Once Upon A Crime | True Crime

In this episode, a young man who dubs himself “Mr. Anime” gains a large following as a critic and reviewer on YouTube.. But, he’ll later admit to harboring dark fantasies most of his life after he commits a shocking act of violence against his closest family members. Resources: “Mr. Anime Loves God and His Family” by Jeannette Garrett for Crime Magazine. “Parents, brother each had high-powered rifle wounds” by Mike Glenn and Cindy George for The Houston Chronicle, Mar 21, 2012. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2118711/Trey-Eric-Sesler-shot-dead-parents-brother-planning-Columbine-style-massacre.html https://rabrewster.com/2019/07/21/human-monsters-trey-sesler-mr-anime-the-first-youtube-killer/ https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Police-Man-charged-in-Waller-deaths-planned-3425659.php https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-news/anime-youtube-star-murdered-family-22852419 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-dWvmMif68 Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

This week I have a special episode diving into the topic of the psychology of mass killers. What prompts someone to commit mass murder against random strangers? How did Columbine become a cultural touchstone that inspired others to plan and execute their own mass shooting sprees? What can we do to slow down the number and frequency of these types of crimes, if anything? I'll get answers to some of these questions from psychotherapist and author, P. Shavaun Scott, author of The Minds of Mass Killers: Understanding and Interrupting the Pathway to Violence. Here's a link to Shavan's book which you can purchase at Amazon.com. https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B09MB86W17&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_2M1AWDE85GG90D9JY8QH&tag=onc01a-20

A young couple on a quest for internet fame record a prank for their YouTube channel with tragic results.  Resources: YouTube Prankster Jailed, BBC News, March 15, 2018 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43410816 The Last Moments Before a YouTube Stunt Went Fatally Wrong, Buzzfeed News, June 22, 2018. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/tasneemnashrulla/failed-youtube-stunt-killing-videos Who Was Pedro Ruiz?, The Sun, March 15, 2018 https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3908168/pedro-ruiz-youtube-star-killed-girlfriend-monalisa-perez-shooting-stunt-jail-latest/ Stunt Gone Wrong, Valley News, June 27, 2017 https://www.valleynewslive.com/content/news/Family-says-it-was-a-YouTube-stunt-gone-wrong-a-22-year-old-man-is-dead-after-being-shot-in-the-chest-431170773.html

This is part 2 of a 2-part- episode. As we continue the story, Shelly and Dave Knotek have isolated themselves, their three daughters, nephew, and a boarder, Kathy Loreno, in their Ramond, Washington home. The torture and abuse Kathy endured would come to a shocking conclusion in July of 1994. Resources: If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood - Gregg Olsen https://murderpedia.org/female.K/k/knotek-michelle.htm https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/876416/shelly-knotek-abuse-daughters-serial-killer/ https://casetext.com/case/state-v-knotek Snapped: Season 10, Episode 19 Couple Held in Woman’s 1994 Disappearance https://apnews.com/article/1ba1a2ceca7d8bbbc82506c3b1b488b5

Shelly Knotek has been called “America’s Most Evil Mom”. She abused, tortured, and humiliated her children and partners, but her control and abuse went beyond her own family members. One-by-one people she took into her home as boarders also found themselves trapped and unable to escape her abuse. This is part one of a two-part episode. To get Part 2 early and ad free, become a Patreon member of Once Upon a Crime at www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime.  Resources: If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood - Gregg Olsen https://murderpedia.org/female.K/k/knotek-michelle.htm https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/876416/shelly-knotek-abuse-daughters-serial-killer/ https://casetext.com/case/state-v-knotek Snapped: Season 10, Episode 19 Couple Held in Woman’s 1994 Disappearancehttps://apnews.com/article/1ba1a2ceca7d8bbbc82506c3b1b488b5

