The Criminal Hour

In 2017, Tiffiney Crawford was found dead with two gunshot wounds to the head, which her husband, Jason Crawford, initially claimed was a suicide. However, after a lengthy investigation, forensic evidence suggested foul play. Jason was arrested and charged with murder in 2018. During his 2022 trial, key evidence, including his evasive 911 call and the forensic improbability of suicide by two shots, led to his conviction. In 2023, Jason was sentenced to 99 years in prison for the murder of his wife, though he continues to claim innocence and has filed an appeal

In 2015, Dr. Teresa Sievers, a respected holistic physician, was brutally murdered in her Bonita Springs home. She was bludgeoned to death with a hammer, and the investigation soon revealed that her husband, Mark Sievers, had orchestrated the murder for financial gain, aiming to collect on her life insurance policies. Mark enlisted his longtime friend, Curtis Wayne Wright, who hired Jimmy Ray Rodgers to carry out the crime. Mark Sievers was sentenced to death in 2019, while Wright and Rodgers received long prison sentences for their roles in the murder

In May 2019, University of Georgia professor Marianne Shockley tragically died while visiting the home of Clark Heindel in Milledgeville, Georgia, with her boyfriend, Marcus Lillard. Initially, Lillard and Heindel claimed she drowned in a hot tub, but authorities suspected foul play due to inconsistencies and the presence of blood. As the investigation unfolded, Heindel committed suicide, leaving many unanswered questions. Lillard was charged with murder but was acquitted in 2022. Despite this, the case remains shrouded in mystery, with the exact circumstances of Shockley’s death still unresolved

In 2021, Chandler Halderson, a 23-year-old from Windsor, Wisconsin, murdered and dismembered his parents, Bart and Krista Halderson. Chandler had been lying to his family about his education and job prospects. When his father confronted him about his lies, Chandler fatally shot both his parents, later dismembering their bodies in an attempt to conceal the crime. After his arrest, Chandler was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case shocked the community due to its brutality and the deception at its core

Catherine Shelton, a former Texas defense attorney, has been linked to multiple violent incidents and suspicious deaths over several decades. Notably, she was accused of shooting her ex-boyfriend Gary Taylor, and her second husband was convicted of murdering Michael Hierro. Despite these connections, Shelton has largely avoided severe legal consequences, often due to her legal expertise. Her most recent charges involve fraud, after she allegedly used an elderly man’s identity in 2017. Shelton’s controversial life continues to intrigue true crime followers, with many unresolved questions surrounding her involvement in these cases.

In 1976, 19-year-old Patricia Columbo and her 39-year-old boyfriend, Frank DeLuca, brutally murdered her parents, Frank and Mary, and her 13-year-old brother, Michael, in their Elk Grove Village home. The murders, driven by Columbo’s toxic relationship with DeLuca and deep family conflict, shocked the community. Both were sentenced to over 300 years in prison. Despite numerous attempts for parole, Columbo remains incarcerated, with her parole repeatedly denied due to lack of remorse. DeLuca died in prison in 2023. The case continues to draw attention due to its brutality and ongoing parole battles

In 1989, Robert John Bardo stalked and murdered actress Rebecca Schaeffer after tracking down her home address through the DMV. His obsession with the young star, fueled by mental illness and delusions, culminated in her fatal shooting at her Los Angeles doorstep. Bardo was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. The crime prompted the creation of the first anti-stalking laws in California, which were later adopted nationwide. These laws now protect individuals from malicious harassment and invasion of privacy. Bardo remains imprisoned at Avenal State Prison in California

In March 2023, Michael McKim fatally shot Janson Pilat in Shiner, Texas, during a confrontation after tracking his wife’s location to Pilat’s home using a phone locator. McKim was initially charged with aggravated assault, but when Pilat died 12 days later, the charge was upgraded to murder. McKim’s daughter, Kayla, was later indicted on murder charges for her involvement in the incident. The case has attracted attention due to its complex family dynamics, the use of tracking technology, and the ongoing legal battles for both McKim and his daughter

