In this episode of Santana True Crime, we sit down with former Chicago homicide detective Michele Wood, author of Model Detective: A True Story of Heels, Handcuffs and Homicides.

Michele’s story is unlike anything you’ve heard—balancing two completely different worlds: modeling and homicide investigations. From working brutal 30-hour murder cases to interviewing violent offenders and solving sex crimes, she shares what the job is really like behind the scenes.

We dive into:

• What it takes to become a homicide detective
• The psychological side of interviewing killers
• Cases that stayed with her forever
• The reality of working 20–30 hours straight
• Her “Golden Rules” for surviving the job
• And what years of investigating violent crime teaches you about human nature

This is a raw, unfiltered look at life inside homicide—far beyond what you see on TV.

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments:
Do you think people are born evil… or made?

What really happened to the Yuba County Five?
In this episode of Santana True Crime, I’m joined by author Tony Wright, author of Things Aren’t Right, and criminologist David Hayes to examine one of America’s strangest unsolved mysteries.

We break down the major theories surrounding the disappearance and deaths of the Yuba County Five, including:

• Misadventure and exposure
• Foul play theories
• Why the men abandoned the Mercury Montego

• Behavioral and criminological perspectives
• Evidence that still fuels debate nearly 50 years later

Was this a tragic case of disorientation and survival gone wrong… or is there something much darker behind what happened?

Tony Wright brings decades of research into the case, while Dr. Hayes offers criminological analysis on the competing theories and what the evidence may suggest.

What theory do you believe? Let me know in the comments.

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The murder of Liz Barraza was caught on camera—but the killer is still unidentified.

In this episode of Santana True Crime, former FBI profiler Julia Cowley joins the show to break down one of the most disturbing unsolved cases in recent years: the Liz Barraza murder case.

Julia walks through what the suspect’s behavior, planning, and actions at the scene reveal about the type of person responsible. From victimology to offender profiling, this episode dives into the psychology behind the crime—and what investigators may be looking for.

If you’re interested in true crime, criminal profiling, and unsolved cases, this is one you don’t want to miss.

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