The FOX True Crime Podcast

A 16-year-old Missouri teenager, Gabriana Boyster, was shot in the head while at a home in Hillsborough. Her body was discovered by her mother, Candy Giselle, the afternoon after the incident occurred. Investigators believe three boys were present at the home during the shooting. One juvenile has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, unlawful use of a weapon resulting in death, armed criminal action, and abandonment of a corpse. Two other minors were released from custody following charges of abandonment of a corpse. Authorities are withholding the identities of the minors due to their ages.

Host Chanley Painter and former law enforcement officer Mike King discuss the rise of Samuel Bateman, who exploited the power vacuum left by Warren Jeffs' imprisonment to establish a splinter group characterized by generational indoctrination and coercive control. The episode explores the psychological manipulation used by cult leaders to control both lifelong members and new recruits, noting how charisma is often granted by followers. The discussion further examines the extreme difficulties faced by those raised in generational cults who lack outside life experience. The speakers conclude with advice on identifying red flags, such as a sudden lack of transparency, and how recruiters target vulnerable individuals by exploiting personal hardships.

The FBI has become involved in an investigation regarding the discovery of a newborn baby's body found in a port-a-potty at the Electric Forest Music Festival in Rothbury, West Michigan. The body was discovered on June 28th by a restroom vending company employee during routine maintenance at Double JJ Ranch. Preliminary autopsy findings from the Michigan State Police indicate that the infant was viable and born alive. The FBI's Detroit field office is assisting Michigan State Police with the investigation and has offered a $15,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of those responsible. Authorities have expressed confidence that forensic science and ongoing investigative efforts will identify a suspect.

Host Chanley Painter and former prosecutor Joshua Ritter analyze the recent five-day preliminary hearing regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk. They examine the overwhelming evidence presented, including multiple confessions and video footage, while discussing the intense media scrutiny and the prevalence of conspiracy theories surrounding the case. The discussion also covers the prosecution's strength, the defense's strategy of attempting to delay proceedings, and potential challenges with jury selection. While the evidence appears solid, Ritter notes that significant delays are expected, making a trial within this calendar year unlikely.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has arrested 70-year-old Gary Edward Glovatch in connection with the 1987 murder of 20-year-old Melissa Ellison. The case, which involved Ellison being found with blunt force trauma injuries in her Jacksonville, Florida, home, had remained cold for nearly four decades until Glovatch contacted authorities to provide information. Glovatch now faces charges of murder and burglary following his arrest.

Gianna Jolosi reports on the investigation into the death of 35-year-old Brooke Hanlon, who was found stabbed inside her home in Chester, New Jersey, on June 6th. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit has confirmed that her husband, Connor Hanlon, has obtained a lawyer and is communicating with investigators, though he has not been charged with any crime. Authorities have noted that the victim suffered multiple sharp force injuries and cardiac arrest, but as of one month after the incident, no arrests have been made and no suspects have been identified.

Author Tony Wright discusses the discovery of the Yuba County Five's remains in the Plumas National Forest, detailing the mysterious circumstances surrounding Ted Weir's death and the ongoing mystery of Gary Mathias, who remains missing. The episode explores various theories regarding the group's disappearance, including potential foul play or local vendettas. The conversation also examines how the lack of modern technology and the contamination of the crime scene hindered the investigation. Wright reflects on the missed forensic opportunities and expresses his hope for finding answers before the 50th anniversary of the case in 2028.

A 41-year-old cold case involving the hotel murder of traveling salesman John Warren has been solved. Warren, an employee of an auto parts company, was found dead in his Middletown, Ohio, Holiday Inn room on October 17, 1985, after a robbery left his belongings and 1985 Oldsmobile missing. The investigation, which went cold for decades, was reopened in 2019 when items found behind a Cracker Barrel in Dalton, Georgia, were sent to crime labs for analysis. Through forensic analysis of the recovered items, detectives identified 62-year-old Randy McAllister of Columbus, Ohio, as a suspect. McAllister now faces murder and aggravated murder charges. The investigation also identified an accomplice who has since passed away.

Host Chanley Painter and author Tony Wright discuss the mysterious 1978 disappearance of the Yuba County Five, a group of five men who vanished while traveling home from a basketball game. The episode explores the backgrounds of the men and the baffling discovery of their abandoned, unlocked vehicle in the Plumas National Forest. The discussion delves into the suspicious circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the car and investigates various theories, including potential foul play in Oroville and the unreliable witness testimonies that have complicated the search efforts.

A cold case from 1985 involving the death of an infant known as Baby Boy Doe of Mansfield, Massachusetts, has been reopened due to advancements in forensic genetic genealogy. The newborn's body was discovered in the woods by a father and son hunting rabbits, leading to a decades-long investigation that remained unsolved until 2022. DNA evidence recovered from a soda bottle has now linked Diane Curry Peck to the death of her son. Peck, who was a 17-year and student at the time of the incident, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges.

The Fox True Crime Minute reports on the murder investigation involving the family of Baltimore Raven star Calais Campbell. Nathiel Campbell, 71, was found dead in her Buckhead, Atlanta townhouse following a welfare check initiated by concerned relatives. The suspect, Sierra Campbell, a former college football player at Colorado State and the University of Montana, was taken into custody after barricading himself inside the home. Charges against the 41-year-old include murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony.

Dr. John Van Dyke discusses how the Lindbergh kidnapping case established a blueprint for modern conspiracy theories, noting how people often favor sensational narratives over simple, evidence-based explanations. He explores the role of unreliable witnesses and the impact of modern technology in spreading unverified claims. The episode also addresses various misconceptions surrounding the kidnapping, including debunking claims regarding the child's health and the unfounded theory that Charles Lindbergh was involved in his son's death. The discussion concludes with a lesson on applying the principle of parsimony to historical evidence.

This episode of Fox True Crime Minute covers the recent status hearing for Alex Murdaugh's second murder trial. The report details legal disputes regarding courtroom attire, the use of shackles, and the defense's request for DNA analysis involving unknown male DNA found under his late wife's fingernails. It provides background on Murdaugh's previous convictions for financial crimes and the overturning of his initial murder convictions by the state Supreme Court due to judicial misconduct.

Host Shanley Painter and Dr. John D. Van Dyke explore the 1932 kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr., a case famously known as the 'crime of the century.' The episode delves into the intense media coverage, the various conspiracy theories that have emerged over the decades, and the forensic evidence regarding the child's death. The discussion details the investigation and trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann, highlighting forensic breakthroughs involving handwriting, ransom money, and wood expert testimony that linked him to the crime. The conversation also addresses the impact of Lindbergh's global fame and the role of modern forensic science in re-examining the case.

This episode of Fox True Crime Minute covers the case of David Vandermeer, a former youth pastor who died by suicide in a jail cell shortly after being charged with the murder of his wife, Bernadette. The incident occurred on their wedding anniversary in 2006 at Angels Landing in Zion National Park, where Bernadette's death was initially ruled an accident. The investigation reopened following a tip from a former church official alleging that Vandermeer pushed his wife. The report also details allegations of misconduct during Vandermeer's time as a youth pastor, including an affair with a minor and hosting underage parties.

Pennsylvania authorities have announced a significant break in a high-profile cold case involving the 2022 murders of Richard and Rita Zajko in a Philadelphia suburb. Michelle Zajko, the couple's 33-year-old daughter, has been charged with arranging the gunshot murders, which occurred on her 30th birthday. The investigation has uncovered links between the crime and a recent shootout in northern Vermont involving a Border Patrol agent. Investigators are exploring connections to the Zizians, described as a cult-like group of AI-obsessed transgender vegans, and are currently working to identify a second suspect captured on security footage at the crime scene. The report also includes a promotional announcement for the Fox News Wine Shop.