Our True Crime Podcast focuses on bizarre, lesser-known crime cases from around the globe delivered with respect, a bit of humor, and a smidge of song. Everyth...
287. Evil in the East: Sara Anne Wood & James Bernardo
It was frigidly cold in January of 1994, with snow drifts a foot high, as twelve-year-old Rebecca Savarese made her way to Notre Dame Middle School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Suddenly, there was a man at her elbow. She was completely taken off guard because he had approached her from behind. She gave a startled jump, and the man said to her, “Do you see this gun I have?” Rebecca said that she had seen it. The man then pointed at his truck and instructed her to get in. Rebecca balked, and although she remained calm, her mother’s words echoed through her mind. Never get in a stranger’s vehicle.When the man urged her to get into his truck, Rebecca pretended as though she was having an asthma attack. She pretended to have trouble breathing and feigned dizziness. Her actions took the man off guard for just a split second. He grabbed her and got a hold of her backpack. Rebecca wriggled out of it and took off running down the street, leaving the man holding her pack. As she was running Rebecca saw a man standing outside a bank, “Sir, sir, sir! A man tried to kidnap me!” she said. The man ushered her into the bank, where they called the police. There was no way that Rebecca Savarese could have known that morning when she got out of bed that she was going to inadvertently play a part in catching a child killer. She had no idea that her actions on that day would bring closure to two families and probably stop an untold number of other children from experiencing a horrific early demise. She wasn’t thinking about any of that. But when the moment came, Rebecca knew one thing. She wasn’t getting in that vehicle. “If I’d gotten in that truck, I just knew I was going to end up someplace dead,” she later told reporters. Of that, Rebecca was most likely correct.Join Jen and Cam as they discuss "Evil in the East: Sara Anne Wood & James Bernardo"If you have any information that could help locate Sara Anne Wood's remains, please contact The Major Crimes Unit at 315-366-6000.A huge thank you to Sleep Creme for sponsoring this episode. Order your bottle today at sleepcreme.com. Use the code OTCPODCAST (all one word) at checkout to save twenty bucks on the first order! Be sure to check out the new book box subscription service at Brew, Book & Candle. The box will include a book from an Indie author or publisher, a handmade scented candle in a glass holder, and a sample of either a single source coffee or Adagio tea. Thank you to our team:Written and researched by Lauretta AllenListener Discretion by Edward October from OctoberpodVHSExecutive Producer Nico Vitesse of The Inky Paw PrintSources:https://charleyproject.org/case/sara-anne-woodhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Sara_Anne_Woodhttps://murderpedia.org/male.L/l/lent-lewis.htmhttps://synwrites.blog/2020/03/08/the-crimes-of-lewis-lent/https://www.newspapers.com/image/545432106/match=1&terms=%22Rebecca%20Savarese%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/1098418684/match=1&terms=%22Rebecca%20Savarese%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/472084126/match=1&terms=%22Rebecca%20Savarese%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/1098419878/match=1&terms=%22Rebecca%20Savarese%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/1066549303/match=1&terms=%22Holly%20Piirainen%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/440696102/match=1&terms=%22Holly%20Piirainen%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/1063901310/match=1&terms=%22Jimmy%20Bernardo%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/257050527/match=1&terms=%22Jimmy%20Bernardo%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/1076572951/match=1&terms=%22James%20Bernardo%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/257227815/match=1&terms=%22James%20Bernardo%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/1076573314/?match=1&terms=%22James%20Bernardo%22https://charleyproject.org/case/james-donald-lusher-jrhttps://www.newspapers.com/image/1065249505/match=1&terms=%22James%20Lusher%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/1065249882/match=1&terms=%22James%20Lusher%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/1065680133/match=1&terms=%22James%20Lusher%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/1066250925/match=1&terms=%22James%20Lusher%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/1094973218/match=1&terms=%22Sara%20Wood%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/1100537302/match=1&terms=%22Sara%20Wood%22
