Once Upon A Crime | True Crime

Harry Tyson Moore and his wife, Harriette, lived a quiet life but raised their voices for the rights of African Americans beginning in the 1930s. They are two unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement who became targets of a deadly attack on Christmas Day, 1951.  I’ll share with you this story of extraordinary courage, an unwavering fight for justice, and a shocking and cowardly act that turned a brave couple into martyrs for the civil rights of all Americans.  Sources: The Unsolved Murder of Civil Rights Activist Harry Moore | Smithsonian PBS - Freedom Never Dies: The Story of Harry T. Moore - Florida Terror - The Klan in Florida Microsoft Word - Harry Moore Executive Summary.doc Harry T. Moore: A Timeline of His Accomplishments and His Artifacts The Moores | MooreCulturalComplex https://truecrimediva.com/harry-harriette-moore/  Ku Klux Klan Harriette Vyda Simms Moore (1902-1952) • She died as she lived, for a cause she believed in - Florida Humanities Online - Explore, Read, Watch and Enjoy Florida ht

Welcome back to our two-part series on the life and crimes of Sean Diddy Combs. In this explosive second installment, I detail Diddy’s meteoric rise in the music industry, uncover the allegations regarding his volatile romantic relationships, and expose a shadowy past filled with violence and legal troubles dating back to the 1990s.   I’ll also shed light on Diddy’s infamous “White Parties” and the scandalous after-parties known as "Freak Offs," which are now at the center of a federal investigation involving racketeering, sex trafficking, and a slew of other allegations that have led to an indictment.   We’ll seek to uncover the possible motivations behind Combs’ risky lifestyle choices. Why Diddy do it? Why did Sean Combs trade the luxuries of fame and fortune for drug-fueled escapades, sexual scandals, and the alleged exploitation of others? What path led Diddy from a billionaire business mogul to the kingpin of an alleged decades-long criminal enterprise?   Join me as I dissect the cracks in Diddy’s polis

On June 10th, 1983, the decomposing body of a well-dressed man was found in a desolate canyon near Los Angeles. John Doe #94 would soon be identified as missing variety show producer Roy Radin. He'd last been seen after meeting with a mysterious woman in a gold dress. Her name was Lanie Jacobs.   Jacobs and Radin were obsessed with becoming Hollywood movie producers. And when their paths collided, it led them to a tantalizing film deal promising fame and fortune. But then, a twisted script unfolded, plunging them into a million-dollar cocaine and cash heist, a tangled web of lies, and ultimately – murder.   The trail led investigators right to Hollywood's doorstep, linking former golden boy producer Robert Evans to the case and dredging up Radin's own troubled past.   But the case turned ice cold. It would take more than five years of dogged pursuit by the L.A. Sheriff’s Department detectives, a secret undercover witness, and another murder almost 3,000 miles from Hollywood – to unlock the truth.   This is th

American musical producer and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested in September  2024 on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation for purposes of prostitution.  He is currently in federal custody awaiting trial in Brooklyn, New York.  Almost daily, new accusers are coming forward to share additional information about Combs’ alleged history of sexual assault, abuse, and sexual exploitation. In this 2-part series, we’ll dig into Sean Combs’ early life, career, and relationships to answer the question - why Diddy do it?  How did Sean Diddy Combs, a man who seemed to have it all - fame, money, and success - end up in scandal, disgrace, and facing dozens of felony charges and lawsuits?  In this first episode, you’ll learn how the bombshell allegations against Combs came to light. We’ll also examine his childhood and early life to determine what factors contributed to his behavior and alleged criminal activities. We’ll discover that, early on, cracks in the image Diddy presented

Over two days in 1980, prisoners at a New Mexico penitentiary, angry at the conditions they experienced inside its walls, rose up against their jailers and wreaked havoc upon officers and inmates alike.  It would be called the bloodiest prison riot in U.S. history.  Over thirty-six hours, thirty-three prisoners were killed, eight guards were brutally assaulted, and hundreds were injured.  The prison would never completely recover from the unprecedented violence that took place. In the years since, the Penitentiary of New Mexico, known as the Old Main Prison, has gained a reputation as one of the most haunted places in the state. After hearing the true story I’m about to tell you, you’ll understand why these traumatized spirits may still be lurking. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_State_Penitentiary_riot https://www.koat.com/article/new-mexico-state-prison-riot-1908/42746860  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtxL6C_dNKw  Report of the Attorney General on the February 2 and 3, 1980 Riot at the

