Dead Diary

The Murder of Amber Hagerman and the Story Behind the AMBER Alert System

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:00:03 +0000

After the abduction and murder of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman in 1996, her family and the Arlington community were left with a case that has never been solved. The crime was devastating on its own, but it also became the catalyst for a nationwide shift in how the public is alerted when a child is taken.

In this episode, we walk through the known timeline of Amber's final afternoon. We look at the witness account that shaped the early investigation, the details surrounding the discovery of her body four days later, and the evidence that has remained central to the case. We also explore how Amber's story led to legislative action, the creation of the AMBER Alert system, and the development of the nationwide framework that continues to help recover missing children today.

It is a difficult case to hear. And it raises an ongoing question for investigators and the community. Who took Amber Hagerman, and will advances in forensic science eventually provide the answer that has been missing for nearly three decades?

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Listen to our sister serial podcast, Skeptical, available on any podcasting platform. Find links to listen at murdercreekmedia.com/skeptical.

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit murdercreekmedia.com to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.

This episode was created with Descript, a podcast editing and transcription tool that’s been a game-changer for our production process. By signing up using our link, you’ll not only get a great tool but also help support our show.

Descript link here: https://get.descript.com/deaddiary

Human Statue on Display: The Death of Christopher Erick (Part 2)

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 12:00:54 +0000

After the cyanide poisoning death of 23-year-old Christopher Erick in 2012, his mother, Kim Erick Smith, began a years-long fight for answers. She believes not only that her son didn’t die by suicide, but that key details surrounding his final days point to something far more sinister.

In this episode, we walk through Kim’s own archived investigation. She lays out claims involving early warnings, missing toxicology tests, a cremation pushed through before results came back, and a series of messages that repeated the same unsettling phrase about Chris’ death. She also details financial records tied to a cyanide purchase, contradictions in official explanations, and disturbing findings she says she uncovered after viewing the crime-scene photos years later.

It’s a heavy, complicated timeline. And it raises the question at the center of this case. Was Chris’ death a suicide? Or was something else happening inside that Midlothian home?

Listen and decide for yourself.

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Listen to our sister serial podcast, Skeptical, available on any podcasting platform. Find links to listen at http://murdercreekmedia.com/skeptical.

Human Statue on Display: The Death of Christopher Erick

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 19:40:25 +0000

This week on Dead Diary, we're looking into a case that feels like it shouldn't be real. The story begins in 2012 with the cyanide poisoning death of 23-year-old Christopher Erick in Midlothian, TX. But the real nightmare comes after a paperwork mistake marked his body as unclaimed. His mother, Kim Erick Smith, says she never saw her son's remains again.

Years later, Kim came across the Real Bodies Exhibit and recognized one of the plastinated human displays as Christopher. What followed was a decade-long fight to track the body, challenge official explanations, and demand DNA testing. And just when her claims started gaining traction, the body vanished from the exhibit altogether.

In this episode, we unpack the exhibit's sourcing of bodies, Kim's detailed paper trail, the disappearance of the plastinated body, and how recent discoveries of hundreds of unidentified cremains in Nevada may be connected.

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Listen to our sister serial podcast, Skeptical, available on any podcasting platform. Find links to listen at [murdercreekmedia.com/skeptical](http://murdercreekmedia.com/skeptical).

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit [murdercreekmedia.com](http://murdercreekmedia.com/) to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.

The Kraus Killings: A Televised Confession

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 12:00:39 +0000

This week on Dead Diary, we’re covering one of the most bizarre and shocking true crime moments to unfold in recent memory - the on-camera confession of 53-year-old Lorenz Kraus, who admitted to murdering his parents and burying their bodies in the backyard of their Albany, New York home.

Kraus, a well-educated man with a background in politics, business, and fringe conspiracy theories, emailed a local news station after their remains were discovered, then showed up for an on-air interview and calmly confessed to the killings.

In this episode, we’ll walk you through the case details, the stunning televised moment, and the investigation that began with suspected financial fraud and ended with two murder charges. This one is truly something else.

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Listen to our sister serial podcast, Skeptical, available on any podcasting platform. Find links to listen at murdercreekmedia.com/skeptical.

