Crime Time Inc

Marina Habe: Murder, Mystery and the Manson Connection? | True Crime PodcastOn December 30, 1968, seventeen-year-old Marina Habe vanished from the driveway of her West Hollywood home.Just hours earlier, she had been enjoying a night out with friends at the legendary Troubadour nightclub. By New Year's Day, her body would be discovered in the Hollywood Hills, brutally murdered and hidden beside Mulholland Drive.More than fifty years later, the murder of Marina Habe remains one of Los Angeles' most haunting unsolved cold cases.In this episode, we examine the evidence, reconstruct Marina's final known movements, and explore the theories that have surrounded the case for decades. Was Marina abducted from her own driveway? Was the scene staged to mislead investigators? Could the answer lie with the last person known to have seen her alive?We also investigate the controversial links that have connected Marina's murder to Charles Manson, Tex Watson, the Manson Family, and the dark underbelly of late-1960s Hollywood.Featuring newly researched material, forensic analysis, newspaper archives, and investigative discussion, this episode separates documented facts from decades of speculation.In This EpisodeThe disappearance of Marina HabeThe mysterious driveway encounter witnessed by her motherMarina's final hours before she vanishedThe discovery of her body near Mulholland DriveAutopsy findings and forensic evidenceThe theory that Marina may have been held captiveJohn Hornburg and the unanswered questions surrounding the casePossible links to serial killer John Norman CollinsThe Manson Family connections investigators examinedWhy Marina Habe's murder remains unsolved todayAbout Marina HabeMarina Habe was the daughter of actress Eloise Hardt and internationally known journalist Hans Habe. Home from university for Christmas break, Marina disappeared in the early hours of December 30, 1968. Her murder shocked Los Angeles and remains one of Southern California's enduring cold cases.Join the DiscussionDo you think Marina knew her killer?Was the crime a personal attack, the work of a serial predator, or something connected to the wider network of people moving through Los Angeles during one of the most turbulent periods in its history?Leave a comment below and share your theory.If you enjoy our investigations, please subscribe, follow the podcast, and leave a rating or review. Your support helps us continue researching and producing long-form true crime documentaries.

Former undercover police officer and Crime Time Inc host Simon McLean joins fellow author and former Deputy Chief Constable Tom Wood for a fascinating discussion at the official launch of his new crime thriller, Kintyre, held at Hillhead Library in Glasgow on 24 May 2026.Hosted by former Rangers and Scotland footballer Davie McKinnon, the conversation explores the real-life experiences that inspired the novel, including undercover policing, major crime investigations, cold cases, forensic breakthroughs, organised crime, human trafficking and the challenges of writing crime fiction grounded in reality.Simon discusses how his years in policing influenced the creation of Kintyre's central characters and explains why the story's themes of exploitation, modern slavery and people trafficking remain as relevant today as ever. Tom Wood shares insights from his work on some of Scotland's most notorious murder investigations, including the World's End murders and the pioneering forensic case of Buck Ruxton.The event also features reflections on Scottish policing, crime investigation, cybercrime, football culture, Paul McCartney, book publishing, and the enduring impact of unsolved and historical crimes on families and communities.Topics covered include:• The inspiration behind Kintyre• Undercover policing and covert operations• Crime fiction versus real investigations• Cold cases and modern forensic science• The World's End murders• Human trafficking and modern slavery• Cybercrime and organised crime networks• Scottish policing then and now• Football stories from Davie McKinnon's career• Writing memoirs and crime novels• Adapting books for television and podcastsRecorded live at Hillhead Library, Glasgow, on 24 May 2026.Crime Time Inc is hosted by Simon MacLean and Tom Wood.#Kintyre #SimonMacLean #CrimeTimeInc #TrueCrime #ScottishCrime #CrimeFiction #ColdCases #HumanTrafficking #UndercoverPolice #TomWood #WorldsEndMurders #Forensics #PolicePodcast #ScottishAuthor #BookLaunch

