Severed | True Crime Podcast

We discuss Tracy J. Renshaw’s $1.5 million lawsuit against Outback Steakhouse over a slip-and-fall on mashed potatoes. We discuss Virginia’s contributory negligence law that could either set a precedent for survivors to collect compensation for personal injury or negate their claims based on their own culpability in the fall.CW | TW: This episode discusses alleged slip-and-fall and other injuries. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised.Email: [email protected]: severedpodcast.comInstagram: @severed_podcastTik Tok: @severedpodcastHosts: Harry Chambers + Drew HudsonLogo Art: Drew HudsonTheme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry ChambersShow Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew HudsonAvailable on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network and Radio Garden StateSourcesNews Clip:  A Woman Is Suing Outback Steakhouse for $1.5 Million (ABC News)Legal Blog: “How Contributory Negligence Works in Virginia” via Marks & Harrison (marksandharison.com)Legal Blog: “Outback Steakhouse Lawsuit to Proceed” via GWC Injury Lawyers (gwclaw.com)Article: “Virginia Woman Sues Outback Steakhouse for $1.5M After Allegedly Slipping on Mashed Potatoes and Falling at Restaurant” by Chiara Kim (People; people.com)Article: “Woman Sues Outback Steakhouse for $1.5M, Says She Slipped on Mashed Potatoes in Sterling Restaurant” by Brian Farrell (DC News Now; dcnewsnow.com)Article: “Outback Steakhouse Customer Sues Restaurant for $1.5M After Face-Plant Over ‘Slippery’ Mashed Potatoes” by Kyra Breslin (NY Post; nypost.com)Article: “Outback Steakhouse Closes Permanently In Sterling” via The Burn (theburn.com)

Drew solo hosts to discuss the harrowing rescue of a 27-year-old Chinese hiker from Mt. Fuji. The hiker purportedly lost his phone; hence, the dual trek and subsequent rescues.CW | TW: This episode discusses search, rescue, and death. Listener discretion is advised.Email: [email protected]: severedpodcast.comInstagram: @severed_podcastTik Tok: @severedpodcastHosts: Harry Chambers + Drew HudsonLogo Art: Drew HudsonTheme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry ChambersShow Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew HudsonAvailable on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network and Radio Garden StateSourcesNews: Man Rescued, Twice, from Mt. Fuji After Leaving Behind Phone (KTVB News)Website: Mount Fuji Climbing Official Website (fijisan-climb.jp)Article: “Mount Fuji Climber is Rescued Twice in One Week After Returning for Lost Phone” by Arata Yamamoto and Peter Guo (NBC News; nbcnews.com)Article: “Japan Imposes New Fees on Mount Fuji Climbers to Limit Tourists” by Reuters via NBC (nbcnews.com)Article: “6 Die on Mt. Fuji in First Month of Season, Topping Last Year’s Total” by Tatsuhiko YoshizawaArticle: “4 Bodies Recovered on Mount Fuji After Missing Climber Sent Photos from Summit to Family” by CBS Staff (cbsnews.com)

Drew solo hosts to discuss the Mama Shelter hotel chain, known for its sex-positive hospitality, where character masks and vibrator rubber duckies are sold. We break down content creator Hazi Adamu’s viral TikTok about the hotel, and her shock that it was a naughtier sex-cation than previously realized.CW | TW: This episode discusses mature themes involving sex; NSFW. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised.Email: [email protected]: severedpodcast.comInstagram: @severed_podcastTik Tok: @severedpodcastHosts: Harry Chambers + Drew HudsonLogo Art: Drew HudsonTheme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry ChambersShow Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew HudsonAvailable on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network and Radio Garden StateSourcesTikTok:  Hipster Sex Hotel (@h2okayy) Website: Mama Shelter (mamashelter.com)Website: ARK Living (arkliving.com)Article: “Woman Checks Into What She Thinks Is A Trendy Hotel, Then Gets the Feeling It’s Something More (Exclusive)” by Ashley Vega (People; people.com)Article: “Londoner Expecting A ‘Hipster’ Experience Ends Up At A ‘Sex Hotel’ by Natasha Decker (Travel Noire; travelnoire.com)Article: “Mama Shelter London Closes as Co-Living Operator Rebrands Site” by Eloise Hanson (Boutique Hotel News; boutiquehotelnews.com)Article: “The London Outpost of Affordable Boutique Hotel Chain Mama Shelter Has Shut” by Eoise Feilden (TimeOut; timeout.com)Article: “Londoner Expecting A ‘Hipster’ Experience Ends Up At A ‘Sex Hotel’” by Natasha Decker (Yahoo; yahoo.com)

