Forensic Tales

#024 - On December 9, 2001, Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of the staircase inside her home in Durham, North Carolina. Her husband, Michael Peterson, discovers the body and was thought to be a tragic accident. But, as the forensic evidence evolved in the case, the incident started to look less like an accident. And more like a homicide. Support My Work If you love the show, the eas...

#023 - In the late 1990's, a young wife and mother goes in for a routine plastic surgery procedure, but doesn't survive. Shortly after the patient's tragic death, the wife of the surgeon in charge of the procedure falls ill with what appears to be intentional poisoning. Was this revenge for the botched cosmetic surgery that cost an innocent woman her life? Or, was this something else entirely? Onl...

#022 - The disappearance of 13-year old Yara Gambirasio became known as the murder that obsessed Italy for years . Her killer left behind DNA on her clothing, but Italian police could only identify him as "Unknown 1". But, the police didn't know who "Unknown 1" was. His DNA didn't match any sample in local or national DNA databases. It was as if their suspect didn't even exist....

#021 - In early 1999, the small lake town of Newman Lake, Washington, experienced a string of crimes that almost seemed more fiction than reality. They involved murder, arson, fraud and embezzlement, and... it involved suicide . How might the popular choice of breakfast, cereal, help forensic scientists bring a cold  blooded killer to justice? Support My Work If you love the show, the easiest way...

#020 - What happens when you mix religion, with sex, with jealousy, with lies . You get the perfect combination that leads to not only murder, but one of the most highly followed criminal trials in history. It's a case that instantly became a media sensation . Millions tuned in daily to watch live courtroom footage of the trial, the testimonies, and the stories. This is the complete story of Jodi...

#019 - A well respected Canadian doctor is accused by one of his patients of rape in October 1992. The only problem is, the patient doesn't remember anything the night of the assault. The doctor voluntarily takes 3 separate DNA blood samples, each time proving his innocence. His DNA did not match the rape kit. Years would go by without an update, until one day, a shocking admission would force the...

#018 - Best friends Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" Rose Lynn German were murdered while hiking near the Monon High Bridge in Delphi, Indiana in February 2017. Before their murders, Libby secretly recorded the killer on her cell phone. Police have the suspect's voice, photo, and even have him on video. But as of today, the murders of Abby Williams and Libby German r...

#017 - Three suitcases are discovered floating in the Chesapeake Bay in May 2004. The first suitcase contained 2 human legs that were severed from the rest of the body. The second contained the torso. And the third suitcase held the rest of the body. The discovery of the suitcases take police investigators on a wild ride . From gambling addictions, to a steamy love affair with a coworker. But the...

#016 - A family from Ohio goes missing after taking a sunset boat cruise in Tampa Bay, Florida while on vacation. A few days later, the bodies of 3 women are discovered floating in the bay, their bodies attached to 30-pound concrete blocks. They are half naked, mouths gagged, and their eyes left wide open. Police have several suspects in the murders. Was is the husband and father who stayed behind...

#015 - This week on Forensic Tales, I tell you the complete story, the facts, the theories and the forensic science of the case. And YOU decide what you think really happened. Rebecca Zahau was found hanging from a second floor balcony in an apparent suicide in 2011. She was completely nude, her wrists and ankles bound, and her mouth gagged. This all happened after her boyfriend's son, Max, was in...

#014 - Karina Vetrano went missing on August 2, 2016 after leaving the house to go out jogging in Spring Creek Park, New York. Her brutally murdered body was discovered along the running path a few hours later. The NYPD and the Vetrano family are desperate to find the person responsible for murdering the beautiful, smart, 30-year old Karina. Medical examiners recovered a DNA profile underneath Kar...

#013 - Sharon "Shari" Faye Smith was abducted from her own driveway in May 1985. For days, her abductor tortured her family by making phone calls promising she was alive and well. He tells Shari's parents that they will receive a letter in the mail with details regarding their daughter. On one of these phone calls between the abductor and Shari's parents, the caller provided directions t...

#012 - Peter and Joan Porco were brutally attacked inside their Albany, New York home with a 3 foot axe in November 2004. Joan survives the savage attack, but her husband, Peter, does not. Immediately after the attack, Joan identified their attacker as their son, Christopher Porco. Christopher denied involvement in the attack on his parents. But DNA evidence and surveillance footage tell an entire...

#011 - The Black Dahlia is one of the most infamous unsolved cases in America's history. In January 1947, the body of a young woman was found on a Los Angeles sidewalk. Her body had been completely cut in half and drained of all her blood. Her killer sent anonymous letters to the media but has never been identified or arrested. Who killed Elizabeth Short, and why? We may never get an answer. Suppo...

#010 - Missy Bevers was a beautiful, 45-year-old fitness instructor, wife, and mother of three. She was brutally murdered in April 2016 while preparing for an early morning boot camp class at a local church. Her killer was caught on surveillance video breaking into the church shortly before Missy arrived. The mystery person is dressed head-to-toe in SWAT police gear. There's been no arrests made i...

#009 - The body of 16-year old school girl Leanne Tiernan was discovered on August 20, 2001. At her autopsy, valuable forensic evidence was collected from her body, including several dog hairs. The murder of Leanne Tiernan became known as the first British murder investigation that used dog DNA profiling to catch a savage killer. How were police able to link dog hairs found on Leanne's body to her...

008 - The Hillside Strangler terrorized the city of Los Angeles between October 1977 and February 1978, killing 12 innocent women throughout the sunny California south land. Police quickly realized they might not just be searching for one serial killer, but two killers working together. Support My Work If you love the show, the easiest way to show your support is by leaving us a positive rating wi...

#007 - Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman were best friends from a small town in England. They went missing from a family barbecue on August 4, 2002 and were never seen alive again. A forensic botanist was called in to examine the crime scene and the prime suspect's car. Who murdered Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells, two young girls who had their entire lives ahead of them, and how could investigators...

#006 - In December 1995, a bloodied and broken body of a teenage girl was found along Utah's Provo River. Completely naked. Her body was so badly beaten by the river’s sharp rocks that investigators almost couldn’t make out her face. At the same time this teenager’s life was cut so short, her killer would go on for years completely undetected by police. And after 18 excruciating years… it seemed l...

#005 - The List Family consisted of John Emil List, his wife Helen and their 3 young children: Patricia, John List Jr., and Frederick. John's mother, Alma, shared the List family's 19-room Victorian mansion in Westfield, New Jersey.   On November 9, 1971 John List murdered his wife, mother, and 3 children. It wasn't until one month later that their bodies were discovered in the ballroom of the man...

#004 - Jeffrey MacDonald was a decorated U.S. Army Officer and Physician. He lived the All American Dream by all accounts. He had a beautiful wife, Colette and two daughters, Kimberely and Kristen. Jeffrey's life was turned completely upside one early February 1970 morning. His wife and two daughters were brutally murdered inside their very own home. Jeffrey told police 4 intruders attacked him an...

#003 - Gary Leon Ridgway, also known as the Green River Killer confessed to killing 71 girls and women throughout the state of Washington. He evaded police capture for nearly two decades while he continued to live his life as a father and husband. It wasn't until the notorious Ted Bundy sat down with police investigators to provide his personal opinion of who he thought the killer would be. It tur...

#002 - The Golden State Killer is one of the nation's most notorious serial rapist and killer who evaded police capture for over 40 years. He is accused of killing 13 innocent people and raping over 50 women across the entire state of California. He's been called the East Area Rapist, the Original Night Stalker, the Visalia Ransacker, and most recently, the Golden State Killer.   Today, the world...

#001 - In May 2015, Savvas Savopolous finally realized his lifelong dream. He lived a life that can only be described as perfect. Husband to a wife dedicated to fighting brain trauma. Father to three outstanding children. And CEO of his own, successful company. But life is never perfect. A house fire exploded in an upscale Washington D.C. suburb. The Woodley Park Mansion engulfed in flames. Terror...

Forensic science has completely changed how criminal investigations are conducted. We can now identify John and Jane Does from the smallest amounts of DNA. Or catch serial killers because a family member submitted their DNA to a database. The Forensic Tales podcast is here to talk all about it.  Hosted by me, Courtney Fretwell, with a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology, Forensic Tales is a wee...