Santana True Crime

Cameron Santana, Eric Tansey
  • 4.5 (17)
  • True Crime
  • Updated Weekly

Deep dive into true crime and real investigations Cameron Santana is a veteran law enforcement officer with over 18 years of experience. He holds an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate and spent his first 16 years with the Raleigh Police Department. Explore real cases and real investigations with an insider perspective you can find nowhere else.

  1. 3d ago

    Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell: Examining the Facts, the Search, and the Questions That Remain

    In this episode of Santana True Crime, I am joined by my brother and co-author, Dr. Brian Santana, as we examine the disappearance of Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell using verified reporting and publicly available information. We discuss the timeline leading up to Liz's disappearance, the multinational search effort, and one of the most debated details in the case—the report that jet skiers saw a woman "off shore" who gave two thumbs up, indicating she was okay. Could they have seen Liz? How far from shore was the person they observed, and what impact could that have on the investigation? We also examine what is known about the search efforts, the physical environment, witness reports, and the questions investigators continue to work to answer. Throughout the discussion, we separate verified facts from speculation and explain why seemingly small details may become significant as the investigation progresses. If you enjoy evidence-based true crime discussions that focus on facts rather than sensationalism, be sure to follow Santana True Crime and leave a rating and review. Your support helps us continue producing in-depth interviews and analysis of criminal investigations and missing person cases. Topics Covered: Verified timeline of Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell's disappearanceThe search efforts and resources involvedThe reported jet skier sightingWhat "off shore" may mean in contextQuestions investigators are still working to answerFact vs. speculation in an active investigation

  2. Jul 29

    Bryan Kohberger Wants to Withdraw His Guilty Plea | New Trial? Death Penalty? & What His Petition Really Says

    Bryan Kohberger has filed a petition for post-conviction relief, seeking to withdraw his guilty plea just one year after admitting responsibility for the murders of four University of Idaho students. In a surprising turn, Kohberger now claims he is actually innocent, alleges ineffective assistance of counsel, and argues that his plea was induced by false promises, misinformation, and coercion. Joining me is Dr. Brian Santana, co-author of A Murder on Campus, as we break down Kohberger's handwritten petition and separate the legal claims from the headlines. In this episode we discuss: Bryan Kohberger's statement declaring his innocence.The legal standard for withdrawing a guilty plea after sentencing.The Strickland v. Washington standard for ineffective assistance of counsel.His claims that attorneys failed to disclose or investigate potentially exculpatory evidence, including the unknown hair referenced in his petition.Whether allegations about prison conditions and death row could support his constitutional claims.Why some victims' families wanted a public trial instead of a guilty plea.The unanswered questions about victim selection and offender decision-making.Why, despite the headlines, the legal hurdles to obtaining a new trial remain extremely high.We also explore what this filing may reveal about Kohberger's current thinking, his willingness to risk the death penalty again, and what happens next in one of the most closely watched criminal cases in America. If you enjoy thoughtful, fact-based true crime analysis, be sure to follow Santana True Crime and leave a rating and review. New episodes are released every week covering major criminal investigations, legal developments, and criminal psychology.

  3. Jul 15

    Leigh Occhi: Missing During a Storm | The Mystery That Endures

    On August 27, 1992, 13-year-old Leigh Marine Occhi disappeared from her home in Tupelo, Mississippi, as the remnants of Hurricane Andrew swept through the area. When her mother returned home, Leigh was gone, leaving behind a puzzling crime scene that has baffled investigators for more than three decades. In this episode of Santana True Crime, Cameron Santana is joined by his brother and co-author of A Murder on Campus, Dr. Brian Santana, to examine the verified timeline, the physical evidence, the mysterious mailing of Leigh's eyeglasses, and the latest developments—including renewed investigative activity in 2025. Together, they separate established facts from decades of speculation while exploring one of Mississippi's most enduring unsolved disappearances. Was Leigh abducted by someone she knew? Was the storm an opportunity for an offender? And why are investigators still actively pursuing this case more than 33 years later? Join us as we take a fresh look at the disappearance of Leigh Occhi.

  4. Jul 13

    The Yuba County Five: Fan Questions, Theories & Live Q&A | Tony Wright, Drew Beeson & Eduardo Colella

    More than four decades after five young men disappeared into the mountains of Northern California, the Yuba County Five remains one of the most perplexing unsolved mysteries in American history. In this special live episode of Santana True Crime, Cameron is joined by Tony Wright, author of Things Aren't Right: The Disappearance of the Yuba County Five, along with Drew Beeson and Eduardo Colella—two researchers who have spent years studying this baffling case. Together, the panel answers viewer-submitted questions, takes questions live from the audience, and explores the leading theories behind the disappearance. From the abandoned Mercury Montego and the mysterious Forest Service trailer to the evidence that continues to fuel debate, this conversation examines what we know, what we don't know, and why this case continues to captivate investigators and true crime enthusiasts. In this episode: Viewer-submitted questionsLive audience Q&AThe leading theories behind the Yuba County Five mysteryEvidence that supports—and challenges—each theoryInsights from Tony Wright, Drew Beeson, and Eduardo Colella after years of researchWhether you're new to the case or have followed it for years, this episode offers a thoughtful discussion of one of the most enduring unsolved disappearances in American history. Guests: Tony WrightDrew BeesonEduardo Colella#TrueCrime #YubaCountyFive #ColdCase #MissingPersons #UnsolvedMystery #TonyWright #DrewBeeson #EduardoColella #SantanaTrueCrime

