Until the End of Crime

27. Spree Murderer Ronald Gene Simmons

In December 1987, during a weeklong rampage, Ronald Gene Simmons managed to injure or kill at least 16 people and wreaked havoc on the entire community of Russellville, Arkansas. 
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Gene_Simmons 
Ronald Gene Simmons: The Christmas Killer at medium.com by DeLani R Bartlette
https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/ronald-gene-simmons-3731/ 
https://allthatsinteresting.com/ronald-gene-simmons 
https://aymag.com/murder-mystery-lambs-slaughter 
https://stillpenguins.medium.com/ronald-gene-simmons-motive-remains-a-mystery-after-murdering-14-members-of-his-family-0a3497e86fc1 
https://humphreyfuneral.com/obituaries/joyce-butts-2023
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69132897/james_david-chaffin
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37538703/kathleen_michele-kendrick
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38083551/roberta-woolery
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/12/29/Man-shot-by-Simmons-saved-by-chair/8000567752400/
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/05/11/Victim-of-shooting-spree-plagued-with-nightmares/6252579326400/

26. The Disappearance of Mekayla Bali

In April 2016, 16-year-old Mekayla Bali vanished from Yorkton, Saskatchewan, leaving behind a trail of cryptic clues, unanswered questions, and a grieving family desperate for answers. In this episode, we delve into Mekayla's final known movements, her social media connections, and the theories surrounding her disappearance—from runaway to human trafficking. With insights from investigators, psychologists, and true crime analysts, we explore what might have happened and how her case continues to haunt and inspire efforts to bring her home. Join us as we piece together the fragments of Mekayla's story in this gripping and emotional episode.
Sources:
Blameitonjorge, YouTube: Mekayla Bali: The Disappearance That Has Baffled Investigatorshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzLqFYyY0bM&t=1s
CTV News: Search for Missing Yorkton Teen Mekayla Bali Continueshttps://regina.ctvnews.ca/search-for-missing-yorkton-teen-mekayla-bali-continues-1.5857582
CBC News: New Tips in Mekayla Bali Case as Search Continueshttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/mekayla-bali-new-tips-1.4114872
NBC News: Police Looking for Break on Two-Year Anniversary of Canadian Teen Mekayla Bali's Disappearancehttps://www.nbcnews.com/feature/cold-case-spotlight/police-looking-break-two-year-anniversary-canadian-teen-mekayla-bali-n865641
Meadow Lake NOW: U.S. Northwest of Interest in Missing Mekayla Bali Casehttps://meadowlakenow.com/2017/07/12/u-s-northwest-of-interest-in-missing-mekayla-bali-case/
Dr. Todd Grande, YouTube: Mekayla Bali Case Analysishttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_fOpIiEotc
Missing Children Society of Canada: Mekayla Bali Case Overviewhttps://www.mcsc.ca/missing-child-mekayla-bali
The Star Phoenix: Mother of Missing Yorkton Teen Mekayla Bali Urges Public to Continue Searchinghttps://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/mother-of-missing-yorkton-teen-mekayla-bali-urges-public-to-continue-searching

25. The Kidnapping of Shannon Matthews

In February 2008, Shannon Matthews disappeared while walking home from school in Dewsbury Moor. Coming off the heels of another major missing British child case, her disappearance set off one of the largest searching in Yorkshire history. A campaign, Search for Shannon, raised money to help search for the missing 9 year old, and the media was scrutinized for the lack of coverage for Shannon, when every minor development in the Madeleine McCann case was covered extensively. 
Sources: 
​​https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidnapping_of_Shannon_Matthews
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Sutcliffe
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7302254.stm
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-68836673
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-42972376
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38881419
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Madeleine_McCann

24. The Wamsley Family Murders

In this episode, we explore the brutal and haunting murders of Rick and Suzanna Wamsley, a seemingly perfect couple whose lives were shattered one December night in their quiet suburban home. As investigators pieced together the shocking crime, dark secrets and unexpected connections began to emerge, revealing a web of betrayal and greed lurking beneath the surface of an idyllic family life. Join us as we uncover the chilling details, follow the twists and turns of the investigation, and confront the question: how well do we ever really know the ones we love?
Sources: 
Blanco, J. I. (n.d.). Andrew Wamsley | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers. https://murderpedia.org/male.W/w/wamsley-andrew.htm
CHELSEA LEA RICHARDSON v. THE STATE OF TEXAS (original). (n.d.). Justia Law. https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/court-of-criminal-appeals/2008/16416.html
Emmayabe. (2024, October 13). Rick and Suzanna Wamsley: The shocking truth behind a family tragedy. Unreal True Crime. https://unrealtruecrime.com/2024/10/rick-and-suzanna-wamsley/
Grimes, G. W. A. (2004, July 15). Family plot. Dallas Observer. https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/family-plot-6384863
Hanlon, G. (2021, May 28). Unraveling the shocking plot behind the brutal murders of a beloved Texas couple. People.com. https://people.com/crime/people-magazine-investigates-wamsley-family-murders/
Rasmussen, A. (n.d.). Inside the brutal murders of Rick and Suzanna Wamsley. Retrieved November 16, 2024, from https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/murder/inside-the-brutal-murders-of-rick-and-suzanna-wamsley
Texas woman on death row gets new sentencing trial. (2011, November 2). Corrections1. https://www.corrections1.com/archive/articles/texas-woman-on-death-row-gets-new-sentencing-trial-6FacCLXUzUQ0nnnu/
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, November 2). Murders of Rick and Suzanna Wamsley. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murders_of_Rick_and_Suzanna_Wamsley