This week on Crime Time Inc., former senior detectives Simon and Tom examine the growing pressures facing modern policing and criminal investigations.The discussion begins with concerns over digital forensic backlogs in Scotland, where increasing demand for mobile phone analysis, cybercrime investigations, toxicology testing and digital evidence recovery is placing unprecedented strain on forensic services. The pair explore how delays can impact criminal prosecutions and why investment in specialist technology has become essential for modern law enforcement.The conversation then turns to the tragic case of Tony Parsons, the former Royal Navy officer and cancer survivor who disappeared during a charity cycling challenge in the Scottish Highlands. Simon and Tom revisit the investigation, the eventual discovery of Parsons' remains, and the crucial role played by a witness whose actions helped bring those responsible to justice. They also discuss the wider challenges of missing person investigations and whether enough support is provided to individuals who assist police investigations.Also covered in this episode:The growing importance of digital forensics in modern policingCybercrime and the increasing demand on forensic laboratoriesPolice Scotland funding and resource challengesDrug-driving investigations and toxicology delaysArtificial intelligence and the future of criminal investigationsThe handling of missing person casesWitness welfare and informant protectionPolice supervision, specialist units and officer burnoutRoyal protection duties and security operationsScottish political frustrations and voter disengagementThe Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh tourismDrawing on decades of policing experience, Simon and Tom offer a candid look at how investigations succeed or fail, and why technology alone can never replace good judgement, proper supervision and adequate resources.

The conviction of former SNP Chief Executive Peter Murrell has sent shockwaves through Scottish politics and raised serious questions about financial oversight, leadership responsibility and public trust.In this episode of Crime Time Inc., former detectives Tom Wood and Simon McLean examine the embezzlement case that dominated headlines across Scotland. Drawing on decades of investigative experience, they explore how breaches of trust develop, why embezzlement often goes undetected for years, and what warning signs organisations frequently miss.Tom and Simon compare the SNP case with real investigations from their policing careers, including thefts involving trusted employees, family-run businesses and compulsive offenders whose behaviour defied logic. They discuss the difference between crimes driven by need, greed and psychological compulsion, and analyse the extraordinary purchasing patterns revealed during the investigation.The conversation also turns to leadership accountability, internal financial controls, governance failures and the responsibilities of those entrusted with managing large organisations and public donations.In the second half of the episode, the hosts address the tragic rise in child and teenage drowning deaths across the UK. They discuss water safety, cold water shock, risk-taking behaviour among young people, and whether schools and parents are doing enough to prepare children for everyday dangers.A thought-provoking discussion on crime, trust, responsibility and the lessons that organisations and families ignore at their peril.The discussion also examines the wider implications of Operation Branchform, the investigation into Scottish National Party finances, and the questions raised about oversight during the leadership of Nicola Sturgeon. Drawing on their experience as former detectives, Tom Wood and Simon McLean provide insight into how fraud investigations develop, why financial controls fail, and what lessons organisations can learn from high-profile cases. The episode concludes with an important discussion on water safety, drowning prevention and the risks of cold water immersion.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the SNP Embezzlement Case01:20 How Embezzlement Typically Begins05:44 A Detective's Real-Life £74,000 Theft Investigation09:40 Need, Greed and Compulsive Theft16:37 The Strange Psychology of Criminal Behaviour18:45 Comparing Major Financial Crime Cases21:14 Leadership Accountability and Governance Failures23:58 Water Safety and Preventable Tragedies25:46 Why Young People Are Most at Risk28:13 The Green Cross Code and Safety Lessons

In this episode of Crime Time Inc., Simon and Tom take listeners inside the world of Scottish policing, crime writing, and real-life murder investigations. What begins as a discussion about their upcoming books quickly evolves into a fascinating exploration of cold cases, people trafficking, major investigations, and the detectives who shaped modern policing.Simon discusses his new novel Kintyre: The Past Doesn’t Forget, explaining how a real unexplained death he encountered as a young officer in Campbeltown inspired the fictional story. He reveals how the book weaves together four timelines involving organised crime, corruption, trafficking, and a retired detective forced to revisit the past.The episode includes an emotional reading from the novel, following trafficking victim Song Lee as she struggles to survive after escaping exploitation and violence. Simon explains the challenges of writing from the perspective of a trafficked young woman and the importance of portraying victims realistically and respectfully.Tom then introduces his upcoming collection Sex, Spies and Bloody Murder, a series of true stories drawn from his policing career and historical crime research. He shares memories of working major investigations across multiple UK police forces and reflects on the detectives who pioneered modern murder inquiry techniques.A major focus of the discussion is legendary detective Hector Clarke and the early computerisation of murder investigations following the failures identified during the Yorkshire Ripper inquiry. Tom explains how innovation, intelligence analysis, and strategic thinking transformed policing during the hunt for serial killer Robert Black.The hosts also reflect on the responsibility of writing about real victims and crimes, the emotional impact investigations leave on families, and why remembering forgotten victims and detectives still matters today.As always, the episode ends with humour and nostalgia, including a discussion about classic Scottish slang words for someone who smells particularly bad — from “minging” to “howling.” 

