Campus Crime Chronicles

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the spring of 2017, Timothy Piazza was like many college sophomores — eager to find his place, to build lasting friendships, and to be part of something bigger than himself. At just 19 years old, he had his sights set on Beta Theta Pi, one of the most respected fraternities at Pennsylvania State University. To Tim, pledging meant brotherhoo...

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). Brandy Stevens-Rosine was a bright 20-year-old college student with a passion for understanding human behavior. Studying psychology and sociology at Youngstown State University in 2012, she was driven by the question: Why do people do what they do? But Brandy would never get the chance to answer that question for herself. That spring, Brandy w...

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). It was supposed to be routine — just another custody handoff between two parents in rural Madison County, Tennessee. Tyeasha Starks, a bright young student at Austin Peay State University, had done this before. She was there to pick up her 1-year-old son. But what happened next would shatter everything. A heated argument. A gunshot. And then,...

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In June 2017, Yingying Zhang — a 26-year-old Ph. D. student and visiting scholar from China — vanished after being seen at a campus bus stop at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. What followed was a heartbreaking search, a chilling investigation, and a devastating truth – that Yinying Zhang was no longer alive. While a suspect was...

Hey y’all — quick heads up, I’m taking a little break this week. BUT, I didn’t want to leave you hanging with no episode at all. So today, I’m re-airing a story that originally ran back in 2022. It’s Chronicle 40, titled “From Friend to Foe.” Now, I didn’t just pick this one at random — there’s a specific reason I wanted to bring it back. There’s actually been a new development in this case in 202...

Today’s episode is rated a 3 (on my Serious Crime Scale). With March Madness still somewhat fresh in our minds and brackets either busted or celebrated, I figured it was the perfect time to explore a different kind of madness – one that doesn’t involve murder, but still raises serious questions about integrity, pressure, and the high-stakes world of college basketball. In 1994, Stevin “Hedake” Smi...

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). It was a warm summer night in July 2016 when 23-year-old Kaylee Sawyer crossed paths with a public safety officer from Central Oregon Community College. A simple offer for a ride – something meant to ensure safety – became the start of a nightmare. What happened next was a fight for survival that ended in tragedy. Listen now to hear the full s...

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). Now, as you can probably tell from the title on your screen, this is an UPDATE to a previous episode I covered about a year ago, back in March 2024. That episode, Chronicle 72, was titled “Suspension Sparks Murder.” In that episode, I told you the chilling story of Sydney Powell, a college student at the University of Mount Union in Ohio. Afte...

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). It is an UPDATE to a previous episode from March 2024. That was Chronicle 72: “Suspension Sparks Murder.” In that episode, I told you the chilling story of Sydney Powell, a college student at the University of Mount Union in Ohio. After being placed on academic suspension for poor grades, Sydney's defense claimed she suffered a psychotic b...

Today’s episode is rated a 2 on our Serious Crime Scale—but stick with me, because that scale is a little unconventional this time. While this story leans more toward human interest, the case at its center—the one that made national headlines—would have easily been rated a 5. That’s because today, we’re diving into the incredible story of a college student who used genetic genealogy to crack a dec...

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). It was December 2007 when 21-year-old Marshall University student Leah Hickman vanished without a trace in Huntington, West Virginia. As her family and friends desperately searched the city, police launched an investigation into her mysterious disappearance. But one week later, the search came to a devastating end – Leah’s body was discovered...

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). You may remember hearing something in the media from back in August of 2016 about a college student who attacked and killed a Florida couple in their garage. And, when police arrived to the scene, they found the student literally eating one of the victim’s faces. Now, at the time, there was a massive media frenzy that suggested the student, 19...

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In 1994, the University of Kentucky was rocked by tragedy when star offensive lineman Trent DiGiuro was shot and killed while sitting on his front porch. His death sent shockwaves through the campus, leaving fear and confusion in its wake. No one saw anything, no one heard anything, besides the gunshot itself, and there seemed to be no reason...

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the spring of 2008 at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, life was bustling and students were deep in their studies. Among them, was 22-year-old Eve Carson, a vibrant senior and the student body president, known for her leadership and passion as she juggled a double major in political science and biology. Eve was a source of ins...

I'm extending my break through the end of the year. But don't worry, Campus Crime Chronicles will return in January 2025. Until then, I want to wish all my listeners a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and peace in the new year. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the summer of 1980, 18-year-old Gina Hall had just wrapped up her midterm exams at Radford University in Virginia. She was ready to unwind and celebrate, and she knew exactly how – by hitting the dance floor. That night, on June 28, she borrowed her sister’s Monte Carlo and made the short drive to a popular nightclub at the Marriott Inn in...

This episode is rated a 4 (on my Serious Crime Scale). On March 8, 2024, four buses filled with Delta Chi fraternity brothers from the University of Missouri arrived in Nashville, Tennessee, for a private event – the fraternity’s spring formal. Upon their arrival, the college students wasted no time hitting the streets of Nashville to visit the multitude of honkytonk bars on Broadway. But, unfortu...

Welcome to Part 2 of the UPDATED episode titled “Victim of a Narcissist.” In 2003, 20-year-old community college student Megan McDonald was brutally beaten and killed in a remote area of Orange County, New York. For over 20 years, the primary suspect in her murder was never publicly revealed – that is, until April 20, 2023, when the State Police announced they had finally made an arrest, and 42-ye...

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In March of 2003, 20-year-old community college student Megan McDonald was severely beaten and murdered, and then her lifeless body was dumped in a remote area. Like a real-life “Criminal Minds” story, the Behavioral Analysis Unit, or the BAU (a branch of the FBI), put together a profile of her killer. The BAU determined that Megan’s murderer...

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In 2004, the University of North Carolina – Wilmington was rocked to its core when, in a matter of only a few months, not one, but TWO female students were stalked and murdered by two different male students. The latter of which should have never been admitted to the college in the first place due to their criminal histories. On my last episod...

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). When college student Christen Naujoks first met John Peck in Wilmington, North Carolina, she was swept off her feet by his Southern charm. But that charm soon turned into a dark cloud of isolation and possessiveness; and, when Christen decided to break it off, John refused to let her go. After months of relentless stalking and harassment, thei...

This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In May of 1996, two women in their 20s took a vacation to the Shenandoah National Park, located in the state of Virginia, to embrace its beauty and enjoy the tranquility of its nature. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a celebratory trip ended in tragedy. When the pair didn’t return home by the date originally planned, family reported the...

This episode is rated a 1 (on my Serious Crime Scale). It's the story of a freshman college football player and his encounter with two members of the Newton Police Department in Newton, Iowa. What began as a routine traffic stop soon escalated and ended with the college student in handcuffs, which has sparked multiple legal litigations from both sides. Listen now to hear the full story.  Adver...

Hey, everyone! I’m taking a break this week because I’ve been out of town on vacation, but don’t worry – I'm giving you a sneak peek of one of my EXCLUSIVE Patreon episodes. Then, I’ll be back in another two weeks with an all new Campus Crime Chronicle. And, if you love this one, then I encourage all of you to head on over to my Patreon for more exclusive content and additional campus crime st...