JonBenét Ramsey (Part 3) - Theories

Photo Credit: WikiPedia

In this episode… Tara and Jen discuss the many theories surrounding the death of JonBenét Ramsey. Her case has been an open investigation in Boulder, Colorado for nearly 25 years.

If you missed (Part 1), Tara gave us a basic timeline, played and briefly discussed the 911 call as well as the nearly 3-page ransom note.

In (Part 2), Jen walked us through the highlights of the investigation & autopsy, so we would have a better understanding of the crime itself, the people involved and the many things that should have been done better from the moment the police pulled up the Ramsey home.

This case has so many twists, turns and theories. It’s discussed and dissected year after year and brought back into the headlines without fail each Christmas season, as America sadly remembers one of its most haunting cold cases.

Sources

usatoday

The Cases That Haunt Us: By John E. Douglas & Mark Olshaker

cnn.com

westword.com

rollingstone.com

drphil.com

wikipedia

JonBenét Ramsey (Part 2) - Investigation and Autopsy

Photo Credit: WikiPedia

In this episode… Jen discusses key pieces of the investigation & autopsy regarding the brutal sexual assault and murder of 6-year old JonBenét Ramsey.

If you missed (Part 1) last week, Tara gave us a basic timeline, played and briefly discussed the 911 call as well as the nearly 3-page ransom note.

This case has so many twists, turns and theories. It’s discussed and dissected year after year and brought back into the headlines without fail each Christmas season, as America sadly remembers one of its most haunting cold cases.

Jen’s Sources

The Cases That Haunt Us: By John E. Douglas & Mark Olshaker

911 Call - A Short Life in the Spotlight

Statement Analysis

People Magazine: Article by Lindsay Kimble

Wikipedia

JonBenét Ramsey (Part. 1) - Timeline, 911 Call & Ransom Note

Photo Credit:WikiPedia

In this episode… we begin our 3-part coverage on the murder of 6-year old beauty queen, JonBenét Ramsey. This week for part 1, Tara will discuss the basic timeline (what we know before diving into further investigation, alternate views & theories) from Christmas Day to the following afternoon when her body was discovered by her father in the basement of their Boulder, Colorado home.

We will listen to and briefly discuss the 911 call made by Patricia Ramsey, JonBenét’s mother & dive into the incredibly bizarre, 3-page ransom note written on paper from the family’s own home.

This case has so many twists, turns and theories. It’s discussed and dissected year after year and brought back into the headlines without fail each Christmas season, as America sadly remembers one of its most haunting cold cases.

Tara’s Sources

The Cases That Haunt Us: By John E. Douglas & Mark Olshaker

911 Call - A Short Life in the Spotlight

Statement Analysis

People Magazine: Article by Lindsay Kimble

Wikipedia

Katarzyna Zowada - The Skin Suit Murder

Photo Credit: David Cohen @ Unsplash

In this episode… Tara uncovers a chilling, not yet resolved murder in Krakow, Poland. Oddly enough, despite the gruesome details of the crime, this story never made it to the American newspapers even though the FBI was called upon to assist in the investigation and details of the “skin suit” that was found was eerily reminiscent of Silence of the Lambs. This week we discuss the heart-breaking case of Katarzyna Zowada, a 23-year old college student who was tortured and skinned like an animal and then dumped in the Vistula River. This poor, sweet, troubled girl met her horrifying end during the winter of 1999. We’re going to discuss what happened between the discovery of her remains and the trial that has yet to take place for her murder, though the main suspect has been in prison for nearly 5 years.

Tara’s Sources

medium.com

mysteriesunsolved.com

wikipedia

reddit.com

exploringthevidence.com

vocal media.com

Belle Gunness: Black Widow and her Indiana Murder Farm

Photo Credit: Nicolas Cassez @ Unsplash

In this episode… Tara takes us back to her hometown of LaPorte, Indiana to the site of a very well known “Murder Farm” once owned by Hell’s Belle herself. Belle Gunness is arguably one of history’s most notorious female serial killers. Her story is one of greed, murder and manipulation. It also happens to have a surprise twist that may leave you guessing. Did she die a slow, painful death in the end or did she get away with it?

Tara’s Sources

laportecountyhistory.com

indystar.com

nydailynews.com

Wikipedia

legendsofamerica.com

aetv.com

McKamey Manor: World's Most Extreme Haunted House or Torture Chamber?