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit murdercreekmedia.com to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.

The Death of Christine Moyer

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 12:00:02 +0000

This week on Dead Diary, we’re covering a story that’s as tragic as it is senseless — the July 2025 murder of 45‑year‑old Christine Moyer, a respected journalist and communications professional who was shot and killed by her father‑in‑law at a family wedding.

Christine was known as a “defender of those who had no voice,” a mother, wife, and community leader who built her life around helping others. But one man’s anger and obsession turned a family celebration into an unthinkable nightmare.

We’ll walk you through who Christine was, what happened that night, and the motive prosecutors say drove 76‑year‑old Roland Schmidt to commit a premeditated, execution‑style killing in front of his own family.

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Listen to our sister serial podcast, Skeptical, available on any podcasting platform. Find links to listen at murdercreekmedia.com/skeptical.

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit murdercreekmedia.com to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.

Lowcountry Tragedy: The Murdaugh Murders

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 19:41:16 +0000

This week on Dead Diary, we're talking about one of the South's most powerful families - the Murdaughs of South Carolina. Alex Murdaugh, once a respected attorney from a century-old legal dynasty, now sits behind bars for the murder of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul.

But the road to justice wasn't straightforward. From a fatal boat crash that left 19-year-old Mallory Beach dead, to embezzlement, staged shootings, and one of the most talked about trials in the country, this case has power, privilege, and a chilling descent into chaos.

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

This episode is brought to you in part by BLACKBOX AI, the world's most advanced coding assistant. Use our link to help support our show.

Listen to our sister serial podcast, Skeptical, available on any podcasting platform. Find links to listen at murdercreekmedia.com/skeptical.

Alabama's Black Widow: Audrey Marie Hilley

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:19:29 +0000

This story is one of Alabama’s most infamous and jaw-dropping true crime stories. It’s the tale of a charming Southern belle turned cold-blooded killer: Audrey Marie Hilley.

Born and raised in Anniston, Alabama, Hilley seemed to have it all - beauty, charm, and a picture-perfect family. But beneath that polished exterior lurked greed, deceit, and a taste for poison. What started as a husband’s mysterious illness spiraled into a string of crimes involving arsenic, insurance money, and one of the most bizarre fugitive stories you’ll ever hear.

Before it was over, two people were dead, one barely survived, and Hilley herself faked her own death, took on a new identity, and vanished for years, only to return home in one of the strangest endings in Alabama true crime history.

New episodes weekly.

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Listen to our sister serial podcast, Skeptical, available on any podcasting platform. Find links to listen at murdercreekmedia.com/skeptical.

This episode was created with Descript, a podcast editing and transcription tool that’s been a game-changer for our production process. By signing up using our link (https://get.descript.com/3pci2rvzsx9x), you’ll not only get a great tool but also help support our show.

Vanished, Silenced, Exposed: The Brittney Wood Investigation

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 03:31:21 +0000

In 2012, 19-year-old Brittney Wood vanished from her home in Mobile, Alabama and what followed was unlike anything investigators expected. Her disappearance cracked open a disturbing case involving alleged incest, child sexual abuse, and a multigenerational sex ring operating across Baldwin and Mobile Counties. Within days, the last person seen with Brittney was found dead from a gunshot wound ruled a suicide... just hours before he was due to be questioned by investigators.

In this week’s Dead Diary, we go deep into the unsolved mystery of Brittney Wood, the sickening allegations against her extended family, and the unresolved questions that still haunt this case over a decade later. Was Brittney on the verge of exposing a criminal conspiracy? And why has justice taken so long?

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Listen to our sister serial podcast, Skeptical, available on any podcasting platform. Find links to listen at murdercreekmedia.com/skeptical.

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit murdercreekmedia.com to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.

The Disappearance of Emmanuel Haro

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 18:22:11 +0000

On August 14, 2025, seven month old Emmanuel Haro was reported kidnapped from a Big 5 parking lot in Yucaipa, California. His mother, Rebecca Haro, told police she was attacked while changing his diaper, and her emotional on camera plea quickly drew national attention. But within days, the story unraveled. Investigators found no evidence of an abduction, the parents stopped cooperating, and social media sleuths pointed out troubling red flags in their interview.

