Dead Before Deadline
There were few times when my interactions on the crime beat ended in friendships. Many of the people I interviewed associated me with the worst days of their lives. There were, however, a few exceptions. Jaclynn and I discuss some of the stories that had a personal impact on me.
info_outlineDead Before Deadline
In Episode 14, Robin and Jaclynn shift gears and discuss the real-life characters he met on the crime beat that have been inspirations in his fiction writing. Be sure to pre-order Robin's latest book, "The Last Hitman" -
info_outlineDead Before Deadline
In Episode 13, we delve further into the lives of attorney and physician Dr. David Ucker and Dr. Donald Plotnick and their bizarre lives of crime. Also, we’ll introduce a new character, Linda Lee Walden, who is accused of murdering her former boyfriend to conceal the fact she had been dating a black man. Who ends up defending her and, ultimately, marrying her? Tune in to see. Pre-Order "The Last Hit Man"
info_outlineDead Before Deadline
In Episode 12 of season three, we conclude our story of two of the most notorious doctors in Columbus, Ohio. This episode takes a bizarre twist when accused killer Dr. David Ucker ends up marrying a woman who is both a patient and a convicted murderer.
info_outlineDead Before Deadline
Doctors take an oath to care for people. But some of them forget their oath. Dr. David Ucker was accused of hiring a hitman to kill his mistress’ former lover. Dr. Donald Plotnick was illegally selling machine guns and set a guy on fire over a drug debt. Part one of this tangled story weaves together a tale of murder and mayhem centered on the Columbus medical community.
info_outlineDead Before Deadline
In this gripping episode of Dead Before Deadline, Robin Yocum and Jaclynn Wilson unravel one of the most haunting and personal stories Robin ever covered — the murder of 25-year-old Jean Schrader. What began as a tragic homicide with no charges filed turned into a relentless pursuit of justice led not by law enforcement, but by Jean’s heartbroken father, Dale Wolford. From tracking down a key witness who had gone into hiding, to winning a major journalism award for the story, Robin shares the firsthand account of an investigation filled with twists, cover-ups, and courtroom drama....
info_outlineDead Before Deadline
The body of a beautiful young woman and a rising star at an accounting firm in Columbus, Ohio, is found in the stairwell of a downtown parking garage, the life strangled from her. In this episode of Dead Before Deadline, Robin and Jaclynn discuss his first big story at the Columbus Dispatch – the murder of Jean Shrader.
info_outlineDead Before Deadline
We are back with part 2 of the Arthur Shapiro case. This one is full of wild twists and turns. Barry Kessler, a Tax Accountant in Columbus was not okay with Shapiro testifying about some questionable tax activity that was happening. Listen in to hear how far this guy went to keep his criminal ways under wraps and how Arthur Shapiro was only part of the story!
info_outlineDead Before Deadline
Arthur Shapiro was a respected Columbus, Ohio, attorney, who counted billionaire and L Brands founder Lex Wexner among his clients. So why was Shapiro killed execution-style in 1985 on the west side of town? Shapiro was under investigation for tax fraud and failing to file income tax for seven years, and was about to implicate someone with a suspected history of murder. Listen to the fascinating tale of Arthur Shapiro in this episode of Dead Before Deadline.
info_outlineDead Before Deadline
Part two of the John Barry Simonis story. Dubbed the Ski Mask Rapist, Simonis gained infamy as one of the country’s most prolific serial rapists. He was eventually captured and charged in Louisiana, but not before he brought his reign of terror to Central Ohio and another man paid for those crimes. Find out what happened to that wrongfully convicted man and Simonis in this episode of Dead Before Deadline.
info_outlineIn the newest episode of "Dead Before Deadline," hosts Robin Yocum and Jaclynn Wilson unravel the complex and poignant story of David Drake, a name that once echoed in the hidden corners of Columbus, Ohio for reasons that will leave listeners both troubled and bewildered.
David wasn't just a child; he was a survivor navigating the underbelly of Columbus as a child prostitute. His story is a tapestry of despair and resilience, tragedy, and the occasional unexpected humor that life throws from the most unexpected places. Robin brings an intensely personal touch to this episode, recounting his direct encounters with David's world, a reality that most would find unfathomable.
This episode is far from your typical true-crime narrative. It's an exploration of lost innocence, the fight for survival on the streets that don't forgive easily, and the blurred lines between victimhood and culpability. Robin and Jaclynn navigate this delicate terrain with the empathy and boldness it requires, painting a picture of David that defies black and white perceptions.
The story of David Drake is imbued with unexpected turns, featuring characters as bizarre as they are real, and life choices that will have you questioning the very fabric of society and the systems meant to protect the vulnerable. Amid the wild tales are moments that will tug at your heartstrings, challenge your preconceptions, and perhaps, offer a faint glimmer of hope.
Join the hosts as they dissect this multifaceted case, offering insights only possible from Robin's first-hand experiences. "Frayed Lives: David Drake's Tangled Path" is not just an episode; it's a journey through the spectrum of human experience, one you won't forget anytime soon. So, tune in for a narrative that's as unpredictable as life itself, on "Dead Before Deadline."