Drew solo hosts to discuss Kreisliga C referee Stefan Kahler, bitten by the young child of a FC Taxi II player in Duisburg, Germany. This surprising and strange incident is part of a larger discourse about referee abuse and the stricter policies implemented to protect them from enraged fans, from high school to professional athletes.CW | TW: This episode discusses verbal and physical abuse towards referees, including biting. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised.Email: [email protected]: severedpodcast.comInstagram: @severed_podcastTik Tok: @severedpodcastHosts: Harry Chambers + Drew HudsonLogo Art: Drew HudsonTheme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry ChambersShow Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew HudsonAvailable on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network and Radio Garden StateSourcesNews Clip: Bizarre Referee Incident: A Shocking Incident from Germany (MorningKickaround)U.S. Soccer Report: “Referee Abuse Prevention: 2026” via U.S. Soccer (ussoccer.com)Article: “German Soccer Player’s Child Bites Referee’s Testicle Forcing Game to Be Canceled” by M.B. Mack (Latin Times; latintimes.com)Article: “German Soccer Player’s Child Bites Referee’s Crotch Forcing the Game to Be Canceled” by Natasha Dye (People; people.com)Article: “Soccer Player Is Run Over by Medical Golf Cart as It Transports His Injured Teammate Off the Pitch During Game” by Escher Walcott (People; people.com)Article: “German Soccer Match Called Off After Ref Got Bitten in the Testicle” by Connor Toole (BroBible; brobible.com)Article: “German Soccer Match Canceled After Child Bites Referee’s Testicle” by James Dator (SBNation; sbnation.com)Article: “State Legislation Aimed at Protecting Sports Officials From Assaults or Harassment” via NASO (naso.org)Article: “Assaults on Officials Raise Doubts About the Future of Youth Sports” by Maya A. Jones and Sara Coello (ESPN; espn.com)Article: “Why Children Bite” via Stanford Medicine: Children’s Health (stanfordchildrens.org)

We discuss the accidental-to-intentional damage of artwork by museumgoers and social or political protestors from Italy to Paris. We primarily focus on Nicola Bolla’s Van Gogh-inspired, Swarovski crystal-encrusted chair in the Palazzo Maffei in Verona. CW | TW: This episode discusses the accidental to intentional destruction of private property or ownership. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised.Email: [email protected]: severedpodcast.comInstagram: @severed_podcastTik Tok: @severedpodcastHosts: Harry Chambers + Drew HudsonLogo Art: Drew HudsonTheme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry ChambersShow Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew HudsonAvailable on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network and Radio Garden StateSourcesNews Clip:  Tourist Breaks Nicola Bolla’s ‘Van Gogh’ Chair By Sitting On It (ABC 7 Chicago)CCTV Footage: “Moment Tourist Shatters Crystal-Coated Chair Artwork in Museum” (YouTube Short)Museum: Palazzo Maffei (palazzomaffeiverona.com)Artsy Profile: Nicola Bolla (Artsy; artsy.net)HENI Profile: Nicola Bolla (HENI; heni.com)Van Gogh’s Chair Profile: Van Gogh’s Chair Portrait (The National Gallery; nationalgallery.org.uk)Article: “Visitors Break Crystal Chair in Sit-and-Run at Italian Museum” by Claire Moses (NYT; nytimes.com)Article: “Visitor Smashes Crystal-Covered ‘Van Gogh’ Chair At Italian Museum” by News Desk (ArtForum; artforum.com)Article: “Museum’s Plea After Couple Break Crystal-Covered Chair” by Joshua Cheetham (BBC; bbc.com)Article: “Museumgoers Accidentally Break Fragile Crystal-Covered Chair Inspired by Vincent van Gogh Painting” by Sonja Anderson (Smithsonian; smithsonian.org)Article: “Hours After the Protesters Who Threw Soup at a Van Gogh Were Sentenced, Three More Activists Repeated the Stunt” by Sonja Anderson (Smithsonian; smithsonian.org)Article: “Climate Activists Throw Soup at the ‘Mona Lisa’” by Sonja Anderson (Smithsonian; smithsonian.org)Article: “Museumgoer Posing for Photo Stumbles Into Portrait of Medici Prince, Damaging the Historic Painting” by Aurora Martinez (Smithsonian; smithsonian.org)Article: “Museum’s CCTV Shows Moment Visitor Broke Artwork By Sitting On It” by Billy Stockwell (CNN; cnn.com)Article: “Tourists Break ‘Van Gogh’Chair, By Nicola Bolla, By Sitting On It” by Maxwell Rabb (Artsy; Artsy.net)

