafari on Rolling Stone on April 9, 2021 (https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/grindr-murder-kevin-bacon-mark-latunski-1148367/) ”Slain Mich. Man’s Funeral Gets Big Donaltion” by Bisma Parvez in The Detroit Free Press on December 31, 2019 “Judge finds accused murderer, cannibal Mark Latunski fit to stand trial” by WILX News 10 on WILX 10 on October 5, 2020 (https://www.wilx.com/2020/10/05/judge-finds-accused-murderer-cannibal-mark-latunski-fit-to-stand-trial-after-months-in-psychiatric-hospital/) “Missing 25-Year-Old Man Found Dead in Shiawassee County” in The Detroit Free Press on December 30, 2019 “Swartz Creek rich in Genesee County history” by The Flint Journal on Michigan Live on April 6, 2008 (https://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/answerbook/2008/04/swartz-creek.html) https://www.sharpfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/kevin-bacon “Keep me Safe” on A Body in the Basement, Season 2, Episode 3 on HBOMax

Hidden away in Upstate New York lies the town of Dryden, a quiet community of just over 13,000 where life moved at a slow, trusting pace. Doors were often left unlocked, windows open, and neighbors watched out for each other. Crime felt like a distant concept, something that happened elsewhere. But beginning in the early 1990s, that sense of security was shattered. Over the course of a decade, Dryden was hit by a wave of brutal crimes and heart-breaking tragedies that shook its residents to the core. What some dismissed as a rare cluster of misfortune, others believed was a sign the town had been cursed, a dark cloud looming over every street, every home. In this two-part series, we’ll look back at the horror that erupted in a town once defined by innocence. We’ll explore how the community grappled with the terror and discover how, eventually, they found a way to heal. Join us, as we untangle the unsettling story behind Dryden’s darkest decade. How one community’s perseverance shaped how others viewed the otherwise small Upstate New York town. 

Hidden away in Upstate New York lies the town of Dryden, a quiet community of just over 13,000 where life moved at a slow, trusting pace. Doors were often left unlocked, windows open, and neighbors watched out for each other. Crime felt like a distant concept, something that happened elsewhere. But beginning in the early 1990s, that sense of security was shattered. Over the course of a decade, Dryden was hit by a wave of brutal crimes and heart-breaking tragedies that shook its residents to the core. What some dismissed as a rare cluster of misfortune, others believed was a sign the town had been cursed, a dark cloud looming over every street, every home. In this two-part series, we’ll look back at the horror that erupted in a town once defined by innocence. We’ll explore how the community grappled with the terror and discover how, eventually, they found a way to heal. Join us, as we untangle the unsettling story behind Dryden’s darkest decade. How one community’s perseverance shaped how others viewed the otherwise small Upstate New York town. 

Imagine going to work, only to be bullied and targeted by someone you have to be alongside all day… someone hiding a deadly secret.  For stylist Joleen Cummings, that nightmare was real. At Tangles Hair Salon in Fernandina Beach, Florida, Joleen was a lively spirit, devoted to her loyal clientele. As a single mother, she poured her heart into her children, her work, and the community she loved. But on Mother’s Day, 2018, which was also her birthday, Joleen didn’t show up to pick up her kids. Knowing something was seriously wrong, her mother, Ann, reported her missing, and detectives began tracing her last known movements. It led them to a coworker at the Salon with a secret life. When questioned, she revealed her true identity: Kimberly Lee Kessler—a woman who had been running for decades, moving from state to state under multiple aliases. Kimberly tried to appear insane, but psychologists testified she was fully aware of her actions. In this smaller town known for its charm, Joleen’s disappearance unraveled a web of lies, blood, and a killer hiding in plain sight.   Sources: “Woman Who Lived Under Multiple False Identities Murders Coworker Who Threatened To Expose Her” by Becca van Sambeck on Oxygen True Crime on September 25, 2022 (https://www.oxygen.com/snapped/crime-news/kimberly-kessler-murdered-coworker-joleen-cummings-why) “Dismemberment experiment with knife purchased by Kimberly Kessler lasted just 73 minutes” by Ann Schindler on First Coast News on December 15, 2021 (https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/crime/dismemberment-experiment-with-knife-purchased-by-kimberly-kessler-lasted-just-73-minuteslocal/77-ec23e176-ff73-4419-99c7-b6ddd6ac58c6) “Closing arguments in Kimberly Kessler murder trial to begin Thursday morning” by Corley Peel on News 4 Jax on December 8, 2021 (https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2021/12/08/prosecutors-expected-to-rest-case-today-in-kimberly-kessler-murder-trial/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) “Murder case of Nassau County mother Joleen Cummings highlighted in new show hosted by rapper 50 Cent” by Aydian Ahmad on News 4 Jax on September 16, 2025 (https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2025/09/17/murder-case-of-nassau-county-mother-joleen-cummings-highlighted-in-new-show-hosted-by-50-cent/) ”Murder at the Beauty Salon” on Killer Cases Season 3, Episode 4 on Hulu

