Snapped: Women Who Murder Podcast

This episode investigates the death of Ken Samard, initially reported as an accidental shooting during his wife Roberta's suicide attempt. While investigators first considered her account, the discovery of foreclosure documents and Ken's private notebook revealed a marriage strained by financial deception and control. Ultimately, autopsy evidence proved the shooting was an intentional close-contact murder rather than an accident. The episode concludes with the aftermath of Roberta's conviction and a 25-year prison sentence, reflecting on the devastating impact of her web of lies.

The investigation into the disappearance of Albuquerque teacher Ellen Roth began with unsettling clues at her home, including neglected pets and an untouched residence. While initial suspicion fell on her son, Brian Roth, the discovery of a wiped-down vehicle shifted the case from a missing person investigation to a homicide inquiry. The investigation eventually uncovered a conspiracy involving Kathleen Roth, James Johnson, and Chris Donovan. Following an informant's tip, police uncovered a premeditated murder plot motivated by a desire for vengeance, leading to a confession that ultimately located Ellen's body in the mountains.

This episode investigates the murder of Alice MacArthur, an Arkansas housewife found shot in her closet. While investigators initially looked into her husband's legal career, they eventually uncovered a plot involving two men hired by Mary Lee Orsini, whose own husband had died under mysterious circumstances. The investigation into the murders of Ron Orsini and Alice MacArthur revealed Mary Lee Orsini's complex web of manipulation, driven by an obsession with attorney Bill MacArthur. Through financial motives, hitman confessions, and a forensic handwriting breakthrough, authorities eventually secured her conviction, followed by her own deathbed confession.

This episode investigates the violent murder of Chuck Gold, a Wild West performer known as Black Bart, who was shot multiple times in his Phoenix home. Detectives initially examined the crime scene for signs of robbery or targeted execution, looking into motives involving a former employee and Chuck's personal life. The investigation uncovered deep-seated family tensions, drug debts, and an impending divorce. Through ammunition evidence and informant testimony, investigators connected drug dealer Bob Pryor to the crime, eventually leading to the arrest of Ashton, Carol, and Pryor. The legal proceedings concluded with a plea deal for Ashton and a conviction for Carol Gold on charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy.

This episode investigates the fatal shooting of Mississippi firefighter Willie Barden in his home. While initial reports suggested a domestic violence incident involving his wife, Felicia, investigators uncovered suspicious elements, including a missing security system and conflicting narratives from the victim's son, Joshua. The investigation shifted when detectives recovered a discarded DVR, revealing that Joshua had helped Felicia remove the security system. The recovered footage eventually showed Felicia walking through the house with a gun, contradicting her claims of self-defense. Ultimately, evidence of premeditation—including search history and a drafted suicide text—led to Felicia Barden's conviction for first-degree murder and a sentence of life in prison.

This episode investigates the violent assault of Melissa Latham, which was initially thought to be a random attack but was revealed to be a complex insurance fraud scheme. Detectives uncovered that Kyle Martin and Tonika Jenkins used Melissa to commit medical fraud, an operation that escalated into a brutal physical attack involving insulin injections and a brick. The investigation further revealed Tonika Jenkins' history of elaborate deceptions, including faking her own death using an ankle monitor and fraudulent admission to Yale. The episode concludes with the 2003 trial in Ohio, where the primary conspirators were found guilty despite defense attempts to discredit witnesses.

This episode investigates the murder of Roy Taylor, a National Guard member found shot to death in his Little Rock home. Detectives initially explored various motives, including personal indiscretions and suspicious recent increases in Roy's life insurance policies, while investigating whether the crime scene had been staged to look like a burglary. The investigation eventually focused on suspicious insurance changes and the surveillance of Deborah Taylor and her lover, Henry Price. The case concluded with Henry Price's confession to the shooting and the subsequent trial, where Deborah Taylor was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to life without parole.

The investigation begins with the mysterious near-death experience of Olga Svik, a Ukrainian immigrant in Queens, who was found unconscious in a scene staged to look like a suicide. As Olga recovers, she identifies her client, Victoria, as the person who provided her with cheesecake just before her illness, leading to the discovery of stolen property and a pattern of suspected poisonings. As victims Olga and Ruben realize their experiences are linked, detectives identify Victoria Nasirova as an international fugitive wanted for murder in Russia. The investigation eventually leads to the discovery of evidence in Victoria's belongings, the identification of clonazepam as the toxin used, and her arrest in Brooklyn. The case concludes with Victoria's conviction on multiple charges, including attempted murder, and a 21-year prison sentence.