In this month’s series, we’ll take a look at the fascinating phenomenon of narcissistic family cults - a family unit that exhibits all the hallmarks of a traditional cult group but is led by a narcissistic family member - usually a parent.  In this episode, a couple with thirteen children spend decades isolating themselves from the outside world. The public would be shocked when it was discovered their children had been subjected to long-term ritualistic abuse, neglect, and deprivation in one of the worst cases of child abuse ever recorded in California.  Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime - Become a Patreon member of Once Upon a Crime to get ad-free, early release episodes, and more perks.  Military Murder Podcast - Check out my friend Margo’s podcast - Military Murder! www.militarymurderpodcast.com.  Resources: The Family Next Door by John Glatt, St. Martin’s Press, 2019.  David Turpin Biography: 13 Things About Perris, California Engineer Turpin Trial: Couple Jailed for Life for ‘Inh

A young man’s racist ideology lead him to take the lives of 51 people and injure dozens more all while recording and uploading a video of the murders to Facebook Live.  Resources: Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mosques on 15 March 2019. https://christchurchattack.royalcommission.nz “Massacre Suspect Traveled the World but Lived on the Internet” by David D. Kirkpatrick for The New York Times, March 15, 2019.  “NZ gunman to stay silent at sentencing after families bring court to tears” by Nick Perry for The Times of Israel, 26 August 2020.  “The Christchurch shooting was streamed lived, but think twice about watching it” by Colleen Murrelll for abc.net.au, Mar 15, 2019.  “Family of alleged gunman apologises to Christchurch victims” by Padraig Collins for The Irish Times, Mar 17, 2109.  Links:  website - www.truecrimepodcast.com Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

A young man who identifies with as an Incel carries out a mass shooting at an Arizona mall while livestreaming it via Snapchat. Special thanks to Dr. Sohom Das for lending his expertise in this episode. Check out his YouTube Channel A Psych for Sore Minds for more insights into the criminal mind and the psychology of true crime! https://www.youtube.com/c/APsychForSoreMinds Resources: “Dark Side: The Westgate Shooting” by Erica Stapleton for News 12 Phoenix, Feb 18, 2021. “‘God had such mercy’: Mother of 19-year-old Westgate shooting victim speaks about son’s recovery” by BrieAnna J. Frank for The Arizona Republic, May 23, 2020. “A Mass Shooter Live-streamed his Attack on Snapchat at an Arizona Mall” by David Gilbert for Vice News, May 21, 2020. “This real-life Air Force superhero saved 28 people from an active shooter in Arizona” by David Roza for Task and Purpose, May 27, 2021. “Armando ‘Junior’ Hernandez: Glendale Westgate Shooting Suspect Arrested” by Emliy Bicks fr The Heavy, May 21, 2020. Links: Crime

A disgruntled, former television station employee takes out his revenge during a live news broadcast.  Resources: “Ex-Broadcaster Kills 2 on Air Virginia Shooting” by Michael D. Shear, Richard Perez-Pena, and Alan Blinder, The New York Times, August 26, 2015. “Vester Lee Flanagan: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know”, Tom Cleary, Heavy.com, April 8, 2021.  “A Life of Listing Grievances, and Then Virginia Gunman’s Final Homicidal Explosion”, Michael D. Shear and Sarah Maslin Nir, The New York Times, Aug 27, 2015.  “Murder on social media: Killer wanted the world to watch”, Emily Brown, USA Today, Aug 26, 2015.  Links: website - www.truecrimepodcast.com Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

A bizarre and terrifying crime spree has been on the rise in the UK for the past several years. In this episode, I’ll share stories illustrating how acid attacks have increasingly been used to retaliate against a romantic partner once a relationship ends.  Resources:  “Acid Attacks on the Rise in the U.K.”, Joanna Kakissis/NPR, Aug 6, 2017. “Acid Attacks: What has led to the rise and how can they be stopped?”, George Mann/BBC News, July 14, 2017.  “Jealous woman is jailed for 14 years after scarring her boyfriend”, Rory Tingle/DailyMail.com, Nov 21, 2021.  “Woman jailed for acid attack on boyfriend”, Tristan Kirk/Evening Standard, Nov 19, 2021.  “Man recalls moment ex-girlfriend poured acid over him while he slept”, Jamie Barlow/Nottinghamshire Live, Feb 12, 2021.  The Queen v Mark Cummings and Katie Leong, Crown Court at Leicester, March 21, 2017.  “Katie Piper’s acid attacker is cleared for release”, Danny Gallagher/Daily Mail.com, Jun 18, 2020.  Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime Onc