Martin Peter Trenneborg, a Swedish doctor, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2016 for kidnapping a woman and imprisoning her in a soundproof bunker he had meticulously constructed over several years. He drugged the victim with sedative-laced strawberries and transported her 550 kilometers to his rural home, where he intended to keep her captive long-term. The victim escaped after six days when Trenneborg took her to the police station. While he admitted to the abduction, he denied rape charges. His case drew comparisons to Josef Fritzl and sparked public outrage over his relatively lenient sentence

The Jennifer Pan case involves the 2010 murder of her mother, Bich Ha Pan, and the attempted murder of her father, Hann Pan, orchestrated by Jennifer. After years of deception about her academic success, Jennifer plotted the murders with her boyfriend, Daniel Wong, and hired accomplices. Her strict upbringing and desire for freedom fueled this plan. Convicted in 2015, she received life without parole for 25 years. However, in 2023, her first-degree murder conviction was overturned, and she is awaiting retrial

Mark Twitchell, dubbed the “Dexter Killer,” was convicted of murdering Johnny Altinger in 2008 in Edmonton, Canada. Twitchell, an aspiring filmmaker, was heavily influenced by the TV show Dexter and transformed his rented garage into a “kill room” similar to the ones depicted in the show. He lured victims through fake online dating profiles, succeeding in killing Altinger after a failed attempt to murder another man, Gilles Tetreault. Twitchell was convicted of first-degree murder in 2011 and sentenced to life in prison. His case continues to garner attention through books, documentaries, and media

The Lynda Block case involves the 1993 murder of Opelika, Alabama, police officer Roger Dean by Lynda Lyon Block and her partner, George Sibley. After a confrontation over an expired license plate led to a gunfight, Block and Sibley were arrested and sentenced to death. Block, espousing sovereign citizen beliefs, refused legal counsel and argued the court had no jurisdiction. She was executed by electric chair in 2002, the first woman executed in Alabama since 1957 and the last U.S. person executed by electric chair before lethal injection became the norm. Sibley was executed in 2005.

The “Prom Night Murders” case involves Jeff Pelley, who was convicted in 2006 of killing his father, stepmother, and two stepsisters in 1989, hours before his high school prom. He was sentenced to 160 years in prison, despite the prosecution’s case being largely circumstantial. Pelley has maintained his innocence, and his legal team has repeatedly appealed for a new trial, citing mishandled evidence and inadequate defense. However, in 2024, a judge denied his request for a retrial. The case remains controversial, with continued debate about his guilt and the possibility of a wrongful conviction

The Angie Dodge case, involving the 1996 rape and murder of 18-year-old Angie in Idaho Falls, initially led to the wrongful conviction of Christopher Tapp, who was coerced into confessing. After spending 20 years in prison, Tapp was exonerated in 2019, thanks to DNA evidence and genealogical testing that identified Brian Dripps as the real perpetrator. Dripps confessed and was sentenced to life in prison. Angie’s mother, Carol Dodge, played a key role in pushing for justice, and the case has become a landmark in DNA use and wrongful conviction awareness

Scott Peterson was convicted in 2004 for the murders of his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son, Conner, a case that captured nationwide attention. Despite his conviction, Peterson maintains his innocence, and recent legal efforts seek a retrial. His defense team has introduced new evidence, including DNA testing on duct tape and testimonies suggesting alternative suspects. However, prosecutors and Laci’s family remain firm in their belief that Peterson is guilty. As of 2024, courts are reviewing this evidence, with a decision pending on whether Peterson will get a retrial

Ben Renick, a renowned Missouri snake breeder, was murdered in 2017, initially believed to have been killed by one of his reptiles. However, investigators discovered he had been shot multiple times. His wife, Lynlee Renick, became the prime suspect, motivated by financial struggles and a $1 million life insurance policy. After a failed attempt to poison Ben, Lynlee enlisted her ex-boyfriend Michael Humphrey to help murder him. Lynlee and an accomplice, Ashley Shaw, attempted to create an alibi, but police uncovered the plot. In 2021, Lynlee was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 16 years in prison.

