Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast

Houston's Memorial neighborhood was known for peaceful streets and upscale homes—not for murder. But in the early hours of June 19, 1982, that reputation was shattered when James and Virginia Campbell were shot to death as they slept in their bed. The community was shocked. Who would kill this beloved couple in their own home? The answer was even more shocking: their own daughter, Cindy, and her b...

This week, we're joined by the incredible Ellyn Marsh from I Think Not podcast for a special crossover episode! Ellyn is our go-to expert (or as she calls it, "ADHD hyper-fixation") on all things Sean "Diddy" Combs, and she's here to break down one of the biggest cases in entertainment history. From his rise as a music mogul to the shocking allegations that led to his arrest, we're covering everyt...

In early 2018, 25-year-old Trish Haynes told her family she was heading to New Hampshire to clear up a court matter. Then she vanished. In the months that followed, horrifying clues about what happened to her began to emerge—until a shocking discovery was made four months later: a jawbone sealed inside a washing machine at the bottom of Grant Pond. Trish had survived a difficult childhood and was...

In October 2016, Larry and Bianca Rudolph were on a hunting safari in Zambia when tragedy struck. On the last day of their trip, Bianca was found dead from a gunshot wound in their cabin. Larry claimed it was an accident—that Bianca's rifle had discharged while she was packing. But investigators weren't convinced. Larry and Bianca had been married for over 30 years, traveling the world on expensiv...

This is where it all began. In 2017, the very first episode of Moms and Mysteries covered the Casey Anthony case. Eight years later, we're revisiting this infamous story with fresh perspective, better research, and updated information. In 2008, two-year-old Caylee Anthony disappeared from her Orlando home. Her mother, Casey, waited 31 days to report her missing. When Caylee's remains were finally...

On a warm July night in 2012, 16-year-old Skylar Neese slipped out of her bedroom window to meet her two best friends, Sheila Eddy and Rachel Shoaf. The three girls called themselves "The Three Musketeers" and were inseparable. But that night, Skylar never came home. At first, it seemed like a case of a runaway teen. Sheila and Rachel told Skylar's parents they had dropped her off at midnight and...

On April 26, 1999, beloved British television presenter Jill Dando was shot and killed on the doorstep of her London home in broad daylight. The murder of one of the UK's most recognizable faces shocked the nation and sparked one of the largest murder investigations in British history. Barry George, a local man with mental health issues, was convicted of her murder in 2001—but the conviction was o...

In June 2022, Shaun Varsos  murdered his ex-wife Marie Versos and her mother Debbie Cisco in a calculated act of domestic violence. Despite Marie's desperate attempts to protect herself—including obtaining a restraining order and filing for divorce—the system failed her. Shaun had been released from jail just days before the murders, and Marie had no idea he was free. Shaun shot and killed both Ma...

In the spring of 1955, a crime of passion unfolded on a quiet London street, capturing the attention of an entire nation. Ruth Ellis, a 28-year-old nightclub hostess, shot and killed her abusive lover David Blakely outside a pub in Hampstead. She fired six shots, then calmly waited for police to arrive. At her trial, Ruth showed no remorse. She admitted to the killing and said she intended to kill...

In 1987, Michelle Schofield was brutally murdered in Lakeland, Florida. Her husband, Leo Schofield, was convicted of the crime and sentenced to life in prison. But Leo has always maintained his innocence—and a groundbreaking podcast investigation uncovered evidence that suggests he may be right. The Bone Valley podcast, created by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gilbert King, exposed shocking de...

On a cold February night in 2018, 20-year-old Ryan Shtuka left a house party in Sun Peaks, British Columbia, and was never seen again. What should have been a 10 to 15 minute walk home turned into a haunting mystery that still echoes through the local community. Ryan was a bright, adventurous young man working at the Sun Peaks ski resort. He loved snowboarding, had a close group of friends, and wa...

In late 2019 and early 2020, residents of rural Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas reported seeing massive swarms of mysterious drones flying over their farms and towns at night. Law enforcement reported seeing 50 drones at once. Locals described large white ball-shaped drones surrounded by smaller ones with red and white flashing lights. No one knew who was operating them or why. The FAA investigated...

