Crimes Uncorked: Recent Episodes
Jen & Rebecca
The unfiltered podcast where two gal pals drink wine and discuss true crime. Join us, Jen & Rebecca, on "Winesday Crimesday"™ as we delve into the interesting, and often times bizarre, world of True Crime. Our weekly podcast starts off by uncorking and providing our listeners with some information about our #wineoftheday. Once we make our toast and clink our glasses, we head right into discussion about current events and everything involving our fascination with true crime, such as: book & movie reviews, our thoughts on popular TV shows, and true gripping stories ripped right from the headlines. We do it all with class (at least we think we do) and a little bit of comedy. We believe in victim advocacy and also offer information, support and access to helpful services. Join our #WeirdoWino cult!
For Episode 22, we take on a couple of cases that are particularly (a word Jen always has trouble saying, btw) heartbreaking because they feature still unidentified victims … specifically, Jane Doe cases. Jen shares the story of "Princess Doe", the name given to an unidentified homicide victim found in Cedar Ridge Cemetery (Blairstown, NJ) in 1982. Rebecca then tells the tale of "Opelika Jane Doe", an unidentified child, who's skeletal remains were found in 2012 near a trailer park in Opelika, Alabama (*Correction Note -- not located in Minnesota - hey, we're human after all.) Since these cases are gut-wrenching, we end the episode with some laughs over a story Jen found regarding a pork chop that bears a strong resemblance to Queen's legendary front man, Freddie Mercury.
This week we delve into the harrowing world of killer kids. First Jen takes on the crazy tale of Jeff Hall, a neo-Nazi who was shot to death with his own gun by his 10-year-old son Joseph. Then Rebecca shares the heart wrenching story of Kayla Rolland, a 6-year-old girl from Michigan, who was fatally shot by her classmate Dedrick Owens, also 6-years-old, at their Elementary School. These are certainly not your typical childish crimes of stealing toys from a friend or bullying a schoolmate.
Join us as we discuss the possibility of someone who may have gotten away with murder … that's not OJ (Simpson). Yes, we are rehashing the Robert Blake case in which he was jailed, tried and then later acquitted of the 2001 murder of his second wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley. This story was so bazaar that we decided to both give our opinions on the weirdest parts of the case.
Rebecca is back from her vacation in The Adirondacks, so we decided to keep that theme going and discuss two infamous crimes that took place in the area. First, Rebecca introduces us to Robert Garrow, an American spree killer who was active in upstate New York in the early 1970s. His criminal trial was known as the “Buried Bodies Case”. Jen then tells a tale so good, not only did the story inspire multiple novels but also a motion picture. It’s the murder of Grace Brown AKA An American Tragedy.
Jen's flying solo this week as Rebecca vacations in the Adirondacks, but her husband, Jonathan, joins her as a special guest to discuss their amazing #wineoftheday -- wine ice cream!! Jen then goes on to discuss the history of the Clinton Correctional Facility AKA Dannemora, which includes the infamous 2015 escape of inmates, Richard Matt and David Sweat.
The gals are feeling a little "meh" on this #WinesdayCrimesday, and why shouldn't they be - they're talking about people being buried alive today, for Pete's sake! After uncorking their #WineoftheDay with a kick, Jen starts off with The Sumner Murders, which took place in Jacksonville, Florida, and involves the kidnapping and murder of a senior couple by someone they knew. Then Rebecca discusses the horrific abduction and murder of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford, which influenced the introduction of legislation in Florida known as Jessica's Law, designed to protect potential victims and reduce a sexual offender's ability to re-offend. It's definitely not rainbows and butterflies today, but then again, it is true crime.
Join us for a wild adventure back to the Old West! Rebecca tells the tale of Charles Kennedy, a 19th century serial killer who would lure passersby into his "Inn", but then once inside, they would never come out. Jen then tells the beloved story of Butch Cassidy, including his bromance with the Sundance Kid and the mystery surrounding his death. We reckon you'll have a lot of laughs listening to this episode … we sure did!
It's Jen's birthday and the girls celebrate by popping a bottle of bubbly for their #wineoftheday! Jen kicks things off by introducing everyone to a young serial killer in the making and then segues into her obsession with the film, My Friend Dahmer (2017). Rebecca keeps with the 1970's theme by telling the harrowing tale of Colleen Stan, who infamously became known as "The Girl In The Box". It's kind of fun and kind of scary this week … just like turning 42.
The year is 1994 … the torso of a young male is found behind a dumpster and it takes years before the mystery of Fred Laster's death is solved. Also that year, Meghan Kanka, a 7 year old girl, was riding her bike in her NJ neighborhood when her neighbor, a convicted sex offender, lured the girl into his home and brutally murdered her. Her tragic story lead to what is now the well known, Meghan's Law.