This episode investigates the murder of Martel DeRuin, a talented musician related to Beyoncé, who was found shot in his San Antonio apartment. The investigation initially focused on a mysterious 911 call from a woman claiming to be his wife, but evidence of a struggle and a broken acrylic fingernail at the scene eventually pointed toward Sasha Scar. Through security footage, DNA evidence, and Sasha's violent history, investigators linked her to the crime. Despite her defense claiming the shooting was an accidental act of self-defense during a physical altercation, forensic evidence contradicted her testimony, resulting in a guilty verdict and a 55-year prison sentence.

An investigation into a fatal house fire in Centerville, Iowa, initially appears to be a tragic accident involving Tim Pazza. However, investigators uncover suspicious elements, including disabled smoke alarms and the discovery that Tim had no smoke inhalation in his lungs, suggesting he was deceased before the fire started. The investigation shifts to a homicide inquiry as detectives uncover evidence of financial motive, a pending divorce, and the presence of propofol in Tim's system. The case ultimately leads to the trial and conviction of his wife, Barbara, for first-degree murder and arson.

This episode investigates the brutal murder of Adrian Zapata in his California home, an incident initially appearing to be a robbery but later suspected to be a staged crime. Investigators explored various motives, including a failed business partnership and potential infidelity involving his wife, Olga Vasquez. Detectives eventually uncovered evidence of Olga's affair with Roberto Saavedra, revealing a motive involving immigration status and financial gain. Through surveillance, phone records, and DNA evidence, investigators linked the pair to the murder, leading to the convictions of both individuals.

The investigation begins with the gruesome discovery of Dr. Thomas Burchard's body in the trunk of an abandoned Mercedes-Benz in the Las Vegas desert. Investigators eventually trace the vehicle to Kelsey Turner, uncovering evidence of significant financial exploitation and a violent struggle at her vacated home. Through witness testimony and forensic evidence, the investigation reveals a fatal confrontation involving Turner and John Kennison. The case concludes with the legal resolutions and guilty pleas of the involved parties, including Kennison, Turner, and Diana Pena.

This episode investigates the disappearance of Jerry Jensen in Florida, beginning with the suspicious discovery of a ransacked apartment and the eventual finding of his remains in a landfill. The investigation uncovers a premeditated murder plot involving his daughter, Nicole, and her boyfriend, Chris Tomlinson. Following the discovery of the body, detectives uncovered evidence of an initial attempt to use poison, followed by a brutal attack with a samurai sword. The episode details the subsequent confessions, the trial and sentencing of the perpetrators, and the lasting impact of the tragedy on the Jensen family.

This episode investigates the brutal murder of Specialist John Eubank at Fort Stewart Army Base. The investigation by the Army's Criminal Investigative Division uncovered a complex murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by Eubank's widow, Lily Mae Wells, and her brother, Carl Swain, driven by the pursuit of a $500,000 death gratuity. Investigators revealed evidence of premeditated attempts to kill Eubank through poisoning and drowning before the fatal attack. The case concluded with both Lily and Carl being convicted of murder-related charges and sentenced to life in prison.

This episode investigates the suspicious death of millionaire Ronald Vinci in his Fort Lauderdale mansion. While initially reported as an accidental fall, investigators uncovered evidence of a violent attack, including autopsy findings of multiple fatal wounds and a handgun linked to his partner, Catherine Pelleggi. The investigation explored motives involving financial disputes and allegations of domestic abuse, even considering the potential involvement of an accomplice. The case culminated in a 2014 murder trial where, despite Pelleggi's claims of self-defense and battered woman syndrome, she was found guilty of second-degree murder.

The investigation begins with the discovery of David Michael Fouts' body in a ditch in Noblesville, Indiana, where investigators found poisonous mushroom fragments in his stomach. As detectives explored leads involving a potential love triangle and domestic issues, they uncovered incriminating digital evidence on his wife Katrina's phone, including web searches related to crimes of passion. Further investigation into Terry Hopkins, a former police officer, revealed suspicious purchases and forensic links, such as DNA and blood on clothing, connecting both suspects to the movement of the body. While the lack of detectable toxins made proving murder difficult, Terry's eventual cooperation and the evidence of conspiracy led to Katrina being found guilty of conspiracy and failure to report human remains.

