Murder Shelf Book Club Podcast

Part 2 : Phoenix, Arizona 2014.   The elite cold case unit diligently worked through the files related to the Canal Murders, which included over 1,000 potential suspects. One by one, they cleared each suspect, confirming that their DNA did not match the samples collected from the brutal murders of Angela Brosso in 1992 and Melanie Bernas in 1993. The team traveled across the country in search of l...

Part I- Phoenix, Arizona 2011: A new elite team of investigators tackles some of the most challenging homicide cases—cold cases. Led by Sgt. Troy Hillman, they are determined to solve the murders of 22-year-old Angela Brosso and 17-year-old Melanie Bernas, whose deaths in 1992 and 1993 have cast long shadows over the city for 20 years. Who is responsible for taking the lives of these young women j...

This special episode is not the story of a twisted perpetrator and the carnage he caused. Perfect for the holiday season, this compelling conversation features Jill welcoming survivor and author Mark Gray.  October 1, 2017, Mark was a journalist covering the Route 91 Harvest Festival concert when shots rang out from the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. In Jill's review of The Las Vegas Massacre CO...

Sheryl "Mac" McCollum , host of the podcast Zone 7 and gifted CSI, is back on the Murder Shelf Book Club podcast to discuss her new true crime book,  Swans Don't Swim in the Sewer! The death of a child is devastating for any parent, family, and loved ones. However, when the child is the daughter of a serial killer who asks for help in solving her murder, it takes the investigation to an entirely n...

Part III: Vicky Cilliers was struggling to recover her health and to come to terms with the fact that her husband, Emile Cilliers, had been arrested for attempting to murder her. In disbelief, Vicky found it hard to accept this truth. Their marriage wasn't perfect, but could he really have tried to kill her? As she cooperated with the police, uncertainty and doubt plagued her during Emile's trial,...

  Part II: As the marriage between Victoria and Emile Cilliers hits some snags concerning money and dishonesty, Vicky tells herself all marriage have ups and downs. But the level of duplicity begins to significantly escalate, even after Vicky gives birth to their second child. Desperate to reconnect with her husband, she looks for any light in the darkness. She is elated when Emile suggests they g...

Part I:   Meet Vicky—a college graduate, physiotherapist, veteran, and expert skydiver living in the UK. Life was good; she cherished the serenity and freedom that skydiving brought her. Things took a turn for the better when she met the charming and handsome Sergeant Emile Cilliers of the Royal Air Force Physical Training Corps. He swept her off her feet, and they married two years later. Shortly...

Part 3:   The relentless harassment and stalking of the victims escalated to a new, perilous level, raising alarm bells for the detectives assigned to the case. Then, a breakthrough: Law enforcement discovered the identity of the escalating stalker, leading them to a staggering amount of digital evidence that the perpetrator believed had been long ago deleted. But the pressing question lingered: d...

Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess , an original Mindhunter, joins Jill for an engaging conversation about her newest book, Expert Witness: The Weight of Our Testimony When Justice Hangs in the Balance , co-authored with Steven Matthew Constantine. In this thought-provoking discussion, Dr. Burgess delves into a range of high-profile cases, including the complex narratives surrounding the Menendez brothers, t...

Part 4: (Yes, there is a Part 3!) In this exclusive interview, Jill engages in a candid conversation with retired Commander Jad Lanigan and Aurora SWAT Commander Mike Dailey, whom she met at Crimecon Denver. Both Jad and Mike were pivotal figures during the tragic Aurora Theater Shooting, sharing an intimate look into the chaos and immense pressure faced by first responders. Their experiences high...

Part 2. The stalker continues to bombard Dave Kroupa and Liz Golyar with vile texts and emails, in addition to more acts of vandalism. Cruel hoaxes amplify the emotional pain and stress that the victims endure, as the sadistic stalker escalates her twisted game. The police begin to take a more serious look at the situation, and Dave and Liz find comfort in each other, as no one else understands th...

Part 1: After discussing CrimeCon 2025, the Ellen Greenberg case, and the upcoming Wildlife CSI, Jill dives into one of the most twisted and convoluted true crime stories ever told! Dave Kroupa, recently single, joins an online dating platform where he meets Liz and then Cari. Not seeking a serious relationship, he finds amazing chemistry with Cari, making Liz, who wants more, jealous. Out of the...

In a lively conversation, Jill discussed the new true crime book by the hosts of the Murder Sheet podcast, Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee, titled Shadow of the Bridge: The Delphi Murders and the Dark Side of the American Heartland.  Áine Cain, the investigative journalist, and Kevin Greenlee, the renowned attorney, explore the tragic Delphi 2017 murders of young teens Libby German and Abby Williams,...

