Real Crime Profile

We finish analyzing the heart wrenching case of Mariah Alvarez, the 2-year old who died of blunt force trauma to the head. Her mother Melissa Lucio was convicted of her murder and sentenced to death. But did Melissa in fact commit capital murder? Was she criminally neglectful of her child? Was she physically abusive? Was Mariah’s death an accidental fall down a steep stairs? Was Mariah abused by s...

In Harlingen, Texas on February 17, 2007, two year old Mariah Alvarez died of blunt force trauma to the head. Her small body was covered with bruises, possible bite marks, her arm had a spiral fracture and her spine and internal organs had also been injured. Mariah's mother Melissa Lucio said that Mariah died from an accidental fall down a staircase. Authorities said Melissa beat her own daughter...

We are saddened and angered at yet another shooting in America. This one a targeted attack against Black people. How do we stop this endless, seemingly predictable, cycle of mass shootings? Are there new answers to these old questions? Join us. Remembering those murdered and also those injured: #HerNameWasRobertaA.Drury of Buffalo, N.Y. – age 32 #HisNameWasMargusD.Morrison of Buffalo, N.Y. –...

We continue our analysis of the victims of prolific pedophile and sexual abuser so called “celebrity DJ” Jimmy Savile. We discuss the reasons why he was enabled and his crimes buried so deep for so long. Laura introduces the idea of “institutional grooming”.  #netflixdocumentary #jimmysavile #institutionalgrooming #victimsmatter #stopburyingthetruth #bbc #hernamewasKatWard #brtishhorrorstory...

Samantha Brown was just 11 years old when then celebrity DJ Jimmy Savile started sexually assaulting her in a back room of her own church as she prepared the collection plates for mass. While daring to be nearly in plain sight of the congregation and the priest, Savile would cover her mouth and do whatever he wanted with her. This happened at least 20 times throughout her youth. Same place, s...

We continue to analyze the HBO docuseries “Phoenix Rising” about Evan Rachel Wood. At the age of 18, Wood was pursued by a then 37-year-old rock icon. Their relationship spanned over four years, beginning with intensive flattery, then escalating to emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Looking back, she recognized a pattern of grooming and control tactics similar to those experienced by other sur...

Today we analyze the a two-part HBO documentary "Phoenix Rising" that follows actress and activist Evan Rachel Wood as she takes her experience as a survivor of domestic violence to pursue justice, heal generational wounds, and reclaim her story. Joining us is Dr. Caroline Heldman of Occidental College and actress and activist Lili Bernard who have together changed California statute of limitation...

Guess who stops by Real Crime Profile? Paul Holes! Paul is a scientist, and seasoned investigator, well known for using advanced methods of identifying a killer with DNA and genealogy technology. Since retiring in March 2018, he has contributed to books, television, and podcasts about true crime. He has a new book coming out called “Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases”. Paul tells...

Can’t get enough of Arctic Circle? Neither could we. We jump into Season 2 to see what Nina, Venla, and Marita, are up to now. Are Nina and Dr. Thomas still together? Has Esko stepped up to be a better father? What has Nina’s biological father — whom she’s been estranged from all her life — have to do with a cold case she is assigned to about a female Judo Champion’s murder? One thing we can...

When is the last time you watched a really good Nordy Noir set in some frozen tundra? Well, never fear, we are going to take you along with us to Finnish Lapland to meet Officer Nina Kautsalo, who is trying to figure out why young Russian women are being murdered in her tiny village of Ivalo bordering the Arctic Circle. Are they being sex trafficked? And is something even more terrifying afoot? Ni...

Jim and Lisa are joined by artist, actress and activist Lili Bernard to debrief about the dramatic, confusing and shocking incident that unfolded between Will Smith and Chris Rock during the 2022 Oscars. There are so many ways to view and react to this altercation, depending on where you are standing, what your experience ahow you have been hurt. But one thing is for sure, there are many thin...

Chrystul Kizer was seventeen years old when she was arrested for allegedly killing the man who was sex trafficking her and who had used her to create images of child sex abuse. She is now fighting for her right to use the "Affirmative Defense" law to defend herself in court against charges of first degree intentional homicide and arson. The Wisconsin Supreme Court and prosecutors are debating the...

