Serial Napper | True Crime Stories for Naps

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  • 4.6 (155)
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Serial Napper is the perfect true crime podcast for those who love a good nap and the most intriguing true crime stories. Hosted by Nikki Young, each episode offers a comprehensive and thoughtful deep dive into an unsolved mystery or lesser-known case, told succinctly and with all the key facts, just the way it happened. Let Nikki lead you through some of the most fascinating, chilling, and puzzling true crime stories you've never heard of, all while you drift off to sleep. Follow Nikki on social media for more updates.

  1. The Ones Left Behind: The Disappearances of Michael and Chucky Palmer

    1D AGO

    The Ones Left Behind: The Disappearances of Michael and Chucky Palmer

    In 1999, fifteen-year-old Michael Palmer disappeared after leaving a graduation party and riding his bike home in Wasilla. His bicycle was later found in the Little Susitna River. His shoes were discovered nearby. Michael himself was never found. For eleven years, his family lived with unanswered questions. Then, in 2010, history repeated itself. Michael’s brother, Charles “Chucky” Palmer Jr., vanished while snowmachining in the backcountry of the Talkeetna Mountains. His snow machine was located twelve miles from the cabin where his group had been staying. There were no footprints. No helmet. No trace of where he went. Despite extensive searches, Chucky was never found and was later declared legally dead. In this episode of Serial Napper, we examine both disappearances side by side. One that unfolded in town, surrounded by rumours, conflicting stories, and evidence that never quite lined up. And one that disappeared into snow, weather, and terrain that rarely gives answers back. Was Chucky’s disappearance a tragic accident in the Alaskan wilderness? And if so… why does Michael’s case still refuse to make sense? This is a story about missing persons, unresolved investigations, and what happens when families are left without closure. Not just once, but twice. Support Our Sponser: Go to HelloFresh.com/napper10fm to get 10 free meals plus a FREE Zwilling knife valued at $144.99 on your third box. Offer valid while supplies last. Free meals applied as a discount on your first box. New subscribers only. Varies by plan. Sources: https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/article/last-brother/2010/04/16/  https://charleyproject.org/case/michael-timothy-palmer https://charleyproject.org/case/charles-edwin-palmer-v https://www.frontiersman.com/news/youth-still-missing-after-seven-years/article_4778a9bd-9231-5e38-bf8a-d2aa21a7fba1.html Follow me here: ► YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SerialNapper/ ► Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/serialnappernik/ ► Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerialNapper/ ► TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@serialnappernik  *Go Ad-Free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SerialNapper * Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min
  2. Suicide or Something More in Small-Town Missouri? The Unanswered Death of Tanner Ward

    2D AGO

    Suicide or Something More in Small-Town Missouri? The Unanswered Death of Tanner Ward

    On June 7, 2017, 19-year-old Tanner Ward left his family’s home in Trenton, Missouri, saying he’d be back in thirty minutes. He never returned. Six months later, Tanner’s body was discovered hanging in a tree just blocks from his home. Authorities ruled his death a suicide. Two autopsies reached the same conclusion. And on paper, the case was closed. But for Tanner’s family, the story never settled. In this episode, we walk through what’s known, what’s missing, and why this case continues to divide opinion in a small town where rumours travel fast, and certainty is hard to come by. From the delayed response when Tanner first went missing, to disturbing tips that flooded his family’s inbox, to conflicting interpretations of forensic evidence, this is a case shaped as much by silence as by facts. Sources: https://www.resthavenmort.com/obituary/Tanner-Ward https://truecrimenews.com/2018/03/01/mystery-in-missouri-what-happened-to-tanner-ward/ https://websleuths.com/threads/mo-tanner-ward-19-trenton-7-june-2017.340371/ https://ktvo.com/news/local/autopsy-performed-on-trenton-human-remains Follow me here: ► YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SerialNapper/ ► Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/serialnappernik/ ► Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerialNapper/ ► TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@serialnappernik  *Go Ad-Free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SerialNapper * Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    35 min
  3. A Double Life and a Dead Man: The Murder of Dennis Hoy

