What A Nightmare: A True Crime Podcast

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest and most well known youth organizations in the United States. Unfortunately, this organization has failed to protect its children participants repeatedly over the last century. After generations of abuse, victims have bravely came forward and raised their voices about the horrors they endured during their time in the Boy Scouts of America.

In 1998, Matthew Shepard's life was tragically cut short. However, his death sparked incredible social and political change. In this episode, listen to the story of Matthew Shepard's life and legacy.

In this episode, Kerrigan did something new and tells us a cryptid tale! The New Jersey Devil folklore has a deeper history than many realize.

In this episode, we discuss systemic and institutional racism that occurred for over 111 years in a reformatory school setting. Trigger warnings include crimes against children, racism, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

In the age of the internet, so many things we do are online. The way we work, shop, and the way we meet people. Although convenient, there is always a risk. In this story, we discuss the risks of online dating and how one instance led to a horrible end.

From 1977 to 1980, a white supremacist man went on a cross country mission with intention of starting a race war. His racist and nazi glorifying views led him to committing over 20 attacks on innocent people. Tune in to this weeks episode to learn about the crimes of Joseph Paul Franklin.

This episode tells a tale of when obsession becomes deadly. In 2012, Dave Kroupa begins to casually date when suddenly he becomes a victim of stalking. But is everything really as it seems?

Over the course of one year, from May 2014 to May 2015, six women from a small factory town in Ohio disappeared one after the other. Four of their bodies have been discovered, but two remain to be found. Were these disappearances connected?

In 1981, for the first time ever, demonic possession was used as a defense in a murder trial. In this case, we will discuss manipulation and deception as it plays into possession cases. Let us know what you think! Do you think the devil made him do it?

This is the tale of the rise and fall of one of the biggest names in bootlegging history. This gatsby type character rose in fame and notoriety very quickly. George Remus at one time owned 35% of all liquor in prohibition era United States. Join us to learn and discuss prohibition, murder, and temporary insanity.

In 2015, after a brief trip to visit family, 19 year old Katelin Akens went missing on her way to the airport. In this case, we discuss how does a person go missing out of thin air?

In 2008, Las Vegas lost one of their most beloved locals after he was found dead in a Motel 6. Although the case is officially closed, friends and family still have questions. Was it murder or just a series of unfortunate coincidences? You decide. Sources Larger than life. (2008, May 8). Las Vegas Weekly. https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2008/may/08/larger-life/ Mitchell, M. (2022, October 26). “Unsolved Mysteries”: What Happened to Rick Rizzolo and Where is He Now? Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/rick-rizzolo-now-buffalo-jim-barrier-unsolved-mysteries-season-3-1754831 Unsolved Mysteries. (2022, October 24). Discover Death in a Vegas Motel case - Unsolved mysteries. https://unsolved.com/gallery/death-in-a-vegas-motel/

In 1990, a young couple with a promising future were hiking along the Appalachian Trail and were sadly taken from the world too soon. It makes you question, is there anywhere safe in this world? Sources Kiner, D. (2022, September 13). A Killer on the appalachian trail - the murder of a young couple in Perry County 32 years ago. pennlive. https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2022/09/a-killer-on-the-appalachian-trail-the-murder-of-a-young-couple-in-perry-county-32-years-ago.html?outputType=amp The Pittsburgh Press. (2022, September 13). Slayings of Hikers Cast Pall on Entire Appalachian Trail. Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/146379775/?match=1 Swift, E. (2022, May 2). The grisly double homicide that haunts the Appalachian Trail. Outside Online. https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/murder-appalachian-trail/ Vendel, C. (2022, August 5). Appalachian Trail Killer who targeted couple in Perry County dies in prison. pennlive. https://www.pennlive.com/news/2022/08/appalachian-trail-killer-who-targeted-couple-in-perry-county-dies-in-prison.html?outputType=amp

In May of 2003, students of Western Kentucky University were horrified to find that one of their own was brutally beaten and set on fire in their college dormitory. But with all the finger pointing, how do you convict a murderer? Sources Artime, J. (2010, November 21). Voices in the Dark. On the Case with Paula Zahn . episode. Katie Autry. (2023, January 5). Death in the Dorms. episode. Maddrey, J. (2020, June 8). Who Killed Katie Autry? Southern Gothic. episode. Meter, W. V. (2009). Bluegrass. Free Press.

Between the years of 1934 and 1938, severed body parts began to appear across Cleveland. Many of these victims, as well as their killer, remain unidentified to this day. Sources: Torso murders. Cleveland Police Museum. (2023, January 9). https://www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/collections/torso-murders/ Cphs. (2022, October 30). Torso murders: Identifying the victims. Cleveland Police Museum. https://www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/torso-murders/torso-murders-identifying-the-victims/ Dr. Francis E. Sweeney. The Tombstone Tourist. (2023, February 16). https://thetombstonetourist.com/graves/dr-francis-e-sweeney/ Torso murders: Encyclopedia of cleveland history: Case western reserve university. Encyclopedia of Cleveland History | Case Western Reserve University. (2020, November 11). https://case.edu/ech/articles/t/torso-murders Lytle, A. (n.d.). Kingsbury Run. Cleveland Historical. https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/376

In 1985, the Smith and Helmick family experienced every parent's worst nightmare when their daughters were abducted mere feet from their homes. For 28 days, the predator behind it all tormented these families with taunting phone calls. This episode tells their story. Resources: Douglas, J. E., & Olshaker, M. (2022). When a killer calls: A haunting story of murder, criminal profiling, and justice in a small town. Harper Large Print, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Shuler, R. Y. (2007). Murder in the Midlands: Larry Gene Bell and the 28 Days of terror that shook South Carolina. History Press. Marabella, M., & Taylor, D. A. (1999, October 5). The FBI Files: Cat and Mouse. The FBI Files. episode. Intro music created & composed by Dreamnote Music