Dangerous Trust

Sara Santoro
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Dangerous Trust is a true crime podcast examining abuse that unfolds behind closed doors — with rigour, restraint and institutional clarity. Each episode explores things like coercive control, criminal harm and structural failure through documented cases, legal context and data-informed analysis. This is not sensational true crime. It is case-led, evidence-based and psychologically literate. Dangerous Trust examines how patterns form, how escalation occurs, and how silence can allow harm to stabilise.

Episodes

  1. Mar 18

    Strangers We Think We Know

    In 2016, Seattle nurse and mother of three Ingrid Lyne met someone through the dating app Tinder. They exchanged messages.They met in person.Over the course of several weeks, a new relationship appeared to be developing. To friends and family, nothing about the situation seemed unusual. But on the night of 8 April 2016, Ingrid Lyne disappeared. The following day, human remains were discovered in a recycling bin in another part of Seattle. The investigation that followed led police to the man she had been dating — John Robert Charlton. In this episode of Dangerous Trust, we examine the case of Ingrid Lyne and the broader question it raises about how trust forms in modern relationships. Because today, more than half of new couples report first meeting online. Digital platforms allow people to connect outside traditional social networks — without shared acquaintances, reputation, or context. And when trust develops quickly between strangers, the difference between familiarity and knowledge can become difficult to see. Case Sources King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.State of Washington v. John Robert Charlton — Plea and Sentencing Records (2017). Seattle Police Department.Investigation into the death of Ingrid Lyne (2016). Reporting by: The Seattle Times KING 5 News Seattle KOMO News Court records and sentencing statements relating to the conviction of John Robert Charlton. Legal Context John Robert Charlton pleaded guilty in February 2017 to second-degree murder in the death of Ingrid Lyne. He was sentenced in King County Superior Court to approximately 27 years in prison. Under Washington State law, second-degree murder applies when a person intentionally causes the death of another without premeditation. The guilty plea avoided a full trial and resulted in a determinate sentence under Washington’s sentencing guidelines. Data Sources Rosenfeld, M., Thomas, R., & Hausen, S.How Couples Meet and Stay Together (Stanford University). Pew Research Center (2023).Online Dating and Relationships. Bond, C., & DePaulo, B. (2006).Accuracy of deception judgments. Psychological Bulletin. Levine, T. (2014).Truth-Default Theory: Humans tend to assume honesty in communication. Tidwell, L., & Walther, J. (2002).Computer-mediated communication effects on interpersonal relationships. Support Resources If this episode raises concerns about abuse or violence in a relationship, support is available. United Kingdom National Domestic Abuse Helpline0808 2000 247https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk Women’s Aidhttps://www.womensaid.org.uk United States National Domestic Violence Hotline1-800-799-SAFEhttps://www.thehotline.org Emergency If you believe you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services. Credits Host and Research: Sara Santoro Production: Dangerous Trust

  2. Mar 5

    Presumed Safe

    On 3 March 2021, a woman disappeared while walking home in South London. The man who stopped her presented himself as a police officer and invoked COVID regulations. What followed would lead to one of the most consequential criminal cases in recent British policing. In this episode, Dangerous Trust examines the investigation into Sarah Everard’s disappearance, the court proceedings that followed, and the institutional reviews conducted afterwards. Drawing on sentencing remarks, oversight investigations and national inspection reports, the episode explores how authority functions in public life — and what happens when that authority is misused. Content Advisory This episode discusses violence against women, including sexual violence and murder. Some listeners — particularly those with lived experience of violence or trauma — may find the content difficult. Please take care while listening. Support resources are listed below. Case Sources Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) Sentencing remarks in R v Wayne Couzens (30 September 2021) Metropolitan Police Service investigation records Independent Office for Police Conduct investigations: Operation Mondego Operation Karatash Operation Argens Legal Context UK offences referenced in this episode include: Kidnap Rape Murder The case resulted in a whole life order, the most severe sentence available under UK criminal law. The sentencing remarks also addressed the misuse of police authority and the constitutional importance of public trust in policing. Data Sources Office for National Statistics Crime Survey for England and Wales (ONS): Perceptions of policing and criminal justice system reports HMICFRS Inspection into police vetting, misconduct and misogyny Baroness Casey Review into the standards of behaviour and internal culture of the Metropolitan Police Service (2023) Support Resources (UK) National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247 Rape Crisis England & Wales 0808 500 2222 Victim Support 08 08 16 89 111 If you are in immediate danger, call 999. Host: Sara Santoro Production: Dangerous Trust

  3. Mar 3

    Years in Plain Sight

    Years in Plain Sight examines a coercive control case prosecuted at Liverpool Crown Court in September 2024. Over several years, a pattern of monitoring, isolation, financial restriction and intimidation developed before escalating into physical assault. This episode examines how coercive control forms gradually, how the law defines a “course of conduct,” and why violence is often not the beginning — but the continuation of a pattern. This episode contains discussion of domestic abuse, coercive control and assault. Case Source Merseyside Police (20 September 2024) Man jailed for assault and controlling and coercive behaviour Liverpool Crown Court sentencing — 19 September 2024 Legal Context Serious Crime Act 2015 — Section 76Controlling or Coercive Behaviour in an Intimate or Family Relationship Data Source Office for National Statistics (2024)Domestic abuse prevalence and trends, England and WalesCrime Survey for England and Wales — Year Ending March 2024 Support Resources If you are in the United Kingdom: Women’s Aid — https://womensaid.org.uk/ SafeLives — https://safelives.org.uk/ Victim Support — https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/ Rights of Women — https://www.rightsofwomen.org.uk/ Oasis Domestic Abuse Service — https://www.oasisdaservice.org/ 16 Days of Action — https://16days.idas.org.uk/ Emergency: 999 Non-emergency police: 101 If you are outside the UK, contact local emergency services or search for domestic abuse support services in your country. Credits Host: Sara SantoroProduction: Dangerous Trust

  4. Trailer

    Dangerous Trust: Series Trailer

    Dangerous Trust investigates abuse that unfolds gradually, before it becomes headline violence. Through documented cases, legal context and structured analysis, this podcast examines coercive control, criminal harm and institutional response. Each episode is case-led and evidence-based. This is not sensational true crime. It is investigative. Silence protects patterns.

Trailer

About

Dangerous Trust is a true crime podcast examining abuse that unfolds behind closed doors — with rigour, restraint and institutional clarity. Each episode explores things like coercive control, criminal harm and structural failure through documented cases, legal context and data-informed analysis. This is not sensational true crime. It is case-led, evidence-based and psychologically literate. Dangerous Trust examines how patterns form, how escalation occurs, and how silence can allow harm to stabilise.

Information

  • Creator
    Sara Santoro
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sara Santoro
  • Show Website
    Dangerous Trust