Mayhem Diaries

Mayhem Diaries
  • 5.0 (3)
  • True Crime
  • Updated Weekly

Come listen as we discuss Murder, Mystery, and the paranormal. There will be laughter and tears and plenty of four letter words. This not a doom and gloom podcast, it is a lighthearted look into the true crime, and paranormal world.

  1. Apr 6

    The Midwest Black Widow

    Kelly and her husband Jason made a wedding night pact tokill anyone involved in their extramarital affairs. They lured her lover, ChrisRegan, to their home, shot him, and dismembered him. The truly sadistic rumor?She allegedly served his remains to her neighbors at a barbecue. Later, whenshe was tired of her husband, she gave him a deliberate heroin overdose andsmothered him so she wouldn't have to deal with a divorce. News Coverage: Alleged serial killer tied to Michigan may have killed 9, served lover's remains at BBQ (Fox 2 Detroit) - A solid breakdown of the timeline, the trial, and the wilder serial killer allegations that emerged later. Docuseries: Dead North on Investigation Discovery. This is the 4-part series featuring the actual interrogation footage and bodycam video from Chief Laura Frizzo's investigation. You can stream the episodes on Discovery+ or Apple TV. Deep Dive Podcast: Murder, Mystery & Makeup: Who is Kelly Cochran? - If you want to hear how another creator breaks down the twisted marriage pact and the horrific barbecue rumors, this is a great listen. You can also watch 'Where Monsters Hide' on Nightline. This investigative segment provides an excellent visual overview of the police hunt for Chris Regan and the chilling clues discovered inside the Cochran home.

  2. Apr 6

    The Bridgeport Poltergeist

    This week on Mayhem Diaries, we’re unlocking the door to the Goodin family bungalow on Lindley Street. In the winter of 1974, this small home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, became the epicenter of one of the most documented and debated paranormal events in U.S. history. We’re getting into the mess of flying crucifixes, the arrival of demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren, and the wildest detail of all: a cat named Sam who supposedly had a lot to say. Was this a genuine demonic entity terrorizing a family, or the greatest, most elaborate hoax ever pulled off by an 11-year-old girl? Detailed Articles & Case Studies True Crime New England: Provides a deep dive into the timeline, starting from when Jerry and Laura Goodin bought the bungalow in 1960 through the height of the activity in 1974. Damned Connecticut: A great resource for the "weird" details, including the local lore about the talking cat and the debunking (or lack thereof) by police. Haunts Podcast Show Notes: Offers a concise summary of the major events, including the involvement of Ed and Lorraine Warren and the eventual "hoax" label. Bridgeport History Center: This PDF guide from the local library lists archival materials, newspaper clippings, and books related to the case. William J. Hall's Research: Hall wrote The World's Most Haunted House, which is considered the definitive book on the subject. The True Horror of the Bridgeport Poltergeist (YouTube): A full paranormal documentary that includes witness accounts and historical footage. New England Legends Podcast: This episode features a dramatic walkthrough of the events and the 1974 cultural atmosphere. Amazing Tales CT: Focuses on the credibility of the dozens of police and firefighters who swore they saw objects move.

  3. Mar 29

    The Smurl Family Haunting

    Forget the flickering lights—we’re talking about the duplex at 106 Chase Street, where the walls bled black sludge and a family was pushed to the brink by an invisible predator. In this mega-episode, we break down the 15-year siege of the Smurl family, the failure of the Church, and the "circus" that turned a domestic nightmare into a global headline. Down the Rabbit Hole: Watch the Movie: The Haunted (1991) Full Feature – See the TV movie that traumatized a generation. The Official File: NESPR: The Smurl Family Haunting – Read the Warrens’ original reports on the "infested" duplex. Read the Source: The Haunted by Robert Curran – The book co-authored by the Smurls themselves. In Memoriam: Jack Smurl (1942-2017) – The legacy of a man who never wavered in his truth.

  4. Mar 22

    Black Hope Cemetery

    One of the most legally and ethically "messy" hauntings out there. As a Realtor, the property law aspect of this is going to make your skin crawl—the developers essentially built a subdivision over a pauper’s cemetery and then left the homeowners to pay the court costs.The Gold Standard: Media & Documentaries Unsolved Mysteries - Black Hope Curse: This is the definitive hub for the case, featuring the original segment that brought the Haney and Williams families' stories to the national stage. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104365/: For listeners who want to see the dramatized version starring Patty Duke. It’s loosely based on the book The Black Hope Horror. Historical & Deep-Dive Research Austin Ghost Tours: The Black Hope Cemetery and Horror: This is an excellent long-read that breaks down the specific timeline of the Newport subdivision and the identities of the people buried there (like Charlie and Betty Thomas). The Legal & Neighborhood Angle Historic Houston: Newport Subdivision Discussion: This forum includes local perspectives and "boots on the ground" accounts from people who lived in or near the Newport area during the 80s and 90s.

  5. Mar 3

    The Bayou Strangler

    Laissez les bons temps rouler? Not this time. 🎭 For our final Black History Month drop, we are heading down to my old stomping grounds—the Big Easy. But we aren’t talking about King Cake, parade routes, or Bourbon Street benders. We’re wading deep into the sugarcane fields and the parishes where the justice system turned a blind eye. This week on Mayhem Diaries, we’re dissecting the infuriating, devastating case of Ronald Dominique—The Bayou Strangler. Over a decade, he hunted the margins of society, targeting at least 23 Black men while law enforcement chalked up obvious strangulations to "asthma" and "accidental drownings." The system didn't just fail these men; it handed the killer a VIP pass to keep going. Grab your drink and lock the deadbolt. It’s a heavy one, but we owe it to the victims to say their names and drag this systemic nightmare into the light. The Case Files & Timelines: The Plea & Sentencing Receipts (News Archive): https://www.foxnews.com/story/louisiana-serial-killer-gets-8-life-terms-for-8-murders Complete Victim Timeline & Breakdown: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Dominique (Wikipedia actually keeps the most comprehensive, updated list of all 23+ victims and the exact dates/locations they were found). The Documentary: Bayou Blue (Where to Stream): https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bayou_blue (This page shows your listeners exactly where it is currently streaming, including Prime Video and Apple TV). The Organizations: Black and Missing Foundation (BAMFI): https://www.blackandmissinginc.com/ PACE Louisiana: https://www.pacelouisiana.org/ House of Tulip (New Orleans Housing Refuge): https://houseoftulip.org/