In this special episode, Esther sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jake Halpern to talk about Season 2 of his podcast Deep Cover: Mob Land. They also discuss podcast storytelling and Jake reveals which well-known actor makes a surprise guest appearance on Deep Cover in Season 2.  Links:  Listen to Deep Cover on Pushkin.fm - https://www.pushkin.fm/show/deep-cover/ Become a Pushkin+ member to binge all episodes of Deep Cover ad-free. You will also have ad-free access to more than 20 Pushkin+ shows. 

In this episode, I’ll share with you one of the craziest “love” stories you’ve ever heard - right in time for Valentine’s Day. Burt Pagach meets Linda Riss in 1957 and quickly becomes obsessed with her. When she breaks off the relationship he plots a despicable act for revenge.  Resources:  “Burt and Linda Pugach: The story behind Crazy Love”, Amy Turner for The Sunday Times, June 29, 2008.  “CityPeople; A Sort of Love Story”, Mark Fass for The New York Times, March 21, 2004.  Crazy Love (2007), Directed by Dan Klores and Fisher Stevens, Magnolia Pictures. 

A 22-year-old recent graduate of a New Zealand University breaks off a short-lived relationship. Her ex would take deadly revenge on her in one of the most horrific attacks ever perpetrated in the country’s recent history.  Resources:  “Own Evidence Seals Fate” by John Hartevelt for Stuff.co.nz, July 23, 2009.  “Success accompanied by stress: Weatherston” by Kay Sinclair for the Otago Daily Times, July 9, 2009.  “The Day Sophie Died: A Mother’s Untold Story” by Lesley Elliott for NzHerald.co.nz, Jun 10, 2011.  “A Decade On: Sophie Elliott’s Family Remembers Her” by Kelley Dennett for NZHerald.co.nz, Jan 5, 2018.  “Provocation defence ‘made killer a victim”, NZ Herald, July 22, 2009.  “Sophie’s beauty not targeted court told” by Kay Sinclair for Otago Daily Times, July 14, 2009 “An examination he didn’t pass”, Otago Daily Times, July 23, 2009 “Provocation defence abolished”, Otago Daily Times, Nov 27, 2009. 

One family appears to have it all - success, wealth, a happy family life, and a beautiful ocean-view home on the California coast. But, trouble behind the scenes tears the family apart and the story of the Sachs family will end in a shocking murder.  Resources: Shadow of Death, CBS/48 Hours, October 15, 2016.  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/48-hours-investigates-andra-and-brad-sachs-murders-shadow-of-death/ “Capistrano killings: In marriage, divorce, death, couple never parted,” by Salvador Hernandez, Lily Leung, and Meghann Cuniff for The Orange County Register, Feb 17, 2014.  Capistrano killings: In marriage, divorce, death, couple never parted “Familly remembers entrepreneur Brad Sachs, allegedly slain by son” by Greg Fisher for CBS News, Oct 13, 2015 “Why Aston Sachs Says He Shot His Family” by Matthew Heiler for Orange Coast Magazine, Nov 20, 2014.  https://www.orangecoast.com/features/ashton-sachs-says-shot-family/ “Where is Aston Sachs Now?” by Kriti Mehrotra for The Cinemaholic.com, Nov 10, 20

An heiress builds a grand mansion as a showplace on a hill in the San Francisco Bay Area. But, it would become a white elephant and an eyesore during its long history. And, in 1985, it became a house of horrors for two young women. Resources: People v. Raley, Supreme Court of California Appeal, June 18, 1992. Retrieved from Findlaw.com. “Yesterday’s Crimes: The Hillsborough Mansion Murder” by Bob Calhoun for SF Weekly, Jan 30, 2018. “Carolands mansion murder: Survivor Laurie McKenna speaks, 20 years later” by Howard Mintz for San Jose Mercury News, Sept 16, 2014. The Heiress and Her Chateau: Chateau Carolands of California” (2014), Directors: Catherine Ryan and Gary Weimberg, Luna Productions.

