Dead Ends

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Murder . Kidnapping . Cults Where the trail goes cold... we keep digging.  We're your hosts, Erica Memphis and Pete Bonnebaigt, best friends and true crime addicts.  Each week, we unravel unsolved cases of murder, disappearances, and mysteries that never seem to end.  This is Dead Ends. 

  1. DE018: The Zodiac Killer

    3D AGO

    DE018: The Zodiac Killer

    The Zodiac Killer is one of the most infamous unsolved serial killer cases in history. In this episode of Dead Ends, we break down the confirmed murders, the 408 cipher, the letters sent to the press, and the main suspects including Arthur Leigh Allen and Richard Hoffman. From Lake Herman Road and Blue Rock Springs to Lake Berryessa and Presidio Heights, this is a full deep dive into the Zodiac case, the timeline, the evidence, and the theories that still surround it today.   0:00 Introduction 10:27 Case Overview: The Zodiac Killer 15:43 First Zodiac Murder: Lake Herman Road (David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen) 21:44 Second Zodiac Murder: Blue Rock Springs (Darlene Ferrin and Michael Mageau) 30:30 The 408 Cipher 40:28 Third Zodiac Murder: Lake Berryessa (Bryan Hartnell and Cecelia Shepard) 50:50 Fourth Zodiac Murder: Presidio Heights (Paul Stine) 1:06:08 Suspects, Theories & Investigation 1:08:09 Richard Hoffman 1:12:06 Arthur Leigh Allen   The Zodiac Killer terrorised Northern California in the late 1960s, leaving behind murdered couples, a dead cab driver, cryptic letters, and ciphers that still fascinate investigators today. In this episode, we examine the canonical attacks, the surviving victims, the cipher sent to the press, and the suspects most often linked to the case.   Join the conversation in the comments — who do you think was the Zodiac Killer? Instagram: @DeadEndsPod TikTok: @DeadEndsPod Email: deadendspod2025@gmail.com

    1h 24m
  2. DE014: Marliz Spannhake and Colleen Stan, An Aura of Foreboding

    JAN 12

    DE014: Marliz Spannhake and Colleen Stan, An Aura of Foreboding

    In this episode, we dive into one of Unsolved Mysteries’ most unsettling cases — The Ghost in Apartment 14. What starts as a seemingly classic haunting quickly spirals into something far more disturbing, blurring the line between paranormal fear and real-world danger. A woman moves into Apartment 14 hoping for a fresh start, but almost immediately begins experiencing strange and escalating disturbances. Unexplained noises, objects moving, and unusual smells give way to physical paranormal events. When friends and family witness unusual activity for themselves, the case takes a darker turn. As investigators dig into the apartment’s past, a violent crime connected to the unit is uncovered — the kidnapping and murder of Marie Elizabeth Spannhake and also, the kidnapping and escape of Colleen Stan. We break down the timeline of events, discuss the leading theories and the most important question: why is Marie Elizabeth Spannhake’s case still unsolved?   What We Cover: The reported haunting of Apartment 14 - escalating disturbances and unexplained injuries Witness accounts from friends and family The apartment’s violent history - the disappearance of Marie Elizabeth Spennhake The kidnapping and escape of Colleen Stan Why this case remains unsolved   ⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of violence, physical & sexual assault, kidnapping, murder and references to cults. Listener discretion is advised.   Join the Conversation: What case from this year stayed with you the most? And which survival story inspired you? We’d love to hear from you. Instagram: @DeadEndsPod TikTok: @DeadEndsPod Email: deadendspod2025@gmail.com

    1h 28m
  3. DE013: End of Year Special, Survivors and Second Chances

    12/22/2025

    DE013: End of Year Special, Survivors and Second Chances

    As we close out the year, we’re stepping away from a single case and opening the files on Dead Ends itself. This Christmas special is a looser, more reflective episode — a chance to look back at the stories that stayed with us, the moments that shocked us, and the cases we still can’t stop thinking about. We revisit some of the most memorable investigations we’ve covered this year, share our favourite moments behind the scenes, and reflect on how researching these cases has changed the way we see true crime. But this episode isn’t just about endings. To balance the darkness, we also shine a light on something we don’t talk about often enough — the people who survived. We explore powerful stories of near misses, quick thinking, and sheer resilience — cases where victims escaped, fought back, or trusted their instincts and lived to tell the story. It’s a reminder that while many trails go cold, not all stories end in tragedy.   What We Cover: A recap of the cases we covered this year The moments that shocked, frustrated, or stayed with us the longest Behind-the-scenes reflections and unexpected discoveries Listener interactions and the impact of the community Stories of victims who escaped attempted murder Why survival stories matter in true crime   ⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of violent crime and attempted murder. While some stories focus on survival, listener discretion is advised. 🎁 A Holiday Thank You Thank you for listening, sharing, and supporting Dead Ends throughout the year. This episode marks the end of our season as we take a short two-week break — but we’ll be back in the new year with new cases, colder trails, and plenty more digging. Join the Conversation: What case from this year stayed with you the most? And which survival story inspired you? We’d love to hear from you. Instagram: @DeadEndsPod TikTok: @DeadEndsPod Email: deadendspod2025@gmail.com

    1h 2m

About

Murder . Kidnapping . Cults Where the trail goes cold... we keep digging.  We're your hosts, Erica Memphis and Pete Bonnebaigt, best friends and true crime addicts.  Each week, we unravel unsolved cases of murder, disappearances, and mysteries that never seem to end.  This is Dead Ends.