    JAN 9

    A Double Life and a Dead Man: The Murder of Dennis Hoy

    In the early morning hours of October 27, 2006, Dennis Hoy was killed as he slept in his girlfriend’s bed in Etobicoke, Ontario. At first, the story sounded almost tidy. An intruder. A shower running. A crime that appeared sudden and external. But this case was never simple. What followed was a tangled investigation involving a secret relationship, rehearsed narratives, a confession that was never heard by a jury, and two women whose stories changed depending on who needed protecting. In this episode, we examine the murder of Dennis Hoy and the cases against Nicola Puddicombe and Ashleigh Pechaluk. We walk through the plan that was discussed before the murder, the night Dennis was killed, and the police investigation that initially appeared resolved, until it wasn’t. Pechaluk’s confession was ruled inadmissible due to a Charter violation, leading to her acquittal, and the focus later shifted to Puddicombe. We explore the trial that followed, where jurors were shown a videotaped confession they were never allowed to see in the original case, and were asked to decide which version of events could survive cross-examination. This is a case about unreliable confessions, distorted loyalties, and the uncomfortable reality that legal outcomes don’t always provide emotional certainty. Sources: https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onca/doc/2013/2013onca506/2013onca506.html https://globalnews.ca/news/11546862/toronto-woman-axe-murder-trial/ https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/this-was-my-only-son-jury-told/article_504bd1ab-fce6-5f07-8305-ebd613cb85f6.html https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/new-girlfriend-of-axe-murderer-seeking-early-parole-is-a-child-killer https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/jury-rules-toronto-woman-serving-life-sentence-for-axe-murder-of-boyfriend-is-now-eligible/article_f5d41159-7f11-4352-952e-9ed995aa16ee.html https://toronto.citynews.ca/2009/10/16/trial-shocker-video-confession-from-acquitted-lover-of-axe-murder-accused/  https://canadianmedialawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Rv.Puddicombe_2009_ONSC_92188.pdf Follow me here: ► YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SerialNapper/ ► Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/serialnappernik/ ► Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerialNapper/ ► TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@serialnappernik  *Go Ad-Free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SerialNapper * Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min
  4. The McDonald’s Murders of Sydney River: A Fast-Food Robbery That Became a Massacre

    JAN 5

    The McDonald’s Murders of Sydney River: A Fast-Food Robbery That Became a Massacre

    On May 7, 1992, three young men broke into a McDonald’s restaurant in Sydney River, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, planning to rob the safe and walk away with easy money. Instead, the night ended in one of the most shocking crimes in Canadian history. Three McDonald’s employees were murdered.One young woman survived with permanent, life-altering injuries.And a small community was left forever changed. In this episode of Serial Napper, we break down the Sydney River McDonald’s robbery step by step. From the months of planning and betrayal by an employee on the inside, to the moments when compliance wasn’t enough to stop the violence. We also explore the investigation, trials, and parole decisions that continue to haunt the victims’ families decades later. This is a story about greed, escalation, and how violence can erupt in the most ordinary places, during the most routine moments. Sources: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/full-parole-for-cape-breton-mcdonalds-murders-convict-1.7158681 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-sole-survivor-of-1992-mcdonalds-murders-in-nova-scotia-dies-at-46/  https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sydney-river-mcdonalds-murders https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/day-parole-extended-for-freeman-macneil-one-of-three-convicted-in-1992-mcdonalds-slayings-100870464 https://globalnews.ca/news/10390253/mcdonalds-murders-freeman-macneil-full-parole-granted/ Follow me here: ► YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SerialNapper/ ► Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/serialnappernik/ ► Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerialNapper/ ► TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@serialnappernik  *Go Ad-Free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SerialNapper * Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min
  5. One Survivor, One Note, No Clear Truth: The Bain Family Massacre

