Tragedy - A True Crime Podcast

In Part 2 of the Krystle Cook story, we continue our powerful conversation with Lee Cook, Krystle’s father, as he shares the ongoing realities of navigating grief, the legal system, and the long road toward justice. Lee opens up about the emotional and financial toll families often face after tragedy, the frustrations and limitations within the court process, and how those experiences pushed his f...

In this powerful introduction to our series on the case of Krystle Cook, we begin examining the heartbreaking realities surrounding her story — the challenges of victim advocacy, the frustrations families often face within the legal system, and the lasting emotional toll left behind after tragedy. We also begin our two-part interview with Krystle’s father, as he shares his firsthand experience nav...

For years, LaTonya Thomas’s story has gone largely unheard. In this episode, we speak with her mother, Thomasene Butler, as she shares intimate details about her daughter’s life, the events surrounding the day she died, and the lasting emotional toll. We also explore new updates in the case, including possible law enforcement involvement and growing efforts to bring long-overdue media attention to...

In this powerful interview, we sit down with Vicki Jenkins to uncover the woman behind the case. Vicki shares deeply personal stories of who LaTonya was, the days leading up to her death, and what she understands about the day everything changed. Through firsthand accounts and lived experience, this episode sheds light on unanswered questions and the lasting impact LaTonya’s death has had on those...

In this deeply personal episode, we sit down with Crystal Newkirk—one of LaTonya’s closest friends—to hear a firsthand account of the days leading up to LaTonya’s death, the day everything changed, and the lasting impact left behind. Crystal shares intimate details about LaTonya as a person—the friend she was, the life she lived, and the moments that now carry new weight in hindsight. Through her...

LaTonya Thomas’s case is one that truly defines what it means to be underserved—and overlooked. In this episode, we break down the facts uncovered through our FOIA request, examining the official records, timelines, and key details that paint a troubling picture. What we found raises serious questions about how this case was handled and why it was closed when so much remains unresolved. We walk th...

In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Rowton, one of Hailey Athay’s closest friends, for a deeply personal and emotional conversation about who Hailey really is beyond the headlines. Amanda shares what it was like to know Hailey as a friend—the kind of person she was, the memories they built together, and the bond they shared. But this story doesn’t stop at loss. It’s about what comes after. Am...

Ashley Griggs joins us to discuss the disappearance of her sister, Hailey Athay, and the details she believes matter most. From her perspective on the events of that day to the lingering questions that continue to haunt the case, Ashley provides a candid and emotional account. She also shares what it means to raise Hailey’s daughter in the absence of answers—and how that responsibility fuels her p...

Behind every missing persons case is something we don’t always talk about enough—grief. In this episode, we speak with Nick Gaylord, host of Grief Is Not a Dirty Word , about why grief deserves a louder voice and how his podcast is helping break the stigma around it. He shares his journey into podcasting, what drives his mission, and why these conversations matter. We also explore how grief impact...

When someone goes missing, the world moves on—but families don’t. In this episode, we speak with Nicole Brooks, the mother of Hailey Athay, who shares the reality of living in the unknown. Nicole walks us through the details she knows, the questions that still linger, and how Hailey’s disappearance has changed her life forever. We also explore the importance of community support and advocacy in ke...

For our 50th episode milestone, we sit down with Julia Cowley, a former profiler from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Behavioral Analysis Unit and host of the podcast The Consult. In this conversation, we reflect on our first experience meeting Julia and how her philosophy and approach to investigative work helped shape the focus and mission behind our own podcast. Julia shares insights from...

In this episode of Tragedy: A True Crime Podcast , we speak with Shasta Ives, a close friend of Hailey Athay and a passionate advocate in the ongoing search for answers surrounding Hailey’s disappearance. Hailey vanished while mushroom picking in Washington, and despite search efforts and years of unanswered questions, those closest to her have never stopped looking for the truth. Shasta shares wh...