Think Ivy League, and you picture privilege, brilliance and maybe most of all, safety. When you’re paying top dollar to attend one of the most prestigious universities in the world, danger feels like the last thing on your mind. But evil doesn’t care about prestige. And in January of 1969, it found it’s way into Harvard University. Jane Britton was a doctoral student in Near Eastern Archaeology. Bright, ambitious, standing right on the edge of a moment that she’d been working towards for years. Her general exams were a day away, the gateway to her dissertation and the final chapter to her academic journey. So, when Jane didn’t show up, everyone who knew her felt it immediately. Something was wrong. Her boyfriend, James Humphries tried calling again and again but no answer. Eventually he went to her Cambridge apartment himself. And what he found brought her promising life to a brutal and unexpected end. Jane’s death would become one of Harvard’s most chilling mysteries. One that would remain unsolved for nearly five decades. In this episode we’re uncovering who Jane was, the strange details surrounding her case and the unsettling truth about the places that we assume are safe. This story is a reminder that evil doesn’t just lurk in dark alleys and distant cities, sometimes it’s waiting in the places you think you’re protected.   Sources: Wikipedia – Murder of Jane Britton - Murder of Jane Britton - Wikipedia ABC News – How investigators cracked unsolved murder of Harvard graduate student nearly 50 years later – Morgan Winsor – November 20, 2018 - How investigators cracked unsolved murder of Harvard graduate student nearly 50 years later - ABC News Find a Grave – Obituary – Jane Sanders Britton - Jane Sanders Britton (1945-1969) - Find a Grave Memorial New York Post – Inside the Harvard murder mystery ‘solved’ by a student sleuth – Brad Hamilton – November 14, 2020 - Inside the Harvard murder mystery 'solved' by a student sleuth | New York Post Wikipedia – Cambridge, Massachusetts - Cambridge, Massachusetts - Wikipedia State Stories – The Murder of Jane Britton, the Harvard PhD Student Killed in Her Apartment in 1969, a Case that Took 50 Years to Solve – Henry Davis – November 24, 2025 - The Murder of Jane Britton, the Harvard PhD Student Killed in Her Apartment in 1969, a Case That Took 50 Years to Solve “Seven Sisters Colleges.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.“Harvard University.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.City of Cambridge. “History of Cambridge.” City of Cambridge Official Website, City of Cambridge, MA.“Upper Paleolithic.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.“Périgordian Culture.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.Archaeological Institute of America. “Near Eastern Archaeology.” Archaeological Institute of America.Dana Hall School. “About Dana Hall School.” Dana Hall School Official Website.Harvard University. “Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology – About.” Harvard University.

30 miles north of Baton Rouge, high on the bluffs above the Mississippi River, lies the tiny town of St. Francisville. A place locals jokingly call “two miles long and two yards wide.” Population? Barely 1500. But what it lacks in size… it makes up for in secrets. Tucked beneath ancient oaks and veils of Spanish moss, sits one of America’s most famously haunted homes: The Myrtles Plantation. This estate has witnessed its fair share of tragedy from rumored lynchings to accidental deaths, even whispered tales of cold-blooded murder. And while many of these stories are not confirmed by historical fact, that hasn’t stopped locals from keeping these tales alive. A servant punished for eavesdropping, a man gunned down by unknown intruders and the heartbreaking deaths of children whose presence, some say, never truly left. Today, the Myrtles stands as a beautifully restored bed-and-breakfast but guests and staff continue to report chilling encounters: children’s laughter echoing down empty halls, shadowy figures drifting across the grounds, disembodied voices, footsteps, and knocks in the dead of night. What’s most unsettling? Some visitors still can’t make it through till morning. Would you be brave enough to try? Sources: “Paranormal Plantation: The Haunting of The Myrtles” by Mike Huberty on American Ghost Walks on August 1, 2023 (https://www.americanghostwalks.com/articles/the-myrtles-louisiana) “Myrtles Plantation | A Southern Haunting” on U.S. Ghost Adventures on January 26, 2025 (https://usghostadventures.com/americas-most-haunted-trending/myrtles-plantation-a-southern-haunting/) “The History of the Myrtles” on The Myrtles (https://themyrtles.com/pages/history-culture?srsltid=AfmBOoqdF1i9dsYsen9Ut4tnGmgbEzn9D9x0vOJ18y0BaGpHcIfwbG6k) “Myrtles Plantation: The South’s Spookiest House” on National Geographic on October 31, 2008 (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/myrtles_plantation_the_souths) “Town History” on Town of St. Francisville (https://stfrancisville.net/about/history/) “The Haunting of the Myrtles Plantation” by Aaliyah Strachan on The Haunted Walk (https://hauntedwalk.com/news/the-haunting-of-the-myrtles-plantation/) https://www.facebook.com/weirdohistoryfacts/posts/stay-here-if-you-dare-the-myrtles-plantation-%EF%B8%8Fbuilt-in-1796-by-general-david-bra/1378122903670103/ https://www.facebook.com/100064779665728/posts/myrtles-plantation-is-an-antebellum-mansion-in-st-francisville-louisiana-built-i/1262121625957148/ Unsolved Mysteries: Season 11, Episode 9 on Tubi  

Fathers often hold irreplaceable roles within a home but what they can bring into a family, they can also take away. In 2018, in the quiet suburb of Riverview, Florida, a tragedy unfolded that would haunt an entire community. Kenyatta Barron was a devoted mother, a woman of faith, and someone who always tried to do right by the people she loved. So when her on-again, off-again boyfriend and father of her children, Ronnie Oneal III needed a place to stay, she opened her door to him. She believed she was doing the right thing. But sometimes, even the kindest intentions can put us in the path of unimaginable darkness. On a cool March night, a desperate 911 call came through. A young woman, panicked and struggling to speak, cried out that she’d been shot. The dispatcher pleaded for an address, but the only thing that came back were screams.  When officers finally reached the home, they stepped into a scene that felt torn from a nightmare. Kenyatta lay on the front lawn, gravely wounded. Behind her, the house was engulfed in flames. What investigators would soon uncover inside and what would later unfold in a courtroom left even seasoned professionals stunned. This is a story about trust, betrayal, and a crime so horrific it shook Riverview to its core. And it’s a reminder that sometimes, the greatest evil isn’t lurking in the shadows, it's already inside the home.   Sources: Wikipedia – Riverview murders - Riverview murders - Wikipedia Wikipedia – Riverview, Florida - Riverview, Florida - Wikipedia Fox 13 Tampa Bay – Ronnie Oneal found guilty of 2018 double-murder of family; attempted murder of son – June 21, 2021 - Ronnie Oneal found guilty of 2018 double-murder of family; attempted murder of son | FOX 13 Tampa Bay Tampa Bay Times – Why would a man attack his family? – Tony Marrero - March 20, 2018 Tampa Bay Times – Man charged in attack on family wants son protected – Dan Sullivan - May 2, 2018 Tampa Bay Times – Acting in his own defense – Dan Sullivan – June 8, 2021 Tampa Bay Times – Social media memes anger judge, victims’ survivors – Anastasia Dawson – June 24, 2021 Youtube – WFLA News Channel  8 – Woman, girl killed in Riverview  - Youtube - Woman, girl killed in Riverview Youtube - Fox 13 Tampa Bay – Deputies: Woman and girl dead after man attacks family, sets home on fire - YouTube - Deputies: Woman and girl dead after man attacks family YouTube – WFLA News Channel 8 – Jury selection beings Monday in trial of Riverview man accused of killing woman, child Find a Grave – Obituary - Kenyatta Barron - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/188794344/kenyatta-barron

