Murder Unscripted

In this episode of Murder Unscripted, we dive deep into one of the most shocking wrongful conviction cases in American history. In 1991, bartender Kim Ancona was brutally murdered at the CBS Lounge in Phoenix, Arizona. Police arrested Ray Krone, a mail carrier with no criminal record, based primarily on bite mark evidence that a forensic expert claimed was “better than a fingerprint.” Ray was conv...

In October 2003, Kimberly Long’s life was permanently altered when she discovered her boyfriend, Oswaldo “Ozzy” Conde, murdered in their home. What followed was not justice — but a catastrophic failure of it. In this gripping episode of Murder Unscripted , hosts Ed Hydock and Melissa Spivey examine how Kimberly was wrongfully convicted of second-degree murder despite a lack of physical evidence, i...

An innocent man lost 30 years to prison. The real killer? He stabbed another woman 90+ times and walked free. This case will ENRAGE you. 🔍⚖️ In this episode of Murder Unscripted, we dive deep into one of Texas' most heartbreaking wrongful conviction cases. In 1981, Carol Elaine Armstrong was found murdered on a rural dirt road in Navarro County, Texas,,,stabbed 45 times and left to die. The inves...

Before the red suit and the reindeer, Sgt. Christopher Kringle spent three centuries solving murders at the North Pole. Now, for the first time ever, he's breaking his silence on the case that nearly destroyed Christmas. 🦌 THE CASE: On December 22nd, just days before Christmas Eve, Blitzen was found dead in his stable...an antler removed at the base. What looked like an accident quickly became th...

In Part Two of our coverage of Richard Speck , Murder Unscripted details the night of terror inside the Chicago townhouse where eight student nurses were attacked and murdered. We walk through the crime scene, honor each victim’s story, and explain how Speck was identified, arrested, and ultimately convicted. This episode also examines his time in prison and his death — closing the chapter on one...

Before Richard Speck murdered eight student nurses in Chicago, there were years of warning signs no one stopped. In Part One of our coverage, Murder Unscripted explores Speck’s childhood, his deeply troubled relationships, and the violent misogyny that fueled his crimes. We examine his belief that “all women are whores,” the rage that defined his interactions, and his first known murder — Mary Pie...

Cold cases spanning years suddenly collided when a long-overdue DNA match pointed straight to Shore. In Part Two of our investigation into Anthony Allen Shore, we uncover the forensic break that finally exposed the man responsible for some of Houston’s most haunting murders. As Shore’s violence escalated, investigators struggled to connect the cases — until one pivotal DNA match changed everything...

In Part One of our two-episode deep dive into Anthony Allen Shore — The Tourniquet Killer , we explore the early life of a predator who hid in plain sight. We trace Shore’s abusive upbringing, his escalating behavior, and the first murders later linked to him through DNA: Laurie Tremblay in 1986 and Maria del Carmen Estrada in 1992. This episode lays the foundation for understanding how Shore sele...

How reliable is your memory of a face? In this episode of Murder Unscripted, Melissa and Ed sit down with world-renowned forensic sketch artist and cognitive-interviewing expert Gil Zamora. Gil shares his remarkable journey from law enforcement to becoming one of the most outspoken reformers in forensic art. He breaks down how traditional eyewitness interviews can contaminate memory, how his Mindf...

On a sunny afternoon in 2003, 49-year-old Kathleen “Kathy” Loreck stepped out for her regular lunchtime walk along a quiet Concord, California trail. Minutes later, she was brutally attacked in broad daylight — a crime so evil it shook the entire community to its core. In this episode of Murder Unscripted, we unpack the chilling details behind Kathy's murder, the witnesses who stepped up to help,...

A survivor’s courage. A forensic artist’s skill. A killer exposed. In this episode of Murder Unscripted , we tell the story of Daniel Lee Corwin , a Texas serial killer whose crimes haunted Huntsville in the 1980s — and how a single forensic sketch helped identify him before he could strike again. Through survivor accounts, investigative records, and forensic breakthroughs, we trace Corwin’s desce...

When 44-year-old real-estate broker David Swinehart was found brutally murdered in his car in Pottstown, Pennsylvania , in January 1982, the quiet Montgomery County town was stunned. What began as a violent homicide soon unraveled into a twisted web of family betrayal, greed, and forbidden love . Investigators discovered that the successful businessman’s estranged wife, Patricia Swinehart , and he...

