In the spring of 2014, eight-year-old Relisha Rudd vanished from Washington, D.C. She was a child of color, she was poor, and she was living in a homeless shelter. In this episode, we trace the layers of institutional failure that kept anyone from intervening in time, the nineteen-day gap before an Amber Alert was ever issued, and the harder questions about who this country decides to look for, and who gets left behind.

In the summer of 1981, 6-year-old Adam Walsh walked into a Sears store in Hollywood with his mother and never came home. What began as a frantic search for a missing little boy quickly became one of the most heartbreaking and infamous child abduction cases in America. The tragedy not only devastated a family, but forever changed the way missing children cases are investigated, turning Adam’s father, John Walsh, into one of the country’s most recognizable voices for justice. Decades later, the case still haunts the nation as a chilling reminder of how quickly innocence can disappear.

In this episode, we break down the brutal and unsolved murder of Elena Sanchez Hawkins. What began as a normal morning in Elizabethtown, Kentucky quickly turned into a devastating crime scene. We walk through the timeline, the disturbing details, and the key evidence, including the mysterious truck seen in the driveway and the lack of forced entry. We also explore a possible connection to a later case in Hardinsburg, where a woman survived a horrifyingly similar attack inside her own home.

Michele Hundley Smith’s disappearance initially raised serious concerns, as the devoted mother vanished under circumstances that didn’t quite add up. Investigators quickly noted inconsistencies and began to question whether more was happening behind the scenes than anyone realized. But in a surprising turn, Michele was later found alive, shifting the focus of the case from a potential tragedy to the mystery of why she disappeared in the first place and what really happened during the time she was gone.

In Part Two, we wrap up the Zodiac Killer case. In this episode, we explore the suspects who have been investigated over the years, break down the psychology behind serial killers, and discuss what type of offender the Zodiac may have been. We also dive into the many theories surrounding the case and share our thoughts. And most importantly, we take a moment to remember the victims and acknowledge the families who have lived with the weight of this case for decades.

In this two-part series, in Part One we break down the chilling beginnings of the Zodiac Killer case. We cover the known crimes, the victims whose lives were taken far too soon, and the letters that turned this case into a national obsession. From cryptic ciphers to taunting messages sent directly to the media, we walk through how one unidentified killer was able to spread fear across California and leave behind one of the most haunting mysteries in true crime history.

In the New Mexico desert, a man named David Parker Ray hid a nightmare behind closed doors—a place he chillingly called his “toy box.” What happened inside that trailer remains one of the most disturbing mysteries in true crime, with stories so dark they still unsettle investigators today. With the help of Cindy Hendy, Ray is believed to have preyed on countless victims, many of whom may never be identified. It’s a case defined not just by what we know, but by what may never be uncovered.

In this episode, we cover the long awaited capture of the Golden State Killer and the decades long investigation that led to his identification. From the use of genetic genealogy to finally put a name to the crimes, to the ethical questions surrounding that method, we break down how this case was ultimately solved. We also walk through the emotional courtroom moments where victims were given the opportunity to share their statements, despite there being no trial due to a plea deal and COVID.

After years of silence, the victims were finally able to be heard—and their stories will always matter.