Midwest Malice

Ryan Cooper was a father of four, a farmer, and a man who trusted his wife. But behind closed doors, Karina Cooper was plotting with her salon client and lover to end his life. Tune in for a story about betrayal, digital footprints, and the family left to pick up the pieces.

He vanished without warning. His mother was battling addiction. His home life was troubled. And when Xavior Harrelson’s body was found, the silence only deepened. Tune in for a story of missed signs, lingering questions, and the investigators who say justice is still within reach.

They were warned. They didn’t listen. Midwest Bank & Trust collapsed under the weight of bad loans and broken promises—leaving depositors scrambling and regulators furious. Tune in for a story about negligence, accountability, and the human cost of a ledger gone rogue.

It started with a $38 million embezzlement. Then came whispers of abuse, elite connections, and a plane crash that killed the lead investigator. The Franklin Scandal remains one of the most controversial and contested cases of the 20th century. Press play to examine the evidence, the denials, and the legacy of betrayal.

He wore the uniform. He swore the oath. But behind the badge, corruption festered. This episode explores how one rogue officer framed innocent people—destroying lives while the system looked the other way. Listen now to uncover the cost of unchecked power.

It started with a $38 million embezzlement. Then came whispers of abuse, elite connections, and a plane crash that killed the lead investigator. The Franklin Scandal remains one of the most controversial and contested cases of the 20th century. Press play to examine the evidence, the denials, and the legacy of betrayal.

Jessica Heeringa was working the night shift at a Michigan gas station when she vanished without a trace. Her purse, jacket, and car were left behind—but she was gone. Listen now to uncover the clues, the manhunt, and the predator who hid in plain sight.

Frankie Baker was acquitted of murder. But her trial was just the beginning. Her story became a national obsession, spawning songs, plays, and films that twisted her life into folklore. Tune in for a story about justice, reputation, and the price of becoming a myth.

No forced entry. No robbery. Just a violent crime and a trail of circumstantial evidence. Curtis Forbes thought he’d gotten away with murder—until a phone call reopened the case and exposed the truth. Press play to explore the forensic breakthroughs and witness accounts that solved a decades-old mystery.

Four girls. One victim. And a crime so horrific it stunned the nation. The murder of Shanda Sharer wasn’t just senseless—it was orchestrated, prolonged, and deeply personal. Press play to examine the motives, the aftermath, and the questions that still linger more than thirty years later.

A missing woman. A fake Facebook account. And a pair of severed legs found in the trash. Candice Taylor’s murder remains unsolved—but someone out there knows what happened. Press play to explore the evidence, the unanswered questions, and the search for accountability.

Thirty people gathered for a routine city council meeting. Within minutes, six were dead—including the mayor, two council members, and two police officers. The Kirkwood City Hall tragedy left behind grief, confusion, and a community forever changed. Press play to explore the layers beneath the violence—and the questions that still linger.

Security cameras caught him entering the bar. They never caught him leaving. For nearly two decades, Brian Shaffer’s case has defied logic and fueled speculation—from foul play to voluntary escape. Press play to examine the clues, the contradictions, and the enduring mystery.

It was supposed to be a routine prisoner transfer. Instead, Union Station became a war zone. The Kansas City Massacre left five dead and forced the FBI to evolve overnight. Tune in for a story where bullets, betrayal, and bureaucracy collided.

A preacher confessed. A politician had motive. But no one was ever convicted. The Villisca Axe Murders left a town shaken and a case frozen in time. Press play to examine the suspects, the secrets, and the house that still whispers.

Skidmore knew Ken McElroy’s crimes. They also knew the system wouldn’t stop him. So one day, the town did. Press play to explore the killing that left a man dead, a town silent, and a nation asking what justice really looks like.

A stranger called. Amy listened. And what followed was a tragedy that still defies resolution. Decades later, her killer remains unidentified—but the case is still active. Press play to explore the evidence, the suspects, and the enduring mystery behind Amy Mihaljevic’s murder.

The papers called him a desperado. His neighbors called him Mack. When he was shot and left to die, four men were arrested—but none convicted. Tune in for a story where reputation, rumor, and revenge collide.

He locked the doors. He covered the windows. And for eleven years, Ariel Castro kept three women imprisoned in his home. This episode explores the crimes, the rescue, and the justice that followed. Press play to confront the case that shocked the nation—and the strength of those who endured it.

She said it was a break-in. He said he was just a friend. But behind closed doors, Melinda Harmon and Mark Mangelsdorf were hiding something far darker. Tune in for a story of love, lies, and the long road to justice.1

John Wayne Gacy lived in plain sight. He hosted parties, shook hands with politicians, and buried bodies beneath his house. This episode explores the deception, the victims, and the systemic failures that let him kill for years. Tune in for a story about trust, evil, and the cost of looking the other way.

The Great Depression hit Cleveland hard. Then came the murders. Thirteen victims, most of them transients, were found mutilated in Kingsbury Run. Eliot Ness led the investigation—but the killer vanished. Tune in for a story where poverty, fear, and mystery collided.

He was unemployed, angry, and armed. From the 26th floor of the Holiday Inn, Michael Soles unleashed chaos on the streets below. This episode explores the mind behind the sniper—and the trauma that still lingers. Tune in for a story about isolation, violence, and the fragility of public safety.

A blue car. A stranger asking for directions. A paperboy who vanished without a trace. The case of Johnny Gosch became a national obsession—and remains unsolved more than forty years later—press play to uncover the mystery that launched the milk carton campaign and still defies explanation.

He was small, volatile, and dangerous. In just ten days, Daniel Remeta committed five murders across three states—dragging two young accomplices into a nightmare they never saw coming. Press play to uncover how one man’s rage ignited a multi-state manhunt.