Listeners have been asking Laura and Jim to weigh in on the media spectacle surrounding Kim Kardashian's attempt to divorce Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, and his increasingly disturbing behavior towards her. How do we parse celebrity histrionics and serious threats? Find out on this special bonus episode.  #KimKardashian #Ye #KanyeWest #PeteDavidson #MentalHealthMatters #Do...

Jim and Laura continue their analysis on this shocking, many layered case. We follow the framework of the Topic docu-series “The Missing Children” of Tuam, Ireland. More is revealed about exactly where some of these vulnerable children ended up after being ripped from their destitute mothers. Someone once said “follow the money” and in this case, it is incredibly revealing who profited from the pl...

It is the stuff that gothic horror movies are made of, but instead of fiction, the story of the missing children of Tuam, Ireland, is tragically real. Using the framework of the stunning documentary streaming now on the Topic platform, “The Missing Children”, Laura, Jim and Lisa analyze this case that involves multiple layers of treachery, abuse and as Laura says “evil”. If 796 children went...

We continue our coverage of the Netflix docuseries "The Tinder Swindler" aka "The Snake" per Laura. Laura points out many of his behaviors are power and control tactics, which you will see if you look up Duluth Minnesota’s power and control wheel https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wheels/ . Jim recounts a case that he worked that was similar to this one where he was able to build a case around th...

#TheTinderSwindler You may have heard of the so-called "Tinder Swindler" on Netflix but you haven't heard anything until you listen to Laura and Jim's analysis of this serial offender as they correct the narrative about Simon Leviev. Big shout out to the three women, Cecilie, Pernilla and Ayleen, who came forward to tell their stories about how he tore their lives apart.  #netflix #...

Jim gives his reaction to the recent death by suicide of French modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, who was awaiting trial, accused of having sex with a minor and also under investigation for sex trafficking. Jim opened an investigation into Brunel THIRTY years ago...why did it take the French authorities so long to arrest him? You'll want to hear the backstory on this.... #believevictims #victimsmatt...

We continue our interview with Attorney Darnell Crossland who represents the families of Lauren Smith-Fields as well as Brenda Rawls. Darnell emphasizes that there does not have to be warring sides in this case — Lauren’s family vs the police vs the individual who was with Lauren when she died. He says they are all on the same side, the side of finding out the whole truth so everyone can know what...

We interview Attorney Darnell Crosland who represents both Lauren Smith-Fields' and Brenda Rawls' families. Jim gives expert advice regarding hair analysis and the investigation. Laura asks Darnell about the timeline of Lauren's death and the response by Bridgeport Police and the Mayor’s office. Lisa asks if several pieces of evidence have been collected by police and if tests have been conducted...

We continue our analysis of the Lauren Smith-Fields case. Laura talks about the need for online dating sites to step up their responsibility for flagging possible predators. Jim talks about the dangers of fentanyl and his doubts about the likelihood that Lauren was using it recreationally. Lisa is just beside herself with all the "wtf"s in this case. #HerNamewasLaurenSmithFields #LauenSmithFi...

We begin our coverage of the Lauren Smith-Fields case with Laura and Jim analyzing victimology. Laura is deeply troubled at how the family was notified of Lauren’s death and how they were treated.  Jim is outraged that the last person to see Lauren alive was not properly questioned by police. Lisa has a lot of questions about how law enforcement should have handled a...

Breaking: A man has been charged with the murder of Akia Eggleston and her unborn baby almost five years after she went missing. Akia’s family never stopped trying to find out what happened to Akia who disappeared days before her baby shower leaving behind her two year old daughter. We give our reaction to the identity of the offender. Laura and Jim analyze the red flags that have been present all...

We finish our coverage of the HBO docu-series "Black and Missing" by focusing on the cases of Tamika Huston, Akia Eggleston and Relisha Rudd. Tamika's disappearance and her family's frustration with getting media attention led Natalie and Derricka Wilson to form the Black and Missing organization. Akia, an expectant mother, went missing and it was shockingly difficult for her family to g...

Jim and Laura analyze the cases of Kennedi High, Pam Butler and Tamika Huston. 16 year old Kennedi High went missing after being lured away from home by men who took advantage of her vulnerability due to her autism. When Pam Butler and Tamika Huston went missing, their families desperately searched for them, and tried to get the national media's attention to help them get the word out -- to no ava...