What we lose in the Shadows (A father and daughter True Crime Podcast)

Send us Fan Mail A Tesla sits parked for too long in the Hollywood Hills, collecting parking tickets as neighbors grow concerned. Then, a strange smell changes everything. When police pop the trunk, they discover human remains so decomposed it takes weeks to identify victim: 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing months earlier. We take a closer look at who she was and...

Send us Fan Mail A breakup in a remote place can be cruel. On a mountain trail, it can become something much worse. We talk about the chilling phenomenon known as “alpine divorce” and why some people choose a hike, a forest, or a cliffside viewpoint to end a relationship where escape, witnesses, and cell service are limited. It’s not just awkward, it can be dangerous, and the psychology behind it...

Send us Fan Mail A school is supposed to be where kids get safer, not where adults get access. Today we’re unpacking a case that’s exploding online for all the worst reasons: an Arizona student allegedly groomed by a teacher who used gifts, money, special treatment, and constant texting to blur boundaries that should never move. We talk through the reporting around Haley Beck, the claims of thousa...

Send us Fan Mail A family’s move turns into tragedy on a summer hike when a stranger in black attacks, and two parents fight to protect their daughters. We trace the evidence that led to a barbershop arrest, examine red flags, and reflect on safety, community, and courage. Devil's Den 'killer' Andrew James McGann was 'pretty cold' teacher James Andrew McGann arrested for D...

Send us Fan Mail A routine traffic stop reveals the unthinkable horror hiding in plain sight. When Baltimore County police pulled over Nicole Johnson for minor traffic violations in July 2021, they never expected to discover the decomposing bodies of two children hidden in suitcases in her trunk. The horrifying revelation that Johnson had been driving around with the remains of her seven-year-old...

Send us Fan Mail The year was 1978 when Cheryl Bradshaw made what could have been a fatal mistake on national television. As the bachelorette on "The Dating Game," she chose bachelor number one – Rodney Alcala, a charming photographer with a winning smile. What she didn't know was that she had just selected a vicious serial killer in the midst of a murderous spree. Trust your instin...

Send us Fan Mail A two-decade mystery finally unravels as science catches up with a killer who had been hiding in plain sight all along. The murder of Leslie Preer in her Chevy Chase home shocked the community in 2001, but despite clear DNA evidence found beneath her fingernails and blood scattered throughout the crime scene, investigators hit a dead end with no matching profiles in their database...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when someone simply vanishes without explanation? The mysterious disappearance of 28-year-old Gretchen Fleming has left her family, friends, and an entire West Virginia community searching for answers for over two years. The puzzle pieces of that fateful night remain scattered. We know she was last seen leaving a local establishment called My Way Lounge around 3 AM wi...

Send us Fan Mail A legendary actor and his wife die alone in their mansion with no one to help them. The heartbreaking final days of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa reveal a tragedy that unfolded in slow motion behind the gates of their Santa Fe estate. When authorities discovered their bodies on February 26th, they pieced together a timeline that would chill anyone with aging loved ones. Betsy, a...

Send us Fan Mail Delving deep into the complexities of family dynamics, this episode presents a gripping exploration of the Menendez brothers and the shocking events surrounding the tragic murder of their parents. What seems like a straightforward tale of crime becomes a multifaceted narrative woven through layers of abuse, privilege, and psychological turmoil. We dissect how the expectations plac...

Send us Fan Mail We delve into Laura Logan's traumatic experience as a journalist to emphasize the broader societal implications and the power of solidarity in addressing gender-based violence and mob mentality. • Exploration of a violent incident during an NFC Championship game  • Discussion on crowd mentality and emotional triggers related to sports  • Gender-based violence in journalism an...

Send us Fan Mail In a powerful narrative of courage, we share Giselle Pellico's harrowing testimony as she confronts the decade-long betrayal perpetrated by her husband. Her unwavering strength in waiving anonymity has made her a beacon of hope for survivors of sexual assault. This episode delves into the disturbing details of her case, challenging notions of consent and justice. As we conclu...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode we explore the heartbreaking case of 8-year-old Debra 'Debbie' Makel, who disappeared on October 5, 1973, in Rices Landing, PA. After a normal day at school, Debbie vanished shortly after getting off the school bus, leaving her family and community in shock. Despite an extensive search, her body was discovered two days later, revealing a tragic crime sce...

