Episodios

  • North Carolina Medical Examiner Confirms Mica Miller’s Death as Suicide Amidst Ongoing Family Dispute

    North Carolina Medical Examiner Confirms Mica Miller’s Death as Suicide Amidst Ongoing Family Dispute
    Jun 28 2024
    The North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed that Mica Miller, a Myrtle Beach woman, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, concluding there was no foul play involved. The 30-year-old’s death has drawn national attention due to her ties to local pastor John-Paul Miller and allegations of domestic abuse.

    The medical examiner's report detailed that Mica Miller used a 9mm handgun, which she purchased from a Myrtle Beach pawn shop on April 27, 2024, to take her own life at Lumber River State Park in Lumberton, North Carolina. The report stated, “there was no concern for foul play” and no signs of a physical struggle at the scene where bullet casings were recovered.

    Mica Miller’s body was discovered submerged in the river by a kayaker, approximately 100 feet from the location of the bullet casings. A black bag containing Miller’s ID and money was found by another person on the riverbank and handed over to police.

    Mica Miller was married to John-Paul Miller, pastor of Solid Rock Church in Market Common, Myrtle Beach. At the time of her death, the couple was separated and entangled in legal disputes. The case has been scrutinized by family, friends, and the public, with Miller’s death prompting the #justiceforMica movement aimed at raising awareness about domestic violence.

    The Robeson County Sheriff’s Department ruled Miller’s death a suicide. According to a Facebook post on May 7, 2024, the decision was based on surveillance footage, interviews, physical evidence, and the medical examiner’s findings. The post also mentioned that the Robeson County E911 Communications Center received a 911 call from Miller on the day of her death. During the call, Miller asked the dispatcher if her phone could be located, stating she intended to kill herself and wanted her family to be able to find her body.

    The medical examiner’s report indicated that family members had tried to contact Miller without success on the day of her death. Investigators found a gun case in the passenger seat of her vehicle, along with a box of ammunition in the center console. Receipts for the handgun and a convenience store purchase, both dated April 27, 2024, were also discovered in the vehicle.

    Mica Miller had publicly alluded to mental health struggles and abuse in her marriage on her Facebook page and in documents. Despite these allegations, John-Paul Miller has denied any abuse towards his wife. The ongoing legal battle between Miller’s family and her estranged husband over her belongings adds another layer of complexity to the case.

    The circumstances surrounding Mica Miller’s death have sparked a broader conversation about mental health and domestic violence, with many advocating for better support systems for individuals in similar situations. As the #justiceforMica movement gains traction, it underscores the need for continued awareness and action to prevent such tragedies in the future.

    Mica Miller’s tragic end highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues and supporting those who may be silently suffering. Her story serves as a reminder of the far-reaching impacts of domestic disputes and the critical need for intervention and support for vulnerable individuals.

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    22 m
  • Death of 12-Year-Old Boy at North Carolina Wilderness Therapy Camp Ruled Homicide

    Death of 12-Year-Old Boy at North Carolina Wilderness Therapy Camp Ruled Homicide
    Jun 28 2024
    The death of a 12-year-old boy on his first night at a North Carolina wilderness therapy camp has been ruled a homicide, according to an autopsy report released on Monday. The boy was found dead in February at Trails Carolina, a self-described “therapeutic wilderness program” part of the troubled teen industry.

    The autopsy report obtained by HuffPost revealed that the boy’s cause of death was asphyxia due to smothering. The manner of death was determined to be a homicide. This tragic incident has brought renewed scrutiny to Trails Carolina and similar facilities that have faced allegations of abuse and negligence for decades.

    According to the report, the boy was escorted to the camp by two men on February 2 and processed for check-in. During check-in, the boy refused to cooperate until he spoke to his parents in New York and did not eat supper that night. He spent his first night in a bivy tent in a mummy sleeping bag with a zipper alarm attached.

    The boy’s counselor told detectives that he was “restless and mumbling in his sleep” around 10 p.m. He was taken out of the sleeping bag but fell back asleep, only to wake up again by midnight, thrashing about. By morning, counselors found him “cold to the touch and unresponsive.”

