In the first episode of our Vince McMahon series, we delve into one of the darkest days in WWE history—the tragic death of Owen Hart. A beloved wrestler with a legacy shaped by the iconic Hart family, Owen’s life was cut short during a stunt gone wrong at the 1999 Over the Edge pay-per-view. We discuss the circumstances surrounding his fatal fall, the controversial decision to continue the show, and the lasting impact on his family and the wrestling world. Join us as we explore Owen’s legacy, the ensuing legal battle, and how his tragic story forever changed professional wrestling.

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In this gripping episode of True Crimecast, we unravel the chilling story of Mark Twitchell, the "Dexter Killer," whose obsession with a fictional vigilante led him to blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Twitchell lured unsuspecting victims through online dating platforms, using elaborate ruses and horror-movie tactics to trap them. While one victim, Gilles Tetreault, narrowly escaped with his life, another, Johnny Altinger, tragically fell into Twitchell’s meticulously planned trap.

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Courtney Lund O'Neil joins the show today to talk about her new book: Postmortem: What Survives the John Wayne Gacy Murders.

Growing up, Courtney knew her mother was involved in something traumatic as a teenager. As it turns out, she (Dr. Kim Byers) was the last person to see John Wayne Gacy's final victim alive. This had a major impact on Dr. Lund as she matured and played a huge role in her approach to being a mother.

Years ago, Courtney decided that she wanted to advocate for the stories of those impacted by the monsters that are the focus of most true crime stories. That driving force led her to write Postmortem: What Survives the John Wayne Gacy Murders, a beautiful plunge into the pain, trauma, and healing of her mother and others in the wake of John Wayne Gacy's killing spree. 

Find Postmortem: What Survives the John Wayne Gacy Murders here!

To learn more about Courtney, visit her website.

Courtney Lund O’Neil is a California-based writer with a focus in memoir, literary journalism, and true crime. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Glamour, The Washington Post, Oprah Daily, Parents, Chicago Tribune, Harper’s Bazaar, The Normal School, The Columbia Journal, and more. The recipient of the Marcia McQuern Award for excellence in Creative Nonfiction and the Marye Lynn Cummings Endowed Scholarship in both Creative Nonfiction and Poetry, she holds a PhD from Oklahoma State University and a MFA from University of California, Riverside. She lives with her husband and children in Southern California.

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In one of the worst sex crimes in modern history, Gisèle Pelicot boldly stepped forward to tell her story in order to help others get justice.

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For decades, Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter lived a life built entirely on deception. Masquerading as "Clark Rockefeller," a member of one of America’s most elite families, he conned his way into high society, manipulated those closest to him, and ultimately left a trail of crime and tragedy. From his humble beginnings in Germany to a high-stakes kidnapping in Boston and a chilling murder mystery in California, Gerhartsreiter’s story is as shocking as it is unsettling.

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Karen Mackenzie had just celebrated Christmas with her 3 children, but little did she know it would be their last. Someone murdered Karen and her three children. The crime scene was so disturbing, that multiple detectives left police work altogether. Could police find the monster responsible? 

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When the CEO of United Health Care was gunned down outside a hotel, the internet was full of folks praising the killer as a hero. We are not those people. Murder is not the answer to our healthcare system's issues. 

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When a 10-year-old walked alone to a Dollar General near his rural Georgia home, it sparked a chain of events that landed his mother, Brittany Patterson, in handcuffs. Was this an example of reckless parenting, or an overreach by law enforcement? Join us as we unpack this controversial case, exploring the fine line between child safety and parental rights, the legal gray area surrounding neglect, and the broader societal debate on raising independent kids.

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Harold Shipman was trusted as a devoted family doctor in the small town of Hyde, England, but his legacy is one of terror and betrayal. Behind the mask of compassion, Shipman was a cold-blooded killer, responsible for the deaths of over 200 patients under his care. From his early life shaped by personal loss to the horrifying discoveries that exposed his crimes, this episode unravels the chilling story of how one of Britain’s most prolific serial killers used his position to commit murder undetected for decades. Join us as we explore the investigations that failed to stop him, the forensic evidence that finally brought him to justice, and the devastating impact his actions had on families, medical ethics, and the community he betrayed.

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In this episode of True Crimecast, we delve into the horrifying events of the 2008 Covina Massacre. On Christmas Eve, Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, consumed by rage and bitterness after a messy divorce, arrived at his ex-wife’s family Christmas party dressed as Santa Claus and unleashed a deadly attack. Armed with multiple weapons and a sinister plan, Pardo claimed nine lives, including that of an 8-year-old girl, before taking his own life.

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In this episode of True Crimecast, we uncover the chilling story of Charles H. Ellis, a small-town man murdered in 1986 by his own son, Charles T. Ellis. What seemed like a tragic accident was revealed to be a cold and calculated crime, involving antifreeze-laced iced tea, financial fraud, and eerie claims of cult rituals. With connections to reality TV star Amy Halterman of 1000-Lb. Sisters, this case resurfaces decades later, raising haunting questions about betrayal, greed, and family secrets. Join us as we explore this deeply unsettling story and its lasting impact.

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