The Knife: A True Crime Podcast

Investigative reporter Samantha Michaels of Mother Jones spent a year digging into Oklahoma’s controversial “failure to protect” laws—statutes meant to safeguard children, but that can also send victims to prison. At the center of her reporting is Kerry King, a mother of four, and the fallout from a single night in January 2015, when her boyfriend, John Purdy, brutally abused both her and her four-year-old daughter, Lila.  In this episode, we speak with Michaels about her investigation and the broader implications of these laws. We also hear directly from Kerry King in a phone call from prison.  Article: https://www.motherjones.com/criminal-justice/2022/08/failure-to-protect-domestic-abuse-child-oklahoma-women-inequality-prison/  Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DEPpYkl8gI See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patia tells Hannah the story of LaVonne Skalias and her fight to survive two brutal attacks by her stalker, a man she barely knew.  Recommendation: Girl on the Run: The Hunt For America's Most Wanted WomanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chancy Lewis, a retired schoolteacher and recent widower, struck up an unlikely online friendship after receiving a text from a wrong number. Five short weeks later, his entire world began to unravel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, we're speaking with Dusty Turner, who was recently released from prison after 31 years. Dusty reflects on the night that changed his life forever and shares with us his plans for the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1995, 21-year-old Jennifer Evans was murdered in Virginia Beach. Dusty Turner and Billy Brown were both convicted and sent to prison. But from the beginning, Dusty maintained his innocence. Erin Lottman joins us to walk us through Dusty's case. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah tells Patia the story of a six-year undercover FBI operation infiltrating an international smuggling operation. Plus, Patia tells Hannah about her favorite new podcast.   Recommendation: Adults in the Room See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April Scales was 15, pregnant and running out of options. When her grandparents tried to step in, April made a devastating decision that changed the course of her life and landed her in prison. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patia tells Hannah a story about Christine Echohawk, who ran a sweeping online romance scam that drained more than $1.5 million from women who believed they were in love. But who was Christine working for and was she also a victim? Recommendation: Neighbors (HBO docuseries) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2018, Rebecca Peluso, a single mother whose daughter Ella has high-support-needs autism, sold off her belongings to afford a service dog she was told would change Ella’s life. Instead, Rebecca uncovered a devastating fraud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah tells Patia about the criminal case against the leaders of a religious group known as His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. Its leaders, Shelley Bailey “Kat” Martin and Darryl Muzic Martin, are now facing charges connected to a 2010 death within the group, as well as the case of a current missing person. Former members allege years of religious and physical abuse, claiming that Kat Martin presented herself as a god-like figure with the power to perform miracles, even the ability to raise the dead.  Anyone with information about Emilio Salmen Ghanem, his disappearance or his whereabouts is urged to contact the Redlands Police Detective Bureau at 909-551-4424  Anyone with information about Ruben Moreno’s whereabouts or disappearance is asked to call the Claremont Police Department at 909-399-5411. Tips can be submitted anonymously.  Recommendation: The Curious Case of…The Doomsday Cat Cult on HBO Max See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is part 2 of a 2-part series. Embroiled in a hellish custody battle over her 9-month-old daughter, Lee Barnett made a surprising and criminal decision, to leave the life she'd known behind and start a new one, as an international fugitive.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is part 1 of a 2-part series. Embroiled in a hellish custody battle over her 9-month-old daughter, Lee Barnett made a surprising and criminal decision, to leave the life she'd known behind and start a new one, as an international fugitive.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patia tells Hannah a story about a woman named Antonella Carpenter who charged thousands for a laser treatment she claimed was 100-percent effective in killing cancerous tumors. But in 2010, a federal investigation exposed a million-dollar fraud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’d like to introduce you to The First Degree, a true crime podcast from Jac Vanek and Alexis Linkletter. In episode 361, Jac and Lex unravel one night in 2006 when medical student Brian Shaffer disappeared, the theories that won’t die, and the question that haunts everyone: how does someone vanish into thin air?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2014, new parents, Jessica and Justin had just returned home from the hospital with their first baby, a boy. But after only one night home, Justin was killed. In an instant, Jessica’s world turned upside down as police hunted for the killer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patia tells Hannah the story of Oliver Karafa and Lucy Li, a married couple chasing fame and fortune who went on a deadly crime spree. Also, we have recommendations.  