A gifted grad student. A city on edge. And a composite sketch that changed everything. Melissa unpacks the 2003 murder of Ottawa’s Ardeth Wood , from her disappearance to the forensic artistry that led investigators to her killer, Chris Myers . This episode of Murder Unscripted explores how one powerful drawing helped bring justice — and how art and science combined to solve a chilling Canadian tr...

Dr. Katherine Ramsland sits down to discuss haunted crime scenes, paranormal forensics, and HBO’s The Serial Killer’s Apprentice What happens when true crime crosses into the paranormal? In this spine-chilling episode of Murder Unscripted, forensic psychologist and author Dr. Katherine Ramsland explores haunted crime scenes, paranormal forensics, and the eerie mysteries behind real-life haunted in...

Killed for the Family Farm tells the chilling true story of Jack and Linda Myers - a beloved couple brutally murdered in their own home on a quiet stretch of rural Ohio farmland. What began as a peaceful family life ended in betrayal, greed, and violence — all while a 4-year-old child lay pretending to sleep just feet away. In this episode of Murder Unscripted's Forensic Fridays, we break down the...

In 1991, Salem’s “Official Witch,” Laurie Cabot, claimed she could see where missing woman Martha Brailsford was hidden. Days later, police recovered the body, and arrested neighbor Thomas Maimoni for her murder. This chilling true crime story blurs the line between witchcraft, intuition, and justice. When Martha Brailsford went missing after a day of sailing, Salem police faced a mystery with no...

For over a century, the Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, Florida operated under the guise of reform. But behind its walls, countless young boys endured abuse, neglect, and unimaginable atrocities at the hands of those meant to protect them. In this episode, we uncover: 📜 The disturbing history of the Dozier Reform School ⚠️ The horrifying abuse and crimes that took place behind closed doors 🗣️...

A promising 19-year-old college student disappears after a softball game. Weeks later, a chilling phone call reveals a voice that will haunt investigators for years. This is the story of Shannon Melendi — a case of obsession, deception, and a killer hiding in plain sight. 🔪 Who was the man behind the call? And how did justice finally catch up? #ShannonMelendi #TrueCrime #MurderUnscripted #Atlanta...

We open our October block with one of Texas’ most chilling stories: the Todville Murder Mansion in Seabrook. Built by William “Bill” List, this eerie mansion became the site of his twisted crimes—until one victim turned the tables and killed him inside his own home. In this episode, we uncover the dark history of List’s reign of terror, the murder that ended it, and why the ruins of Todville Mansi...

What is it really like to face death every single day? In this episode, we sit down with Shannon Bradley Byers — a former death investigator with the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office in Georgia, and a cherished friend of Murder Unscripted. With her unique and deeply personal perspective, Shannon shares: 🕵️‍♀️ “The case that haunts her” — one that has stayed with her long after leaving the...

Is this America's most sadistic crime ever? In this episode of Murder Unscripted, we unpack the harrowing 1993 killings of the Luna family in west Phoenix, Arizona. Prosecutors said Richard Kenneth Djerf targeted the household in a revenge plot tied to an earlier burglary dispute involving Albert Luna Jr., a former coworker. Djerf later pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder for the...

In 1995, 8-year-old Jackie Clark was brutally murdered in New Brunswick, Canada, a case that shocked the nation and left lasting scars. Join Melissa as she uncover the details, the investigation, and the pursuit of justice in this haunting true crime story.

To skip the banter, jump to 2:18 The 1991 Austin Yogurt Shop Murders remain one of the most haunting unsolved crimes in Texas history. In this episode, we investigate how four men — Forrest Welbourne, Michael Scott, Robert Springsteen, and Maurice Pierce — became central figures in the case. We cover: 🕵️‍♂️ How each suspect was connected to the crime scene ⚖️ The controversial false confessions an...

To skip the banter, jump to 7:09 In December 1991, Austin, Texas was shaken by one of the most shocking and brutal crimes in its history: the Yogurt Shop Murders. Four teenage girls were killed inside a small yogurt shop, a case that has haunted investigators and the community for decades. In Part 1 of this two-part series, we explore: 🔎 The chilling details of the murder scene 🧩 Victimology — w...

On Christmas Day 2003, Russel Douglas was found shot to death in his car on Whidbey Island, Washington. What looked like a holiday tragedy soon unraveled into a shocking murder-for-hire plot filled with betrayal, secrets, and manipulation. Join us as we uncover the twists and turns behind the murder of Russell Douglas and the search for justice.