True Crime in Real Estate™

Sandi Lyn

Real estate looks good from the curb. Open house signs, fresh flowers on the kitchen island, an agent in a blazer telling you the schools are great. Now here's the part they don't put in your pre-license class. Agents get killed at showings, vacant houses turn into crime scenes, brokers run ponzi schemes with everyone's earnest money and disappear, traffickers use listings to move people in plain sight, and wire fraud empties a family's savings between the title check and the signing pen. That's just the personal side. Whole neighborhoods have been written off too, from Cabrini-Green and Pruitt-Igoe to Skid Row, plus redlining, slumlord dynasties sitting on entire ZIP codes, and cartels washing money through luxury condos. True Crime in Real Estate™ covers the cases, the history, and the parts of this business every agent should know before unlocking another door. Made for agents. Anyone with the stomach for it is welcome to stay.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    Ep 5: Inspiration for "Candyman" - The Violent History of Cabrini-Green

    Sandi Lyn starts this episode with a deeply personal childhood story recalling growing up near violent housing towers in Rockford, Illinois, with the larger-scale history of Chicago’s Cabrini-Green projects as a backdrop. She uses her experience witnessing normalized street-level violence, drug activity, and gang presence as a framework to introduce Cabrini-Green as an amplified version of the same systemic conditions. The episode immediately establishes its central thesis: Cabrini-Green was not an isolated anomaly, but an extreme expression of long-running urban policy failures, concentrated poverty, and housing segregation. The narrative then traces Cabrini-Green’s full historical arc, beginning with its origins as a succession of immigrant neighborhoods (German, Irish, Swedish, and Sicilian communities) that eventually became “Little Sicily,” an area defined by extreme poverty, overcrowding, and organized crime. It explains how the Chicago Housing Authority later built the Cabrini-Green housing complex on this land, which gradually transitioned from white ethnic residents to predominantly Black residents due to housing patterns and segregation policies. The episode highlights escalating violence over decades, including the 1970 ambush killing of two police officers in Cabrini-Green, the 1992 murder of seven-year-old Dantrell Davis, the brutal sexual assault of a 9-year-old girl named “Girl X” to protect her identity, and other high-profile crimes that turned the complex into a national symbol of urban decay and danger. The final portion focuses on the collapse and redevelopment of Cabrini-Green through Chicago’s $1 billion “Plan for Transformation,” which led to the demolition of the high-rises and displacement of thousands of families, with very few returning despite promises of “right of return.” It also connects Cabrini-Green’s legacy to pop culture (notably Candyman) and modern real estate redevelopment, arguing that the land itself, now transformed into high-value property, represents one of the largest wealth transfers in Chicago history. The episode closes by broadening the lens, suggesting that Cabrini-Green’s story is not unique but part of a recurring national pattern where disinvestment, violence, displacement, and redevelopment cycle through urban neighborhoods. 00:00 Warning & Childhood in a Violent City 03:00 Rockford’s Rising Homicide Crisis 06:30 Cabrini-Green as the “Scaled-Up Version” 10:00 Origins: Immigrant Poverty to “Little Sicily” 15:30 “Death Corner” & Early Organized Crime 20:00 Creation of Cabrini-Green Housing Projects 25:00 1970 Police Ambush 28:30 Mayor Jane Byrne’s 1981 Publicity Stunt 31:30 Ruthie Mae McCoy & Candyman Mythology 35:00 Dantrell Davis & Police Misconduct Allegations 38:00 Collapse, Demolition & Displacement 41:00 Redevelopment, Wealth Transfer & Modern Cabrini Site 44:00 Final Reflections: A National Pattern Want to send us a juicy true crime story to cover? Follow and DM us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truecrimeinrealestate/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueCrimeinRealEstate

    44 min

  2. May 26

    Ep 4: The Davenport Building Collapse: Unanswered Questions

    The episode opens describing the moments leading up to the collapse of the historic Davenport Hotel apartment building at 324 Main St. on Memorial Day weekend in 2023. Residents were living normal lives when the building’s west wall suddenly failed, causing six stories to crumble. Three tenants were killed. Another resident survived after rescuers amputated her leg with her trapped under rubble. The tragedy immediately raised questions about ignored maintenance issues, failed inspections, and warnings that the building was structurally unsafe long before the collapse. Sandi Lyn traces the building’s history, where public records and investigative reports reveal repeated structural concerns dating back to 2020, including denied inspections, incomplete repair plans, water damage, and warnings that the building was unsafe. A masonry contractor claimed Wold rejected a $50,000 repair proposal, instead choosing much cheaper piecemeal repairs that weakened the structure further. After the collapse, investigators concluded the disaster resulted from an inadequately supported wall, combined with long-term structural deterioration. Despite those findings and the deaths, no criminal charges were filed related to the collapse, aside from a minor fine for maintenance neglect. The focus shifts to actions after the collapse, both financially and legally. According to allegations by victims’ families and survivors, Wold began selling off properties to shield assets from litigation. Sandi Lyn details approximately $4.8 million in property sales, including Wold’s riverfront mansion sold for $2.35 million to local real estate agent Kyle Robinson. Robinson listed several of Wold’s commercial properties, and plaintiffs later added both Robinson and QC Rental Group as defendants in the civil litigation, alleging questionable property-transfer arrangements. The host repeatedly states these are allegations of active lawsuits and not proven facts, but the events raise serious ethical and financial questions in the real estate industry. Last, we connect a 2026 drug arrest. Police execute a search warrant at the Bettendorf mansion Robinson purchased from Wold, and allegedly recovered large quantities of drugs and paraphernalia. Robinson was charged with multiple felony drug-distribution offenses, though he remains presumed innocent pending trial. The host criticizes what she describes as parts of the real estate industry culture that prioritizes production and profit over ethics and accountability. The episode closes by returning focus to the victims: the three men who died, Peach Berry who lost her leg, and the displaced tenants. 00:00 Collapse of 324 Main St 03:50 Davenport Building History 05:40 Structural Warnings, Failed Repairs 08:45 The Wall Comes Down 11:20 The Investigations Findings 13:05 No Criminal Charges 14:15 Civil Lawsuits and Asset Transfers 17:10 Bettendorf Mansion Sale 19:10 Kyle Robinson Added to Lawsuit 21:20 Andrew Wold Name Change 22:40 Drug Raid at the Mansion 25:15 Real Estate Ethical Concerns 28:00 Questions, and Closing Thoughts Listeners with corrections, additional documentation, or relevant information are invited to contact the show at solutions@myrealestateco.com. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/truecrimeinrealestate/ Sources: https://myrealestateco.notion.site/The-Davenport-Building-Sources-Public-Ref-36a02dfb79718066a258c9bb93aaa340

    33 min

  3. May 22

    Ep 3: Alex Murdaugh Conviction Overturned, Brennan v Brian

    The murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh became one of the most infamous criminal cases in South Carolina history because of the Murdaugh family’s decades-long influence over the Lowcountry legal system. For nearly a century, the family held enormous legal and political power in South Carolina through the 14th Judicial Circuit and their law firm, PMPED, while building wealth through lawsuits, land holdings, hunting properties, and real estate investments across the region. On June 7, 2021, Maggie Murdaugh and her 22-year-old son Paul were found shot to death near the dog kennels on the family’s 1,772-acre estate in Colleton County. Paul was killed with a shotgun, while Maggie was shot with multiple rounds from a rifle. Alex Murdaugh, husband and father of the victims, called 911 to report finding the bodies. Prosecutors argued Alex Murdaugh killed his wife and son to distract from mounting financial crimes and public pressure tied to lawsuits from the 2019 boat crash that killed 19-year-old Mallory Beach. Prosecutors said Murdaugh had stolen roughly $12 million from clients and pointed to cellphone evidence placing him near the kennels shortly before the murders, contradicting earlier statements to investigators. The state also emphasized his changing timeline, missing clothing, vehicle data, and lies to police. The defense argued the case was entirely circumstantial: the murder weapons were never recovered, no DNA directly tied Alex to the killings, and investigators mishandled the crime scene. Defense attorneys also pointed to unknown DNA under Maggie’s fingernails, possible alternate suspects connected to threats against Paul, and the use of two separate firearms. Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murder in March 2023 and sentenced to two life terms without parole, but the verdict was later overturned because of misconduct allegations involving County Clerk Becky Hill. Defense attorneys accused Hill of improperly influencing jurors while promoting a book about the case. Jurors testified Hill encouraged them to closely watch Murdaugh’s body language. Hill eventually pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, perjury, misuse of office, and sharing sealed evidence with a journalist. In May 2026, the South Carolina Supreme Court vacated Murdaugh’s murder convictions in a 5-0 ruling, finding Hill’s actions denied him a fair trial and that extensive testimony about his financial crimes may have unfairly prejudiced jurors. Murdaugh remains in prison on separate financial crime convictions while prosecutors prepare for a retrial. 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Case 01:15 The Moselle Estate and the Murdaugh Family’s Power in South Carolina 03:05 The 2019 Boat Crash and Mallory Beach’s Death 04:40 Alex Murdaugh’s Extensive Financial Crimes 06:05 The Murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh 07:05 Investigation, Trial, and 2023 Murder Conviction 08:15 Becky Hill Allegations and Claims of Jury Influence 10:15 Becky Hill’s Guilty Plea and Court Findings 12:05 South Carolina Supreme Court Overturns the Verdict 14:10 Real Estate Fallout and Sale of the Moselle Property 18:21 Brian’s Argument for Reasonable Doubt 39:23 Brennan’s Argument Supporting a Guilty Verdict 55:06 Discussion of the Investigation and Retrial 56:17 Closing Summary and Current Status of Alex Murdaugh Have a topic you want us to discuss, or want to be a guest on our show? Follow and DM us: Instagram @myrealestateshow on Instagram LinkedIn My Real Estate Show on LinkedIn

