Coercive Control & Criminal Curiosity: The Cases of Sally Challen and the Barefoot Bandit, with Hannah and Patia from The Knife!
Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
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 unforgettable tale of Colton Harris-Moore, better known as the Barefoot Bandit. He was a lanky teen from a small island town who went on the run, stealing cars and planes while dodging authorities for years. His story captured the internet’s imagination, but behind the memes was a kid failed by the very systems meant to protect him. Next, Hannah and Patia...
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MYSTERY: The Televangelist Bombings
Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
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 the rise of televangelism, the attacks that nearly claimed lives, the FBI investigation, and the internet’s favorite theory about who was really behind it all. Check-out bonus episodes up on Spotify and Apple podcast now! Get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus chat episodes, discord access and zoom hangouts at Thank you to this...
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MYSTERY: Lake Lanier
Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
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 destination, Lake Lanier was the site of a federal project that displaced hundreds of families—many of them Black landowners—uprooted cemeteries, and submerged an entire community under 56,000 acres of water. This week, Mandy and Melissa explore the dark past and chilling present of one of the most infamous lakes in the United States. From ghost stories...
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MURDERED: Eric Nelams
Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
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’s story — who he was, what happened, and how his family has spent over two decades fighting for answers. The case remains open, but justice has yet to be served. Thank you to Eric's family for sharing his story with us. If you have any information on Eric's murder, contact Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP. They also have an online form. ...
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MURDERED: Destiny McClain (Revisited)
Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
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 taco truck outside a nightclub in Phoenix, AZ. Ways to help: Anyone with information is asked to contact Phoenix police at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO (837-8446) for Spanish. There is a $2,000 reward available. Follow and pages for Our Destiny Our Future Foundation “Justice for...
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MURDERED: The Murder of Karen Grammer and the Colorado Springs Killing Spree
Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
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 unpacking the crimes, the trials, and Kelsey’s decades-long fight to keep his sister’s killer behind bars. We’re celebrating 8 years of Moms and Mysteries, and we just want to say thank you for all your support. We wouldn’t be here without you. To show our appreciation, we’re giving away 6 months of free Patreon access to 8 lucky...
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MISSING: Jennifer Kesse
Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
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 Jennifer Kesse’s disappearance is urged to contact the FDLE Orlando office at 407-245-0888 or email . Thank you to this week’s sponsors! Go to today to find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you and enroll now And right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your 20% off text...
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MURDERED: Clara Phillips, Tiger Woman
Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
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 through Central America before her capture in Honduras. We unravel Clara’s troubled marriage, the dramatic courtroom showdown, and the scandalous prison life that followed. Thank you to this week’s sponsors! Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to . We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for...
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UPDATE: Amy Bishop-Mad Scientist
Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
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 several important updates. Stick with us as we dive into what’s happened since then. Join us for a refresher on Amy’s strange and twisted story—a disgruntled Harvard graduate, a secret neighborhood pizza party, and a series of bizarre events that escalated into violence. From the tragic shooting of her brother to her infamous shooting spree at the...
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MURDERED: Suzanne Morphew
Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast
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 tranquilizer darts to DNA, secret affairs to a second arrest years later — this episode unpacks the timeline, the evidence, and the search for justice in Suzanne’s case. Thank you to this week’s sponsors! Save 30% on your first month of subscription by going to or entering MOMS at checkout. Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody Collection and...
info_outlineBeneath 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 destination, Lake Lanier was the site of a federal project that displaced hundreds of families—many of them Black landowners—uprooted cemeteries, and submerged an entire community under 56,000 acres of water.
This week, Mandy and Melissa explore the dark past and chilling present of one of the most infamous lakes in the United States. From ghost stories and urban legends to real-life drownings and disappearances, the lake has earned its deadly reputation. Whether it's unexplained boating accidents, tales of invisible hands pulling swimmers under, or the eerie story of the Lady of the Lake, Lake Lanier continues to make headlines nearly 70 years after it was created.
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