    Transylvania County sheriff’s deputies reported that camp officials did not immediately cooperate with the investigation, an allegation that camp officials have denied. Staff members assigned to the cabin where the boy was found dead have been placed on leave.

    In May, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services permanently shut down Trails Carolina, citing that the facility “endangered the health, safety, and welfare of clients.” No criminal charges have been filed since the autopsy’s release. The Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office is reviewing the report as part of its ongoing investigation and is meeting with the district attorney.

    Meg Applegate, CEO and co-founder of Unsilenced, a nonprofit advocating for victims of institutional child abuse, called the findings “heartbreaking and infuriating.” In an email to HuffPost, she said, “It further highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reform within the troubled teen industry and is a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in these facilities.” Unsilenced is calling for state authorities to take immediate action and “demand justice for this young boy and his family.”

    Trails Carolina has a troubling history. In 2014, Alec Lansing, a 17-year-old from Atlanta, was found dead in a stream in western North Carolina after running away from the camp. He died of hypothermia. Additionally, a 14-year-old girl reported being sexually assaulted by another camper in 2019. When she brought up the incident to camp officials, they denied her request to move to another cabin. This lawsuit remains ongoing.

    The death of the 12-year-old boy is the latest in a series of tragedies associated with wilderness therapy camps, which operate with little oversight. The tragic loss of this young boy underscores the critical need for systemic changes and stricter regulations to protect vulnerable children placed in these programs.
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    11 m
  • Prosecution and Defense Present Closing Arguments in Karen Read Murder Trial

    Prosecution and Defense Present Closing Arguments in Karen Read Murder Trial
    Jun 27 2024
    In a gripping conclusion to the Karen Read murder trial, both the prosecution and defense delivered their closing arguments on June 25, 2024. Prosecutor Adam Lally leaned heavily on the statement “I hit him,” reportedly heard from Read by four witnesses, to argue her guilt in the death of John O’Keefe.

    “I hit him, I hit him, I hit him,” Lally recounted, emphasizing the significance of these words. He urged jurors to use their common sense and life experiences to guide their decision. Lally dismissed the defense's claims of evidence planting and stressed that despite Trooper Michael Proctor’s “unprofessional” text messages, the investigation maintained its integrity.
    Lally presented a detailed timeline of events starting from the morning of January 28, 2022, highlighting Read’s consumption of seven drinks within about an hour and a half. He noted that Read’s vehicle traveled at 24 miles per hour in reverse, which he suggested contributed to O’Keefe’s fatal injuries.

    Lally played recordings where Read expressed anger towards O’Keefe, allegedly knowing where his body was when she returned to 34 Fairview Road on January 29, 2022. He pointed out that Read drove to her parent’s house during a snowstorm instead of staying at O’Keefe’s home, suggesting a consciousness of guilt.

    “If she didn’t kill John, why would she say that?” Lally asked, referring to a text Read sent to an O’Keefe family member indicating she might never see them again.

    Lally also explored the possible motive, citing a trip to Aruba in December 2021, which led Read to believe O’Keefe had cheated on her. Witnesses, including O’Keefe’s niece and nephew, testified about the couple’s frequent arguments.
    Defense attorney Alan Jackson, in contrast, depicted the prosecution’s case as fundamentally flawed and based on deceit. “Look the other way,” Jackson began, asserting that the prosecution relied on lies and manipulation.

    Jackson argued that Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor and other investigators repeatedly lied to support their narrative. He detailed numerous inconsistencies and alleged cover-ups, including a “mysterious” Google search, deleted calls, and manipulated evidence.

    Jackson highlighted a critical piece of evidence: O’Keefe’s Apple Health data, which indicated he arrived at 34 Fairview Road at 12:21 a.m. and took 80 steps, suggesting he was not struck by Read’s vehicle.

    He questioned why Read’s SUV taillight appeared only slightly cracked on surveillance footage but was completely smashed when later examined by police.

