Crime Chats

Lisa Iacoletti and Hilary Morrow

Crime Chats is a casual true crime podcast where we get together and chat about the crimes we can’t stop thinking about. From infamous cases and unsolved mysteries to shocking criminal behavior and courtroom chaos. No scripts, no stiff narration, just casual conversations between real-life best friends. We'll share our honest opinions, theories, and the occasional dark joke every now and then. In each episode, we'll chat about a case that’s been living rent-free in our minds. If you love true crime podcasts, unsolved cases, crime discussion, hearing two friends break down criminal cases in a relatable, conversational way, and you don't mind the occasional colorful language, Crime Chats is for you.

  1. 3d ago

    Daniel LaPlante: The Boy in the Walls (Part 2 of 2)

    In honor of Halloween, we are taking a break from cults & cons to explore a real-life horror story: the disturbing case of Daniel LaPlante. In 1986, Daniel LaPlante snuck into the Bowen family home and stayed there. For six whole months. But that terrifying incident was only the beginning of a much darker story... Just one year later, LaPlante would be responsible for the murders of Priscilla Gustafson and her two young children, Abigail and William. ⚠️ Content Warning This episode discusses home invasion, stalking, violence, murder, and the deaths of two young children. Listener discretion is strongly advised. 🔎 What We Cover The string of burglaries Daniel LaPlante committed before his stay in the Bowen homeDaniel LaPlante's fixation with Tina Bowen and how that led to the 1986 incidentDaniel LaPlante's second Bowen home invasion and how he was able to stay concealed inside for months on endHow Daniel LaPlante was discovered concealed behind a false wall in the basement.Daniel LaPlante's arrest, time in juvenile detention, and eventual release of bailThe events leading up to the December 1987 murders of Priscilla Gustafson and her children, Abigail and William.The investigation and the evidence that connected LaPlante to the murders.His subsequent flight from police, another terrifying encounter, and eventual arrest.The trial, convictions, and developments in his sentencing.💬 Join the Conversation What would possess someone to live inside the walls of a home and terrorize the family living there? And how was a 16 year old boy able to go missing from his own home for 6 months without raising alarms? 📚 Sources Click here for a full list of the sources used for this episode. ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nextbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

  2. 4d ago

    Daniel LaPlante: The Boy in the Walls (Part 1 of 2)

    In honor of Halloween, we are taking a break from cults & cons to explore a real-life horror story: the disturbing case of Daniel LaPlante. In 1986, Daniel LaPlante snuck into the Bowen family home and stayed there. For six whole months. But that terrifying incident was only the beginning of a much darker story... Just one year later, LaPlante would be responsible for the murders of Priscilla Gustafson and her two young children, Abigail and William. ⚠️ Content Warning This episode discusses home invasion, stalking, violence, murder, and the deaths of two young children. Listener discretion is strongly advised. 🔎 What We Cover The string of burglaries Daniel LaPlante committed before his stay in the Bowen homeDaniel LaPlante's fixation with Tina Bowen and how that led to the 1986 incidentDaniel LaPlante's second Bowen home invasion and how he was able to stay concealed inside for months on endHow Daniel LaPlante was discovered concealed behind a false wall in the basement.Daniel LaPlante's arrest, time in juvenile detention, and eventual release of bailThe events leading up to the December 1987 murders of Priscilla Gustafson and her children, Abigail and William.The investigation and the evidence that connected LaPlante to the murders.His subsequent flight from police, another terrifying encounter, and eventual arrest.The trial, convictions, and developments in his sentencing.💬 Join the Conversation What would possess someone to live inside the walls of a home and terrorize the family living there? And how was a 16 year old boy able to go missing from his own home for 6 months without raising alarms? 📚 Sources Click here for a full list of the sources used for this episode. ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nextbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

  3. Oct 28

    The Nine O'Clock Service: From Radical Evangelism to Abusive Control (Part 2 of 2)

