Just The Tip-Sters: True Crime Podcast

In the first part of a multi-part series focusing on the infamous, decades-long mystery of the Golden State Killer - and the recent arrest of a suspect after 42 years - Melissa investigates not only the story itself but her own fascination - even obsession - with the case.  In this installment - "The Early Years" - Melissa pieces together facts from John James DeAngelo Jr.'s youth and his youthful...

In this episode, Melissa takes the suggestion of a loyal Tip-Ster calling the Tip-Ster Hotline from Cincinnati, Ohio - and explores one of that city's most haunting and frustrating cold cases - the Bricca family murders of 1966.  A young family of three brutally stabbed to death on a peaceful Sunday night for seemingly no reason - and while some of the clues lead to what seems an obvious suspect,...

He was only arrested a few days ago, but already the capture of Joseph James DeAngelo - the alleged "Golden State Killer" accused of committing 12 murders and innumerable rapes and robberies over a decade-plus crime spree, and who has eluded justice for over 40 years - has created a storm of media coverage.  Some is speculative, much has turned out to be completely wrong.  With all the facts still...

In a special zesty MURDERTIZER between full episodes, Melissa follows up on the Zankou Chicken Massacre with a lighter chat about her numerous visits - some with Producer Mark and some by herself - to the new Zankou Chicken outlet near the Homestead Studios.  Funny and touching at once, Melissa relives her thrilling first visit to the new eatery and her subsequent interactions with the Iskenderian...

Melissa completes her 3-part series on murderous men named Peterson with maybe the most fascinating of all - the tangled tale of Michael Peterson...who was convicted of killing his wife and making look like she fell down the stairs.  One of the most highly-covered murder cases in the last 20 years, this case - like one of the nightclubs promoted by SNL's Stefon - has everything: late night hot tub...

Yeah, he probably did it.  You can feel in in your gut, right?  That's pretty much what the jury said when it convicted Scott Peterson of the murder of his wife, Laci in 2004.  But is demeanor evidence really evidence?  And does it prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt?  In Part 2 of her series featuring three men named Peterson who were each convicted of murdering their spouses, Melissa takes an ho...

Who would have guessed that three of the most notorious, murderous men in recent history all share the same last name?  Not for nothing, ladies, but maybe if that dream date turns out to have a surname that starts with "P" and ends with "Eterson," you should reconsider Date No. 2.  In this, the first of a three-part series on three dudes who had no connection to each other - other than the name Pe...

...crusty AND flaky too!  Here's another palette-cleansing, tasty and refreshing MURDERTIZER between regular episodes - this time so that Melissa can catch everyone up on the recent court ruling involving the remaining remains of Charles Manson, now dead nearly half-a-year and frozen solid in Kern County California awaiting this decision.  Melissa takes us through some of the bizarre details and e...

A beautiful young girl with dreams of stardom moves from small town Colorado to Los Angeles to make her way to stardom...sound familiar?  Vicki Morgan's story actually did lead her to fortune - but not fame - at least not right away.  Over a 12-year period, she was the on-again, off-again well-compensated "kept woman" of millionaire Alfred Bloomingdale.  When Bloomingdale died and his widow ended...

James Ray's self-help enterprise made him a zillionaire after Oprah Winfrey knighted him - however briefly - her favorite Guide to Self-Realization.  All of it came crashing down in 2009 when three people died and many more were permanently injured at one of Ray's "sweat lodges" in the Arizona desert.  Join Melissa as she weaves James Ray's rise to fame and success and ultimate fall to prison and...

What's more deranged than a TV sitcom set in a Nazi prisoner of war camp?  How about a drummer, radio personality and TV star who likes to feature himself in dirty home movies and gets himself bludgeoned to death in his Phoenix apartment?  Hah?  HAH?!  And that's just the outline of this bizarre tale of Bob Crane, star of the hit TV series "Hogan's Heroes," whose questionable friendship with a vid...

