Sins & Survivors: A Las Vegas True Crime Podcast

Stephanie Isaacson was finishing up her freshman year at El Dorado High School in Las Vegas back on June 1st, 1989. Stephanie never made it to school that day. In the wake of her murder, despite a vigorous investigation, the case soon went cold. It would be nearly 32 years before her family got the answers they deserved. http://sinspod.co/episode21sources If you or someone you know is affected by...

In the early morning hours of April 16, 2010, Bronwyn Richards returned home after caring for her mother. Within moments, her children awoke to the sound of her screams.  Fourteen-year-old Dion called 911 and his older sister, fearing an intruder, escaped through a window to find help. But by the time police arrived, Bronwyn had been beaten so severely that she wouldn’t survive. Her estranged husb...

A deep dive into self-defense, domestic violence, and what went into making A Fight For Survival.  Let us know what you think about the episode We're dropping this swing shift as a FREE BONUS episode to celebrate our upcoming Patreon! We've covered a lot of cases on the "self defense" topic so we needed some time to discuss. We have a big surprise in store next week too so stay tuned thanks for li...

Two women fought to survive domestic violence—but only one walked away completely free. Catherine Brewington and Brittany Figiel defended themselves but faced vastly different legal battles. Why does the justice system fail survivors who fight back? We examine the inconsistencies, the victim-blaming, and the deep flaws in how courts handle self-defense in domestic violence cases. https://sinspod.c...

When Tammy killed David in 2012, she insisted it was self-defense after years of domestic violence. Despite the police acknowledging her history as an abuse victim, she was charged with murder.  Let us know what you think about the episode The judicial system doesn't always get it right, and that’s also true in domestic violence cases. We refer to people involved in these cases with words like vic...

An Elvis impersonator and his girlfriend were murdered in their Las Vegas home, leaving behind a chilling mystery that remains unsolved after 30 years.  Is there anything more Las Vegas than an Elvis impersonator? It was more than 40 years ago that the King, Elvis Presley, died in August of 1977, and shortly after his death, Dana MacKay took up the mantle and became arguably the best-known Elvis I...

A mother and her three children were murdered in a horrifying act of domestic violence, leaving behind grieving loved ones and unanswered questions. Shaun & John explore the warning signs of family annihilation, the systemic failures that allowed it to happen, and what can be done to prevent future cases.  When Schinara Bernoudy married Marvin Patterson in May 2019, she thought she’d met “the...

22-year-old Lesly Palacio vanished after a night out with longtime family friend Erick Rangel-Ibarra. Security footage later revealed chilling evidence that led to a murder investigation, but Erick fled to Mexico, evading justice for years.  Let us know what you think about the episode Update! July 27, 2024 - Erick Rangel Ibarra, Lesly's Murderer has been Apprehended in Mexico! We will be adding d...

Debbie Flores Narvaez was a talented dancer with big dreams in Las Vegas, until she vanished without a trace. The horror of this one is not to be understated, and it impacted so many people including Debbie's family and friends, and the whole Las Vegas community, especially the performers. Let us know what you think about the episode http://www.sinspod.co/episode18sources Jennifer Romas' Dance Tri...

Debbie was an intelligent and talented dancer who pursued her passion in Las Vegas, but then disappeared without a trace. Shaun & John explore her story and the impact it had on her family and career. We'll talk about her background, her tumultuous relationships including her domestic violence plagued relationship with Jason "Blu" Griffith, and the events leading up to her mysterious disappear...

A short relationship turned deadly when an ex felt entitled to more. Makayla Rhiner’s story highlights the dangers of escalating violence.  Makayla was only 21 when she was killed by her ex-boyfriend, Brandon Michael Hanson, after a brief three-month relationship.  Despite common misconceptions that domestic violence primarily affects long-term relationships, Makayla's story highlights the dangers...

On "True Crime Convos" with Lanie Hobbs, Shaun & John discuss 3 interesting cases that have a unique fact pattern in common.  Chris Porco: November 15, 2004 - Delmar, New York. The Porco family horror unfolds, revealing a twisted tale of lies, forgery, and a son's unimaginable betrayal. John takes us through the shocking details that led to Chris's conviction. Sydney Powell: March 3, 2020 - Ak...

