When 33-year-old Lina Kaufman was found unresponsive in the bathroom of her Florida home in November 2007, her sudden death left investigators with more questions than answers. She appeared to be a healthy young mother with no known medical conditions, making her death all the more mysterious. But when the medical examiner eventually ruled her death a homicide caused by mechanical asphyxiation, suspicion quickly turned toward her husband, Adam Kaufman.

In this episode of Forensic Tales, we revisit one of the most unusual cases we've ever covered—completely rerecorded and refreshed for 2026. At the center of the trial was one of the strangest defense theories ever presented in a courtroom: Could Lina's recent spray tan have triggered a fatal medical event? Or was the "spray tan defense" simply an attempt to explain away murder?

Join me as we examine the forensic evidence, expert pathology testimony, conflicting medical opinions, and courtroom battle that ultimately ended with Adam Kaufman's acquittal. Years later, Lina Kaufman's death remains one of the most debated cases in forensic pathology.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The mysterious death of Lina Kaufman
• Adam Kaufman's 911 call and the initial investigation
• The autopsy findings and ruling of mechanical asphyxiation
• The controversial "spray tan defense"
• Competing forensic pathology testimony
• Myocarditis vs. homicide
• Crime scene evidence and forensic analysis
• The 2012 murder trial and not guilty verdict
• Why the cause of Lina Kaufman's death continues to divide forensic experts

This episode is a newly rerecorded and updated version of a case originally released in 2023, featuring refreshed narration and production for both longtime listeners and those discovering the case for the first time.

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In the early morning hours of August 9, 2013, 26-year-old Brandon Lawson abandoned his pickup truck along a remote stretch of Highway 277 near Bronte, Texas. Moments earlier, he had made several frantic phone calls to family members and a chilling 911 call, claiming he was being chased through a field. Then, he vanished.

For many years, Brandon's disappearance became one of the most debated missing person cases in America. Was he suffering from methamphetamine-induced psychosis? Did he encounter foul play? Or was there another explanation entirely?

In this episode of Forensic Tales, we explore Brandon's final hours, analyze the infamous 911 call, examine the forensic evidence, and discuss how advances in DNA testing ultimately identified his remains in 2024—while still leaving investigators without an official cause of death.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Brandon Lawson's life leading up to his disappearance
• The timeline of August 8–9, 2013
• His mysterious phone calls and the infamous 911 recording
• The competing theories surrounding his disappearance
• The discovery of his clothing and remains in 2022
• The forensic DNA process that confirmed his identity
• Why Brandon's cause of death remains unknown

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps more people discover Forensic Tales.

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When Crystal McCrory Jones was found dead inside her home on February 9, 2023, investigators quickly ruled her death a suicide.

But after obtaining the autopsy report, investigative records, photographs, and other official documents, Crystal's family began uncovering what they believe are significant inconsistencies in the investigation.

In Part Two of this special two-part series, we take a closer look at the forensic evidence. From questions surrounding the autopsy findings and undocumented injuries to concerns about lividity, crime scene processing, timeline discrepancies, and other investigative decisions, we examine the evidence that has led Crystal's family to continue searching for answers more than two years later.

This episode also explores Crystal's medical history, her previous suicide attempt more than a decade earlier, the events leading up to her death, and why her family believes the official investigation left too many important questions unanswered.

As always, this episode is intended to examine the available evidence and present the facts documented in investigative records, interviews, and materials provided by Crystal's family. Listeners are encouraged to evaluate the evidence and draw their own conclusions.

In this episode:

• The autopsy findings and alleged errors
• Bruising, lividity, and forensic pathology
• Crime scene processing concerns
• Timeline and GPS evidence
• Ring doorbell and digital evidence
• Crystal's medical history and mental health
• Why the family continues to challenge the official ruling
• The ongoing search for answers

If you haven't already, be sure to listen to Part One, where we cover Crystal's life, the events of February 9, 2023, the initial investigation, and the circumstances surrounding her death.

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Email: [email protected]

Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written & produced by Courtney Fretwell, who is also the host of the Find My Killer podcast, which covers unsolved murders, mysterious disappearances, and suspicious deaths. Listen to Find My Killer wherever you listen to Forensic Tales.

If you'd like to hear more about Crystal's story, check out the Without Warning, Bayou Secrets podcast produced by the family's private investigator. You can also check out the family's Change.org petition. 

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On the afternoon of February 9, 2023, Crystal McCrory Jones failed to show up for a doctor's appointment. Concerned after repeated calls and texts went unanswered, her husband contacted the West Carroll Parish Sheriff's Office and requested a welfare check.

Inside the home, deputies discovered Crystal dead from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Less than two hours later, her death was ruled a suicide.

But for Crystal's family, that conclusion came far too quickly.

In Part One of this two-part series, we examine Crystal's life, her final day, the initial investigation, and the many questions that emerged almost immediately after her death. We'll walk through the timeline, the welfare check, the crime scene, the first interviews, and the investigative decisions that continue to raise concerns for those closest to Crystal.