In August of 2018, a quiet mobile home park in Clinton Township, Michigan, became the center of a nightmare. 18-year-old Danielle Marzejka and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Seren Bryan vanished without a trace. After days of searching, Danielle’s brother and father noticed something strange in the back of their shed, large trash bags swarmed by thousands of flies and the stench of death.  Police responded to the scene and discovered the bodies of Danielle and Seren inside of the trash bags. What unfolded during the investigation stunned even seasoned detectives. A closet full of duct tape, towels, and sheets soaked with blood. Evidence of a cleanup. And the family’s oldest son, Robert Marzejka Jr., suddenly gone. This led to a cross-state manhunt which ended in Robert Jr’s apprehension, while he was wearing a disguise. Tune in this week as we unravel the chilling evidence, the fractured family dynamics, and the six-day trial that sought justice for Danielle and Seren. Seren Shining Arts   Sources:   “Man finds sister, boyfriend dead in trash bags behind Clinton Twp mobile home” on Fox 2 Detroit on August 27, 2018 (https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/man-finds-sister-boyfriend-dead-in-trash-bags-behind-clinton-twp-mobile-home) “Clinton Twp. cops continue double-slaying probe” by Charles E. Ramirez and George Hunter on The Detroit News on August 28, 2018 (https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2018/08/28/clinton-twp-cops-continue-double-murder-probe/1121240002/) “Clinton Township Man Charged For Killing Sister, Her Boyfriend” by Jessica Strachan on CBS News Detroit on March 13, 2019 (https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/clinton-township-man-charged-for-killing-sister-her-boyfriend/) “Friend of murder victim: person of interest brother 'made her uncomfortable'” on Fox 2 Detroit on August 27, 2018 (https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/friend-of-murder-victim-person-of-interest-brother-made-her-uncomfortable) “Judge says 'evil man' is going where he deserves after murdering sister and her boyfriend” by Erika Erickson on Fox 2 Detroit on January 14, 2020 (https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/judge-says-evil-man-is-going-where-he-deserves-after-murdering-sister-and-her-boyfriend) “Man learns sentence for murdering sister, her boyfriend, leaving bodies in Clinton Township shed” by Jason Colthorp on Click On Detroit on January 14, 2020 (https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2020/01/14/man-learns-sentence-for-murdering-sister-her-boyfriend-leaving-bodies-in-clinton-township-shed-2/) “Man guilty of murdering sister and her boyfriend with hammer, leaving bodies in trash bags” by Crime and Public Safety on Fox 2 Detroit on November 25, 2019 (https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/man-guilty-of-murdering-sister-and-her-boyfriend-with-hammer-leaving-bodies-in-trash-bags) “Police: Man used hammer, taped bags over heads to kill sister, her boyfriend” by Fox 2 Staff on Fox 2 Detroit on March 14, 2019 (https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/police-man-used-hammer-taped-bags-over-heads-to-kill-sister-her-boyfriend) https://www.clintontownship.com/236/Special-Events#:~:text=Clinton%20Township%20has%20many%20events%2C%20including:%20*,train%20ride%20for%20children%20of%20all%20ages https://www.facebook.com/groups/crimejunkie/posts/1373523243476048/ The Murder Tapes — Episode “The Back of the Shed” s4, e1 Killers: Caught On Camera — Season 2, Episode 7 (“Sarinana & Marzejka”) ***Seren Shining Arts Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/serenshiningarts/

The bond between a mother and her child is supposed to be unbreakable. Mothers are born to nurture, to protect, to love but what happens when that love is tested in ways you could never imagine? When the very child you raised becomes a threat? For Jennifer Dazey, that unimaginable reality may have been closer than she ever thought. In January 2024, Jennifer was at home recovering from brain surgery to treat cancerous tumors, her world already fragile and uncertain. But when her friend Kristy arrived for a routine coffee date, she stepped into a scene that would haunt her forever. In Jennifer’s bedroom lay her lifeless body, motionless and silent. But she wasn’t alone. Her adult son, Tyler, was barely responsive in the bathroom, confused, disoriented, and at the center of a mystery that would shock everyone who heard it. What led to this horrifying moment? Was it an accident, a tragedy, or something far darker? In this episode, we dig into the disturbing story of Jennifer and Tyler Dazey, a story that challenges our understanding of family, trust, and the thin line between love and danger. Because sometimes, evil hides where we least expect it even in our own homes.   Sources: Law & Crime – ‘Always a pleasure’: Son Laughs at bond hearing in case where he allegedly murdered mother he accused of witchcraft – Alberto Luperon – January 21, 2024 - Man who killed mother accused her of witchcraft: Police KCRG – Dubuque man charged with killing his mother files motion to dismiss case and attorney – July 17, 2024 - Dubuque man charged with killing his mother files motion to dismiss case and attorney Telegraph Herald – Dubuque man sentenced to life in prison for mother’s death – Grace Nieland – October 10, 2025 - Dubuque man sentenced to life in prison for mother's death | Tri-state News | telegraphherald.com KCRG – Daughter of Dubuque murder victim speaks against sending alleged killer to prison – Beth Malicki – February 23, 2024 - Daughter of Dubuque murder victim speaks against sending alleged killer to prison CourtTV – Iowa v. Tyler Dazey: Mother’s ‘Witchcraft’ Murder Trial – Court TV Staff – July 22, 2024 - IA v. Tyler Dazey: Mother's 'Witchcraft' Murder Trial | Court TV YouTube – Law&Crime Network – Mom and Family Dog Found Savagely Murdered at Iowa Home - Mom and Family Dog Found Savagely Murdered at Iowa Home The Mirror US – ‘Witchcraft’ murder leaves Iowa woman covered in blood with fingers severed and dog killed on couch – Chiara Fiorillo – August 12, 2024 - 'Witchcraft' murder leaves Iowa woman covered in blood with fingers severed and dog killed on couch - The Mirror US Legacy – Obituary – Jennifer Dazey - Jennifer Dazey Obituary (2024) - Dubuque, IA - Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory KCRG – Tyler Dazey found guilty of murder, animal abuse – July 19, 2024 - Tyler Dazey found guilty of murder, animal abuse CBS2Iowa – Tyler Dazey convicted of killing his mom, still refuses to take part in proceedings – Nick Weig – July 19, 2024 - Tyler Dazey convicted of killing his mom, still refuses to take part in proceedings Wikipedia – Dubuque, Iowa - Dubuque, Iowa - Wikipedia

