Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
Moms and Mysteries is a true crime podcast hosted by Mandy and Melissa, two friends who deep dive into a new case each week. Conversational in tone and heavy on the levity, you’ll enjoy their original takes on both the well-known, and those lesser heard of true crime stories.
Episodes
MURDER: Belle Gunness, American Serial Killer
This week, we’re heading back to the early 1900s to meet Belle Gunness—a seemingly respectable Indiana widow with a dark side and a very well-fed hog pen. Belle used lonely hearts ads to lure wealthy, unattached men to her farm, promising l…
MURDERED: The Billionaire Boys' Club
In the 1980s, a group of wealthy young men calling themselves the Billionaire Boys Club set out to make millions under the leadership of charismatic con man Joe Hunt. What started as a flashy business-meets-brotherhood venture quickly spira…
Charles Ponzi: The Original Scammer
In this episode of Moms and Mysteries, we’re diving into the outrageous life and legendary lies of Charles Ponzi, the man whose name is now forever linked to financial fraud. Long before Bernie Madoff or crypto bros with ring lights, Ponz…
MURDERED: Rita Politte
When 14-year-old Michael Politte woke up to find his family home filled with smoke, he had no idea his life was about to change forever. After discovering his mother, Rita, on fire in the hallway, Michael ran for help—only to be arrested ju…
Coercive Control & Criminal Curiosity: The Cases of Sally Challen and the Barefoot Bandit, with Hannah and Patia from The Knife!
This week we've teamed up with our true crime friends from The Knife, journalist-producers Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton, for a one-of-a-kind episode where we each brought a story to the table. First, Melissa and Mandy tell the bizarre and u…
MYSTERY: The Televangelist Bombings
In this episode, we dive into the bizarre and still-unsolved 1990 mail bombings that targeted two of the biggest names in televangelism — John Osteen of Lakewood Church and Pat Robertson of the Christian Broadcasting Network. We explore t…
MYSTERY: Lake Lanier
Beneath the waters of Lake Lanier in Georgia lies something far more haunting than fish and tree stumps. We're talking entire towns, graveyards that were never fully relocated, and a history soaked in tragedy. Before it was a popular summer…
MURDERED: Eric Nelams
In 2003, 32-year-old Army veteran Eric Nelams was gunned down in his own driveway in Phenix City, Alabama. Despite connections to a major fraud scheme and clear signs of premeditation, no one has ever been arrested. This week, we share Eric…
MURDERED: Destiny McClain (Revisited)
With the four-year anniversary of Destiny McClain’s death this week, we wanted to replay this episode to help get the word out. After a night out with friends in July of 2021, 23 year old Destiny McClain was shot as she waited for food at a…
MURDERED: The Murder of Karen Grammer and the Colorado Springs Killing Spree
In July 1975, 18-year-old Karen Grammer—sister of actor Kelsey Grammer—was kidnapped and brutally murdered in Colorado Springs. Her death was part of a shocking two-week killing spree that left seven people dead. This week, we’re unpacki…
MISSING: Jennifer Kesse
In this episode, we are sharing the heartbreaking and mysterious disappearance of Jennifer Kesse, a case that has haunted Orlando for nearly two decades, with little progress or answers for her family. Anyone with information about Jennife…
MURDERED: Clara Phillips, Tiger Woman
In this episode, we dive into the shocking murder of Alberta Meadows by Clara Phillips, a glamorous showgirl whose jealous rage turned deadly. After killing Alberta with a hammer, Clara staged a sensational escape, fleeing 4,000 miles throu…
UPDATE: Amy Bishop-Mad Scientist
In this updated episode, we're revisiting a case we covered back in 2020: the shocking story of Amy Bishop, who committed a mass shooting at the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2010. Since we first discussed the case, there have been…
MURDERED: Suzanne Morphew
On Mother’s Day 2020, Suzanne Morphew set out for what was supposed to be a normal bike ride near her home in Colorado — and vanished. What followed was a years-long mystery filled with twists, shifting stories, and courtroom drama. From tr…
True Crime Documentaries You Can’t Miss: Insider Picks with Kate Casey of Reality Life with Kate Casey
This week we’re joined by the one and only Kate Casey from Reality Life with Kate Casey! Kate is a true crime enthusiast and reality TV queen, and she’s here to share her top documentary recommendations you won’t want to miss. From Amanda K…
MURDERED: Angie Dodge, Revisited
In conjunction with our new episode on Chris Tapp’s tragic death, we’re re-releasing our original episode about Angie Dodge’s heartbreaking murder. In this episode, we dive into the details of Angie’s unsolved murder in Idaho and the tirele…
MURDERED: Chris Tapp
After serving 20 years for a crime he didn’t commit, Chris Tapp was exonerated in the murder of Angie Dodge and began rebuilding his life, becoming an advocate for the wrongfully convicted. But in 2023, Chris was found unconscious at a part…
Celebrity Crime Connections with Doing it All Podcast!
*Updated audio levels* In this new episode, we’re joined by the incredible Maya and Sarah from Doing It All Podcast! Together, we dive into some truly wild celebrity-adjacent crime stories that will leave you in shock. From David Schwimmer…
The Icebox Murders
In 1965, Houston police discovered the dismembered bodies of Fred and Edwina Rogers neatly stored inside their own refrigerator. Their son, Charles, vanished without a trace and remains the only suspect. But was this brutal crime the act o…
UPDATE: The Murder of Joey Fischer
This week we are discussing a South Texas mom who took her role as protector to the next level and the end result was the death of an innocent teenage boy. Stay tuned to the end of the episode for updates on this story. Thank you to thi…
HOAX: Sherri Papini (Part 2 of 2)
BOTH PARTS UP NOW! In this episode, we dive into the jaw-dropping true story of Sherri Papini—a California wife and mother who vanished while out for a jog in 2016, only to return weeks later with a harrowing tale of abduction. But as inves…
HOAX: Sherri Papini (Part 1 of 2)
BOTH PARTS UP NOW! In this episode, we dive into the jaw-dropping true story of Sherri Papini—a California wife and mother who vanished while out for a jog in 2016, only to return weeks later with a harrowing tale of abduction. But as inves…
The Weirdest Summer Crimes You’ve NEVER Heard Of
Summer is here, and so are the shenanigans! In today’s episode, Melissa and Mandy dive into some of the quirkiest (and a few wild) crimes that have taken place during the sunny season. From beachside thefts to ice cream shop heists, we’ve g…
MYSTERY: Melissa Caddick
She was a wealthy, stylish financial advisor in Sydney, Australia living a dream life until she vanished without a trace. In this episode we are diving into the fascinating and bizarre financial scandal that unraveled following Melissa Ca…
MURDERED: Chris Wallace aka The Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher Wallace—better known as The Notorious B.I.G.—rose from the streets of Brooklyn to become one of the most iconic voices in hip-hop history. But just as his career was reaching its peak, he was gunned down in Los Angeles in a crim…
RUST: The Death of Halyna Hutchins (Part 2 of 2)
In the second part of our deep dive into the Rust tragedy, we continue to explore the failures and decisions that led to Halyna Hutchins' death. From the lack of safety checks to the dangerous shortcuts taken by production, we uncover just …
RUST: The Death of Halyna Hutchins (Part 1 of 2)
BOTH PARTS UP NOW! In this episode, we dive into the shocking events that unfolded on the set of the movie Rust in 2021. While many know the basics of the tragic accident involving Alec Baldwin and the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchi…
Prison Breaks: A Guide to Getting Out...and Going Right Back In
As we record this episode, a prison break is actively unfolding at the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans. Ten inmates made a dramatic escape through a hole behind a toilet, sparking questions about security lapses. Some have alre…
MURDERED: James and Virginia Campbell
When beloved Houston attorney James Campbell and his wife Virginia were found murdered in their bed, the crime stunned the city’s elite. There was no forced entry, no sign of a struggle—and no clear motive. But as police dug deeper into th…
TRIAL: How We Got Here: The Trial of Sean "P Diddy" Combs
In this episode, we dive deep into the high-profile trial of Sean Combs. From the mysterious deaths that seem to follow him, to the infamous tape involving Cassie Ventura, we unpack the events that led to this shocking moment in the music…
MURDER: The Murder of Trish Haynes
*Make sure to send your mailbag emails to Momsandmysteries@gmail.com* When 25-year-old Trish Haynes disappeared after moving in with an old childhood acquaintance, her family knew something was wrong. Months later, a chilling discovery c…
UPDATE: The Murder of Bianca Rudolph
*This episode contains conversations about safari and animal death.* This week we will be updating our discussion on the death of Bianca Rudolph, who was shot and killed while she and her husband, Larry Rudolph, were on a safari hunt in A…
CASEY ANTHONY: Same Story, New Spin
It’s been almost 8 years since we first dove into the controversial case of Casey Anthony, and wow, so much has happened since then! From her 2011 acquittal to her attempts at reinvention, Casey has stayed in the spotlight in some pretty wi…
MURDER: Skylar Neese
On a warm July night in 2012, 16-year-old Skylar Neese disappeared without a trace. What seemed like a typical teen runaway case quickly unraveled into something far darker. Her closest friends swore they had no idea where she went, but the…
MURDER: Jill Dando
On a quiet Monday morning in 1999, the shocking murder of beloved British television presenter Jill Dando rocked the nation. Gunned down on her doorstep in broad daylight with a single shot, her death sparked one of the most high-profile in…
UPDATE: The Murders of Marie Varsos and Debbie Sisco
This week, we revisit the gut-wrenching story of Marie Versos and her mother, Debbie Cisco, whose lives were brutally taken due to domestic violence. Originally covered in October 2023, this update reveals shocking new details and significa…
MURDER: Ruth Ellis
Was Ruth Ellis a woman pushed too far by years of abuse, or a cold-blooded killer? Her crime shook Britain to its core, and her execution sparked a nationwide debate that still echoes today. Tune in to hear the story of the woman who became…
SPOTLIGHT: Bone Valley Talk with Gilbert King x The Moms
Today we have the honor of speaking with Pulitzer Prize-winning author and the mastermind behind the podcast Bone Valley, Gilbert King. Known for his deep dives into the complexities of criminal justice, Gilbert has spent years unraveling t…
MISSING: Ryan Shtuka
This week we are breaking down the mysterious disappearance of 20-year-old Ryan Shtuka. On a cold February night in 2018, Ryan left a house party in Sun Peaks, British Columbia, expecting a short walk home. But he was never seen again. What…
SPOTLIGHT: Drone Talk with The Moms x Gabe Lenners of Obscurum: Invasion of the Drones!
Hey guys! In this special bonus episode, we're joined by Gabe Lenners, the host of the intriguing podcast Obscurum: Invasion of the Drones, to dive deep into the mysterious world of drones (and we take on some conspiracy theories, because, …