Coffeehouse Crime

In this heartbreaking true crime episode, we examine the disappearance and death of 19‑year‑old Miya Marcano, a Valencia College student who vanished from her Orlando apartment in September 2021. What started as a routine day turned into a terrifying ordeal when Miya never returned home or boarded a planned flight — prompting a frantic search by family and law enforcement. CBS News Investigators t...

In this harrowing true crime episode, we unpack the brutal murder of Jayde Panayiotou, a 29‑year‑old school teacher from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, whose life ended at the hands of her husband in a case that shocked the nation. After being abducted outside her home in Kabega Park on April 21, 2015, Jayde’s body was found the next day in a secluded area of KwaNobuhle, having been shot execution‑...

In this shocking true crime episode, we examine the 2016 murder and rape of 20‑year‑old Rina Shimabukuro in Okinawa — a case that sparked outrage across Japan and intensified long‑standing tensions over the presence of U.S. military personnel on the island. Police identified the suspect as Kenneth Franklin Shinzato, a former U.S. Marine and civilian contractor at Kadena Air Base, after he was link...

In this gripping true crime episode, we revisit the harrowing disappearance of Cleo Smith, a young girl taken from her family’s campsite in broad daylight. The case captured national attention, prompting a massive search, intense media coverage, and a community desperate for answers. Listeners are taken through the timeline of events: the moment Cleo vanished, the investigative strategies employed...

In this shocking true crime episode, we explore the chilling case of Sir Richard Sutton, a wealthy millionaire whose life was brutally ended at the hands of his own son. What began as a family drama quickly escalated into a calculated act of betrayal and violence that stunned the community and shocked the nation. Listeners are taken through the events leading up to the murder, the investigation, a...

In this disturbing true crime episode, we examine the case of Stephen Griffiths, infamously known as the “Crossbow Cannibal.” Operating in the United Kingdom, Griffiths carried out a series of brutal murders that shocked the nation and revealed a chilling obsession with violence. The episode traces how the investigation unfolded, from the disappearance of vulnerable women to the crucial CCTV evide...

In this heartbreaking episode, we examine the tragic case of Sabina Nessa, a young schoolteacher whose life was taken in a senseless act of violence that shocked the United Kingdom. Sabina was walking through a local park to meet a friend when she was attacked, a routine journey that ended in unimaginable tragedy. The episode follows the timeline of events, from her disappearance to the discovery...

In this deeply tragic episode, we examine the murder of Uyinene Mrwetyana, a crime that sparked national outrage and ignited widespread protests. A university student with a bright future, Uyinene’s life was brutally taken in an act of violence that exposed systemic failures and intensified conversations about gender-based violence. The episode follows the timeline of events, from her disappearanc...

In this heartbreaking true crime episode, we examine the tragic case of Samantha Josephson, a college student who was targeted and killed after mistakenly entering a vehicle she believed to be her rideshare. What began as a normal night out ended in unimaginable loss, sending shockwaves across the nation. The episode traces the timeline of events, from the initial disappearance to the rapid invest...

In this mysterious and suspense-filled episode, listeners are taken to a remote and ominous place known only as “Death Island.” Rumors swirl about unexplained disappearances, strange environmental conditions, and unsettling discoveries that have fueled speculation for years. The episode explores the island’s dark reputation, examining eyewitness accounts, historical records, and investigative theo...

In this shocking true crime episode, listeners examine the case of Rosemary Ndlovu, a former police officer whose double life concealed a series of calculated and deadly crimes. Once sworn to uphold the law, she ultimately stood accused of orchestrating multiple murders for financial gain, betraying both her oath and those closest to her. The episode traces how suspicions first emerged, the invest...

In this gripping true crime episode, listeners dive into the baffling case of Melissa Caddick, a financial adviser whose life unraveled amid massive fraud allegations and a mysterious disappearance that shocked Australia. Accused of orchestrating a multimillion-dollar investment scam, Caddick vanished just as authorities closed in — sparking national headlines and intense speculation. What followe...

In this disturbing true crime episode, listeners uncover the chilling case of Luke Fawcett, a man whose hidden double life earned him the nickname “The Latex Devil Next Door.” Behind a seemingly ordinary exterior, investigators discovered a pattern of manipulation, secrecy, and escalating criminal behavior that shocked his community. The episode traces how suspicions first arose, the evidence that...

