Crime Analyst

For decades, the women murdered and attacked by Peter Sutcliffe (known as PS in this series) were overshadowed by the man who targeted them. In this remastered Crime Analyst series, Laura Richards puts the women back at the centre of the story.  Laura deconstructs the pattern of offending, escalating risk and critical opportunities that were missed, including additional attacks she believes a...

Zoe Watts was shocked to discover the man she had been married to for 22-year was drugging and raping her.  Laura interviews Zoe and asks her to take us back to the beginning of their relationship- when she was just 17 and he was 28. He was charismatic, well-liked and seemingly the perfect partner. But as Laura asks more questions, she reveals a deeply disturbing, diabolical and dangerous man...

For decades, the women murdered and attacked by Peter Sutcliffe (known as PS in this series) were overshadowed by the man who targeted them. In this remastered Crime Analyst series, Laura Richards puts the women back at the centre of the story.  Laura deconstructs the pattern of offending, escalating risk and critical opportunities that were missed, including additional attacks she believes a...

Laura continues her interview with former NBC investigative producer and NewsNation investigative correspondent, Rich McHugh. Together Laura and Rich unravel coercive control and the lack of laws to protect women in South Carolina and the details that trouble Rich about the day Mica died - and why he remains unconvinced Mica ended her life.  For Rich, Laura and Crime Analyst, the focus remain...

For decades, the women murdered and attacked by Peter Sutcliffe (known as PS in this series) were overshadowed by the man who targeted them. In this remastered Crime Analyst series, Laura puts the women back at the centre of the story.  Laura deconstructs the pattern of offending, escalating risk and critical opportunities that were missed, including additional attacks she believes are linked...

Mica Francis died trying to leave John Paul Miller. She documented what was happening to her, called the Police at least 14 times, retained an attorney and filed for divorce. Less than a day after Mica’s death, John-Paul Miller stood before his congregation and announced her death, while simultaneously shaping a narrative about Mica and her mental health. Serious alarm bells went off for both Laur...

In this remastered episode to conclude the series, Laura, Nichole and Tara deconstruct Netflix’s American Murder: Gabby Petito, including new information former boyfriend Jackson shared, the last messages sent from Gabby’s phone and the early warning signs of coercive control.  Laura honours Gabby and her amazing mum’s Nichole and Tara in this special episode which aired on International Wome...

Mica Francis did everything right: she documented what was happening, reported to police and repeatedly asked for help. But what happens when the behaviours creating fear, entrapment and risk are not adequately recognised by the law?  In Laura’s interview with Mica’s attorney, Regina Ward, the focus turns to the systemic failures that left Mica without the protection she needed - and the figh...

Mica Francis’ case is now receiving widespread attention following the Netflix documentary The Death of the Pastor’s Wife. Laura analysed Mica’s case as it unfolded, documenting the pattern of coercive control, stalking and post-separation abuse Mica reported experiencing before her death.  30-year-old Mica Francis (Miller) was found dead from a gunshot wound at Lumber River State Park in Rob...

Mica Francis was taking steps to reclaim her life and freedom. Then, on April 27 2024, she was found dead at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina. Since Mica’s death, Laura has extensively analysed the pattern of coercive control, stalking and post-separation abuse Mica reported experiencing, as well as the circumstances leading up to her death.  Mica’s story is the focus of the Netflix...

Mica Francis’ case is now being widely talked about due to the Netflix documentary, The Death of The Pastors Wife. Laura analysed Mica’s case as it unfolded. In this episode Laura takes a more in-depth look at the available evidence of what life was like for Mica prior to her death using the lens and framework of coercive control and stalking.  Importantly,&...

As the violence escalated, Grace finally called 911. She describes the police officer who recognised something Grace could not yet fully see herself. She reveals why and how he identified how dangerous the abuser was.  Grace describes the successful strategy she used to leave. Laura examines why victims may continue to protect, defend or retur...