23. Thanksgiving Massacre: Sitton Home

In the quiet neighborhood of Jupiter, Florida, the Sitton family prepared to celebrate Thanksgiving 2009, a day that would forever change their lives. As the aroma of turkey filled the air and laughter echoed through their home, 6-year-old Makayla Hope delighted her family with impromptu songs, blissfully unaware of the sinister turn the evening would take. With 16 loved ones gathered around the table, the atmosphere was festive, but as night fell, a shadow crept through the halls. What was meant to be a celebration spiraled into chaos when gunshots shattered the holiday spirit. Amid the chaos, Jim and Muriel Sitton faced an unimaginable horror as their precious daughter lay asleep in her room, vulnerable to the darkness that had infiltrated their home. As the frantic search for the shooter began, questions loomed: What drove a family member to unleash such violence on those they once called kin? Join us as we unravel the chilling events of that fateful night, exploring the depths of familial loyalty, betrayal, and the haunting aftermath of tragedy.
Sources:
Oxygen. Homicide for the Holidays: A Deadly Thanksgiving.
CBS News Miami. Thanksgiving Massacre Plea Deal Expected. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/thanksgiving-massacre-plea-deal-expected/
Florida Headline News Radio. 10 Years After the Jupiter Thanksgiving Murders, a Family Remembers. Retrieved from https://www.wptv.com/news/region-n-palm-beach-county/jupiter/10-years-after-the-jupiter-thanksgiving-murders-a-family-remembers
CBS News. Thanksgiving Massacre Witness: Paul Merhige Ate Dinner, Sang Songs, Then Executed Family. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/thanksgiving-massacre-witness-paul-merhige-ate-dinner-sang-songs-then-executed-family/
Wikipedia. 2009 Thanksgiving Murders. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Thanksgiving_murders
Yahoo News. Thanksgiving Massacre 2009 Highlights Today's Memorial Service. Retrieved from https://www.yahoo.com/news/thanksgiving-massacre-2009-highlights-todays-130038254.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJE2YYWyKWEXOZ4mVqHtescKEgaOtZW2f3FuJiAGuuT0TNj4Bm9Y3xtwmB2FKoDNlc6L54fYPDHBSqYdHVNoAP2s0Xxr5ciRBHUP1Jlp1s3ij1bnPYVyjfy2_UYiSNNOCsEzb-D5f83wtOMqASbhgwPGA6Fw_nL5JQlAMEYxj_A1
CBS News. Thanksgiving Massacre Witness: Paul Merhige Ate Dinner, Sang Songs, Then Executed Family. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/thanksgiving-massacre-witness-paul-merhige-ate-dinner-sang-songs-then-executed-family/

22. The Candy Man: Serial Killer Dean Corll

A friendly neighbor. Free candy. A quiet street in Houston Heights. It seemed like the perfect community—until boys began to vanish. In this episode, we explore a story of trust betrayed and the dark secrets that lay hidden behind closed doors. What really happened in Houston Heights, and how did it take so long for anyone to notice? 
Sources:
DeLong, William. The Twisted Tale Of Dean Corll, The ‘Candy Man’ Killer Who Terrorized Texas. AllThatsInteresting.com, January 17, 2022. Accessed October 27, 2024.
Conaway, James. The Last Kid on the Block. Texas Monthly, April 1976.
Acosta, N. Killed by the 'Candy Man': Investigators Release Image of Serial Killer's Victim Whose ID Remains Mystery. People.com, August 9, 2023.
Henderson Vaughan, E. Candy Man Victim: New clues in serial killer mystery. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Hollandsworth, S. The Lost Boys. Texas Monthly, March 7, 2024.
Homer, M., & White, G. 50 years after victim of Houston “Candy Man” killer Dean Corll was found, there’s a new sketch in efforts to identify him. KHOU 11, August 7, 2023.
Olsen, L. Why Dean Corll, the “Candyman” killer, should still give you nightmares. Houston Chronicle, August 19, 2023.
Sharma, A. The Candy Man Killer: Who was Dean Corll and what did he do? Yahoo Entertainment, December 12, 2023.

