Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words

Justin Shepherd
  • 4.4 (132)
  • TRUE CRIME
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words is a podcast that strips away the sensational headlines and lets the people at the heart of true crime stories speak for themselves. From survivors and families to investigators, journalists, and insiders, these are raw, unfiltered conversations that rarely make it into mainstream coverage.Hosted by Justin Shepherd, a creator and advocate with millions of followers across platforms, Unheard brings a new dimension to true crime by centering voices that are often overlooked. Each episode offers an intimate, human perspective on cases that shocked communities, shaped public opinion, or exposed flaws in our justice system. This isn’t about sensationalism. It’s about listening. It’s about giving people the chance to reclaim their narrative, share their truth, and be truly heard.

  1. 6D AGO

    The DNA Solving “Unsolvable” Cases (Including Kohberger) | Othram Labs

    There are cases that sit for years, sometimes decades, with no answers. No suspect, no clear direction, and no path forward. But that’s starting to change. In this episode, Justin sits down with Dr. Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer at Othram Labs, to break down how advanced DNA technology is being used to solve cases that were once considered unsolvable. Othram specializes in working with extremely limited or degraded DNA, evidence that, until recently, would have gone nowhere. Their work has helped identify unknown victims, generate new leads in cold cases, and push investigations forward when traditional methods failed. That includes playing an instrumental role in the process that helped connect DNA evidence to Bryan Kohberger in the Idaho four case, using an incredibly small amount of touch DNA. In this conversation, Dr. Mittelman explains how this technology works, what people often misunderstand about DNA evidence, and how forensic science is rapidly evolving. More importantly, this episode looks at what all of this means for the future, where cases that once had no path forward may now have one. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 5m

  2. APR 27

    The Cases We Get Wrong | Allison Weiner on True Crime, Media, and Missteps

    There’s the version of a case you see… and then there’s what’s actually happening while it’s unfolding. In this episode, I’m joined by Allison Weiner, an investigative journalist who’s spent years covering high-profile cases in real time, not after the fact, not cleaned up for a documentary, but as they’re happening. We get into cases like Holly Bobo case and Amy Harwick case, but this isn’t about retelling what happened. It’s about everything that happens around it. How quickly narratives form. How pressure, whether it’s media, law enforcement, or public opinion, can shape the direction of a case. And how hard it is to undo that once it starts. We also talk about the impact on victims’ families, what people misunderstand about investigative reporting, and where the line is in true crime, and what happens when it gets crossed. This is one of those conversations that makes you step back and question how these stories are told… and what you think you know. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    48 min

  3. APR 18

    Columbine: Rachel Scott’s Father Speaks — The Truth About What Happened After

    The Columbine High School shooting changed everything, but what came after is a story most people don’t fully understand. In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School shooting, shares what happened after that day, how his family coped with unimaginable loss, and how Rachel’s story became a movement that has impacted millions. This is not only a conversation about Columbine. It’s about what came next. Darrell walks through the creation of Rachel’s Challenge, a program focused on kindness, compassion, and preventing violence in schools, which has now reached more than 30 million students and parents. Alongside Kristi Krings, we talk about bullying, mental health, forgiveness, and what schools, parents, and communities can actually do to change the culture for the next generation. We also get into what people still misunderstand about Columbine, the long-term impact on families, and why Rachel Scott’s message continues to resonate decades later. If you think you understand Columbine, this conversation will challenge that. Make sure you subscribe as we continue bringing you real conversations with the people directly connected to the stories you think you know. SUPPORT RACHEL'S CHALLENGE https://rachelschallenge.org/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 1m

  4. APR 13

    All Bark, No Bite? The Reality Behind Dog the Bounty Hunter

    What does it actually look like to chase fugitives for a living… and then have your life turned into a television show? In this episode, I sit down with Justin Bihag, someone who didn’t just appear on Dog the Bounty Hunter… he lived it. We get into what most people never saw. Not the edited version. Not the dramatized version. The reality of what it took to track people down, what those apprehensions actually felt like in the moment, and how quickly everything changed once cameras showed up. We break down the case that put everything on the map, the capture of Andrew Luster, and why that moment became bigger than just one fugitive. It shifted public perception of bounty hunting entirely and turned a dangerous, unpredictable job into something the world suddenly couldn’t stop watching. But the part that stuck with me most isn’t the fame. It’s what came after it. Because when the cameras stop, life doesn’t. Justin talks openly about the pressure, the personal struggles, the hits his life took behind the scenes, and what it’s like trying to rebuild when people think they already know your story. Addiction, scrutiny, relationships, identity, none of it wrapped up neatly when the show ended. And then there’s the comeback. We get into how he found his way back through music, why that outlet matters, and what it takes mentally to keep moving forward when you’ve already lived multiple versions of your life in the public eye. There’s also something else in this conversation that I think people will connect with, the idea of resilience that isn’t polished or performative. It’s messy. It’s imperfect. And it’s real. This isn’t just about reality TV. It’s about what reality actually looks like when the cameras aren’t rolling. Follow and subscribe for more stories that deserve to be heard. These stories don’t get told unless people are willing to listen. New episodes drop every Monday at 2:00pm Central See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 14m

  5. APR 6

    She Was Trafficked as a Baby… and Lived 50 Years Without Knowing Her Name | E. Monique Smith

    In this episode of Unheard, I sit down with E. Monique Smith, a woman whose story almost defies belief. As a baby, she was taken from her biological family and raised by people who were not who they claimed to be. She grew up without knowing her real name, her real identity, or where she came from. For decades, she lived without documentation, without answers, and while enduring severe abuse behind closed doors. At 28 years old, everything began to unravel. What followed was a decades-long search for the truth that would take her through law enforcement agencies, national databases, and eventually DNA genealogy. She became known as the longest living Jane Doe. After more than 50 years, she finally uncovered her true identity and was reunited with the family she had been taken from as a child. This is her story, in her own words. Follow and subscribe for more stories that deserve to be heard. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 5m

  6. MAR 30

    Diddy, Power, and Silence: What Relentless Aaron Says He Witnessed

    In this episode, our guest isn’t just telling stories about the music industry, he lived through some of its darkest moments. Dewitt Gilmore, who is better known as Relentless Aaron, joins Unheard for a raw, unfiltered conversation about his personal experiences inside the world surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs, and what he says really went on behind the scenes. From his early days trying to break into the industry to crossing paths with some of its most powerful figures, Aaron walks through moments that shaped his life, including violence, high-stakes confrontations, and the aftermath of events like the CCNY stampede that left lasting controversy. This episode digs into the power dynamics that define the music business, the culture of silence that can protect it, and the personal cost of speaking out. Dewitt also opens up about his legal battles, the decisions that forced him to stand his ground, and how he turned those experiences into music, books, and a new chapter of his life. This isn’t just about one person or one story, it’s about influence, accountability, and what happens when someone decides they’re no longer going to stay quiet. Follow for more conversations like this, and if this episode hits you, share it. These stories don’t get told unless people are willing to listen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 31m

  7. MAR 23

    Alissa Turney: They Called Her a Runaway. Her Sister Changed Everything

    In 2001, Alissa Turney went missing from her home in Phoenix, Arizona. Her disappearance was quickly labeled a runaway case, and for years, it received little attention from law enforcement. But her sister, Sarah Turney, refused to let Alissa’s case disappear. In this episode, Sarah Turney shares the full story behind the disappearance of Alissa Turney, including the early failures in the investigation, the disturbing allegations of abuse and control inside their home, and the role their father, Michael Turney, played in the case. She explains how she began questioning the narrative she had been told and ultimately used social media and true crime platforms to bring national attention back to Alissa’s disappearance. That renewed attention led to the arrest of Michael Turney in connection with Alissa Turney’s case. However, the trial ended without a conviction, leaving critical questions unanswered and Alissa Turney still missing. Sarah Turney also discusses the emotional impact of the case, the challenges of navigating the criminal justice system, and the broader issues surrounding missing persons cases, child abuse, and investigative failures. Through her podcast Voices for Justice, she continues to advocate for Alissa Turney and other families seeking answers. This episode covers the Alissa Turney case, Sarah Turney’s fight for justice, the investigation into Michael Turney, and the ongoing search for answers in one of the most well-known missing persons cases in true crime. If you follow true crime, missing persons cases, or stories involving family advocacy and justice system failures, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 22m

  8. MAR 16

    They Left Him Alone to Die: The Fraternity Hazing Death of Adam Oakes

    This episode tells the heartbreaking story of Adam Oakes, a 19-year-old Virginia Commonwealth University student who died during a fraternity hazing ritual. Adam was excited about college. He was outgoing, compassionate, and the kind of person people naturally gravitated toward. But like so many freshmen, he also wanted to belong. That desire to fit in led him to accept an invitation to attend what he believed was part of a fraternity pledging process. That night, Adam was taken to an off-campus house where pledges were pressured to drink extreme amounts of alcohol as part of a hazing ritual. At some point, Adam consumed a fatal amount. Instead of getting him immediate help, members of the fraternity left him alone in a bedroom. By the time anyone checked on him the next morning, Adam was dead. His death shocked the community and exposed a hazing culture that often operates in secrecy, protected by silence and loyalty to the organization over the safety of the students involved. In this powerful conversation, Adam’s father, Eric Oakes, walks through who Adam was, what happened that night, and the devastating moment his family learned their son was gone. But Eric also talks about what came next. Rather than retreating into grief, he chose to fight for change. Eric founded the Love Like Adam Foundation, which works to educate students and families about hazing and push for stronger laws to hold organizations accountable. His advocacy helped lead to Adam’s Law in Virginia, legislation designed to strengthen hazing penalties and increase transparency around fraternity misconduct. This is not just a story about one tragedy. It’s a story about a culture that still exists on many campuses, and a warning that every parent sending a child to college needs to hear. Adam’s story is devastating. But Eric’s mission is simple: make sure no other family has to live through it. To learn more about Eric’s work, visit the Love Like Adam Foundation. (https://lovelikeadam.com) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 32m
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4.4
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132 Ratings

About

Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words is a podcast that strips away the sensational headlines and lets the people at the heart of true crime stories speak for themselves. From survivors and families to investigators, journalists, and insiders, these are raw, unfiltered conversations that rarely make it into mainstream coverage.Hosted by Justin Shepherd, a creator and advocate with millions of followers across platforms, Unheard brings a new dimension to true crime by centering voices that are often overlooked. Each episode offers an intimate, human perspective on cases that shocked communities, shaped public opinion, or exposed flaws in our justice system. This isn’t about sensationalism. It’s about listening. It’s about giving people the chance to reclaim their narrative, share their truth, and be truly heard.

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