Crime of the Truest Kind

Anngelle Wood

True Crime meets Hometown History. Crime of the Truest Kind is dedicated to the things that happen here — the missing, the murdered, the unsolved, and the unforgotten cases rooted in Massachusetts and New England. Each episode explores the people, the places, and the pasts behind the headlines. Created and hosted by Boston radio personality and advocate Anngelle Wood (WFNX, WBCN, WZLX), the show brings a salty, sharply informed perspective to regional crime stories and long‑held mysteries. Massachusetts and New England Crime Stories. History. Advocacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Love Story Lost At Sea: John, Carolyn & Lauren

    MAR 12

    Love Story Lost At Sea: John, Carolyn & Lauren

    Episode 100! The Final Flight: The Tragedy of John F. Kennedy Jr, Carolyn, and Lauren Bessette, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. The Kennedy family embodied American royalty through the collision of power, privilege, politics, and faith. Theirs was a dynasty that coexisted in the shadow of tragedy. Maybe the most tragic of all the losses came on a hazy July night in 1999, when favorite son, John Kennedy Jr, set off for Hyannisport for a family celebration. His wife, Carolyn, and her sister Lauren boarded his six-seater Piper Saratoga for the last time. That night, over the Atlantic, their love story came to an end when their plane went down off the coast of Aquinnah. All three were lost at sea. This episode explores the heartbreaking final chapter of John Jr’s life, and brings an end to this love story. But it wasn't just theirs. The love between sisters was the strongest bond, a sisterhood defined by fierce loyalty. Lauren volunteered to accompany them in some of the most difficult moments in John and Carolyn’s marriage. Lauren was already going to the Vineyard that weekend, but stepped in with quiet support of her sister. It is more than the tragedy of two families. It is about a legacy of love. We could not talk about John Jr, and not talk about the enduring myth of the Kennedy curse, the grave misdeeds and bad behavior that is synonymous with America's royal family. It is a reminder of the sorrow the nation faced when his father, President John F. Kennedy, was killed, and a 3-year-old John Jr. offered hope to fulfill his father’s dream. More at: CrimeoftheTruestKind.com/jfk-jr-final-flight-tragedy-carolyn-lauren-bessette Live Show, Thurs March 12 at Off Cabot, Beverly, Mass Massachusetts Unsolved: Map of the Missing *Salty language: Light to medium, topic dependent. I'll tell you when I need you to earmuff it for me. Online: CrimeoftheTruestKind.com Follow Crime Of The Truest Kind Instagram @crimeofthetruestkind Created, written, hosted by Anngelle Wood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 8m
  2. Finding Melanie Melanson: The 1989 Missing Child Case in Woburn, Massachusetts

    FEB 17

    Finding Melanie Melanson: The 1989 Missing Child Case in Woburn, Massachusetts

    I talk with Kim Blanchard‑Trigilio, one of Melanie's cousins who's leading new efforts to finally bring her home. Melanie was 14 when she disappeared from Woburn in 1989. Her family has never stopped searching for her. On Friday, October 27, 1989, 14‑year‑old Melanie Jo Melanson went to a popular party spot behind an industrial park with older Woburn high school kids. She told her grandmother she was staying with a friend so she could stay out late. No one ever saw her again. Her family is convinced she never left that spot — and that the two older boys she was last seen with know far more about what happened that night. More than 35 years later, her disappearance remains one of New England’s most haunting unsolved cases. Melanie’s cousins Billie‑Sue and Kim have been working tirelessly to generate new tips and keep her case alive. Their mission is simple: bring Melanie home. In this episode, I talk with cousin Kim Blanchard‑Trigilio about Melanie, her life, and the renewed efforts to uncover the truth. Visit MelanieMelanson.com More case information at crimeofthetruestkind.com/melanie-melanson Salty language: Low *Salty language: Light to medium, topic dependent. I'll tell you when I need you to earmuff it for me. Online: CrimeoftheTruestKind.com Follow Crime Of The Truest Kind Instagram @crimeofthetruestkind Created, written, hosted by Anngelle Wood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 3m
  3. Maura Murray Is Missing with Julie Murray On Empathy, The Lasting Impact Of Maura’s Disappearance & The Soul Sucking Reality Of True Crime

    FEB 9

    Maura Murray Is Missing with Julie Murray On Empathy, The Lasting Impact Of Maura’s Disappearance & The Soul Sucking Reality Of True Crime