In the 1970s, Philadelphia was a city on the edge of losing itself. Factories closed. Jobs disappeared. And in the Kensington neighborhood… one man was about to lose his mind. Joseph Kallinger, known as the ‘Shoe Maker” was a man shaped by abuse throughout his entire childhood. The abuse spilled into his adulthood, into both of his marriages and his parenting. He became haunted by voices, one of them he claimed to be God, who were telling him to hurt the innocent. After he had committed the murders of a neighborhood boy and even one of his own sons, Joseph and one of his other sons, Michael went on a six-week spree of terror, stretching across three states. The pair committed a multitude of Burglaries and assaults. But it wasn’t until the murder of Maria Fasching did their spree come to an end. This case reminds us that evil is everywhere and it can influence even the most innocent of minds.   Sources: “CRIME: The Bizarre Case of Father and Son” on TIME on February 3, 1975 (https://time.com/archive/6879545/crime-the-bizarre-case-of-father-and-son/) “Joe Kallinger: Is he Jekyll or Hyde?” by Hoag Levins in The Philadelphia Daily News on January 20, 1976 “KALLINGER'S FAMILY DESCRIBES BEATINGS” by Donald Janson on The New York Times on October 6, 1976 (https://www.nytimes.com/1976/10/06/archives/kallingers-family-describes-beatings-2-children-testify-father.html) “’Hard Evidence’ Against Kallinger” by Joe O’Dowd in The Philadelphia Daily News on January 22, 1976 “Joseph KALLINGER” on SERIALKILLERCALENDAR.COM (https://www.serialkillercalendar.com/Joseph%20KALLINGER.php) “Cobbler Traced by Shirt Label” by Dan Enoch in The Philadelphia Daily News on January 22, 1976 “Joseph Kallinger was 'not faking' insanity to escape a Conviction” by Michael Dabny on UPI on January 27, 1984 (https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/01/27/Joseph-Kallinger-was-not-faking-insanity-to-escape-a/3938444027600/) ”Kallinger Son Insured Just Before Death” by Carol Towarnicky in The Philadelphia Daily News on January 20, 1976 “How Joseph Kallinger’s murder spree came to an end” by Bill Doyle on New Jersey 101.5 on January 17, 2020 (https://nj1015.com/how-joseph-kallingers-murder-spree-came-to-an-end/) “Kallinger Found Ill in ’73 Test” in The Philadelphia Daily News on January 22, 1976 “Another Robbery, Last September, Laid to Kallinger Boy in Harrisburg” by Donald Janson on The New York Times on February 28, 1975 (https://www.nytimes.com/1975/02/28/archives/another-robbery-last-september-laid-to-kallinger-boy-in-harrisburg.html) “Michael Kallinger: Signs of Trouble in School” by Don Haskin in The Philadelphia Daily News on January 22, 1975 “What Philadelphia Was Like In The Summer Of 1973” by Kamelia Angelova on Business Insider on August 17, 2012 (https://www.businessinsider.com/life-in-philadelphia-in-1973-2012-8) https://murderpedia.org/male.K/k/kallinger-joseph.htm                              https://www.facebook.com/groups/613095332367558/posts/2645038639173207/ https://maamodt.asp.radford.edu/Psyc%20405/serial%20killers/Kalinger,%20Joseph%20_spring%202007_.pdf https://archives.law.virginia.edu/dengrove/writeup/trial-serial-killer-joseph-kallinger

