• Kathleen Folbigg

    #352 - Four children from the same family died suddenly before reaching their second birthdays.

    To investigators, the pattern seemed too extraordinary to be natural. And when their mother’s private diaries appeared to contain admissions of guilt, she was branded Australia’s worst female serial killer.

    But there were no witnesses. No physical evidence of smothering. And no one could explain exactly how the children had died.

    Then, decades later, advances in genetic testing uncovered something that no one involved in the original investigation could have known.


    Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production, written and produced by Courtney Fretwell.

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    E352 - 35m - Sep 21, 2026
  • The Woodchipper Murder: Helle Crafts

    #351 - A mother of three suddenly disappears after discovering that her husband has been cheating on her.

    He insists she simply left—but investigators soon uncover evidence suggesting something far more sinister happened to her involving a commercial woodchipper.

    Although her body would never be recovered, forensic scientists pieced together the horrifying truth from tiny fragments of bone, human tissue, strands of hair, and a single tooth. The evidence would ultimately lead to the first murder conviction in Connecticut history without the victim’s body.


    Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production, written and produced by Courtney Fretwell.

    Support the show on Patreon:

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    forensictales.com/the-woodchipper-murder-helle-crafts

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    Sources for this episode can be found at ForensicTales.com.




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    30m - Sep 14, 2026
  • The Wrongful Conviction of David Camm

    #350 - Imagine being accused of a crime you didn’t commit.

    Now imagine that crime was the brutal murder of your wife and two young children.

    That became David Camm’s reality. 

    Within days of discovering his family’s bodies, the former Indiana State Police trooper went from grieving husband and father to primary suspect.

    At the center of the case was a tiny pattern of blood on his T-shirt—evidence prosecutors claimed could only have been created when he pulled the trigger.

    But the forensics didn’t tell just one story. And as new evidence emerged, the case against David Camm—and the man investigators had ignored—would begin to unravel.


    Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production, written and produced by Courtney Fretwell.

    Support the show on Patreon:

    patreon.com/forensictales

    Website & Episode Sources:

    forensictales.com/the-wrongful-conviction-of-david-camm

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    courtney@forensictales.com

    Sources for this episode can be found at ForensicTales.com.





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    E350 - 42m - Sep 7, 2026
  • The Antifreeze Murders of Stacey Castor

    Two husbands. Two suspicious deaths. And one chilling common denominator.

    In this episode of Forensic Tales, we examine the case of Stacey Castor, a woman whose life became the center of a disturbing investigation involving antifreeze poisoning, questionable deaths, and a daughter who barely survived.

    As detectives began looking closer, forensic toxicology, fingerprint evidence, DNA, and digital forensics would all play a role in uncovering what really happened—and in building the case against Stacey Castor.

    Listen now as we break down the investigation, the forensic evidence, and the trial that earned Stacey the nickname “The Black Widow.”

    Support Forensic Tales on Patreon:
    https://www.patreon.com/forensictales

    Website & Episode Sources:
    https://www.forensictales.com/the-antifreeze-murders-of-stacey-castor

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    E349 - 36m - Aug 31, 2026
  • The Identification of Lime Lady | Patreon Bonus Preview

    For nearly four decades, she was known only as the “Lime Lady.”

    She had been shot three times, stripped of her clothing, and covered in quicklime by someone who seemingly wanted to destroy her identity. Instead, the lime helped preserve the forensic evidence that would eventually give her name back.

    This special preview explores the mysterious crime scene, the unusual evidence found during her autopsy, and the DNA breakthrough that finally identified her.

    The complete, full-length episode is available exclusively to Forensic Tales subscribers.

    Join today at https://www.patreon.com/forensictales or subscribe through Apple Podcasts to unlock this episode—plus monthly bonus cases, early ad-free episodes, exclusive merchandise, and more.

    Don’t just hear the beginning of the mystery. Become a member and hear the complete story.



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    8m - Aug 27, 2026
  • The Murder of April Tinsley

    On April 1, 1988, eight-year-old April Tinsley disappeared while walking through her Fort Wayne neighborhood. Three days later, her body was discovered in a rural ditch, leaving investigators with a witness description, reports of a blue vehicle, and biological evidence from an unknown man—but no way to identify him.

    Two years later, a disturbing message appeared on a barn near where April had been found. Then, in 2004, threatening letters and DNA samples were left outside the homes of young girls around Fort Wayne. Testing confirmed the letter writer was April’s killer, but searches of law-enforcement databases still produced no match.

