Forensic Friday

When police entered the home of Billie Payne and Billy Jean Hayworth, they found a scene of horror: both parents had been shot, but their infant son was found alive and unharmed in his mother's arms. This episode dives into the proxy violence used by the perpetrator to exact revenge. We break down the 'CIA' emails sent to third parties to incite them to violence and discuss the psyc...

Have you considered counseling in the past but weren't sure? Are you confused about when might be a good time to see someone? Are you interested in 'preventative maintenance' in your relationship but just aren't decided? Check this episode for more information on why, when, and how some people choose to pursue a therapist Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker, CO Ad for Reliatr...

We investigate the ongoing developments in the death of Megan Trussell. She was last seen February 9, 2025 and found dead February 15, 2025 in Boulder County, Colorado. The CBI has taken the lead in a comprehensive statutory case review. This episode examines the evidence that prompted the CBI Director to approve this independent look and the specific mandates of the Colorado Cold Case Review team...

On Monday, January 19th, a therapist in Florida, Rebecca White, was killed by a former client during an evening counseling session with another client. This tragedy hits close to our hearts as clinicians. We talk a little about the case and share a little about how the news feels to fellow counselors. Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker, CO Ad for Reliatrax practice management software Support t...

For twelve agonizing years, actress Eva LaRue lived in a state of constant fear. Today, we break down the relentless campaign of terror orchestrated by James David Rogers, who sent over 50 letters filled with graphic threats of sexual assault and murder. We discuss the most disturbing aspect of the case: Rogers didn't just target Eva; he targeted her young daughter, tracking her from childhoo...

Join us as we revisit the concept of stalking, this time with a guided tour through the brain activity and research behind how stalking hijacks the brain's natural reward systems to create the twisted fixation that can so often lead to horrible outcomes for the targets of stalkers Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commentators on publicly sourced information. Any case info...

This week we talk about an update to the 2022 case of John-Paul Miller, an (allegedly) sketchy pastor whose wife was found to have committed suicide. However, new evidence and a new indictment indicate that there was much more going on behind the scenes in this marriage Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker, CO Ad for Reliatrax practice management software Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine and...

In this quick informational mini, we discuss the laws in Colorado (and other states) requiring law enforcement to make an arrest in any domestic violence call, as well as the criteria they must use to determine who should be taken in. We talk about the difference between primary aggressor at the scene and predominant aggressor in the relationship, and how these criteria should have been applied in...

What do you do with a killer in your family? Our special guest gives us the inside scoop! In 2020, the murder of 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett shocked Carrollton, Texas. While her ex-boyfriend, Andrew Beard, pulled the trigger, he wasn't acting alone. This episode explores the role of Holly Ann Elkins, the fiancée who spent months meticulously destroying Alyssa’s life. From planting drugs and gu...

Why do women tend to commit less violent crimes, against others or themselves? Why do they use guns less, and use proxies more? Tune in a for a slightly unhinged and meandering discussion ahead of a special episode this Friday Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker, CO Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commentators on publicly sourced information. Any case information and opinio...

In this case, we talk about the Carpool Detectives, a group of moms with a special set of skills who decided to take on a cold case and prove that the deaths of two members of the community were not accidental. Their unique knowledge was enough to prove to law enforcement that the case should be reclassified as suspicious. But how can the true crime community approach these types of cases? And how...

It's time for a year-end wrap up episode! We share some of our stats for the year and talk about our favorite episodes and moments of 2025. Listen in to reminisce with us about the year gone by and hear a little about the exciting things we have planned for next year! Thank you to all our forensic friends! Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker, CO Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine and Nat...

We talk about the recent deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner and the subsequent arrest of their son, Nick, in connection with the deaths. We talk about the difficulty in identifying the root cause of aggressive or antisocial behavior when both mental health and substance issues are in play. And we share our hearts for this pair of talented entertainers and their incredible body of work. Ad for Southe...

In this episode, we break down the vital distinction between helping (doing something for someone that they cannot do for themselves) and enabling (doing something for someone that they can and should do for themselves). We discuss how enabling often stems from a place of love but results in a lack of accountability, and we provide a roadmap for shifting toward empowering support that encourages i...

Y'all, this case is close to Jeannine's heart. We discuss the latest case to rock the college football world, the stalking and dangerous behavior perpetrated (allegedly?) by Sherrone Moore, the now former head football coach at the University of Michigan. We can't talk about accountability without calling out that it needs to be upheld universally, even (and especially) when it affe...

Let’s talk about responsibility, accountability, and the link between the two. What does accountability mean, and what does it actually look like?  Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commentators on publicly sourced information. Any case information and opinions are based on records in the public domain and are purely speculative in nature. Their comments are not meant to diagno...

In this episode we talk about the case of Brandon Johnson, a serial liar, manipulator, and abuser of women. He spent decades victimizing intimate partners in increasingly awful ways, until two brave exes worked to bring him down. Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker, CO Ad for Reliatrax practice management software Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commentators on publicly sou...

It’s the case that launched a thousand theories. Today, we revisit the tragic death of Kathleen Peterson and the murder conviction of her husband, Michael Peterson, as explored in The Staircase. We analyze the ambiguities that permeate every aspect of the case—from the blood evidence to the couple's finances—and the bitter disagreements among professionals. Our main focus, however, is the wil...

The holidays are often filled with joy, and sometimes, stress. In this mini-episode, we cut through the confusion and clearly define the difference between boundaries and expectations. We’ll explain why boundaries are about self-care and what you will allow (things you can control), while expectations are about what others should do (things you can’t control). Tune in for simple, actionable tips o...

On September 21, 1996, 15-year-old Danielle 'Danni' Houchins disappeared from a fishing access site in Montana. This episode details the initial investigation's failures, which initially ruled her death 'undetermined' despite evidence of violence. We explore the decades-long fight for justice by Danni's family and dive into the modern forensic miracle: how advanced DN...

Self care is important. But what happens when it becomes a crutch? In this episode, we talk about lighter fare including some popular self care activities and what it looks like when our coping skills become maladaptive, causing more harm than good. Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker, CO Ad for Reliatrax practice management software Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commenta...

In 2006, the Duke University men's lacrosse team was at the center of a scandal after a dancer falsely accused three players of sexual assault. This episode walks through the chronology of the Duke Hoax: from the initial, explosive accusation that ignited a national debate, to the growing realization that evidence pointed to the players' innocence. We highlight the actions of former DA M...

In this episode, Jeannine shares a deeply personal story of being assaulted on campus when she was a college student, and the shocking recent discovery that her attacker attempted a similar offense against someone close to her years later. We discuss the documentary The Hunting Grounds and how schools bury these crimes and how the culture of secrecy and victim-blaming enables repeat offenders to r...

Daniel Krug wasn't just Kristil Krug's husband, he was her stalker and killer. In this episode, we unpack the elaborate and cruel pre-meditation that led to Kristil’s death, focusing on how her husband acted as a 'puppet master,' attempting to throw investigators off the trail by creating a fake threat. We discuss the red flags in the Krug marriage and the crucial lesson this c...

Do you know how to safely intervene when you see harassment, abuse, or potential violence? This mini-episode is a quick guide to the highly effective Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training. Green Dot operates on the principle that violence is not inevitable, and every person can contribute to prevention. We'll share actionable strategies for intervening while prioritizing your own safety,...