    What happens when a movement that promises spiritual connection, community, and a fresh take on religion becomes a place of manipulation and abuse? In the 1980s and 1990s in Sheffield, England, the Nine O’Clock Service attracted hundreds of young people with its unconventional blend of Christian worship, rave culture, electronic music, and multimedia performances. At the center of it all was Chris Brain, a charismatic leader whose influence over the congregation would eventually lead to a devastating scandal. Behind the music, the packed services, and the movement’s progressive image, former members described an increasingly controlling environment in which spiritual authority was used to exert power over followers. When allegations of sexual abuse and manipulation emerged in 1995, the movement collapsed, leaving former members struggling to process what had happened. Decades later, the case returned to the courts, raising difficult questions about institutional accountability and how abuse can flourish within a community built on trust. ⚠️ Content Warning This episode discusses sexual abuse, rape, spiritual abuse, coercive control, and manipulation within a religious community. Listener discretion is advised. 🔎 What We Cover Chris Brain's early life and how he first came into the Christian faithThe pull toward leadership that Chris felt almost immediately upon his conversion and joining a church of his ownHow Chris Brain built a devoted following through charisma, music, and spiritual authorityThe origins of the Nine O’Clock Service and its unconventional approach to Christian worshipThe group’s growing influence and the culture that developed around itThe 1995 scandal that brought the Nine O’Clock Service to an endThe questions surrounding church leadership, oversight, and institutional accountabilityThe criminal proceedings decades later and the convictions against Chris Brain🎙️ Facts First, Hot Takes Later As always, we’re laying out the facts before getting into our opinions. But this episode does include a lot of personal opinions about religion, God, and worship. 💬 Join the Conversation How does a community built around belonging become a place where people feel unable to question its leader? And when warning signs emerge, who is responsible for taking action? At what point does devotion become manipulation, and what responsibility do institutions have when allegations surface? Share your thoughts in the comments! 📰 Sources Click here for a full list of the sources used for this episode 📚 Further Reading Howard, R. (1996). The rise and fall of the Nine O'Clock Service: A cult within the church? Mowbray / Cassell. (Click here to purchase this book using our affiliate link) ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nextbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

  4. Oct 27

    The Nine O'Clock Service: From Radical Evangelism to Abusive Control (Part 1 of 2)

    What happens when a movement that promises spiritual connection, community, and a fresh take on religion becomes a place of manipulation and abuse? In the 1980s and 1990s in Sheffield, England, the Nine O’Clock Service attracted hundreds of young people with its unconventional blend of Christian worship, rave culture, electronic music, and multimedia performances. At the center of it all was Chris Brain, a charismatic leader whose influence over the congregation would eventually lead to a devastating scandal. Behind the music, the packed services, and the movement’s progressive image, former members described an increasingly controlling environment in which spiritual authority was used to exert power over followers. When allegations of sexual abuse and manipulation emerged in 1995, the movement collapsed, leaving former members struggling to process what had happened. Decades later, the case returned to the courts, raising difficult questions about institutional accountability and how abuse can flourish within a community built on trust. ⚠️ Content Warning This episode discusses sexual abuse, rape, spiritual abuse, coercive control, and manipulation within a religious community. Listener discretion is advised. 🔎 What We Cover Chris Brain's early life and how he first came into the Christian faithThe pull toward leadership that Chris felt almost immediately upon his conversion and joining a church of his ownHow Chris Brain built a devoted following through charisma, music, and spiritual authorityThe origins of the Nine O’Clock Service and its unconventional approach to Christian worshipThe group’s growing influence and the culture that developed around itThe 1995 scandal that brought the Nine O’Clock Service to an endThe questions surrounding church leadership, oversight, and institutional accountabilityThe criminal proceedings decades later and the convictions against Chris Brain🎙️ Facts First, Hot Takes Later As always, we’re laying out the facts before getting into our opinions. But this episode does include a lot of personal opinions about religion, God, and worship. 💬 Join the Conversation How does a community built around belonging become a place where people feel unable to question its leader? And when warning signs emerge, who is responsible for taking action? At what point does devotion become manipulation, and what responsibility do institutions have when allegations surface? Share your thoughts in the comments! 📰 Sources Click here for a full list of the sources used for this episode 📚 Further Reading Howard, R. (1996). The rise and fall of the Nine O'Clock Service: A cult within the church? Mowbray / Cassell. (Click here to purchase this book using our affiliate link) ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nextbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

