Alternative Interests

December 2000 in Wichita, Kansas was a harrowing time for the residents of the city. One particularly awful crime spree occurred over the span of just a week and has come to be known as the Wichita Massacre. Were it not for the strength and courage of one young woman fighting to protect the people she loved, the two men responsible may not have been caught. This was rough to research, rough to rec...

World War II was full of innumerable horrors, but there are just as many lesser known stories that filled the background of the same war ravaged landscapes. Among these stories is the tale of Aimo Koivunen, a Finnish soldier who took an odd side quest that began with an overdose of military sanctioned drugs. Aimo admittedly wrote that he was an unreliable narrator of the only article to detail his...

The internet is a place where people can find answers to any question under the sun, and find online communities to connect with others over a wide array of interests. In the early 90s as more people were finding these connections in this developing technology, the case of Sharon Lopatka ushered in a new era of criminal investigation. Hers is an interesting case not only for the groundwork it laid...

Happy New Year! This episode is a lighthearted look at some general resolutions to start the new year, with some true crime stories to support them. 

On August 11, 2009, fifteen year old Kayla Berg spent the day hanging out with her friend before going home and seeing her father. That evening a friend picked her up to take her out driving, and she never came home. Communication difficulties created roadblocks to finding information on her whereabouts and despite multiple searches she remains missing. Kayla's family is still tirelessly working t...

Richard was a man that friends and family remembers as someone who was devoted to his family and his faith and was a beloved husband, son, and friend. The events of August 10, 2018 were a shock to everyone who knew him, and the tragic end to his young life lives on in infamy every time the audio of his final flight make their rounds on social media. 

Warren Barnes was a beloved member of the community of Grand Junction, Colorado. A man who loved reading as much as he could and would take time to feed the birds while he ate lunch, he was also the type that you could set your watch by. When Brian Cohee Jr. went looking for his idea of someone who wouldn't be missed so he could experience the thrill of killing a person, he could not have been mor...

On December 16, 2021, what should have been a day of celebration for Hillcrest Primary School students marking the end of the school year turned to tragedy in an instant. In the wake of an unforeseen accident that is sadly not unique of its' kind, the community and families were left to pick up the pieces and mourn the losses of that fateful day. 

In the second of two bonus episodes, Crystal speaks with Preston's mother, Cierra.  She shares her experience navigating the worst day of any parent's life, her observations and surprising aspect of the way the justice system is working in her son's case, her grief in the wake of her son's death, and the foundation she created in Preston's name. For more information on the Preston's Promise Founda...

In the first of two bonus episodes, we discuss the tragic death of 5 month old Preston. This episode does involve discussion of his injuries and statements from his care team so please use caution when listening. It is important to note, a trial has not yet taken place. Due to this we must be very careful with the information we share about all parties involved and we ask our listeners to exercise...

Mark had been dating his girlfriend Berlinah for several years before he decided the relationship wasn't what he wanted; he broke things off, moved out, and started dating someone new. Berlinah could not accept Mark's decision and made repeated demands that he hear her out and talk to her about their relationship. She planned her retaliation that would assure Mark could never be with anyone else i...

Cherish was 8 years old when absolute scum from the depths of hell befriended and gained the trust of her mother, Rayne, while they were out doing some last minute shopping. This heartbreaking case is difficult to tell but is an important lesson in staying vigilant no matter how charming a stranger may be. This episode discusses the murder of a young child and while we did not share explicit detai...

Benjaman Kyle was the assumed name of a man who was found naked and nearly unconscious behind a Burger King in 2004. For over a decade he knew nothing of his life before he was found, and despite efforts on several fronts for answers, he struggled to find his identity while also struggling to make a life for himself.   The Last Unknown Man:  https://newrepublic.com/article/138068/last-unknown-man...

Sextortion is a steadily rising form of online blackmail, primarily targeting teenaged boys. The warning signs are easy to spot if you are aware of what they look like; we are aiming to increase awareness and create the opportunity for more discussions about this dangerous scam. Please be advised, this episode discusses suicide and several cases of children who completed suicide resulting from sex...

Melissa Oxley was suddenly jolted awake in the middle of the night after hearing a loud noise. She went to investigate and found the front door of the home wide open, and returned to find her husband, Ben, dead in the bed where they had just been sleeping together. The story she told dispatch, police, and detectives seemed odd and didn't make sense to investigators. After years of surveillance, in...

In 2023, 16 month old Jailyn suffered for 10 long days while her mother simultaneously enjoyed herself on a vacation with her friends.  Content Warning: This episode is rough and involves discussion of neglect/abuse of a young child.

Colleen was one of those bright souls who worked hard daily to uplift those around her and lived her life being a positive influence to everyone lucky enough to know her. In her second year as a teacher, one of her students took her life and to this day we don't have a legitimate reason for his behavior. Colleen's friends and family live in her memory and celebrate the lasting mark she left on thi...

When Ryan and Heather didn't show up on Christmas day and phone calls went unanswered, worried family went to their home to check on them. Police eventually made their way inside, and thus began one of the most grossly mishandled situations we've ever discussed. 

Everyone knows B is for Bigfoot when we're talking Cryptids, but we're sharing a couple lesser known beasts including a Wisconsin canine, an adorable (if sensitive) Scottish friend, and a Pacific Northwest hybrid. 

Another woman of many names: born Catherine Lawler, resurfaced as Kate Webster, playing at Kate Thomas... One thing that remains consistent is that she lies. 

In the small rural town of Athens, Wisconsin, the Kunz family were known as strange loners at the center of decades worth of rumors. On July 4th, 1987 the entire family save for one member was murdered in their home, stirring up more rumors that still exist today. There was a conviction in relation to their deaths, but there is much speculation as to whether true justice was served.

One morning Peter Porco went about his daily routine, waking up, getting dressed, making coffee and breakfast, and ultimately succumbing to devastating injuries sustained in a horrific attack on both he and his wife the night before. This highly unusual crime has a not altogether surprising culprit, though the star witness in his defense makes this story truly memorable. 

Elyse Pahler was a spunky 15 year old girl in 1995, enjoying all the perks of being an adventurous teenager. She had a wide variety of passions and interests and had an entire bright future ahead of her. Unfortunately, three boys she trusted and thought were her friends took it upon themselves to use her in their twisted violent scheme which they believed would bring them the success they couldn't...

Stephen Griffiths fancied himself a criminal mastermind, and a superior creature above the lowly human race. He is best known for a moniker he gave himself in the courtroom, widely believed to be a publicity stunt. Stephen targeted women struggling with addiction who were working toward getting their lives in order, and he relished the attention he got from his confession. 

Max DeVries went missing while on a family vacation in Aruba on May 12th, 2004. His mother has worked tirelessly the last 20 years searching for her son and trying to get any kind of law enforcement involvement to move the search forward. Please share his story to bring justice for Max. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ycdevries Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62321359000/