In “The Coffee Date That Ended in Murder… — The Case of Mirna Salihin,” we examine one of Indonesia’s most controversial and widely debated criminal cases. In January 2016, 27-year-old Wayan Mirna Salihin collapsed shortly after drinking an iced coffee during a meeting with friends at a Jakarta café. She later died, and toxicology findings pointed to cyanide poisoning. Suspicion quickly focused on...

In “The Murderous Mothers — The Hart Family Massacre,” we examine the tragic 2018 case that shocked the United States. Jennifer and Sarah Hart, who publicly portrayed themselves as devoted adoptive parents, drove their SUV off a California cliff with their six adopted children inside. What initially appeared to be a devastating accident was later ruled an intentional act. As investigators analyzed...

In “Canada’s ‘Chris Watts’? — The Slippery Case of Robert Leeming,” we examine a disturbing homicide case that drew comparisons to other high-profile domestic crimes due to its calculated deception and betrayal. When a woman was reported missing, initial concern quickly turned into suspicion as inconsistencies began to surface in the statements given by her partner, Robert Leeming. As investigator...

In “Murderous Doctor — The Case of Elana Fric & Mohammed Shamji,” we examine the disturbing 2016 homicide that shocked Canada’s medical community. Elana Fric, a devoted mother of three, was reported missing by her husband, neurosurgeon Dr. Mohammed Shamji. What initially appeared to be a concerning disappearance quickly escalated into a complex criminal investigation. As detectives analyzed in...

In “Hitchhiking into Murder — The Chilling Case of Sophia Lösche,” we examine the tragic 2018 disappearance and killing of 28-year-old German student Sophia Lösche. While traveling through Germany, Sophia accepted a ride that would ultimately lead to a devastating outcome. What began as a routine journey quickly evolved into an international investigation spanning multiple countries. This episode...

In “The Chilling Case of Clifford Burns,” we examine a disturbing criminal case that left investigators and the community searching for answers. This episode carefully reconstructs the timeline of events, exploring the background, key evidence, investigative breakthroughs, and the legal consequences that followed. Through documented reports and verified sources, the story unfolds step by step — re...

In “Meet the Barista — Coffeehouse Crime Q&A Special,” listeners get an inside look at the voice behind the mic. This special episode shifts the focus from chilling cases to personal insights, as the host answers listener-submitted questions about true crime research, storytelling techniques, and the journey of building Coffeehouse Crime. From behind-the-scenes research methods to ethical cons...

In “The Osaka Kidnapper — The Case of Koji Yamada,” a seemingly ordinary neighborhood in Osaka, Japan, becomes the setting for a terrifying crime. Koji Yamada, later identified as the perpetrator, carried out a series of abductions that left the community in shock and authorities racing against time to protect potential victims. This episode explores the investigation from initial reports to the e...

In “Stealing an Aircraft in Plain Sight — The Case of ‘Sky King’ Beebo Russell,” an ordinary day at a small airport turned into a bizarre and alarming criminal act. Beebo Russell, later nicknamed “Sky King,” managed to steal a private aircraft and take to the skies without authorization, defying security measures and shocking onlookers. This episode breaks down the events leading up to the theft,...

In “Disappearance Turns Into Anniversary Murder — The Case of Emily Ferlazzo,” what begins as a mysterious disappearance takes a dark and shocking turn. Emily Ferlazzo, a young woman whose absence initially puzzled family and friends, was later revealed to have been the victim of a calculated and violent murder. This episode examines the investigation from the moment Emily was reported missing to...

In “The Killer Cannibal Who Was Allowed to Walk Free — The Case of Issei Sagawa,” we delve into one of the most notorious and shocking criminal cases in modern history. Issei Sagawa, a Japanese man studying in Paris, murdered and cannibalized his classmate in 1981. Despite the heinous nature of his crime, legal loopholes and mental health rulings allowed him to avoid a life sentence, leaving the w...

In “Killing in Senseless, Cold-Blooded Revenge — The Case of Jody Herring,” we explore a shocking story of premeditated violence fueled by personal grievance. Jody Herring carried out a brutal act of revenge that left victims and a community reeling, highlighting the devastating consequences of unchecked anger and obsession. This episode examines the events leading up to the crime, the motives beh...