This episode includes information obtained from investigative records, police reports, interviews, and documents provided by Crystal's family.

In this episode:

• Crystal's life and family
• The events of February 9, 2023
• The welfare check that changed everything
• The initial investigation
• Crime scene observations
• The first interviews with investigators
• Why Crystal's family began questioning the official ruling

• Correction: In the episode, I mention Crystal becoming a grandmother to Tony's grandchild. Jana clarified that Crystal was not accepted as the child's "grandma" by Tony's family.
• Correction: During the welfare check, Deputy Harris did not discover the front door was unlocked on his own. Tony had already told him over the phone that the door was unlocked and directed him to the bedroom.

Coming Thursday in Part Two: We'll examine the autopsy findings, forensic evidence, investigative inconsistencies, and the questions that continue to surround Crystal's death more than two years later.

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Email: [email protected]

Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written & produced by Courtney Fretwell, who is also the host of the Find My Killer podcast, which covers unsolved murders, suspicious deaths, and disappearances. Available wherever you listen to Forensic Tales.

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On November 18, 1987, the small town of Ina, Illinois, was forever changed when Keith and Elaine Dardeen, their 3-year-old son Peter, and their newborn daughter Casey were found murdered in one of the most horrific crime scenes investigators had ever encountered.

Nearly four decades later, the murders remain officially unsolved.

In this episode of Forensic Tales, I take a closer look at the lives of the Dardeen family, the timeline leading up to the murders, the crime scene investigation, the forensic evidence, and the theories that continue to surround this heartbreaking case. From early rumors and community panic to the controversial confessions of serial killer Tommy Lynn Sells, we'll examine what investigators know, what they don't, and whether this mystery may ever be solved.

In this episode:

• The Dardeen family's life in Ina, Illinois
• The discovery of the crime scenes
• Crime scene processing and forensic evidence
• Autopsy findings and timeline reconstruction
• How rumors fueled fear throughout southern Illinois
• The investigation and persons of interest
• Tommy Lynn Sells' conflicting confessions
• Why the case remains unsolved today

If you enjoy Forensic Tales, consider supporting the show on Patreon for early, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes updates.

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If you enjoyed this episode, I'd truly appreciate it if you left a rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts. It helps more people discover the show and supports independent creators like me.

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The Unsolved Murder of Robert Wone

In this special Patreon Bonus Preview, I share a portion of this month's exclusive episode covering the mysterious and unsolved murder of Robert Wone.

Listen to the FULL episode: http://Patreon.com/ForensicTales

On August 2, 2006, Robert Wone—a successful attorney, devoted husband, and respected friend—arrived at a townhouse on Swann Street in Washington, D.C., where he planned to spend the night with a longtime friend.

Less than two hours later, he was fighting for his life.

Robert had been stabbed three times in the chest while three other men were inside the home. Yet no one reported seeing the attack. No intruder was ever identified. And despite years of investigations, forensic analysis, court proceedings, and countless theories, no one has ever been convicted of his murder.

In the full Patreon episode, I explore:

The strange crime scene
The unexplained forensic evidence
The needle-like puncture marks found during the autopsy
The lack of defensive wounds
The investigation into Joseph Price, Victor Zaborsky, and Dylan Ward
The obstruction and conspiracy trial
The competing theories that continue to divide investigators and true crime followers today

If you'd like to hear the complete ad-free bonus episode, along with exclusive monthly bonus content, early access episodes, and more, join the Forensic Tales Patreon community:

Patreon.com/ForensicTales

Thank you for listening and supporting Forensic Tales.

Hosted and produced by Courtney Fretwell.

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In the early morning hours of May 14, 2008, 19-year-old Brandon Swanson was driving home after celebrating the end of the college semester when his car became stuck in a ditch along a rural Minnesota road.

Unable to free his vehicle, Brandon called his parents for help. For the next 47 minutes, he remained on the phone with his father while walking through fields, fences, and farmland, attempting to meet up with his family. Then, without warning, Brandon shouted, "Oh, shit!" The call went silent, and he was never seen again.

In this episode of Forensic Tales, we examine the disappearance of Brandon Swanson, the extensive search efforts that followed, the forensic challenges investigators faced, the role of cell phone evidence in reconstructing his final movements, and the theories that continue to surround this baffling case more than 18 years later.

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For a full list of sources used in this episode, please visit our website: ForensicTales.com/Brandon-Swanson

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The murder of Rachel Nickell remains one of the most infamous true crime cases in the United Kingdom. In July 1992, Rachel was brutally attacked and murdered on Wimbledon Common in broad daylight while walking with her young son. What followed was a controversial murder investigation that captivated the nation, generated intense media scrutiny, and ultimately led investigators down the wrong path.

In this episode of Forensic Tales, we revisit the Rachel Nickell case, exploring the failed investigation into Colin Stagg, the controversial use of criminal profiling, the role of undercover police operations, and the forensic DNA evidence that eventually identified the true killer, Robert Napper.

