The Arkin's Hearth

This episode of The Arkins Hearth explores the chilling case of Sean Lannon, whose crimes came to light after four bodies were discovered in a vehicle at Albuquerque’s Sunport in 2021.The hosts trace Lannon’s unraveling life, the brutal murders of people close to him, and the multi-state investigation that followed. After his arrest, Lannon confessed to multiple killings, though many details remain unclear.The episode reflects on the victims, the unanswered questions, and how an ordinary place became the center of something horrific.Art by: The PixieREFERENCES Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Sean M. Lannon. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.Associated Press. (2022). Man pleads guilty in New Jersey killing tied to multi-state case.Associated Press. (2024). Man sentenced in New Mexico killings connected to Sunport case.Reisen, M. (2024). Grants man pleads guilty to 4 killings in 2021 case. Albuquerque Journal.

On a quiet night in Albuquerque in March 1996, a routine closing shift at a neighborhood video store turned into one of the city’s most haunting crimes. What began as a robbery at a local Hollywood Video escalated into a brutal chain of events that left five people dead, including two grandparents who arrived at the wrong place at the wrong time.In this episode, we unpack the timeline, the investigation, and the lasting impact of the Hollywood Video Murders. From the lives of the victims to the arrests of Shane Harrison and Esther Beckley, we explore how a single night shattered a sense of safety for an entire community, and why, decades later, the echoes of that night still linger.Art By the PixieReferences Albuquerque Journal. (1996, March–April). Coverage of the Hollywood Video killings. Retrieved from https://www.abqjournal.com (Search: “Hollywood Video murders Albuquerque 1996”)The New York Times. (1996, March 6). 5 Are Slain in New Mexico Video Store Robbery. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.comAssociated Press. (1996). Reports on Albuquerque video store killings. Available via multiple archives (e.g., Google News Archive).KOAT-TV. (Various years). Cold case and anniversary coverage of the Hollywood Video murders. Retrieved from https://www.koat.comKRQE News 13. (Various years). Remembering the Hollywood Video murders. Retrieved from https://www.krqe.comState of New Mexico v. Harrison, court records (1996–1998). (Available via New Mexico court archives or legal databases such as Justia or Lexis summaries.)Murderpedia. (n.d.). Shane Harrison. Retrieved from https://murderpedia.org

Unwrap this insane case of murder in this true-crime episode from The Arkins Hearth, which explores the 1999 disappearance of Girly Chew Hossencofft in Albuquerque, uncovering a calculated, body-less murder driven by deception, control, and chilling ideology.Art by the PixieReferencesBarrett, J. (2002). No body homicide cases: Legal strategies and challenges. Journal of Criminal Law, 45(3), 233–251.McGaffin, J. (2002). The Hossencofft case: A study in circumstantial evidence. Albuquerque Journal Archives.New Mexico v. Hossencofft, 2002-NMSC-005 (New Mexico Supreme Court).Ochoa, J. (2001). Conviction without a body: The evolving standards of proof. American Criminal Review, 38(4), 1275–1302.State of New Mexico v. Henning, CR-1999-XXXX (District Court Records).State of New Mexico v. Reid, CR-1999-XXXX (District Court Records).Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2000). Behavioral analysis in no-body homicide cases. FBI Law Enforcement

Step beyond the ordinary and into the surreal as we explore Meow Wolf—the mind-bending art collective redefining what an “experience” can be. In this episode, our four hosts share their firsthand journeys through the original House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe, from crawling through hidden passageways to unraveling the strange, interconnected storylines buried inside the walls. We swap personal moments of confusion, awe, and even a little existential dread, as one of us compares experiences between Santa Fe and Convergence Station in Denver, revealing how each location builds its own unique universe. We also look ahead to Meow Wolf’s expanding future, including new locations on the horizon and the upcoming tabletop role-playing game that promises to bring its chaotic, creative worlds right to your own table. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to step inside a living story, or just want to hear what happens when four people try to make sense of it, this episode pulls you into the mystery.Original Art by the Pixie

Venture into the shadow of Superstition Mountains, in Arizona, and uncover the enduring mystery of the Lost Dutchman’s Mine, a legend of gold, deception, and deadly obsession tied to Jacob Waltz. This episode separates fact from folklore, exploring vanished miners, questionable maps, and the harsh desert that has claimed lives in pursuit of fortune. In the end, the real story may not be the gold, but the people willing to risk everything to find it.Art by the PixieREFERENCES Arizona State Parks. (n.d.). Lost Dutchman State Park: The legend. https://azstateparks.comBritannica. (n.d.). Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lost-Dutchmans-Gold-MineBritannica. (n.d.). Superstition Mountains. https://www.britannica.com/place/Superstition-MountainsGentry, C. L. (1968). The Lost Dutchman Mine of Jacob Waltz. University of New Mexico Press.Reilly, J. (1978). The Lost Dutchman Mine. University of New Mexico Press.Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine. Wikipedia.Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Superstition Mountain. Wikipedia.Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Weaver’s Needle. Wikipedia.Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Peralta Stones. Wikipedia.

