Cafecito & Crime

Every year for Christmas, Jean Wholaver and her family would make the drive to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to spend the holiday with her parents. In 2002, the plan was no different than it had been in previous years. However, this year, Jean and her daughters, Vicky and Izzy, would never make it to her parents’ home on Christmas Eve. The following day, Jean, Vicky and Izzy were found murdered in their home.  As the investigation began, the first suspect detectives looked into was Jean’s estranged husband, Ernest. And they soon learned that Ernest had a strong motive to want his family dead.Join us for today's episode to learn what happened in the Wholaver home on Christmas Eve 2002. So, grab your cafecito, and let’s get started. You can keep up with us on Instagram at @cafecitoandcrimepodOr you can send us a nice email to [email protected]

When 50-year-old Bill Hall Jr. was driving his motorcycle on October 10, 2013, he never imagined that it would be the last time he rode it. During a vehicle chase on the Texas Highway 1604 between Bill's wife, Frances Hall, and another woman he was seeing, Bonnie Contreras, Bill was run over and lost his life. After Bill’s death, Frances was arrested and charged with his murder.  However, she maintained that it had all been an accident, but Bonnie claimed otherwise. Join us for today's episode to learn what truly transpired on that faithful day that ended with Bill losing his life. So, grab your cafecito, and let's get started. You can keep up with us on Instagram at @cafecitoandcrimepodOr you can send us a nice email to [email protected]

On Christmas Eve 2008, the Ortega family gathered for their annual celebration. The family, which included Joseph and Alicia Ortega, their five adult children, and their families, was spread out around the house. Some adults were playing poker, kids were playing video games, and others were hanging out outside by the pool. As everyone was enjoying themselves, there was a knock on the door at around 11:30 pm. The person at the door was someone dressed as Santa Claus. What was supposed to be a joyous occasion turned into an inconceivable nightmare when "Santa Claus" pulled out two guns and began shooting at everyone in sight. But the nightmare didn’t end there; it was just beginning. Join us for today’s case to find out what happened to the Ortega family. So, grab your cafecito, and let’s get started. You can keep up with us on Instagram at @cafecitoandcrimepodOr you can send us a nice email to [email protected]

When people around Velma Barfield began dying in the late 60s and 70s, it seemed tragic rather than suspicious since they suffered from health issues. It began with her first husband, Thomas Burke, in 1969, followed by her second husband, Jennings Barfield, in 1971. The deaths continued, spanning from other family members to the elderly she began to take care of. However, when she began a relationship and eventually became engaged to a man named Stuart Taylor, who was in good health, and then died suddenly, suspicion surrounding his death arose. An autopsy at Stuart’s family’s request finally exposed Velma’s crimes. It was when Stuart’s family requested an autopsy be done that unraveled all of Velma’s crimes. Join us for today’s case to learn how far Velma truly went. So grab your cafecito, and let's get started. You can keep up with us on Instagram at @cafecitoandcrimepodOr you can send us a nice email to [email protected]

On November 29, 1992, 39-year-old Sara Tokars was on her way back home, with her two kids, to Georgia, from spending the Thanksgiving holiday with her family down in Florida. Sara's family, the Ambrusko's, were waiting for Sara's call to let them know that she had arrived safely, but the call never came. Later that evening, two young boys knocked on the door of an isolated house and informed its occupants that their mother had been shot. Those two boys were Sara's sons, 6-year-old Ricky and 4-year-old Mike. When police arrived at the scene, they identified the woman who lay motionless and slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle as Sara Tokars. As the investigation began, Sara’s husband, who was out of town, was ruled out as the killer. So, who could’ve wanted to kill a suburban mom whom no one had one bad thing to say about? Join us for today’s case to learn what happened to Sara. So, grab your cafecito, and let’s get started. You can keep up with us on Instagram at @cafecitoandcrimepodOr you can send us a nice email to [email protected]