L.A. Crimes

L.A. Crimes

Host: Darius Derakshan

Expect twists, turns and a fresh look at true crime on L.A. Crimes, the latest podcast from L.A. Times Studios. Host Madison McGhee (“Ice Cold Case”) brings you the stories behind the most compelling cases from the people who know them best. Join Madison as she sits down with the journalists behind The Times’ most jaw-dropping investigations, Hollywood crime experts and pop culture personalities for the inside scoop on the scams, celebrity stories, and criminal cases everyone’s talking about. New episodes every Wednesday.

Episodes

"Hos Long to Die In Cold?"
01September 10, 2025 5:00am

"Hos Long to Die In Cold?"

One of 2025’s biggest trials focused on the killing of John O’Keefe – a Boston police officer found unconscious in the snow outside a fellow officer’s home after a night of heavy drinking. Detectives zeroed in on O’Keefe’s girlfriend, Karen…

Introducing: Pandora’s Box: The Fall of L.A.’s Sheriff
02September 09, 2025 12:11pm

Introducing: Pandora’s Box: The Fall of L.A.’s Sheriff

Pandora’s Box: The Fall of L.A.’s Sheriff is a six-part true crime investigation from the Los Angeles Times about one of the biggest law enforcement scandals in U.S. history.Follow Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter Christopher Goffard as he u…

How Bad Can a TikTok Dance Cult Be? Bad.
03August 27, 2025 5:00am

How Bad Can a TikTok Dance Cult Be? Bad.

When people think of cults they tend to think of a bunch of long haired people in matching tracksuits on a farm somewhere. But the future is now and even cults have gone online. Madison McGhee speaks with Los Angeles Times reporter Nathan S…

Everything You Didn’t Know About The Idaho Four
04August 20, 2025 5:00am

Everything You Didn’t Know About The Idaho Four

On today’s episode, Madison McGhee is joined by Vicky Ward, investigative journalist and co-author of the book The Idaho Four, An American Tragedy. When researching the book, Vicky interviewed hundreds of witnesses and key players in the sm…

The Murder Case Your Parents Wouldn’t Stop Talking About
05August 13, 2025 5:00am

The Murder Case Your Parents Wouldn’t Stop Talking About

Scott Peterson was convicted in 2002 of murdering his pregnant wife, Laci. Much of his conviction rested on a litany of circumstantial evidence that looked…really not good for him. Fast forward to today, and the L.A. Innocence Project – not…

On Today's Show: A Very Expensive Nap
06August 06, 2025 5:00am

On Today's Show: A Very Expensive Nap

In 2022, millions of dollars worth of jewelry was stolen out of a Brinks tractor-trailer as the driver slept soundly at an interstate truck stop. In June of this year, the FBI finally broke the case and arrested seven LA-area men. The men a…

Double Murder With a Dash of Helicopters
07July 30, 2025 5:00am

Double Murder With a Dash of Helicopters

On July 10, 2025, 911 received two calls. The first was from a person witnessing a man climbing over their neighbor’s fence. The second was from the criminal himself while inside the house he had broken into. Police somehow never made it to…

Shirtless, Ripped, and Accused of Triple Murder
08July 23, 2025 5:00am

Shirtless, Ripped, and Accused of Triple Murder

In November 2023, Sam Haskell IV offered to pay day laborers to haul off some heavy bags from his Tarzana home that he said were filled with “rocks,” but when the men decided to open one, they discovered what looked like human body parts. F…

Inmate Homicide On The Rise In L.A. County Jails
09July 16, 2025 5:00am

Inmate Homicide On The Rise In L.A. County Jails

In recent years, the L.A. County jail system has seen an uptick in inmate homicides that many have attributed to negligence within the system. Madison McGhee is joined by L.A. Times Breaking News Reporter Clara Harter to talk through the di…

The Real Life Gone Girl
10July 09, 2025 5:00am

The Real Life Gone Girl

In 2016 America was shocked by the apparent kidnapping of 34 year old Redding, California resident Sherri Papini. Papini was “returned” three weeks later, and the kidnapping was eventually revealed to have been a hoax coordinated by Papini …

Checking In On The Diddy Trial
11June 25, 2025 5:00am

Checking In On The Diddy Trial

Sean “Diddy” Combs had been a household name in the Rap and R&B community for years, but these days he’s in federal court fighting multiple charges including sex trafficking. If convicted of all charges, he could face up to life in prison. …

…Does It End With Us?
12June 18, 2025 5:00am

…Does It End With Us?

Now that the media dust has somewhat settled, Madison McGhee and unsolved crime aficionado, Alexis Linkletter are here to determine the facts versus the fiction of the chaotic lawsuit between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. They’ll break d…

The Key Witness Who Changed the Sementilli Case
13June 11, 2025 5:00am

The Key Witness Who Changed the Sementilli Case

On this episode, Madison McGhee is joined by the host of the show Love Murder, Andie Cassette, to delve into what happens when a love triangle between a hair stylist, his wife, and an ex-porn star turns murderous. Richard Winton is also bac…

Say It Ain’t So: Jillian Lauren’s Standoff with Police
14June 04, 2025 5:00am

Say It Ain’t So: Jillian Lauren’s Standoff with Police

Jillian Lauren is an author, mother, wife of Weezer Bassist Scott Shriner, and now faces up to 19 years in state prison if convicted of shooting a police officer after a dramatic standoff in Eagle Rock…all while wearing her Weezer band shir…

The Girardi Scandal Uncovered
15May 28, 2025 5:00am

The Girardi Scandal Uncovered

Tom Girardi was a legal legend—until he was found guilty of stealing millions from his own clients. Host Madison McGhee and pop culture commentator Kiki Monique unpack how his downfall became a Real Housewives scandal, and what Erika Jayne …

What Pop Culture Gets Wrong About the Menendez Brothers
16May 21, 2025 5:00am

What Pop Culture Gets Wrong About the Menendez Brothers

On our first episode of L.A. Crimes, Madison McGhee is joined by legendary Dateline host Josh Mankiewicz and esteemed L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton as the three of them dive into all-things Menendez Brothers, the good, the bad, and the…

Introducing: L.A. Crimes
17May 14, 2025 5:00am

Introducing: L.A. Crimes

From L.A. Times Studios comes its latest series “L.A. Crimes” Listen each week as host Madison McGhee debriefs you on the city's most gripping true crime cases. She’s joined by podcasters, cultural influencers, and our own L.A. Times journa…