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42:21
286. A Thanksgiving Massacre 20 Years in the Making: Merhige Massacre
Like many Americans, Thanksgiving is a cherished occasion—a time to gather with family, indulge in turkey and stuffing, and celebrate the bonds that hold loved ones together. This Thanksgiving event hosts three generations of family ready to enjoy a day of food and good company. After a busy day of food preparation, the guests all take their seats to eat the giant feast. A tradition that the family has been doing for many years starts right after everyone is stuffed from eating, a singalong by the piano. The tranquil joy would come to a shocking end as bullets rang out. It was a Thanksgiving that should have been like any other—a night for family, food, and tradition at a home in Jupiter Florida not murder. Join Jen and Cam on this episode of Our True Crime Podcast entitled ‘A Thanksgiving Massacre 20 Years in the Making: Merhige Massacre’Listener Discretion by @OctoberpodVHSAll Music is by our Editor @theinkypawprintThis episode is proudly sponsored by Yaman. Welcome to Yaman the very latest and greatest in J-Beauty innovations Listeners can visit YA-MANUSA.com/discount/TCP for a 20% discountAlso proudly sponsored by sleepcreme.comThe World's Original and Finest CBD Topical for SleepOrder your bottle at sleepcreme.com. Use the code “OTC PODCAST” (all one word) at checkout to save twenty bucks on the first order!Sources:https://www.cbsnews.com/news/thanksgiving-massacre-witness-paul-merhige-ate-dinner-sang-songs-then-executed-family/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2011/10/28/guilty-plea-brings-7-life-sentences/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/crime/2011/09/15/lawsuit-merhige-s-parents-did/7486766007/https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/state/2009/12/03/suspect-in-jupiter-thanksgiving-killings-still-at-large/31733085007/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2010/03/09/victim-thanksgiving-day-shooting-out/7578161007/https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/a33984895/native-american-thanksgiving-holiday/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/thanksgiving-massacre-witness-paul-merhige-ate-dinner-sang-songs-then-executed-family/https://www.yahoo.com/news/thanksgiving-massacre-2009-highlights-todays-130038254.htmlhttps://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/parents-of-makayla-sitton-to-sue-thanksgiving-killer-paul-merhige-parents/2055945/https://www.theledger.com/story/news/2014/02/21/parents-not-found-negligent-in-palm-beach-county-massacre/26934352007/https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/a-history-of-violence/2055615/Homicide for the Holidays S1. E 1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Thanksgiving_murdershttps://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/two-years-after-the-jupiter-thanksgiving-massacre/https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/thanksgiving-massacre-plea-deal-expected/https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/lawsuit-to-be-filed-in-thanksgiving-shooting-rampage/https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/murder/no-thanks-5-notorious-crimes-committed-on-thanksgiving-dayhttps://www.aetv.com/real-crime/3-grisly-thanksgiving-family-murders-that-will-make-you-hug-your-family-tighter-this-season
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41:03
285. The Raurimu Massacre
A listener requested episode. Thank you, Katherine!Thank you to Ana, who helped me with some pronunciations. I'm still not sure I got it right.By the time twenty-four-year-old Stephen Anderson stood in the doorway of the dining room on the 8th of February 1997 and announced, “I’ve had sex with a dog,” paused, and then added, “And a cat, too.” It was already too late for any intervention. The fates of the people seated around the breakfast table were already sealed. Moments later, Stephen Anderson would come back into the room with a sawn-off shotgun and commit one of the worst massacres in New Zealand history.Join Jen & Cam as they discuss "The Raurimu Massacre." A huge thank you to Sleep Creme for sponsoring this episode. Order your bottle today at sleepcreme.com. Use the code OTCPODCAST (all one word) at checkout to save twenty bucks on the first order! Thank you to our team:Written and researched by Lauretta AllenListener Discretion by Edward October from OctoberpodVHSExecutive Producer Nico Vitesse of The Inky Paw