Koltergeist: True Crime Stories

This captivating truecrime episode explores the shocking divergence within the Stayner family. It begins with young Steven Stayner’s abduction at age 7 and his courageous escape seven years later—saving a fellow captive along the way. But the story takes a darker turn, as his older brother Cary grows up overlooked and troubled, eventually becoming the notorious “Yosemite Park Killer.” The hosts tr...

In 2007, the world was rocked by the shocking revelation that a respected and decorated professional wrestler had murdered his wife and young son before taking his own life inside their suburban Georgia home. As the story unfolded, it exposed a deeply tragic mix of steroid and drug abuse, unprocessed grief, chronic head trauma, and a volatile home life. Together, these forces created a perfect sto...

When several women are lured to Boston hotel rooms by a charming med student offering massages, only to be robbed—or worse—the city begins to unravel a chilling pattern. Behind the polished smile and prestigious future of Philip Markoff lies a secret life fueled by obsession, violence, and a terrifying double identity. In this episode of Koltergeist , we dive into the twisted case of the so-called...

In 1996, the peace of Shenandoah National Park was shattered by a gruesome discovery: the bodies of Lollie Winans and Julie Williams, two young, adventurous women with serious outdoor skills, were found brutally murdered near their campsite. They weren’t just victims—they were fearless, badass trailblazers who felt at home in the wild. As the investigation unfolded, it exposed more than just a kil...

After beloved Montana outdoorsman Bill Stout is found shot to death in his home, a bizarre web of anonymous emails, nighttime prowlers, and escalating threats begins to surface. Was his brief affair to blame—or was something far more sinister lurking closer to home? In this gripping episode of Koltergeist , we unravel a chilling mystery of obsession, betrayal, and a haunting trail that led to murd...

On Father’s Day 1991, a brutal and calculated crime unfolded inside the United Bank Tower in Denver, Colorado. Disguised and heavily armed, a man carried out one of the most violent bank robberies in American history. Within minutes, he gunned down four unarmed security guards—execution-style—and vanished with a bag of stolen cash. Despite multiple suspects and years of investigation, no one has e...

Episode Summary In this episode of  Koltergeist , we unravel the disturbing case of Jenelle Potter—a woman whose lies and online manipulation led to the murders of Billy Payne and Billie Jean Hayworth in a quiet Tennessee town. Jenelle, socially isolated and obsessed with online drama, created a fake CIA agent to convince her parents she was in danger. Her father, Buddy Potter, acted on that&...

Episode Summary: A dashing Hollywood icon with a shadowy secret was murdered and his killer was never brought to justice. They said he had it all—fame, fortune, and a smile that made headlines. But behind the velvet ropes and silver screens, this actor carried a secret no one was meant to uncover. This episode delves into the mysterious and tragic death of Hogan’s Heroes star Bob Crane. Sources fo...

Episode Summary In this episode of  Koltergeist , we explore the tragic stories of Bianca Devins and Grace Emmie Rose Millane—two young women whose lives were cut short by men they trusted. Bianca, a 17-year-old rising social media personality from New York, was brutally murdered by a friend she met online, with images of the crime shared across the internet in a chilling intersection of viol...

Episode Summary On an ordinary spring evening, a little girl walked to the corner store to buy a pencil and was never seen alive again. The last person to see her was someone she was supposed to trust-a man in uniform patrolling the small town of Mascotte, Fl. This is the story of Teresa Mae McAbee, who was brutalized and murdered in 1987 by a small-town cop named James Duckett. Episode sources ar...

In this episode, we delve into the infamous “Suitcase Murder” case of Melanie McGuire, a New Jersey fertility clinic nurse convicted of killing her husband, Bill McGuire, in 2004. After shooting him and dismembering his body, Melanie placed the remains into suitcases that later washed up in the Chesapeake Bay. Despite her claims of innocence, a mountain of circumstantial evidence—including surveil...

In 2015, one of the most horrifying home invasion murders occurred in our nation’s capital, Washington, DC. The murder of Savopolous family and their housekeeper, Veralicia Figueroashocked the nation, due to the brutality and senselessness of the crime. This story is a harsh reminder that no amount of money or prestige can guarantee safety from vio...

In this episode, we explore two shocking cases of fetal abduction—where pregnant women were targeted by women desperate to steal their unborn babies. First, we recount the 2015 attack on Michelle Wilkins, who was lured by Dynel Lane under the guise of a Craigslist baby clothes sale, only to be brutally attacked and have her baby cut from her womb. Then, we examine the infamous case of Lisa Montgom...