On the night of April 1, 2006, 27-year-old medical student Brian Shaffer went out with friends to the Ugly Tuna Saloona bar in Columbus, Ohio. Security cameras captured him entering the bar—but he was never seen leaving. When the bar closed and his friends couldn't find him, Brian had simply vanished. Despite extensive searches, hundreds of tips, and years of investigation, no trace of Brian has e...

In today’s bonus episode of Moms and Mysteries, we're diving into an intriguing batch of listener-submitted stories that are equal parts wild, hilarious, and mysterious. From strange run-ins with the law to unexpected twists that leave you questioning everything, these stories are anything but ordinary. An Unforeseen Investigation: A seemingly innocent task turns into a major headache, involving l...

On the morning of August 16, 1942, a US Navy blimp lifted off from Treasure Island in San Francisco on a routine anti-submarine patrol. Hours later, it crashed into a quiet neighborhood in Daly City, California. But something was terribly wrong. The blimp's doors were open. Its equipment was untouched. The life raft was still secured. But the two crew members—Lieutenant Ernest DeWitt Cody and Ensi...

This week we explore true crime firsts—the groundbreaking cases and moments that changed criminal investigations forever. They dive into: The first DNA conviction: The case of Colin Pitchfork in 1987 in the UK, where DNA evidence was used for the first time to convict a killer. Two teenage girls were murdered years apart, and DNA technology—still brand new at the time—helped identify and convict P...

In July 2002, former NBA champion Bison Dele set sail across the South Pacific with his girlfriend Serena Karlan, his brother Miles Dabord, and skipper Bertrand Saldo. It was supposed to be an adventure—a journey of freedom and exploration for the retired basketball star who had walked away from millions to live life on his own terms. But something went terribly wrong on that boat. In September 20...

In April 2009, 17-year-old Brittanee Drexel disappeared during spring break in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She was walking from one hotel to another when she vanished without a trace. For 13 years, her family searched desperately for answers, clinging to hope that Brittanee would be found alive. In 2022, the case finally broke open. Raymond Moody, a registered sex offender, was arrested and conf...

On November 27, 1978, San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated in San Francisco City Hall by former supervisor Dan White. Harvey Milk was the first openly gay elected official in California. He was a trailblazer, an activist, and a voice for the LGBTQ+ community at a time when being openly gay could cost you everything—your job, your family, your safety, even...

In this special crossover episode, Mandy and Melissa sit down with Annie Elise, the host of the wildly popular true crime podcast and YouTube channel 10 to Life. Annie shares her journey from the fashion industry to becoming one of the most-watched true crime creators on the internet. She talks about the challenges of covering sensitive cases, dealing with platform censorship on YouTube, and the e...

On June 10, 2003, 28-year-old Stephanie Wasilishin left her home in Prescott, Arizona, to go for a run. She never came back. The next day, her body was discovered on a remote trail. She had been sexually assaulted and murdered. The crime scene suggested a violent, brutal attack. Investigators collected DNA evidence and worked tirelessly to find her killer. But despite having DNA, despite extensive...

Welcome to the very first Moms and Mysteries Mailbag episode! In this fun bonus episode, Mandy and Melissa take a break from their usual deep-dive case coverage to share hilarious and wild stories submitted by listeners. From bizarre local news headlines to low-stakes family crimes, this episode is all about having a little fun with true crime. Listeners sent in stories about: •Absurd local news f...

On September 24, 1992, 23-year-old Dail Dinwiddie was found murdered in her apartment in Columbia, South Carolina. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled. Despite an extensive investigation, the case went cold. For 27 years, Dail's family waited for answers. Investigators never gave up, preserving evidence and hoping that one day, technology would catch up. In 2019, that day finally came. U...

In Prohibition-era Georgia, one man ruled Coweta County with an iron fist: John Wallace, a ruthless moonshiner and criminal boss who murdered with impunity and controlled local law enforcement through fear and corruption. In April 1948, Wilson Turner, a cattle farmer, made the fatal mistake of crossing John Wallace. When Turner was released from jail on unrelated charges, Wallace and three accompl...

In this special revisit episode, Mandy and Melissa return to the story of Gabby Petito—the 22-year-old who was murdered by her fiancé Brian Laundrie during a cross-country van trip in 2021. This episode is part of a series highlighting stories involving domestic violence, and it focuses on the red flags that appeared in Gabby's relationship with Brian—warning signs that are often hidden behind the...