    In this episode, we examine the investigation into April’s murder, the early suspect who was eventually cleared, the killer’s terrifying messages, and the evolution of the DNA evidence over three decades. We also break down DNA profiling, CODIS, behavioral analysis, DNA phenotyping, and the forensic genetic genealogy that finally led investigators to John D. Miller in 2018.

    Topics discussed include:

    • April’s disappearance and the search for her
    • The forensic evidence recovered in 1988
    • The witness account and reported blue vehicle
    • The 1990 barn message
    • The unrelated murder of seven-year-old Sarah Bowker
    • The threatening letters left for young girls in 2004
    • The FBI’s behavioral profile of April’s killer
    • DNA phenotyping and the computer-generated suspect images
    • CeCe Moore’s genetic-genealogy investigation
    • The discarded DNA sample that confirmed Miller’s identity
    • Miller’s confession, conviction, and 80-year sentence
    • April’s legacy and the memorials created in her honor
    Content warning: This episode discusses the abduction, sexual assault, and murder of a child.

    Support Forensic Tales and listen to monthly bonus episodes, ad-free episodes, and more:
    https://www.patreon.com/forensictales

    For a complete list of sources used in this episode: https://www.forensictales.com/the-murder-of-april-tinsley



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    E348 - 41m - Aug 24, 2026
  • The Murder of Christine Jessop (Vault)

    In this newly rerecorded episode from the Forensic Tales Vault, we revisit the 1984 abduction and murder of nine-year-old Christine Jessop.

    After arriving home from school in Queensville, Ontario, Christine disappeared before meeting a friend at a nearby park. Nearly three months later, her body was discovered in a wooded area more than 30 miles from home.

    Investigators soon focused on Christine’s neighbor, Guy Paul Morin. Their case relied heavily on microscopic hair and fiber comparisons, along with testimony from jailhouse informants. Although Morin maintained his innocence and was acquitted at his first trial, he was eventually retried and convicted of Christine’s murder.

    Then DNA testing changed everything.

    The biological evidence conclusively excluded Morin, exposing a devastating wrongful conviction. But Christine’s real killer remained unidentified for another 25 years—until investigators turned to forensic genetic genealogy.

    In this episode:

    • Christine’s disappearance and the search for her
    • The discovery of her body
    • Why investigators targeted Guy Paul Morin
    • The limitations of microscopic hair and fiber evidence
    • Morin’s two trials and wrongful conviction
    • The DNA testing that proved his innocence
    • How forensic genetic genealogy identified Calvin Hoover
    • The crucial lead investigators overlooked in 1984

    Please note: This episode discusses the abduction, sexual assault, and murder of a child.

    For more Forensic Tales:

    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ForensicTales
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    Website: https://www.forensictales.com

    Listen, follow, and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help more listeners discover the show.



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    32m - Aug 20, 2026
  • The Murder of Betsy Faria and The Lies of Pam Hupp

    On December 27, 2011, Russ Faria returned home and discovered his wife, Betsy, lying on the living room floor with a knife lodged in her neck. Although Russ had spent the evening with friends, cellphone records supported his alibi and none of Betsy’s blood was found on his body or clothing, investigators became convinced that he was responsible.

    What they failed to seriously examine was the woman who had driven Betsy home that night: Pamela Hupp.

    Just four days before the murder, Betsy had named Pam the sole beneficiary of a $150,000 life insurance policy. Pam’s account of her final moments with Betsy repeatedly changed, yet she was treated as a trusted witness while Russ was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

    In this episode, we examine:

    • The final hours of Betsy Faria’s life
    • Pam Hupp’s changing statements
    • The $150,000 life insurance policy
    • Russ Faria’s documented alibi
    • The blood found on Russ’s slippers
    • The theory that Betsy’s socks were used to stage evidence
    • Problems with the Bluestar blood testing and crime-scene photographs
    • The forensic evidence used to convict Russ
    • Russ’s wrongful conviction and eventual acquittal
    • The suspicious death of Pam’s mother, Shirley Neumann
    • The murder of Louis Gumpenberger
    • The current case against Pam Hupp
    • The new Y-STR DNA evidence being raised by her defense

    Pam is currently serving life in prison without parole for the murder of Louis Gumpenberger. She has pleaded not guilty to Betsy’s murder and is presumed innocent of that charge unless proven guilty in court. Her bench trial is currently scheduled to begin on January 31, 2028.

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    E347 - 59m - Aug 17, 2026
  • The Suspicious Death of Kendrick Johnson (Vault)

    This week, we’re opening the Forensic Tales Vault and revisiting one of the most controversial cases ever covered on the show—the death of 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson.

    On January 11, 2013, Kendrick was found upside down inside a rolled-up gym mat at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia. Investigators concluded that Kendrick climbed into the mat while trying to retrieve a pair of shoes, became trapped, and died from positional asphyxia.

    But Kendrick’s family has never accepted that explanation.

    In this completely re-recorded and updated Vault episode, we take a fresh look at the forensic evidence surrounding Kendrick’s death, including:

    • The position of Kendrick’s body and the gym mats • The shoes discovered inside the mat • Blood found near the scene • DNA evidence recovered from items inside the gym • The controversial surveillance footage • The original autopsy and finding of positional asphyxia • Subsequent independent autopsies and conflicting conclusions about Kendrick’s cause of death • Questions surrounding the handling of his remains • Suspicions raised by Kendrick’s family • Multiple investigations into whether his death was accidental or the result of foul play

    More than a decade later, Kendrick Johnson’s death continues to generate debate.

    Was this truly a devastating accident—or does the forensic evidence suggest something else happened inside that gym?

    ️ This episode has been completely re-recorded and updated from the original Forensic Tales episode.

    Follow Forensic Tales on social media and wherever you listen to podcasts.

    For early, ad-free episodes and monthly full-length bonus episodes, join the Forensic Tales Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ForensicTales

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    30m - Aug 13, 2026
  • The Murder of Meredith Kercher: Did DNA Wrongfully Implicate Amanda Knox?

    On November 2, 2007, 21-year-old British exchange student Meredith Kercher was found murdered inside the apartment she shared with Amanda Knox in Perugia, Italy.

    What followed became an international media spectacle. Amanda Knox and her boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were arrested, convicted of Meredith’s murder, acquitted, convicted again—and ultimately cleared by Italy’s highest court.

    But what did the forensic evidence actually prove?


    Follow Forensic Tales

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    Thank you for listening to Forensic Tales.



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    E346 - 51m - Aug 10, 2026
  • Identified After 48 Years: The Michelle Louise Collier Case (BREAKING NEWS)

    In this special episode of Forensic Tales, we’re covering a forensic breakthrough announced just days ago.

    In June 1978, skeletal remains belonging to a young woman were discovered buried in a shallow grave in a grape vineyard near Arvin, California. Investigators collected what evidence they could, but fingerprints, dental records, and eventually traditional DNA testing failed to reveal her identity.

    For nearly 48 years, she was known only as the Arvin Jane Doe.

    Then investigators turned to forensic genetic genealogy. With the help of advanced DNA testing and Othram, investigators were eventually led to the family of 15-year-old Michelle Louise Collier, who had disappeared from Fresno in February 1978.

    In this episode, we break down the original investigation, the 2007 exhumation and DNA testing, the facial reconstruction created to help identify her, how forensic genetic genealogy finally solved the mystery of her identity, and the questions investigators are now trying to answer about who killed Michelle.

    Michelle finally has her name back—but her murder remains unsolved.

    Anyone with information about Michelle Louise Collier, her disappearance, or her death is asked to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110.

    Learn more about forensic genetic genealogy and help fund DNA testing for unsolved cases:
    https://dnasolves.com

    Forensic Tales proudly makes a monthly contribution to support this work.

    ️Follow Forensic Tales wherever you listen to podcasts, and make sure you’re following the show so you don’t miss future updates in Michelle’s case.



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    23m - Aug 6, 2026
  • The Florence Salon Murders

    On the morning of November 6, 2001, a customer arrived at The Hair Gallery in Florence, Montana, expecting nothing more than a routine nail appointment. Instead, she walked into one of the most horrific crime scenes investigators had ever encountered.

    Inside the small salon, owner Dorothy Harris, manicurist Brenda Patch, and longtime customer Cynthia Paulus had all been brutally murdered.

    In this episode of Forensic Tales, we examine the forensic evidence left behind, including the mysterious black sunglasses, an unidentified palm print, bloodhound tracking, and the unanswered questions that continue to haunt investigators more than twenty years later. We also explore the timeline of the murders, the strange man seen leaving the salon moments before the bodies were discovered, the investigation into Brian Weber and Lincoln Benavides, and why prosecutors ultimately dropped their murder case.

    Finally, we discuss the eerie similarities between the Florence Salon Murders and the unsolved Dolly Madison Bakery Murders in Great Bend, Kansas—a case many believe could be connected, despite investigators never finding evidence to prove it.

    If you'd like to hear a full deep dive into the Dolly Madison Bakery Murders, I've previously dedicated an entire episode to that case. Check it out. 

    If you have any information regarding the Florence Salon Murders, please contact the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office.


    Follow Forensic Tales

    If you're enjoying the show, please consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others discover the podcast and supports the show.

    Thank you for listening to Forensic Tales.



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    E345 - 39m - Aug 3, 2026
  • SPECIAL EPISODE: The Forensic Evidence Against D4vd

    In this special episode of Forensic Tales, we examine the forensic case against recording artist D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, following his five-day preliminary hearing.

    Fourteen-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found dead inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke in September 2025. During the hearing, prosecutors presented autopsy findings, DNA evidence, suspected bloodstains, a damaged inflatable pool, chainsaw purchases, Tesla location records and thousands of messages recovered from Burke’s phone and iCloud account.

    We also examine the limitations raised by his defense, including questions about evidence collection, DNA transfer, presumptive blood testing, the unidentified murder weapon and whether the digital evidence proves who was driving the Tesla.

    A judge ultimately determined that prosecutors presented sufficient probable cause for the case to proceed to trial. Burke has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

    Content warning: This episode discusses the death and alleged sexual abuse of a minor. Some graphic details have been omitted.

     

    Episode sources:

    Los Angeles County District Attorney:
    https://da.lacounty.gov/media/news/d4vd-ordered-stand-trial-murdering-dismembering-14-year-old-girl

    Associated Press:
    https://apnews.com/article/65647a24c7808bebc0b6ff9040f50615

    ABC7 Los Angeles:
    https://abc7.com/post/d4vd-murder-case-singers-lawyers-ask-more-dna-testing-wasnt-done-chain-saws-car-celeste-rivas-hernandez-killing/19564190/

    For more episodes and information, visit:
    https://forensictales.com



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    33m - Aug 1, 2026
  • The Mysterious Death of Christina Kettlewell (The 8 Day Bride) | Patreon Bonus Preview

    In May 1947, newlywed Christina Kettlewell traveled to a remote cottage in Severn Falls, Ontario, with her husband, Jack, and his close friend Ronald Berry.

    Three days later, the cottage was destroyed by fire, Jack was found unconscious, and Christina’s body was discovered face down in only nine inches of water.

    An autopsy determined that Christina had drowned, but the forensic evidence raised more questions than answers. Why were there no burns or significant injuries on her body? What role did the codeine found in her stomach play? And why did the accounts provided by the two men closest to her seem to conflict with the physical evidence?

    This special preview introduces the mysterious death of Christina Kettlewell, also known as the Eight-Day Bride.

    The complete episode—including the alleged love triangle, missing money, insurance policies, purported suicide notes, coroner’s inquest, and competing theories—is available now as July’s bonus episode on Patreon and through Apple Podcasts subscriptions.

    Support the show and listen to the complete bonus episode:

    Patreon: patreon.com/forensictales

    You can also subscribe directly through the Forensic Tales page in the Apple Podcasts app.

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    7m - Jul 28, 2026
  • The Unsolved Murder of Mike Emert

    On January 4, 2001, successful Seattle-area real estate agent Mike Emert left to meet a prospective buyer at a vacant home in Woodinville, Washington. Just hours later, he was found stabbed 19 times inside the home's bathtub with the shower and sinks still running in what investigators believed was a calculated attempt to destroy forensic evidence.

    In this episode, we examine the meticulous crime scene, the forensic evidence recovered from Mike's abandoned Cadillac Escalade, and the years-long investigation that led detectives to believe they were looking at a professional hit rather than a robbery or crime of passion. We also explore the DNA breakthrough that linked Gary Krueger to the case more than a decade later, why that discovery came too late to question the suspect, and how Mike's murder forever changed safety practices for real estate agents across Washington.

    If you have any information regarding the murder of Mike Emert, please contact the King County Sheriff's Office.

    Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written & produced by Courtney Fretwell. If you'd like to submit a case, please email courtney@forensictales.com.

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    Support the show by subscribing, leaving a rating and review, and sharing this episode with others interested in forensic science and true crime.



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    E344 - 42m - Jul 27, 2026
  • The Murder of Debra Jackson (Orange Socks Doe)

    For more than four decades, she was known simply as "Orange Socks." Found murdered along Interstate 35 in Georgetown, Texas, in 1979, the young woman remained unidentified despite extensive investigative efforts. Her case appeared to be solved when serial killer Henry Lee Lucas confessed to her murder—but as the years passed, serious doubts emerged about whether his confession could be trusted.

    In this episode of Forensic Tales, we examine the forensic evidence, the investigation that led to one of America's most controversial serial killer confessions, and the DNA technology that finally identified Orange Socks as Debra Jackson more than 40 years after her death. We also explore the remaining forensic evidence that could one day identify the person truly responsible for her murder.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • The discovery of Orange Socks Doe
    • The autopsy and forensic examination
    • Early investigative theories
    • Henry Lee Lucas and his controversial confession
    • False confessions and the importance of corroborating evidence
    • DNA analysis and investigative genetic genealogy
    • Debra Jackson's identification
    • The remaining mystery surrounding her killer

    If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review—it helps more people discover the show.

    To get early ad-free access to weekly episodes, monthly full-length bonus episodes, exclusive merchandise & more, consider joining our Patreon. You can support the show for as little as $3/month.

    For a complete list of sources used in this episode, visit our website.

    Follow Forensic Tales:

    Have a case suggestion or feedback? courtney@forensictales.com

    Thank you for listening to Forensic Tales.



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    E343 - 33m - Jul 20, 2026
  • The Spray Tan Defense: The Death of Lina Kaufman

    When 33-year-old Lina Kaufman was found unresponsive in the bathroom of her Florida home in November 2007, her sudden death left investigators with more questions than answers. She appeared to be a healthy young mother with no known medical conditions, making her death all the more mysterious. But when the medical examiner eventually ruled her death a homicide caused by mechanical asphyxiation, suspicion quickly turned toward her husband, Adam Kaufman.

    In this episode of Forensic Tales, we revisit one of the most unusual cases we've ever covered—completely rerecorded and refreshed for 2026. At the center of the trial was one of the strangest defense theories ever presented in a courtroom: Could Lina's recent spray tan have triggered a fatal medical event? Or was the "spray tan defense" simply an attempt to explain away murder?

    Join me as we examine the forensic evidence, expert pathology testimony, conflicting medical opinions, and courtroom battle that ultimately ended with Adam Kaufman's acquittal. Years later, Lina Kaufman's death remains one of the most debated cases in forensic pathology.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • The mysterious death of Lina Kaufman
    • Adam Kaufman's 911 call and the initial investigation
    • The autopsy findings and ruling of mechanical asphyxiation
    • The controversial "spray tan defense"
    • Competing forensic pathology testimony
    • Myocarditis vs. homicide
    • Crime scene evidence and forensic analysis
    • The 2012 murder trial and not guilty verdict
    • Why the cause of Lina Kaufman's death continues to divide forensic experts

    This episode is a newly rerecorded and updated version of a case originally released in 2023, featuring refreshed narration and production for both longtime listeners and those discovering the case for the first time.

    Support Forensic Tales Join Patreon for monthly bonus episodes and early, ad-free access to every episode: https://www.patreon.com/ForensicTales

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    Thank you for listening and supporting Forensic Tales. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps others discover the show.



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    40m - Jul 16, 2026
  • The Mysterious Death of Brandon Lawson

    In the early morning hours of August 9, 2013, 26-year-old Brandon Lawson abandoned his pickup truck along a remote stretch of Highway 277 near Bronte, Texas. Moments earlier, he had made several frantic phone calls to family members and a chilling 911 call, claiming he was being chased through a field. Then, he vanished.

    For many years, Brandon's disappearance became one of the most debated missing person cases in America. Was he suffering from methamphetamine-induced psychosis? Did he encounter foul play? Or was there another explanation entirely?

    In this episode of Forensic Tales, we explore Brandon's final hours, analyze the infamous 911 call, examine the forensic evidence, and discuss how advances in DNA testing ultimately identified his remains in 2024—while still leaving investigators without an official cause of death.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • Brandon Lawson's life leading up to his disappearance
    • The timeline of August 8–9, 2013
    • His mysterious phone calls and the infamous 911 recording
    • The competing theories surrounding his disappearance
    • The discovery of his clothing and remains in 2022
    • The forensic DNA process that confirmed his identity
    • Why Brandon's cause of death remains unknown
    If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps more people discover Forensic Tales.

    For ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content, visit:
    https://www.patreon.com/forensictales

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    Email: courtney@forensictales.com



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    E342 - 40m - Jul 13, 2026
  • The Suspicious Death of Crystal McCrory Jones (Part 2)

    When Crystal McCrory Jones was found dead inside her home on February 9, 2023, investigators quickly ruled her death a suicide.

    But after obtaining the autopsy report, investigative records, photographs, and other official documents, Crystal's family began uncovering what they believe are significant inconsistencies in the investigation.

    In Part Two of this special two-part series, we take a closer look at the forensic evidence. From questions surrounding the autopsy findings and undocumented injuries to concerns about lividity, crime scene processing, timeline discrepancies, and other investigative decisions, we examine the evidence that has led Crystal's family to continue searching for answers more than two years later.

    This episode also explores Crystal's medical history, her previous suicide attempt more than a decade earlier, the events leading up to her death, and why her family believes the official investigation left too many important questions unanswered.

    As always, this episode is intended to examine the available evidence and present the facts documented in investigative records, interviews, and materials provided by Crystal's family. Listeners are encouraged to evaluate the evidence and draw their own conclusions.

    In this episode:

    • The autopsy findings and alleged errors
    • Bruising, lividity, and forensic pathology
    • Crime scene processing concerns
    • Timeline and GPS evidence
    • Ring doorbell and digital evidence
    • Crystal's medical history and mental health
    • Why the family continues to challenge the official ruling
    • The ongoing search for answers
    If you haven't already, be sure to listen to Part One, where we cover Crystal's life, the events of February 9, 2023, the initial investigation, and the circumstances surrounding her death.

    Listen every episode ad-free and support the show on Patreon:
    https://www.patreon.com/forensictales

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    Have a case suggestion or feedback?
    Email: courtney@forensictales.com

    Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written & produced by Courtney Fretwell, who is also the host of the Find My Killer podcast, which covers unsolved murders, mysterious disappearances, and suspicious deaths. Listen to Find My Killer wherever you listen to Forensic Tales.

    If you'd like to hear more about Crystal's story, check out the Without Warning, Bayou Secrets podcast produced by the family's private investigator. You can also check out the family's Change.org petition. 



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    E341 - 36m - Jul 9, 2026
  • The Suspicious Death of Crystal McCrory Jones (Part 1)

    On the afternoon of February 9, 2023, Crystal McCrory Jones failed to show up for a doctor's appointment. Concerned after repeated calls and texts went unanswered, her husband contacted the West Carroll Parish Sheriff's Office and requested a welfare check.

    Inside the home, deputies discovered Crystal dead from a single gunshot wound to the head.

    Less than two hours later, her death was ruled a suicide.

    But for Crystal's family, that conclusion came far too quickly.

    In Part One of this two-part series, we examine Crystal's life, her final day, the initial investigation, and the many questions that emerged almost immediately after her death. We'll walk through the timeline, the welfare check, the crime scene, the first interviews, and the investigative decisions that continue to raise concerns for those closest to Crystal.

    This episode includes information obtained from investigative records, police reports, interviews, and documents provided by Crystal's family.

    In this episode:

    • Crystal's life and family
    • The events of February 9, 2023
    • The welfare check that changed everything
    • The initial investigation
    • Crime scene observations
    • The first interviews with investigators
    • Why Crystal's family began questioning the official ruling
    • Correction: In the episode, I mention Crystal becoming a grandmother to Tony's grandchild. Jana clarified that Crystal was not accepted as the child's "grandma" by Tony's family.
    • Correction: During the welfare check, Deputy Harris did not discover the front door was unlocked on his own. Tony had already told him over the phone that the door was unlocked and directed him to the bedroom.
    Coming Thursday in Part Two: We'll examine the autopsy findings, forensic evidence, investigative inconsistencies, and the questions that continue to surround Crystal's death more than two years later.

    Listen ad-free and hear both parts right now on Patreon:
    https://www.patreon.com/forensictales

    Follow Forensic Tales:
    Website: https://forensictales.com
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    Have a case suggestion or feedback?
    Email: courtney@forensictales.com

    Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written & produced by Courtney Fretwell, who is also the host of the Find My Killer podcast, which covers unsolved murders, suspicious deaths, and disappearances. Available wherever you listen to Forensic Tales.



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    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
    E340 - 43m - Jul 6, 2026
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