By August 22, Emmanuel’s parents Rebecca Haro, age 41, and Jake Haro, age 32, were arrested for murder at their Cabazon home about 25 miles northwest of Palm Springs. Both remain jailed without bail, and prosecutors now face the daunting challenge of proving murder without a body.

In this episode of Dead Diary, we break down how the case shifted from abduction to homicide, the disturbing history that surfaced about Jake Haro, and the community’s outrage as Emmanuel remains missing and presumed dead.

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Listen to our sister serial podcast, Skeptical, available on any podcasting platform. Find links to listen at murdercreekmedia.com/skeptical.

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit murdercreekmedia.com to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.

Death Row and Junk Science: The Robert Roberson Case

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:51:27 +0000

In 2003, Robert Roberson was sentenced to death for the murder of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, based on a theory known as Shaken Baby Syndrome. But what if the science that put him on death row was wrong?

In this episode of Dead Diary, we unravel the controversial case of Robert Roberson, a Texas man now facing execution on October 16, 2025, despite mounting evidence that challenges every cornerstone of his conviction. From flawed medical testimony and undiagnosed autism to a shifting scientific consensus on SBS, this story raises urgent questions about how justice is served and whether our legal system is equipped to handle the truth when science evolves.

We examine the triad of symptoms once considered indisputable proof of abuse, how new forensic findings point to undiagnosed pneumonia and medication complications, and why experts, lawmakers, and even the detective who helped convict Roberson now say he may be innocent.

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Listen to our sister serial podcast, Skeptical, available on any podcasting platform. Find links to listen at murdercreekmedia.com/skeptical.

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit murdercreekmedia.com to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.

The Vanishing of Amy Bradley

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 20:11:37 +0000

In 1998, 23-year-old Amy Lynn Bradley vanished from a Royal Caribbean cruise without a trace. One moment she was dancing at the ship’s nightclub, strong, vibrant, and ready to start a new job back home. Hours later, she was gone. No body. No note. Just a string of chilling alleged sightings across the Caribbean, an ocean of unanswered questions, and a family still searching for the truth.

This week on Dead Diary, we are cutting through the noise to unpack the essential facts behind one of the most disturbing missing persons cases of our time. The case is back in the spotlight thanks to the new Netflix documentary Amy Bradley is Missing. From suspicious cruise ship protocols to bizarre sightings and cruel scams, this episode dives deep into the haunting disappearance that has baffled investigators for over 25 years.

Was Amy kidnapped? Trafficked? Did she choose to disappear, or did someone make that choice for her?

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit murdercreekmedia.com to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.

This episode was created with Descript, a podcast editing and transcription tool that’s been a game-changer for our production process. By signing up using our link (https://get.descript.com/deaddiary), you’ll not only get a great tool but also help support our show.

The Manhunt for Travis Decker

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 17:51:56 +0000

Travis Decker is on the run, accused of the unthinkable: murdering his three young daughters in Washington. An Army veteran with survival training and a history of living off-grid, Decker has sparked a massive manhunt that feels more like tracking a ghost than a fugitive. In this week’s Dead Diary, we dig into the chilling timeline leading up to the murders, the psychological unraveling of a man trained for war, and the tactical challenges facing law enforcement as they close in. But this case isn’t just about one man, it’s about the cracks in the systems meant to prevent tragedies like this. From military scars to a manhunt through the wild, we’re cutting through the chaos to find the truth.

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit murdercreekmedia.com to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.

This episode was created with Descript, a podcast editing and transcription tool that’s been a game-changer for our production process. By signing up using our link (https://get.descript.com/deaddiary), you’ll not only get a great tool but also help support our show.

No Body, No Peace: The Unraveling of Brian Walshe

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 21:15:09 +0000

Brian Walshe is headed to trial for the alleged murder of his wife Ana, but there’s a major problem: Ana’s body has never been found. In this week’s Dead Diary, we break down the staggering web of circumstantial evidence, disturbing digital breadcrumbs, and the prosecution’s high-stakes legal strategy. But there’s another twist - one investigator links this case to the Karen Read trial and an entire department now under fire for misconduct. From hacksaws to hacked integrity, we’re slicing through the noise to expose what really matters. The justice system is on trial here, too.

