Case Files with Kat and Ashley

In this week’s episode, Ashley highlights the women whose groundbreaking work changed the way we understand victims, criminals, and forensic evidence. At the center of the episode is Ann Burgess, the forensic nurse whose research on rape trauma and violent offenders helped shape modern criminal profiling and transform the FBI’s approach to investigating serial killers. Ashley also explores the con...

CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses serial murder, sexual violence, violence against sex workers, dismemberment, and details involving unidentified human remains. Listener discretion is advised. In this update episode, Kat revisits the Long Island Serial Killer case after Rex Heuermann’s stunning 2026 guilty plea. We walk through the expanded timeline, the eight women he admitted to killing, t...

In this week's episode, Ashley discusses the doomsday cult with cats-- how it began, the many cults it was before it became Eva's Eden, and the horrible experiences of those who were members. This episode covers cults, cats, the apocalypse, a murder attempt and more. Join us as we explore the dark side of humanity. Resources: https://vicomanija.com/en/sheryl-ruthven-biography-american-re...

In this week’s episode, Kat explores the story of Lisa Knoefel, a woman who opened her home to offer safety, stability, and a second chance. Instead, she brought something far more dangerous inside. In November 2012, Lisa was killed in her own home—but what followed would reveal something far more calculated… and far more personal. And the person responsible might not be who you think. Grab a drin...

In this week's episode Ashley discusses the unsolved case of the double murder of the Shorts' and the abduction of their 9 year old daughter, Jennifer Short. On August 15, 2002 Michael and Mary Short were shot by an intruder execution-style. Their daughter was taken. Who killed them? Why did they take Jennifer? Join us as we discuss this case and what has been discovered over the years....

In this week's episode, Ashley discusses the double murder of Ray and Ruth Raycroft and the attempted murder of their teenage daughter, Colleen. Collen was dating a man named Rick who just couldn't handle rejection. Take a listen as Ashley discusses the lives and murders of Ray and Ruth.  If you are being stalked or feel like you're life is in danger due to an ex partner, please con...

In this week's episode Ashley covers a case submitted to us by our listener Katie. The disappearance of Phylicia Thomas is a heartbreaking one. All Phylicia was trying to do is solve the disappearance of her friend Jennifer Barziloski and got too close to finding out the truth. This episode discusses Jennifer's disappearance, the people involved, and the theories of what happened to Phyl...

In the tiny farming town of Skidmore, Missouri, nearly fifty people stood on Main Street and watched Ken McElroy die in broad daylight. When police arrived, every single witness said the same thing. “I didn’t see anything.” In this episode, Kat dives into the story of the man known as the “town bully,” the decades of fear that built up in Skidmore, and the shocking day when an entire town closed r...

We're a little late, but Happy 7th Anniversary to US! If you've been listening to us that long -WE LOVE YOU! If you're a new listener, we LOVE YOU, TOO! Thanks, y'all - we truly mean that.  This week, Kat dives into the case of Brenda Andrew, the only woman on death row in Oklahoma. What began as a churchgoing suburban marriage ended in an affair, a bitter divorce and custody f...

They say twins have unbreakable bonds. Ones where they develop secret twin languages, intense connections and experiences, and so on. But what about twins that display erratic, completely psychotic behavior together? In this episode, Ashley discusses Ursula and Sabina Eriksson, identical twins from Sweden.  Two women stood in the median of one of the busiest highways in the country. Then, one afte...

** Listener discretion advised. This episode discusses stalking, domestic violence, and intimate partner homicide.** As January marks Stalking Awareness Month , Kat introduces us to Dominique “Nique” Leili - a devoted moom navigating a troubled marriage—& a victim of escalating control & surveillance that ultimately turned deadly.   In 2011, Dominique disappeared in Gwinnett County, Georgi...

In this week's episode, Ashley discusses the abduction and murder of Amber Hagerman, a 9 year old child from Arlington, TX in 1996. Her case led to the creation of the AMBER Alert system as well as the national sex offenders registry list amongst many other positive law changes involving how we treat child abductions. We discuss some of the laws plus international variations of the AMBER aler...

