American Nightmares

Gamut Podcast Network
  • 4.6 (10K)
  • TRUE CRIME

Every headline hides a deeper story. American Nightmares pulls you into the most unsettling true crime cases—one season, one case at a time. These are the crimes that kept detectives awake, shattered families, and left entire communities on edge.Told through raw interviews, gripping investigative detail, and cinematic storytelling, each season reveals how these nightmares unfolded—and the long road to uncovering the truth. You may think you know the story. You don’t. Season 4 - 22 Hours: A Second Look Host Megan Cloherty returns for a new season of American Nightmares. In the upcoming season, we revisit the story that launched the series: a D.C. power couple, their 10-year-old son, and their housekeeper—held hostage for nearly 24 hours before being murdered inside their own home. Now, 10 years after the crime and 6 years since we first told the story, Season 1 returns with all-new content, fresh interviews, and exclusive updates that shed new light on a case that still resonates today. Season 3 - Unknown Subject For nearly a decade, he crept in the shadows, attacking women in the middle of the night — and then vanished. The 1998 murder of a brilliant scientist near Georgetown University marked a terrifying escalation. Investigators had DNA linking him to multiple crimes, but for years, he had no name — only the label “Unknown Subject.” This season uncovers the chilling case of the Potomac River Rapist, and the patrol cop who finally cracked it. Season 2 - Murder in a Safe Place In a quiet hospital just outside Washington, D.C., a 50-year-old nurse named Sherry Crandell was raped and murdered inside her workplace — a place that was supposed to be safe. With DNA, fingerprints, and even a witness to the crime, police had evidence — but no suspect. This season revisits the cold case that continues to baffle investigators and devastate a family, more than two decades later. Season 1 - 2 Hours: An American Nightmare One of the most shocking crimes in modern American history: a prominent couple, their 10-year-old son, and their housekeeper taken hostage and brutally murdered in their Washington, D.C. home. Over the course of 22 horrifying hours, they endured torture and terror before their killers tried to burn the evidence. This award-winning debut season revisits the infamous Mansion Murders, exposing new details and the twisted logic behind a senseless act of violence.

  1. 12/23/2025 · BONUS

    Paul Wagner sits down with Mike King to discuss the Sherry Crandell case

    In this bonus episode, Mike King (American Nightmares: Garden of Evil, Season 5 - Coming Feb 3) sits down with investigative journalist Paul Wagner (American Nightmares: Murder in a Safe Place, Season 2) to revisit the Sherry Crandell case — and to unpack the long road that led to justice. Together, they break down the original investigation, the controversial hospital-wide DNA dragnet, and the relentless efforts of a retired detective who refused to let Sherry’s case fade into obscurity. The conversation also explores how Wagner’s reporting helped keep pressure on the case when leads ran dry and answers seemed impossible. Most importantly, they examine the 2025 breakthrough that finally identified Edward Barry Watts — also known as Baari Shabazz — as Sherry Crandell’s killer through investigative genetic genealogy. Paul and Mike discuss what this moment means for Sherry’s family, the ethical questions surrounding genetic genealogy, and the growing power of this technology to solve violent crimes once thought unsolvable. #ProfilingEvil #MurderInASafePlace #AmericanNightmares #SherryCrandell #PrinceGeorgesHospital #CheverlyMaryland #ColdCase #GeneticGenealogy #BaariShabazz #EdwardWatts #BernieNelson #FBI #HospitalMurder #VictimJustice #TrueCrimePodcast #InvestigativeJournalism See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    56 min
  2. Introducing Profiling Evil: Summer Wells Abducted, Murdered, or an Accident?

    12/19/2025 · BONUS

    Introducing Profiling Evil: Summer Wells Abducted, Murdered, or an Accident?

