Once Upon A Crime | True Crime

In 1974, a young woman in Salt Lake City accepted a ride from a seemingly nice man. By the end of the day, she would come face-to-face with one of the most notorious serial killers of all time—Ted Bundy. Against all odds, Rhonda Stapley survived his brutal attack and lived to tell her harrowing story. My special guest, Rhonda Stapley, is the author of I Survived Ted Bundy: The Attack, Escape, and PTSD That Changed My Life. She shares her firsthand experience, the lasting impact of trauma, and her journey toward healing.

In 2006, 14-year-old Elizabeth Shoaf was walking home from school in Lugoff, South Carolina, when she was approached by a man posing as law enforcement. What followed was a terrifying 10-day ordeal—trapped in an underground bunker, subjected to unimaginable abuse, and forced to fight for survival. But Elizabeth did something extraordinary: she outsmarted her captor and helped lead authorities right to his doorstep. This is the harrowing true story of how a young girl’s resilience turned the tables on a predator—and how her bravery saved her own life.

I continue my discussion of the Laci Peterson case with my guest co-host, Yolanda from Not Perfect or Functional. Together, we take a deep dive into the background and psychology of Scott Peterson and examine the factors that may have contributed to his crime. Plus, enjoy special holiday greetings from some of our favorite true crime and paranormal podcasts:

On Christmas Eve day, 2002, an 8-month pregnant woman went missing from her home. A large-scale search was started right away, but suspicion immediately fell upon her husband, Scott Peterson.  This episode will be a little different for OUAC. I have a special co-host, Yolanda Norris from the Not Perfect or Functional Podcast who will be discussing the case with me. Yolanda is my sister so this is a real holiday treat for me - and I hope it will be for you too! Also, while you may think you know this story, we've come at it from a different angle. First, it will be in response to the A&E program "The Murder of Laci Peterson" in which they lay out a case for the reasons some believe Scott Peterson was tried in the media and should have been found not guilty. Second, we will do a deep into the background and psyche of Scott Peterson to give our take on why we think not only is he guilty, but that there were signs pointing to how and why Scott may have been able to so casually murder his wife and unborn so

Get into the holiday spirit—true crime style! In this special holiday edition episode, we’re talking Black Friday madness, Grinchy burglars, and other wild holiday crime stories. Plus, enjoy holiday greetings from some of our favorite true crime podcasts:

We’re kicking off the true crime holiday season with shocking tales of Santas who strayed far from the nice list. From heists to historical crimes, these bad Santas prove that not everyone in a red suit spreads holiday cheer.

Family bonds can be unbreakable—but in this case, they were deadly. Fritz Klenner and Susie Lynch, cousins from a wealthy and prominent family, turned against their own relatives in a shocking tale of revenge, paranoia, and murder. Stay tuned for more true crime cases, and don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes! Resources: Books: Bitter Blood: A True Story of Southern Family Pride, Madness and Multiple Murder by Jerry Bledsoe Movies/Television: In the Best of Families: Marriage, Pride and Madness (Also known as "Bitter Blood") starring Harry Hamlin and Kelly McGillis (1994)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A mother’s influence can shape a child’s future—but in the case of Sante and Kenny Kimes, it led to a dark path of deception, fraud, and murder. This mother-son duo was more than just a team of seasoned con artists; their elaborate financial schemes eventually escalated into cold-blooded killings. Together, they manipulated, stole, and killed to protect their web of lies. How did a life of scams and cons spiral into murder? And what finally brought them down? Tune in as we uncover the shocking true story of Sante and Kenny Kimes.

In 1964, a shocking discovery in Jalisco, Mexico, revealed one of the most prolific serial killer families in history. The González Sisters ran a sinister operation under the guise of a boarding house, luring in vulnerable women with promises of work—only to exploit, imprison, and ultimately murder them. Fueled by greed and cruelty, these sisters built a deadly empire, leaving a trail of victims in their wake. How did they evade capture for so long? And what finally led to their downfall? Join us as we uncover the horrifying true story of the González Sisters—one of the darkest chapters in Mexico’s true crime history.

Some families share an unbreakable bond—but for the Briley Brothers, that bond was built on violence. In the late 1970s, Linwood, James, and Anthony Briley unleashed a reign of terror in Richmond, Virginia, committing a series of brutal murders during an eight-month crime spree. Driven by a thirst for power and bloodshed, the brothers targeted strangers and acquaintances alike, leaving a community paralyzed with fear. Their crimes were so ruthless that even hardened criminals were shocked by their brutality. How did three brothers become some of the most feared killers in Virginia’s history? And what finally stopped their murderous rampage? Join us as we unravel the chilling true story of the Briley Brothers.

