Koltergeist: True Crime Stories

In this episode of Koltergeist, we examine the crimes of one of America's most dangerous suspected serial predators, Larry DeWayne Hall. The Unorthodox strategy of how the government kept this criminal off the streets required the courage of an unconventional partner and is told in the Netflix series Blackbird. In this episode, we are delving beyond Blackbird-into the actual crimes and suspected crimes tied to Larry Hall, including multiple kidnappings, murders, and sexual assaults of young women and girls throughout the Midwest in the 1980's and 90's. CNN.com - TranscriptsApr 07, 1994, page 3 - JG-TC: Journal Gazette and Times-Courier at Newspapers.com™May 21, 1995, page 1 - The Pantagraph at Newspapers.com™Who killed Michelle Dewey? | wthr.comMissing Wisconsin Woman Laurie Depies' 19-Year-Old Cold Case Cracked By Inmate Larry Hall's Admission - ABC NewsThese Indiana Cases Have Potential Ties To Larry Hall | wthr.com Apr 02, 1993, page 8 - Chronicle Tribune at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™Amazon.com: In with the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption eBook : Keene, James, Levin, Hillel: Kindle Store

Scranton mechanic Frank Osellanie had a dark and predatory past that culminated with the brutal assault and murder of 9-year-old Renee Waddle. But can investigators tie him to other unsolved cases? In this episode we delve into four other unsolved cases of the Electric City-the murder of Laureen Finn and the disappearances of Michelle Jolene Lakey, Shelley Diane Luty, and Joanne Williams. References:Dec 04, 1980, page 4 - Indiana Gazette at Newspapers.comDec 13, 1987, page 1 - Scrantonian Tribune at Newspapers.comDec 17, 1978, page 3 - The Times-Tribune at Newspapers.comSep 09, 1986, page 3 - The Tribune at Newspapers.comAug 29, 2010, page A3 - The Times-Tribune at Newspapers.comMay 24, 1989, page 29 - Scrantonian Tribune at Newspapers.comMay 15, 1989, page 4 - The Times-Tribune at Newspapers.comJun 11, 2007, page A8 - The Times-Tribune at Newspapers.comJun 08, 1989, page 3 - The Times-Tribune at Newspapers.comJun 17, 1989, page 5 - The Tribune at Newspapers.comOct 21, 1989, page 1 - Scrantonian Tribune at Newspapers.comJul 05, 1989, page 4 - The Times-Tribune at Newspapers.comAug 04, 1990, page 3 - The Times-Tribune at Newspapers.com 

This captivating truecrime episode explores the shocking divergence within the Stayner family. It begins with young Steven Stayner’s abduction at age 7 and his courageous escape seven years later—saving a fellow captive along the way. But the story takes a darker turn, as his older brother Cary grows up overlooked and troubled, eventually becoming the notorious “Yosemite Park Killer.” The hosts trace childhood trauma, media obsession, and familial neglect, culminating in Cary’s chilling crimes near Yosemite National Park in 1999. The episode highlights how two brothers, bound by blood, ended up on dramatically different paths.References:https://abcnews.go.com/US/steven-cary-stayner-tale-brothers-horror-heroism/story?id=60529944https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/20/there-was-a-lot-of-torment-the-family-who-endured-two-true-stories

On a cold January evening in 2011, 27-year-old Ellen Greenberg, a beloved teacherand bride-to-be, was found dead in her Philadelphia apartment with 20 stabwounds—10 of which were to the back of her head and neck. Despite the medicalexaminer determining the manner of death as a homicide, it was never reallyinvestigated as such. The medical examiner then suddenly changed the manner ofdeath to suicide-and then changed it yet again, but the story doesn’t end there. Ellen’sfamily and many experts have raised compelling questions about the clearly bungledinvestigation. On this episode of Koltergeist we’ll delve into the evidence, the autopsyfindings, and a brand new bombshell to ask the difficult question—who killed EllenGreenberg?References:Ellen Greenberg - Crime TimelineEllen Greenberg died by ‘suicide’ with 20 stab wounds. Her parents are out to provethat’s impossible | Lamb McErlane PCEllen-Greenberg-Autopsy-2012-Wecht-RPT.pdfhttps://gavinfish.com/cases/ellen-greenberg/Teacher stabbing death to be revisited after medical examiner walks back ruling ofsuicide - ABC NewsAnnie McCormick on X: "Breaking Today : The Medical Examiner in Ellen Greenberg’scase says her death was NOT suicide. The legal tide appears to be turning for theGreenberg family in their decade plus long fight to change their daughter’s suicide rulingto homicide or undetermined."

In this episode, we explore two shocking cases of fetal abduction—where pregnant women were targeted by women desperate to steal their unborn babies. First, we recount the 2015 attack on Michelle Wilkins, who was lured by Dynel Lane under the guise of a Craigslist baby clothes sale, only to be brutally attacked and have her baby cut from her womb. Then, we examine the infamous case of Lisa Montgomery, who strangled Bobbie Jo Stinnett in 2004 and stole her baby, later attempting to pass the child off as her own. Both stories reveal the darkest extremes of obsession—and the strength of the survivors and families left behind.References:https://www.justice.gov/file/262956/dl?inline=https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/2021/01/07/lisa-montgomery-federal-execution-bobbie-jo-stinnett-baby-victim-what-we-know/6550809002/https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/dynel-lane-convicted-in-mother-to-be-stabbing-trial/https://www.denverpost.com/2016/04/29/judge-sentences-dynel-lane-to-100-years-for-attack/

Years apart, on the very same stretch of a San Diego beach, three teenagers were found murdered under eerily similar circumstances. Day after day, people came to the shoreline to enjoy the sun, the sand, and the waves—while the trail went cold, with no clear leads in sight. That is until advances in DNA technology breathed new life into the investigation. But as new evidence surfaced, it pulled more lives into the case and left devastation beyond the original crime scenes.In this episode of Koltergeist, we unravel the haunting mystery that involves three murdered young teens, three suicides, and an unlimited number microscopic wandering particles that settled where they didn’t belong.

In this episode of Koltergeist, we explore the shocking case of Ian Diaz, Michelle Hadley, andAngela Diaz—a twisted saga of stalking allegations, fake threats, and a woman who spent 88days behind bars for a crime she didn't commit. What began as a bitter breakup spiraled into anelaborate deception that fooled investigators and nearly destroyed an innocent life before thetruth finally emerged.https://www.steindefense.com/craigslist-rape-fantasy-plot/https://people.com/toxic-id-michelle-hadley-rape-fantasy-case-11732654https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/110039/does-this-detail-of-the-michelle-hadley-case-count-as-consenthttps://www.courthousenews.com/woman-falsely-accused-stalking-sues-accusers/

This story takes us back to 1982 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, when a local business tycoon was found brutally murdered in the back seat of his car. As investigators peeled back the layers of the case, a web of greed, betrayal, illicit affairs, and shocking motives began to emerge—along with a cast of surprising suspects.In this episode of Koltergeist, we unravel the chilling murder of businessman, husband, and father-David Swinehart—a man whose real estate empire, wealth, and personal life may have made him a target long before the night he was killed.Oct 24, 1985, page 45 - The Philadelphia Inquirer at Newspapers.com™Jul 29, 1993, page 4 - Philadelphia Daily News at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™Jul 29, 1993, page 3 - The Evening News at Newspapers.com™Jan 26, 1982, page 16 - The Philadelphia Inquirer at Newspapers.com™Jan 20, 1982, page 13 - Philadelphia Daily News at Newspapers.com™https://www.newspapers.com/image/173470671/?match=1&terms=thomas%20deblase