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Photo Credit: Unsplash @kylejeffries

In this episode… We discuss the incredibly controversial, personalized horror experience that is…Mckamey Manor. Think, Fear Factor meets horror movie bootcamp all wrapped up into a single, terror-filled experience. That’s even putting it mildly, yet thousands of people from all over the world sign up to take “the tour” and see how long they can last.

For some, it satisfies their inner adrenaline junkie and for others, they find that they may have bitten off more than they can chew, literally! There are many requirements you have to meet before you can even enter, including a full physical and Dr’s note. You’ll also have to sign a 40 page waiver that can take a minimum of 2 hours to plow through as you initial next to each insane, grotesquely horrifying thing they could possibly dream up to put you through.

Think you have what it takes to conquer McKamey Manor? To date…no one ever has.

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Listen in and let us know your thoughts. Have you personally experienced the Manor and survived to tell about it? We’d LOVE to hear about your experience. Head over to the CONTACT US page on our website and tell us all about it!

Tara’s Sources

mckameymanor.com

theguardian.com

Wikipedia

change.org

nashvillescene.com Article by Megan Seling

usatoday.com Article by Hannah Yarsharoff

wfla.com

The Hauntings of the Congress Plaza Hotel

In this episode… Tara kicks of spooky season by diving into the haunted past of The Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago. Not that we’re surprised, but it’s been named the #1 most haunted place in all of Illinois.

Tara covers the hotel’s architectural history as well as the most notorious stories that have been passed down for decades by the staff & the guests who have experienced the ghosts that continue to haunt the massive structure to this day.

Stick around until the end…because as guests of this hotel with their families back in 2019, Jen & Tara have their own terrifying story to share from their weekend stay…and it’s just as noteworthy as the ones that have been documented!

Tara’s Sources

patch.com - Article by Amber Fisher

insider.com Article by Frank Olito

chicagohauntings.com

windycityghosts.com

Wikipedia

drloihjournal.blogspot.com

Wikipedia

What the Hell is an INCEL & Who Was Elliot Roger?

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Photo Source - Unsplash

In this episode… Tara deep dives into rush week…but what started out as a search for sorority and greek life stories to share as a warning & possibly a helpful safety tip or two, ended up becoming a much more intense conversation about domestic terrorism.

We also learned a term many of you will be hearing for the first time: INCEL. An INCEL is a person who identifies as being involuntarily celibate. Well…ok, sure! We all know people out there that have zero game and a relatively hard time talking to members of the opposite sex…but should this pose as a threat?

Tara follows several different stories, connecting the dots from an internet sub-culture of sexually frustrated men to an entire ideology that promotes hatred toward not only women, but also toward men & women who appear to have active sex lives. You may be just as surprised to learn that several heart-breaking stories in the news of active shooters, a vehicular ramming attack, and a few other recent cases were all carried out by men who called themselves INCELS. They didn’t even know their victims.

Elliot Roger went on a rampage back in 2014 in his college town of Isla Vista. It was his so-called “Day of Retribution” against all the beautiful women who rejected him. With the plethora of information left behind…including YouTube videos, a diary, and a 137 page manifesto, this killer left society with so much to unpack…but still, more questions than answers.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts…please call 1-800-273-8255 or go to the website for National Suicide Prevention: The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Experience the stories of people like you, and how they overcame crisis to find hope and recovery.

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Tara’s Sources

bbc.com

abcnewsgo.com

wikipedia

latimes.com

Elliot’s Manifesto via document cloud

Elliot’s Youtube Video: Day of Retribution

goodtherapy.com


Season 2: A Note from the Wicked Ones

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It’s Spooky Season Wicked Ones…

Jen & Tara are back with more true crime stories for you as they kick-off their 2nd season of The Wicked Ones Podcast!

  • If you are enjoying the show - Please consider heading over to wherever you listen & tap/click on that 5-star rating & be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss when new episodes drop!

If you want to be even more amazing than you already are…take a moment to also leave a thoughtful review. Your feedback is very important to us & it helps others who enjoy all things true crime to find us through your recommendations!

Follow us on social media for more in-depth information, photos, updates & more.

Thank you so much for your support!

XO - T&J

Musicians & Murder Plots: Bieber, Beckham & Harrison

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Photo Credit: Anthony DELANOIX @ UnSplash

In this episode… Tara dives into the dark side of fame in the music industry this week & tells us tales of would-be-murders that, thankfully, never came to fruition. Insane stories of hired hitmen, foiled kidnappings, home invasions, possible sniper activity during a performance…even a bounty on Biebers family jewels.

It was kind of fun taking a break to discuss terrifying stories with somewhat happier endings, though we can’t imagine some of the things these poor people had to endure. Bringing out the lighter stories in true crime is something we find that we enjoy and if you do too, please let us know! We’ll do them more often.

