PRETEND

I’ve been investigating the Melissa Witt case for a while now, and just when I thought I had a handle on it, a new lead dropped into my lap. In this episode, I sit down with Patti Rush, a victim advocate who might have uncovered the most crucial evidence yet. We’re talking about a case so warped by misinformation that even those closest to it can’t tell what’s real anymore. But now, we’re pulling...

"Javier, aren't you worried that LaDonna might target you next?" That's the question I get asked most frequently. The answer is too late. Even before this series dropped, LaDonna began sending me spoof emails. I've received various messages, including some from fake accounts, and even attempts to hack into my podcast platform. Additionally, LaDonna tried other creative ways to obstruct my investig...

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every charity organization LaDonna Humphrey has led seems to collapse under the weight of controversy and financial mismanagement. Today, we're closely examining Oasis of Northwest Arkansas, a sober living facility under LaDonna's direction. Our investigation reveals alarming stories of harassment, financial mismanagement, and overcrowded, unsafe living conditions. A former resident of Oasis share...

Every charity organization LaDonna Humphrey has led seems to collapse under the weight of controversy and financial mismanagement. Today, we scrutinize LaDonna Humphrey's non-profit world, focusing on her troubled history with charities. Our investigation reveals a pattern of failed ventures, harassment accusations, and questionable financial practices. ______ I'd like to thank Jayson Blair with t...

Content Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault. Today, we're going to talk about the enigma that is LaDonna Humphrey. Like the fact that she was logged in under the same death fetish account, harassing her co-host, yet she denies creating the account. We'll also try to untangle how LaDonna went from attacking the death fetishers to befriending them. Or perhaps her plan to...

To truly understand LaDonna Humphrey, we need to delve into her childhood. In an exclusive interview, a family member describes the years of harassing messages and relentless vendettas that have torn their family apart. This episode sheds light on the deep-rooted conflicts that have shaped LaDonna's tumultuous life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING! The LaDonna Humphrey interview episodes are in. In this first part of my exclusive interview with LaDonna Humphrey, we dive deep into the accusations and controversies surrounding her. I confront LaDonna with the tough questions to unravel the intricate details of her story. We also hear from her supporters. Don't miss out on Part 2 of this interview, available now on Patre...

True Crime Author LaDonna Humphrey Targets Ex-Boyfriend in Melissa Witt Killing, According to Recordings LaDonna Humphrey is accused of relentlessly pursuing Daniel Watson as a suspect in the unsolved murder of Melissa Witt. Watson, who has consistently maintained his innocence, claims he is being unfairly targeted by Humphrey, who is alleged to be driven by personal and financial motives. Later i...

Old Flames Reignited: The Mysterious Return of LaDonna Humphrey in Allen Arson Case LaDonna Humphrey, with a history marked by harassment allegations, emerges from the shadows 13 years later to entangle herself in the arson investigation of her former boss and preacher, Jon Allen. As the flames of the past reignite, investigators uncover a convoluted story of manipulation, embezzlement, and vindic...

In part 3 of Who's Afraid of LaDonna Humphrey, we explore the intense battle between Anthony Christopher and LaDonna. Anthony, LaDonna's former boss, shares his story of harassment, alleging LaDonna's relentless efforts to destroy his life and career. From sending spoof emails to unauthorized background checks, LaDonna's actions led to a legal showdown that landed her in jail for destroying eviden...

In this episode, we explore the troubling allegations against LaDonna Humphrey surrounding the Melissa Witt case. Crime victim advocate Patti Rush shares her story, claiming that Humphrey, once seen as an ally, was actually behind years of harassment and deceit. From stolen evidence to questionable motives, we peel back the layers on a complicated figure. Patti Rush, a dedicated crime victim advoc...

LaDonna Humphrey. Remember that name because she is central to this story. I've tried to sum up this tale quickly, but every time I attempt an elevator pitch, I fail. When friends ask me what this new series is about, I'm at a loss for words. It's impossible to explain in just a few minutes. I'm about to retell the story the way I learned it: completely out of order. By the end, you'll need a susp...

LaDonna Humphrey, a respected true crime author and podcaster, has built a strong reputation through her detailed investigations. However, beneath her acclaimed public image lies a troubling undercurrent of allegations and dark secrets. As former associates, friends, and family come forward with disturbing claims. These people have never spoken out... until now. The question arises: Who's really a...

The strange and intricate hoax crafted by Saint Jovite "Kota" Youngblood, a hockey dad who posed as a Delta Force agent, unravels in court. An FBI agent peels back each layer of Youngblood's elaborate scheme that duped dozens of families. Get early and ad-free episodes: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id64434569...

Saint Jovite Youngblood posed as a Delta Force agent to swindle the families of his son’s hockey team. Today's episode revolves around two victims: Eric Perardi, an Austin-based real estate developer, and Rebecca Kumar, a hockey mom, whose lives were turned upside down by Youngblood’s elaborate scams. Their experiences may sound like something out of a crime thriller, but they show the danger of f...

BREAKING NEWS - Kaitlyn Braun is Arrested Again for Duping Doulas in Phony Pregnancy Scam 25-year-old Kaitlyn Braun, who is currently under house arrest for prior offenses involving fraud and harassment against doulas, faces new charges as of Tuesday. This week's charges come after new allegations of once again exploiting the trust of unsuspecting doulas by falsely soliciting support related to pr...

In the second installment of "The Doula" series, we uncover new dimensions of Kaitlyn Braun’s elaborate pregnancy scams. This episode features a new doula speaking out about her experiences, the story of how Kaitlyn was finally caught, and a revealing interview with a former friend whom Kaitlyn also deceived. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warning: This episode contains graphic discussions of pregnancy loss, sexual violence, and emotional abuse. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode of "Pretend," listen to the chilling tale of Kaitlyn Braun, a woman who orchestrated an elaborate pregnancy hoax, affecting nearly 60 doulas across Ontario. Seanna Hayes, a doula from London, Ontario, provides a firsthand account of her experie...

This episode offers an unprecedented look into the life of the 'Timepiece Gentleman' Ponzi schemer, Anthony Farrar, whose love for luxury watches spiraled into a deceitful web of lies, culminating in a rare and candid confession. If you want to hear more wild Ponzi stories, subscribe to The Ponzi Playbook hosted by me, Javier Leiva, and my buddy Neal McTighe. SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/M02YhRa5Iq ___...

In today's episode, we revisit the captivating story of Seafarer Exploration and its quest to unearth a 300-year-old treasure buried beneath the ocean waves off Florida's coast. Join us as we delve into the tale of Kyle Kennedy, CEO of Seafarer Exploration, and his fateful encounter with Dr. Michael Torres, a man whose promises and credentials were as deep as the ocean itself. What begins as a hop...

I recently spoke at the Triangle Content Creators Meetup in Raleigh, NC, about using OSINT techniques to locate and research your next guest. OSINT stands for Open Source Intelligence. As a journalist, I've teamed up with brilliant hackers like Mishaal Khan and Michael Bazzell to uncover new information about my subjects.  In this talk, I explain how Alan Logan and I exposed Frank Abagnale and how...

Previously on Pretend, we dived deep into the murky waters of academic fraud. Celebrity behavioral scientist Dan Ariely of Duke University, alongside Francesca Gino from Harvard and other distinguished behavioral scientists, embarked on a series of experiments with a noble aim: to enhance honesty among individuals.  Their investigation centered on whether positioning an honesty pledge at the top o...