21. The Murder of Deliana Heng

While studying abroad in Ontario, Deliana Heng was viciously attacked in the apartment she shared with her sister. Detectives were thrown off by the crime, unable to determine if it was staged or if they were missing a key detail at the crime scene; the key detail came in the form of curiously placed fingerprints on a glass left by the sink. The fingerprints were left by someone with Type A blood that was a secretor. As the investigation began narrowing down on potential suspects, a trip to the gym helps them catch the man responsible for the senseless act. 
Sources:
Cher19994861. (2023, March 22). Killer Tien Po Su: Robert should have chance for early parole, judge told. WordPress. https://cher19994861.wordpress.com/2023/03/22/killer-tien-po-su-robert-should-have-chance-for-early-parole-judge-told/
Daily Mail. (2023, January 7). The moment a convicted killer is caught on camera [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N71hBOK4Ja0
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Faint hope clause. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faint_hope_clause
Morrow, S. (2008, November 19). Killer’s faint hope application rejected. The Globe and Mail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/killers-faint-hope-application-rejected/article1028172/Douglas, J. E. (1997). Journey into darkness: The real-life story of the legendary FBI profiler. Scribner.
Loop News. (2023, October 27). The day in Grenada's history: Execution of Maurice Bishop. Loop Caribbean News. https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/day-grenadas-history-execution-maurice-bishop

20. The Murder of the Harper Family

In 2003, a horrifying discovery rocked Bakersfield, California: five members of the Harper family, including three young children, were brutally murdered in their home. Behind the crime was a web of deceit spun by Vincent Brothers, a respected vice principal who thought he could evade justice with an elaborate alibi. But investigators weren’t easily fooled. With groundbreaking forensic techniques—and a few surprising clues—the truth emerged, unraveling a tale of betrayal and cold-blooded calculation. Join us as we explore how justice caught up to Vincent Brothers, exposing a shocking story that still haunts the community.
Sources:
Oxygen - Family MassacreArticle: "Vincent Brothers Slaughtered Family Caught"URL: https://www.oxygen.com/family-massacre/crime-news/vincent-brothers-slaughtered-family-caught
Wikipedia - Vincent BrothersURL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Brothers
Criminally Intrigued BlogArticle: "The Bakersfield Parricide"URL: https://www.criminallyintrigued.com/blog/2017/9/24/the-bakersfield-parricide
Vocal Media - CriminalArticle: "Vincent Brothers: The Vice Principal Who Killed His Family Because They Were a Financial Burden"URL: https://vocal.media/criminal/vincent-brothers-the-vice-principal-who-killed-his-family-because-they-were-a-financial-burden
NBC NewsArticle: Coverage of Vincent Brothers’ CaseURL: https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna32086189
Find A Grave - Joanie HarperMemorial page: Joanie HarperURL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7747684/joanie-harper
KGET - Kern County Crime WatchArticle: "Vincent Brothers Killed His Family 20 Years Ago"URL: https://www.kget.com/news/crime-watch/kern-crime-vincent-brothers-killed-his-family-20-years-ago/
Fox News RadioPodcast/Article: "An Evil Vice Principal: The Case of Vincent Brothers"URL: https://radio.foxnews.com/2023/12/19/an-evil-vice-principal-the-case-of-vincent-brothers/
Murderpedia - Vincent BrothersURL: https://murderpedia.org/male.B/b/brothers-vincent.htm
UC Davis NewsArticle: "Buggy Entomology Prof Helps Unravel Murder"URL: https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/buggy-entomology-prof-helps-unravel-murder

19. The Kidnapping, Torture, and Death of Junko Furuta

Junko Furuta was biking home from her part-time job when she was involved in a staged accident that resulted in her bicycle being stolen and a friendly face offered to escort her home...but she wasn't taken home, she was kidnapped and held for over a month, subjected to sexual assault, torture, and eventually murder. 
Sources:
https://medium.com/@lisariggio1994/40-day-nightmare-the-torture-and-murder-of-junko-furuta-bd2e131ad18d
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Junko_Furuta
https://www.tokyoreporter.com/crime/junko-furuta-killer-again-on-trial-chaos-in-the-courtroom/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/218631863/junko-furuta
https://allthatsinteresting.com/junko-furuta

18. The Murder of Sara Ambrusko Tokars

In 1992, the brutal murder of Sara Tokars shattered the peaceful suburbs of Atlanta, leaving her two young sons to witness a crime that would haunt them forever. What seemed like a random act of violence soon unraveled into a complex web of dark secrets and hidden motives. In this episode, we delve into the shocking investigation and the lasting impact it had on Sara’s family, as they struggled to rebuild their lives in the wake of unimaginable trauma.
Sources:
Fretthold & Hamp Cremation & Funeral Services & Hamp Funeral Home, Inc. (2020, April 27). Michael Tokars Obituary. Retrieved from frettholdandhamp.com.
Harrison, E. (1993, March 1). Haunted by Clues From the Grave. Los Angeles Times.
McDonald, R. (2020, May 14). Sara’s Story. Atlanta Magazine.
McDonald, R. R. (2020, May 13). Former Attorney Fred Tokars Dies in Prison, 28 Years After Arranging Wife’s Murder. law.com.