David and Melinda Harmon seemed to have the kind of marriage built on unshakable faith. They were young, devoted, and deeply involved in their Nazarene community. David worked as a banker. Melinda served as a secretary at a nearby Nazarene university. Together, they embodied the values their church preached: love, commitment, and service. But on a cold February night in 1982, that image shattered. According to police, two masked intruders broke into the Harmons’ home while the couple slept. They were said to be searching for the keys to David’s bank. What happened next was brutal. David was attacked in his bed, bludgeoned repeatedly with a crowbar, while Melinda awoke to a nightmare. She told investigators she was forced downstairs, threatened, and made to hand over the bank key before the intruders fled into the night. It was a story that gripped their tight-knit church community and for years, no one questioned it. But decades later, shocking new evidence would reveal that the truth was far more twisted than anyone imagined. This is the story of faith, deception, and a murder that shattered a community’s belief in good and evil and proved that evil is everywhere, even in the most devout places.   Sources: The Lineup – Mark Mangelsdorf: The Man Who Killed His Best Friend and Got Away with It for 24 years – Sarah Mangiola – April 18, 2017 - Mark Mangelsdorf Killed His Best Friend and Escaped for Years In Plain Sight – Sleeping with the Devil – S1.E7 Olathe News – Police Investigate Olathe Murder – Greg Sackuvich – March 2, 1982 Olathe News – Obituary – Deaths – Funerals – David Harmon – March 2, 1982 Fox 4 News – Johnson Co. woman walks out of prison after serving 9 years for husband’s murder – Michelle Pekarsky, Shannon O’Brien – April 29, 2015 - Johnson Co. woman walks out of prison after serving 9 years for husband’s murder | FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports The Cinemaholic – Where is Melinda Raisch Now? – Viswa Vanapalli – December 4, 2021 - Melinda Raisch Now: Where is David Harmon's Wife Today? Update KMBC News 9 ABC – Man convicted in 1982 fatal beating to be released Saturday – May 3, 2016 - Man convicted in 1982 fatal beating to be released Saturday The Kansas City Star – Killer in infamous Olathe love triangle case soon will go free – Tony Rizzo – April 5, 2019 - Killer in infamous Olathe love triangle case soon will go free | Kansas City Star Wikipedia – Olathe, Kansas - Olathe, Kansas - Wikipedia

Virginia Beach, 1996 was a booming coastal city on the edge of the Atlantic — a place where suburbia meets beach-town freedom… and military precision. Among its residents was Petty Officer Elise Makdessi and her husband, Eddie, a computer technician. They had moved to the city in 1994, and on the surface, everything seemed normal. Until May of 1996. Eddie Makdessi called 911 on May 14 in a panic, claiming an intruder had broken into their home, stabbed Elise, and that he had shot the attacker to defend her. At first, it seemed like a clear-cut case of self-defense. But detectives weren’t convinced. Every detail was scrutinized, all evidence closely examined. And what they discovered didn’t just raise questions — it contradicted Eddie Makdessi’s story entirely. It would take nearly a decade of investigation before justice was finally served. This is a case that reminds us: not everything is as it first appears. Sometimes, the smallest details make all the difference.   Sources: “DSS Returns Double Homicide Suspect to U.S.” by Bureau of Diplomatic Security on U.S. Department of State Archive on August 4, 2003 (https://2001-2009.state.gov/m/ds/rls/23000.htm) “Man convicted of 1996 Murders” by The Associated Press in The Culpeper Star – Exponent on March 17, 2006 “BEACH MAN SAYS POLICE SUSPECT HIM IN DOUBLE SLAYING” by Mike Mather in The Virginia Pilot on June 13, 1996 (https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1996/vp960613/06130573.htm) “Beach Jury Convicts Man of 1996 Murders” in The Richmond Times – Dispatch on March 17, 2006 “Makdessi’s murder trial in hands of Beach jury” by Jon Frank in The Virginia Pilot on March 16, 2006 (https://www.pilotonline.com/2006/03/16/makdessis-murder-trial-in-hands-of-beach-jury/) “VA Slaying Suspect Captured in Russia” by The Associated Press in The Richmond Times – Dispatch on July 25, 2003 “The Tailhook Scandal: How a 'Top Gun Mentality' Led to a Disastrous Navy Conference” by Blake Stilwell on Military.com on August 11, 2002 (https://www.military.com/history/tailhook-scandal-how-top-gun-mentality-led-disastrous-navy-conference.html) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39297857/elise_martin-makdessi https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/424850/quincy_bernard-brown “Double Cross” on Forensic Files – Season 21, Episode 1 on Amazon Prime “Deadly Accusation” on Unusual Suspects– Season 7, Episode 4 on Discovery+

Rosebud, Texas, a quiet, tight-knit community where front doors stayed unlocked and neighbors waved from their porches. It was the kind of place where everyone knew everyone, and families had lived side by side for generations. But hidden behind that small-town comfort was something far darker. Because in the 1960s, Rosebud harbored a monster. His name was Kenneth McDuff, a towering figure over six feet tall, over two hundred pounds and even as a teenager, he knew how to use his size to get what he wanted. Then came the summer of 1966. A night that would shatter the peace of Rosebud forever. What began as intimidation ended in horror; three local teens brutally murdered. McDuff was caught, tried, and sentenced to death. For the community, it felt like justice  and closure. But it wouldn’t last. Decades later, thanks to changes in Texas law and overcrowded prisons, Kenneth McDuff walked free. And once again, the killing began. What followed was a reign of terror that stretched far beyond Rosebud; a story that forced Texas, and the nation, to confront a chilling truth: sometimes, evil doesn’t die behind bars… it walks right out the gate.   SOURCES: Wikipedia – Kenneth McDuff - Kenneth McDuff - Wikipedia San Angelo Standard-Times – As Silent as the Grave – Mike Cochran – November 24, 1996 All That’s Interesting – The Disturbing Story of Kenneth McDuff, The ‘Broomstick Killer’ Who Murdered Up to 14 People Across Texas – Amber Morgan – September 14, 2024 - Kenneth McDuff, The Vicious 'Broomstick Killer' Of Texas Crime and Punishment – Kenneth McDuff Documentary Wikipedia – Rosebud, Texas - Rosebud, Texas - Wikipedia The Galveston Daily News – A Killer’s Secret – Mike Cochran – November 28, 1996 Fort Worth Star-Telegram – A Killer’s Secrets – Mike Cochran – November 29, 1996 Austin American-Statesman – McDuff arrested in Missouri – Jim Phillips – May 5, 1992