Urban legends are meant to thrill and terrify—but what if some of them were true? In this special episode, we unravel eerie tales that have haunted communities for decades, revealing the real-life crimes that inspired them. From the sinister letters of The Watcher to the terror spread by Son of Sam and The Zodiac Killer, these infamous cases prove that sometimes, reality is even more chilling than fiction. Which legends are based on fact? And what really happened behind the myths? Tune in for a spine-tingling look at the true crimes lurking beneath the surface of these urban legends.

When a pregnant mother tragically dies in a car accident, thousands of Facebook friends come together to grieve. But what if everything they believed—her life, her family, her heartbreaking story—was a lie? In this episode, we unravel the shocking Warrior Eli Hoax, a case of Munchausen by Internet that fooled an entire online community. How was the deception uncovered? And what drives someone to fabricate an entire existence online? Join us as we dive into one of the most elaborate internet hoaxes ever exposed.

She preached wellness. She promised hope. She built an empire on a lie. Belle Gibson was an Australian wellness influencer who captivated millions with her story—claiming she had terminal brain cancer and had miraculously cured herself through natural remedies. She sold books, launched an app, and gained a devoted following, all while profiting from her supposed survival story. But when journalists began asking questions, her carefully crafted world came crumbling down. How did she deceive so many for so long? What was the truth behind her fraudulent claims? And what happened when the world found out she was lying? Join us as we uncover one of the biggest wellness scams in modern history. Support Disaster Relief Efforts If you’d like to contribute to relief funds for victims of natural disasters and tragedies, consider donating to: Hurricane & Earthquake Relief: Direct Relief Puerto Rico Recovery: Hispanic Federation Help Animals Affected by Disasters Humane Society of the United States: www.humanesoci

In the summer of 2003, four young friends were brutally gunned down in Clear Lake City, Texas. The crime scene was shocking, and the motive seemed unimaginable. At the center of the mystery was Christine Paolilla—a girl who had once been bullied until these very friends took her under their wing. Had their kindness unknowingly sealed their fate? What led to this horrifying betrayal? Join us as we uncover the chilling true story of Christine Paolilla—a case of friendship, insecurity, and a tragic turn to violence.

In a quiet Tennessee town, a woman vanishes without a trace. Soon after, a kidnapper makes contact, demanding a ransom. But as the investigation unfolds, his messages grow increasingly bizarre, leaving more questions than answers. Was this the work of a stranger, or was the culprit someone from within the community? As suspicion spreads, neighbors begin to fear that the person responsible might be closer than they ever imagined. Join us as we unravel the eerie case of Doe Roberts—a small-town mystery where trust is shattered and betrayal runs deep.

In 1993, a group of teenagers in Hollywood, Florida, made a chilling pact—to kill one of their own. Bobby Kent was just 20 years old when his so-called friends turned against him in a shocking act of betrayal, violence, and revenge. But what led to this brutal crime? And why did his best friend help orchestrate his murder? This case explores the dark side of toxic friendships, peer pressure, and a deadly conspiracy that would haunt everyone involved.

Friendship can be complicated—but for Kirsten Costas, it turned deadly. In the quiet town of Orinda, California, high school jealousy spiraled into a shocking act of violence when a classmate brutally attacked her. What led to this tragic betrayal? And could it have been prevented? Join us as we unravel the disturbing case of Kirsten Costas—the first story in our series With Friends Like These, where friendships take a dark and deadly turn.

Marie Hilley seemed like an ordinary wife and mother, but behind closed doors, she was hiding a deadly secret. After poisoning her husband and attempting to kill her own daughter, her crimes were finally exposed. But instead of facing justice, Marie did the unthinkable—she vanished. What followed was one of the most bizarre fugitive stories in U.S. history, filled with deception, reinvention, and an audacious plan that no one saw coming. How far did Marie go to escape the law? And what finally led to her downfall? Join us as we unravel the unbelievable second chapter of Marie Hilley’s twisted tale.

Marie Hilley’s story is one of the strangest true crime cases ever recorded—filled with deception, betrayal, and shocking twists at every turn. What seemed like a typical Southern life masked a dark secret: a woman willing to poison those closest to her for personal gain. With so many unbelievable moments in this case, we’ve split it into two parts. In this episode, we explore the early crimes of Marie Hilley and the deadly path that led to her downfall.

In this chilling case of Munchausen by Proxy, the perpetrator wasn’t a parent, but a trusted healthcare worker preying on the most vulnerable patients. Beverley Allitt, a British nurse, was given the nickname The Angel of Death—but was she suffering from a psychological disorder, or was she simply evil? Under the guise of care, Allitt carried out a horrifying series of attacks on young and helpless children. What drove her to commit these unthinkable crimes? And how did she evade suspicion for so long? Join us as we uncover the disturbing case of Beverley Allitt, a serial killer who turned a place of healing into a house of horrors. ⚕️