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If you’re enjoying the podcast, please consider heading to wherever you listen and leaving a 5 star rating (it takes just a second to click that 5th star)…or please take a few more minutes and share a thoughtful review! We always love hearing from our listeners.

XOXO - T+J

Tara’s Sources:

nationalpost.com

cbs4news

the guardian.com

theatlantic.com

wikipedia

grunge.com

wikipedia

grunge.com (Special note on this source….it was the main one used when describing Harrisons’s encounter….but in other sources, said the intruder used the stone garden statue to break into the home by throwing it through the glass window. THIS is why Harrison and his wife were awake and in their hallway trying to see what was going on… In the episode we speculated.

Found more on the specifics after the fact @Faroutmagazine.com. My apologies on that one guys! Homeschooling and moving had me researching fun smaller stories this week as mentioned above. Either way…hope this one was enjoyed! Thank you for listening and stopping by!

Part 1 - The Murder of James Jordan

Photo Credit: Sue Ogrocki/Reuters - Michael Jordan with his father, James, after the final game of the 1992 N.B.A. finals.

In this episode… Jen takes us back to the early 1990’s with her athlete story this week and we couldn’t help but get a little nostalgic. The early 90’s was especially exciting for those of us who were Chicago Bulls fans as they were racking up championship after championship. Even if you weren’t big into basketball or the NBA growing up, you knew who Michael Jordan was. Everyone wanted to “Be Like Mike.” Kids across America were sporting Air Jordans and eating Wheaties for breakfast.

It was 1993…the year of the (1st) 3-peat for the Chicago Bulls. It was sure to have been one of the greatest highlights of Jordan’s career. Sadly, just a few short weeks later…he would receive the heartbreaking news that his father, James Jordan had been murdered.

James was a wonderful, devoted father. He was a businessman who would travel the country to watch his son work his magic on the court from his time at the University of North Carolina to his career in the NBA. James, himself, was quite an athlete, as he had gone semi-pro in baseball back in his heyday.

Those close to James spoke highly of his character. He may have been the proud father of an iconic legend in the world of basketball and beyond…but he was humble and grounded, remaining true to his roots and his family.

Unfortunately, James Jordan’s tragic murder still remains shrouded in mystery. What really happened to James on that fateful day he decided to pull over and rest on the side of the Highway? Why was this man who was so loved by friends and family not reported as a missing person for 3 whole weeks?!

Jen’s Sources:

Chicago Tribune Article by: Stacy St. Clair & Chad Yoder

WikiPedia

graphics.chicagotribune.com

people.com

Moment of Truth - IMDB Documentary


The Murder of Melissa James

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Photo Credit: Ahmad Odah @ Unsplash

In this episode…Tara discusses the bizarre cover-up & murder of Melissa James. Her story will forever be intertwined with that of power couple, Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan, who were well known in the fitness world at one time. They also seemed to enjoy the dangerous side of Sin City, taking up a dangerous lifestyle of sex, drugs and partying.

In October of 2005, when a 911 call comes in reporting a car fire in the desert, it doesn’t sound all that unusual to the fire chief heading out to the scene. Car fires happen often enough out west, but when a body is found in the trunk of a high end Jaguar, that’s when things really start to heat up…

Tara’s Sources:

truecrimedaily.com

weikfitness.com

Murderpedia

sportscasting.com

imdb.com: Wicked Attraction - “Built For Murder”

cbsnews.com

The Murder of Connie Navarro

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Photo Credit: Clem Onojeghuo @ Unsplash

In this episode…Jen discusses the murder of Connie Navarro and sadly, once again we find ourselves talking about a domestic violence homicide. Connie was a gorgeous, blonde haired beauty who modeled occasionally and worked on a few of the game shows we remember watching as kids who grew up in the 80’s.

Dave Navarro, who is well known as the guitarist for Jane’s Addiction, among many other creative undertakings, is Connie’s son. Dave was only 15 when his mother was murdered and in a documentary he created in 2015, he talks about how losing her shaped every decision he ever made growing up…both good and bad. When we say bad…we’re talking about a pretty dark spiral into a world of drugs & depression. He’s very clear, however, that he does NOT blame his addiction on her murder, but rather, it gave him an excuse to continue down that dangerous road.

It was Dave’s hope that by telling his story from the point of view of a child who was left behind as a victim of domestic violence, he could bring about a different kind of awareness in this unique way. Statistics show that approximately 3 women A DAY are killed in domestic violence homicides, BUT we rarely hear from the point of view of the children who’s lives continue to be deeply impacted by their great loss.