This episode investigates a 2016 murder-for-hire plot in Spokane County, where Marty Soderbergh attempted to hire a hitman to kill her husband, Russell, for a $300,000 life insurance payout. The investigation involved a police sting operation using a wire to record the planning of the crime, which included a chilling plan to execute the murder on Halloween night. The narrative follows the undercover operation, the discovery of a previous arson for profit, and the subsequent legal proceedings. It details Marty's 2018 trial for attempted murder and her 2021 conviction for arson and fraud, while exploring the devastating personal aftermath and divorce for her husband.

An investigation into the Louis A. Johnson Medical Center in West Virginia reveals a series of unexplained, life-threatening hypoglycemic events among elderly veterans. The sudden drop in blood sugar levels leads investigators to believe insulin was being intentionally administered, pointing toward a potential 'angel of death' within the hospital. The investigation focuses on nursing assistant Rita Mays, using medical records, employee logs, and forensic autopsies of exhumed bodies to build a case. While Mays entered a plea agreement for multiple counts of murder, her true motives remain an unsolved mystery, despite her claims of mercy killings.

This episode explores the tragic murder of Marlene Warren, who was shot in her Florida home by a perpetrator dressed as a clown. The investigation initially focused on her husband, Michael, examining potential motives related to business fraud and his alleged affair with Sheila Keen. Years later, a breakthrough involving DNA evidence and the discovery of Sheila's alias led to her arrest. Despite legal challenges and a controversial plea deal in 2023, the case ultimately revealed a calculated plot driven by jealousy and the pursuit of Marlene's life.

This episode investigates the 1999 murder of Bruce Miller in Flint, Michigan, a case historically significant as one of the first murder investigations involving internet-related evidence. Initially appearing to be a robbery, the investigation eventually shifted focus toward John Hutchinson and later uncovered a complex conspiracy involving Cherie Miller and Jerry Cassidy. Through digital evidence found in AOL chat logs and a briefcase of evidence left by the late Jerry Cassidy, investigators revealed how Cherie Miller manipulated Cassidy using false claims of pregnancy and abuse to orchestrate the crime. The episode follows the trail from the initial crime scene to the high-profile trial and Cherie Miller's eventual admission of guilt.

This episode investigates the murders of Alex Shute and Brianna Sproul in Willard, Missouri. Following the discovery of the crime scene, detectives utilized doorbell camera footage and ballistic evidence to establish a timeline and rule out murder-suicide, eventually shifting focus to Alex's ex-wife, Teresa Cox, due to ongoing custody disputes. The investigation uncovered a murder plot orchestrated by Cox and her boyfriend, Duncan Bogle, involving a conspiracy with a manager named Matthew Plum to provide a false alibi. After a manhunt led to their capture in San Francisco, both suspects pleaded guilty to murder. The episode concludes with the legal resolution and the adoption of Alex's daughter by his family.

The investigation into the violent ambush of James and Jennifer Faith in Dallas initially suggested a random robbery or employee retaliation. However, detectives uncovered evidence of an emotional affair between Jennifer and Darren Lopez, a decorated but disabled veteran, leading to the discovery of deleted messages and a deeper motive. Investigators identified Lopez through phone records and surveillance, eventually finding physical evidence linking him to the murder. The investigation revealed that Jennifer manipulated Lopez by fabricating stories of abuse to incite the crime. Following the attack, Lopez attempted to stage a robbery, but the truth emerged through recovered messages and his eventual confession.

The discovery of human remains in a shallow grave in Nash County, North Carolina, leads investigators to believe the long-missing Debra Deans has been found. The investigation traces the location to property owned by Kimberly Hancock, the person who last saw Debra alive, uncovering a history of financial irregularities involving forged social security checks. As the investigation unfolds, authorities uncover Kimberly's violent past and examine testimony from her children regarding threats and admissions. Despite suspicions surrounding the disappearance of her brother, Kojak, and a lack of direct physical evidence, the case concludes with Kimberly Hancock entering an Alford plea, leaving her family feeling that justice was not served.