The Crime Time Inc. team returns with a special emergency episode to discuss one of the most talked-about criminal cases in the UK.Former Deputy Chief Constable Tom Wood and retired Detective Simon McLean examine the murder of Southampton student Henry Novak, the subsequent conviction of Vikram Digwa, and the intense public reaction that followed the release of police body-worn video footage.Drawing on decades of frontline policing experience, Tom and Simon explore:The timeline of the Southampton murder investigationHow false information provided to police shaped the initial responseThe challenges officers face when arriving at chaotic crime scenesThe impact of body-worn camera footage on public perceptionThe reality of split-second decision-making in frontline policingThe continuing debate around institutional racism and policingPublic disorder, riots, and modern crowd-control tacticsHow police gather evidence during major disturbancesThe psychology behind public order policing and baton chargesHistoric policing methods versus modern operational tacticsWhy media coverage often misses crucial investigative contextThe responsibilities of politicians, journalists, and police leaders during high-profile casesThe episode also includes stories from Tom and Simon's own policing careers, reflections on public order operations, and a preview of Tom's forthcoming book, Sex, Spies and Bloody Murder.If you're interested in true crime, criminal investigations, police procedure, law enforcement leadership, and the realities of modern policing, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In this wide-ranging episode of Crime Time Inc., Simon and Tom blend humour, nostalgia, and serious criminal justice discussion as they reflect on their careers in Scottish policing.The conversation begins with memories of detective training at Ayr and Tulliallan Police College, including stories from Butlins nights, old police accommodation blocks, and legendary detective courses from decades past.The hosts then move into a detailed discussion of the Andrew Malkinson miscarriage of justice case, exploring the dangers of flawed eyewitness identification, disclosure failures, parole complications for prisoners maintaining innocence, and the wider implications for the UK justice system.Tom shares insights into how major investigations and cold cases are managed behind the scenes, including how detectives prioritise cases, identify criminal patterns, review historic evidence, and learn from investigative mistakes.The episode also examines the pressures facing modern policing, including shrinking police numbers, overstretched resources, and the erosion of community policing in Scotland and beyond.Alongside the serious discussion are entertaining stories about traffic cops, detective office culture, nightclub escapades during training courses, book launches, and the realities of life inside the police service.

