Hands Off My Podcast: True Crime

Jasmine Castillo
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  • True Crime

Welcome to Hands Off My Podcast: True Crime—an indie show hosted from a BIPOC perspective, dedicated to shedding light on overlooked cases. We center on missing and murdered members of our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, focusing on respect, empathy, and advocacy rather than sensationalism. Tune in weekly as we amplify marginalized voices and fight for accountability and justice. linktr.ee/handsoffmypodcast

  1. 6d ago

    Ep66: Invisible Vulnerability and the Six Days of Rashawn Williams

    Episode Summary: October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, but true advocacy requires confronting Invisible Vulnerability—the dangerous intersection of cognitive disability, nonverbal status, race, and institutional neglect. In this episode, host Jasmine Castillo examines the October 2023 case of Rashawn Williams, a nonverbal Black man with Down syndrome who disappeared from a caregiver's watch in Silver Spring, Maryland, and spent six horrifying days trapped inside a locked emergency area of a Metro station without food, water, or light. We analyze privatized care facility failures, transit agency liability, the August 2026 federal court ruling rejecting WMATA's immunity defense, and the urgent push for emergency alert systems like "Purple Alerts" for vulnerable adults. News Articles & Media Reports WUSA9 Investigation:Family sues Metro after missing man with Down syndrome was found trapped inside WMATA storage room 6 days laterLADbible Coverage:Man with Down syndrome, 33, 'trapped inside metro station for six days as worker too busy on phone'Facebook Posts & Community Discussion 7News DC Coverage & Discussion:The lawsuit reveals Rashawn Williams was found almost a full week after going missingMontgomery County Police Department Official Update:Rashawn Williams has been located safe and unharmedTracee Wilkins Reporting Update:Missing man Rashawn Williams found safe after six days ### Music/Sound Effects: Intro: Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/ Outro: Just DiVine https://www.youtube.com/@JDivine911 Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/ , https://freesound.org/

    Ep66: Invisible Vulnerability and the Six Days of Rashawn Williams

  2. Oct 27 ·  Bonus

    Darkcast Network Present: Stories Your Mummy Never Told You (Halloween Collaboration)

    Episode Summary Gather ’round the campfire, turn down the lights, and prepare for a spine-chilling journey into the dark. In this special Halloween collaboration episode presented by the Darkcast Network, indie true crime and paranormal podcasters come together to bring you Stories Your Mummy Never Told You. From haunting true crime cases and terrifying creepypastas to centuries-old legends and eerie personal ghost encounters, this compilation features unique tales guaranteed to keep you up at night. Featured Segments & Hosts Rainbow Crimes – Burnt Church Murder in the PNW – Ghosts of Highway 20 The Final Trace – Don't Play It Twice (Creepypasta) Family Plot Podcast – The House That Screamed Murder Shelf – Candyman Poem Hands Off My Podcast – The Payphone (Fiction) The Book of the Dead – The Legend of the Dearg Due Stop! Who Does That! – Jackie's True Ghost Story Darkcast Network Information Out of the shadows comes the best in indie podcasts. Follow and support all participating shows across your favorite podcast platforms! https://www.darkcastnetwork.com/

    Darkcast Network Present: Stories Your Mummy Never Told You (Halloween Collaboration)

  3. Oct 27 ·  Bonus

    The Payphone (Halloween Special)

    ******LISTEN WITH HEADPHONES***** Episode Title: The Payphone (Halloween Special) Show: Hands Off My Podcast: True Crime (Audio Drama Series) Format: Narrative Audio Suspense / Immersive Fiction Run Time: ~10 Minutes Episode Overview “He’s... he’s still holding the door...” In this special Halloween audio fiction special, independent podcaster Jasmine Castillo (playing host Maya) is driving home along Highway 272 on a stormy October 31st. Carrying the cold file of Elena Vance—a 24-year-old artist who vanished five years ago—she stops at a remote general store to grab coffee and take a break from the storm. When the store owner reveals a local urban legend about a dead payphone across the lot that rings every Halloween at 9:00 PM, she thinks it's just a small-town ghost story. But when the phone actually starts ringing, answering it leads her down a chilling path into the dark timber of Blackwood Ridge. Story Timeline & Chapter Markers – Intro & Setup: Host Maya sets the stage for a Halloween episode that hits too close to home.– Act I: The Cold File: The backstory of Elena Vance’s mysterious 2021 disappearance in Blackwood Ravine.– Act II: The Man Behind the Counter: Old Man Miller reveals Elena's final stops and the abandoned logging bridge.– Act III: The Midnight Calls: The legend of the payphone, the mysterious footsteps, and a chill-inducing personal clue.– Act IV: The Crossroads & Climax: The payphone rings. Maya steps out into the downpour to answer the terrifying call.– Outro & Epilogue: The state police investigation, the abandoned cabin, and a warning to stay off Highway 272.Featured Voice Cast & Production Notes Maya (Host / Lead): Jasmine CastilloOld Man Miller (Special Guest Co-Host): FeroThe Voice: Mysterious caller on the payphone lineAudio Warning: Best experienced with headphones for immersive 3D spatial audio, binaural rain effects, and telephone filter audio.Show Credits Written & Produced by: Hands Off My Podcast TeamSound Design & Score: Featuring original rain atmosphere, tension drones, and custom audio cues.Happy Halloween! Keep your doors locked, stay off Highway 272 after midnight, and keep your eyes open... ### Music/Sound Effects: Intro: Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/ Outro: Just DiVine https://www.youtube.com/@JDivine911 Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/ , https://freesound.org/

