True Crime Society

True Crime Society

Listen in as Stephanie and Olivia from the popular True Crime Society social media accounts chat about the latest cases taking the internet by storm. In this casual and conversational podcast, the hosts breakdown timelines and go over the most popular (and sometimes ridiculous) theories. 

  1. Cancer Scammers | Vanessa O'Rourke, Tara Enoka, Michelle Bodzsar

    4d ago

    Cancer Scammers | Vanessa O'Rourke, Tara Enoka, Michelle Bodzsar

    Timestamps:(8:55) - Maternal Instinct Discussion(13:55) - Cancer Scammers With the rise of crowdfunding, there has also been a rise in fraudulent fundraising schemes being carried out. In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss three separate cases where women have faked cancer diagnoses in order to raise money for personal use: American woman Vanessa O’Rourke told friends and family in 2015 that she had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a deadly form of cancer.   She raised money for fake experimental treatment and fled to Australia.  She is currently on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. Australian mother-of-four Tara Enoka created a YouTube channel in 2021 titled ‘Stand with Tara.’  She spoke about being diagnosed with cervical and breast cancer.   Fundraising efforts for Tara raised over $35,000 before her fraudulent scheme was uncovered.  Tara never had cancer. Australian mother Michelle Bodzsar developed a gambling addiction during the pandemic.  A few years later, after her young son suffered an eye injury during a trampoline accident, she saw an opportunity and ran with it.  Michelle faked a cancer diagnosis for her son - even shaving his eyebrows and his head to make her story believable.  Michelle has been jailed for her crimes. Read our blog for these cases - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2026/06/14/social-scammers-june-2026/ GoFundMe has repeatedly stated that fraudulent campaigns account for less than 0.1% of all campaigns (fewer than 1 in 1,000).  Be sure to check the timestamps to get straight to the episode section that you want to listen to. Join us on Patreon for weekly exclusive episodes and all episodes are ad-free - Patreon.com/truecrimesociety Check out our Instagram for the latest crime news - Instagram.com/truecrimesociety Follow our Facebook page for breaking news - Facebook.com/truecrimesociety This episode is sponsored by: IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners twenty percent off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your twenty percent off, text CRIME to sixty-four thousand. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Square - If you’re running a business, or running one that deserves better tools, Square helps you sell, manage and grow without slowing down.  Right now, you can get up to $200 off Square hardware at Square.com/go/tcs

    52 min
  2. "The Crash" Mackenzie Shirilla Commentary & The AI Related Death of Sam Nelson

    May 28

    "The Crash" Mackenzie Shirilla Commentary & The AI Related Death of Sam Nelson

    Timestamps:(9:02) - Mackenzie / The crash(29:20) - Matthew Hertgen Update(34:13) - Sam Nelson* Note - Timestamps may slightly vary due to dynamic ads The AI tool ChatGPT is used by over 800 million people per week.  In a recent poll, a majority of 13- to 17-year-olds said they use AI chatbots, with 28% saying they use them daily. Sam Nelson (19) started using ChatGPT when he was in high school.  He began initially using it for general questions and homework help. Over time, it is alleged that Sam began to use the chatbot to get information about taking illicit drugs.  In the early morning hours of May 31, 2025, Sam told the chatbot about drugs he had ingested and asked for help with the side effects that he was experiencing.  ChatGPT’s last alleged message to Sam was “If you’re still nauseous after an hour, I can help troubleshoot further (Benadryl combo, timing, food intake, etc.). Just let me know your symptoms and how intense the nausea is right now.”  Sam’s mother would find him dead in his bedroom hours later. In May 2026, Sam’s parents filed a lawsuit against OpenAI.  They allege wrongful death and the unauthorized practice of medicine. Sam’s family are asking for financial damages and for the court to pause the operation of ChatGPT Health. In this episode of the True Crime Society Podcast, we discuss the case of Sam Nelson - did AI contribute to his death? Read our blog for Sam - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2026/05/20/did-ai-contribute-to-the-death-of-sam-nelson/ In this episode, we also discuss the case of Mackenzie Shirilla, subject of the new Netflix documentary The Crash.  We first covered this case on our podcast in 2023 and we will be re-releasing that episode this week.  Be sure to check it out before listening to this episode for context! Be sure to check the timestamps to get straight to the episode section that you want to listen to. Be sure to join us on Patreon for weekly exclusive episodes and all episodes are ad-free - Patreon.com/truecrimesociety Join us on Instagram for the latest crime news - Instagram.com/truecrimesociety

    1h 8m
  3. Katie Ferguson Vanished During a Road Trip with Her Meth Addicted Boyfriend

    May 14

    Katie Ferguson Vanished During a Road Trip with Her Meth Addicted Boyfriend

    Skip straight to the case --> (5:24) On a rainy morning in October 2023, a police officer in a small Arkansas town approached a parked SUV to check on a family inside. In the passenger seat, a tired mother in a red T-shirt smiled politely as she folded baby clothes. Her toddler climbed between the seats. A baby cried in the back. Her boyfriend was in the driver's seat. She told the officer they were just passing through - trying to get back to Wyoming. That officer would become the last confirmed person to ever see Katheryn “Katie” Ferguson alive. Days later, her boyfriend would continue the trip without her. And when investigators finally searched the vehicle they had been traveling in, they found something chilling — blood, bullet holes, and a missing passenger seat. Katie Ferguson has never been seen again. Read our blog for Katie - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2026/03/08/katie-ferguson-vanished-on-a-road-trip/ Be sure to join us on Patreon for weekly exclusive episodes and all episodes are ad-free - Patreon.com/truecrimesociety Join us on Instagram for the latest crime news - Instagram.com/truecrimesociety This episode is sponsored by: IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners twenty percent off all IQBAR products—including the Ultimate sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. To get your twenty percent off, text CRIME to sixty-four thousand. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details.

    42 min
4.5
out of 5
1,326 Ratings

About

Listen in as Stephanie and Olivia from the popular True Crime Society social media accounts chat about the latest cases taking the internet by storm. In this casual and conversational podcast, the hosts breakdown timelines and go over the most popular (and sometimes ridiculous) theories. 

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