Real Crime Stories

WovenCare Advocacy Services

Every case has a story. Every victim had a life. And every warning sign matters. Real Crime Stories takes you case by case through shocking crimes, Investigative breakthroughs, courtroom outcomes, and the real people at the center of it all. Each episode focuses on clear timelines, credible sources, and respectful storytelling without sensationalism. If you're drawn to true crime that's thoughtful, detailed, and grounded in evidence, this show is for you.

  1. 4d ago

    S3E4: 364 Days on Parole | The Murder of Fatima Johnson

    Fifty-three-year-old Fatima Johnson was a devoted mother of six and grandmother of eight who spent her life caring for others. Working in a nursing home and actively studying to earn her nursing license, she was building a future rooted in purpose and service in South Los Angeles. But over the Fourth of July weekend in 2021, after Fatima failed to show up for work, her daughters and best friend arrived at her apartment to find a devastating scene: Fatima had been bound, gagged, and left to die of asphyxiation. Investigators quickly focused on her boyfriend, Darryl Lamar Collins, who stole Fatima's phone, jewelry, and car, rapidly pawning her possessions and selling her vehicle for drugs. Just 364 days earlier, Collins had been released on parole under California's expanded youthful offender law after serving 25 years for two random 1995 murders. In this episode, we examine the timeline and system failures surrounding Collins's release, the warning signs of intimate partner violence, and how a convicted double murderer entered Fatima's life less than a year after walking out of prison. Listeners will follow the evidence and legal journey from the initial discovery through Collins's February 2026 conviction for first-degree special-circumstance murder and his sentencing to life in prison without parole. Drawing on court records, police reports, and public filings, Real Crime Stories examines the dangerous intersection of prior violent crime, substance abuse, and domestic violence, honoring the life and memory of a woman taken far too soon. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. If you need support for domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. Real Crime Stories is a victim-centered investigative podcast examining domestic violence fatalities, warning signs, and system failures through court records, police reports, and public records. For case updates, source documents, and additional information, visit: Website: https://realcrimestories.org Follow Real Crime Stories on Facebook: https://facebook.com/realcr1mestories Every case has a story. Every victim had a life. And every warning sign matters.

  2. 5d ago

    S3E3: She Had a Protective Order | The Murder of Krystal Walton

    On the morning of September 16, 2022, 32-year-old Krystal Walton was shot and killed outside Charity Child Care in west Indianapolis shortly after dropping off her one-year-old son. The shooter was her ex-boyfriend and the child's father, 35-year-old Orlando Mitchell—a man Walton had already sought legal protection from through an active civil protective order. In this episode, Real Crime Stories examines the timeline surrounding Krystal's murder, the warning signs of escalating intimate partner violence, and the critical reality of protective order violations. Listeners will learn how Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers intercepted Mitchell in downtown Indianapolis, resulting in an armed confrontation, an officer-involved shooting, and body camera footage capturing his confession. We also trace the legal proceedings from conviction to sentencing, detailing Mitchell's trial for murder and invasion of privacy, his 66-year prison sentence, and the capital murder charges filed during his pretrial detention. Above all, this episode honors Krystal Walton's life, confronting the systemic challenges of survivor safety and why every warning sign matters. **If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. If you need support for domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.** Real Crime Stories is a victim-centered investigative podcast examining domestic violence fatalities, warning signs, and system failures through court records, police reports, and public records. For case updates, source documents, and additional information, visit: Website: https://realcrimestories.org Follow Real Crime Stories on Facebook: https://facebook.com/realcr1mestories Every case has a story. Every victim had a life. And every warning sign matters.

  3. Jun 14

    S3E2 Four Minutes | The Murder of Mariah Rosanna Samuels

    In August 2025, 34-year-old mother and small business owner Mariah Rosanna Samuels took critical steps to secure her safety by ending her relationship with David Eugene Wright and obtaining an Order for Protection. But on the morning of September 14, when Wright violated that order, the emergency response system failed her. A responding officer spent only four minutes on the scene and filed an inaccurate report, leaving Mariah vulnerable to a deadly ambush just hours later. This episode explores the devastating timeline of the tragedy in North Minneapolis, examining the systemic failures in protective order enforcement and the warning signs of escalating domestic abuse. Listeners will learn about the subsequent investigation, the indictment upgrade to first-degree premeditated murder, and the courtroom confession that ultimately brought a life sentence without the possibility of parole. **If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. If you need support for domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.** Real Crime Stories is a victim-centered investigative podcast examining domestic violence fatalities, warning signs, and system failures through court records, police reports, and public records. For case updates, source documents, and additional information, visit: Website: https://realcrimestories.org Follow Real Crime Stories on Facebook: https://facebook.com/realcr1mestories Every case has a story. Every victim had a life. And every warning sign matters.

About

Every case has a story. Every victim had a life. And every warning sign matters. Real Crime Stories takes you case by case through shocking crimes, Investigative breakthroughs, courtroom outcomes, and the real people at the center of it all. Each episode focuses on clear timelines, credible sources, and respectful storytelling without sensationalism. If you're drawn to true crime that's thoughtful, detailed, and grounded in evidence, this show is for you.