Recommended this week:   Valley of Shadows podcast  Heartwood by Amity Gaige (audiobook)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cassandra Rosa had just moved back to her home state when she began receiving vulgar messages from an anonymous number. Cassandra was being stalked. The more Cassandra asked for help, the worse things became. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah tells Patia a story about a Crime Analyst who spotted the most sinister connection between human remains found along a highway. And later, we hear from Frank Figliuzzi, a retired FBI Agent who breaks down the connection between long-haul trucking and some of America's most notorious serial killers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patia and Hannah share a behind-the-scenes update. Then, one of our favorite episodes from the archives - A Wrongful Conviction. Jennifer Thompson was a college student when a man broke into her home and sexually assaulted her. Jennifer did her best to help law enforcement capture her assailant, but years later would learn the wrong person had been held responsible.   Show Notes: Healing Justice  https://healingjusticeproject.org/   Picking Cotton  https://www.pickingcottonbook.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High-ranking executives at the Columbus Zoo are caught in a wild fraud scheme and experience an epic fall from grace. Marissa Gibson, who investigated their crimes, is here to tell us this bizarre story. And it all starts with a most unlikely whistle-blower. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah and Patia join Karen and Georgia on My Favorite Murder to discuss their approach to true crime storytelling, the importance of centering the voices of those affected by crime and what listeners can expect from their new show. Episode originally aired on My Favorite Murder on March 13, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kylie Bearse, a meteorologist at a local news channel in Denver, joins us to discuss what it feels like to be stalked by an obsessed man. When Kylie took legal action, she thought she’d be protected—until one night in September, when it became clear his obsession was far from over. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2017, a family friend’s concern over a peculiar coworker led FBI Agent Mark Hastbacka straight into the path of Dana Lawrence — a serial con artist hiding behind the alias “Genna Kaplan.” Patia tells Hannah how Hastbacka pieced together the truth behind Dana’s long con. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashlee and Kristal join us from Perth, Australia, to discuss the case of their mother, Donna Nelson. In January 2023, their 58-year-old mother was arrested in Tokyo on international drug-smuggling charges. Right away, they suspected the man Donna had been dating online. Together, Ashlee and Kristal share their family’s heartbreaking story, their ongoing fight for justice, and the warning signs of the elder drug mule scam.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Criminal defense attorney Michael Foote joins The Knife to discuss the murder trial of Bricen Rivers. In July of 2024, 22-year-old Lauren Johansen was found dead in the trunk of her own car. Her ex-boyfriend, Bricen Rivers, is now charged with capital murder. Lauren’s father is fighting to change the system that ignored the warning signs and allowed Rivers to be released on bail. We speak with Michael Foote about the case and how the criminal justice system failed to protect Lauren. Listen to Michael Foote’s podcast, Brief Recess, wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Heather Rovet met Jace Paratti, the chemistry was instant. And soon, they were making plans for the future. But when the relationship hit a rough patch, Heather wondered if maybe Jace was hiding something. What she discovered would thrust them both into international headlines and reveal that Jace Paratti wasn’t Jace Paratti at all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sudden passing of husband and father, Michael Cochran, in 2019, was initially a medical mystery. But when his widow, Natalie Cochran was convicted of fraud, a web of lies and a possible motive were revealed. By 2025 Natalie Cochran stood trial for his murder. Forensic Pathologist Dr. Paul Uribe walks us through the results of the autopsy he conducted on Michael Cochran’s remains and the role of his findings in Natalie Cochran’s shocking murder trial. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this crossover episode with lovelustfear, a podcast hosted by Jake Deptula, we hear a powerful story from a woman named Allyn. Allyn met a captivating man who swiftly declared his love, asked her to be his girlfriend, and even proposed. But as their long-distance relationship deepened, she uncovered his lingering connection with an ex, which led Allyn down a dark path of deception. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Jaime and Ben bought their first home in Lamar, Arkansas, a charming 1800s fixer-upper with two chimneys and a wraparound porch, they were thrilled to start their new life. But soon after moving in with their kids, strange things began to happen. What started as small, unexplained events grew harder to ignore, leading the family to wonder if their dream home might be haunted. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For nearly two decades Alec Couros has been the target of scammers on the internet. A professor and public speaker from Canada, Alec discovered in 2007 that his photos were being stolen and used in romance scams. Since then, his face has been used thousands of times to con victims around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elin Lantz Lesser joins us to talk about a cold case that haunted Texas for more than four decades, the 1974 murder of Carla Walker. Recently solved through DNA and genetic genealogy, Elin, host of America’s Crime Lab, walks us through how new science finally brought answers to a case that had gone cold for over 40 years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Josh were a young couple in Boston, raising two boys and building a happy life together. But one night, everything changed. After bringing their 3-month-old to the ER with a fever, a series of events spiraled out of control, ending with both their children taken from their home in the middle of the night, without a warrant. Their story exposes how a system meant to protect kids can tear a family apart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Patia tells the story of the Trenchcoat Robbers, Ray Bowman and William “Billy” Kirkpatrick, a notorious duo who evaded capture for two decades. It’s believed they robbed at least 28 banks in the United States. Patia uncovers new details about their crime spree and even speaks with someone personally connected to the story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Ellen was in college, she was kidnapped after leaving her shift at Applebee’s. She recounts the terrifying hour that followed as she was driven around the city, unsure if she would make it out alive.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Hannah answers a listener’s question about a man named Tommy Lee Buckley and his “Treasury Gate” scheme— a web of corruption, secret bank accounts, government conspiracy, and a billion dollar  payday that was always just around the corner.  Then, Patia dives into the dark side of sudden wealth with stories of lottery winners whose luck went sideways, including Tonda Dickerson’s unforgettable Alabama jackpot in 1999.  Recommendations:   The Lodge podcast  Blink podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Burt Rosen searched for his missing son, Matthew, for over twenty years. Matthew had been struggling with mental illness when he vanished in 2001. Burt spent day-after-day making phone calls, scouring the internet, searching for any sign of his son. And then, 23 years later, a tip came in that changed everything.  Hold On To Hope:  https://hold2hope.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patia shares a story she’s followed for years and has a personal connection to: the disappearance of Samantha Sayers, who vanished after hiking Vesper Peak in August 2018. Patia grew close with Samantha’s mother, who has never stopped searching for her daughter. Then, Hannah tells the extraordinary survival story of Robert Schock, who set out for a trail run in 2024 and survived 30 harrowing days lost in the wilderness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we speak with Johnathan Walton, creator of Queen of the Con and author of Anatomy of a Con Artist. Johnathan shares how he met “Mair Smyth,” grew to love her as a sister, and then was brutally betrayed when she conned him out of $100,000. Johnathan has since spoken with hundreds of other victims and built a handbook to expose the tricks con artists use to destroy lives.   Links:   Anatomy of a Con Artist: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/745592/anatomy-of-a-con-artist-by-johnathan-walton/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re talking scams. Hannah shares the story of a man whose photo was used to con thousands of women, and Patia takes us inside an unsettling case of identity theft.  Alex Couros’ Website: https://educationaltechnology.ca/information-for-romance-scam-victims/  Recommendations:   The Binge Cases: Catch Me If You Ken  Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beth Denton has always wondered what really happened to her cousin Patricia, who was murdered in 1970 in her home in Oklahoma City.  Decades later, she decided to find out. This week, we speak with Beth as she unravels this family tragedy and tells the story of Patricia's life and untimely death. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Patia and Hannah dig into listener emails, covering a rental scam, a case of digital dating abuse (yes, it’s real), and a cold case: the 2013 disappearance of Brookelyn Farthing.  Recommendations:  Aftermath: Hunt for the Anthrax Killer (Wolf Entertainment + CBC)   Against All Odds (Wondery)  Alone (History Channel)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patia and Hannah speak with Cassie, who attended a Halloween party at an Oregon State University fraternity in 2008. The night started with costumes, loud music and a crowded basement full of college students.  By the end of the night, Cassie was in the ER, holding a bag that contained her bloodstained costume. She soon found herself in a police interview recounting what happened. The state brought charges, and the case went to trial.  Cassie’s story is a personal account of navigating the legal system after reporting a rape. She did everything “right" but still faced a long, painful process. Her experience echoes the questions we’ve wrestled with in high-profile campus sexual assault cases: What does justice actually look like?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we bring you two crime stories in collaboration with Mandy and Melissa from Moms and Mysteries. Hannah and Patia discuss the killing of Richard Challen by his wife, Sally Challen. Then, Mandy and Melissa share the wild true story of the teenage serial thief known as the “Barefoot Bandit.” Plus, Patia and Hannah have recommendations.    