Truer Crime

Alan Berg built his career challenging bigotry, calling out hypocrisy, and refusing to back down. But his boldness made him a target. Next week, we uncover the murder that shocked the nation—and the violent extremism behind it.

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You might know Alice Sebold from her bestselling novel “The Lovely Bones.” But before that, she became famous for her memoir “Lucky,” where she recounts the brutal assault she survived in a park near her college campus—and the trial that followed. The man convicted in that trial was Anthony Broadwater, who has maintained his innocence for more than 40 years. Today’s episode is about forgiveness, resilience, and the devastating consequences of getting it wrong.

Please be aware that today’s episode contains references to sexual assault and physical violence.

A full list of action items, sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/andthony-alice 

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On April 4, 1968, a single bullet ended the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The official story pinned the murder on James Earl Ray—a fugitive desperate to evade capture—but for decades, the King family has fought to expose a darker truth. In this episode, we uncover the buried evidence, tangled conspiracies, and a stunning 1999 civil trial that found the U.S. government complicit in King’s assassination. What does justice look like for one of history’s most celebrated heroes—and why is so much of this story still left untold?

Please note that today's episode includes language some listeners might find offensive as well as references to gun violence. Please take care while listening.

A full list of action items, sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/mlk-assassination 

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A student at the University of Utah, Lauren McCluskey began receiving threatening messages from her ex-boyfriend in the fall of 2018. For nearly three weeks, concerned for her safety, she reported this harassment to campus police again and again. Today’s episode is about the deadly cost of warnings ignored—and what happens when the people we trust to protect us fail to take action.

Please be aware that today’s episode contains references to sexual assault and suicide.

A full list of action items, sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/lauren-mccluskey

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Truer Crime is back for season 2 with 10 brand-new episodes you won't want to miss. From high-profile stories like the Manson Murders to lesser-known cases about everyday people — the victim of a modern lynching, a talk radio host gunned down in his driveway, a famous author and the man wrongfully convicted of her rape — each episode is a take on true crime you won't hear anywhere else. Be sure to catch new episodes available every Monday.

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From 1920 to 1940, no Black people lived in Forsyth County, Georgia. None. But by the time Tamla Horsford moved there with her family, a lot had changed. Or so it seemed, until Tamla was found dead in the Fall of 2018. Suddenly, a century’s worth of trauma resurfaced in the once all-white Georgia county. Today’s episode reveals what happens when a woman and a county collide.

Please be aware that today’s episode references lynching and other racial violence. Please take care while listening.

Action Items Related to Today’s Episode:

Learn more about Tamla and follow any developments on her case at @justicefortam on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/justicefortam/).

Check out and support The Georgia Newspaper Project at www.libs.uga.edu/gnp and www.libs.uga.edu/development/support.

Explore the Atlanta History Center's online collect Forsyth 1912 project, which seeks to collect the histories of descendants of Forsyth County’s expelled Black residents: https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/learning-research/projects-initiatives/originals/forsyth-1912/. You can also donate to support their work here: https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/support.

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/tamla-horsford.

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Sam Mandez was just 14 years old when his elderly neighbor, Frida Winter, was found murdered in her home, the same home Sam had painted with his grandfather just a few summers prior. It would be years before they set their eyes on Sam as their main suspect. And while he was just a kid when the crime took place, Sam was tried as an adult and eventually sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder. Despite maintaining his innocence, he now faced a future behind bars. But what would that future *actually* look like? Today, we’re starting where a lot of other true crime stories end – in prison. 

Please be aware that today’s episode discusses incarceration, solitary confinement, severe mental illness, suicide, and self-harm. Please take care while listening.

Action Items Related to Today’s Episode:

If you’re in the United States and you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or visit their website at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. 

To learn more about solitary confinement and the movement to end its practice, I highly recommend checking out Solitary Watch at https://solitarywatch.org/.

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/sam-mandez.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

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If you consume a lot of true crime, you might have heard Mindy Dodd’s story before. Or at least one like it – the classic story of a housewife who, pushed too far, snaps and murders her husband. The scary music swells and the story ends neatly. The housewife is locked away. But what if that’s not the whole picture? Today’s episode is about the muddy middle that's so often left out.