In 2015, Denise Huskins was kidnapped from the home of her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn, in Vallejo, California. Initially, the police dismissed the abduction as a hoax, drawing comparisons to Gone Girl, and accused the couple of faking the incident. However, three months later, Matthew Muller, a disbarred attorney, was arrested and confessed to the crime. The couple sued the Vallejo police for defamation and false accusations, eventually receiving a $2.5 million settlement. Muller was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the kidnapping and assault.

John Wayne Gacy was an American serial killer who murdered 33 young men and boys between 1972 and 1978 in Illinois. He lured victims to his home, often under the guise of offering them work or a place to stay, before sexually assaulting and killing them. Gacy buried most of his victims in the crawl space of his house. Known as the “Killer Clown” for his appearances at children’s parties as “Pogo the Clown,” Gacy’s crimes were discovered in 1978. He was convicted and sentenced to death in 1980, and was executed by lethal injection in 1994.

Aileen Wuornos, a notorious American serial killer, was convicted of murdering seven men in Florida between 1989 and 1990. Working as a sex worker, Wuornos claimed the killings were in self-defense, alleging that the men had either raped or attempted to rape her. She was arrested in 1991 after her accomplice, Tyria Moore, cooperated with police. Wuornos was later sentenced to death and executed by lethal injection in 2002. Her life, marked by abuse and trauma, and her crimes became the subject of media attention, inspiring the 2003 film Monster, in which Charlize Theron portrayed her.

The Lucie Blackman case revolves around the 2000 disappearance of a 21-year-old British woman working as a hostess in Tokyo. After a paid date with a client, Lucie vanished, and her dismembered body was later found in a seaside cave. The investigation led to Joji Obara, a wealthy businessman responsible for drugging and assaulting hundreds of women. Though initially acquitted of her murder due to lack of evidence, Obara was eventually convicted of other crimes, including dismembering her body. Lucie’s case exposed systemic issues in Japan's handling of crimes against women, particularly foreign workers​

The Toolbox Killers were Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris, a duo of American serial killers active in 1979. They gained infamy for abducting, torturing, and murdering five teenage girls in Southern California. Their name comes from the use of tools, such as pliers and hammers, to carry out brutal torture on their victims. The pair recorded audio of their horrific acts, further adding to the gruesome nature of their crimes. Bittaker was sentenced to death and died in 2019, while Norris received life in prison without parole. Their case remains one of the most chilling in U.S. criminal history.

Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three, was charged with the murder of her husband, Eric Richins, in 2022. Authorities allege that Kouri poisoned Eric with a fatal dose of fentanyl, motivated by financial struggles and life insurance policies. Prior to her arrest, Kouri wrote a children's book about grief, which added a bizarre twist to the case. Investigations revealed a history of suspicious behavior, including an affair and an earlier attempt to poison Eric. Kouri's trial has gained significant media attention due to its strange and chilling elements​

On November 30, 2021, 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley opened fire at Oxford High School in Michigan, killing four students—Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, Hana St. Juliana, and Justin Shilling—and wounding seven others. Crumbley used a 9mm handgun that his father had purchased days before. His disturbing behavior was noticed by school staff before the shooting, but no immediate action was taken. Crumbley pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including murder and terrorism. His parents were also charged with involuntary manslaughter for failing to secure the firearm and address his mental health concerns​.

Mark Winger, a nuclear engineer from Springfield, Illinois, was convicted of the 1995 murders of his wife, Donnah Winger, and Roger Harrington, a shuttle driver. Initially, Winger claimed he shot Harrington in self-defense after Harrington attacked Donnah with a hammer. The case was closed as justifiable homicide. However, four years later, new evidence, including phone records and testimony from Winger's lover, revealed that Winger had lured Harrington to his home and staged the crime to cover up his wife's murder. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2002

The tragic murder of Heather DeWild is a case that has continued to captivate the public even years after the crime occurred. It is a haunting story of family betrayal, violence, and a slow but determined pursuit of justice. This detailed exploration dives deeper into the emotional, psychological, and legal aspects of the case while weaving in the latest developments and insights, including the renewed attention in 2024 from a 48 Hours feature titled The Devil’s Twin.