  5. Oct 20

    Mark Kilroy & the Matamoros Murders: Adolfo Constanzo’s Narco-Satanic Cult

    In March 1989, Mark Kilroy traveled to South Padre Island with three close friends to celebrate spring break and his recent 21st birthday. During a night out in Matamoros, Mexico, Mark disappeared. His friends tirelessly searched for him, his family launched an extensive campaign to find him, and investigators worked hard to uncover the truth. The investigation took a shocking turn in April 1989, when Mexican authorities discovered Rancho Santa Elena and uncovered the remains of 15 people, including Mark. The property was connected to a drug-trafficking syndicate led by Adolfo Constanzo, whose followers participated in violent rituals they believed would provide supernatural protection. In this episode, we examine the people, beliefs, investigation, and legal proceedings behind one of the most disturbing criminal cases of 1980s Texas-Mexico border history. ⚠️ Trigger Warning This episode contains discussion of abduction, torture, murder, human sacrifice, drug trafficking, and graphic forensic details. Listener discretion is strongly advised. 🔎 What We Cover Mark Kilroy’s life, family, academic achievements, and plans for the futureThe spring break trip that took Mark and his friends from South Padre Island to MatamorosMark’s disappearance on March 14, 1989, and the search that followedHow investigators traced the case to Rancho Santa ElenaPalo Mayombe, its cultural and spiritual origins, and why it should not be conflated with the crimes committed by Constanzo’s groupAdolfo Constanzo’s rise as a self-proclaimed spiritual and cult leader and his connections to drug traffickersSara Aldrete’s alleged role in the syndicate and her later claims of coercionThe 1989 Mexico City confrontation that ended with Constanzo’s deathThe convictions, prison sentences, and unresolved questions surrounding other suspectsHow the case affected cross-border travel and public perceptions of the Texas-Mexico borderThe role of sensationalized media coverage in shaping the “narco-Satanic” narrative💬 Join the Conversation Was Sara Aldrete a willing participant, a victim of coercive control, or both? How much of Constanzo’s influence came from supernatural beliefs, and how much came from fear and manipulation? Did the “narco-Satanic cult” label help explain the crimes, or did sensationalism obscure important facts? Let us know your thoughts! 📰 Sources Click here for the full list of sources used in researching this episode 📚 Further Reading Kilroy, Jim, and Bob Stewart. Sacrifice the Tragic Cult Murder of Mark Kilroy in Matamoros: A Father’s Determination to Turn Evil into Good. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 11 Aug. 2004. (Click here to purchase this book through our affiliate link) ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nextbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

  6. Oct 6

    Ferdinand Waldo Demara: The Man Who Could Be Anyone

    What if you could walk into almost any job, claim to be someone you're not, and somehow convince everyone around you that you belonged there? Meet Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr., better known as The Great Impostor. Demara spent much of his life assuming false identities and inserting himself into professions he had no formal training for. Jobs that required highly specialized knowledge. His remarkable ability to memorize information, project confidence, and convince people he was exactly who he claimed to be allowed him to pull off some truly unbelievable schemes. And this wasn't your typical con man story. Demara didn't just fake names or credentials. At various points, he managed to pose as people ranging from a monk and prison official to a surgeon—with one of his most infamous impersonations taking place aboard a Canadian naval destroyer during the Korean War. So how did he keep getting away with it? 🔎 What We Cover Ferdinand Waldo Demara's early life and upbringingThe event that set him on this path of deceptionThe many faces of FerdinandHow he finally got caught and then caught againWhat happened after his releasesHow Ferdinand Waldo Demara's wild story finally came to an end💬 Join the Conversation Do you think that Demara had malicious intent? Do good deeds done for bad reasons still deserve to be praised? Let us know your thoughts! 📰 Sources Click here for a list of the sources for this episode 📚 Further Reading Crichton, Robert. The Great Impostor. Sarah Crichton Books, 5 Apr. 2016. (Click here for our affiliate link) If you are interested in that LIFE magazine issue from 1952 that contains the article about Demara, you can click here to visit the website. ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nextbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