With renewed interest in the case following recent documentaries and Netflix coverage, this replay examines details that are often overlooked, including the forensic breakthroughs, investigative failures, and lasting impact the case had on British policing and criminal justice.

Topics discussed include:

• The murder of Rachel Nickell on Wimbledon Common
• The investigation into Colin Stagg
• Criminal profiling and investigative tunnel vision
• The controversial "honey trap" operation
• Robert Napper and his history of violent offenses
• DNA evidence and forensic advances
• The eventual resolution of the case
• The lasting legacy of the Rachel Nickell investigation

This episode is part of the Forensic Tales Achieve, where we revisit some of the most important forensic cases from the show's archives.

Hosted by Courtney Fretwell, M.S. Forensic Psychology.

Follow Forensic Tales:
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Website: ForensicTales.com

Interested in CrimeCon UK? I'll be returning to London on October 3-4, 2026. Use code TALES for discounted tickets.

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Patricia Viola was a devoted wife, mother, and volunteer librarian living in Bogota, New Jersey. On February 13, 2001, she seemingly vanished without a trace after returning home from work. She left behind her purse, wallet, identification, seizure medication, and nearly every indication that she planned to return.

As investigators worked to reconstruct Patricia's final known movements, they uncovered a series of puzzling clues: a home security alarm that had been triggered earlier in the day, a concerning conversation Patricia had with her best friend the night before she disappeared, and a timeline that raised more questions than answers.

For years, Patricia's family searched for answers while investigators explored multiple theories, including foul play, suicide, and a medical emergency related to her epilepsy.

Then, more than a decade later, forensic DNA analysis finally provided a breakthrough.

In this episode of Forensic Tales, we examine the disappearance of Patricia Viola, the investigation that followed, the creation of New Jersey's Patricia's Law, and how a single foot bone discovered on a beach in Queens became one of the only pieces of evidence ever recovered in this baffling missing persons case.

Topics discussed:
• Patricia Viola disappearance
• Bogota, New Jersey missing person case
• Unsolved mystery
• Missing persons investigations
• Patricia's Law
• Forensic DNA identification
• Human remains identification
• Epilepsy and missing persons
• Cold cases
• Unsolved disappearance cases

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The Fox Hollow Farm Murders remain one of the most chilling serial killer cases in American history.

For years, young men disappeared from the Indianapolis area after being seen at local gay bars and nightlife districts. Many were later found strangled and abandoned in rural areas throughout Indiana and Ohio, leading investigators to suspect the existence of the so-called I-70 Strangler.

Everything changed when police searched Fox Hollow Farm, the 18-acre estate owned by successful businessman Herb Baumeister. Hidden within the woods behind the family home, investigators discovered thousands of human bone fragments belonging to multiple victims.

In this episode of Forensic Tales, we examine:

• The life and background of Herb Baumeister • Early warning signs and troubling behavior • The disappearances of young men throughout Indiana • The possible connection to the I-70 Strangler • Survivor Tony Harris and the tip that helped break the case • The discovery of human remains at Fox Hollow Farm • Forensic anthropology and the challenge of identifying victims • Modern DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy • Newly identified victims and ongoing efforts to identify the remaining unknown victims • The unanswered questions that remain nearly 30 years later

Despite Herb Baumeister's death in 1996, investigators continue working to identify victims recovered from Fox Hollow Farm. As advances in forensic science continue, families may finally receive answers after decades of uncertainty.

Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio Production. The show is written & produced by Courtney Fretwell, M.S. Forensic Psychology. To submit a case or get in touch, please email [email protected].

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Sources and additional information: ForensicTales.com

Remember... Not all stories have happy endings.

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On July 26, 2009, 36-year-old Diane Schuler drove the wrong way down New York's Taconic State Parkway, causing a devastating head-on collision that killed eight people, including herself, her daughter, and three young nieces. The crash shocked the nation and sparked years of debate, speculation, and investigation.

Toxicology reports revealed shocking findings, but Diane's family strongly disputed the official conclusions. Was this a tragic case of impaired driving, a hidden medical emergency, or something else entirely?

In this episode of Forensic Tales, we examine the forensic evidence, toxicology results, accident reconstruction findings, and competing theories surrounding one of the most infamous highway crashes in American history.

From the Forensic Tales Archive, we're revisiting one of the most downloaded and talked-about episodes in the show's history.

Topics Covered: • Diane Schuler • Taconic State Parkway crash • Wrong-way driver investigation • Toxicology and forensic evidence • Accident reconstruction • True crime mysteries • New York crash investigation

New episodes of Forensic Tales are released every Monday.

Follow Forensic Tales: Instagram: @forensictales Facebook: Forensic Tales Website: ForensicTales.com

Hosted by Courtney Fretwell, M.S. Forensic Psychology. To submit a case or get in touch, send me a message [email protected].

If you'd like to support the show, get early ad-free access to new episodes & monthly full-length bonus episodes, consider joining the show's Patreon. Learn more: patreon.com/forensictales

Remember... Not all stories have happy endings. 

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