Hidden True Crime

Sixteen children were allegedly hidden from the outside world for years inside a tiny Ohio home investigators say was filled with human waste, garbage, insects, and conditions they described as "third world." Authorities say some of the children couldn't communicate, one was fighting for their life, and neighbors had no idea they were there. But the deeper this investigation goes, the more disturb...

A healthy 7-year-old boy somehow grew to 255 pounds, became bedridden, covered in infected bedsores, and died before anyone intervened. Now, his parents face second-degree murder, torture, and ch*ld ab*se charges. In this episode, Lauren Matthias examines the heartbreaking death of Casper O'Brien, the police investigation, medical records, 911 call, and newly released court documents to uncover ho...

Kouri Richins wants her murder conviction thrown out—and now the judge who presided over her trial has stepped aside while another judge decides what happens next. In a sweeping motion for a new trial, Kouri's attorneys accuse the court of judicial bias, claim prosecutors violated pretrial rulings, and argue the jury was unfairly influenced from start to finish. Today, we're breaking down every ma...

What was it really like to sit just feet away from Samuel Bateman throughout his trial? In this exclusive interview, we speak with a juror who shares what the jury saw, what stood out during testimony, and how they weighed the evidence before reaching a verdict. From Bateman representing himself in court to the emotional testimony from witnesses and victims, we go behind the scenes of one of the m...

*This episode was originally recorded live. There was minimal editing done to it. * One of Samuel Bateman's wives took the stand in his defense before Bateman delivered his own closing argument directly to the jury in one of the trial's most unusual moments. In this full Day 3 recap, we break down her testimony, Bateman's final attempt to persuade the jury, the prosecution's response, and the key...

*This episode was originally recorded live and post verdict. There was minimal editing done to it. * Samuel Bateman took the stand in his own defense, giving testimony that left many in the courtroom stunned. In this full Day 2 recap, we break down Bateman's claims, the prosecution's cross-examination, and key moments the jury heard. Sponsor: Goodr-Head to https://goodr.com/HIDDEN to claim $10 off...

***This episode was recorded live and minimally edited.** The trial of Samuel Bateman is officially underway—and Day 1 was explosive. In this full courtroom recap, we break down Bateman's shocking opening statement as he tells jurors he's "kind and gentle" and would never harm a child, despite the allegations against him. We also cover emotional testimony from the three child survivors found insid...

How did a missing LEGO collection worth up to $200,000 spiral into lawsuits, arrests, police corruption allegations, and a nationwide internet firestorm? In this complete investigation, Lauren Matthias breaks down the viral Reckless Ben vs. Bricks & Minifigs saga from beginning to end—covering Bryan Mansell’s missing Star Wars LEGO collection, the role of Bricks & Minifigs, shocking bodycam footag...

BREAKING: Joseph Duggar has been denied unsupervised access to his children—and the reason why may be even more significant than the ruling itself. In a brief but revealing Florida hearing, the judge repeatedly referenced ongoing Arkansas criminal proceedings, child welfare investigations, and active supervision plans involving Joseph and Kendra Duggar's family. What started as a request for unsup...

Taylor Parker spent months convincing everyone around her that she was pregnant. The lie would end in one of the most shocking and disturbing crimes in recent history. In this episode, forensic psychologist Dr. John Matthias reacts to Netflix's 'Maternal Instinct', breaking down Taylor Parker's psychology, reported diagnoses, compulsive deception, and the motivations that may have led to the murde...

A missing mother sends one final message: "If I don't get away from here, I know it will be bad."* Days later, she's gone. Investigators say Angela Whitaker moved hundreds of miles for a job opportunity and a fresh start. Instead, they allege she became trapped in a nightmare that ended on a remote mountainside. An ex-fiancée comes forward with explosive claims. A secret trip into the woods. Concr...

A shocking new court filing in the Nick Reiner case may reveal why celebrity defense attorney Alan Jackson abruptly withdrew just weeks after declaring, “Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder. Print that.” In this episode, Lauren breaks down the latest legal battle surrounding the son of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, who is accused of murdering both of his parents in their Brentwood home in...

This episode originally premiered on May 18, 2025, but as the case against Jeffrey Zizz moves closer to trial, it feels more important than ever to revisit. Marcia Norman deserved to grow old surrounded by her family, grandchildren, friends, and the life she built. Instead, prosecutors allege she was targeted by a man she trusted. In this episode, forensic psychologist Dr. John Matthias examines J...

A year after the disappearance and murder of 82-year-old Marcia Norman shocked Washington State, Hidden True Crime returns with a major update—and troubling new questions about whether justice will truly be served. In this episode, Lauren Matthias examines newly obtained court documents, witness statements, digital evidence, and jail calls that paint an even darker picture of what investigators al...

Lauren Matthias and forensic psychologist Dr. John Matthias react to the new documentary The Nightmare Upstairs and explore the difficult questions at the center of the case. Beyond the documentary itself, we discuss family abuse, child disclosures, parental alienation, custody battles, trauma, and why these cases can be so challenging for courts and professionals to navigate. What happens when ch...

Today on Hidden True Crime, Lauren Matthias covers the urgent and actively unfolding disappearance of two young brothers — Will Richman and Wesley Richman — who authorities believe were abducted by their father, Dane Richman, during a bitter custody dispute. Investigators say the case involves alarming warning signs including financial collapse, emotional instability, an abandoned home, possible o...

Dr. John, a forensic psychologist, reacts to The Crash and breaks down the disturbing psychology behind Mackenzie Shirilla — the Ohio teen convicted after driving her car into a wall at 100 mph, killing her boyfriend and another friend. While Netflix explores the case itself, this episode goes deeper into the relationship dynamics, emotional possession, attachment, control, and psychological warni...

In this episode of Hidden True Crime, Lauren Matthias breaks down the latest shocking developments involving Joseph Duggar after his team appeared for a brief arraignment in Florida on child crime charges involving a minor. But the real story may not be the two-minute hearing itself… it’s the explosive pretrial motions happening behind the scenes. Lauren unpacks the allegations tied to a 2020 fami...

In this deeply emotional and psychologically complex interview, Tiana Broadnax speaks out about marrying James Broadnax while he was on death row — and what it was like to witness his execution two weeks after the wedding. Tiana describes falling in love with a man convicted of double murder, fighting for his innocence, navigating the stigma of marrying a death row inmate, and ultimately watching...

Just before being sentenced for the murder of her husband, Eric Richins, Kouri Richins addressed the court in a dramatic sentencing statement that left many people questioning what was real, what was strategic, and what it revealed about her state of mind. In this episode, Lauren Matthias and forensic psychologist Dr. John Matthias break down Kouri’s sentencing speech, the heartbreaking victim imp...

** This episode was originally recorded live. Kouri Richins has finally learned her fate after being convicted of murdering her husband Eric Richins in March of 2022 Sponsors: Brodo: Head to https://brodo.com/HTC for 20% off your first subscription order and use code HTC for an additional $10 off. First Day Life: Get up to 57% off and a free gift with code HIDDEN at https://FirstDay.com. #ad About...

In this episode of Hidden True Crime, Lauren Matthias breaks down the explosive filing in the Kouri Richins case, including chilling new allegations about the murder of Eric Richins, the state’s argument that Kouri “learned” from her first failed poisoning attempt, and the heartbreaking impact this case has had on the couple’s three young sons. Prosecutors reveal emotional statements from the chil...

Prosecutors say they now know exactly what happened to 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez — and the chilling timeline they’ve laid out against David Burke is more disturbing than many imagined. In this episode of Hidden True Crime, Lauren Matthias breaks down explosive new court filings. Sponsor ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Explore coverage at https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/HIDDEN About Hidden...

In this emotional and disturbing breakdown, Lauren Matthias walks through the defense’s final attempt to explain Tanner’s behavior through trauma, autism spectrum traits, fetal alcohol exposure, and childhood neglect… before the prosecution delivers a devastating rebuttal witness from Tanner’s own past. We unpack the expert testimony, the battle over future dangerousness, the prosecution and defen...

Secrets, power, and belief—this episode unpacks the disturbing rise of Samuel Bateman and the system that allowed his abuse to flourish. From the origins of the FLDS and the influence of leaders like Warren Jeffs, to the isolation and unchecked authority that created an environment ripe for manipulation, we explore how control takes hold—and why it’s so hard to break free. At the center is Christi...