We discuss the 47-year-old American tourist who impaled himself on the spiked gates outside the Colosseum in the Palazzo di Colosseo in Rome. This ancient arena draws millions of tourists per year, who, unfortunately, deface the landmark with either their body or their carved initials.CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic medical details, including bodily injury and stitches. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised.Email: [email protected]: severedpodcast.comInstagram: @severed_podcastTik Tok: @severedpodcastHosts: Harry Chambers + Drew HudsonLogo Art: Drew HudsonTheme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry ChambersShow Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew HudsonAvailable on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network and Radio Garden StateSourcesRoyalty-Free Music: ⁠"Italian Country Music"⁠ by Lurè dill'asprumunti (The King of the Aspromonte / Giuseppe Musolino) via SyncphphpaxNews Clip: Man Armed with Two Swords Shot by Police in New Jersey (ABC 7 Eyewitness News)Article: “American Tourist Impaled on Colosseum Fence for 20 Minutes” by Lois M. Collins (Desert News; deseret.com)Article: “Rome: Man Climbs Over Colosseum Gates But Falls and Is Impaled By Bars, Shocking Dozens of Tourists” by Marco De Risi (Il Messaggero; ilmessaggero.it)Article: “American Tourist Climbs Over Fence at Colosseum, Impales Himself on Spike” by Clara Harter (Los Angeles Times; latimes.com)Article: “Tourist Horrifically Impaled While Climbing Spiked Fence at Colosseum to Take a Photo: Reports” by Mona Thomas (People; people.com)Article: “More Tourists Caught Defacing Rome’s Ancient Colosseum” by Jack Guy and Sharon Bratihwaite (CNN; cnn.com)Travel Blog Post: “Which is the Ideal Colosseum Entrance? Sperone Valadier or the Stern Gate?” via HeadOut BlogTravel Blog Post: “Colosseum Bag Policy: Backpack Rules for Your Visit” via Queepl (qeepl.com)Medical Reference: Lumbosacral Region of the Spine via NY Presbyterian Hospital (nyp.org)

We timeline the night of Kathleen Peterson’s death, reexamine autopsy details, discuss their relationship/marital issues, and conclude with the owl and our own theories about whether Michael Peterson was involved in his wife’s death.CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic crime scenes and autopsy details, bloody imagery, potential signs of domestic violence, inferred child neglect and/or child abuse, violence towards an animal, and a barred owl. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised.Email: [email protected]: severedpodcast.comInstagram: @severed_podcastHosts: Harry Chambers + Drew HudsonLogo Art: Drew HudsonTheme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry ChambersShow Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew HudsonAvailable on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network and Radio Garden StateSourceBook: Written in Blood by Diane Fanning (2005)Book: Death by Talons by Tiddy Smith (2023)Autopsy Report: Kathleen Hunt Peterson via AutopsyFiles.orgArticle: “Subarachnoid Hemorrhage” via Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.org)Article: “Investigation of Injuries Sustained From Falls Down Stairs” by Christiana Legaspi, Tyler Hickey, Michael Pickup, Yi Han via NIH (Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine Vo. 98, August 2023)Article: “Scalp Lacerations” by Abdulaziz and Mohammed Madadin via StatePearls; NIH/NLM (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)Article: “‘Death by Talons’ Makes an Unconvincing Case for the Owl Theory” by Mark I. Pinsky (IndyWeek; indyweek.com)Article: “No, Barred Owls Are Not Trying to Kill You” by Becca Cudmore (Audubon Society; audubon.org)

We discuss the blowpoke returneth, verdict, and Michael Peterson’s eight-year sentence, followed by an Alford Schmalford plea. This concludes our 13-episode odyssey into the Netflix docuseries. CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic crime scene details, including blood imagery and strong sexual themes. NSFW. Profanity included. Listener discretion is advised.Email: [email protected]: severedpodcast.comInstagram: @severed_podcastHosts: Harry Chambers + Drew HudsonLogo Art: Drew HudsonTheme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry ChambersShow Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew HudsonAvailable on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network and Radio Garden StateSourceDocuseries: The Staircase (2018) | Netflix