    Welcome back for Day 3 of our special preview of Profiling Evil, hosted by Mike King. In this episode, we dive deep into the mystery surrounding the disappearance of 5-year-old Summer Wells. Was she abducted, did she suffer a tragic accident, or could there be foul play involved? We examine the various theories, possible suspects, and the heartbreaking question: Could Summer still be alive, just waiting to be found like other children who have reappeared decades later? Join us as we look into this unsolved case, and ask the difficult questions surrounding her fate. #SummerWells #TrueCrime #MissingChildren #UnsolvedMysteries #Abduction #TrueCrimeCommunity #FindSummerWells #ColdCases #TrueCrimeTheories #JusticeForSummerWells See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    35 min
  3. Introducing Profiling Evil: Las Vegas Massacre, The Dark Legacy of Stephen Paddock

    12/18/2025 · BONUS

    Introducing Profiling Evil: Las Vegas Massacre, The Dark Legacy of Stephen Paddock

    Did you enjoy Megan's conversation with Mike King? Check out a special bonus episode of Mike's show: Profiling Evil. On October 1, 2017, America faced an unfathomable tragedy. Stephen Paddock opened fire from his Mandalay Bay Hotel suite, killing 60 and injuring over 800 during the Route 91 Harvest Festival. Despite extensive investigations, his motives remain unclear, leaving a trail of unanswered questions. In this deep dive, Profiling Evil's Twisted Tales unravels the layers of Stephen Paddock's life—from his troubled childhood under the shadow of a criminal father to his calculated and chilling final act. What shaped this man? How did a seemingly ordinary life end in unthinkable violence? Join us as we explore the intricate psychological, familial, and societal factors that defined one of the most infamous mass shootings in U.S. history. Stay tuned as we connect the dots, uncover hidden truths, and learn from these dark tales. Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and RING the BELL for more crime insights. Visit ProfilingEvil.com for podcasts, videos, and more. Together, we’ll unravel the mysteries. #LasVegasShooting #StephenPaddock #Route91HarvestFestival #MandalayBay #LasVegasMassacre #MassShooting #ProfilingEvil #TrueCrime #CrimeDocumentary #GunViolence #PsychologyOfViolence #CriminalProfiling #TwistedTales #CrimeStories #ProfilingEvilTwistedTales See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    49 min
  4. Introducing Profiling Evil: Chad Daybell Letter Number Nine, The Spirit Woman in Black

    12/17/2025 · BONUS

    Introducing Profiling Evil: Chad Daybell Letter Number Nine, The Spirit Woman in Black

    Welcome to Profiling Evil! In this episode, Chad Daybell drops Letter #9 about his “third near-death experience” from 2017, complete with a Spirit Woman in Black, a minute-long blackout where family says he turned purple, and a “fiery dart” that he and Tammy interpreted as a spiritual weapon. Let’s unpack how this letter fits Chad Daybell’s Death Row Marketing Plan. It’s a rebranding campaign that uses religious imagery, paranormal claims, and nostalgia to push the public away from the facts that Chad Daybell was convicted of murdering his wife, Tammy Daybell, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan. Shortly after Tammy’s death he secretly married Lori Vallow in Hawaii while JJ and Tylee were buried on his property. Walk through the manipulation tactics, the psychology, spiritual bypassing, magical thinking, dissociation, impression management, and the quiet sales pitch back to his books and speaking circuit. We’ll keep JJ, Tylee, Tammy, Charles Vallow, Brandon Boudreaux, and Colby Ryan front and center, where they belong. #ChadDaybell #LoriDaybell #LoriVallow #TammyDaybell #JJVallow #TyleeRyan #CharlesVallow #BrandonBoudreaux #ColbyRyan #AlexCox #MelanieGibb #ZulemaPastenes #DaybellLetters #Letter9 #ThirdNDE #WomanInBlack #FieryDart #IdahoMurders See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    38 min
  5. Part 2: Megan Cloherty Talks with Gardens of Evil Host Mike King

    12/16/2025 · BONUS

    Part 2: Megan Cloherty Talks with Gardens of Evil Host Mike King

    This is part 2 of the special crossover episode with Mike King, criminal profiler - host of Profiling Evil and who's story is the subject of our next season of American Nightmares: Gardens of Evil.. Megan and Mike sit down for an in-depth conversation about her time reporting on the Savopoulos family murders and the case against Daron Wint. Then the roles reverse. Megan turns the mic on Mike to talk about the upcoming Season 5 of American Nightmares: Gardens of Evil, premiering February 3rd. Mike offers a first look at the investigation, the survivors who came forward, and the disturbing truths behind a hidden religious community. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    28 min
  6. Part 1: Megan Cloherty Talks with Gardens of Evil Host Mike King