Grand Rapids, Michigan is a city on the Grand River, known for its Midwest charm and creative energy. This city is where 31-year-old Ashley Young was building a new life studying in college, working at a call center, and about to move into her very first apartment. Bubbly, optimistic and full of life, Ashley was ready for a fresh start after a recent breakup. But the day she was supposed to sign her new lease… she never showed up. Her mother, Kristine, knew something was wrong. For three long days, Kristine and Ashley’s stepmother, Dana, searched every corner of Grand Rapids for any sign of Ashley. Then they learned the last person Ashley was seen with was Jared Chance, an old friend of hers. Determined to confront him, they went to his apartment only to be met by police. Hours earlier, a 911 call had led officers to a horrifying discovery in the basement of Jared’s home. This discovery led to heart break for Ashley’s family and friends. Jared even appeared to have help concealing his evil actions by his own parents, one of which was a retired officer. This case raises a question for many. How far would you be willing to go to protect a loved one?   Sources: “The Gruesome Case of Ashley Young: Murdered and Dismembered by a Friend” by Twisted Crimes with Chris and Heather on Medium on September 18, 2025 (https://medium.com/@christophermcandrew/the-gruesome-case-of-ashley-young-murdered-and-dismembered-by-a-friend-5ae817e25a0c) “Mothers Seek Closure in Kalamazoo Woman's "Horrific" 2018 Murder, Dismemberment” by Jax Miller on Oxygen True Crime on October 30, 2023 (https://www.oxygen.com/final-moments/crime-news/jared-chance-parents-arrested-ashley-young-murder-dismemberment) “Friends say Victim was ‘Sunshine in Your Life’” by John Tunison in The Grand Rapids Press on December 11, 2018 “Mom seeks answers in daughter's 2018 murder in episode of 'Body in the Basement'” by Lauren Baker on ABC 13 News on September 23, 2025 (https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/mom-seeks-answers-daughters-2018-murder-episode-body-basement/69-5e8a2d53-27c6-4876-94e5-8e9a7b4f122a) “Retired Cop, Wife, Jailed after Mutilation” by John Agar in The Grand Rapids Press on December 13, 2018 “Case of Michigan woman dismembered, murdered by Jared Chance featured on true crime show” by Bradley Massman on MLive on September 24, 2025 (https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2025/09/case-of-michigan-woman-dismembered-murdered-by-jared-chance-featured-on-true-crime-show.html) Former Rock Island Police Sergeant Charged” in The Quad-City Times on December 14, 2018 “Ashley Young murder saga featured on TV documentary” by Matt Jaworowski on WoodTV on September 24, 2025 (https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/ashley-young-murder-saga-featured-on-tv-documentary/) “Can’t Find Her” on A Body in the Basement Season 2, Episode 6 on Discovery+ https://www.facebook.com/JusticeForAshleyYoung/    

Over the last seventy years, Ed and Lorraine Warren have become household names in the world of the paranormal. Lorraine, the clairvoyant who claimed she could sense things most of us couldn’t, and Ed, the self-taught demonologist who dedicated his life to uncovering evil in its purest form. Together, they investigated hundreds of hauntings across the United States. But one case stands out from the rest. Amityville. Before the Warrens ever set foot inside that Dutch Colonial home on Ocean Avenue, it was already stained by something horrific. In 1974, tragedy struck when twenty-three-year-old Ronald DeFeo Jr. claimed he came home from work to find his entire family murdered in their beds. Police rushed to the scene but quickly realized Ronald’s story didn’t add up. He wasn’t a survivor. He was the killer. And that kind of violence, it leaves something behind. When the next family, the Lutzes, moved in, they didn’t last long. They said the house was alive with something dark, something malevolent. Within just weeks, they fled in terror, never to return. What really happened inside 112 Ocean Avenue? Was it haunted by the evil that took root there or something far more human? This is a story that reminds us that evil is everywhere, always lurking, always waiting, even sometimes for decades.   SOURCES: A&E – Inside the Amityville Horror House and The Long Island Town Where It Still Stands Today – Sandra Westfall – October 14, 2025 - Inside the Amityville Horror House and Its Long Island Town People – What Happened to the Amityville House? All About the Infamous Home 50 Years After Murders and Alleged Paranormal Activity – Nicole Briese – October 14, 2025 - What Happened to the Amityville House? Inside the Home 51 Years After Murder Wikipedia – Ronald DeFeo, Jr. - Ronald DeFeo Jr. - Wikipedia Daily Mail – What happened to George and Kathy Lutz? The true story about the couple who fled the Amityville Horror House – Zac Campbell – February 2, 2024 - What happened to George and Kathy Lutz? The true story about the couple who fled the Amityville Horror house | Daily Mail Online People – What Happened to the Amityville House? All About the Infamous Home 50 Years After Murders and Alleged Paranormal Activity – Nicole Briese – October 14, 2025 - What Happened to the Amityville House? Inside the Home 51 Years After Murder Realtor – Inside Gruesome History of Real-Life ‘Amityville Horror’ Murder House – 50 Years After Mass Killings Shocked the Nation – Charlie Lankston – November 13, 2024 - Inside Gruesome History of Real-Life 'Amityville Horror' Murder House The Horror Collection – Inside the Infamous Amityville Haunting: What Really Happened? – Razvan Radu – October 21, 2025 - Inside the Infamous Amityville Haunting: What Really Happened? American Ghost Walks – The Amityville Horror, the Warrens, and the Conjuring: Fact vs. Fiction – Mike Huberty – July 31, 2025 - The Amityville Horror, The Warrens, and The Conjuring: Fact vs. Fiction Wikipedia – Amityville, New York - Amityville, New York - Wikipedia People – What were the Amityville Murders? Why Ronald DeFeo Jr. claimed his house told him to kill his parents and 4 siblings – Emily Blackwood – October 18, 2025 - What Were the Amityville Murders? Why Ronald DeFeo Jr. Killed His Family All That’s Interesting – The Horrific True Story of Ronald DeFeo Jr. and the Amityville Murders – Erin Kelly – August 7, 2022 - Amityville Murders: The True Story Of The Killings That Inspired The Movie