Send us Fan Mail We wander into the shadowy streets of Aliquippa, peeling back layers of intrigue surrounding the unresolved murder of Rachel Del Tonto. Her story, tangled with wealth, broken engagements, and mysterious liaisons, paints a picture of love gone wrong in a town steeped in history and danger. The shocking end of her engagement to Frank Catroppa, known as "the Wolf of Aliquippa,&q...

Send us Fan Mail What if the entertainment industry’s biggest names are hiding sinister secrets? Join us on "What We Lose in the Shadows" as Caroline and I unpack the shocking arrest of P Diddy, who faces charges of trafficking, sexual abuse, and RICO violations in Manhattan. We delve into the disturbing allegations, including a heinous incident with Cassie in a hotel hallway, and questi...

Send us Fan Mail Could a trusted figure of authority exploit their power to commit unthinkable crimes? That's the chilling question we unravel as we kick off this episode of "What We Lose in the Shadows. Today we navigate the devastating case of Sandra Birchmore, a young girl with aspirations for a career in law enforcement, whose life was tragically cut short. Prepare for a gripping dis...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we navigate through the heinous acts committed by Wade Wilson in 2019, shedding light on his disturbing murders in Fort Myers. We delve into the heart-wrenching confession to his father and the moral quandaries faced during his testimony. Additionally, the episode exposes the troubling mishandling of a survivor's assault case, which foreshadowed Wilson's...

Send us Fan Mail What if the quiet neighborhoods of Visalia were hiding a dark secret? Join us as we unravel the chilling chronicles of California’s most infamous criminals in our latest episode of "What We Lose in the Shadows." We begin with a casual chat about the blistering heat in the Northeast and the delightful climate of San Diego—perfect for the American Library Association'...

Send us Fan Mail Can you imagine the horror of losing loved ones due to someone's reckless behavior? Brace yourself as we uncover the devastating case of Rebecca Grossman, a wealthy socialite who took the lives of two innocent children while driving under the influence. We'll discuss the trial, her recent conviction, and reflect on the dire need for responsible behavior to prevent such i...

Send us Fan Mail Can wrongful convictions shatter more than just a person's freedom? This episode of "What We Lose in the Shadows" peels back the layers of a tragic miscarriage of justice that forever altered the life of Anthony Broadwater. We dive deep into the case of Alice Seaborn, a Syracuse University freshman who bravely reported her rape in May 1981. Despite her attacker bein...

Send us Fan Mail The name Sean Combs, or should we say Brother Love, conjures an image of a chameleon in the music industry. This episode peels away at his ever-changing personas and the shadows cast by his fame. From his connections to notorious feuds and allegations of sexual misconduct, the weight of these claims underscores the power dynamics that play out in the courtrooms and beyond. The New...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is not for the faint of heart, as we dissect the long-unsolved Lady of the Dunes mystery, bringing to light evidence that may finally close this cold case. With every word, we stitch together the sinister and the procedural, taking you through the twists and turns of a narrative that's just as much about the resilience of human spirit as it is about the darkness...

Send us Fan Mail The hallways of schools should be passages to learning and growth, not battlegrounds where LGBTQ+ youth fight for acceptance. We tackle the issue of bullying, the grave risks involved in mandated reporting, and the heart-wrenching consequences it can have when a young person is forced out of the shadows into an unaccepting world. Tragedy strikes a somber chord as we recount the lo...

Send us Fan Mail  On this episode we walk you through the unsettling murder of Brianna Ghey—a young life stolen by the hands of hate. We’re not just narrating the somber tale of a teen whose existence was cut short by transphobic violence; we're engaging in a profound discourse on the societal and legal entanglements that continue to challenge the transgender community, bringing to light the...

Send us Fan Mail A man says he has a bomb on a commercial aircraft.  We have seen it in movies for decades, but where did it all start.  We take a deep dive into the lore of DB Cooper and the implementation of the 'DB Cooper device'. We then explore the audacious copycat hijackings, leading to a broader discourse on the evolution of airport security. Intrigue peaks as we examine a new th...