In this episode, I’ll share a story of an alleged demonic possession of a young boy in the 1940s.  While you may be skeptical of such a claim, several sources officially documented the case, including first-person eyewitnesses, making it difficult to dismiss these claims as mere superstition.   You’ll also hear how this case inspired a best-selling novel and blockbuster movie that helped to usher in an era of “Satanic Panic,” a phenomenon that would lead to accusations and criminal charges leveled against innocent people, some of whom were falsely convicted.    Sources: https://www.thescottsmithblog.com/2023/08/the-real-story-behind-exorcist-movie.html https://allthatsinteresting.com/roland-doe-the-exorcist-true-story https://play.max.com/video/watch/ec95d53c-2050-4361-afca-db7f96836670/94f26393-35be-4945-9fbf-b99b005674a0  https://www.slu.edu/universitas/archive/2014/exorcism.php https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/20/the-exorcist-boy-named-magazine   Sponsors:  MeUndies - Go to MeUndies.com/onc

Marine wife Erin Corwin was just 19 years old when she disappeared in California’s Joshua Tree National Park. Nearly two months later, her body was found in an abandoned mine in the unforgiving desert, and suspicions quickly fell on a fellow Marine. Here’s a preview of the new podcast, “48 Hours: NCIS”, which merges the award-winning journalism of one of the most celebrated true crime news programs with the world’s #1 TV franchise, to bring you the real-life cases that NCIS agents will never forget. Host CBS News correspondent Natalie Morales untangles this twisted story of infidelity and betrayal that led to Erin’s tragic end. Listen early and ad-free right now by subscribing to 48 Hours+ on Apple Podcasts. 

In this first story, we’ll go back over one hundred years to learn about a Romeo and Juliet story that ended in cold-blooded murder.  On the property where the killing took place now sits a stone building known by locals as “The Witch’s Castle.”  Some say that the restless spirits of the murdered man, his widow, and the killer roam the area on nights when the moon is full.   This is the story of the murder of Mortimer Stump and the haunting of The Witch’s Castle.    Resources:    https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-witches-castle-portland-oregon  https://www.mckenzieriverreflectionsnewspaper.com/story/2013/24/2/history/mystery-surrounds-portland-s-first-public-execution/830.html  https://themorbidlibrary.com/2021/09/10/the-haunted-the-witchs-castle/  http://balchipedia.wikidot.com/danford  https://www.newspapers.com/image/900596109/?match=1&terms=mortimer%20stump  https://www.newspapers.com/image/1088419076/?match=1&terms=%22anna%20stump%22   Sponsors: Better Help - Visit BetterHelp.com/once

In this special Halloween episode, horror comes to a family in the middle of the night.  But unlike ghostly tales, this was all too real and was the last thing they’d ever expected as they invited the monster into their home.    Resources:  https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Bay-Area-suspect-allegedly-bludgeoned-victims-3217121.php https://www.therotundaonline.com/remembering-associate-professor-of-sociology-dr-debra-s-kelley/article_2fab25df-a3f5-527c-ba59-cf14588b4e00.html   Slain mom, teen had counseling over music - https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna32992286   Links:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast  Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime 

In July 1993, Mia Zapata, a rising star in the genre of punk rock music, joined what is morbidly referred to as “The 27 Club” - artists and celebrities whose lives ended at the age of 27. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, and Amy Winehouse all qualify. But like other members of this unfortunate club, Mia Zapata didn’t die as the result of a drug overdose or by her own hand.  She was murdered on the streets of Seattle just before she reached success with her band, The Gits. In this episode, I’ll detail the life, death, and lasting legacy of Mia Zapata. Resources:  Mia Zapata and The Gits: A Story of Art, Rock, and Revolution, Steve Moriarty, (2024) https://amzn.to/3T2cjgv  https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/a44362322/a-cross-between-janis-joplin-and-johnny-rotten-remembering-mia-zapata-of-the-gits/ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/mia-zapata-murderer-dead-1170206/ https://web.archive.org/web/20130406042509/http://thegits.com/?page_id=410 https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article