    Anniversary replay episode: Maura Murray is still missing. 22 years. She was last seen on February 9, 2004 on a snowy back road in Haverhill, New Hampshire, she grew up in Hanson, Massachusetts, she is one of ours. The is a lot about this case that bothers me - that she is missing, that her family has been thrust into a world they never wanted to be a part of, and that her case has become fodder for a genre of wannabe celebrities. Blame the Masshole in me. I think a number of people in true crime are faking it, just exploitative assholes who go through the motions of advocacy but it is really just performative b******t.| I did this episode with Julie Murray a few years ago, after we had met and I learned about what families like hers experience. Maura's story is a crime classic, a greatest hit in the gold catalog. I say that because of the nature of Maura’s case and the myths and mystery surrounding her disappearance, she has become like a character in a work of fiction. Her story has been “deep dived” and rehashed over and over again by the true crime coterie of content creators, podcasters, crime networks, reporters, show hosts, youtubers, tik tokies, and those among this cabal who don’t bother to take any time to really provide much research to do her case justice. I believe we can use true crime for good. We can do better. Julie Murray has been on the frontlines of her sister's case, working to keep her story in the public eye. Maura is still missing. Never give up hope. Meeting the Murrays was eye opening to what families go through. Engage with Empathy. mauramurraymissing.org crimeofthetruestkind.com/maura-murray-missing *Salty language: Light to medium, topic dependent. I'll tell you when I need you to earmuff it for me. Online: CrimeoftheTruestKind.com Follow Crime Of The Truest Kind Instagram @crimeofthetruestkind Created, written, hosted by Anngelle Wood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min
  4. Justice for Ana Walshe: The Trial of Brian Walshe

    12/31/2025

    Justice for Ana Walshe: The Trial of Brian Walshe

    Remembering Ana Ljubičić Walshe, 4/12/1983-1/1/2023 Salty Language: Medium On the eve of the third anniversary of Ana’s disappearance, we honor her life and retrace the events that shaped this case. Ana Walshe, the 39‑year‑old mother of three whose sudden absence from her Cohasset home on New Year’s Day 2023 shook the coastal town and her colleagues in Washington, DC. Her case did capture national attention. What began as a missing report quickly became one of New England’s most closely followed true crime case. Her friends were stunned when they learned she hadn't been seen or heard from since New Year's Day 2023. I first covered her story in February 2023 (Episode 39), shortly after her husband, Brian Walshe, was arrested and a long pattern of fraud and deception unraveled. When a mother disappears, leaving behind three young children, fear sets in immediately. As investigators uncovered troubling details and the hope of finding Ana alive faded, I began researching “no‑body” cases in New England. Though rare, they do exist, and Ana's is now one that joins the list. Two Massachusetts cases that resulted in convictions came in the murders of Robin Benedict (1983, Sharon, Mass) and Katherine Leonard Romano (1998, Quincy, Mass), and the landmark case of Helle Crafts in Newtown, Connecticut in 1986, whose case helped establish standards for prosecuting cases where no body is recovered. Ana was last seen in the early hours of January 1, 2023. The Walshes had hosted a friend for New Year's Eve -- the friend testified about his relationship with Ana's family. Ana also worked for him as director of operations before she joined Tishman Speyer in 2022. Ana was reported missing on January 4, 2023 by her colleagues at Tishman Speyer, after she failed to return to work following the holiday -- not her husband, who fabricated a performance by contacting friends looking for Ana. Ana’s professional journey was extraordinary. After immigrating from Serbia in 2005, she began with seasonal hospitality jobs at an inn in Virginia -- first as a housekeeper, then as a server. Through determination, talent, and relentless work ethic, she built a career in luxury real estate and corporate operations, ultimately rising to a leadership role she called her "dream job" in DC. We examine the evidence presented in the Commonwealth vs Walshe murder trial, the timeline of Ana’s disappearance, and the memory of a woman whose life was defined by resilience, ambition, generosity, and profound love for her children. All platforms: https://shows.acast.com/crime-of-the-truest-kind | More at crimeofthetruestkind.com/justice-for-ana-walshe *Salty language: Light to medium, topic dependent. I'll tell you when I need you to earmuff it for me. Online: CrimeoftheTruestKind.com Follow Crime Of The Truest Kind Instagram @crimeofthetruestkind Created, written, hosted by Anngelle Wood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  5. What Happened To Amy Sher? Billerica, Mass (part two)

    12/01/2025

    What Happened To Amy Sher? Billerica, Mass (part two)