This episode explores the legend of La Llorona, the Weeping Woman, and her lasting influence on New Mexico’s culture. We trace her origins, cultural evolution, and why she remains a powerful symbol in the Southwest. We explore why La Llorona endures, her emotional impact, adaptability, and presence in art and daily life. More than a ghost story, she’s part of New Mexico’s identity.Original Art by The PixieREFERENCE LISTBooks & Academic SourcesPerez, D. R. (2008). There was a woman: La Llorona from folklore to popular culture. University of Texas Press.Radford, B. (2014). Mysterious New Mexico: Miracles, magic, and monsters in the Land of Enchantment. University of New Mexico Press.Web & Folklore SourcesCastro, M. (Ed.). (n.d.). La Llorona. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/La-LloronaLa Llorona — Legends of America. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/gh-lallorona/La Llorona; the Wailing Woman (Fort Union National Monument, NPS). https://www.nps.gov/foun/learn/news/october-20-2016.htmRamírez Plascencia, D. (2017). The role of the Internet in the endurance of “La Llorona” as a liminal archetypal monster in modern Latin American society. eTropic: Electronic Journal of Studies in the Tropics, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.25120/etropic.16.1.2017.3567

In this episode, we examine the events of the Serial Killer Robert Fry. Join The Arkins Hearth as we discuss the complexities of justice, accountability, and public reaction.Art By the PixieReferences:Scott, R. (2005). Monster slayer: The true story of a New Mexico serial killer. Pinnacle Books.New Mexico Supreme Court. (2003). State v. Fry, 2003-NMSC-006. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/nm-supreme-court/1397835.htmlNew Mexico Supreme Court. (2005). State v. Fry, 2005-NMSC-039. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/nm-supreme-court/1362743.htmlKrueger, J. (2008). Death penalty decisions in New Mexico. Albuquerque Journal.Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.). Serial murder: Multi-disciplinary perspectives for investigators. https://www.fbi.govNew Mexico Corrections Department. (n.d.). Offender information: Robert Fry. https://cd.nm.govAssociated Press. (2001–2004). Coverage of Robert Fry trials and convictions.The Daily Times. (1996–2004). Local coverage of the Eclectic homicides and subsequent investigations.

In the first episode of the Hero Series, we share the remarkable life of John Brenner, a man whose story spans generations and continents. From escaping the horrors of the Blitz as a child to serving in the Korean War to dedicating over fifty years to medicine, John’s life is defined by resilience and service. He brought care to those in hospice, supported communities on the reservation, and did it all with a sharp sense of humor that never left him. This episode is a tribute to a man who didn’t just live through history; he spent his life helping others survive it, too.Art by the PixieReferences:Michael ChandlerShieila Brenner-Willmett

This podcast explores the haunting case of the West Mesa Murders in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the remains of eleven women and one unborn child were uncovered in 2009, revealing a long-hidden tragedy. Through sensitive storytelling, the script traces the victims' discovery, identities, and lives, the ongoing investigation, and the enduring impact on families and the community.Art by The PixieCall for InformationIf you or anyone you know has information:118th Street Task Force: 1-877-765-8273 or 505-768-2450Crime Stoppers: 505-843-STOPEmail Investigator Ida Lopez: [email protected] Leaders Open the Women’s Memorial Park with Blessing and Dedication. (2019). City of Albuquerque. https://www.cabq.gov/council/find-your-councilor/district-3/news/city-leaders-open-the-women2019s-memorial-park-with-blessing-and-dedicationFjeld, J. (2025, February 3). Families, APD seek answers 16 years after West Mesa murders. KOB.comAlbuquerque Police Department. West Mesa Homicide Investigation. City of Albuquerque. https://www.cabq.gov/police/contact-the-police/west-mesa-homicide-investigationAlbuquerque Police Department. APD Honors West Mesa Victims on Anniversary of Discovery. City of Albuquerque News Releases.Wikipedia contributors. West Mesa Murders. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.A&E Television Networks. The West Mesa Murders: Searching for a Killer. AETV.comPeople Magazine. 11 Victims, No Arrests: The West Mesa Murders. People.com