In the 1950s, Sun Valley, CA was a quiet, family-friendly corner of the San Fernando Valley attracting returning veterans from WWII and the Korean War with their young families. It was here that Peter Fabiano settled with his wife, Betty. Peter was a former Marine turned owner of two successful beauty salons in the LA area. But Halloween night 1957 would shatter the peaceful neighborhood. Around 11 p.m., a knock at the door changed everything. Peter, thinking it was just a late trick-or-treater, opened the door… and a single pop of a gun rang out. Betty rushed to Peter while her daughter sprinted to a neighbor for help, but it was too late. Peter succumbed to his injury. Who could have wanted Peter dead? And why? Whispers from friends and employees soon pointed to one name: Joan Rabel. When police investigated into Joan, they found a web of complicated relationships between her and the Fabiano’s. In this episode, we dive into the shocking ‘Trick-or-Treat Murder’ of 1957 and reveal how detectives uncovered the evil truth of Peter’s murder.   Sources: “Trick Or Treat! Your Enemy Sent Someone To Kill You” by John Popham on After Midnight with Granger Smith on October 31, 2022 (https://aftermidnite.iheart.com/content/2022-10-31-trick-or-treat-your-enemy-sent-someone-to-kill-you/) “Widow of Victim Recalls Phone Talk with Slayer” by Walt Keenshen Jr. in The Valley Times on December 7, 1957 “The Trick-or-Treat Murder” on Deranged LA Crimes on October 25, 2024 (https://derangedlacrimes.com/?p=13846) “Beauty Shop Owner’s Mate Slain at Door” in The Los Angeles Evening Citizen News on November 1, 1957 “Murder on Halloween: The Trick or Treat Murder” by The Kitchen Table Historian (https://johnbrassardjr.com/2024/10/30/murder-on-halloween-the-trick-or-treat-murder/) “Seek Spook Murders of Valley Business Man: Pair Sought in Killing at Home Door” in The Valley Times on November 1, 1957 “Mystery ‘Caller’ Kills Man Answering Bell” by lmharnisch on The Daily Mirror on October 31, 2007 (https://ladailymirror.com/2007/10/31/they-had-planne/) “Woman Tells of Firing Shot in ‘Trick or Treat’ Murder” by Marilyn Jacobson in The Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet on December 8, 1957 “The Trick or Treat Murder” by Truecrimetales on Medium on October 27, 2022 (https://medium.com/@truecrimetales/the-trick-or-treat-murder-6f2c40adf5fc) “Trick or Treat Slaying Motive Remains Mystery” in The Los Angeles Times on November 2, 1957 “The Bizarre Lesbian Murder Scandal That Rocked 1950s LA” by Scout MacEachron on Vice on November 9, 2015 (https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-bizarre-lesbian-murder-scandal-that-rocked-1950s-la/)    

When you buy a home, a multi-family home, you're chasing something timeless: security, independence, a place for your children to grow... and maybe, a way to keep your aging parents close, but still give them space of their own. For the Smurl family, it felt like achieving the American dream. But dreams can curdle into nightmares. Over the course of 11 years, the Smurls’ cozy Pennsylvania duplex became something else entirely, a stage for relentless torment. Not from neighbors. Not from intruders. But from something... they couldn’t see. They were stalked. Scratched. Pinned down in their sleep. The walls groaned. Shadows moved. Even the family dog wasn’t immune to attacks. And no one believed them. Not until demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren stepped in.What they found in the Smurl house shocked even them. This week, we’re opening the door to one of the most disturbing true hauntings in American history. Because sometimes, evil doesn’t lurk in abandoned asylums or remote forests…Sometimes, evil is already home.   Sources: Wikipedia – Smurl Haunting - Smurl haunting - Wikipedia Scrantonian Tribune – Book on Smurls on Sale – February 27, 1988 The Tribune – Mentalist volunteers to assist the Smurls – August 28, 1986 The Tribune – Smurls credit prayers of many with cleansing house of demons – Robert Curran – October 27, 1986 The Morning Call – Haunting Questions: The case of a possessed house has bought a book contract – but still no answers – Tim Blangger - April 2, 1987 People – Where is the Smurl family now? Here’s What Happened To The Conjuring: Last Rites Subjections After Their Horrifying Paranormal Experiences – Jessica Sager – September 7, 2025 - Where Is the Smurl Family Now? What Happened to 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' Subjects Scrantonian Tribune – Brain surgery revelation casts demon dwelling doubts – Robert Curran – August 24, 1986 FrightFind – Smurl Haunting House - Smurl Haunting House - FrightFind YouTube – EXCLUSIVE: Lorraine Warren interviews Jack and Janet Smurl. Relates horrifying demonic attack.  EXCLUSIVE: Lorraine Warren interviews Jack and Janet Smurl. Relates horrifying demonic attack. Chronicle Online – Author shares experiences with paranormal in latest book on Smurl haunting – Margo Wilson – October 7, 2025 - Author shares experiences with paranormal in latest book on Smurl haunting | Local News | chronicleonline.com The Historical Marker Database – Workers in Greater Pittston’s Garment Industry - Workers in Greater Pittston's Garment Industry Historical Marker Wikipedia – West Pittston, Pennsylvania - West Pittston, Pennsylvania - Wikipedia Wikipedia – Ed and Lorraine Warren - Ed and Lorraine Warren - Wikipedia