This week's theme is crimes committed in the home, the place that everyone should feel the safest. Since the girls have 4 wines to try this episode, they decided to include a bonus feature this week. First they start with their picks about houses that turn into Houses of Horror. Jen discusses the Turpin Family Case where a couple is convicted of torturing their 13 (yes, 13!) children. Then Rebecca discusses the Manson murders committed in the home of Sharon Tate. The girls then talk about their most memorable home invasion themed movie. Jen picked When a Stranger Calls and Rebecca picked Home Alone (good call). Join us for some terror and some laughs.
The girls are feeling a bit randy this week, so they decided to go where almost nobody goes anymore - thanks to hook-handed psychos and thrill killers - yes, we're talking about -- Lovers' Lane, baby. Once popular spots where people went to kiss, make out, or sometimes engage in sexual activity (oh my heavens!), an increase in violence at these secluded areas (which included a couple of infamous serial killers) led to the decline of car necking. In this episode the girls discuss an urban legend known as "The Hook", a possible copycat murderer and the slaying of young couple, Grant Hendrickson and Michelle Cartagena.
In this episode we pop open a bottle of bubbly from the state of Wisconsin and discuss two cases from "American's Dairyland". First Jen takes on a heavy hitter with the story of Ed Gein. Rebecca then discusses the gruesome cold case murder of Milwaukee teen, Stephanie Casberg, which still remains unsolved 50 years later.
Join us as we enter double digits, celebrating our 10th episode! This week it's all about Florida. From our #wineoftheday to the Florida Man Challenge, the "Sunshine State" does not disappoint. Things take a more serious turn as Rebecca discusses the story of Debra Clark, who at 23 was beaten and shot to death inside her Coral Gables-area townhome in August 1977. 40 years later, what started out as a cold case, ends in a conviction. Jen then tells the chilling story of a gruesome discovery on Halloween 1969 in St. Petersburg. It's been almost 50 years, and investigators still have questions about the "Lady in the Trunk".
It's all about the open road in this episode! Jen discusses the murder of Joshan Ashbrook, a 16 year old who went hitchhiking and was picked up by the wrong person. Rebecca then brings us a current event - the story about "The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker" who's currently on trial for murder in New Jersey. Being the overachiever that she is, Rebecca then delves into the terrifying story of the Santa Rosa Hitchhiker Murders. It's a scary #WinesdayCrimesday, but luckily our strong bottle of wine helps bring out some comic relief.
This week we rock out to the tragic death of Marvin Gaye, fist pump to one of rock's most sought after drummers - who also happened to kill his mother, and get completely wasted on our Wine of the Day. Long live Rock 'n Roll!
Part II of our two episode series on Saints & Sinners - from our #WineOfTheDay to the "Seven Deadly Sins Law", this week we tackle the Sinners. Rebecca even updates us on the newest revelations in the JonBenét Ramsey case, and our conversation takes a hysterical turn into the world of child beauty pageants. Billy Joel was right ... the sinners are much more fun. Get ready to laugh!
Who are the saints and who are the sinners? And can the one ever become the other? In this first part of a two-part episode collection, Jen and Rebecca tackle the Saints. They begin with their very fitting #wineoftheday, then Rebecca recounts the sins and gruesome execution of an English saint and martyr of the Roman Catholic Church - Saint Margaret Clitherow. Jen then discusses one of the most notorious cold cases in the history of the St. Louis Police Department - the discovery of "Little Jane Doe".
In this episode, Jen discusses the tragic murder of child actress, Judith Barsi, and Rebecca tells a strange tale of Walburga "Dolly" Oesterreich, who kept a love slave in her attic for 10 years without her husband's knowledge. #WinesdayCrimesday
We devoted a whole episode to the true crime doc everyone is talking about - Abducted in Plain Sight! We've provided our honest, and at times humorous, review of the film and we needed our entire bottle of wine to get through it, just like when we watched it for the first time. #WINESDAYCRIMESDAY
In this episode, Rebecca concludes her two part discussion about the Genesee River Killer, Arthur Shawcross and Jen introduces you to Velma Barfield, the first woman in the U.S. to be sentenced to death by lethal injection. Plus our very first wine donation and ways you can help us because, damnit, we need it. #WINESDAYCRIMESDAY
Our First Full Episode!! Jen selects the #wineoftheday and discusses a mother/daughter relationship that turns fatal. It's the ballad of Dee Dee & Gypsy Rose Blanchard. Rebecca then delves into the dangerous mind of the Genesee River Killer - Arthur Shawcross. #WINESDAYCRIMESDAY
Meet your hosts, Jen & Rebecca, during their short preview episode and learn how this podcast came to be. Rebecca "uncorks" our first #wineoftheday, while Jen adds a lot of filler words. Hey, we're new at this. #WINESDAYCRIMESDAY