    In part two of Amy Sher's story, I share how the abuse she suffered went on for years as everyone around her tried desperately to reach her. Inspired by the award-winning film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri--about a mother's grief and a town's apathy--Amy's family made a public plea for answers, unveiling billboards in the area she was last seen that asked one question: “What Happened To Amy?” Learn the real life story that inspired "Three Billboards," and a father's mission to hold the man he believes killed his daughter to account. This episode deals with violence against women and domestic abuse. Please listen with care. Amy's case highlights the devastating impact of isolation, coercive control, gaslighting, inaction on the part of authorities, and the resilience of families who continue to fight for answers, even when justice feels so out of reach. With hope, they ask for anyone who may remember something from those days in the fall of 2002 when Amy was last seen, and what neighbors saw and heard. We explore how Amy’s disappearance became both a true crime mystery and a community call to action, connecting her story to cultural touchstones like award-winning films, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and the 1944 classic, Gaslight. EPISODE GUIDE: Abuse and Isolation: How coercive control shaped Amy’s life and cut her off from her family.The Disappearance: The events of October 14, 2002, when Amy left work and never returned.The Family’s Plea: In May 2018, the Sher family unveiled billboards in Billerica to demand answers.Legal Battles: How Sher v. Desmond (2007) set precedent for grandparent visitation rights in Massachusetts.Cultural Connections: Billboards as protest (Three Billboards) and gaslighting as abuse (Gaslight).Community Advocacy: How remembrance and visibility keep victims’ stories alive.This episode blends true crime storytelling, legal precedent, and advocacy for survivors of abuse. It’s not just about one missing mother — it’s about how families fight for justice and how culture reflects our deepest struggles with grief and accountability. More at CrimeoftheTruestKInd.com/amy-sher-part2 *Salty language: Light to medium, topic dependent. I'll tell you when I need you to earmuff it for me. Online: CrimeoftheTruestKind.com Follow Crime Of The Truest Kind Instagram @crimeofthetruestkind Created, written, hosted by Anngelle Wood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min
  6. Where Is Amy Sher? Billerica, Mass (part one)

    11/21/2025

    Where Is Amy Sher? Billerica, Mass (part one)

    This episode deals with violence against women and describes injuries caused by domestic abuse. Please listen with care. The unsolved disappearance of Amy Sher is a disturbing story of violence, isolation, coercive control, and how one person can terrorize an entire family. Amy’s haunting case reveals the devastating realities of domestic violence—the emotional abuse, despair, and powerlessness she endured. Amy Beth Sher, a 38‑year‑old mother, was last seen at work on Monday, October 14, 2002, at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts. Her life had been marked by struggle since meeting Robert J. Desmond, Jr., an office temp at her job. Their relationship moved quickly, and those closest to her were stunned by how reckless Amy seemed in this new connection. Over time, they witnessed the frightening transformation of a once‑vibrant woman fading under the weight of coercive control and isolation. While the official record states Amy was last seen at Alewife MBTA Station around noon on Friday, October 18, 2002, there are no eyewitnesses to confirm this. The detail is widely repeated, but its origin remains unclear—likely stemming from her husband’s shifting accounts. What we do know is that Amy’s last confirmed location was Lahey Clinic in Burlington, and the last place she had to have been was her home in Billerica, where she lived with her husband and son. The chilling disappearance of Amy Sher underscores the profound impact of domestic violence. In this episode, we confront the realities of abuse and the helplessness experienced by everyone around her—family, coworkers, and friends—who could not save her from torment, no matter how they tried to offer a lifeline. By sharing Amy’s story, we shed light on the insidious nature of coercive control, the urgent need for advocacy and education, and the importance of collective action to break cycles of violence. This deep dive into a missing person case serves as a vital resource for understanding the delicate, destructive dynamics of domestic abuse. There is so much more to this than the question, “Why did you stay?” TheHotline.org — National Domestic Violence Hotline Directory of local providers of DV support JaneDoe.org DCF Wonderfund Gift Wish List For Holiday Giving 🛒Wonderfund Amazon Wishlist for more Episode page: CrimeoftheTruestKind.com/amy-sher *Salty language: Light to medium, topic dependent. I'll tell you when I need you to earmuff it for me. Online: CrimeoftheTruestKind.com Follow Crime Of The Truest Kind Instagram @crimeofthetruestkind Created, written, hosted by Anngelle Wood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  7. Bonus: Q+A from Crimes of Camberville at The Burren in Somerville, Mass