    12/30/2025

    One Survivor, One Note, No Clear Truth: The Bain Family Massacre

    Five members of one family were found shot to death inside their home in Dunedin, New Zealand. Parents Robin Bain and Margaret Bain, along with their children Arawa (19), Laniet (18), and Stephen (14), were all killed in the early morning hours of June 20, 1994. The only person left alive was the eldest son, David Bain, who said he had been out delivering newspapers at the time of the murders. Inside the house, police discovered a chilling message typed on the family computer:“Sorry, you are the only one who deserved to stay.” What followed was one of the most controversial and divisive criminal cases in New Zealand’s history. In this episode of Serial Napper, we take a deep dive into the Bain family murders, a case that has split public opinion for decades. We examine the deeply dysfunctional family dynamic, the disturbing events leading up to the killings, and the two competing theories that continue to fuel debate. This is a case where the courts delivered a verdict, but never certainty.Where five people lost their lives.And where the truth may have died with them. Sources:https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/519710/bain-family-murders-30-years-on-case-continues-to-grip-the-public https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-bain-murders-30-years-on-where-is-david-why-are-kiwis-obsessed-with-this-case-and-why-his-lawyer-says-questions-remain/ML6FZENSGBFRHPIH3IQZNJWX3I/ https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/news/real-life/the-case-that-gripped-new-zealand-the-bain-murders-25-years-on-43581/ https://murderpedia.org/male.B/b/bain-david.htm https://newsroom.co.nz/2020/12/02/book-of-the-week-phil-taylor-on-martin-van-beynen/ https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/blackhands/evidence/ Follow me here: ► YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SerialNapper/ ► Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/serialnappernik/ ► Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerialNapper/ ► TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@serialnappernik  *Go Ad-Free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SerialNapper * Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min
  6. When Christmas Was a Lie: The Murder of Za’Zell Preston

    12/20/2025

    When Christmas Was a Lie: The Murder of Za’Zell Preston

    On Christmas morning in 2011, in Anaheim, California, children opened their presents just feet away from their mother’s body. Za’Zell Preston was 26 years old, a mother of three, a dancer, and a full-time college student studying to become a domestic violence counselor. Seven weeks postpartum, she was trying to build a future for herself and her children while trapped in a violent and controlling marriage. Her husband, William Wallace, had a documented history of abusing Za’Zell. He had been arrested before. He had spent time in jail. Family members had warned police. The danger was known. On Christmas Eve, after attending a neighbour’s party, Wallace beat Za’Zell to death inside their apartment. Instead of calling for help, he staged her body on the couch, placed sunglasses over her eyes, and waited for morning. He allowed Christmas to happen around her. In this episode of Serial Napper, we examine the murder of Za’Zell Preston, the calculated staging that followed, and the chilling performance of normalcy that unfolded in front of her children. We walk through the investigation, the trial, and the forensic evidence that dismantled Wallace’s version of events, leading to his conviction for second-degree murder. Listener discretion advised. This episode includes discussions of extreme domestic violence and the presence of children in the aftermath. Souces:https://nypost.com/2021/06/07/man-who-killed-wife-propped-up-body-while-kids-opened-presents-sentenced/ https://www.ocregister.com/2012/05/25/column-suspect-says-he-creamed-zazell/ https://people.com/crime/man-convicted-murder-after-killing-wife-having-kids-open-christmas-gifts-in-front-body/ https://lawbirdie.com/criminal-case-study-murder-of-zazell-preston/ https://lasentinel.net/christmas-day-killing-of-wife-in-anaheim-heads-to-jury.html Follow me here: ► YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SerialNapper/ ► Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/serialnappernik/ ► Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerialNapper/ ► TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@serialnappernik  *Go Ad-Free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SerialNapper * Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min
  7. He Was on FaceTime With His Kids: The Unsolved Murder of Nick Cordova