In this episode, we explore one of the most astonishing and little-known UFO events in American history, the 1950 Farmington UFO Armada Incident. Over the course of three days in March 1950, hundreds of residents in Farmington, New Mexico, watched the skies fill with dozens of fast-moving, metallic discs performing impossible maneuvers in broad daylight. Reported by police officers, bank employees, oil workers, and ordinary citizens, the event made front-page headlines as a mysterious “saucer armada” appeared over the town. Decades later, with no clear explanation from the government or science, the Farmington sightings remain one of the largest mass UFO encounters ever recorded in the United States.Art by The PixieReferences: Farmington Daily Times — “Huge ‘Saucer’ Armada Jolts Farmington,” March 18, 1950. Front-page article documenting the mass UFO sighting witnessed by hundreds of residents over three days.The Aztec UFO Incident by Scott Ramsey & Suzanne Ramsey (2015). Investigative book examining the alleged 1948 Aztec crash and related UFO activity in the Four Corners region.The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects by Edward J. Ruppelt (1956). Written by the former head of the U.S. Air Force’s Project Blue Book, it includes a discussion of early UFO cases from the late 1940s and early 1950s.National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena — The UFO Evidence (1964). One of the earliest large compilations of documented UFO cases, including references to the Farmington sightings.UFOs and the National Security State by Richard Dolan (2000). Historical analysis of UFO sightings during the Cold War era, including major early cases in the American Southwest.

Primary SourceRamsey, Scott; Ramsey, Suzanne; Thayer, Frank. The Aztec UFO Incident: The Case, Evidence, and the Elaborate Cover-Up of One of the Most Perplexing Crashes in History. New Page Books, 2016.Supporting SourcesScully, Frank. Behind the Flying Saucers. 1950.Cahn, J.P. San Francisco Chronicle, investigative series, 1952.U.S. Air Force Project Sign, Project Grudge, and early Project Blue Book public summaries (1948–1952).San Juan County historical archives and Aztec Public Library references as cited in Ramsey’s appendices.

Episode two of The Arkins Hearth, “Roswell Baby,” delves into the legendary 1947 crash near Roswell, where a mysterious object and a swift military cover-up sparked the modern UFO phenomenon. Explore how secrecy, conflicting reports, and Cold War paranoia transformed a simple debris recovery into a global legend. Join us as we unravel the enduring mystery that forever changed how we view our government—and what might be out there.ReferencesU.S. Air Force. The Roswell Report: Fact vs. Fiction in the New Mexico Desert. Washington, D.C., 1994.U.S. Air Force. The Roswell Report: Case Closed. Washington, D.C., 1997.Moore, Charles Z., and Karl Pflock. Roswell in Perspective. Roswell Daily Record Publications, 1994.Friedman, Stanton, and Don Berliner. Crash at Corona: The Definitive Study of the Roswell Incident. Paraview Press, 1992.Randle, Kevin D., and Donald R. Schmitt. UFO Crash at Roswell. Avon Books, 1991.Korff, Kal. The Roswell UFO Crash: What They Don’t Want You to Know. Prometheus Books, 1997.National Security Archive. Declassified Documents on Project Mogul. George Washington University.Randle, Kevin D. Roswell: The 75th Anniversary. Flying Disk Press, 2022.

The Arkins Hearth podcast examines how the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and 90s fueled false accusations and targeted Dungeons & Dragons. Media hysteria and cultural fears led to bans and ruined reputations, but no evidence ever linked the game to occultism or violence. Despite controversy, D&D adapted and grew into a symbol of creativity and community. Expert studies eventually debunked the panic. Today, the game reminds us that imagination can triumph over fear and misunderstanding.ReferencesLanning, Kenneth V. Investigator’s Guide to Allegations of “Ritual” Child Abuse. FBI Behavioral Science Unit, 1992.Pazder, Lawrence & Michelle Smith. Michelle Remembers. St. Martin’s Press, 1980.Dear, William C. The Dungeon Master: The Disappearance of James Dallas Egbert III. Houghton Mifflin, 1984.Pulling, Patricia. The Devil’s Web: Who Is Stalking Your Children for Satan? Huntington House, 1984.Victor, Jeffrey S. Satanic Panic: The Creation of a Contemporary Legend. Open Court, 1993.American Association of Suicidology. “Role-Playing Games and Suicide: A Report.” Washington, D.C., 1990.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Suicide and Role-Playing Games Report. Atlanta, 1990.Richardson, James T., Joel Best, and David Bromley. The Satanism Scare. Aldine de Gruyter, 1991.Laycock, Joseph P. Dangerous Games: What the Moral Panic over Role-Playing Games Says About Play, Religion, and Imagined Worlds. University of California Press, 2015.Goodman, David. “The Dungeons & Dragons Moral Panic.” The New York Times Magazine, 2020.