Printhttps://www.youtube.com/watchv=XmIMII7hHK0https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raurimuhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raurimu_massacrehttps://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/raurimu-20-years-on-the-madman-the-massacre-and-the-memories/2FGFIGPFPXMX3IPPIXD6VCW2NI/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/raurimu-massacre-remembering-the-fallen-20-years-on/4E6CRIG2PFWVL26JVBGNOQFFWY/http://www.crime.co.nz/c-files.aspx?ID=302https://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/latest-edition/2674418/Survivors-recount-lodge-nightmarehttps://www.newspapers.com/image/829111181/ (gun control issue in NZ)https://khandallahiscorrupt.wordpress.com/2018/06/03/raurimu-massacre-stephen-anderson-information/https://www.newspapers.com/image/475263667/match=1&terms=Raurimu%20New%20Zealandhttps://murderpedia.org/male.A/a/anderson-stephen-lawrence.htmhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_law_in_New_Zealandhttps://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/schizophrenia-paranoiahttps://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/victims-mother-upset-killers-quiet-releasehttps://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/raurimu-20-years-on-the-madman-the-massacre-and-the-memories/2FGFIGPFPXMX3IPPIXD6VCW2NI/
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37:56
284. Something Went Terribly Wrong: Griego Family Murders
In the heart of Albuquerque, Pastor Greg Griego often stood before the fire department and the local jail, sharing his powerful testimony of redemption. Once entangled in the world of gangs in California, he had found a new path through faith, a transformation that resonated with those who listened. He was well-known and well-liked in the community. Greg Griego. Once a soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division, Greg had led a life marred by drugs and gangs. However, during a stint in jail in California in the early 1990s, he experienced a profound transformation, finding faith and embracing Christianity. This pivotal change set him on a path of redemption, ultimately leading him to serve others. While his wife, Sarah, dedicated herself to homeschooling their ten children in their modest home in the semi-rural South Valley. Greg had five children before he met his wife, Sarah, with whom he had five more. Greg turned their backyard barn into a sanctuary for released prisoners. Most would agree that Greg and Sarah were strict parents. They prohibited their children from playing violent video games and meticulously monitored their television choices. Greg Griego was determined to cultivate a home of hope, love, and healing, but that all ended on January 19, 2013.Join Jen and Cam on this episode of Our True Crime Podcast entitled ‘Something Went Terribly Wrong: Griego Family Murders’Listener Discretion by @OctoberpodVHSAll Music is by our Editor @theinkypawprintThis episode is proudly sponsored by Yaman. Welcome to Yaman the very latest and greatest in J-Beauty innovations Listeners can visit YA-MANUSA.com/discount/TCP for a 20% discountAlso proudly sponsored by sleepcreme.comThe World's Original and Finest CBD Topical for SleepOrder your bottle at sleepcreme.com. Use the code “OTC PODCAST” (all one word) at checkout to save twenty bucks on the first order!https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/new-mexico-supreme-court-upholds-life-imprisonment-for-nehemiah-griego/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/01/30/Family-of-teen-killer-question-confession/31021359568995/https://www.krqe.com/news/crime/lawyer-seeks-higher-quality-rehabilitation-for-nehemiah-griego/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_South_Valley_homicideshttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/341638987_Nehemiah_Griego_-_Killer_Childhttps://apnews.com/article/politics-new-mexico-supreme-court-albuquerque-child-abuse-fec25ffc0b34e7067728204daa55a000https://abcnews.go.com/US/alleged-mexico-family-killer-nehemiah-griegos-girlfriend-tells/story?id=18290148https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmnWdQ3oNGwhttps://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/crime/2013/01/23/sheriff-new-mexico-teen-told-others-plan-kill-his-family/15840419007/https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-xpm-2013-jan-23-la-na-nn-griego-albuquerque-shooting-20130123-story.htmlhttps://people.com/crime/nehemiah-griego-15-fatally-shoots-parents-and-three-siblings-cops/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/new-mexico-teen-charged-massacre-not-monster-relatives-say-flna1c8089481
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36:57
283. The Second Death of the Bells Bend Killer: Nashville's Frankenstein