In southern Texas, Corpus Christi is a city where history, culture, and natural beauty all come together. Sitting on the Gulf of Mexico, locals often enjoy the activities that come with being on the shoreline: fishing, swimming, windsurfing and sailing. This large city is where Kimberly Hill decided to settle after serving in the Marines, becoming a hospice caregiver. She was a dedicated employee while being an amazing mother to her two children, Desirae and Kevin. On the morning of March 27, 2014, a couple in Robstown, TX received a knock on their door, from Kevin, claiming he had murdered his own mother. Police took him to the station as they made the gruesome discovery in Kimberly’s apartment. Kevin gave a full confession, giving every gruesome detail to detectives. The family friends and community were all in utter shock. How is it this 18 year old, who no one thought was capable of violence, could commit such a heinous act against his own mother?   Sources: “Texas teen sentenced to life for killing his mom with hammer, defiling her corpse” by Associated Press on ABC 30 Action News on October 10, 2014 (https://abc30.com/post/teen-murdered-his-mom-reportedly-said-he-lost-his-virginity-to-her-corpse/345144/) “CCPD: Teen said he’d Kill Again” by Krista M. Torraiva in Corpus Christi Caller-Times on March 28, 2014 “History and Growth of Corpus Christi, Texas” by Christopher Long on Texas State Historical Association published 1952 (https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/corpus-christi-tx) “Lawyer Apointed for Homicide Suspect” by Dayna Worchel in Corpus Christi Caller-Times on March 29, 2014 “Sister Horrified By Brother’s Unthinkable Act With Deceased Mom” on Explore with Us YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPIz8bnx7uk) “Man who Killed Mother Gets Life” by Krista M. Torraiva in Corpus Christi Caller-Times on October 9, 2014 https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/corpus-christi-tx/kimberly-hill-5911845 Episode 114 on Sword and Scale by Mike Boudet on Spotify    

The 1990s were a time of transformation in Knoxville, Tennessee. The city was expanding, and so were opportunities for young people in need of a second chance. For many, the local Job Corps center offered just that: a path to a better life through education and job training. Nineteen-year-old Colleen Slemmer was one of those hopeful students. She’d moved from Pennsylvania with dreams of completing a six-month course in computing, eager to build a future she could be proud of. But not everyone at Job Corps was there for redemption. Christa Pike, another student in the program, came with a different agenda. Fueled by jealousy and paranoia, she became convinced that Colleen was after her boyfriend, Tadaryl Shipp. On January 12, 1995, what should have been a new beginning for Colleen turned into a horrifying end. Christa’s obsession would erupt into one of the most brutal murders Knoxville has ever seen, a crime that shocked the community and raised haunting questions about unchecked violence, youth, and the cracks in the systems meant to protect them.   Sources: Tubi – World’s Most Dangerous Prisoners – Season 1, Episode 4 – Christa Pike The Knoxville News-Sentinel – Rebekkah Daniels Corryton – May 19, 1996 The Knoxville News-Sentinel – Victim begged for life as killer panicked, tape says – John North – March 27, 1996 The Knoxville News-Sentinel – Pike gets death row in Job Corps slaying – John North – March 31, 1996 CBS News – Tennessee set to execute only woman on state’s death row. Here’s what to know. – Emiily Mae Czachor - Tennessee set to execute only woman on state's death row. Here's what to know. USAToday – Tennessee is set to execute a woman for the first time in over 200 years. What did she do? – Amanda Lee Meyers – October 3, 2025 - Tennessee sets Christa Pike's execution 30 years after rival's murder Find a Grave Memorial – Colleen Slemmer - Colleen Anne Slemmer (1975-1995) - Find a Grave Memorial Wikipedia – Christa Pike - Christa Pike - Wikipedia People – Tenn. Woman Set for Execution Decades After Luring Classmate to Her Death as Teen, Carving Pentagram on Victim – Samira Asma-Sadeque – October 8, 2025 - Tenn. Woman Set for Execution Decades After Luring Classmate to Her Death as Teen, Carving Pentagram on Victim The Tennessean – There is only one woman on death row in Tennessee. Here’s what to know about Christa Pike – Evan Mealins – May 22, 2025 - What to know about Christa Pike, Tennessee's only woman on death row WVLT8 – ‘It’s hard to deal with’ ‘Job Corps Murder’ victim’s mother continues to fight for justice in brutal Knoxville case – Jared Austin – October 8, 2025 - ‘Job Corps Murder’ victim’s mother continues to fight for justice in brutal 1995 murder Knox News – Victim begged for life as killer panicked, tape says – John North – February 2, 2015 - Victim begged for life as killer panicked, tape says

Jefferson, Texas is a quiet, historic town tucked away near the Big Cypress bayou. Originally founded around the 1830s, the town experienced an industrial boom due to its ideal location for water trade routes. Jefferson today is known to be a site of paranormal activity. The Jefferson Hotel is known as one of the oldest, and most haunted, hotels in the state. Whispered tales of footsteps echoing through empty corridors, lights flickering in pitch darkness, and shadows slipping through doorways were told throughout the town since at least the mid 20th century. The hotel NOW even maintains a “Book of the Dead,” where visitors can document their own paranormal experiences. Stories of murder, jilted brides and tragic fates fill the many rooms of the hotel. There are also apparitions of children, the “Vanishing Man” and the typical lady in white. Mischievous pranks with small objects and disembodied voices are all part of the hauntings in this grand structure. The current owners tell the paranormal occurrences happen on a daily basis. Would you be able to brave a night in this haunted hotel?   Sources: “The Jefferson Palace Hotel” on Dallas Errors, July 21, 2025 (https://dallasterrors.com/the-jefferson-palace-hotel/) “Haunted JEFFERSON HOTEL, JEFFERSON, TX” on Haunted Rooms Co. (https://www.hauntedrooms.com/texas/haunted-places/haunted-hotels/jefferson-hotel-jefferson) “Our Haunted History” on Jefferson Palace Hotel website (https://www.historicjefferson.com/pages/about-us) “WATCH: Ominous Mirror Message Makes Two Historic Jefferson Hotel Guests Leave in the Middle of the Night” by Lauren Moyer on KNUE 101.5 on May 19, 2021 (https://knue.com/haunted-jefferson-hotel-in-texas/) “The Haunting of the Jefferson Hotel” on The Drum Beat on October 8, 2014 “A Historical Journey” on Jefferson Palace Hotel website (https://www.historicjefferson.com/pages/hotel-history) https://www.jeffersontexas.us/history/ https://visitjeffersontexas.com/history LITTLE BOY APPARITION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMpU5Xm-BXA