Least of These

An unidentified man, two rejected plea deals and a violent gang. After Michelle Martens confessed to watching the brutal rape and murder of her 10-year-old daughter Victoria Martens, a second investigation revealed that everything Michelle had confessed to was a lie… She and Fabian Gonzales weren’t even in the apartment at the time of the murder.  But Fabian’s cousin, Jessica Kelley, was present....

Three defendants, three different stories, and a search for the truth. On August 23rd, 2016 Albuquerque Police received a disturbing 911 call… A neighbor of Michelle Martens called police to report that Michelle and her new-boyfriend Fabian Gonzales had been brutally attacked by a woman named Jessica Kelley.  However, when officials arrived at the Arroyo Villas Apartment Complex, they discovered t...

Multiple life insurance policies, a jailhouse visit, and a Chinese buffet. In November of 2012 Sabrina Zunich murdered her foster mother, Lisa Knoefel by stabbing her 178 times.   Initially investigators believed that Sabrina was motivated by rage. Six months after the murder, Sabrina sat down with prosecutors and revealed she hadn't planned Lisa's murder alone. The person she implicated w...

A troubled teen, a devoted mom, and an unexpected motive. Lisa Knoefel was a devoted mother and social worker who routinely took foster children into her home. Sabrina Zunich was one of those children. At first, it seemed Sabrina was turning her life around. But that all changed in the early morning hours of November 16th, 2012. Listen to Crime Salad Podcast: https://audioboom.com/channels/5075437...

The last phone call, an abandoned van, and keys in the ignition. On June 25th, 2018, Joe Bruce left Devil’s Lake, North Dakota to be at his son’s bedside after the 12-year-old was airlifted to a children’s hospital due to a medical emergency. The last time Joe talked to his long time partner, Miranda, he told her he was on his way but he never made it to the hospital. Joe’s van was located at Spir...

A manhunt, 2 suspects, and a province-wide alert. In September of 2022 the peace at James Smith Cree Nation was shattered by sirens, flashing lights, and aircraft. Damien and Myles Sanderson were going door to door on the reservation stabbing people in their homes. The RCMP led a massive manhunt for the brothers. But when one of them was found dead everything police thought they knew changed.  Tod...

$15, a senseless crime and chicken nuggets. Christopher Scarver is most well known for being the inmate that murdered Jeffrey Dahmer. He has been hailed as a vigilante hero by some. But the crime he committed that landed him at Columbia Correctional alongside Jesse Anderson and Jeffrey Dahmer was horrific. Sponsors: A.J. Rivers - “The Girl in Cabin 13” Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/A.J...

Two monsters, a potato restaurant, and a hero. New Years Day 2021 started out as a routine day for waitress and manager, Flaviane Carvalho. She was getting ready to wrap up her shift at Mrs. Potato Restaurant in Orlando, Florida when Timothy Lee Wilson II, Kristen Swann and two children walked in and sat down. As the family of four was served she noticed something was very wrong. The brave actions...

A 911 call, two crime scenes, and scraps of paper. On July 31st, 2018 Dustin Duthie called 911 from outside Taylor Toller’s apartment in Calgary, Canada.  No one was prepared for what he revealed on that 911 call. But what was even more shocking was evidence found in the trunk of a stolen car that was initially overlooked by police. A Million Other Choices Podcast: https://amillionotherchoices.com...

A 911 call, a double murder, and a horrific excuse. In 2010, 30-year-old Saiqa Akhter made placed a 911 call from her apartment in Irving, Texas. What she revealed to the 911 operator was completely incomprehensible. Was justice ever served? NeuroClastic: https://neuroclastic.com/ NeuroClastic on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NeuroClastic NeuroClastic on Instagram: https://instagram.com/neur...

A handyman, a stolen car, and Toys R Us. In 2015 Regina Brunner-Holmes was found brutally murdered in her home.  Investigators followed a trail of ATM withdrawals and stolen credit cards which led them to 37-year-old LeRoy Wilson. How was LeRoy Wilson, a career criminal, connected to 85-year-old mother, grandmother, and community activist Regina Brunner-Holmes? Least of These on Facebook: https://...

Identity theft, missing home security footage, and a sick cat. In 2018 Courtney Holden was reported missing from her home in Spokane, Washington. No one outside of the home she shared with her adoptive brother and mother, Joshua and Judy Holden had seen her for 18 months.  Joshua and Judy were uncooperative with police efforts to locate her. What were they hiding. Where is Courtney Holden? If you...

