The True Crime Report with Jim Rathmann

Jim Rathmann

Welcome to The True Crime Report with Jim Rathmann—where Bronze Star recipient, 82nd Airborne Division Captain, and former Secret Service agent Jim Rathmann takes a deep dive into some of the most complex and controversial true cases in America. A veteran of the police force and an experienced homicide investigator, Jim brings the same relentless dedication to his investigations that he did while serving as an Infantry Platoon Leader in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and as a decorated LSU athlete.

  1. The 1994 Murder Case That Still Doesn't Add Up

    4d ago

    The 1994 Murder Case That Still Doesn't Add Up

    In this episode of The True Crime Report, Jim Rathmann revisits the 1994 Newport Beach murder of businessman Bill McLaughlin and the controversial convictions of Eric Naposki and Nanette Packard-Johnston. Fifteen years after McLaughlin was killed, prosecutors secured convictions based entirely on circumstantial evidence. But what happened to the phone record that allegedly provided Naposki with an alibi? Why did key witness testimony emerge more than a decade later? And could modern DNA testing finally reveal the truth? Follow Jim on Instagram: @therealjimrathmann ----------------------------------------------------- Special thanks to our partners: Podgo and Hi Hello Labs in Orlando, Florida, for powering and producing this show. Sponsored by: Podgo Services Produced at: Hi Hello Labs (Orlando, FL) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    33 min
  2. The Evidence That Disappeared Before Trial

    Jun 5

    The Evidence That Disappeared Before Trial

    In the third installment of the Eric Naposki and Nanette Johnston Packard series, former homicide investigator Jim Rathmann conducts a rigorous examination of the evidence, timelines, witness statements, and lingering questions surrounding one of Southern California's most controversial murder convictions. The case traces back to December 1994, when William McLaughlin was murdered in Newport Beach, California. More than a decade later, Naposki and Packard were convicted of the crime, despite a prosecution strategy that relied heavily on circumstantial evidence rather than definitive physical proof. Throughout this episode, Rathmann systematically breaks down the critical components of the state's case, shedding light on the alleged missing phone record from a Denny's restaurant, stark timeline inconsistencies between 1994 and 2009, and a witness who claimed to remember cutting a key fifteen years after the fact. He also scrutinizes the drive-time recreations used by prosecutors, reports of a mysterious sports car spotted near the crime scene, and the reasons why investigators initially declined to file charges. Furthermore, the episode explores the pivotal role cold case investigators played in reopening the file, raises concerns about potentially overlooked exculpatory evidence, and reviews the specific questions that troubled jurors during trial deliberations. Ultimately, Rathmann questions whether these high-profile convictions were truly rooted in indisputable facts or merely built upon a foundation of assumptions. As part of an ongoing independent investigation into the Naposki-Packard case, this episode raises profound questions about wrongful convictions, prosecutorial decision-making, and the reliability of circumstantial evidence in the modern justice system. ----------------------------------------------------- Follow Jim on Instagram: @therealjimrathmann ----------------------------------------------------- Special thanks to our partners: Podgo and Hi Hello Labs in Orlando, Florida, for powering and producing this show. Sponsored by: Podgo Services Produced at: Hi Hello Labs (Orlando, FL) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    41 min
  3. Unanswered Questions: Bill McLaughlin Murder

    May 27

    Unanswered Questions: Bill McLaughlin Murder

    The 1994 murder of wealthy entrepreneur Bill McLaughlin shocked Newport Beach, California and became one of the most controversial true crime cases in modern California history. In this episode of True Crime Report, Jim Rathmann walks through the murder case of Bill McLaughlin, Nanette Packard, and former NFL linebacker Eric Naposki — a case that has been featured on Dateline NBC, 20/20, and multiple true crime television specials for years. Jim takes a fresh look at the timeline, the alleged affair, the prosecution’s theory, and the evidence used to convict Nanette and Eric nearly 15 years after the murder. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    30 min

  4. May 20

    Zero Trace: Two Life Sentences for Nanette Packard & Eric Naposki

    The 1994 murder of Bill McLaughlin sent shockwaves through the affluent community of Newport Beach, but decades later, the high-profile case involving Nanette Packard and former NFL player Eric Naposki continues to raise serious questions. In this compelling episode of The True Crime Report, host Jim Rathmann launches a deep investigative breakdown into what remains one of the most controversial cold case prosecutions in California true crime history. By revisiting the complex web of relationships, Rathmann explores the dynamic between McLaughlin and Packard, her alleged affair with Naposki, and the million-dollar life insurance policy that quickly became the central focus for prosecutors. As the narrative unfolds, the episode dissects critical timeline inconsistencies surrounding the night of the murder and shines a spotlight on a mysterious missing phone record that could change everything. Viewers will be guided through the original, stalled investigation and the subsequent May 2009 reopening that led to the arrests of Naposki and Packard, as well as their ultimate convictions in July 2011 and January 2012, respectively. By scrutinizing the gaps in alibis, the handling of DNA evidence, disputed keys, and conflicting witness testimony, Rathmann peels back the layers of the official story, offering a fresh perspective that may completely change how people view this notorious case. Follow Jim on Instagram: @therealjimrathmann ----------------------------------------------------- Special thanks to our partners: Podgo and Hi Hello Labs in Orlando, Florida, for powering and producing this show. Sponsored by: Podgo Services Produced at: Hi Hello Labs (Orlando, FL) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    31 min

  5. May 13

    Death Sentence for the killer of Athena Strand

    In this episode of the True Crime Report, Jim Rathmann reflects on the abduction and murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand that shocked the nation. The killer, FedEx contract driver Tanner Horner, kidnapped and murdered Athena Strand after delivering a package to her home in Paradise, Texas. Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode contains descriptions of child exploitation. Listener discretion is strongly advised. Follow Jim on Instagram: @therealjimrathmann Join the discussion on Patreon: patreon.com/cw/TrueCrimeReportShow ----------------------------------------------------- Special thanks to our partners: Podgo and Hi Hello Labs in Orlando, Florida, for powering and producing this show. Sponsored by: Podgo Services Produced at: Hi Hello Labs (Orlando, FL) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    27 min

  6. May 6

    The Guilty Verdict: Inside the Kouri Richins Case

    The Kouri Richins case is one of the most disturbing true crime stories in recent years—a wife, mother, and author convicted of killing her husband, Eric Richins, using fentanyl in a calculated plan driven by money, debt, and deception. In this episode of True Crime Report, Jim Rathmann breaks down the full timeline of events, from the attempted poisoning on Valentine’s Day to the fatal overdose just weeks later. We dive into the key evidence, including deleted text messages, secret life insurance policies, and the shocking role of a housekeeper in obtaining drugs. This case goes beyond murder—it’s about manipulation, financial desperation, and the chilling lengths someone will go to for a new life. From the suspicious behavior immediately after the death to the eerie release of a children’s grief book titled Are You With Me?, every detail raises more questions. Follow Jim on Instagram: @therealjimrathmann Join us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TrueCrimeReportShow ----------------------------------------------------- Special thanks to our partners: Podgo and Hi Hello Labs in Orlando, Florida, for powering and producing this show. Sponsored by: Podgo Services Produced at: Hi Hello Labs (Orlando, FL) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    27 min

  7. Apr 29

    Inside the Security Breach at the White House Correspondents Dinner

    What REALLY happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner security incident? In this episode of The True Crime Report, former United States Secret Service agent Jim Rathmann delivers an expert breakdown of the attempted attack at the White House Correspondents' Dinner held at the Washington Hilton. With firsthand experience protecting high-profile events and working inside the Washington Hilton, Jim explains: How Secret Service security layers actually work Why the hotel setting changes security strategy What the public is getting wrong about this incident How the suspect breached initial access points Why the response was faster and more effective than it appears What this means for future presidential security Jim also compares this incident to past failures and successes, including previous assassination attempts and known security lapses, giving viewers a deeper understanding of how protective operations evolve. This is not speculation. This is insight from someone who has been there. If you're interested in true crime, presidential security, Secret Service operations, or breaking news analysis, this episode gives you the clarity the headlines won’t. ----------------------------------------------------- Subscribe for more deep dives into cybercrime, investigations, and real-world threats. Comment below: What’s the biggest online safety concern you have for your family right now? Stay tuned for more episodes to come., where Jim will wrap up reveal the case. Follow Jim on Instagram: @therealjimrathmann ----------------------------------------------------- Special thanks to our partners: Podgo and Hi Hello Labs in Orlando, Florida, for powering and producing this show. Sponsored by: Podgo Services Produced at: Hi Hello Labs (Orlando, FL) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min

  8. Apr 22

    Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Pleads Guilty

    The Gilgo Beach Serial Killer investigation stands as one of the most chilling and controversial true crime sagas in recent history. In this episode, Jim Rathmann deconstructs the arrest of Rex Heuermann—a successful Manhattan architect, married father, and suburban neighbor who allegedly led a dark, predatory double life for decades. While Heuermann maintained a facade of normalcy in Massapequa Park, he is accused of orchestrating a secret reign of terror. We expose the shocking institutional failures and overlooked leads that allowed a suspected serial killer to hide in plain sight. With Rex Heuermann now admitting to multiple murders, the investigation is expanding—and the possibility of additional victims across multiple states is becoming more real. If you’re interested in true crime, serial killer psychology, unsolved cases, and law enforcement corruption, this episode reveals the disturbing truth behind one of America’s most infamous cases. Subscribe for more true crime breakdowns and real-world case analysis. ----------------------------------------------------- Subscribe for more deep dives into cybercrime, investigations, and real-world threats. Comment below: What’s the biggest online safety concern you have for your family right now? Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode contains descriptions sexual violence Follow Jim on Instagram: @therealjimrathmann ----------------------------------------------------- Special thanks to our partners: Podgo and Hi Hello Labs in Orlando, Florida, for powering and producing this show. Sponsored by: Podgo Services Produced at: Hi Hello Labs (Orlando, FL) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    30 min
See All (27)

4.6
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Welcome to The True Crime Report with Jim Rathmann—where Bronze Star recipient, 82nd Airborne Division Captain, and former Secret Service agent Jim Rathmann takes a deep dive into some of the most complex and controversial true cases in America. A veteran of the police force and an experienced homicide investigator, Jim brings the same relentless dedication to his investigations that he did while serving as an Infantry Platoon Leader in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and as a decorated LSU athlete.

Information

You Might Also Like