    12/12/2025 · BONUS

    Part 1: Megan Cloherty Talks with Gardens of Evil Host Mike King

    This is a special crossover episode with Mike King, criminal profiler - host of Profiling Evil and who's story is the subject of our next season of American Nightmares: Gardens of Evil.. Megan and Mike sit down for an in-depth conversation about her time reporting on the Savopoulos family murders and the case against Daron Wint. Then the roles reverse. Megan turns the mic on Mike to talk about the upcoming Season 5 of American Nightmares: Gardens of Evil, premiering February 3rd. Mike offers a first look at the investigation, the survivors who came forward, and the disturbing truths behind a hidden religious community. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    44 min
  7. S4 E14 - Appeal Denied: A Second Look

    11/25/2025

    S4 E14 - Appeal Denied: A Second Look

    This is 22 Hours: A Second Look, where we revisit our original season alongside host Megan Cloherty. In this final episode, Megan continues her conversation with Abigail. She opens up about her feelings on the prosecution of Daron Wint, whether forgiveness is possible, and the questions she’d ask the man who killed her parents and brother. Original Episode - The D.C. Court of Appeals has denied Daron Wint a retrial in his quadruple murder conviction. Hosts Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore sit down to talk about the three-judge panel's decision. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    23 min
  8. S4 E13 - The Appeal: A Second Look

    11/18/2025

    S4 E13 - The Appeal: A Second Look

    This is 22 Hours: A Second Look, where we revisit our original season with host Megan Cloherty. In this episode, you’ll hear the final portion of Megan’s conversation with the prosecutors on the case. This segment dives into the investigation itself — how they coordinated with police, their thinking around Daron’s alibi, and the photos that never made it into evidence. Original Episode - An update in the case after nearly two years: Daron Wint’s lawyers have filed an appeal seeking to throw out his conviction and asking for a new trial. Hosts Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore head back into the studio to discuss the latest development. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. Music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed with artist permission. Music for this episode is "Haters Hate" by Ramone Messam. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    51 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.6
out of 5
10,252 Ratings

About

Every headline hides a deeper story. American Nightmares pulls you into the most unsettling true crime cases—one season, one case at a time. These are the crimes that kept detectives awake, shattered families, and left entire communities on edge.Told through raw interviews, gripping investigative detail, and cinematic storytelling, each season reveals how these nightmares unfolded—and the long road to uncovering the truth. You may think you know the story. You don’t. Season 4 - 22 Hours: A Second Look Host Megan Cloherty returns for a new season of American Nightmares. In the upcoming season, we revisit the story that launched the series: a D.C. power couple, their 10-year-old son, and their housekeeper—held hostage for nearly 24 hours before being murdered inside their own home. Now, 10 years after the crime and 6 years since we first told the story, Season 1 returns with all-new content, fresh interviews, and exclusive updates that shed new light on a case that still resonates today. Season 3 - Unknown Subject For nearly a decade, he crept in the shadows, attacking women in the middle of the night — and then vanished. The 1998 murder of a brilliant scientist near Georgetown University marked a terrifying escalation. Investigators had DNA linking him to multiple crimes, but for years, he had no name — only the label “Unknown Subject.” This season uncovers the chilling case of the Potomac River Rapist, and the patrol cop who finally cracked it. Season 2 - Murder in a Safe Place In a quiet hospital just outside Washington, D.C., a 50-year-old nurse named Sherry Crandell was raped and murdered inside her workplace — a place that was supposed to be safe. With DNA, fingerprints, and even a witness to the crime, police had evidence — but no suspect. This season revisits the cold case that continues to baffle investigators and devastate a family, more than two decades later. Season 1 - 2 Hours: An American Nightmare One of the most shocking crimes in modern American history: a prominent couple, their 10-year-old son, and their housekeeper taken hostage and brutally murdered in their Washington, D.C. home. Over the course of 22 horrifying hours, they endured torture and terror before their killers tried to burn the evidence. This award-winning debut season revisits the infamous Mansion Murders, exposing new details and the twisted logic behind a senseless act of violence.

Information

  • Creator
    Gamut Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    58
  • Copyright
    © Gamut Podcast Network
  • Show Website
    American Nightmares

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