Tragedy - A True Crime Podcast

Amber Berbiglia was young, with a life still unfolding and so much ahead of her. Her murder brought that future to an abrupt and tragic end, leaving behind questions that have remained unanswered for far too long. In this episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast , we sit down with Gina Stevens, a leading advocate for Amber and someone who has dedicated herself to keeping Amber’s story alive and pu...

In this episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast , we review the unsolved 2013 murder of 23-year-old Amber Berbiglia. We look again at what is known about Amber’s final hours, the circumstances surrounding the discovery of her body, and the questions that remain more than a decade later. We also step beyond the case to share updates from some of the latest conferences we have attended and the conv...

What does a trained tracker see that the rest of us might walk right past? In this episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast , we sit down with Mark Culp, an experienced Man Tracker with Search and Rescue, to talk about the skills, knowledge, and years of experience that go into searching for a missing person. Mark shares his background and explains what a tracker is actually looking for once a sea...

John Davis, Jana’s ex-husband, knew Crystal McCrory well and joins us to share a more personal side of Crystal and the family. John shares some fun stories and favorite memories of Crystal and Jana, giving us a chance to hear about Crystal as a person beyond the tragedy and questions surrounding her death. He also reflects on Jana’s determination to keep fighting for answers, push for change, and...

Jack Fox is back to take another look at the Crystal McCrory case. This time, we review a seven-minute interview between Crystal’s husband, Tony, and law enforcement on the day Crystal died. We break down what was asked, what was said, and what stands out about such a brief interview during the earliest hours of the investigation into a death that was ultimately ruled a suicide. We also discuss ou...

We sit down with private investigator Lindsey Smith, who has been working on the Crystal McCrory case and supporting Jana throughout the process. Lindsey shares her perspective on the investigation, the evidence, and the unanswered questions that continue to surround Crystal’s death. She also discusses the difficult reality facing Crystal’s family: after everything that has been uncovered, some qu...

Scott Lautigar, Jana’s husband, joins us to share what it has been like to walk beside her following the death of Crystal McCrory. He discusses the impact this journey has had on their lives, his thoughts on the investigation, and what he has learned about supporting someone through grief, frustration, and unanswered questions. Scott also offers advice to those standing beside someone they love du...

In this episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast , we sit down with author and longtime friend of Crystal McCrory, Lee Hickey. Lee takes us beyond the case files and unanswered questions to introduce us to the Crystal she knew. She shares how their friendship began, the memories they created together, and the heartfelt stories that only those closest to Crystal can keep alive in her absence. We al...

In this episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast, we sit down with Jana Guyewski-Lautigar, sister of Crystal McCrory, for a conversation about Crystal's death and the fight for answers that has consumed the years since. Jana takes us back to the moment she first learned that Crystal was dead and shares what she remembers about the reactions of the people around her in those first confusing ho...

Every investigation begins with a single question. In this episode, we take our first look at the death of Crystal McCrory, introducing the known facts of the case and examining the details that immediately caught our attention. As we walk through the timeline, we discuss several aspects of the investigation that raised questions for us, from the handling of evidence to the circumstances surroundi...

This episode is all about you—the incredible community that has helped transform Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast into something far greater than we ever imagined. Every download, every share, every review, and every conversation has helped amplify the voices of victims and their families. Because of your support, we've reached another major milestone, and we wanted to take this opportunity to s...

What does evidence actually tell investigators—and just as importantly, what doesn't it tell them? In this episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast , we sit down with Kathy Decker , founder of IRIS (Incident Response & Investigative Strategies) , for an in-depth conversation about the realities of professional investigations. Kathy shares the story behind IRIS, how the organization was bu...

In this episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast , we sit down with Brandy Guzman, a childhood friend of Deanna Merryfield, to remember what life was like growing up in Killeen, Texas, during the early 1990s. Brandy shares memories of a close-knit group of friends, the sense of freedom they enjoyed as kids, and how her family's move to a different neighborhood changed the course of her life....

Deanna Merryfield's sister, Amy Hall, shares her memories of the little sister she knew before tragedy changed everything. Amy reflects on the happy moments they shared growing up, the day Deanna disappeared, and what she remembers about the early days of the investigation. Amy also speaks candidly about the frustration of watching Deanna's case receive so little attention from both law...

More than three decades have passed since Deanna Merryfield disappeared from Killeen, Texas, but those who knew her have never forgotten the person behind the headlines. In this episode, Barbara Sueoka shares her memories of Deanna, offering a deeply personal look at the young woman whose life has too often been reduced to a missing person's case. Barbara reflects on their relationship, what...

For more than three decades, the search for answers in Deanna Merryfield's disappearance has shaped the lives of everyone who loves her. But what is it like to marry into a family carrying that kind of heartbreak? In this episode, we sit down with Luke Twardowski, husband of Deanna's sister, Melissa, for a deeply personal conversation about what it's like to witness tragedy from the...

In this episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast , we sit down with Mark Fricke, a former law enforcement officer and personal safety trainer, to discuss the practical skills that can help keep you from becoming a victim. Drawing from decades of real-world experience, Mark shares how situational awareness, preparation, and everyday habits can dramatically improve your personal safety. We explore t...

More than three decades after Deanna Merryfield disappeared from Killeen, Texas, the search for answers continues. In this special episode, we sit down with private investigator Steve Gelinske, who has devoted countless hours to reviewing the case and following the evidence wherever it leads. Steve shares what he can safely discuss about the investigation, offering listeners a rare look into the c...

More than three decades after the disappearance of Deanna Merryfield, her family continues to search for answers. In this episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast , Michael and Alyssa sit down with Deanna’s youngest sister, Melissa Twardowski, to revisit the case and examine the publicly available evidence that has kept hope alive. Together, they retrace the events surrounding Deanna’s disappearan...

In July 1990, 13-year-old Deanna Merryfield disappeared from Killeen, Texas. Her case was quickly labeled a runaway, and like so many missing children of that era, the investigation faded while the years marched on. But for Deanna's family, especially her younger sister Melissa, the search never stopped. More than three decades later, renewed efforts, new leads, and a growing public awareness...

In the final installment of our coverage of the Krystle Cook case, we take a step back to reflect on the journey that has brought us here. From the initial investigation and search for answers to the voices of family members, advocates, and those who have stood beside Krystle's loved ones, this case has left a lasting impact on everyone involved—including us. In this episode, we share updates...

When Heather Cook entered Lee Cook's life, she stepped into a family forever changed by tragedy. In this deeply personal conversation, Heather shares what it was like joining a family still searching for answers about Krystle's disappearance and how she and Lee navigated the uncertainty, heartbreak, and determination that defined those years. Heather reflects on the bond she built with L...

In this emotional and deeply personal episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast, we sit down with Lori Williams, Krystle’s aunt, as she shares the painful reality of reliving trauma during the parole hearing process and the emotional toll that violent crime continues to have on surviving family members years later. Lori opens up about the challenges of navigating victim advocacy, the frustration ma...

In this special bonus episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast , we reconnect with three guests from Season One to hear what's happened since they first shared their stories with us. For many families affected by violent crime, missing loved ones, or an unsolved case, life doesn't simply move on when an episode ends. The search for answers, the fight for justice, and the daily reality of...

In this emotional and deeply personal interview, Hannah Mosbrucker shares the lasting impact of losing her sister, Krystle Cook, and the painful reality of navigating life after tragedy. Hannah opens up about the nonprofit created in Krystle’s honor, the mission behind their advocacy work, and the ongoing fight to support victims’ families facing similar heartbreak. She also discusses the emotiona...