    11/03/2025 ·  BONUS

    Bonus: Q+A from Crimes of Camberville at The Burren in Somerville, Mass

    Listen to episode 95, the full show audio. This is bonus content of the Q+A from the show. While many question were on mic, some were not. Crimes of Camberville: From The Alleys to the Ivies, A History of Crime, Murder, and Mystery - Recorded live at The Burren in Somerville on October 23, we explore a history of crimes rooted in Somerville and Cambridge, cities defined by the intersection of the working class and university elites. From the side streets to the lecture halls, we talk about the cases that once made headlines, or remain unknown and unresolved. All should be told, and their names spoken. In this live episode, we walk through developments in the 2009 murder of Charline Rosemond, two cases that rocked Somerville in 1995 - Janet Downing, murdered by a neighbor and family friend, and the still-unsolved case of 17-year-old Deanna Cremin, who was almost home before she was attacked and killed, found the next morning by neighborhood kids. The tragic case of the Dunster House Murder of Trang Phuong Ho on Harvard's campus by her roommate, Sinedu Tadesse, whose mental state had been deteriorating before everyone's eyes, yet no one seemed to notice; and a history of crimes that took place throughout Cambridge dating back to the 1960s: Beverly Samans (1963), Linda Marshall (1968), Jane Britton (1969), Ada Bean (1969), Carol Peterson (1975), Julie Campbell (1978), and women who simply vanished off the streets of Cambridge and Somerville - Amy B. Sher (2002), Reina Carolina Rojas Morales (2022), and Mitchel Valaudyne Iviquel (2000) Show slides and source links will post at crimeofthetruestkind.com/crimeofcambervillelive *Salty language: Light to medium, topic dependent. I'll tell you when I need you to earmuff it for me. Online: CrimeoftheTruestKind.com Follow Crime Of The Truest Kind Instagram @crimeofthetruestkind Created, written, hosted by Anngelle Wood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
  8. Crimes of Camberville - Recorded Live at The Burren, Somerville, Mass

    11/03/2025

    Crimes of Camberville - Recorded Live at The Burren, Somerville, Mass

    Live Show! Crimes of Camberville: From The Alleys to the Ivies, A History of Crime, Murder, and Mystery - Recorded live at The Burren in Somerville on October 23, we explore a history of crimes rooted in Somerville and Cambridge, cities defined by the intersection of the working class and university elites. From the side streets to the lecture halls, we talk about the cases that once made headlines, or remain unknown and unresolved. All should be told, and their names spoken. In this live episode, we walk through developments in the 2009 murder of Charline Rosemondtwo cases that rocked Somerville in 1995 - Janet Downing, murdered by a neighbor and family friend, andthe still-unsolved case of 17-year-old Deanna Cremin, who was almost home before she was attacked and killed, found the next morning by neighborhood kidsthe tragic case of the Dunster House Murder of Trang Phuong Ho on Harvard's campus by her roommate, Sinedu Tadesse, whose mental state had been deteriorating before everyone's eyes, yet no one seemed to notice; and a history of crimes that took place throughout Cambridge dating back to the 1960s: Beverly Samans (1963), Linda Marshall (1968), Jane Britton (1969), Ada Bean (1969), Carol Peterson (1975), Julie Campbell (1978), and women who simply vanished off the streets of Cambridge and Somerville - Amy B. Sher (2002), Reina Carolina Rojas Morales (2022), and Mitchel Valaudyne Iviquel (2000) Show slides and links posted at crimeofthetruestkind.com/crimesofcambervillelive *Salty language: Light to medium, topic dependent. I'll tell you when I need you to earmuff it for me. Online: CrimeoftheTruestKind.com Follow Crime Of The Truest Kind Instagram @crimeofthetruestkind Created, written, hosted by Anngelle Wood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 10m

Trailers

4.8
out of 5
141 Ratings

About

True Crime meets Hometown History. Crime of the Truest Kind is dedicated to the things that happen here — the missing, the murdered, the unsolved, and the unforgotten cases rooted in Massachusetts and New England. Each episode explores the people, the places, and the pasts behind the headlines. Created and hosted by Boston radio personality and advocate Anngelle Wood (WFNX, WBCN, WZLX), the show brings a salty, sharply informed perspective to regional crime stories and long‑held mysteries. Massachusetts and New England Crime Stories. History. Advocacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You Might Also Like