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.

👍 Like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy true crime deep dives and unsolved mysteries.

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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In this episode of Santana True Crime, we break down NEW details learned from a recent phone conversation with the person who discovered Virginia’s body. While the witness is not appearing on the show, we will be sharing what he told us—information that adds new perspective to the crime scene and timeline.

With the anniversary of her death tomorrow, this episode takes a deeper look into one of North Carolina’s most haunting cold cases.

Tonight we cover:

• What the witness told us about finding Virginia
• New insights into the original crime scene
• Details that may have been overlooked for decades
• The biggest unanswered questions that remain

She spent years writing to one of America’s most notorious serial killers—the Green River Killer. What he revealed in those letters is disturbing, personal, and something most people never hear.

In this episode of Santana True Crime, author Maria DiLorenzo shares her direct correspondence with Gary Ridgway, offering rare insight into the mind of a serial killer.

Also joining the show is Dr. Bill Kimberlin, author of Watch Me Die, who breaks down what really happens inside executions—and what he witnessed firsthand.

This episode dives deep into:

• Serial killer psychology
• Letters from Gary Ridgway
• What killers reveal in private
• The reality of executions
• Stories you won’t hear anywhere else

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

What if there was a real group of elite investigators solving murders that law enforcement couldn’t?

In this episode, we’re joined by New York Times bestselling author Michael Capuzzo to discuss his book The Murder Room—a deep dive into the Vidocq Society, a real-life network of profilers, forensic experts, and detectives working cold cases that have gone unsolved for years.

We break down:

• The origins of the Vidocq Society
• The key members behind it
• The Scott Dunn case (a murder conviction with no body)
• These are real cases, real victims, and real attempts to find justice long after the trail has gone cold.

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your podcasts.

👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more true crime content.

Long before the Jeffrey Epstein scandal made global headlines, there was another disturbing case centered around a remote island in Michigan—North Fox Island.

In this episode, we sit down with forensic psychologist and criminologist Dr. David C. Hayes to break down the North Fox Island case, an alleged trafficking network that operated decades before the internet, and its possible connections to the Oakland County Child Killer investigation.

We explore how these cases—though separated by time—reveal striking similarities involving power, privilege, and accountability.

This conversation goes beyond politics and focuses on a larger issue: why do some individuals face consequences, while others seem to avoid them entirely?

🎙️ Featuring Dr. David C. Hayes
Forensic Psychologist | Criminologist | Cold Case Consultant

https://www.hayescriminology.com/

📺 Available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and everywhere you get podcasts

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more true crime content

⚠️ Viewer discretion advised – this episode discusses sensitive topics

#TrueCrime #Epstein #NorthFoxIsland #UnsolvedMysteries

Tonight on Santana True Crime, we are going live to examine one of the most disturbing unsolved murders connected to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

On June 30, 1965, 21-year-old Suellen Evans was attacked while walking through Coker Arboretum on the UNC campus. The attack occurred in broad daylight. Evans fought back against her attacker and was able to tell witnesses that the man had attempted to rape her before she collapsed from her injuries.

Despite an intense investigation, her killer has never been identified.

Joining me tonight is my brother and co-author Brian Santana, who teaches true crime at the college level. Together we wrote the book:

“A Murder on Campus: The Professor, the Cop, and North Carolina's Most Notorious Cold Case.”

During this live show we will discuss:

• The timeline of the attack on Suellen Evans
• The investigation and suspects
• The eerie similarities some researchers see between this case and the 1973 murder of Virginia Olson at University of North Carolina Asheville
• Whether modern DNA and genetic genealogy could finally solve the case

Join us live tonight and share your thoughts in the chat.