Mica Francis’ case is now being widely talked about due to the Netflix documentary, The Death of The Pastors Wife. Laura talked about Mica and all the red flags she saw in 2024. Mica died trying to leave John Paul Miller – a man who calls himself a Pastor. In this remastered series you will learn much more about what he did to Mica as well as what was left out of the...

Why doesn't she just leave?  It's a question survivors of domestic abuse hear again and again. But it places the focus in entirely the wrong place.  Laura interviews Grace Stuart, survivor and host of Why She Stayed podcast, to examine how coercive control can develop gradually - and why it can be so difficult to ...

In this remastered episode which drops on the five year anniversary of Gabby's murder, Laura continues to interview Nichole Schmidt, Gabby’s mum. Laura and Nichole discuss the significance of 24 days Gabby was missing for, why men need to lead the charge stopping male violence to women, lawsuits, and why new coercive control laws and training are urgently needed. In honour of Gabby, list...

You can earn your own money, pay the bills and have access to the joint account - and still be economically abused.  Economic abuse is about far more than stopping someone from accessing money. It can involve restriction, exploitation and sabotage - and it can be so deeply woven into coercive control that victims may not recognise what is happ...

In this remastered episode, which was recorded on the three-year anniversary of 22-year-old Gabby Petito’s murder, Laura interviews Nichole Schmidt, Gabby’s mother.  Nichole shares what Gabby was like growing up as well as details about Brian and Gabby’s relationship and what she now knows to be the red flags.  Gabby was reported missing on September 11 2021 after her...

Imagine waiting 530 days waiting for the trial of the man who groomed, controlled, strangled and assaulted you only to walk into court on day one and be told there would be no trial. Behind closed doors a plea deal was negotiated dramatically altering the outcome of the case, resulting in Robert Hastings walking free – no prison time.  Strangulation and coercive...

In this remastered episode, Laura discusses the May 24 2023, fascinating development in the lawsuit Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito filed against Roberta and Christopher Laundrie, Judge Danielle Brewer ordered Roberta and Christopher Laundrie to share the ‘Burn After Reading’ letter Roberta Laundrie wrote to Brian Laundrie with Gabby Petito’s parents.  Laura shares her analys...

Paris Shears never imagined that the man she fell in love with would groom, physically harm and control her. What began as a seemingly loving relationship became a pattern of coercive control, intimidation and violence that left her fearing for her life.  When Paris's former partner was charged with offences including intentional strangulation and assault, h...

In this remastered episode, In this special episode, which was originally released on what would have been Gabby’s 24th Birthday,  Laura highlights the latest developments in Gabby’s case regarding the two ongoing lawsuits Gabby’s family have filed against Moab City Police and Brian’s parents, Roberta and Christopher Laundrie.  Laura discusses three key updates i...

In April 2024 25-year-old Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche was a social media marketer and mother from East London who was found murdered in her car. She had been strangled and stabbed. Days before her death, Kennedi told a friend she was “on a break” from her relationship with Gogoa Lois Tape. But Tape lured her to meet him under false pretences an...

In this remastered episode, Laura highlights key events, witnesses and evidence in the timeline and sequence of events, revisiting Gabby and Brian’s Instagram and what friends have said about Gabby and Brian’s relationship.  Laura also breaks down the 9-minute video footage that was released on October 19 2022 of Gabby and Brian’s trip to Whole Foods on August 27&nbsp...

Investigative journalist Mandy Matney is best known for doggedly pursuing and unraveling Alex Murdaugh's financial crimes against his 100-year-old family law firm and its clients in the low country of South Carolina. Mandy’s coverage of and in-depth investigation into Murdaugh’s legal dynasty family began in 2019, when a boat crash involving 19-year-old Paul Murd...

In this remastered episode, Laura concludes her analysis of the 99-page Moab City Police Investigative Review by detailing and breaking down Captain Ratcliffe’s conclusion and recommendations.  Laura shares her professional thoughts about why the conclusion makes little sense and why the recommendations will not create the change that’s urgently required to save the n...