Cocoa Crimes™️

This week on Cocoa Crimes, we examine the life and death of Kayla Atwood, a Pensacola mother of four who spent years rebuilding her life and embracing a future she fought hard to create. After overcoming addiction and celebrating five and a half years of sobriety, Kayla was focused on raising her children, building her confidence, and moving forward on her own terms. When Kayla suddenly disappeare...

Content warning: this episode contains detailed discussions of domestic violence, strangulation, gun violence, and intimate partner homicide. In this week's episode of Cocoa Crimes, we tell the story of Mariah Samuels: a vibrant mother, athlete, and adventurer from Minneapolis, Minnesota who was known for lighting up every room she walked into. Mariah was a devoted mother of two sons who was h...

This episode explores the murder of Samuel Johnson Jr., a kind and hardworking father from San Antonio, Texas, told through the lens of family dynamics, manipulation, and greed.

This week on Cocoa Crimes, we discuss the heartbreaking story of Iyana Sawyer, a 16-year-old girl with big dreams, a close-knit family, and secrets that would eventually unravel into one of the most disturbing cases to come out of Jacksonville. This episode discusses grooming, manipulation, family betrayal, and the warning signs people sometimes miss until it’s too late.

What happens when social media obsession goes too far? In this episode, we're talking about the tragic story of 23-year-old Kayla Hodgson, a sweet, soft-spoken young woman from South Florida who was just living her life, minding her business, and loving the people around her. But while Kayla was navigating her 20s, someone else was watching. This is a story about jealousy, obsession, and what...

Content warning: This episode contains references to gun violence, homicide, grief, loss of a parent, parental substance abuse and abandonment, mental health, physical assault, and incarceration. This week, we’re switching things up to look at the heavy weights carried on both sides of a shared tragedy. On one side, a 19-year-old student striving to break family cycles; on the other, a young mothe...

What starts as a trip to the corner store ends in tragedy. In this episode of Cocoa Crimes, we tell the story of Markeis McGlockton — a devoted father, artist, and partner from Clearwater, Florida — whose life was cut short on July 19th, 2018, when a self-appointed parking lot enforcer named shot and killed him outside a local Circle A food store in front of his five-year-old son.

The episode explores how carefully managed “secret lives” can run side by side until they collide in ways no one expects, setting a tense backdrop for the story of Latrese Curtis. When one night goes wrong, small decisions and hidden connections take on ominous weight. The story follows how those threads tighten, urging listeners to consider how control can masquerade as care until it’s too late.

This episode explores the tragic story of Merlene McDonald, her murder in Jamaica, and the subsequent revelations that connected her case to a series of family tragedies involving violence, control, and legacy. It delves into the impact of generational patterns, the importance of justice, and the lessons learned about love, entitlement, and accountability.

*** I had to re-do the audio so if you listened to this before 4/8/26 - My sincere apologies. I will do better. Most people underestimate the deadly power of emotional manipulation in toxic relationships. Andreen McDonald's story reveals how a seemingly perfect union spiraled into a nightmare of control, lies, and violence culminating in her tragic death. You’ll learn about the subtle signs of...

The story of Kwan and Skrill takes a dark turn when an uninvited guest brings sudden violence and tragedy. The aftermath leads to a detailed investigation, arrest, and trial, resulting in justice for the victims. Takeaways Misreading proximity as trust The danger of unquestioned presence Chapters 00:00 The Road Trip Deception 05:35 The Night Takes a Dark Turn 13:46 The Investigation Unfolds

What happens when love meets cultural expectations? In a world where love often faces societal hurdles, the story of Sparkle and Ricky stands out. When they met at a Travelodge in Kentucky, they quickly fell for each other, but their love was challenged by cultural expectations and family legacies. In this post, we’ll explore their journey, the conflicts they faced, and the lessons learned about l...

In October 2003, Mel Cotton was just living her life, raising her son, and helping a friend escape a toxic relationship. But when she opened her door to a seemingly harmless request, everything changed.

New Year's Eve 2009 was supposed to be the gateway to a fresh start. But for Mikarah Sanders, it turned tragic. 😔

***WE'VE GOT THEME MUSIC!!*** Love isn't always what it seems. You can love someone wholeheartedly, but love alone can't fix everything. When one person loves deeply and the other brings chaos, that love can turn toxic. It’s vital to recognize the signs of unhealthy dynamics. Just because you love someone doesn’t mean they are good for you. Respect is the foundation that keeps love from becoming p...

What if the person you trust most is the monster hiding in plain sight? In this episode of Cocoa Crimes, we break down the warning signs she missed and explore how mental health stigmas and generational trauma enable violence to escalate unchecked.

This episode explores the life and untimely death of Christian Taylor, a talented young athlete whose story highlights broader issues of systemic police interactions, mental health, and the butterfly effect of small choices. Join us as we delve into Christian’s background, his spiritual awakening, and the tragic events that led to a national conversation on justice and reform. **In this episode:**...

On what should have been an ordinary night, Nejha Cox stepped out to do what any loving mother would, grab her son some juice. She never made it back home. This is the story of Nejha Cox, a young mother whose life was cut short on the streets of Atlanta during a simple late-night errand.

In this episode, we explore the life of Rannita Williams—a mother, daughter, and sister—whose story highlights the painful realities of domestic violence and the impact it leaves behind.

Family gatherings are supposed to be fun, but what happens when a simple outfit sparks jealousy and leads to tragedy? Danielle Pickens thought she was just dressing up for an Easter Sunday meal, but her older cousin Evelyn had different ideas. Instead of celebrating, Evelyn’s jealousy turned a festive day into a nightmare, escalating from words to violence in moments.

Most cases stay hidden, but Latoya's story exposes the deadly consequences of systemic neglect and media bias that silence Black and pregnant women.

In this gripping episode, we explore the tragic story of Khadijah Brown, whose life was forever altered by a brief moment of chaos broadcast live on social media. This narrative uncovers the hidden dangers of untreated postpartum depression and systemic neglect, particularly in underserved communities. Through the heartbreaking case of Jeremy Rashad Brown, we reveal how a volatile home environment...

In this episode of Cocoa Crimes, host Tee unpacks the heartbreaking story of Victor White III—a young man whose life was cut short in a town haunted by unspoken thresholds of justice and racial divide. Victor’s story exposes how systemic silence and unchecked brutality turn tragic moments into cover-ups that speak louder than words.

Summary This episode of Cocoa Crimes delves into the tragic story of Afrikka Hardy, a vibrant 19-year-old whose life was cut short. The host, Tee, narrates Afrikka's journey from a creative and ambitious young woman to her involvement in an escort service, leading to her untimely death at the hands of Darren Van. The episode explores the investigation, Van's criminal history, and the impact of Afr...

Welcome to Cocoa Crimes, a podcast that seeks to explore the often-overlooked stories of young lives lost too soon. Hosted by T, this show is dedicated to telling real stories about real people, with the utmost care and respect. In this inaugural episode, T shares the motivation behind the podcast and the importance of presenting these narratives thoughtfully.