OneTaste marketed itself as a sexual wellness company focused on women’s empowerment through a practice called orgasmic meditation . But, federal prosecutors say something far more troubling was happening. In this episode, Kat breaks down the rise and fall of OneTaste and its founder, Nicole Daedone.  Content warning: This episode includes discussion of coercive control, sexual exploitation, traum...

We originally covered this story in our first season; however since our first season is no longer available, Ashley wanted to redo it and add in the newest updates.  Brian Shaffer went out with his friend drinking, he is seen entering the bar but never seen exiting. He has not been seen or head from since. In this episode, Ashley discusses the disappearance, the case and the many theories. Resourc...

It's time for Part 2 of Kat's deep dive into the monster that is Ed Gein. References: “Ed Gein.” Wikipedia –  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Gein “Ed Gein.” Britannica – biographical overview and case summary. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ed-Gein “Real-Life Psycho Ed Gein Dies.” History.com ( https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/july-26/real-life-psycho-ed-gein-dies Crim...

 In 1957, a missing-person call in small-town Wisconsin led police to a farmhouse that would redefine horror forever. What they found inside Ed Gein’s home shocked the nation — and inspired Psycho , The Texas Chain Saw Massacre , and The Silence of the Lambs . Kat takes you deep into the chilling true story behind “The Butcher of Plainfield” — a quiet, lonely man whose obsession with his mother an...

It's been 30 years since Jodi Sue Huisentruit disappeared from her apartment complex parking lot. Jodi was a TV news anchor for KIMT in Mason City and was running late for work. She never arrived and has not been heard from since. Even 30 years later, there is hardly even evidence on who took Jodi and why. In this episode Ashley discusses the disappearance,  the suspects and the updates over...

In this episode, Ashley discusses the 2018 unsolved disappearance of 16-year-old Karli Lain Guse. After a night of partying, Karli called her stepmother to pick her up. She was clearly in a state of distress and paranoia. No one called the hospital, no one stayed up to keep an eye on her, no one helped her.... where did she go, what happened to her and will we ever know what she was really going t...

Date night with Silence of the Lambs got Kat wondering: who on earth inspired Buffalo Bill? Meet Gary Heidnik—the preacher-turned-predator whose North Philly cellar of horrors still haunts survivors and inspired one of Hollywood’s most chilling villains.  You'll definitely need a frosty beverage or maybe even some relaxing tea for this one.  References: Please like, follow, and share this pod...

In this episode Ashley discusses the disappearance of 9 year old Asha Degree on Valentine's Day 1990. Why did she leave her house? Where was she going? And how is the Dedmon family involved? New leads are still coming in even in 2025.  Anyone with information about Degree’s disappearance is asked to call the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office at 704-484-4788, or the North Carolina State Bureau...

Love. Betrayal. Murder-for-hire. Thomas Randolph’s six marriages left behind a trail of broken lives and suspicious deaths. Dubbed The Black Widower, Randolph manipulated, schemed, and killed — all for money and control. In this episode, we unravel decades of deception and the crimes that finally put him behind bars.  Join Kat and Ashley as they welcome in SEASON 8 after a long break and do a deep...

When beloved Florida State law professor Dan Markel was gunned down in his driveway in 2014, it shocked the academic world and ignited a years-long search for justice. But what first appeared to be a random act of violence soon unraveled into something far more sinister—a murder-for-hire plot tied to his bitter custody battle and his ex-wife’s powerful family, the Adelsons. In this episode, Kat di...

Trigger warning-- this story does include rape and murder of minors.  In this episode, Ashley discusses Michael Bruce Ross aka the Roadside Strangler. He murdered eight women in the 80s before being the last person executed in Connecticut. We discuss the case, the victims and the importance of being self-aware.  Resources:  1. https://cambrian.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay/alma9910...

TW: This episode contains discussions of childhood sexual abuse, suicide, and suicidal ideation. These are deeply sensitive topics that may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care of yourself as you listen. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. You can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 anytime, 24/7. Teal Swan is a self-proclaimed spiritual he...

TW: This story mentions suicide. In this week's episode Ashley discusses the 2011 disappearance of 6 year old Timmothy Pitzen. To this day, there have been no clues or leads in the case. The suicide note left by his mother Amy Pitzen ended with "You will never find him". What did it mean? Where is Timmothy? Someone has to know something. If you have any information please contact th...