Hailey Athay went into the woods for a simple day of mushroom picking — and never came home. In this episode, we break down the known timeline of Hailey’s disappearance, the location where she was last seen, and the search efforts that followed. What should have been an ordinary outing turned into a haunting mystery that still demands answers. We walk through the facts, the unanswered questions, a...

In this special roundtable episode, we sit down with members of the Cold Case Collective to take a deep, collaborative look at the disappearance of Audrey Herron. Together, we walk through the known timeline, key details of the case, and the evidence that has shaped the investigation over the years. This conversation explores the many theories surrounding Audrey’s disappearance, from the most wide...

In this deeply personal episode, we speak with Mitzie Wilson, one of Audrey Herron’s closest friends. Mitzie takes us back to the days when Audrey wasn’t a missing person case — she was a mother, a friend, a presence in the room. Mitzie shares intimate memories of their time together, what made Audrey unique, and the moments that now carry a different weight in hindsight. We discuss Audrey’s disap...

In this special short-format update, we bring you a focused five-minute briefing on several cases that continue to weigh heavily on families and communities: Jody Kilgore, Ian Rogers, Cody Haney, Johnathan Hagans, and Michael John Olson. We share the latest developments, where each case stands today, and what listeners need to know right now. We are also joined by Jeanne Turk, stepmother of Audrey...

Sonsia Elliot, the oldest daughter of missing mother Audrey Herron, joins us to share her firsthand memories of the days before her mother vanished. She recounts the early searches, the hope, the confusion, and the heartbreak that followed. Beyond the case itself, Sonsia reflects on the lasting emotional toll of her mother’s disappearance and what it means to grow up with unanswered questions. Her...

In this deeply emotional episode, we sit down with Corrina Dedrick as she shares her personal memories of the case and the lasting impact it has had on her life. Corrina speaks openly about the weight of carrying these memories, the emotions that still surface years later, and how the experience shaped who she is today. This conversation is raw, vulnerable, and honest—offering listeners a rare loo...

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, we sit down with Bill McIntosh from Adventures With Purpose to discuss the tireless work being done to help families find answers when a loved one goes missing. Bill shares his personal journey into this work, what drives him to continue showing up case after case, and how purpose — not fame or recognition — fuels every search. We dive into the effor...

In this episode, we sit down with Marie Parker, a close friend of Audrey May Herron, whose unwavering dedication has helped keep Audrey’s story alive when it might otherwise have faded from public attention. For years, Marie has spent hundreds of hours reviewing records, retracing timelines, speaking with sources, and examining every available detail surrounding Audrey’s disappearance. Not as a pr...

In this episode, we speak with Maria Hadley, a close friend of Audrey May Herron and a passionate advocate who worked tirelessly to keep Audrey’s name, story, and search alive. Maria shares what Audrey was like as a person, how their friendship began, and the moments that still stand out years later. She also reflects on the challenges, frustrations, and emotional toll of advocating for answers in...

Season 2 begins with a careful review of the disappearance of Audrey May Herron. In this episode, we walk through the known facts of the case, the timeline of events, and the publicly available information surrounding her disappearance. As the first case of the new year, this episode sets the tone for the season, focusing on verified details, unanswered questions, and the importance of keeping mis...

In this Christmas bonus episode, we provide an update on the Ian Rogers case, including discussion of images related to a truck that has been part of public conversation. We explain how those images were located, what can reasonably be understood from them, and where uncertainty remains. We also address questions surrounding law enforcement actions and communication, while being clear about what i...

In this episode, we speak with Kaci and Chad, two close friends of Cody, with Chad also having worked alongside him. Through their personal memories and firsthand experiences, they reflect on who Cody was as a person, the relationships he valued, and the impact his disappearance has had on those who knew him best. They share their recollections of the weekend Cody went missing, discussing the time...

In this episode, we sit down with Selena Jimenez, someone who knew Cody Haney personally and has refused to let his story fade into silence. Selena shares who Cody was to her, the kind of person he was behind the headlines, and how his disappearance impacted her life. We also discuss the steps Selena has taken within the community to keep Cody’s name alive, from outreach and awareness efforts to h...