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit murdercreekmedia.com to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.

This episode was created with Descript, a podcast editing and transcription tool that’s been a game-changer for our production process. By signing up using our link (https://get.descript.com/deaddiary), you’ll not only get a great tool but also help support our show.

Accident or Murder: What Really Happened to Kendrick Johnson?

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 17:12:40 +0000

When 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson was found dead inside a rolled-up gym mat at his Georgia high school, authorities ruled it a freak accident. But his family say something else: signs of foul play, missing organs, altered video footage, and a pattern of unanswered questions.

In this episode of Dead Diary, we walk through the full timeline of Kendrick’s case, from the initial autopsy and the family’s fight for a second opinion, to federal investigations, national protests, and the still-lingering question: was this a tragic accident, or a cover-up designed to protect someone powerful?

No hype. No speculation. Just the facts - and the disturbing details no one can explain.

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit murdercreekmedia.com to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.

Karen Read: Murder or Cover Up? Part 4

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 16:34:51 +0000

After weeks of explosive testimony, forensic debates, and allegations of misconduct, the Commonwealth closes its case in the Karen Read retrial - and the defense brings out its heavy hitters. From hostile witnesses and eyerolls in the courtroom to dueling accident reconstructionist and a dramatic verdict, this episode unpacks twists, tensions, and final arguments that sealed the fate of the case. Did the jury get it right?

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit murdercreekmedia.com to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.

Karen Read: Murder or Cover Up? Part 3

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:43:58 +0000

Week 3 of the Karen Read retrial brought a dramatic shift from car crash theory to accusations of a violent breakup turned deadly. In this episode of Dead Diary, we break down every major moment: text messages, forensic evidence, emotional testimony, and the digital breadcrumbs that the Commonwealth claims hold the key to what happened the night John O’Keefe died.

You'll hear how the prosecution introduced a new expert witness, built a timeline down to the second, and doubled down on its narrative of rage and rejection. But the defense wasn’t backing down - raising questions about credentials, omissions at the crime scene, and whether the science actually matches the story.

If you’re following this case closely, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit murdercreekmedia.com to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.

Karen Read: Murder or Cover Up? Part 2

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Week two of the Karen Read retrial brought a wave of emotional testimony, conflicting timelines, and serious questions about the integrity of the investigation. From Jennifer McCabe’s shaky memory and a suspicious Google search to angry voicemails, flirtatious texts, and taillight fragments found after the snow melted, this case only gets more complicated. And when the lead investigator turns out to be a disgraced trooper with ties to the victim’s inner circle, it’s no wonder the jury - and the public - are still very much on edge.

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit murdercreekmedia.com to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.

Karen Read: Murder or Cover-Up? Part 1

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:31:10 +0000

The death of Boston police officer John O'Keefe shocked the town of Canton - and when his girlfriend, Karen Read, was arrested for his murder, the fallout ignited national headlines. In this episode of Dead Diary, host Neeli Faulkner walks through the chilling timeline, the charges, and the two very different narratives at the center of the Karen Read retrial.

Was this a case of drunk driving and domestic violence? Or was Karen Read framed to protect someone from deep ties to law enforcement?

We break down the background, key players, first week of trial testimony, and the growing "Free Karen Read" movement that claims the real story has been buried beneath the lies, bias, and misconduct. From crime scene mishandling to digital forensic red flags, this trial is anything but simple.

If you're looking for a summary of one of the most controversial true crime cases in America right now, this is where to start.

Subscribe for new weekly episodes.

Dead Diary is a production of Murder Creek Media, a woman-owned podcasting and media company. Without backing from any production studio or corporate entity, we have the freedom to explore cases thoroughly and tell the stories that matter the most. While this independence allows for creative control, it also means that we rely heavily on listener support to keep the show going. Please visit murdercreekmedia.com to learn more about us, our mission, and how you can support the show.