Shades of Murder

In mid-April, late afternoon, amidst the dimming sunlight over the Pacific Ocean, the body of a woman was discovered, and it was missing the right leg. What initially appeared to be a shark attack would reveal other signs of brutal force and violence, and possibly something much more sinister than a monster of the sea. This is the murder mystery of Michelle Von Emster of Ocean Beach, CA. Thank you...

When a group of friends comes together for a lovely autumn meal, a casual gathering escalates to murder. The events that culminated in the death of an innocent person revealed a cast of calloused and depraved individuals led by someone whose mind was torn apart by mental illness, or was it just a facade of evil? This is the story of Anu Singh and Joe Cinque of Canberra, Australia. If you enjoy the...

In early March 2020, in a small town in Northern Alaska, the body of a young woman was discovered on the Mayor's property, and she wasn't the first. An investigation would expose a pattern of family violence, corruption, and injustice by a system that had sworn to protect them and countless other females. This is the case of Jennifer Kirk and Susanna "Sue Sue" Norton of Kotzebue,...

In the Fall of 2007, when a VA Agent contacted the Garland, Texas, police department about a suspicious-looking piece of concrete on a property, what lay beneath it would unfold into a roller coaster of an investigation. A missing person whose family didn’t realize that they had disappeared. A mysterious woman who claimed to be the home’s new owner.  And the revealing of one of the most diabolical...

Within a few weeks of one another near Stockholm, Sweden, suspicious-looking trash bags were found discarded on a motorway. Homicide detectives were stunned and horrified by what lay inside, and the pieces they never found. This investigation would unravel into one of the most controversial and bizarre murder cases in the history of Scandinavia. Thank you so much for listening! Please participate...

In the summer of 2016, the bodies of two teenagers were discovered along a bridge in the port city of Cirebon. What first appeared to be a tragic motorbike accident would unfold into one of the most mysterious and strange incidents of homicide in the history of Indonesia. Whispers of conspiracy, cries of injustice, and ghostly possession continue to haunt the case today. This is the true story beh...

What makes a monster? How does a small child one day innocently discover a pair of women’s high heels and turn into one of the most sadistic and depraved serial killers in history? This episode unravels the layers of darkness beneath the childhood, deviant adolescence, and the disturbing and violent obsessions of the man who would become known as the Shoe Fetish Slayer. Thank you so much for liste...

The investigators and crime scene analysts who searched the workshop and home of serial killer Jerome “Jerry” Brudos were shocked and horrified by the evidence of evil that lay inside. Their discoveries would result in one of the most macabre and disturbing criminal trials in American history. Thank you for listening! Please follow the show so you never miss an episode. Help the show grow by ratin...

Along the Long Tom River in Oregon, the body of a missing young woman was discovered. Her disappearance and murder were a string of mysterious incidents in the region. Detectives would soon realize that they were on the hunt for a serial killer. The worst kind of killer. A lust killer, and time was not on their side. Episode 67 was inspired by Ann Rule's novel "Lust Killer," based on...

When two depraved, twisted minds crossed one another’s paths, they would embark on a plan of true evil. Their cruel, sick desires would lead to one of the most horrific crimes in Canadian history. This is the case of killer couple Terri-Lynne McClintic and Michael Rafferty. #justicefortori Thank you so much for listening! If you enjoy the show, please be sure to follow, rate on Apple or Spotify, a...

On June 5th, 2005, in Memphis, Tennessee, a woman discovered in a blood-spattered bedroom would lead homicide investigators to the most rare of suspects. This case would unfold in many shocking twists and turns, leaving some to wonder whether justice was ever served. Thank you so much for listening! If you enjoy the show, be sure to follow, rate on Spotify or Apple, and leave a review on Apple or...

On Christmas Day, 2010, in London, UK, first responders arrived at a couple’s blood-spattered flat. The discovery of a young man’s tortured body would uncover a disturbing and bizarre murder, and reveal a shocking pattern of faith-based child abuse. This is the Witchcraft Murder of Kristy Bamu. Children accused of witchcraft can call Childline on 0800 1111 or NSPCC on 0808 800 500. Thank you, my d...