We’re big fans of Dave and his advocacy work on domestic violence only makes us love him more. He shared the story of his Mother’s murder and it’s personal impact on his life as a cautionary tale to help people recognize the signs of domestic violence before things escalate.

Here at The Wicked Ones Podcast, we’re hoping to do the same.

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Join the Movement & Take a Stand Against DV: #putanailinit

From their Website: One Small Statement Makes a Big Difference

The idea is simple: by painting your ring fingernail purple, you are showing the world your vow to help spread awareness of domestic violence and displaying your support for Safe Horizon, the country’s largest organization helping victims of domestic violence get the crucial help they need in their darkest moments.

Jen’s Sources:

findagrave.com

mar-ken.org

caselaw.findlaw.com

last.com Article by Lindsay William-Ross

bellazon.com

wikipedia

Mourning Son - Autobiographical Documentary (Amazon’s Link Here)

Hollywood Curses, Demonic Dolls & "Little Bastard"

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Photo Credit: Pablo Stanic @ Unsplash

In this episode… we get a little SPOOKY this week and bring to light a few haunting stories that make us wonder about the existence of evil in this world…and just what forms it might take.

Tara decided to put a spin on her quest for Hollywood true crime and instead, dives into some of the most mysterious and terrifying tales she stumbled upon while researching Hollywood’s haunted past.

Tara talks creepy coincidences and the untimely deaths of the cast & crew behind the making of the possibly “cursed” movie, The Omen. There are way too many strange occurrences surrounding this film to pass off as coincidence and we think you might agree!

She also braves the world of inanimate objects, AKA “trinkets”, that may or may not be possessed and opens up about her fear of dolls.

James Dean’s car, “The Little Bastard” was another story that Tara had always been fascinated to learn more about as well. The details of this car & the bizarre deaths, injuries and destruction that seemed to follow it around are way too hard to shake…let alone explain.

We’re not sure if you’ll sleep tonight, but for all of our listeners out there who are into these types of creepy, unsolved mysteries, we thought we’d bring you a little something different this time around. OH, and If you catch the movie recommendation in the intro, give us a shout out and let us know your thoughts. I mean, who doesn’t love Vince Vaughn and a good horror/comedy, right?

Tara’s Sources:

filmdaily.com

cbsnews.com

horrorobsessive.com

allthingsinteresting.com

theconjuringfandom.com

wikipedia

Hagerty.com

mysanantonio.com

divetribe.com

dustyoldthing.com

prnewswire.com

The Self Destruction of Chris Benoit

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Photo Credit: albund @ depositphotos.com

In this episode…Jen does her best to share the story of Chris Benoit, knowing full well that the wrestling community and its fans are still divided to this day. Jen gives us all a glimpse into the circumstances surrounding the tragic events that unfolded at the Benoit residence back in 2007.

For those of you who remember watching the news coverage at the time, or who are die hard wrestling fans who have heard bits and pieces of the story being told over the past decade from various sources, listen in. You may be surprised by some of the things Jen uncovered during her research.

On a lighter note, Jen also fesses up to her love of wrestling and reminisces about date nights watching Monday Night RAW. That was an interesting twist Tara did NOT see coming, but throughout the conversation this week, she certainly developed a greater appreciation for what these athletes/entertainers have to go through to be successful in their craft.

Jen’s Sources:

Dungeon of Death - Chris Benoit and the Hart Family Curse by Scott Keith

talksport.com Article by: Alex McCarthy

Pro Wrestling Fandon

ABC News Article by: Ethan Nelson and Roxanna Sherwood

WhatCulture.com

Dark Side of the Ring by Vice Studios - Season 2 Episode 1&2

The Chris Van Vleit Show: David Benoit: Chris Benoit's son opens up about tragedy, training to be a wrestler, Hall of Fame, AE‪W

Wikipedia

Murderpedia

sportscasting.com Article by: Luke Norris


Let's CHAT about...The Bling Ring

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Photo Credit: CNNMoney.com

In this episode… Tara takes us back to 2008-09 when reality TV was thriving, Facebook had only been around a few years, Instagram had not been created yet…but TMZ made sure to keep us all posted on the latest celeb gossip and Hollywood scandals. It was during this time, a group of reality star & designer fashion obsessed teens out in California ended up becoming the 1st & most successful ring of burglars in Hollywood history.