This episode investigates the gruesome discovery of human remains in the Passaic River and the subsequent murder of scientist Yakov Glusman. The investigation reveals that Vladimir Zelenin confessed to the dismemberment, claiming he was coerced by his cousin, Rita Glusman, who used threats against his asylum status to protect her business and assets during a bitter divorce. The narrative explores the motives of greed and jealousy, detailing Rita's desperate attempts to sabotage Yakov's extramarques affair and her unauthorized use of company funds. The episode concludes with the trial and sentencing of both perpetrators, the eventual compassionate release of Rita Glusman, and a tribute to the victim.

The murder of Bill Reynolds, a Vietnam veteran in Southern Indiana, left investigators searching for answers after his body was found in his driveway with no obvious weapon or witnesses. His sons suspected his wife, Daylene Cates, of orchestrating a plot to seize his assets following a bitter divorce and disputes over the family home. The investigation eventually uncovered a complex conspiracy involving Daylene's daughter, Johnetta Hall, and several accomplices. Through surveillance footage and interrogations, detectives traced the plot to Kerry Heald, who confessed to being hired by Hall to commit the murder. The case concluded with the arrest and life sentences for the co-conspirators, including Heald, Hall, and Amaris Bunyard.

The discovery of Charles 'Don' Hurt's body in a rural Tennessee town revealed an execution-style shooting, prompting an investigation into his personal and financial life. Investigators uncovered a conspiracy involving his wife, Sharon, her lover Joe Rowe, and her siblings, Marcy and James Murray. Evidence including a witness sighting of a pink Cadillac and high levels of Benadryl in the victim's system eventually led to Joe Rowe's confession. The trial concluded with the conviction of all three defendants for first-degree murder, driven by a motive of greed involving life insurance.

This episode investigates the murder of John Paul Wilty, a man found shot in his Mississippi neighborhood in what investigators believe was a planned ambush. The investigation probes the personal life of his wife, Angela, uncovering evidence of infidelity and potential connections to her stepfather, CSO Norvell, a convicted murderer. Following a tip from Angela's son, investigators discovered a murder weapon on Norvell's property, which forensic evidence linked to the victim. However, despite the discovery of the firearm and the investigation into a potential motive involving a life insurance policy, the trial of CSO Norvell resulted in an acquittal due to insufficient evidence and unreliable testimony.

The disappearance of Whitney Hostler in rural Ohio triggered an intense investigation into the Ryder family. After investigators discovered suspicious blonde hair on duct tape in a family vehicle, the probe deepened, eventually leading to the discovery of Whitney's body in a ravine. Following the discovery, Rodney Ryder Sr. confessed to helping Valerie Ryder dispose of the body, leading to their arrests for felony murder. While investigators initially looked into Randy Ryder's involvement, a polygraph exam cleared him. Ultimately, forensic evidence and testimony led to Valerie's conviction for murder.

This episode investigates the murder of Pastor David Evans in Ada, Oklahoma. What began as an investigation into a potential motive involving church opposition quickly uncovered a complex web of infidelity and domestic abuse involving his wife, Christy, and her lover, Khalil Square. The investigation revealed a murder plot orchestrated by Christy, who claimed she was a victim of coercive control, while Khalil alleged he was manipulated by his feelings for her. The case concluded with Christy's guilty plea and a life sentence, leaving a lasting impact on her family.

This episode explores the violent escalation of an eight-year feud between neighbors Lenny Paul Tracy and Tony Davis in Canyon Country, California. What began as minor disputes over property and a tire transformed into a fatal confrontation, leading to a police standoff and a high-stakes murder investigation. Investigators examined surveillance footage, forensic findings, and a hidden VHS tape to determine if the shooting was self-defense or premeditated murder. The investigation ultimately led to a jury finding Tracy guilty of first-degree murder and assault, a verdict that was later upheld on appeal.

This episode explores a fatal shooting in New Brighton, Minnesota, stemming from a long-standing neighbor feud between the Zumbergs and the Stevens/Clevin family. The narrative traces the escalation of tensions involving property disputes and lifestyle differences, leading to a violent police standoff and the death of Todd Stevens. The investigation delves into the motives behind the crime, including the impact of personal hardships on Neil Zumberg. The episode concludes with the legal aftermath, covering the trials of Neil and his wife Paula, and Neil's eventual conviction for first-degree premeditated murder.