The mystery of screenwriter/producer Gary DeVore's 1997 disappearance on a dark and lonely highway - and the discovery of his body a year later - sans both hands! - continues to baffle and disturb to this day.  Melissa revisits the facts of this weird case, and delves into some of the speculation on what sinister forces may have been behind his death.  Hint:  Black helicopters ARE mentioned! Hoste...

Melissa is joined by author, singer/songwriter, columnist and photographer PAUL ZOLLO to talk about the infamous case of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two young men who, in 1924 stunned the city of Chicago and the entire nation when decided that they could commit the perfect murder and proved themselves spectacularly and gruesomely incorrect.  Melissa joins Zollo, a Chicago native who has been...

They say that the fun is doubled when twins are involved...but whoever thought up that little gem never met the Duval Sisters of Maui, formerly of Park City, formerly of West Palm Beach - and for one of them, most recently, formerly of this mortal coil.  Melissa rips a page from the headlines in this spellbinding tale of two identical twins who thought teaching yoga to the rich and famous would ma...

Ever wonder why so many serial killers live their entire lives without ever getting caught?  They're CLEVER, that's why.  And the clever ones who do get caught?  Maybe it's just because they want to be caught.  Join Melissa as she investigates the totally depraved, disturbing and utterly brilliant killing spree of Israel Keyes, whose meticulous pre-planning and strict self-discipline enabled him t...

Melissa investigates a murder right in her own town - a 2007 "unsolved but solved" case involving the bludgeoning of Lawana Clary, a housewife and special education teacher whose killer will never come to justice - but whose case still needs closure. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Melissa discusses the tragic case of Barbara Ann Hackman, known only as "Tent Girl" when her body was first found wrapped in a circus tent canvas in rural Kentucky in 1969.  Through the determination of her family and the passion and commitment of one special man who, through pure coincidence, became the force behind her eventual identification decades later.  A tale of sadness, but also of the be...

Melissa is joined by renowned spiritual counselor and psychic detective PAM CORONADO, who for more than two decades has helped law enforcement solve a wide array of murders and other crimes.  Known for her numerous appearances in film and television, including "Sensing Murder" and "The Unexplained," Coronado is also an educator and personal spiritual advisor. In this episode of "Just the Tip-Sters...

A delicious appetizer to whet your whistle until the next full episode - today Melissa  tells the tale of Frances Glessner Lee, who, at the age of 52 and with no college education, began a career that changed law enforcement and the art of medical forensics forever, and whose methods are still used today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our colle...

Melissa delves into the tragic 2011 "Lululemon Murder" in Bethesda Maryland by way of a riveting and personal exploration of one woman's passion for yoga.  Often erroneously described as "the murder in the yoga store," Melissa discusses the Lululemon case through the lens of her own personal journey with yoga, how it's portrayed in popular culture, and the unfortunate way gullible, beautiful souls...

Melissa is joined by special guest KARI HEWITT of The Finders, a Southern California band of dedicated volunteers who work with law enforcement and other volunteer organizations to help families of missing persons find their loved ones.  In this episode, Melissa and Kari discuss the strange, sad, maddening case of Will Cierzan, who appeared to have disappeared without a trace in January of 2017 wh...

Melissa is horrified to learn not only that she and Chuckles were born just a few miles apart - but that the guy who built a temple to Everything Manson and who is suing to get all of Manson's belongings - including his body! - lives just a couple of miles from where she is now! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal d...

Mmmmm garlic paste.  And chicken!  What could be more tasty?  How about a nasty family feud over a multi-million dollar restaurant chain that turns bloodier than a you-kinow-what with its head cut off!  Join Melissa as she takes us deep into the Zankou Massacre of 2003... Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for...

Melissa explores the strange case of Gene Simmons (no, not THAT Gene Simmons!) who celebrated Christmas and New Year back in 1987 in a most macabre way... Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.