Please be aware that today’s references sexual assault and domestic violence. Please take care while listening.

Action Items Related to Today’s Episode:

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence and looking for anonymous, confidential help, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. 

Access additional resources at the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence at https://ncadv.org/.

Support domestic violence survivors by purchasing from Gifted by freefrom at https://giftedbyfreefrom.org/.

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/mindy-dodd.

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Do you ever listen to a true crime podcast and think “that’s not quite right…?” Same. Crime stories are hard to ignore and even harder to forget. But the thing is... they’re stories. And getting a story right is all about how you tell it. Truer Crime talks about real people — murdered, missing, misled — with more nuance, more context, and more questions. Hosted by Celisia Stanton.

You can see more of Rachel Monroe's work and find links to buy your own copy of "Savage Appetites" at http://www.rachel-monroe.com/

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July 11th marks “Relisha Rudd Remembrance Day’' in Washington DC. The purpose of this event is to spread awareness and let the public know that the search for Relisha is not over. Today we republish Episode 5 covering Relisha’s disappearance to bring more attention to her story.

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No one had seen 8-year-old Relisha Rudd for weeks before she was finally reported missing in March of 2014. So where was she? Why did it take so long for anyone to notice? And who was to blame? Today’s episode explores what can happen when the systems built to protect families just — *don’t*. 

Please be aware that today’s story contains references to suicide, gun violence, child abuse, and housing insecurity.

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/relisha-rudd/ 

If you like Truer Crime, leave us a review! It's a great way to support our work and helps other people find us! Keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @truercrimepod.

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In 2001, Sarah Turney’s sister, Alissa, went missing. Nearly two decades later and no arrests in the case, the police told her they could no longer help her and she needed to get media coverage for the case. So, in 2019, Sarah started The Voices for Justice Podcast as a way to tell Alissa’s story. In August 2020, an arrest was made in the case and Sarah’s efforts were recognized by the Maricopa County Attorney. Since the arrest, Sarah has shifted her focus to advocating for other cases in need of justice.

In today’s bonus interview, Sarah reflects on what she’s learned along the way, and answers critical questions from her own experience as both a victim’s family member and a true crime media creator herself. Why might a family member tell their story on a podcast with exploitative tendencies? How does Sarah create a safe space for victims and their family members to share their stories on Voices for Justice? What could ethical true crime content look like? And what can true crime media consumers do to push the genre into a more ethical direction?

I was so honored to learn from Sarah, and I hope you enjoy this bonus interview while we are on a break from regular season episodes.

You can find Sarah Turney on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter (@saraheturney). Make sure to also check out Sarah's podcasts Voices for Justice and Disappearances.

If you need a transcript of today's episode, please email [email protected]

If you like Truer Crime, leave us a review! It's a great way to support our work and helps other people find this show! Keep up with us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook @truercrimepod

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In 2017, Olivia Gatwood picked up a new hobby: listening to true crime podcasts. Living in a first floor Boston apartment at the time, Olivia was quickly consumed by a new fear: a man breaking into her apartment and murdering her in her sleep. In order to work through this fear, Olivia wrote about it in what would eventually become her poetry collection “Life of the Party.”

A conversation between Olivia and Celisia, today’s episode explores how warranted fear can become harmful paranoia, why so many women are obsessed with true crime, and what ‘justice’ looks like in a society obsessed with punishment.

You can find Olivia on Instagram @oliviagatwood

Check out Olivia's books Life of the Party and New American Best Friend.

If you like Truer Crime, leave us a review! It's a great way to support our work and helps other people find us! Keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @truercrimepod

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At just 21 years old, Joan Little finds herself on trial for murder and facing the death penalty. But still, thousands of people around the country insist that Joan’s actions were justified. When her case sparks nationwide protests and a wave of financial support, eyes around the world are suddenly all on Joan. Picking up where part 1 left off, today’s episode explores what happens when someone suddenly and unwittingly becomes the face of a movement.

