Dark Stories with Rae Review

Get my list of essential true crime documentaries HERE Velma Barfield: The “Grandmother” Serial Killer, Arsenic Poisonings, and America’s First Female Lethal Injection Rae profiles Velma Barfield, a little-known serial killer who killed at least four people and became the first woman executed in the U.S. in 22 years and the first ever by lethal injection. The episode examines competing explanation...

Rae Review featuring Detective Dan Jackson — the Austin Police cold case detective who solved the 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders. For 34 years, the murders of Amy Ayers, Sarah Harbison, Jennifer Harbison, and Eliza Thomas went unsolved. The case landed on Dan Jackson's desk on his very first day in the cold case unit. He never imagined he'd be the one to answer the question on the billboards: who killed...

Documentary filmmaker Margaret Brown joins Rae on Dark Stories to talk about the Yogurt Shop Murders - the 1991 case that haunted Austin, Texas for over three decades. The fifth and final episode, "The End of Wondering," premieres Friday, May 22, 2026 on HBO and HBO Max. On December 6, 1991, four teenage girls, Amy Ayers, Sarah Harbison, Jennifer Harbison, and Eliza Thomas, were murdered at an "I...

This video discusses the tragic case of Diane Whipple, who was fatally attacked by her neighbor's dogs. The footage highlights the court case, People vs. Knoller, which resulted in the first conviction of murder for a dog owner due to their pets' actions in U.S. history. This true crime story explores the complexities of animal attack incidents and criminal justice, raising important questions abo...

When Gisèle Pelicot found out what had been done to her, she made a decision that nobody expected. Part Two covers the trial, the 50 men, the verdict, and what Gisèle Pelicot did that no law could have required her to do and why it matters for every woman who comes after her. She waived her anonymity. She demanded a public trial. She sat in that courtroom every single day and she made them look at...

For almost ten years, Dominique Pelicot was considered a model husband. He was also drugging his wife unconscious and inviting strangers into their home to assault her while she slept. He filmed all of it. He organized all of it. And he did it so carefully that Gisèle had no idea. Part One covers the marriage, the decade of abuse, how it was finally uncovered, and the moment investigators realized...

On November 15, 1917, 33 women were beaten, brutalized, and tortured at the Occoquan Workhouse for one simple demand: the right to vote. This is the true story of Alice Paul, the Night of Terror, and how the most horrific night in suffrage history became the catalyst for the 19th Amendment. This is a story they don't teach you in school. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...

Today, Rae tells the story of the tragic life of Rosemary Kennedy, the sister of JFK, who underwent a botched lobotomy at the age of 23. The discussion highlights the 'Kennedy Curse,' the family's history of misfortune, and the societal pressures that led to Rosemary's tragic fate. It explores her early life, the circumstances surrounding her lobotomy, and the devastating aftermath that left her i...

Today, we delve into the disturbing life of Ed Gein, a notorious figure whose crimes inspired iconic horror villains. It explores his traumatic upbringing, the profound influence of his mother, and the psychological unraveling that led to his heinous acts. The discussion highlights the complexities of his mental state, the nature of his crimes, and the implications of his life story on our underst...

Robert Pickton is often described as Canada’s most prolific serial killer. But this story isn’t just about one man. For years, warnings about the pig farm in Port Coquitlam were ignored. A woman survived and reported him. Employees tipped off police. Families begged for help as women disappeared from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Nothing changed. In this episode, we examine the full Robert Pickto...

In this episode, Rae tells the dark story Maddie Clifton and Joshua Phillips to explore how violent behavior in children is often overlooked, minimized, or dismissed until tragedy occurs. Maddie Clifton was eight years old when she was killed by a fourteen-year-old boy from her neighborhood a case that forces us to confront how proximity, access, and assumptions about innocence can hide real dange...

Rae Review tells the dark story of the disappearance of Jennifer Kesse and the surveillance footage that almost identified a suspect. 🔔 Subscribe for more deep‑dives into true crime, psychology, and dark history. 💬 Comment below: What are your thoughts on this case?  ☕ Get my FREE NEWSLETTER and early access to episodes: ⁠raereviewdarkvault.substack.com⁠ For more dark stories like these or to g...