In 1985, on the night before Christmas in Seattle, WA, a family’s festive plans would turn into a blood bath. The investigation into their brutal and bizarre murders would reveal a twisted, sick mind behind a conspiracy to hunt down and eradicate members of the Communist Party. It remains today one of the most disturbing and violent hate crimes and politically motivated murders in the history of t...

Original Air date of 11/29/2023. Re-published for Thanksgiving-themed episodes. In 1991, over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a real-life nightmare unfolded in the kitchen of a beautiful new bride. A red hat, scissors, an iron, and homemade BBQ ribs would reveal the most disturbing and bizarre of holiday rituals. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO MY SHOW! IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST, PL...

Original air date 11/27/2024. Re-published for Thanksgiving-themed episodes. Around 2:15 am on Thanksgiving morning, 1995, in Fairfax, Virginia, 911 operators received a call that the Harper residence was on fire. When firefighters arrived at the house, fire and smoke masked the horrific scene inside. Once the flames were extinguished and the heavy smoke cleared, emergency personnel found the burn...

On 02/14/2025, the gruesome discovery of a young indigenous girl’s remains was made in the Tonto National Forest near Globe, Arizona. The investigation into her disappearance and the events leading up to her death would reveal a long pattern of neglect and systemic failures. This is the story of Emily Pike of the San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona. Please visit shadesofmurder.com for more informat...

On October 14th, 2022, when a 12-year-old schoolgirl goes missing in Paris, France, the nightmare that unfolds would shock and enrage the entire country. This is the story of Lola Daviet and the Devil Monster of France, Dahbia Benkired. If you enjoy the show, please support it by following, rating on Apple/Spotify, and leaving a review! Thank you for listening. Please visit shadesofmurder.com for...

In 2015, in Elkhart, IN, when a family's house goes up in flames, a mother is found stabbed to death, and a young girl goes missing, the police are on the hunt for an unlikely killer. Investigators would learn how the young offender of this vicious crime was obsessed with a creepypasta serial killer clown known as Laughing Jack. *Please note that due to minor laws, the identity and thus any photog...

On March 17th, 1979, at the Palmland Motel in Fort Myers, Florida, the body of 73-year-old Inez Kelly was discovered in her room. The old woman had been viciously slain. Bloody footprints would lead the police to a sleeping maid. The real perpetrator of this brutal murder would not only surprise and shock psychiatrists, the prosecution, and the judge, but also the defendant herself. This episode w...

On November 13th, 2013, the body of 78-year-old Joseph Gatto was discovered in his Silver Lake, Los Angeles residence. The house was ransacked and appeared to be a fatal home invasion, but the scene and evidence failed to make any sense. His son would embark on a quest for truth and journey into darkness to seek justice for his beloved father.  **Remastered for balanced audio Featuring an emotiona...

In the Spring of 1998, in Winter Park, Florida, a 19-year-old co-ed was found dead inside her dorm room. The scene was bizarre and suspicious. This homicide investigation would lead to strange, conflicting forensic reports and leave people to wonder whether it was an accident, suicide, or murder. This is the unsolved murder of college student Jennifer Kairis. ***Remastered audio Thank you so much...

Alyssa Bustamante has been labeled a thrill killer, a psychopath, and an evil monster. Only a child of fifteen herself when she committed an act of unimaginable violence, she remains a true killing anomaly. Part 2 of this story explores the dark layers of this young female offender, signs of psychopathy, and discusses how our society defines juvenile justice. Thank you so much for listening! Pleas...

In the small town of St. Martins, Missouri, when a nine-year-old girl vanishes, the entire community comes together to search for her. While investigators combed through the vast woods where it was believed she had last been, they discovered two small graves. The disturbing words found inside a teenager’s diary would lead homicide detectives to a shocking and very unusual suspect.  This is the tra...

Lurking behind the dreamy destinations of tropical islands lie sands of blood and secrets. Tourists and residents become victims of horrific violence, and countless murders are never solved. This episode discusses two murder mysteries set in islands of paradise, Fiji and Jamaica. Thank you so much for listening! If you enjoy the show, please follow me and consider leaving a positive rating or revi...

In January 2017, when a gruesome discovery was made at a commercial trash facility in Bronx County, New York, law enforcement investigators quickly identified the brutal killer. This horrific murder would lead to a historical fight for justice for society’s most marginalized women. This is the case of Brooklyn's Leondra Foster. If you or someone you know has been a victim of human trafficking,...