    The Payphone (Halloween Special)

  4. Oct 22

    Ep65: A Lakota Voice Stilled: The Story of Sahela "Toka Win" Sangrait

    In this episode of the tragic disappearance and murder of 21-year-old Sahela "Toka Win" Sangrait, a cherished member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Sahela went missing from Box Elder, South Dakota, in August 2024, sparking months of agonizing search efforts by her family and community. When her remains were uncovered in early 2025 near Hill City, South Dakota, the investigation led directly to Ellsworth Air Force Base. This story was referred to me by Attorney Darlene Gomez, who handled her case specifically. We examine the life of a young Lakota woman who loved music, anime, and community advocacy, while taking a hard look at the broader jurisdictional silos, military-civilian reporting breakdowns, and the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) across Indian Country. Case & Family Advocacy Links South Dakota Missing Persons & Advocacy (Facebook):South Dakota Missing Persons AlertsJustice For Sahela Community Coverage:Indian Country Today Feature VideoMedicine Wheel Ride Official Website:medicinewheelride.orgMedia Coverage & Press Kit:Medicine Wheel Ride Media CoveragePartner Organizations & Regional MMIW/MMIR Support StrongHearts Native Helpline:StrongHearts Native HelplineThis video is relevant as it covers the April 2026 community gathering demanding justice on what would have been Sahela's 23rd birthday. Justice for Sahela: A Community Refuses to Stay Silent ---------------------------------------------------------------- Story Submission:Submit a Case FormSocial Media & Community:Facebook Page (@handsoffmypod)Direct Contact: HandsOffMyPodcast@gmail.com ### Music/Sound Effects: Intro: Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/ Outro: Just DiVine https://www.youtube.com/@JDivine911 Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/ , https://freesound.org/

    Ep65: A Lakota Voice Stilled: The Story of Sahela "Toka Win" Sangrait

  5. Oct 15

    Ep64: The Disappearance and Recovery of Andrew Escobar

    Episode Summary: In this episode of Hands Off My Podcast, host Jasmine Castillo details the complex three-year international disappearance and high-stakes recovery of Andrew Escobar. This story was referred to me by Attorney Darlene Gomez, who handled his case specifically. Taken during a routine custody exchange in New Mexico and carried across the U.S.–Mexico border, Andrew’s case highlights the legal hurdles, jurisdictional dead ends, and psychological toll of parental abductions. Discover how relentless law enforcement coordination, age-progression forensic technology, and family advocacy ultimately led to his safe recovery in El Paso, Texas, Andrew Escobar Article: KOAT – Missing Rio Rancho boy found safe after three years----------------------------------------------------------------MMIWR / Missing Persons Advocacy Page:Law Offices of Darlene Gomez - MMIWContact & Consultation:Law Offices of Darlene Gomez - Contact Us---------------------------------------------------------------- Story Submission:Submit a Case FormSocial Media & Community:Facebook Page (@handsoffmypod)Direct Contact: HandsOffMyPodcast@gmail.com ### Music/Sound Effects: Intro: Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/ Outro: Just DiVine https://www.youtube.com/@JDivine911 Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/ , https://freesound.org/

    Ep64: The Disappearance and Recovery of Andrew Escobar

  6. Oct 8

    Ep63: Vanished at Laguna Pueblo: The Search for Brittany Starr Waconda

    ACTIVE MISSING PERSON: On May 18, 2026, 39-year-old Brittany Starr Waconda was last seen in Laguna, New Mexico, within the Laguna Pueblo community. Less than 24 hours later, on May 19, a catastrophic fire destroyed her trailer home. When first responders extinguished the flames and searched the charred debris, Brittany was nowhere to be found—confirming she was not inside during the fire. This story was referred to me by Attorney Darlene Gomez, who handles her case specifically. In this urgent episode of Hands Off My Podcast, examines the critical 48-hour timeline, the complex web of tribal and federal jurisdiction involving the Laguna Tribal Police Department and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Missing and Murdered Unit, and the family advocacy led by Brittany's sister, Autumn Waconda, to ensure this case stays in the public spotlight. CASE DETAILS & VITAL STATISTICS Full Name: Brittany Starr WacondaAge at Disappearance: 39 years oldDate Last Seen: May 18, 2026Location: Laguna Pueblo, New MexicoDemographics: Indigenous / American Indian femaleHeight & Weight: 5'2", approximately 200 lbsPhysical Features: Red/auburn hair, brown eyes, tattoo on her left armKnown Ties: Laguna Pueblo, Acoma Pueblo, Grants, Cubero, and Albuquerque, New Mexico; Denver, ColoradoMissing Person Poster: https://missingpersons.dps.nm.gov/mpweb/mpdetailreport_serv?id=M105496REWARD & TIP SUBMISSION INFORMATION The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Missing and Murdered Unit is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the location of Brittany Starr Waconda or the resolution of her disappearance. Tips can be submitted anonymously: BIA Missing & Murdered Unit Tip Line: 1-833-560-2065Email Tips: OJS_MMU@bia.govText Tip Code: Text BIAMMU followed by your tip to 847411Laguna Tribal Police Department: (505) 552-6685New Mexico DPS Missing Person Hotline: 1-800-457-3463