Retired law enforcement supervisor and accomplished author Rod Sadler joins Jill for an engaging discussion about his latest book, Depraved Obsession. Their conversation delves into the shocking murders of teenagers Kenny Myers and Shawn Moore, shedding light on the sadistic serial killer who terrorized the community and shattered countless lives. They explore the complex twists and turns of the i...

On August 27, 2025, at 8:30 AM, Minneapolis, Minnesota, faced a tragic incident at the Annunciation Church and Catholic School in Minneapolis, with 2 killed and 17 injured as per the latest news report.  As we grapple with the pain and sorrow, taking the time to understand the facts may offer solace and support to someone in need. In her trilogy, "A Dark Night in Aurora," Jill addresses the latest...

Part 3: The trial of James Holmes unfolds with gripping tension as the jury deliberates whether he was insane during the tragic act that claimed 12 innocent lives and inflicted countless injuries. Should they find him sane, a critical question looms: Is the death penalty warranted? The atmosphere in the courtroom is charged with emotion as courageous survivors and grieving family members share the...

Part 2: Neuroscience graduate student James Holmes is in therapy with psychiatrists Dr. Lynne Fenton and Dr. Robert Feinstein. He struggles with anxiety and intrusive, violent thoughts, but withholds crucial information from his psychiatrists, including his purchase of weapons. His lack of transparency leaves the psychiatrists concerned but unable to take action. After failing his preliminary exam...

YAY! One of our favorite true crime authors, BR Bates, is back to discuss her new book with you, The Crack City Strangler- The Homicides of Serial Killer Benjamin Atkins. Jill and BR dive into the case, deconstructing Benjamin 'Tony' Atkins's childhood, its impact on his life, which devolved into serial murder.  Possibly one of the fastest serial killer, 11 women were possibly killed in a 3-month...

Part 1: Just in time for Crimecon Denver 2025~ July 20, 2012: The Century 16 Theater in Aurora, Colorado, transformed into a scene of unimaginable horror when a man donned in a gas mask and body armor unleashed gunfire upon the 400 men, women, and children immersed in the thrill of the new Batman movie. In mere moments, the aisles turned into rivers of blood as chaos erupted, with bullet casings s...

Part 3: History tells us that Mary Jane Kelly, a victim of Jack the Ripper, was a prostitute. Now, discover the details of her life and her loves. In 2ndcast, Jill examines several suspects and provides an analysis of the DNA testing conducted in 2014 on the shawl found at the crime scene of Catherine Eddowes. Does this evidence confirm the identity of Jack the Ripper? THEN listen as Jill follows...

Western Georgia, 1946. Years after Prohibition ended, illegal stills are still in operation, fueled by vast amounts of money and corruption, far removed from the portrayal of good old boy exploits seen on TV and in movies. In this era of moonshine and deceit, it is the responsibility of the Georgia Revenue Agents to identify and shut down these illicit operations and to arrest those involved. As d...

Part 2: The exploration of the lives of Elizabeth Stride and Catherine 'Kate' Eddowes, who were murdered by Jack the Ripper in 1888, begins in earnest. The Ripper mythos labels them as ' unfortunates, ' which tramples on their true stories. These women were beloved daughters, sisters, students, wives, mothers, and business owners, all struggling to navigate the harsh realities of life in the East...

WILDLIFE CSI is an exciting new initiative! I had an incredible opportunity to spend time with majestic giraffes, striking zebras, powerful rhinos, elegant roan antelopes, graceful impalas, rare addaxes, sturdy bison, and even adorable puppies, all while joining forces with Sheryl 'Mac' McCollum, Dr. Laura Pettler, and the esteemed forensic pathologist, Dr. Priya Banerjee. Sheryl McCollum, who hos...

In this exclusive interview, Jill speaks with author Tony Wright about the perplexing case of the Yuba County Five: Ted Weiher, Jack Madruga, Bill Sterling, Jackie Huett, and Gary Mathias. These five men disappeared in February 1978 while attending a basketball game and later vanished into the Plumas National Forest in California. As the search begins, eyewitnesses share strange stories, describin...

Part 8: In 2022, Jill reported on the shocking miscarriage of justice in Betsy Faria's murder case, as detailed in Episodes 40-44, the August 2022 Update, and Episode 70 of "Bone Deep" by Charles Bosworth Jr. and Joel Schwartz. After finding Betsy's body, her husband, Russ Faria, was arrested for murder and put on trial. Despite having an ironclad alibi, Russ was convicted and sentenced to prison....