Links:   Moms and Mysteries podcast: https://www.momsandmysteries.com/  David Challen’s book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/93021229-the-unthinkable  Recommendations:   There’s Something Wrong with Aunt Diane  Love Has Won See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Innes never set out to stop murders. But when his satirical website, RentAHitman.com, started attracting real requests for contract killings, he found himself in an unusual predicament. What, if anything, should he do about it? Now, he spends most of his spare time trying to intercept murder-for-hire plots, including an entire family wanted dead over an inheritance. But it turns out trying to stop a murder before it happens is tricky, especially when you aren’t in law enforcement.  www.rentahitman.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah and Patia sit down with Anna Sinfield, the producer and writer behind the first two hit seasons of The Girlfriends, to talk about why the world needs more stories of women winning. Stepping into the host seat for The Girlfriends: Spotlight, Anna shares what it’s like to dive headfirst into a story, the emotional toll of true crime, and what to expect from the highly anticipated new season, The Girlfriends: Jailhouse Lawyer. Also, Hannah shares an update on the Brenda Andrew case, including a U.S. Supreme Court opinion issued in Jan 2025.  Recommendations   Netflix Documentary: The Twister: Caught in the Storm   Podcast: Big Time (Apple/Campside Media)  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-girlfriends-spotlight/id1695875823  Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Only Woman on Oklahoma Death Row: https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/supreme-court-rules-in-favor-of-only-woman-on-oklahoma-death-row-confirming-admission-of-prejudicial-gendered-evidence-can-violate-due-process-rights See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tennyson and Kyle felt safe in their quiet, rural community—until their lives were shaken by not one, but two violent home invasions. It wasn’t random. The attacks were targeted, and Tennyson was the focus. Even more chilling: it all happened on her very first Mother’s Day as a new mom. We speak with Tennyson about the events of that day and the long road of healing that followed.  The Mother of All Days: https://www.amazon.com/Mother-All-Days-Break-Unexpected/dp/0997692375?ref_=ast_author_mpb  Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/north-bend-intruder-may-have-planned-sexual-assault-deputies-say/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patia shares a conversation she had with Shileshia and Eric Milligan, a couple who became victims of adoption fraud in 2019 after self-matching through a Facebook group. What began with hope quickly turned to fear when the teen birth mother claimed she was in danger. Then, Hannah unpacks the story of Tara Lee, the woman behind a multi-million dollar adoption scam that operated out of Michigan.  National Council for Adoption: How to Avoid Adoption Scams: https://adoptioncouncil.org/article/howtoavoidadoptionscams/  Recommendations: “Couples Therapy” documentary series   Adoption Scam Artist Sentenced to Federal Prison: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2020/02/26/macomb-co-adoption-scam-artist-tara-lee-sentenced-federal-prison/4879858002/  Couples Therapy Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmmIoCQ40hs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On November 23, 1985, Jackie Pflug took her seat aboard EgyptAir Flight 648. When the plane reached flying altitude, several men forcefully took control of the plane. Jackie’s flight was being hijacked. Jackie miraculously survived, but many others did not. Decades later, she tells a story of bravery, profound loss and hope.  Sydney Morning Herald –  https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/from-the-archives-1985-massacre-on-hijacked-egyptair-flight-648-20191122-p53d4w.html  Miles to Go Before I Sleep, by Jackie Pflug –  https://www.amazon.com/Miles-Before-Sleep-Survivors-Terrorist/dp/1568388373 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A listener sends in a tip about an international conman, Chadwick Hauser – who is still on the run. Through an interview with his ex-wife, Hannah tells Patia the story of a man whose scams have ruined lives across the world and whose victim list is still growing. For Chad’s ex-wife, Jordana, the end of their marriage was just the beginning. When the man she thought she loved vanished with her children, she would stop at nothing to get them back.  Victims of Chadwick Peel Hauser Facebook Page –  https://www.facebook.com/groups/505870920516958/  Associate for the Recovery of Children –  https://www.recoveryofchildren.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susan was going about a normal day at work when an FBI Agent showed up with terrifying news. She was on a hit list. A notorious terrorist organization wanted her dead. Susan tries to find out why she of all people would be targeted. As she tries to answer this question, she must also work to protect herself.  Articles referenced in the episode:   The Seattle Times:  https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/man-suspected-of-killing-3-in-king-county-will-not-face-the-death-penalty/  Department of Justice:   https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/maryland-man-charged-interstate-transportation-stolen-vehicle See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.