Kelsey Ann Smith DOB May 3, 1989 On a warm summer evening in 2007, a young woman ran a quick errand in broad daylight-and met a terrible fate. Through the investigation, glimpses of Kelsey’s final moments emerged, painting a chilling picture of an ordinary day turned nightmare. In the end, her story becomes a haunting reminder of how fragile life can be—and how danger can lurk where we least expec...

In this episode of Koltergeist , we delve into the mysterious and chilling case of April Kauffman, a beloved radio host and veterans’ advocate who was found murdered in her home. For years, the case remained unsolved—until a shocking web of secrets unraveled, exposing ties to illegal operations, betrayal, and a deadly conspiracy. What really happened to April, and who wanted her silenced? Join us...

In 1989, a 17-year-old rising senior was enjoying the last of the lazy days of summer, no doubt excitedly looking forward to her last year of high school. When she suddenly goes missing, the small town of Millersberg, PA is thrust into the center of a mystery that lasts decades, casting suspicion on it’s residents and shady outsiders, while exposing intimate secrets that were never meant to b...

In this episode of Koltergeist , we explore the mysterious disappearance of Chris Smith, a young entrepreneur who seemingly set off on a worldwide adventure in 2010—only for his loved ones to later suspect something was terribly wrong. His business partner, Ed Shin, claimed Chris had sold his share of their company and was living a carefree life abroad, but as investigators dug deeper, troubling i...

On a beautiful summer afternoon in 2003, a promising young life was tragically cut short by a monster who remained elusive for over 2 decades. Rebecca Park, a medical student and Lt in the US Army, set out on a run through the trails of Fairmount park in Philadelphia only to fall prey to a villain who raped, slashed, and essentially terrorized an entire city before finally being apprehended i...

Episode Summary: When the wife and two young sons of security chief Chris Coleman were found brutally murdered in their home, investigators uncovered a shocking web of deceit. What first appeared to be the work of a mysterious stalker soon pointed to someone much closer to home. In this episode of Koltergeist, we unravel the dark secrets, the damning evidence, and the cold-blooded motive behind on...

It was a crisp Halloween night in 2001, and Penn State student Cindy Song was ready and dressed for a night of fun—bunny ears perched on her head, a fluffy cotton tail completing the look. She celebrated with friends at a college bar in downtown State College, Pennsylvania. But by the time the sun rose on November 1st, Cindy was gone. Vanished without a trace. No sign of a struggle. No clear suspe...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Koltergeist, we delve into the chilling case of Kevin Mengel, a devoted father whose life was cut short by a shocking betrayal. What seemed like a troubled marriage took a deadly turn when his wife, Morgan Mengel, and her younger lover hatched a sinister plan. We uncover the lies, deception, and the trail of evidence that led investigators to the truth. Was just...

Episode Summary: On a cold January evening in 2011, 27-year-old Ellen Greenberg, a beloved teacher and bride-to-be, was found dead in her Philadelphia apartment with 20 stab wounds—10 of which were to the back of her head and neck. Despite the medical examiner determining the manner of death as a homicide, it was never really investigated as such. The medical examiner then suddenly changed the man...

Episode Summary: When a seemingly successful marriage unraveled due to infidelity, it led to an unimaginable tragedy. This episode dives into the love triangle between Marc Gerardot, his wife Jennair, and Meredith Chapman—a story of betrayal, obsession, and meticulous planning. Explore the events that culminated in a shocking murder-suicide, the chilling evidence left behind, and the devastating a...

Episode Summary: Judith (Judy) Smith was a 50-year-old Massachusetts woman who went missing while sightseeing in Philadelphia, PA in 1997. Mysteriously, her remains were eventually found 5 months later over 500 miles away. This case leaves us with more questions than answers- how and why did Judy Smith go missing, and- who killed her? References: Apr 14, 1997, page 16 - The Boston Globe at Newspap...

Episode Summary: Marcus Schrenker, a former Indiana financial adviser, is best known for his dramatic attempt to fake his death in January 2009 to avoid legal and financial troubles. Schrenker's story involves fraud, deception, and a daring escape attempt that garnered national attention. Schrenker's case became a cautionary tale of greed and desperation. His elaborate but poorly executed attempt...