Success does not equal the kind of fame & fortune most people are looking for in this particular case…but it does make for an interesting discussion…& discuss we do! Trigger warning: LOTS of chit chat & side notes in this episode! Hey, don’t say we didn’t warn you. We know some of our true crime fans out there like a straightforward story with very little banter & typically we keep it to a minimum even when giving our 2 cents…just not this time. ;)

However, it’s great news for those of you who love learning more about us here at The Wicked Ones Pod & bless you for finding our sarcasm & banter endearing. If that’s the case, this one might be your favorite episode yet! We just couldn’t help ourselves. Celeb talk + a long hiatus from recording = a true coffee table convo full of sideways remarks. Hopefully you are entertained…after all, isn’t that one of the goals here?

XO - T&J

Tara’s Sources:

Vulture.com Article by: Lindsey Weber

USmagazine.com Article by Leanne Aciz Stanton

Wikipedia

USmagazine.com EXCLUSIVE by Leanne Aciz Stanton

Ranker.com Article by Rebecca Shortall

abcnews.com

“Pretty Wild” Episode: The Arrest on NBC.com


Marcus Schrenker & How Not To Fake Your Own Death

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Photo Credit: Hunters Race @ UnSplash

In this episode…Jen takes a break from chatting murder & death on the pod and dives into a white collar crime instead this week. Listen in and hear the very bizarre story of Marcus Schrenker Marcus was once the president of a wealth management company living a lavish lifestyle with his family in Geist, Indiana. He was living the high life…but on who’s dime? Marcus eventually found himself in serious trouble with the law after making some incredibly poor choices both personally & professionally. His scheming ways were soon exposed and he was not only facing prison time, but owed millions of dollars & had betrayed the trust of everyone closest to him.

Well…what is one to do when finding oneself in such a pickle? You fake your own death of course…

Jen’s Sources:

Wikipedia

Forbes.com

abcnews.com Article by: Micheal Pressman & Deborah Roberts

indystar.com Article by: Robert King

LadiesLoveTaildraggers.com

cnbc.com (Crash & Burn) The Marcus Schrenker Story

Forbes.com

InsideTrueCrime.com

FoxNews.com

InvestmentNews.com


Murder on the Tracks

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Photo Credit: Jake Green @ UnSplash

Tara’s Episode Notes:

In this episode…Tara dives into the dark underworld of train hopping and the death of a sweet, self-less college kid whose passion to see the world, & his trust in others would sadly, lead to his demise.

Investigators had next to nothing to go on. They had skeletal remains of a John Doe buried near a creek, close to a train yard. This case could have easily gone cold from day one. It was perseverance and the collaboration between all law-enforcement parties involved that would help determine identity, cause of death and eventually apprehend those responsible for this horrific, senseless murder.

This story not only to gives the victim and his family a voice…but it is also a cautionary tale for anyone with romantic notions about riding the rails.

Tara’s Sources:

news review.com Article by: Scott Thomas Anderson

sac bee.com Article by Cathy Locke

fox40.com Article by Ian McDonald

The Husband Did It...Or Did He?

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Photo Credit: Gerald Schömbs @ Unsplash

Jen’s Episode Notes:

In this episode… Jen tells us a story that may leave some of you wondering what really happened the day that newlywed, Tina Watson, drowned while scuba diving on her honeymoon. Was it truly an accident caused by negligence and inexperience or was it murder?

We’ll let you decide if the husband “did it” or not. However, we have a feeling that once you hear about the many shameful & wildly inappropriate actions taken by Gabe Watson throughout this story, it will leave you with a very bad taste in your mouth.

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A snippet from source: mamma.com:

It was a mild morning in October when 26-year-old David Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Watson, and his wife of 11 days, Tina Watson, started the dive expedition that had been the part they were most looking forward to of their Australian honeymoon.

The couple, who had met as students at the University of Alabama, had planned a seven-day dive adventure on the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. While Gabe was a highly experienced diver, with a total of 55 dives, Tina had only started diving lessons in the lead up to her honeymoon. By the time the couple entered the water on October 22, 2003, she had only ever completed 11 dives – all in a local quarry.

The first time Gabe and Tina explored the historic SS Yongala shipwreck site, which sits 48 nautical miles southeast of Townsville, they quickly returned to the surface. Gabe said his dive computer was broken, and fixed it on board their tour vessel, Spoilsport. The couple then entered the water for a second time.

What occurred next has been the subject of a five-year investigation, a coronial inquest, and two criminal trials.

Jen’s Sources:

The Guardian

Wikipedia

abcnews

ranker.com

mamamia.com

cnn.com

abcnews