In this insightful episode of Crime Time Inc., Simon and Tom reunite to dive deep into a variety of pressing issues that not only affect Scotland but resonate globally. As they take a brief break from their usual focus on historical cases, they engage in an enlightening conversation, drawing from Tom's extensive experience as a former Deputy Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police.The discussion kicks off with Simon sharing his recent interactions with police officers and the value of feedback in shaping their approach on Crime Time Inc. Drawing from these discussions, Tom elucidates the structural hierarchy within police ranks, clarifying the distinctions and responsibilities of roles such as Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constable. Their extensive banter reveals how navigating the complexities of operational demands and political influences is a significant part of police work, informing listeners about the nuanced landscape of responsibility in law enforcement.Tom's reflections on his career shed light on the challenges of maintaining discipline and handling complaints, a responsibility he admits was not the most enjoyable aspect of his role. However, his approach emphasizes a progressive mindset towards discipline—believing in the potential for redemption rather than solely focusing on punitive measures. He shares a poignant anecdote about a detective whose actions could have been misinterpreted, stressing the importance of understanding an officer's character and past conduct when determining the right response to isolated incidents.The conversation then shifts to the realities of operational policing and the constraints officers face. Tom highlights that as one ascends the ranks, the illusion of increased authority often coincides with greater limitations influenced by budgetary and political factors. Using the example of a significant police budget cut in Scotland, he emphasizes how essential resources are in maintaining effective law enforcement and the impact of decreased funding on crime-solving capabilities and community safety.As they navigate through topics of crime prevention—specifically burglary—Tom expresses a deep-seated concern for the victims whose feeling of safety has been irrevocably damaged. He recounts personal encounters with victims and reflects on the lasting psychological impacts of such crimes. His narrative underscores the importance of emotional intelligence in policing, arguing that recognizing the human aspect of crime offers a more profound understanding that extends beyond statistics and detection rates.Tom also takes a moment to analyze contemporary issues surrounding hate crimes, drawing connections between mental health challenges and crimes committed by individuals suffering from severe mental illnesses. He points to recent events and the tragic outcomes they have produced, suggesting a systemic failure in addressing the needs of these vulnerable populations. Simon and Tom explore how underlying societal issues often contribute to crime, calling for strategic investments in mental health resources rather than reactive measures that merely address the symptoms of deeper problems.Bringing the episode to a thought-provoking close, Simon and Tom critique the naivety of political figures who engage in superficial commentary on complex matters of public safety and criminal justice. They argue that genuine change requires understanding the intricate dynamics at play rather than quick fixes or media-friendly soundbites. The pair advocates for a more nuanced dialogue that champions support for law enforcement while also addressing the root causes of crime, be it through community support, mental health resources, or societal reforms.Links to Percy Sillitoe Podcasts mentioned in this showhttps://crimetimeinc.com/episodes/percy-sillitoe-the-inspiration-for-james-bond-part-1https://crimetimeinc.com/episodes/percy-sillitoe-the-inspiration-for-james-bond-part-2

In this episode, we delve into the intricate case of the Zodiac Killer, reflecting on the thorough investigation and narrative crafted by Alex, who's been pivotal in summarizing the key elements of this elusive case. Through Alex’s comprehensive overview, we pay homage to the victims and draw distinctions between verified killings attributed to the Zodiac and other alleged murders. Despite decades passing, the case remains alive with ongoing public interest, leading to a continuous influx of suspect names, showcasing the enduring enigma the Zodiac has become.We explore the complexities that have accumulated over the last 50 years, emphasizing how the tales surrounding the Zodiac Killer have taken on a life of their own. The necessity arises to return to the inception of the investigations, utilizing modern technology such as artificial intelligence to sift through historical data to identify the genuine Zodiac murders versus those that have been mistakenly associated with him. This approach could pave the way for a more accurate forensic review, relying on evolved methodologies to address any degradation of evidence over time.Both Tom and Simon reflect on the huge investment of resources needed in cold cases like the Zodiac—a task that requires not only modern techniques but a fresh perspective unmarred by the "noise" of decades of speculation and myth-making. The discussion turns towards assessing the worth and feasibility of revisiting long-cold cases against the backdrop of contemporary murder rates and resource limitations for law enforcement agencies.We also touch on the necessity for proficiency in cryptography as a critical characteristic of the true Zodiac Killer, underscoring that this level of expertise would significantly narrow down the pool of suspects. The conversation further highlights the evolution of investigative techniques, by juxtaposing past practices with today’s advanced methodologies that could expose previously overlooked details in long-standing murder inquiries, especially focusing on stranger killings and suspicious deaths that may have been misclassified due to various systemic flaws in the investigative process.As the episode progresses, we reflect on the human aspects of the law enforcement officers who encountered the Zodiac's initial crimes—acknowledging their challenges and limited training at the time. Both hosts express admiration for Alex’s respectful treatment of these individuals while emphasizing the need for contemporary discussions to address the evolving dynamics of murder investigation teams and their management.Finally, we conclude by considering the potential future directions of investigations into the Zodiac case. As we celebrate Alex's innovative work, we ponder the implications of reopening old cases with a fresh lens and the importance of imparting lessons learned from past mistakes within law enforcement practices. The exchange leaves listeners with a profound sense of the shared history behind these investigations and the ongoing allure that such cases continue to exert on public imagination.Zodiac KillerZodiac Killer investigationunsolved serial killerstrue crime podcastcold case reviewcriminal investigationforensic failurespolice investigation mistakesZodiac cryptographydetective analysisunsolved mysteriescold case analysis