119 episodes
True Crime Reporter True Crime Reporter
-
- True Crime
-
-
4.8 • 225 Ratings
-
In an era where sensationalism often trumps substance, the True Crime Reporter® podcast offers a bracing alternative—a meticulously crafted, investigative lens focused on the intricacies and nuances of criminal cases that grip public consciousness.
Created and hosted by Robert Riggs, a Peabody Award-winning investigative reporter based in Dallas, Texas, the podcast peels back the layers of high-profile criminal investigations, offering an unprecedented level of detail and insight.
True Crime Reporter® is not merely a recitation of facts and timelines. Drawing upon exclusive interviews with experts, from law enforcement agents to forensic psychologists, Riggs dives into the complexity and gravity of each case. He explores not just the "what" and the "who" but the often elusive "why" behind criminal acts, meticulously unraveling the sociopolitical threads that often inform them.
The narrative richness of the podcast is underscored by its ethical rigor. Riggs goes beyond the superficial to offer a humanized portrait of both victims and perpetrators, challenging listeners to confront their preconceptions and biases. Ethical dilemmas are dissected, moral quandaries are probed, and the limitations of the criminal justice system are laid bare.
The podcast serves another crucial role: that of a public educator. True Crime Reporter® acts as a manual for crime prevention, with Riggs offering invaluable tips to listeners on safeguarding themselves in various situations. The podcast serves as both a repository of true crime stories and a platform for actionable advice—a dual role that has made it a staple for those who seek to understand the labyrinthine world of criminal justice.
By seamlessly blending storytelling, investigative reporting, and public education, True Crime Reporter® transcends the limitations often associated with the genre. It stands as an epitome of what true crime reporting can, and should, aspire to be—a nuanced, thoughtful, and ethically responsible exploration of the darkest corners of the human experience.
True Crime Reporter® distinguishes itself not just through meticulous storytelling but also through a well-deserved litany of accolades. The recognition extends beyond mere critical acclaim; industry leaders have taken note. Claire Graves, Executive Director of The Webby Awards in 2020, commended the podcast as a beacon of "innovation and creativity on the Internet," spotlighting it from among nearly 13,500 entries spanning 50 states and 70 countries. Such endorsement is more than a mere laurel; it's a testament to the podcast's capacity to both educate and captivate.
But True Crime Reporter® isn’t confined to auditory storytelling. Riggs parlayed the podcast into a five-part streaming television series titled Freed To Kill, which premiered on Fox Nation in March 2022.
This lauded series was honored with a 2022 Silver Telly Award just two months after its release, reflecting its excellence in documentary filmmaking. In his roles as both Executive Producer and principal storyteller, Riggs weaves an intricate narrative fabric, drawing from exhaustive interviews with investigators, victims' families, and key players.
The series exposes how serial killer Kenneth McDuff was paroled from prison under a cloud of corruption. It has drawn praise from journalism stalwarts. Retired CBS News Anchor Bob Schieffer, who appeared in Freed To Kill, succinctly encapsulated its impact, stating: "This is the story of pure evil, and you told it well."
Tune in to the True Crime Reporter® podcast for an experience that's as intellectually challenging as it is emotionally impactful. Each episode is a journey into the heart of darkness—and a quest for the elusive light of truth.
-
Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Black Widow Part 3
Sandra Bridewell has fallen from grace in Dallas Society. Shunned by neighbors and most friends in the posh Highland Park community that is home to oil and real estate barons.
In Parts 1 & 2 Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Black Widow we reveal Bridewell's connection to three mysterious shooting deaths and the stories about them label Sandra, The Black Widow.
She flees to the West Coast to escape her scandalous reputation.
True Crime author John Leake unveils in his book The Meaning of Malice: On The Trail Of The Black Widow of Highland Park how Sandra Bridewell tries to reinvent herself eventually as a missionary.
FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast
SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter
THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one – it really helps.
TELL ME about a STORY OR SUBJECT that you want to hear more about -
Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Texas Black Widow Part 2
Dallas Socialite Sandra Bridewell cultivated an image of elegance and vulnerability.
In part one of our series, Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Black Widow, Sandra Bridewell’s first husband’s life tragically ends with his alleged suicide.
Was the promising young dentist driven to shoot himself in a fit of depression over the crushing burden of mounting debt from Sandra’s lavish lifestyle?