    Ep63: Vanished at Laguna Pueblo: The Search for Brittany Starr Waconda

  7. Oct 1

    Ep62: The Shadows of Porvenir: A Century of State-Sanctioned Blackouts

    Episode Overview: In the early morning hours of January 28, 1918, a joint force consisting of Texas Rangers Company B, U.S. Cavalry soldiers, and local white cattlemen executed fifteen unarmed Mexican-American men and boys in the remote West Texas village of Porvenir. For nearly a century, official state reports classified the victims as "Mexican bandits" killed in self-defense. In this episode of Hands Off My Podcast, host Jasmine Castillo dissects the violent decade of La Matanza, Representative José Tomás Canales' courageous 1919 legislative investigation, and the 2015 forensic archaeological excavation that unearthed .30-06, .45-70, and .45 ACP shell casings—proving an extrajudicial execution and shattering a hundred-year state cover-up. Key Takeaways & Resources: The Official Lie: How state officials fabricated reports to cover up the murder of fifteen unarmed civilians ranging in age from 16 to 72. Learn more about the archival records at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.La Matanza & Systemic Violence: The broader context of state-sanctioned terror against Tejanos and Mexican immigrants along the Texas borderlands between 1910 and 1920. Read historical context and educational materials via Refusing to Forget.The Canales Investigation: The high-stakes 1919 legislative hearings where Rep. J.T. Canales challenged state law enforcement despite death threats and political intimidation. Explore the official transcript highlights on theTexas State Historical Association (TSHA) Handbook of Texas.Forensic Archaeology: How spatial ballistics, bullet shell casings, and execution geometry excavated in 2015 provided irrefutable physical proof of the massacre. Read David Keller's archaeological report summary via the Center for Big Bend Studies.Narrative Control Today: Why forcing the state to acknowledge institutional violence remains an uphill battle—from delayed historical markers to modern accountability. View details about the 2018 highway marker via the Texas Historical Commission.

    Ep62: The Shadows of Porvenir: A Century of State-Sanctioned Blackouts

  8. Sep 25

    Ep61: The Hidden Foundation: Unearthing the California Genocide

    We pull back the layers of myth surrounding California's origins to examine the systematic, state-sanctioned genocide of its Indigenous population during the 19th century. From the mission era to the Gold Rush, we explore how legal frameworks, state-funded militias, and forced labor shattered vibrant tribal nations. Crucially, we center the story on Indigenous resilience, strategic survival, and the enduring fight for sovereignty and historical truth. Featured Media & Online Exhibitions When I Remember, I See Red: California’s Genocide (Autry Museum of the American West)Link: https://theautry.org/explore/online-exhibitions/when-i-remember-i-see-red/californias-genocideAn online exhibition exploring the impact of the California Genocide through the powerful lens of contemporary Native artists. The exhibition confronts historical trauma, institutional silence, and state-sanctioned violence while celebrating enduring Indigenous resilience and cultural resistance. Gold, Greed, Genocide Link: https://youtu.be/FeksO_rGepwA documentary detailing how the Gold Rush drove state-sponsored massacres, human trafficking, and severe environmental destruction—including mercury poisoning and hydraulic mining. It features survivor accounts from events like the Wiyot and Bloody Island massacres while honoring the ongoing cultural survival of California’s Native nations.Key Historical & Archival References Executive Order N-15-19 (2019): Official apology issued by California Governor Gavin Newsom acknowledging the state-sanctioned genocide of Native peoples.Inaugural Address of Governor Peter Burnett (Jan 6, 1850): Historical declaration establishing an official state policy of extermination against Native populations.Act for the Government and Protection of Indians (1850): State legislation stripping Native Californians of basic legal rights, facilitating forced labor, and legalizing child indenture.California Militia Appropriations (1850–1861): Legislative records showing over $1.7 million allocated to fund state militia expeditions and vigilante violence.Recommended Reading An American Genocide: The United States and the California Indian Catastrophe, 1846–1873 by Benjamin MadleyMurder State: California's Native American Genocide, 1846–1873 by Brendan C. Lindsay ### Music/Sound Effects: Intro: Fesliyan Studios https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/ Outro: Just DiVine https://www.youtube.com/@JDivine911 Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/ , https://freesound.org/

    Ep61: The Hidden Foundation: Unearthing the California Genocide
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Welcome to Hands Off My Podcast: True Crime—an indie show hosted from a BIPOC perspective, dedicated to shedding light on overlooked cases. We center on missing and murdered members of our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, focusing on respect, empathy, and advocacy rather than sensationalism. Tune in weekly as we amplify marginalized voices and fight for accountability and justice. linktr.ee/handsoffmypodcast

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