In 1975, a renowned drummer who played with some of the most prominent artists of the 1960s and ‘70s was found shot and killed after an apparent botched robbery.    But some suspected Al Jackson, Jr. had been set up for murder.  Was his soon-to-be ex-wife involved in his slaying? Was a friend’s relationship with a wanted fugitive to blame?  Or was he privy to sensitive music business information that made him a target?    Resources:  https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/nov/25/al-jackson-jr-memphis-sunset-the-mysterious-death-of-stax-heartbeat  http://staxrecords.free.fr/aljacksonpage.htm https://torontosun.com/news/world/hunter-murder-music-and-the-memphis-sound-of-stax-volt http://vancouverdrummer.blogspot.com/2017/09/al-jackson.html   Sponsor:  Mochi Health - Use code ONCE to get $40 off at joinmochi.com    Links:  Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime  Our website: www.truecrimepodcast.com 

What makes a serial killer? Mind of a Serial Killer takes you deep into the twisted minds of history’s most notorious serial killers. Every Monday, hosts Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristin Engels, a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, combines gripping true crime storytelling with expert psychological analysis to answer the question - what makes a serial killer? From Jeffrey Dahmer to Ted Bundy, explore not only their chilling crimes but the dark psychology behind them. Follow Mind of a Serial Killer wherever you get your podcasts!

In this episode, a young Ohio man begins playing music before he is barely out of diapers. He and his brothers would form a band and shoot to the top of the charts. They were hometown heroes and certified music stars, but a baffling turn of events would end in a double tragedy.     This is chapter one in the Rocktober series, “Murdered Musicians” - Zapped - The Life and Death of Funk Musician Roger.    Resources:  https://www.dayton.com/news/local/icon-lost-one-dayton-most-gut-wrenching-murders-years-ago/g0LamsZlgO9s7NvR6Ar6cM/ https://www.daytondailynews.com/what-to-know/troutman-brothers-shot-dead-recording-artist-believed-victim-in-murder-suicide/HDHRGKMFV5BP5DQVK53FIE7DX4/ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/zapp-brothers-found-dead-90905/ https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/photos-roger-troutman-and-the-legendary-zapp-band-through-the-years/s5jkHsjNadR3ym8L3YLK9H/ https://vimeopro.com/user15889254/unsung/video/301288752  https://www.grunge.com/931330/the-tragic-1999-murder-of-funk-

On a dark night in April 1989, a young man named Chip Flynn was shot in a Florida orange grove. His ex-girlfriend Kim was the only surviving witness and claimed a Black man had robbed, kidnapped, and killed Chip. A year later, Crosley Green was sentenced to death by an all-white jury for Flynn's murder. After 32 years behind bars, a judge ruled Green was wrongfully convicted — so why is he still in prison? Here’s a preview of the new “48 Hours” podcast, “Murder in the Orange Grove: The Troubled Case Against Crosley Green” which offers the most comprehensive deep dive into this shocking case that leaves one man fighting desperately for his freedom. "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty has followed this controversial case for 25 years, delving into inconsistencies — from coerced confessions to allegations of a racial hoax — that challenge the integrity of the verdict. You can hear the rest of this episode by searching for “Murder in the Orange Grove: The Troubled Case Against Crosley Green”wherever you get yo

A formerly peace-loving man becomes obsessed with extreme political conspiracy theories. David DePape falls down a rabbit hole, consuming ever-more radical views on YouTube, blogs, and social media posts.   A perfect storm of factors will cause him to carry out a baffling and horrific attack after breaking into the home of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.    Resources:  “Paul Pelosi attack: From nudist activism to online hate, suspect David DePape’s strange descent,” Rachel Swan, Dustin Gardiner, and Sarah Ravani, The San Francisco Chronicle, November 16, 2023.    “Where is Nancy?: Here’s what happened, minute by minute, inside the Pelosi home,” Megan Cassidy, The San Francisco Chronicle, November 3, 2022.    “David DePape Sentenced after Conviction on Assault and Attempted Kidnapping Charges,” Press Release, Office of the Attorney General, May 17, 2024.   “Gypsy Taub Speaks Out About Ex-Boyfriend David DePape,” Jay Barmann, SFist.com, October 31, 2022.    “Ex-wife of man who attacked Paul Pelosi