    Jackson also challenged the credibility of witness Brian Higgins, who described a man entering 34 Fairview Road but failed to provide a clear account of events. He suggested that Higgins and another individual, Brian Albert, could have been involved in O’Keefe’s death.

    The defense emphasized expert testimonies from accident reconstructionists who concluded that O’Keefe’s injuries were not consistent with being struck by Read’s SUV. Jackson argued that O’Keefe’s injuries could have resulted from a physical altercation or a dog attack, thereby raising reasonable doubt about Read’s involvement.

    Jackson concluded by urging jurors to reject the prosecution’s narrative, stating, “Ignore the lies and the manipulations and misogyny, the bias, the lack of evidence. Could you ever do that? Would you ever do that?”

    As the trial draws to a close, the jury must now weigh the arguments presented by both sides and determine whether Karen Read is guilty of killing John O’Keefe.

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    33 m
  • New Allegations Surface in Sherri Papini Case Through Hulu Docuseries

    New Allegations Surface in Sherri Papini Case Through Hulu Docuseries
    Jun 27 2024
    New allegations regarding the infamous 2016 disappearance of Sherri Papini have emerged following the release of Hulu’s docuseries, “Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini.” In the series, Sherri’s ex-husband, Keith Papini, makes shocking claims about her abusive behavior towards their children, Tyler and Violet.

    Keith Papini reveals that Sherri forced their children to inhale rubbing alcohol to make them sick deliberately. “One day, after Sherri was already in prison, as I go and lay my daughter to bed, I push off the bed and I kind of make a little grunt sound, like ‘Ah!’ You know, I was a little bit sore,” Keith said in the series, according to People. “Violet, she was like, ‘Daddy, are you sick?’ and she goes, ‘Why don’t you do mommy’s trick?’”

    When Keith asked Violet to clarify, she told him, “Well, you just breathe in this rubbing alcohol.” Keith described how his daughter went to the bathroom, knew exactly where the rubbing alcohol was, soaked a wad of toilet paper with it, and handed it to him to breathe. Violet claimed that this happened “every single day” before her mother took her to the doctor.

    Keith further explained, “Sherri would soak rags of alcohol and put it in a Ziploc bag and tie a string around their neck onto the Ziploc bag so that ... they would continue to smell the fumes to make them not feel good.”

    Sherri Papini's disappearance in November 2016, near the Redding, California home she shared with Keith, made national headlines. She reappeared over three weeks later on Thanksgiving Day, claiming she had escaped from two women who kidnapped and held her captive. However, in March 2022, the FBI arrested Sherri after discovering she had been staying with a former boyfriend, James Reyes, in Costa Mesa, California, during her alleged disappearance.

    Authorities also found that Sherri had caused several self-inflicted injuries to support her kidnapping story and had defrauded the state out of more than $30,000 in victim assistance money. A month after her arrest, Sherri signed a plea deal admitting to the hoax. Subsequently, Keith filed for divorce, and Sherri was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

    Reflecting on the situation, Keith told ABC News, “I think she wanted me to be her knight in shining armor and run to her, and I think she wanted to plan a fake kidnapping, but in her version, I was supposed to find her.” He also noted that Sherri has never apologized or shown any remorse for her actions.

    The docuseries “Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini” is now available on Hulu, shedding new light on the disturbing details of Sherri Papini’s actions and the impact on her family. Meg Applegate, CEO and co-founder of Unsilenced, a nonprofit advocating for victims of institutional child abuse, commented on the revelations, calling them “heartbreaking and infuriating.” She emphasized the need for comprehensive reform within the troubled teen industry and urged state authorities to take immediate action to “demand justice for this young boy and his family.”

    The case of Sherri Papini continues to captivate and shock, with new details exposing the extent of her deceit and its impact on those around her. The docuseries provides a closer look at the events and the ongoing consequences for her family and community.

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    12 m
  • Closing Arguments Presented in Karen Read's Trial Over Boyfriend's Death

    Closing Arguments Presented in Karen Read's Trial Over Boyfriend's Death
    Jun 26 2024
    The day began with a delay due to the dismissal of a juror for personal reasons, reducing the jury to 14 members. Closing arguments were subsequently delayed as Judge Beverly Cannone addressed this issue privately with attorneys.