  7. Sep 30

    Charity Johnson: The 34-Year-Old High School Sophomore (Part 2 of a 2-Part Series)

    What would you do if the teenager sitting next to you in class turned out to be a 34-year-old woman? And what if the story went far beyond one fake ID? In 2013, Charity Anne Johnson enrolled at New Life Christian School in Longview, Texas, as a 15-year-old sophomore named Charity Stevens. She made friends, completed her schoolwork, and became part of the tight-knit school community. Even the adults who took her into their homes believed she was a teenager in need of help. But when her carefully constructed identity began to unravel, it became clear that this wasn't an isolated lie. As people started comparing notes, a much bigger pattern of deception emerged, stretching across multiple states and involving families, mentors, and people who believed they were helping a vulnerable young woman. 🔎 What We Cover Charity Anne Johnson's life before she became Charity StevensHer enrollment at New Life Christian School in Longview, Texas as a 15-year-old sophomore.The details she gave of her background, including her claims about her family and childhood.The lengthy list of people who trusted and helped her along the wayThe relationships she built with classmates and teachersThe boyfriend who thought she was 18A Mother's Day encounter in Dallas that raised suspicions and helped set the truth in motion.How conflicting stories, questions about her age, and information from her workplace led people to investigate her identity.The arrest and the charges brought against herCharity's guilty plea, her sentence, and her release from jail.💬 Join the Conversation What do you think Charity's motive was? It seems to have started as a way for an insecure woman to feel wanted, but it went way too far. 📚 Sources Click here for a full list of the sources for this episode ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nextbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

  8. Sep 29

    Charity Johnson: The 34-Year-Old High School Sophomore (Part 1 of a 2-Part Series)

    What would you do if the teenager sitting next to you in class turned out to be a 34-year-old woman? And what if the story went far beyond one fake ID? In 2013, Charity Anne Johnson enrolled at New Life Christian School in Longview, Texas, as a 15-year-old sophomore named Charity Stevens. She made friends, completed her schoolwork, and became part of the tight-knit school community. Even the adults who took her into their homes believed she was a teenager in need of help. But when her carefully constructed identity began to unravel, it became clear that this wasn't an isolated lie. As people started comparing notes, a much bigger pattern of deception emerged, stretching across multiple states and involving families, mentors, and people who believed they were helping a vulnerable young woman. 🔎 What We Cover Charity Anne Johnson's life before she became Charity StevensHer enrollment at New Life Christian School in Longview, Texas as a 15-year-old sophomore.The details she gave of her background, including her claims about her family and childhood.The lengthy list of people who trusted and helped her along the wayThe relationships she built with classmates and teachersThe boyfriend who thought she was 18A Mother's Day encounter in Dallas that raised suspicions and helped set the truth in motion.How conflicting stories, questions about her age, and information from her workplace led people to investigate her identity.The arrest and the charges brought against herCharity's guilty plea, her sentence, and her release from jail.💬 Join the Conversation What do you think Charity's motive was? It seems to have started as a way for an insecure woman to feel wanted, but it went way too far. 📚 Sources Click here for a full list of the sources for this episode ☕ Support the Show If you’re enjoying Crime Chats and want to support more deep dives like this: Share this episode with someone who would find it interestingBuy our merch on Amazon!Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s nextbuymeacoffee.com/crimechats

See All (49)

About

Crime Chats is a casual true crime podcast where we get together and chat about the crimes we can’t stop thinking about. From infamous cases and unsolved mysteries to shocking criminal behavior and courtroom chaos. No scripts, no stiff narration, just casual conversations between real-life best friends. We'll share our honest opinions, theories, and the occasional dark joke every now and then. In each episode, we'll chat about a case that’s been living rent-free in our minds. If you love true crime podcasts, unsolved cases, crime discussion, hearing two friends break down criminal cases in a relatable, conversational way, and you don't mind the occasional colorful language, Crime Chats is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa Iacoletti and Hilary Morrow
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Lisa Iacoletti & Hilary Morrow 2026
  • Show Website
    Crime Chats