July 27, 2001 Jeanine Sanchez Harms went missing after a night out with friends in Campbell, California. A man she'd only become acquainted with that night, Maurice Xavier Nasmeh, would be suspected of involvement in her disappearance. After a problematic investigation and numerous delays, the case would end in a shocking conclusion.  Resources: "Whatever Happened to Jeanine Harms?" by Loren Stein for MetroActive News, March 20, 2003. Jeanine Sanchez Harms, The Charley Project. "Jeanine Harms 'Case Closed” by Lori Preuitt for NBC Bay Area News, Aug 24, 2011. 

On the last episode of the year, Lorena and I break down the case of family annihilator, Chris Watts.   Resources: “Chris Watts: A Complete Timeline of the Murder of His Wife and Daughters” by Rachel Change for Biography.com, Sept 29, 2020. https://www.biography.com/news/chris-watts-wife-daughters-murder-mistress-confession-timeline “New Christopher Watts confession details how he murdered his wife, two daughters” by Elise Schmelzer for The Denver Post, March 7, 2019. https://www.denverpost.com/2019/03/07/christopher-watts-confession-murder-details/ The Perfect Father: The True Story of Chris Watts, John Glatt, St. Martin’s Press, (2021). “The Case of Chris Watts, Parts 1 - 3“, JCS - Criminal Psychology, YouTube; Jan 23, 2019. https://youtu.be/Xfg861hO-Ag American Murder: The Family Next Door, Netflix, (2020). 

This week I’ll discuss the Nicole Brown/Ron Goldman murders with my sister, Yolanda. We’ll go over the evidence, timeline, and motivation for the crimes that all point to OJ Simpson as the killer. We’ll also discuss why the jury may have decided to acquit Simpson of the double homicide even in the face of overwhelming evidence of his guilt. Resources: Evidence Dismissed: The Inside Story of the Police Investigation of O.J. Simpson, authors: Tom Lange, Phillip Vanatter, Dan Moldea, ©️1997, 2016. (If) I Did It: Confessions of the Killer, written by O.J. Simpson and Pablo Fenjves, introduction by Fred and Kim Goldman, Beaufort Books, New York, ©️2007. The OJ Simpson Case (1995), retrieved from Famous-Trials.com, https://famous-trials.com/simpson “What Happened to Al Cowlings, O.J. Simpson’s Former Teammate and White Bronco Driver?”, Luke Norris for Sportscasting.com, August 11, 2020. https://www.sportscasting.com/what-happened-to-al-cowlings-o-j-simpsons-former-teammate-and-white-bronco-driver/ “Murder Timel

In this episode I break down the myths and realities of infamous serial killer, Edmund Emil Kemper, “The Co-Ed Killer”. My special guest is Emerson Murray, author of The Murder Capital of the World. You can find out more about Emerson and purchase the book at www.emersonmurray.com/murder-capital-of-the-world To enter a drawing to receive a copy of Murder Capital of the World sign up for texts from OUAC by texting “OUAC” to 408-676-1770 (Texting rates may apply. U.S. listeners only are eligible for this giveaway. Text messaging provided by Text Sanity). Deadline to enter drawing is December 22nd. Winners will be randomly chosen December 23rd.

A young girl living outside of New Delhi, India is found murdered in her own bedroom in a high-security apartment building with her parents sleeping mere feet away. Was her murder an inside job or caused by an unknown intruder? Join us for this “whodunit” that has been called the “JonBenet Ramsay case of India”. Resources: “Behind Closed Doors: How a 13-Year-Old’s Murder Ignited Class Warfare” by Nick Schager for The Daily Beast, July 14, 2019. “Arushi murder case: A timeline of events”, The Hindu, October 12, 2017. “2008 Noida double murder case”, retrieved from Wikipedia.com. The Talwars: Behind Closed Doors (2017), Directed by P.A. Carter for HBO Asia and Star World. Links Get links to all our social media at our website www.truecrimepodcast.com