In this month’s series, “The Politics of Murder,” we’ll take a look at cases where violent acts are perpetrated upon political figures.  In this episode, a disgruntled man whose life is unraveling due to his own actions places the blame on the policies of one political party.  His random act of violence will turn a pleasant day at a ballpark into ten minutes of horror and chaos.     Sources:  https://www.secretservice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2020-06/Hodgkinson.pdf https://www.washingtonian.com/2018/05/28/terrifying-story-of-the-congressional-baseball-shooting-steve-scalise/ https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/21/2017-baseball-field-shooting-fbi-conculsion-483993   Links:  Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime  

In this month’s series, “The Politics of Murder,” we’ll take a look at cases where violent acts are perpetrated upon political figures.  First up, a young man begins to lose his grip on reality and fixates on a congressperson whom he targets for assassination.  Jared Lee Loughner’s mass shooting at a community political event will spark debate regarding violent political rhetoric, gun control laws, and the state of mental health care in the U.S.   Sources:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Tucson_shooting   http://edition.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/01/08/arizona.shooting.suspect/   http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/01/09/arizona.shooting.investigation/index.html   https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/27/gabby-giffords-shooting-records/2024589/   http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/01/15/arizona.shooting.images/index.html   https://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/08/justice/arizona-loughner-sentencing/index.html   https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/27/gabby-giffords-shooting-records/2024589/   h

Before Ted Bundy became a collective symbol of a real-life boogeyman and the person who helped coin the term “serial killer,” he was a son, a brother, a grandson, and a cousin - someone with friends and family members who loved him and never could have suspected the evil that lay within him and would come to destroy so many lives.    In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with one of those family members - someone who grew up with Ted Bundy and with whom he shared a close relationship.   Edna Cowell Martin knew Bundy as “cousin Ted.”  Having to face the horror of what her cousin had done and the chaos of the media circus surrounding his arrest, trial, and execution, Edna and her family chose to remain anonymous…until now.     Edna’s new memoir, “Dark Tide: Growing Up with Ted Bundy,” reveals new details of his life, personality, and family relationships through his cousin Edna’s memories, photographs, and letters from Bundy himself.  We learn what it was like for his family members to grapple with t

A young woman grows up hearing stories about her abusive grandfather. She takes it upon herself to learn the whole truth about him. In the course of her investigation, shocking revelations come to light, and she begins to ask the question - was Jim Mordecai a serial killer?   Sources: The Truth About Jim, 2024, Skye Borgman, director. Distributed by HBO Max.  https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-woman-suspects-relative-was-serial-killer-uncovering-family-secrets  https://www.the-sun.com/news/10391888/truth-about-jim-mordecai-hbo-sierra-barter/ https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/the-truth-about-jim-docuseries-1234968110/  https://www.businessinsider.com/jim-mordecai-zodiac-killer-the-truth-about-jim-sierra-barter-2024-2  https://www.theeducationisthub.com/jim-mordecai/    Links. Once Upon a Crime on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

In this month’s series, “Buried Family Secrets,” I’ll share stories about family secrets that hid decades-old murders and may have prevented the killers from facing justice. Fortunately, in each case, one family member dared to share the truth so justice could be served.  In this first episode, when Lloyd Ford disappears in 1980, his wife claims he’s run off with another woman. But her 12-year-old knows the truth and will be forced to keep her mother’s deadly secret for over two decades.    Sources:  The Devil You Know, Season 3, Episode 5. (2012) Director: Mary Bissell https://www.idahopress.com/news/gough-admits-to-1980-murder/article_cf5cb179-e997-57c2-bd80-08239f2f9b3e.html https://thecinemaholic.com/judy-gough-where-is-lloyd-fords-wife-now/   Links: Once Upon a Crime on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast