On Christmas Day, 1929, what should have been a day of joy and family togetherness turned into one of the darkest chapters in North Carolina’s history. Charles Lawson, a seemingly ordinary tobacco farmer, took his wife Fannie and their seven children into town for an unusual treat—brand-new clothes and a formal family portrait. At the time, this was seen as a luxury that poor farming families rarely indulged in. But in hindsight, it felt like a grim foreshadowing of what was to come, raising suspicions that Charles had been planning something far more sinister all along.

Later that same day, the holiday spirit was shattered when Charles Lawson brutally murdered his entire family—his wife, six of his children, and finally himself. Only one son, Arthur, survived, having been sent on an errand just before the bloodshed began. Neighbors were horrified as the news spread, and the community was left reeling, trying to understand how a father could commit such unthinkable acts. Some whispered about head injuries Charles had sustained in the months prior, others hinted at deeper, darker family secrets—including rumored abuse and even an alleged pregnancy involving his eldest daughter, Marie.

The massacre made national headlines, turning the Lawson farmhouse into a macabre tourist attraction in the weeks that followed. Thousands came to gawk at the crime scene, and ballads were even written about the tragedy, embedding it in Southern folklore. To this day, the Lawson Family murders remain one of the most infamous holiday crimes in American history—a chilling reminder that even the most festive of days can hide unimaginable horrors.

When Derek and Maria Broaddus bought their dream home in the quiet, upscale town of Westfield, New Jersey, they thought they’d found the perfect place to raise their three kids. But before they could even move in, their lives spiraled into a nightmare. Anonymous letters started arriving—signed only by “The Watcher.” The writer claimed to be keeping a close eye on the family, detailing eerie observations about their children, their home, and even the layout of the house. The letters grew darker, filled with threats and chilling questions like, “Have they found out what’s in the walls yet?”

Investigators launched a probe, but the case only grew stranger. Neighbors were suspected, DNA tests were run, and even the Broadduses themselves were accused of staging the whole ordeal. Despite years of fear and public speculation, no one has ever been caught—and the identity of The Watcher remains one of the most unsettling mysteries in suburban America. Was this the work of a disturbed neighbor, a cruel prankster, or someone who truly believed the house was theirs to watch over? The nightmare forced the family to abandon their dream home, leaving behind more questions than answers.

In September 1988, 7-year-old Jaclyn Dowaliby vanished from her bedroom in Midlothian, Illinois, in the middle of the night. Her mother reported her missing early that morning, and just days later, her body was discovered in a field — sparking one of the most controversial child murder cases of the late 1980s. At first, suspicion fell on her stepfather, David Dowaliby, after a neighbor with a history of mental illness claimed to have seen someone with a “big nose” near the family home. Despite flimsy evidence, David was arrested, tried, and convicted of Jaclyn’s murder, serving 583 days in prison before his conviction was overturned. With his release, the case unraveled into even deeper uncertainty, and law enforcement never secured another solid lead.

To this day, the case remains unsolved, with rumors swirling about family conflicts, mental illness, and whether Jaclyn’s schizophrenic uncle could have played a role in her death. Was David wrongfully accused in a rush to find a suspect, or was justice interrupted before the full truth came out? Over three decades later, Jaclyn’s story still leaves behind unanswered questions and a haunting mystery: who really silenced this 7-year-old girl?

In January 2013, the body of 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson was found rolled up in a gym mat inside his high school. At first, investigators ruled it a tragic accident—claiming he had fallen in while reaching for a pair of sneakers. But the story didn’t sit right with Kendrick’s family. The more they looked into the details, the more disturbing questions arose: Why were there inconsistencies in the autopsy reports? Why was there missing surveillance footage? And why did it seem like key evidence was ignored or dismissed?

What started as a heartbreaking loss soon spiraled into one of the most controversial and debated cases in recent memory. Kendrick’s parents believe their son was murdered and that a massive cover-up has kept the truth buried. Was this really an accident—or something far darker?

In June 2002, the quiet life of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was shattered in the most terrifying way imaginable. While the rest of her family slept, a stranger crept into her bedroom, pressed a knife to her throat, and forced her into the night with one chilling warning: Stay silent or your family dies. What followed was nine long months of captivity, control, and manipulation that pushed Elizabeth to the edge of survival. This case shocked America, not only because of the brutality of her abduction but also because of the resilience Elizabeth showed when she was finally rescued. Was her freedom the end of the nightmare—or the beginning of a different kind of battle?

Seventeen-year-old Kelsey Smith was just running a quick errand at Target, picking up an anniversary gift for her boyfriend. But as she walked back to her car, her night—and her life—was stolen in an instant. What seemed like a safe suburban shopping trip turned into a nightmare when Edwin Hall, a man with a dark past, snatched her in broad daylight. Within hours, her disappearance gripped Kansas, sparking a frantic search that revealed chilling details about Hall’s behavior: packing for a “family vacation” just as the investigation closed in, acting suspicious while the community begged for answers.

But the biggest questions still linger: Why Kelsey? What drove Hall to target a teenage girl who had her whole life ahead of her? Was it a premeditated attack, a random act of violence, or the twisted fallout of a man unraveling from his own demons?

In this episode of Killer Bites, we dive into one of the most infamous unsolved disappearances in college history: Kristin Smart. A bright, ambitious student at Cal Poly, Kristin vanished in 1996 after attending a frat party—and to this day, her whereabouts remain a mystery. What really happened that night? And why did authorities fail to investigate her disappearance for decades properly?

We break down the timeline, explore the shocking gaps in the investigation, and dig into allegations that the university may have helped cover up key evidence. From mishandled leads to suspicious behavior by fraternity members, this case is a mix of college scandal, potential corruption, and a haunting disappearance that has left a community searching for answers. Join us as we unpack the twists, the theories, and the chilling reality behind Kristin Smart’s case.

On March 7, 2015, Ashlee Martinson—known online as “Vampchick”—snapped. After years of enduring abuse and failed attempts to escape her violent home, the 17-year-old turned on her parents in a brutal act of revenge. The media was quick to paint her as a goth-obsessed teen lost in her love for horror stories, heavy makeup, and dreams of becoming a mortician. But the truth behind Ashlee’s life is far more disturbing than any headline. This isn’t just the story of a teen killer—it’s a chilling look at what years of trauma, silence, and darkness can do to someone who feels completely trapped. Was Ashlee a monster born from her own obsessions, or a victim pushed to her breaking point?