    Prosecutor Adam Lally initiated his closing arguments by quoting statements attributed to Read: “I hit him, I hit him, I hit him,” which four witnesses claimed to have heard. Lally urged jurors to use their common sense and life experiences in evaluating the evidence, which he argued pointed to Read’s guilt.

    Lally presented a timeline of events starting from communications between Read and O’Keefe on the morning of January 28, 2022. He detailed that Read consumed seven drinks within an hour and a half that evening and emphasized that her vehicle traveled at 24 miles per hour in reverse. Lally argued that Read’s actions and statements, such as a voicemail left for O’Keefe saying, “John I (expletive) hate you,” indicated a consciousness of guilt.

    He highlighted the moment when Read allegedly found O’Keefe’s body covered in snow on January 29, 2022, and her decision to drive to her parents’ house instead of staying at O’Keefe’s home. Lally posited that Read’s behavior showed a motive linked to a perceived infidelity by O’Keefe, which prosecutors argued was a factor leading to his death.

    Lally dismissed the defense’s claims of evidence planting and conspiracies involving law enforcement, stating that despite Trooper Michael Proctor’s “unprofessional” text messages, there was no impact on the integrity of the investigation.

    Defense attorney Alan Jackson began his closing statements by accusing the state of lying to the jurors and presenting a narrative built on deception. “Look the other way,” Jackson asserted, summarizing what he believed to be the state’s strategy. He emphasized that the evidence did not support the prosecution’s theory that Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV.

    Jackson pointed to inconsistencies and alleged misconduct by investigators, including Trooper Proctor, who he claimed manipulated evidence to fit a narrative. He argued that physical evidence, such as the lack of bruising or bone fractures consistent with a car-pedestrian crash, supported the defense’s case that Read did not hit O’Keefe.

    Jackson also presented an alternative theory based on Apple Health data from O’Keefe’s phone and testimonies from defense experts, including accident reconstructionists who concluded that O’Keefe’s injuries were not caused by being struck by Read’s vehicle.

    Judge Cannone provided jurors with instructions, emphasizing that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. She reminded the jury that the burden of proof lies with the state and that the arguments made by lawyers are not evidence.

    Cannone explained that all 12 deliberating jurors must agree on whether the prosecution met this burden, and the evidence must convince them of Read’s guilt to a “reasonable and moral certainty.”
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    12 m
  • Defense Rests in Karen Read Murder Trial, Experts Testify Injuries Inconsistent with Vehicle Strike

    Defense Rests in Karen Read Murder Trial, Experts Testify Injuries Inconsistent with Vehicle Strike
    Jun 26 2024
    In a pivotal moment in the Karen Read murder trial, the defense rested its case after presenting expert testimony that challenges the prosecution's narrative. Read, a Mansfield woman, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, whose body was found outside a Canton home in January 2022.

    The defense's final witness, Dr. Daniel Wolfe, an expert in accident reconstruction from Arcca, testified that there is not enough evidence to definitively determine what happened to O'Keefe.

    Prosecutor Adam Lally questioned Wolfe about the omission of O'Keefe’s shoe and hat in his reconstruction report. Wolfe acknowledged this but maintained that these omissions did not affect his overall conclusions.

    Wolfe described an experiment where he and colleagues used an air cannon to launch a cocktail glass at a taillight, replicating the damage found on Read’s vehicle. He explained, “We aimed at a portion of the taillight where the clear and red met because that’s where the damage seemed to emanate from.”

    When asked about first responders hearing Read say “I hit him” three times, Wolfe admitted he was unaware of this, as well as the presence of O'Keefe’s DNA on Read’s taillight. Despite this, Wolfe stood by his analysis, stating, “Absolutely not,” when asked if this new information changed his conclusions.