    57 min

  4. May 18

    Ep 1: Booked, Paid, Nowhere to Stay (STR Scams)

    True Crime in Real Estate™ is reported journalism. Every name, charge, and figure is sourced from federal court filings, public records, law enforcement statements, and verified reporting. Pending cases are treated as allegations and the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Nothing here is legal advice. Sources: Defendants: Shray Goel, 35 time of indictment, listed addresses Miami, Calabasas, & Milwaukee. Initially charged December 13, 2023, on a separate indictment. Shaunik Raheja, 34 at time of indictment, listed address in Denver. Added in the first superseding indictment, January 3, 2024. Business entities used in the scheme: Abbot Pacific LLC and multiple other host names and LLCs. Charges in the superseding indictment: Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 13 counts of wire fraud. Goel additionally charged with two counts of aggravated identity theft. Wire fraud and conspiracy each carry a statutory maximum of 20 years federal. Pleas: Goel pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Raheja pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and admitted lying to federal agents during the 2023 investigation. Sentencing scheduled for late summer 2026. Scheme dates: October 2017 through November 2019. Banned from Vrbo in 2015 prior to that for repeated cancellations and guest complaints, continued under fake host names. Scale: Nearly 100 properties across 10 states. Approximately 10,000 reservations. Approximately $8.5 million in revenue, with about $7 million from Airbnb and about $1.5 million from Vrbo. Plea agreement stipulates a $1.5 million loss figure tied to the wire fraud count. Jurisdiction: United States District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles. Prosecuting office: United States Attorney's Office, Central District of California. Investigating agencies: FBI Los Angeles Field Office. Assisting: FDIC Office of Inspector General and Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General. Defense counsel of record at indictment: Michael G. Freedman, representing Shray Goel. Keri Curtis Axel, representing Shaunik Raheja. Reporting: NBC News, Pair indicted in alleged Airbnb, Vrbo rental property scam that netted $8.5 million, January 4, 2024. CBS News, 2 indicted in $8.5 million Airbnb, Vrbo scam linked to 10,000 reservations across 10 states. NBC 6 South Florida, Miami man indicted in $8.5M short-term rental scam with thousands of victims. The Real Deal, Two Indicted in $8.5 Million Nationwide Airbnb, Vrbo Scam, January 7, 2024. Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General First Superseding Indictment, United States v. Goel and Raheja, Central District of California. Direct verification: United States Attorney's Office, Central

    24 min
  • 4 Episodes

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About

Real estate looks good from the curb. Open house signs, fresh flowers on the kitchen island, an agent in a blazer telling you the schools are great. Now here's the part they don't put in your pre-license class. Agents get killed at showings, vacant houses turn into crime scenes, brokers run ponzi schemes with everyone's earnest money and disappear, traffickers use listings to move people in plain sight, and wire fraud empties a family's savings between the title check and the signing pen. That's just the personal side. Whole neighborhoods have been written off too, from Cabrini-Green and Pruitt-Igoe to Skid Row, plus redlining, slumlord dynasties sitting on entire ZIP codes, and cartels washing money through luxury condos. True Crime in Real Estate™ covers the cases, the history, and the parts of this business every agent should know before unlocking another door. Made for agents. Anyone with the stomach for it is welcome to stay.

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