Dead Before Deadline

The scam enters phase one. It is late 1987, and Gene Hanson is dying, or so he claims. He tells co-workers that he has AIDS and doesn't have much time to live. But this is just part of the scam. Hanson was depriving himself of sleep and losing weight in order to appear sick. With their accountant on a company-paid, European trip and Hawkins in Hawaii on vacation, Hanson loots the company coffers a...

John Hawkins and Gene Hanson have a potential gold mine in the chain of retail clothing stores they have opened in Columbus, Ohio, and Lexington, Kentucky. But Hawkins and Hanson were con men before they were businessmen, and old habits are hard to break. In this episode, we'll explore the history of insurance scams this duo pulled off before creating Just Sweats, including a massive scam in New Y...

Welcome to season two of Dead Before Deadline. This season hosts Robin Yocum and Jaclynn Yocum Wilson will take a deep dive into the singularly most fascinating case of Robin's career as a journalist – the Just Sweats Case. This story had everything – murder, multi-million-dollar scams, theft, international intrigue and manhunts, beautiful women, sex of every variety, beautiful women, crazy people...

On this special season finale of Dead Before Deadline, Jaclynn interviews her father Robin Yocum, the host of Dead Before Deadline to give listeners a better understanding of his backstory, his incredible career as a reporter, and much more! Listen in to hear all about Robin and what to expect moving forward with Dead Before Deadline!

In the newest episode of "Dead Before Deadline," hosts Robin Yocum and Jaclynn Wilson unravel the complex and poignant story of David Drake, a name that once echoed in the hidden corners of Columbus, Ohio for reasons that will leave listeners both troubled and bewildered. David wasn't just a child; he was a survivor navigating the underbelly of Columbus as a child prostitute. His story is a tapest...

In this gripping episode of "Dead Before Deadline," hosts Robin Yocum and Jaclynn Wilson take listeners into the harrowing world of Dr. Edward F. Jackson, ominously known as "The Grandview Rapist." A story that not only sends shivers down the spine but showcases the horrifying duality of a man: a respected figure in daylight, but a sinister predator under the cloak of night. Robin, with his season...

The air is thick with intrigue and unsolved mysteries in the latest installment of "Dead Before Deadline," as Robin and Jaclynn embark on a riveting exploration of the infamous Circleville Letters case. The episode unfolds a peculiar tale marked by perplexing correspondence, unfounded accusations, and a shocking wrongful conviction. Dive deep into the twists and turns of this enigmatic case, as ou...

Hold onto your seats as Robin and Jaclynn Wilson bring you the thrilling conclusion to the tumultuous and perplexing saga of John Spirko in this episode of "Dead Before Deadline." This final installment promises to leave listeners in awe as the chaotic tapestry of Spirko's life reaches its jaw-dropping climax. SPT

Following the riveting revelations in the first part, "Dead Before Deadline" returns with the much-anticipated second installment of "The Wild and Crazy Life of John Spirko." Robin and Jaclynn take listeners deeper into the labyrinthine life of John Spirko, a man whose already tumultuous life takes an even more bewildering turn. In this episode, delve into the perplexing circumstances surrounding...

John Spirko has been in prison for the murder of Betty Jane Mottinger for 40 years. Dead Before Deadline host Robin Yocum believes he has spent four decades of his life incarcerated for a crime that he did not commit. Spirko, Yocum says, had nothing to do with the murder. He's the only guy Yocum has ever met who inserted himself into an investigation into a murder he did not commit and talked hims...

In this evocative episode of "Dead Before Deadline," Robin and Jaclynn Yocum transport listeners to the streets of Columbus, Ohio, painting a vivid yet somber picture of Mary Hebeler. Known to many as the town drunk, Mary's life was layered with struggles, sorrow, and a quest for belonging. "The Lost Soul" dives deep into Mary's life, a woman often dismissed by society yet carrying a world of pain...

On the latest riveting episode of "Dead Before Deadline," host Robin Yocum and his lovely daughter Jaclynn navigate us through a mixed bag of stories he encountered during his tenure on the crime beat. These tales, varying from the whimsical to the downright absurd, showcase the unpredictable nature of human behavior and the oddities that a reporter can stumble upon. Ever heard the rumor about a h...

In a chilling new installment of "Dead Before Deadline," Robin and Jaclynn Yocum delve into the deeply unsettling tales of two teenage boys who, despite their young age, committed heinous acts that would leave communities in shock and disbelief. Bradley Porter, a seemingly regular 16-year-old, whose actions would catapult him to infamy, and Jeffrey McDonald, an 18-year-old with a story that's as h...

In this emotionally charged episode of "Dead Before Deadline," Robin and Jacqueline are back with another powerful story to cover. Listen in as they unravel the haunting story surrounding Kelly Prosser, a name that would become synonymous with heartbreak in the annals of crime reporting. Kelly's disappearance and subsequent discovery shook the very foundations of the community, but the twists didn...

In the heart-pounding second episode of "Dead Before Deadline," Robin Yocum takes us deep into one of the most baffling and intense cases he's ever covered: the enigma that is Billy Milligan. With an astonishing 24 distinct personalities, Billy's case was not just a puzzle to the police and psychologists, but a labyrinthine journey for any journalist daring enough to venture inside. Robin was not...

In this riveting debut episode of "Dead Before Deadline," Robin Yocum delves into one of the most enigmatic cases from his years at the Dispatch – the mysterious death of Linda Marsick. At first glance, it seemed like any other tragic incident, but as Yocum peels back the layers, a strange connection to the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley, emerges. Was Linda Marsick's fate inexplicably linked...