    12/18/2025

    He Was on FaceTime With His Kids: The Unsolved Murder of Nick Cordova

    On May 27, 2020, Nick Cordova, a 40-year-old husband and father of two, was murdered inside his Gilbert, Arizona HVAC business while he was on FaceTime with his children. Nick was shot in broad daylight.Surveillance footage exists.A vehicle of interest was identified. And more than five years later, no one has been arrested. In this episode, we walk through who Nick Cordova was before his life was violently cut short, the final FaceTime call that unfolded in real time, and the unanswered questions that continue to surround his case. We also examine what police have said publicly, the surveillance video released weeks after the murder, and why this investigation still feels unfinished years later. Nick was known as a tireless worker, a devoted husband, and a deeply involved father. He was building a future for his family, not walking away from it. Today, his wife, Alysha continues to fight for answers while raising their children, Cruize and Capri, on her own. This episode exists to keep Nick’s case in the spotlight and to remind listeners that this story is far from over. Alysha has created a GoFundMe to help cover legal expenses, private investigative work, and continued efforts to pursue accountability and justice for Nick. If you’re able to donate, it helps support that ongoing fight. https://gofund.me/36bbab3ea Sources: https://www.facebook.com/justice.cordova https://www.instagram.com/noisefornick https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/who-killed-nick-cordova-fathers-murder-heard-over-facetime-remains-unsolved-gilbert-pd https://websleuths.com/threads/az-nick-cordova-40-murder-caught-on-surveillance-video-gilbert-may-27-2020.536280/page-11 https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/gilbert/nick-cordovas-family-pushing-for-answers-five-years-later Follow me here: ► YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SerialNapper/ ► Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/serialnappernik/ ► Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerialNapper/ ► TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@serialnappernik  *Go Ad-Free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SerialNapper * Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min
  8. 38 Weeks Pregnant and Gone: The Murder of Rebecca Park

    12/12/2025

    38 Weeks Pregnant and Gone: The Murder of Rebecca Park

    In November 2025, Rebecca Kay Park vanished from Boon Township, Michigan, just days to weeks before she was due to give birth to her third son. Within 24 hours, her phone turned up near a rural two-track road. Three weeks later, Rebecca’s body was discovered deep in the Manistee National Forest...her unborn son missing. What followed was a horrifying investigation that uncovered a maze of family secrets, shifting stories, disturbing text messages, and alleged admissions from those closest to her. According to court documents, this was not a random attack or a disappearance gone wrong. Prosecutors allege it was a calculated, targeted act involving the people Rebecca should have been safest with: her biological mother and stepfather. Sources: https://midmichigannow.com/resources/pdf/5765d274-c7ce-4023-8309-54e9b6cda2c0-PARKPCAFFIDAVIT.pdf https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/court-documents-reveal-chilling-details-in-rebecca-park-case-as-next-hearing-is-scheduled-bartholomew-wexford-pregnant-baby https://upnorthlive.com/resources/pdf/62f89a69-ac34-450d-aa6d-57a36b149dff-CORTNEYBARTHOLOMEWPCAFFIDAVIT.pdf https://www.mlive.com/news/2025/12/suspected-burial-sites-and-human-remains-what-a-search-warrant-reveals-in-the-rebecca-park-case.html https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/12/04/rebecca-parks-sister-and-fianc-released-from-jail-after-posting-bond/87612412007/ https://www.union-bulletin.com/news/national/adoptive-mom-of-pregnant-wexford-victim-tried-to-protect-her-knew-suspect-was-dangerous/article_85cb81a0-41e5-5b56-b6d2-d9cc28e2a8cf.html Support the Show: Visit http://www.HelloFresh.com/NAPPER10FM to Get 10 Free Meals + a Free breakfast for Life! One per box with active subscription. Free meals applied as discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan. Follow me here: ► YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SerialNapper/ ► Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/serialnappernik/ ► Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SerialNapper/ ► TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@serialnappernik  *Go Ad-Free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SerialNapper * Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min
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4.6
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About

Serial Napper is the perfect true crime podcast for those who love a good nap and the most intriguing true crime stories. Hosted by Nikki Young, each episode offers a comprehensive and thoughtful deep dive into an unsolved mystery or lesser-known case, told succinctly and with all the key facts, just the way it happened. Let Nikki lead you through some of the most fascinating, chilling, and puzzling true crime stories you've never heard of, all while you drift off to sleep. Follow Nikki on social media for more updates.

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