    Following Wolfe, Dr. Andrew Rentschler, a biomechanical engineer and accident reconstructionist, took the stand. Rentschler's testimony focused on the inconsistencies between the injuries O'Keefe sustained and the damage to Read’s SUV. “The injury to O’Keefe’s head was not consistent with being struck by a vehicle. In that scenario, there would be damage to a person’s spine,” Rentschler explained.

    He further noted that a car driving at 24 miles per hour would cause significant damage to both the taillight and O’Keefe’s arm, which was not observed in this case. “I would expect to see significant trauma, more so than simply the abrasions diagnosed in this case,” Rentschler said.
    The defense also called Dr. Frank Sheridan, a retired chief medical examiner, who testified about the injuries on O'Keefe's arm. Sheridan, who has conducted over 12,000 autopsies, stated that the cuts on O’Keefe’s arm were more consistent with a dog attack than a vehicle strike. “No bruising here. We have linear abrasions without any bruising. It does not look remotely like an impact from a motor vehicle,” he said.

    Sheridan explained that the pattern and type of abrasions suggested they were caused by an animal's claws or teeth. He used a laser pointer to highlight clusters of abrasions on O’Keefe’s arm, describing how most appeared to be claw marks.

    During cross-examination, Lally asked Sheridan about the absence of other injuries typical of a vehicle strike. Sheridan reiterated that the injuries observed were inconsistent with being hit by a vehicle and more aligned with a dog attack.
    He also noted that there was no canine DNA found on O’Keefe’s arm, but this did not alter his professional opinion.
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    25 m
  • Judge Orders Permanent Sealing of Exhibits in Chad Daybell Murder Trial to Protect Victims' Families

    Judge Orders Permanent Sealing of Exhibits in Chad Daybell Murder Trial to Protect Victims' Families
    Jun 25 2024
    In a move to protect the privacy and dignity of the victims' families, Judge Steven Boyce has permanently sealed nearly 100 exhibits from the high-profile Chad Daybell murder trial. The decision, announced after Daybell was sentenced to death for the murders of Tammy Daybell, Joshua “JJ” Vallow, and Tylee Ryan, comes in response to multiple requests for access to the evidence from authors and media members.

    “Certain requests seek to obtain all of the exhibits in this case, with some expressly requesting the autopsy photos published to the jury,” Judge Boyce explained in his order. “The Court notes that at trial those photos were published to the jurors, the parties, the Court, and in some instances privately to the victims, upon their request. They were not, however, publicly disseminated.”

    Judge Boyce stressed the importance of balancing the victims' rights with the public's right to information, particularly highlighting the impact on the families involved. He noted that several victim impact statements during the sentencing expressed deep distress over the behavior of individuals claiming to be media. These individuals, Boyce pointed out, have often sensationalized the tragedy, causing ongoing psychological trauma to the families.

    “The Court was particularly moved by several victim impact statements at sentencing expressly criticizing individuals proclaiming to be ‘media’ who, in the course of this case, have disrupted the lives of the families of these victims,” Boyce wrote. “Some of those family members described in detail the psychological trauma they have unfairly been subjected to by the ‘media,’ simply because they had some familial relationship to the victims in this case.”

    Boyce clarified that his reference to “media” does not include established and historically recognized reporting agencies but rather targets "true crime" bloggers and YouTubers who have exploited the case for sensational content. By sealing 97 exhibits, including autopsy photos and images of human remains found on Daybell’s property, Boyce aims to protect the families from further distress.

    “The interests of the victims and their family members to be spared the ongoing trauma of such sensitive or gruesome material being disseminated is not outweighed by the right of public disclosure of this evidence,” Boyce wrote. “Victims Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow, Tamara Douglas Daybell and their family members’ respect, dignity and privacy are best protected by the continued sealing of these exhibits.”

    This decision underscores the court’s commitment to prioritizing the mental health and privacy of those directly affected by the tragic events, ensuring that they are not further victimized by public exposure to graphic evidence. As the legal proceedings surrounding Chad Daybell's case continue to unfold, the court's ruling reflects a broader concern about the ethical responsibilities of media coverage in high-profile criminal cases.