Or was there a sinister motive for murder? True crime author, John Leake continues the story from his book The Meaning Of Malice: On The Trail Of The Black Widow Of Highland Park.
Within a year of her husband’s death, Bridewell hunts for a new suitor.
A whirlwind romance and marriage to her second husband catapults her to the top of Dallas society—but not for long.
FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast
SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter
THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one – it really helps.
TELL ME about a STORY OR SUBJECT that you want to hear more about -
Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Texas Black Widow Part 1
Amidst the sprawling cityscape of Dallas, where power and prosperity intersect with secrets and lies, Sandra Bridewell's story unravels.
Bridewell was a beautiful, alluring socialite in the affluent enclave of Highland Park when Dallas was the world’s most popular TV show and the Dallas Cowboys were America’s team.
It is a tale woven with deception, sex, and the dark underbelly of high society in a close-knit community known as the Beverly Hills of the Southwest – Highland Park.
Known infamously as "The Black Widow," Sandra's life story reads like a script from a classic thriller, her charm, and beauty masking a sinister reality of purported suicides, murders, beatings, romance scams, religious cons, and identity theft.
True Crime author John Leake peels back the layers of Sandra Bridewell's enigmatic persona in The Meaning of Malice: On The Trail Of The Black Widow Of Highland Park.
FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast
SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter
THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one – it really helps.
TELL ME about a STORY OR SUBJECT that you want to hear more about -
Inside The Digital Slaughter House Of Pig Butchering Scams
A new breed of con artists herd unwitting victims into a digital slaughterhouse.
Master manipulators use a scam called “Pig Butchering.”
They fatten up their prey with affection and the promise of riches, like feeding a hog on the way to the slaughterhouse.
Pig Butchers use psychological manipulation to bleed victim’s savings.
If you believe similar schemes have victimized your family, friends, or business, report them to your local FBI Field Office, the Federal Trade Commission, and the FBI’s Internet Crimes Complaint Center.
FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast
SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter
THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one – it really helps.
TELL ME about a STORY OR SUBJECT that you want to hear more about -
The Secret Service Files: Cracking New York’s Counterfeit Underworld
In the shadowy underworld of early 20th-century New York City, a nefarious counterfeiting operation run by cunning Sicilian criminals thrived—until William Flynn and the U.S. Secret Service set their sights on bringing the ring to justice.
At the heart of the story is the classic clash between good and evil, law and lawlessness.
But in William Flynn, we have the archetypal determined detective hero - relentless, clever, and utterly committed to justice.
This is a follow-up to our last episode about Flynn, known as the Bulldog Detective.
I have curated the work of some of the best true crime writers from the early 20th Century.
Please let me know if you like to hear me read these stories.
PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO HEAR MORE VINTAGE TRUE CRIME STORIES
FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast
SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter
THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one – it really helps.
TELL ME about a STORY OR SUBJECT that you want to hear more about -
The Bulldog Detective: The Untold Story of America’s First Top Cop
Through the mist of forgotten histories, the figure of William J. Flynn beckons, offering a glimpse into a life that, though eclipsed by time, remains a testament to human endeavor and spirit.
In the early 20th century, Flynn, known as the “Bulldog Detective,” was one of the most famous detectives in America.
As head of the U.S. Secret Service and later the Bureau of Investigation (forerunner of the FBI), Flynn led the chase for counterfeiters, took on the first Mafia crime family, pursued German spies during World War I, and launched America's first "war on terrorism" against anarchist bombers who blew up Wall Street.
Yet today, Flynn is largely forgotten, overshadowed by his more controversial successor, J. Edgar Hoover.
A new book aims to change that and restore Flynn to his rightful place in history.
In "The Bulldog Detective," terrorism expert Jeffrey D. Simon provides the first full biography of this remarkable yet unsung American lawman.
FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast
SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter
THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one – it really helps.
TELL ME about a STORY OR SUBJECT that you want to hear more about
Customer Reviews
Great Podcast!
Love the content and narration is nice and easy to listen to.
But…..
I love the content and the narration but…the episodes can be so short. I personally like longer episodes while I’m doing my walking. I don’t want to stop and look for another podcast to listen to. And….I will keep listening even if that doesn’t change. But for my own personal view I could only go 4 stars.
Great
Great content and awesome reporting. Love this Podcast!