At just 10 years old, Mary Bell became one of the youngest killers in modern criminal history. In this episode, we explore the disturbing psychological and social factors behind the Mary Bell case including severe childhood abuse, neglect, and repeated failures by the systems meant to protect her. We also examine how trauma, environment, and early violence intersect, and why Mary Bell’s story cont...

Rae tells the dark story of Dr. Sneha Ann Philip, who vanished on the eve of the September 11 attacks. It explores her life, the investigation that followed, the biases that influenced the narrative surrounding her disappearance, and the fight for her recognition as a victim of the tragedy. Brace yourself and settle in with Rae Review for another Dark Story. 🔔 Subscribe to Rae Review: Dark Storie...

Have you heard the heartbreaking story of David Reimer? Rae tells the story of David Reimer highlights the complexities of gender identity and the potentially devastating consequences of human experimentation. *This mini episode was originally posted on Tiktok and was reformatted to become available for listening. 🔔 Subscribe for more deep‑dives into true crime, psychology, and dark history. 💬 C...

Rae tells the dark story of Brian Schaeffer, a 27-year-old medical student who vanished without a trace after a night out with friends in Columbus, Ohio. This episode explores Brian's life, the events leading up to his disappearance, and the various theories surrounding what may have happened to him. The haunting nature of his case is emphasized, highlighting the lack of evidence and closure for h...

Rae tells the tragic and EXTREMELY disturbing story of Steven Pladl and his daughter Katie Pladl. *This mini episode was originally posted on Tiktok and was reformatted to become available for listening. We'll explore the consequences of their toxic relationship and the devastating impact of their actions on their family. It highlights the psychological aspects of Steven's behavior and the tragic...

Rae tells the dark story of the mysterious disappearance of Mitrice Richardson, a 24-year-old woman who vanished after being released from police custody. The discussion highlights the contradictions in the case, the police's handling of her mental health crisis, and the subsequent discovery of her remains. It raises critical questions about accountability, systemic failures, and the stigma surrou...

Rae tells the dark story of Marybeth Tinning. Her case is often considered one of the worst cases of Münchausen by proxy ever documented, while some think she qualifies as serial killer. If you’re ready, settle in for another Dark Story. In this episode, we break down: The full timeline of events The psychological roots of Münchausen by proxy Missed red flags and systemic failures The confession t...

Rae tells the dark story of the Austin Yogurt Shop Murders — a case that shocked the nation, spiraled into one of the most mishandled investigations in Texas history, and only recently found clarity through modern DNA science. For decades, the real killers walked free while the case grew colder, messier, and more controversial. Settle in — this is Rae Review: Dark Stories. And tonight’s story is o...

Rae Review: Dark Stories Podcast dives deep into true crime, dark history, and the unsettling depths of human behavior. You'll learn why and how people can be deeply depraved while also being deeply human. Narrated by Rae Review, your guide to bringing the disturbing tales to light. For more, visit my website: raereview.com Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rae_review Follow on Instagram:...

Dive into the darkest corner of American true-crime as we unravel the horrifying saga of Albert Fish—known as “The Gray Man,” “The Werewolf of Wysteria,” and “The Brooklyn Vampire.” From his traumatic childhood to the gruesome murders that shocked the 1920s and ’30s, this documentary pulls no punches in exposing how Fish became an enduring symbol of real-life terror. Discover the twisted psycholog...

The brutal murder of Bobbie Jo Stinnett shocked America in 2004—but the story behind it is even more chilling. In “The HORRIFYING Case of Lisa Montgomery,” we peel back every layer of this landmark crime: the troubled childhood that shaped Montgomery, her meticulous online planning, the dramatic FBI takedown, and the courtroom battle that ignited nationwide debate on mental health and the death pe...

The story of the Liske Family murders. The son originally thought his family was playing a harmless Halloween prank, but the reality was the gruesome discovery of his murdered family members.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dubbed "The Candyman", Ronald O'Bryan exploited the urban legend of strangers poisoning trick-or-treat candy and killed his 8-year-old son, Timothy O'Bryan.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices