Not all stories have happy endings... Hosted by Courtney Fretwell, M.S. in Forensic Psychology, Forensic Tales is a weekly true crime podcast with a forensic twist. Each episode features real cases and explores how forensic science, criminal profiling, and investigative techniques were used to uncover the truth—or, in some cases, left more questions than answers. From fingerprint analysis and DNA evidence to bloodstain pattern analysis and behavioral profiling, every episode breaks down the science behind the headlines. Whether it&#39;s a solved murder, a cold case, or a controversial investigation, Forensic Tales takes you beyond the crime scene and into the forensic evidence that shaped the case.

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#358 - In December 2003, federal prosecutor Jonathan Luna was found dead in a Pennsylvania creek, far from his Baltimore office. He had suffered 36 stab wounds and drowned. Toll records and banking activity traced a puzzling overnight journey—but couldn’t explain why he’d taken it.His death was officially ruled a homicide, yet some federal investigators questioned whether his injuries were self-inflicted. This week on Forensic Tales, we examine the evidence, competing theories, and what his long-withheld autopsy report reveals about a case that still leaves more questions than answers. Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production, written and produced by Courtney Fretwell.Support the show on Patreon (get early ad-free access to episodes, monthly bonus episodes &amp; more):<a href="https://www.patreon.com/forensictales" rel="nofollow">patreon.com/forensictales</a>Website &amp; Episode Sources:<a href="https://www.forensictales.com/jonathan-luna" rel="nofollow">https://www.forensictales.com/</a><a href="https://www.forensictales.com/jonathan-luna" rel="nofollow">jonathan-luna</a>Follow Forensic Tales:Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/forensictales/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@forensictales</a>TikTok: @forensictalesFacebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/forensictales/" rel="nofollow">Forensic Tales</a>Contact:<a href="mailto:courtney@forensictales.com" rel="nofollow">courtney@forensictales.com</a> Our Sponsors: * Check out Vinted: https://www.vinted.com Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

The Mysterious Death of Jonathan Luna

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#357 - When Sharon Causse was shot and killed inside her Las Vegas home in 2008, her husband, Thomas Randolph, claimed he had killed the intruder responsible. But the physical evidence raised questions about his story.From cartridge cases to a ski mask without blood or bullet holes, investigators began reconstructing a suspected staged home invasion—and uncovering the troubling history of a man who had been married six times. This week on Forensic Tales, we examine Sharon’s murder, the case against the so-called “Black Widower,” and the forensic evidence that challenged his account.Listener discretion: domestic violenceIf you recognize parts of your own relationship in this story, or you’re worried about someone you love, support is available. In the United States, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by texting the word START to 88788, or chat online at thehotline.org.  Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production, written and produced by Courtney Fretwell.Support the show on Patreon (get early ad-free access to episodes, monthly bonus episodes &amp; more):<a href="https://www.patreon.com/forensictales" rel="nofollow">patreon.com/forensictales</a>Website &amp; Episode Sources:<a href="https://www.forensictales.com/thomas-randolph" rel="nofollow">https://www.forensictales.com/thomas-randolph</a>Follow Forensic Tales:Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/forensictales/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@forensictales</a>TikTok: @forensictalesFacebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/forensictales/" rel="nofollow">Forensic Tales</a>Contact:<a href="mailto:courtney@forensictales.com" rel="nofollow">courtney@forensictales.com</a> Our Sponsors: * Check out Vinted: https://www.vinted.com Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

The Widower: Thomas Randolph

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#356 - When 71-year-old Alan Abrahamson was found shot dead near his gated Florida community, the missing weapon pointed investigators toward murder. But unusual purchases, a puzzling timeline, and a digital trail revealed a different story. This week on Forensic Tales, explore how physical evidence and digital forensics helped unravel Alan’s death—and why his life deserves to be remembered beyond the headlines.Content warning: Discussion of suicide and self-harm.If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, or text HOME to 741741.  Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production, written and produced by Courtney Fretwell.Support the show on Patreon (get early ad-free access to episodes, monthly bonus episodes &amp; more):<a href="https://www.patreon.com/forensictales" rel="nofollow">patreon.com/forensictales</a>Website &amp; Episode Sources:<a href="https://www.forensictales.com/alan-abrahamson" rel="nofollow">https://www.forensictales.com/alan-abrahamson</a>Follow Forensic Tales:Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/forensictales/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@forensictales</a>TikTok: @forensictalesFacebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/forensictales/" rel="nofollow">Forensic Tales</a>Contact:<a href="mailto:courtney@forensictales.com" rel="nofollow">courtney@forensictales.com</a> Our Sponsors: * Check out Vinted: https://www.vinted.com Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

The Mysterious Death of Alan Abrahamson

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#355 - In 2015, healthy 60-year-old chiropractor Mary Yoder suddenly became violently ill and died less than 48 hours later. Toxicology revealed that she had been poisoned with colchicine, but identifying who gave it to her would divide her family and community for years.A suspicious letter, a bottle hidden inside her son’s Jeep, conflicting digital evidence, and touch DNA eventually led investigators to his ex-girlfriend, Katie Conley.But after two trials, a conviction, and its eventual reversal, one question remains: Who really poisoned Mary Yoder? Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production, written and produced by Courtney Fretwell.Support the show on Patreon (get early ad-free access to episodes, monthly bonus episodes &amp; more):<a href="https://www.patreon.com/forensictales" rel="nofollow">patreon.com/forensictales</a>Website &amp; Episode Sources:<a href="https://www.forensictales.com/mary-yoder" rel="nofollow">https://www.forensictales.com/mary-yoder</a>Follow Forensic Tales:Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/forensictales/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@forensictales</a>TikTok: @forensictalesFacebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/forensictales/" rel="nofollow">Forensic Tales</a>Contact:<a href="mailto:courtney@forensictales.com" rel="nofollow">courtney@forensictales.com</a> Our Sponsors: * Check out Vinted: https://www.vinted.com Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

The Poisoning Death of Mary Yoder

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#354 - When 74-year-old Bill and Peggy Stephenson failed to attend church on Memorial Day weekend in 2011, their family immediately knew something was wrong. Inside their secluded Kentucky condo, investigators discovered a brutal double murder and one of the strangest staged crime scenes they had ever encountered.More than 15 years later, unknown DNA, a partial fingerprint, and disturbing evidence withheld from the public have yet to reveal who killed the beloved couple or why. Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production, written and produced by Courtney Fretwell.Support the show on Patreon:<a href="https://www.patreon.com/forensictales" rel="nofollow">patreon.com/forensictales</a>Website &amp; Episode Sources:<a href="https://www.forensictales.com/the-unsolved-murders-of-bill-and-peggy-stephenson" rel="nofollow">https://www.forensictales.com/the-</a><a href="https://www.forensictales.com/the-unsolved-murders-of-bill-and-peggy-stephenson" rel="nofollow">unsolved-murders-of-bill-and-peggy-stephenson</a>Follow Forensic Tales:Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/forensictales/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@forensictales</a>TikTok: @forensictalesFacebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/forensictales/" rel="nofollow">Forensic Tales</a>Contact:<a href="mailto:courtney@forensictales.com" rel="nofollow">courtney@forensictales.com</a> Our Sponsors: * Check out Vinted: https://www.vinted.com Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

The Unsolved Murders of Bill and Peggy Stephenson

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#353 - Five long weeks after a 16-year-old girl is brutally murdered, a chilling letter arrives on a police desk. The arrogant killer boasts about wearing a plastic Halloween mask and details exactly how he strangled her. He ends with a chilling promise to the investigators: “You will never get me.” For more than 25 years, he was right… He disappeared into the crowd, completely undetected. But he didn’t realize he left behind a microscopic witness that would eventually hunt him down. Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production, written and produced by Courtney Fretwell.Support the show on Patreon:<a href="https://www.patreon.com/forensictales" rel="nofollow">patreon.com/forensictales</a>Website &amp; Episode Sources:<a href="https://www.forensictales.com/the-murder-of-colette-aram" rel="nofollow">https://www.forensictales.com/the-murder-of-colette-aram</a>Follow Forensic Tales:Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/forensictales/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@forensictales</a>TikTok: @forensictalesFacebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/forensictales/" rel="nofollow">Forensic Tales</a>Contact:<a href="mailto:courtney@forensictales.com" rel="nofollow">courtney@forensictales.com</a> Our Sponsors: * Check out Vinted: https://www.vinted.com Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

The Murder of Colette Aram

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#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.Support the show on Patreon:<a href="https://www.patreon.com/forensictales" rel="nofollow">patreon.com/forensictales</a>Website &amp; Episode Sources:<a href="http://forensictales.com/kathleen-folbiggfolbigg" rel="nofollow">forensictales.com/kathleen-folbigg</a>Follow Forensic Tales:Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/forensictales/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@forensictales</a>TikTok: @forensictalesFacebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/forensictales/" rel="nofollow">Forensic Tales</a>Contact:<a href="mailto:courtney@forensictales.com" rel="nofollow">courtney@forensictales.com</a>Sponsors:Talkiatry - Get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes. <a href="https://www.talkiatry.com/tales" rel="nofollow">https://www.talkiatry.com/tales</a>BetterHelp - Visit BetterHelp.com for 10% off Our Sponsors: * Check out Vinted: https://www.vinted.com Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Kathleen Folbigg

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#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:<a href="https://www.patreon.com/forensictales" rel="nofollow">patreon.com/forensictales</a>Website &amp; Episode Sources:<a href="http://forensictales.com/the-woodchipper-murder-helle-crafts" rel="nofollow">forensictales.com/the-woodchipper-murder-helle-crafts</a>Follow Forensic Tales:Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/forensictales/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@forensictales</a>TikTok: @forensictalesFacebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/forensictales/" rel="nofollow">Forensic Tales</a>Contact:<a href="mailto:courtney@forensictales.com" rel="nofollow">courtney@forensictales.com</a>Sources for this episode can be found at ForensicTales.com. Our Sponsors: * Check out Vinted: https://www.vinted.com Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

The Woodchipper Murder: Helle Crafts

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#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:<a href="https://www.patreon.com/forensictales" rel="nofollow">patreon.com/forensictales</a>Website &amp; Episode Sources:<a href="https://www.forensictales.com/the-wrongful-conviction-of-david-camm" rel="nofollow">forensictales.com/the-wrongful-conviction-of-david-camm</a>Follow Forensic Tales: Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/forensictales/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">@forensictales</a> TikTok: @forensictales Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/forensictales/" rel="nofollow">Forensic Tales</a>Contact:<a href="mailto:courtney@forensictales.com" rel="nofollow">courtney@forensictales.com</a>Sources for this episode can be found at ForensicTales.com. Our Sponsors: * Check out Vinted: https://www.vinted.com Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

The Wrongful Conviction of David Camm

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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.”
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When two of Stacey Castor’s husbands died under suspicious circumstances, investigators uncovered a chilling pattern involving antifreeze, forged documents, and a daughter who barely survived. This episode follows the forensic evidence that ultimately exposed one of the country's most notorious “black widow” murder cases.

When two of Stacey Castor’s husbands died under suspicious circumstances, investigators uncovered a chilling pattern involving antifreeze, forged documents, and a daughter who barely survived. This episode follows the forensic evidence that ultimately exposed one of the country&#39;s most notorious “black widow” murder cases.

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The Antifreeze Murders of Stacey Castor

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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 <a href="https://www.patreon.com/forensictales" rel="nofollow">https://www.patreon.com/forensictales</a> 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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In 1980, a young woman was found murdered and covered in quicklime along an Oklahoma riverbank. Nearly 40 years later, forensic genealogy finally uncovered her name—and an even more baffling mystery.


In 1980, a young woman was found murdered and covered in quicklime along an Oklahoma riverbank. Nearly 40 years later, forensic genealogy finally uncovered her name—and an even more baffling mystery.


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The Identification of Lime Lady | Patreon Bonus Preview

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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:
<ul>
 	<li>April’s disappearance and the search for her</li>
 	<li>The forensic evidence recovered in 1988</li>
 	<li>The witness account and reported blue vehicle</li>
 	<li>The 1990 barn message</li>
 	<li>The unrelated murder of seven-year-old Sarah Bowker</li>
 	<li>The threatening letters left for young girls in 2004</li>
 	<li>The FBI’s behavioral profile of April’s killer</li>
 	<li>DNA phenotyping and the computer-generated suspect images</li>
 	<li>CeCe Moore’s genetic-genealogy investigation</li>
 	<li>The discarded DNA sample that confirmed Miller’s identity</li>
 	<li>Miller’s confession, conviction, and 80-year sentence</li>
 	<li>April’s legacy and the memorials created in her honor</li>
</ul>
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: 
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For a complete list of sources used in this episode: https://www.forensictales.com/the-murder-of-april-tinsley
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In 1988, eight-year-old April Tinsley was abducted and murdered in Fort Wayne, Indiana. For thirty years, her killer taunted investigators and threatened other children—until the DNA he repeatedly left behind finally revealed his identity.

In 1988, eight-year-old April Tinsley was abducted and murdered in Fort Wayne, Indiana. For thirty years, her killer taunted investigators and threatened other children—until the DNA he repeatedly left behind finally revealed his identity.

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The Murder of April Tinsley

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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.
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Listen, follow, and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help more listeners discover the show.
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Nine-year-old Christine Jessop vanished from her small Ontario community in 1984, setting off an investigation that would convict an innocent man before DNA proved he had nothing to do with the crime. Decades later, forensic genetic genealogy finally revealed the killer—and showed that police had known his name from the very beginning.

Nine-year-old Christine Jessop vanished from her small Ontario community in 1984, setting off an investigation that would convict an innocent man before DNA proved he had nothing to do with the crime. Decades later, forensic genetic genealogy finally revealed the killer—and showed that police had known his name from the very beginning.

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The Murder of Christine Jessop (Vault)

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/3/15/df2ea75c-e75b-4eed-a1e0-174f406f0f13_default_tc.mp3

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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When Betsy Faria was found stabbed 55 times inside her Missouri home, investigators quickly focused on her husband—even though he had four alibi witnesses and no blood on his clothing. But the evidence would eventually point toward a far more complicated story involving life insurance, a staged crime scene and the ever-changing lies of Pam Hupp.

When Betsy Faria was found stabbed 55 times inside her Missouri home, investigators quickly focused on her husband—even though he had four alibi witnesses and no blood on his clothing. But the evidence would eventually point toward a far more complicated story involving life insurance, a staged crime scene and the ever-changing lies of Pam Hupp.

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The Murder of Betsy Faria and The Lies of Pam Hupp

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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.
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For early, ad-free episodes and monthly full-length bonus episodes, join the Forensic Tales Patreon:
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In 2013, 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson was found dead inside a rolled-up gym mat at his Georgia high school. Authorities ruled his death a tragic accident—but conflicting autopsies, unusual forensic evidence, and years of unanswered questions have led his family to believe something much darker happened.

In 2013, 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson was found dead inside a rolled-up gym mat at his Georgia high school. Authorities ruled his death a tragic accident—but conflicting autopsies, unusual forensic evidence, and years of unanswered questions have led his family to believe something much darker happened.

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The Suspicious Death of Kendrick Johnson (Vault)

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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?
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When 21-year-old Meredith Kercher was murdered in Perugia, Italy, the investigation quickly became one of the most controversial criminal cases in modern history. This episode examines the DNA evidence used to implicate Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito—and how questions about contamination, collection methods, and interpretation ultimately helped unravel the case against them.


When 21-year-old Meredith Kercher was murdered in Perugia, Italy, the investigation quickly became one of the most controversial criminal cases in modern history. This episode examines the DNA evidence used to implicate Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito—and how questions about contamination, collection methods, and interpretation ultimately helped unravel the case against them.


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The Murder of Meredith Kercher: Did DNA Wrongfully Implicate Amanda Knox?

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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: 
<a href="https://dnasolves.com/" rel="nofollow">https://dnasolves.com</a>
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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For nearly 48 years, the teenage girl found buried in a California vineyard was known only as Jane Doe. Now, forensic genetic genealogy has finally given her a name: 15-year-old Michelle Louise Collier.


For nearly 48 years, the teenage girl found buried in a California vineyard was known only as Jane Doe. Now, forensic genetic genealogy has finally given her a name: 15-year-old Michelle Louise Collier.


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Identified After 48 Years: The Michelle Louise Collier Case (BREAKING NEWS)

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/3/15/0b7af9ed-c499-4c9c-b14c-1c6e9eefdb27_default_tc.mp3

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&#39;d like to hear a full deep dive into the Dolly Madison Bakery Murders, I&#39;ve previously dedicated an entire episode to that case. <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/31ekPwsKAkp0hLP5aHtLkR?si=AQXUobLPRvmBLwYwqmOv7Q" rel="nofollow">Check it out. </a>
If you have any information regarding the Florence Salon Murders, please contact the Ravalli County Sheriff&#39;s Office.
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On November 6, 2001, three women were brutally murdered inside a small hair salon in Florence, Montana. More than two decades later, despite physical evidence, eyewitnesses, and multiple suspects, the Florence Salon Murders remain one of the state's most haunting unsolved cases.

On November 6, 2001, three women were brutally murdered inside a small hair salon in Florence, Montana. More than two decades later, despite physical evidence, eyewitnesses, and multiple suspects, the Florence Salon Murders remain one of the state&#39;s most haunting unsolved cases.

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The Florence Salon Murders

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/3/15/eb1135b5-c68b-4c2d-bbe6-2801157c3a70_default_tc.mp3

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: 
<a href="https://da.lacounty.gov/media/news/d4vd-ordered-stand-trial-murdering-dismembering-14-year-old-girl" rel="nofollow">https://da.lacounty.gov/media/news/d4vd-ordered-stand-trial-murdering-dismembering-14-year-old-girl</a>
Associated Press: 
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/65647a24c7808bebc0b6ff9040f50615" rel="nofollow">https://apnews.com/article/65647a24c7808bebc0b6ff9040f50615</a>
ABC7 Los Angeles: 
<a href="https://abc7.com/post/d4vd-murder-case-singers-lawyers-ask-more-dna-testing-wasnt-done-chain-saws-car-celeste-rivas-hernandez-killing/19564190/" rel="nofollow">https://abc7.com/post/d4vd-murder-case-singers-lawyers-ask-more-dna-testing-wasnt-done-chain-saws-car-celeste-rivas-hernandez-killing/19564190/</a>
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After five days of testimony, a judge ordered recording artist D4vd to stand trial in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. This special episode examines the forensic evidence revealed during his preliminary hearing—and the questions his defense says remain unanswered.

After five days of testimony, a judge ordered recording artist D4vd to stand trial in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. This special episode examines the forensic evidence revealed during his preliminary hearing—and the questions his defense says remain unanswered.

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SPECIAL EPISODE: The Forensic Evidence Against D4vd

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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:
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You can also subscribe directly through the Forensic Tales page in the Apple Podcasts app.
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Eight days after marrying Jack Kettlewell, 22-year-old Christina Kettlewell was found drowned in nine inches of water while her honeymoon cottage burned nearby. This special preview explores the love triangle and conflicting forensic evidence at the center of one of Canada’s strangest unsolved mysteries.

Eight days after marrying Jack Kettlewell, 22-year-old Christina Kettlewell was found drowned in nine inches of water while her honeymoon cottage burned nearby. This special preview explores the love triangle and conflicting forensic evidence at the center of one of Canada’s strangest unsolved mysteries.

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The Mysterious Death of Christina Kettlewell (The 8 Day Bride) | Patreon Bonus Preview

Not all stories have happy endings...

Hosted by Courtney Fretwell, M.S. in Forensic Psychology, Forensic Tales is a weekly true crime podcast with a forensic twist. Each episode features real cases and explores how forensic science, criminal profiling, and investigative techniques were used to uncover the truth—or, in some cases, left more questions than answers.

From fingerprint analysis and DNA evidence to bloodstain pattern analysis and behavioral profiling, every episode breaks down the science behind the headlines. Whether it's a solved murder, a cold case, or a controversial investigation, Forensic Tales takes you beyond the crime scene and into the forensic evidence that shaped the case.