  6. Feb 22

    Anthony Sowell- Unseen

    This week on Mayhem Diaries, we are unpacking the absolute nightmare of 12205 Imperial Avenue and the crimes of Anthony Sowell. But we aren’t just talking about the monster. We are talking about the complete, catastrophic failure of the justice system that allowed him to operate in plain sight, and the marginalized Black women who were aggressively ignored when they went missing. The Crime Scene & Forensic Diagrams Unseen (2016) Documentary: A harrowing documentary that visually maps out the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, the Imperial Avenue house, and the spatial reality of his crimes. Unseen on Rotten Tomatoes. The Supreme Court of Ohio (State v. Sowell): The official 2016 slip opinion (Case No. 2016-Ohio-8025) that clinically breaks down the timeline, the forensic evidence, and Latundra Billups' exact testimony. Read the full PDF court opinion here. Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts: For listeners who want to dig into the raw, day-to-day legal filings and defense motions. Cuyahoga County Docket Search (Instruct listeners to search for "Anthony Sowell"). Black and Missing Foundation (BAMFI): The premier non-profit dedicated to bringing awareness to missing persons of color and providing vital resources to their families. blackandmissinginc.com Our Black Girls: An award-winning journalism platform created by Erika Marie that tells the stories of Black women and girls whose unsolved cases are often ignored by mainstream media. ourblackgirls.com The Journey Center for Safety and Healing: A localized organization providing emergency shelter, domestic violence intervention, and support for vulnerable women right in the Cleveland/Cuyahoga County area. journeyneo.org The Court Transcripts & Legal PaperworkOrganizations Fighting for Missing & Murdered Black Women

  7. Feb 8

    The Grim Sleeper

    Lonnie Franklin Jr. (The Grim Sleeper) thought he was untouchable.He thought because he targeted Black women in South Central, nobody would care.He thought "No Humans Involved" (NHI) was a shield that would protect him forever. He was wrong. Because he made one fatal mistake:He left Enietra Washington alive. Receipts: Here is a clip of Enietra Washington's actual testimony in court—Grim Sleeper Trial - Enietra Washington Testimony The Survivor (Enietra Washington): The Deep Dive: "Enietra Washington: Only Confirmed Survivor Of Grim Sleeper" (Blurred Bylines). This article breaks down her specific injuries and the "Ford Pinto" ride from hell. The Confrontation: "Victim tells 'Grim Sleeper': 'You are truly a piece of evil'" (CityNews). Coverage of her courtroom testimony where she pointed him out. The Forensics (The Pizza & The Photos): The Pizza Crust Science: "Familial DNA Testing Scores a Win in Serial Killer Case" (ResearchGate). A breakdown of how the familial DNA search actually worked to catch him. The "Souvenirs": "Grim Sleeper Serial Killer Suspect's Secret Photos" (CBS News). Warning: This gallery contains the actual images released by the LAPD to identify victims. It is chilling. The Heroes (The Coalition): Margaret Prescod & The Coalition: Black Coalition Fighting Back Serial Murders. The official archive of the group that forced the LAPD to wake up. "No Humans Involved" (NHI): Sylvia Wynter: No Humans Involved. An explanation of the term's origin in the LAPD and the academic response to it. The Documentary: Recommended Watch: "Tales of the Grim Sleeper" (Nick Broomfield). This is the definitive documentary that interviews Lonnie's neighbors and exposes the community neglect.

  8. Feb 3

    Bonus- The Sunday Roast

    CONTENT WARNINGS: Cannibalism, animal cruelty, skinning/dismemberment, domestic violence. EPISODE SUMMARY: We meet Katherine Knight, a slaughterhouse worker who treated her partner, John Price, like a day at the office. From the "skin suit" curtain to the pot on the stove, this case is the reason why the Australian legal system created the "Never to be Released" file marker. Warning: The legal transcript (AustLII) is the official court document. It contains the raw, unedited description of the crime scene. It is arguably more disturbing than any horror movie script. The Holy Grail (The Court File): R v Knight [2001] NSWSC 1011 (AustLII) This is the Judge's sentencing remarks. Scroll to Paragraph 26 for the kitchen discovery. The Deep Dive Article: Katherine Knight: The grandmother who skinned her partner and cooked his head (News.com.au) A comprehensive breakdown of her history and the specific night of the murder. The Book: Beyond Bad: The Life and Crimes of Katherine Knight by Sandra Lee The definitive biography if you want to understand her childhood and the psychology behind the butcher. Helplines: USA: The National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-SAFE) Australia: 1800 RESPECT (National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service) Australia (Men's Referral Service): No to Violence (1300 766 491) - Specifically for men experiencing or using family violence. Socials: Instagram: @Mayhem.Diaries

See All (21)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Come listen as we discuss Murder, Mystery, and the paranormal. There will be laughter and tears and plenty of four letter words. This not a doom and gloom podcast, it is a lighthearted look into the true crime, and paranormal world.

Information

  • Creator
    Mayhem Diaries
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mayhem Diaries
  • Show Website
    Mayhem Diaries

You Might Also Like