A 10 week search, a neighbor, and a letter. On October 11th, 2011, Jerice Hunter called to report her five-year-old, Jhessye Shockley,  missing from their Glendale, Arizona home. Her mother claimed she had gone to run an errand and left Jhessye in the care of her older sibling. When she returned to the apartment, Jhessye was gone. A tipster reported that a mystery woman driving a Chevy Malibu had...

An errand, a missing child, and a history of abuse. On October 11th, 2011, Jerice Hunter called to report her five-year-old, Jhessye Shockley,  missing from their Glendale, Arizona home. Her mother claimed she had gone to run an errand and left Jhessye in the care of her older sibling. When she returned to the apartment, Jhessye was gone. A tipster reported that a mystery woman driving a Chevy Mal...

A 38 year investigation, a phone call, and Parabon Nanolabs. In 1981, mom of two, Linda Slaten was found murdered in her Lakeland, Florida apartment. For 38 years Linda’s case remained unsolved as her sons fought for justice. Genetic genealogy led police to a suspect but that suspect was the last person anyone expected. https://parabon-nanolabs.com/ Least of These on Facebook: https://m.facebook.c...

This is my last week of vacation and Mama Margot from Military Murder Podcast is filling in with the case of Zack Bowen and Addie Hall.  Military Murder is one of my favorite crime podcasts and I’m so excited to share this case with all of you. For Part 2, head over to Military Murder wherever you get your podcasts and search for Episode #89. It can also be found here: Listen to Ep89.  NEW ORLEANS...

I’m on vacation this week but the ladies at Dealing Justice are filling in.  Dealing Justice is one of my favorite true crime podcasts and I’m so excited to share it with all of you! Join Lori and Jen as they bring you the story of Theresa Corley.  December 4, 1978 nineteen year old Theresa Corley started the night out partying and celebrating a friend’s birthday.  She left angry and was going to...

A gold credit card, Facebook Messages, and latex gloves. On Monday, September 16th, 2019 utility workers in Gary, Indiana stumbled upon the body of a young girl. Months passed before investigators  finally identified the victim as 14-year-old, Takaylah Tribitt. Facebook messages and evidence at the scene also led detectives to a man named Deonlashawn Simmons. What the investigation uncovered about...

A red truck, a wrongful conviction, and five new potential suspects. On September 18, 1985 16-year-old Kim Simon went for a walk to meet up with a friend at Whitesboro Junior High near Utica, New York. When she didn’t show up hours later she was reported missing. Her body was later found just miles from her home. Three years after her murder, Steven Barnes was arrested and ultimately convicted. He...

A break in, a smashed cell phone, and a dog named Coco. In the early morning hours of  November 1st, 2015 Christina Bastian left her friend’s apartment in Apple Valley, California with her dog, Coco.  Hours later her belongings were found strewn along the roadside.  Her truck was later found abandoned in Morongo Valley.  But where is Christina Bastian? SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4...

Two assaults, a murder, and the unofficial mayor of Fort Lauderdale.  On January 12, 2006 Fort Lauderdale Police were dispatched to three crime scenes in a matter of hours. By morning veteran and artist Norris Gaynor was pronounced deceased and two other men were battered, bruised, and hospitalized. The world watched in horror as one of the beatings was captured on surveillance video.  But what wa...

A shaggy-haired man, a 38-year investigation, and a sister’s devotion. In 1979 Janice Ann Landers was an 18 year old patient at Fairview Training Center, a state run facility for people with disabilities in Salem Oregon.  After a conversation with her counselor she walked just outside the campus and was never seen again.  38 years after Janie’s death, Oregon State Police Detective, Steve Hinkle, f...

A U-Haul, a bottle of bleach, and an accomplice. In June of 2014 an entire family vanished from their home in Detroit, Michigan. Days after they were reported missing Alicia Fox was found murdered.  Weeks later, her husband,  Erin Maurice Justice was found over a thousand miles away in Atlanta, Georgia. But where are Alicia’s two children, Kaylah Hunter & Kristian Justice? Bring Home Kaylah &a...

A taxi cab, two rings, and an escape. In October of 2000 Retired Major and veteran of two wars, Alfred Polchow was found unresponsive in his home. Police initially ruled that Alfred had died due to natural causes. But things aren’t always as they seem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Our Sponsors: * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.c...

A custody battle, two 911 calls, and an attempted murder. Shelley Mook vanished from Shelbyville, Tennessee on February 28th, 2011.  After her disappearance disturbing details surfaced amidst a custody battle.  A little over three years later, Robin Doneth was on a boating trip in south Florida when she was attacked. Both women had something in common, they had been in relationships with Tyler A....