A Vegas vacation turned deadly. When Nydia Lopez-Garcia was murdered, her children were trapped in a legal nightmare.  http://www.sinspod.co/episode15sources Domestic Violence Resources http://sinspod.co/resources Click here to become a member of our Patreon! https://sinspod.co/patreon Visit and join our Patreon now and access our ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content & schwag! Apple Po...

Shauna worked hard, loved her daughter, and tried to leave. Her husband made sure she never got the chance. Shauna Tiaffay was a devoted mother, beloved friend, and successful Las Vegas cocktail waitress. But behind closed doors, her marriage to firefighter George Tiaffay was unraveling. When Shauna was brutally murdered in her home, investigators uncovered a sinister murder-for-hire plot involvin...

A single bad date turned into a six-month nightmare for Dasia. After rejecting Douglas Eugene Jackson, she endured relentless stalking, break-in attempts, terrifying threats, and a justice system that failed her at every turn. Her story is an incredible account of an amazing person surviving one of the most disturbing stalking experiences we've heard. http://sinspod.co/episode13sources Additional...

One in three women will experience stalking, but many don’t realize how deadly it can be. This bonus episode covers the horrifying murder of Peggy Klinke by her obsessed ex and the chilling stalkers who have targeted Miley Cyrus.  Learn More at https://www.stalkingawareness.org/stalking-awareness-month-2024/ https://sinspod.co/episode12bonussources   Domestic Violence Resources http://sinspod.co/r...

Dr. Gwen Amsrala was a brilliant young doctor with a bright future, until her husband, Shiva Gummi, violently ended her life. Shaun & John discuss Gwen’s life, her tragic murder, and the red flags of controlling relationships that can escalate into violence. We also discuss Jake Freeman, a Las Vegas police officer who terrorized his ex-wife through relentless stalking, leading to a tragic conc...

Today, with a heavy heart, we delve into the disappearance of a very young soul, cherished by her foster parents but seemingly neglected by her biological kin. As we approach what would have been Oakley Carlson's 7th birthday and mark the second anniversary of her disappearance, we embark on a journey to piece together the haunting puzzle of her case. Special thanks to the  Light the Way Advocacy...

The holidays are a time for family, but for thousands of families, an empty seat at the table is a painful reminder of a missing loved one. In this episode, we highlight six missing person cases—Jason Landry, Vladek Hasel, Daniel Robinson, Ryan Shtuka, Kae Alana Turner, and Oakley Carlson. Their families are still searching for answers, and you can help by raising awareness. Listen now to learn th...

Wrongfully convicted and the first man exonerated by DNA evidence—Gary Dotson’s story is a landmark case in true crime history. His case shook the justice system, raising questions about wrongful convictions, forensic failures, and the power of a single lie. Let us know what you think about the episode In this episode, Shaun and John continue the case of Gary Dotson, the first person to be exonera...

Wrongfully convicted and the first man exonerated by DNA evidence—Gary Dotson’s story is a landmark case in true crime history. His case shook the justice system, raising questions about wrongful convictions, forensic failures, and the power of a single lie. Let us know what you think about the episode In this episode, Shaun and John introduce the case of Gary Dotson, the first person to be exoner...

Is someone watching you? Hidden cameras, hacked smart devices, and high-tech abuse are becoming disturbingly common in domestic violence cases. From secret surveillance in hotel rooms and Airbnbs to controlling thermostats, locks, and even cars, technology can be weaponized to intimidate and manipulate.  Let us know what you think about the episode In this week’s episode of Sins & Survivors, w...

Vanished without a trace—Camille was last seen walking out of a Las Vegas detention center in 1994. After years of struggling with domestic violence, addiction, and dangerous relationships, Camille disappeared, leaving behind her young daughter. Her missing persons report was mysteriously deleted, and decades later, the truth remains elusive. Was she the victim of foul play, an informant silenced,...

Camille had a promising future—but her life took a tragic turn. After moving to Las Vegas, Camille vanished in 1994, leaving behind her young daughter and grieving mother. For decades, her family has fought for answers. What really happened to Camille? Explore the twists, unanswered questions, and the heartbreaking reality of a woman who disappeared without a trace.  This episode takes a closer lo...

A kindhearted gesture turned deadly when Tiffany Booth opened her home to a coworker in need. What started as a whirlwind pandemic romance ended in tragedy, and her suspected killer, Eduardo Clemente, is still at large. With authorities offering a $20,000 reward, Tiffany’s family is desperate for answers and justice. Where is Eduardo? Uncover the shocking details of Tiffany’s case and learn how yo...