We discuss the use of deadly (not fatal) force by Lt. Douglas Itjen on the sword-wielding Connor Darpino, in his Wayne, NJ home in February 2025. Darpino threatened to stab officers with two antique swords while he was overdrugged on Xanax.  CW | TW: This episode discusses a purported mental health crisis, rules of deadly (and other use of force directives), and weapons, specifically swords and guns. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠severedpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@severed_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew HudsonLogo Art: Drew HudsonTheme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry ChambersShow Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson SourcesNews Clip: ⁠Man Armed with Two Swords Shot by Police in New Jersey⁠ (ABC 7 Eyewitness News)Manual: ⁠NJ Use of Force Policy⁠ (⁠nj.gov⁠)Article: ⁠“Alprazolam Tablets”⁠ (Cleveland Clinic; ⁠my.clevelandclinic.org⁠)Article: ⁠“Officials ID Sword-Wielding Man, Wayne Officer Involved in Shooting”⁠ by Michelle Rotuno-Johnson (Wayne Patch News; ⁠patch.com⁠)Article: ⁠“Can Xanax Make You Angry?”⁠ (White Light Behavioral Health; ⁠whitelightbh.com⁠)Article: ⁠“Sword-Carrying N.J. Man Shot By Cop in His Home Plans to Sue Police”⁠ by Anthony G. Attrino (⁠NJ.com⁠)Article: ⁠“Officials Release Bodycam Video from Police Shooting in Wayne”⁠ by Matt Trapani (News 12 New Jersey; ⁠newjersey.news12.com⁠)Article: ⁠“Attorney Investigates Civil Claims About Wayne Police After Shooting of Sword-Wielding Man”⁠ by Manahil Ahmad (⁠NorthJersey.com⁠; republished by Yahoo! News)

We discuss the brutal and senseless crossbow attack on Katarina Ruk, former co-owner of Birds by Joe 2, in Saddle Brook, NJ. Raymond Carey, from Hasbrouck Heights, was apprehended by an NJ task force at a Dunkin’ in Pine Beach.CW | TW: This episode discusses attempted violence with a crossbow and mentions of a criminal history involving other forms of violence and a restraining order. Listener discretion is advised. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠severedpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@severed_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew HudsonLogo Art: Drew HudsonTheme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry ChambersShow Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson SourcesNews Clip: ⁠⁠Woman Shot in Face with Crossbow⁠⁠ (NBC 4 New York)Website: ⁠⁠Birds by Joe⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠Birds by Joe 2⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠Saddle Brook Police Department ⁠⁠Article: ⁠⁠“NJ Pet Store Owner Says Man with Crossbow ‘Just Came in and Shot Me’; Didn’t Say a Word”⁠⁠ by Pat Battle and NBC New York Staff (NBC 4 New York; ⁠⁠nbcnewyork.com⁠⁠)Article: ⁠⁠“Arrest Made After Bird Store Owner Shot in Face with Crossbow in Saddle Brook”⁠⁠ by ABC Staff (ABC7 Eyewitness News; ⁠⁠abc7ny.com⁠⁠)Article: ⁠⁠“Parrot Worth $7K Stolen from Pet Store in Saddle Brook, New Jersey: Police”⁠⁠ by Eyewitness News Staff (ABC 7 Eyewitness News; ⁠⁠abc7ny.com⁠⁠)Article: ⁠⁠“Judge Rules to Detain Bergen Man Accused of ‘Extraordinarily Violent’ Crossbow Attack”⁠⁠ by Kaitlyn Kanzler (⁠⁠NorthJersey.com⁠⁠)Article: ⁠⁠“Hasbrouck Heights Man Charged with Attempted Murder After Crossbow Attack in Saddle Brook”⁠⁠ by Lucas Frau (⁠⁠NorthJersey.com⁠⁠)Article: ⁠⁠“Judge Rules to Detain Bergen Man Accused of ‘Extraordinarily Violent’ Crossbow Attack”⁠⁠ by Kaitlyn Kanzler (⁠⁠Northjersey.com⁠⁠)Article: ⁠⁠“Hasbrouck Heights Man Arrested for Attempted Murder in Saddle Brook Crossbow Incident”⁠⁠ by TAPInto Hasbrouck Heights/Wood-Ridge/Teterboro Staff (TAPInto; ⁠⁠tapinto.net⁠⁠)Article: ⁠⁠“Raymond Carey Arrested In Birds By Joe 2 Crossbow Attack”⁠⁠ by Cecilia Levine (DailyVoice; ⁠⁠dailyvoice.com⁠⁠)