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/joan-little-pt-2/ 

If you like Truer Crime, leave us a review! It's a great way to support our work and helps other people find us! Keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @truercrimepod

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Last week I sat in a courtroom, a government building not so different from the ones we often mention on Truer Crime. So this week I decided to do something different: In today’s episode, I’m both crime storyteller and crime victim. This is the story of how a man I trusted stole my entire life savings — and what I learned along the way.

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/my-story/ 

If you like Truer Crime, leave us a review! It's a great way to support our work and helps other people find us! Keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @truercrimepod

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In the early hours of August 27th, 1974, the security camera at North Carolina’s Beaufort County Jail was inexplicably not working. So when the night jailer, Clarence Alligood is found dead in 20-year-old Joan Little’s cell — everyone is left with a slew of unanswered questions. Why was Clarence Alligood in Joan Little’s cell? What had led to his murder? And where was Joan Little?

Today’s episode explores a case that was too big and important to fit into one episode. The story continues with part 2 next Tuesday (July 6th).

Today’s episode contains references to sexual assault. Please take care while listening.

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/joan-little-pt-1/ 

If you like Truer Crime, leave us a review! It's a great way to support our work and helps other people find us! Keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @truercrimepod

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In the winter of 2013, Dylan King-Lemons went to the doctor with stomach pains. His diagnosis? HIV. A few months later, one of his former sexual partners, Michael Johnson, is arrested. But why? Today’s episode explores identity, crime, and our societal obsession with punishment.

Please be aware that today’s episode contains references to anti-Black racism, homophobia, and incarceration.

*Correction: In the episode we mentioned St. Charles, Missouri has a Black population of less than 2%. This was an error. The most recent U.S. Census data shows that St. Charles County, Missouri has Black or African American population of 5.3%.

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/michael-johnson/

If you like Truer Crime, leave us a review! It's a great way to support our work and helps other people find us! Keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @truercrimepod

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In 1921, an act of terrorism would turn a once thriving Black community to ash and rubble overnight. It was an event so horrific that many historians now call it the single worst incident of racist violence in U.S. history. But what led up to that fateful day? And why were folks so intent to forget it ever happened? Today’s episode explores the importance of history and the ways violence can stretch — touching us all even a century later. 

Please be aware that today’s episode discusses anti-Black racist violence, murder, and sexual assault. 

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/tulsa-race-massacre/ 

If you like Truer Crime, leave us a review! It's a great way to support our work and helps other people find us! Keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook 

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No one had seen 8-year-old Relisha Rudd for weeks before she was finally reported missing in March of 2014. So where was she? Why did it take so long for anyone to notice? And who was to blame? Today’s episode explores what can happen when the systems built to protect families just — *don’t*. 

Please be aware that today’s story contains references to suicide, gun violence, child abuse, and housing insecurity.

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/relisha-rudd/ 

If you like Truer Crime, leave us a review! It's a great way to support our work and helps other people find us! Keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @truercrimepod.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

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At just 16 years old, Josiah Sutton is accused and convicted of a heinous crime he swears he didn’t commit. Only problem? Investigators have DNA evidence which links him directly to the crime. Today’s episode explores forensic science, the effects of imprisonment, and the bond between a mother and her son. Today’s story contains references to sexual assault, incarceration, and very briefly, suicidal ideation. 

Please take care while listening. A special thank you to Josiah’s mom, Carol Batie for talking with us for this episode. 

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/josiah-sutton/. 

If you like Truer Crime, leave us a review! It's the best way to support our work and helps other people find us! Keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @truercrimepod.

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In November of 1978, 918 Americans died in the middle of the Guyanese jungle. It would be “the largest single incident of civilian death in American history” until September 11th, 2001. But who were these people? How did they really die? And why were they in South America to begin with? It’s a story you may have heard before — but maybe never quite like this. 

Today's story contains references to suicide and mass death. Please take care while listening. 

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the episode's show notes, https://truercrimepodcast.com/jonestown/.

If you liked today's episode, leave us a review! It's the best way to support our work and helps other people find Truer Crime.

Keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!

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