This case is shocking. Shocking in many ways and I can't believe it's not talked about.The only place I've seen this is on Southern Gothic from our friend Brandon. When he first saw a small blurb about it in a book, he didn't even think it was true so he asked Lauretta to do some research. Sure enough, it is 100% true. As sensational as it was and is, I can't believe it's been forgotten. So after you listen, make sure you catch the Southern Gothic episode "The Curious Case of Knox Martin."In late March of 1879, in Davidson County, Tennessee, a wagon carrying a prisoner by the name of Knox Martin was headed to the gallows. John Kirk and Sons were busy building the scaffold that would host the hanging later that afternoon.Mothers pulled their children out of school so that they could take them to the execution. Nearly 10,000 people were making their way to the location nestled between two ridges; some had even camped out overnight to guarantee the best view. For years to come, some folks in attendance at this execution would have an unbelievable story to tell. It appears that in the days leading up to his date with the gallows, Knox Martin was approached by two doctors from the nearby Vanderbilt University, who, having great interest in galvanism, and who, having read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, wondered if Knox Martin would allow them to use his dead body for an unusual and ethically questionable experiment. Knox Martin had agreed.Join Jen and Cam as they discuss "The Second Death of the Bells Bend Killer: Nashville's Frankenstein."A huge thank you to Sleep Creme for sponsoring this episode. Order your bottle today at sleepcreme.com. Use the code OTCPODCAST (all one word) at checkout to save twenty bucks on the first order! A big Thank you to Brandon Schexnayder of Southern Gothic Thank you to our team:Written and researched by Lauretta AllenListener Discretion by Edward October of OctoberPod VHSExecutive Producers Nico Vitesse and Jesse of The Inky PawprintSources:https://digital.tnconservationist.org/publication/i=717358&article_id=4091300&view=articleBrowserhttps://www.newspapers.com/image/603898102/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (29 March 1879 The Tennessean)https://www.newspapers.com/image/167988101/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (29 March 1879 Memphis Daily Appeal)https://www.newspapers.com/image/603897977/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (20 Feb 1879 the Tennessean)https://www.newspapers.com/image/603897985/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (22 Feb 1879 " ")https://www.newspapers.com/image/587081215/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (29 March 1879 the Daily Memphis Avalanche)https://www.newspapers.com/image/603898061/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (16 March 1879 the Tennessean)https://www.newspapers.com/image/603897970/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (19 march 1879 the Tennessean)https://www.newspapers.com/image/603898101/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (28 March 1879 " " )https://www.newspapers.com/image/587081061/?match=1&clipping_id=141956459 (28 March 1879 the Daily Memphis Avalanche)https://www.newspapers.com/image/603897857/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (16 January 1879 The Tennessean)https://www.newspapers.com/image/587072345/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (16 Jan 1879 the Daily Memphis Avalanche)https://www.newspapers.com/image/587072496/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (17 Jan 1879 " " ")https://www.newspapers.com/image/586295694/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (22 Jan 1879 The Knoxville Whig and Chronicle)https://www.newspapers.com/image/585907534/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (19 Jan 1879 the Knoxville Daily Tribune)https://www.newspapers.com/image/603897925/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (5 Feb 1879 The Tennessean)https://www.newspapers.com/image/603897970/?terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22&match=1 (19 Feb 1879 the Tennessean)https://www.newspapers.com/image/171801938/?match=1&clipping_id=141958321 (3 April 1879 the Pulaski Citizen)https://www.newspapers.com/image/603957284/terms=%22Knox%20Martin%22%20&match=1 (6 April 1879 The Tennessean)https://www.newspapers.com/image/603957393/?match=1&clipping_id=141958630 (8 April 1879 the Tennessean)https://www.newspapers.com/image/171802187/?match=1&clipping_id=141958816 (10 April 1879 The Pulaski Citizen)https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63692152/john-wittenmeierhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-forest-republican-knox-martin-back-t/7964582/
Our True Crime Podcast focuses on bizarre, lesser-known crime cases from around the globe delivered with respect, a bit of humor, and a smidge of song. Everything you’ve come to love from Jen and Cam.
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