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    9 m
  • Defense Begins Case in Karen Read Murder Trial with Testimony from Snowplow Driver

    Defense Begins Case in Karen Read Murder Trial with Testimony from Snowplow Driver
    Jun 25 2024
    The defense team in the high-profile Karen Read murder trial began presenting its case on Friday, following the prosecution's conclusion after calling 68 witnesses. Defense attorneys Alan Jackson and David Yanetti called their first witness, snowplow driver Brian “Lucky” Loughran, whose testimony they believe is crucial to challenging the prosecution's timeline and theory. Loughran, a Canton town employee, testified that he was plowing his regular route during a storm on the night of January 29, 2022, and passed by 34 Fairview Road, the location where Boston police officer John O’Keefe’s body was later found. According to Loughran, he drove by the house at 2:45 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. but saw no body on the lawn either time. “When you make that first pass by that residence at 2:45 in the morning, sir, with your headlights on,” Attorney David Yanetti asked, “What, if anything, did you see on the front lawn in the area of the flagpole?” “I saw nothing,” Loughran replied. “If there had been a six-foot-two, 200-pound man lying in the snow there, would you have seen it?” Yanetti inquired. Prosecutor Adam Lally objected to this line of questioning, and Judge Beverly Cannone sustained the objection. Loughran later testified that he saw a Ford Edge parked near the flagpole on a subsequent pass, a vehicle owned by Brian Albert, the then-owner of 34 Fairview Road. Prosecutor Lally challenged the reliability of Loughran’s testimony, suggesting that his account has changed over time and questioning his timeline. Despite these objections, the defense maintains that Loughran's observations are pivotal in disproving the prosecution's case. “I saw nothing,” Loughran reiterated, emphasizing that he had a clear view of the lawn and would have noticed a body if it had been there. He also mentioned seeing a car parked in front of the house during his later pass but chose not to report it due to his familiarity with the Albert family. In a significant development in the Karen Read murder trial, Dr. Marie Russell, a retired emergency room physician and forensic pathologist, testified that the wounds on John O'Keefe's right arm were likely caused by an animal attack, potentially by a large dog. Dr. Russell's testimony aligns with the defense's theory that O'Keefe was attacked by "Chloe," a German shepherd mix living at the scene. "I have a very strong interest in wounds in general, and I have a strong interest in dog bites in particular," Russell explained. She has extensive experience in the field, having seen over 500 patients with animal-related injuries and authored several peer-reviewed papers on law enforcement dog bites. Defense attorneys Alan Jackson and David Yanetti used Dr. Russell's testimony to challenge the prosecution's claim that Read struck O'Keefe with her SUV. Projecting an image of O'Keefe's wounded arm, Jackson asked Russell to describe the injuries. She pointed to "a number of patterns" in the wounds, including parallel lines she identified as "inflicted by either teeth or claw marks" and "punctate" marks from a pointy tooth. When asked if she believed the injuries were from an animal attack, Russell replied, "Yes, based on a reasonable degree of medical certainty." During cross-examination, Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally questioned Russell's qualifications, noting she is not certified in forensic medicine or pathology and last worked in a coroner's office in 1995. Russell acknowledged these points but stood by her assessment, stating she formed her opinion after reviewing hospital records, autopsy photos, grand jury testimony, and local dog bite reports. The defense argues that O'Keefe was beaten inside the house and bitten by Albert's dog before being placed outside, countering the prosecution's timeline that O'Keefe was hit by Read's SUV around 12:45 a.m. The defense pointed to Chloe, the dog living at 34 Fairview Road, as the likely culprit for O'Keefe's arm injuries. With a full week of testimony expected this week, the defense aims to conclude their presentation quickly. Attorney Yanetti suggested to Boston 25 Investigative Reporter Ted Daniel that they could wrap up by this week with only three witnesses left to call. Judge Cannone has also indicated that jury deliberations could begin this week. Karen Read maintains her innocence, telling reporters, “There is no case against me. After eight weeks, it’s smoke and mirrors and it’s going through my private life and trying to contrive a motive that was never there.” Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Karen Read Trial, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana ...
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    33 m