  5. Jul 4

    Christopher Matthew Kerze: Vanished Without a Trace

    On April 20, 1990, 17-year-old Christopher Matthew Kerze told his parents he wasn't feeling well and stayed home from school. By the end of the day, he had withdrawn $200 from his savings account, left behind a series of cryptic notes, driven more than 200 miles into northern Minnesota, and disappeared without a trace. More than three decades later, Christopher's fate remains one of America's most enduring missing person mysteries. Many people first learned of his case when his photograph appeared in Soul Asylum's iconic Runaway Train music video, bringing national attention to his disappearance—but no definitive answers ever came. In this episode, Cameron Santana is joined by Dr. Brian Santana to examine the complete timeline, analyze the known evidence, and discuss the leading theories surrounding Christopher's disappearance. Was he planning to start over? Did he become lost in the Minnesota wilderness? Or is there another explanation that has yet to be uncovered? This episode focuses on the documented facts while exploring the questions that continue to make Christopher Kerze's case one of the most compelling unsolved disappearances in America. If you have thoughts on this case, we'd love to hear from you. Follow Santana True Crime on Spotify and leave a rating to help us continue bringing attention to unsolved cases and the people behind them.

  6. Jun 29

    Nancy Guthrie Updates: New Evidence, Ransom Letters & The FBI's Investigation

    In this episode of Santana True Crime, retired Raleigh Police Officer Cameron Santana is joined by Dr. Brian Santana to examine the latest developments in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. We discuss several important updates that have emerged, including Savannah Guthrie's revelation that the back door of Nancy's home was found propped open when family members arrived, and why that detail immediately suggested something was terribly wrong. We also break down the reported ransom letters, including the initial $4 million demand, the increase to $6 million, and the later message claiming Nancy died shortly after she was taken. We discuss what has been publicly reported, what remains unverified, and how investigators may evaluate these communications. The conversation also explores the FBI's role in the investigation, including why they announced they are pursuing investigative genetic genealogy and what that process could indicate about the current stage of the case. Finally, we examine the growing number of unverified claims circulating online about potential suspects and discuss the impact that rumors and speculation can have on active investigations, innocent people, and Nancy's family. This episode focuses on verified facts, investigative analysis, and responsible true crime discussion. Follow Santana True Crime on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms for new episodes every week.

  7. Jun 20

    Ashley Loring Heavyrunner: The Timeline, Investigation & the MMIW Crisis | Jayson Blair & Michele Wood

    Ashley Loring Heavyrunner vanished from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana in June 2017. Nearly nine years later, her family is still searching for answers. In this episode of Santana True Crime, host Cameron Santana is joined by investigative journalist Jayson Blair, who has spent years researching Ashley's disappearance, and recently retired Chicago homicide detective Michele Wood, who brings 25 years of investigative experience to the discussion. Together, we examine: Ashley's confirmed timeline leading up to her disappearanceThe investigation and where it stands todayCommon misconceptions about missing person investigationsThe challenges of investigating cases on tribal landsThe Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movementWhy public awareness is critical to solving cold casesThis conversation goes beyond one case. It explores the systemic challenges facing Indigenous communities, the importance of timely investigations, and why continuing to share these stories matters. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Santana True Crime on Spotify and subscribe on YouTube for weekly true crime investigations, interviews with experts, and in-depth discussions on unsolved cases. Guests:• Jayson Blair – Investigative Journalist• Michele Wood – Retired Chicago Police Department Homicide Detective (25 years) Thank you for listening, and remember: someone, somewhere, knows the truth.

  8. Jun 16

    Nancy Guthrie: New Evidence, Timeline & The Questions Investigators Still Need to Answer

    More than four months after Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her Arizona home, investigators continue to search for answers. In this episode, Cameron Santana and Dr. Brian Santana examine the confirmed timeline of Nancy's disappearance, discuss the latest developments in the investigation, and separate verified facts from online speculation. We explore: The complete timeline of Nancy's disappearanceThe masked individual captured on surveillanceThe significance of Nancy's pacemaker missing its scheduled transmissionThe ongoing DNA and forensic testingThe recent search efforts in MexicoWhether investigators may have additional surveillance footageWhere the investigation appears to be headingAs always, our discussion is based on publicly available information and investigative analysis. Any opinions expressed regarding possible scenarios are clearly identified as analysis and not established fact. If you enjoy in-depth, fact-based true crime discussions, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review. #NancyGuthrie #TrueCrime #MissingPerson #Investigation #CrimePodcast

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4.5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Deep dive into true crime and real investigations Cameron Santana is a veteran law enforcement officer with over 18 years of experience. He holds an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate and spent his first 16 years with the Raleigh Police Department. Explore real cases and real investigations with an insider perspective you can find nowhere else.

Information

  • Creator
    Cameron Santana, Eric Tansey
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Cameron Santana, Eric Tansey
  • Show Website
    Santana True Crime

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