The Escape Pod Escape Pod

Girl in the Picture. Suzanne Sevakis.
The mystery of a missing person spans 40 years, taking more twists and turns than even the Escape Pod cohosts can count! 
As a teenage girl in the mid-1980s, this wannabe escape artist was known as a smart girl and good friend with big dreams, but – time and time again – one person kept preventing her from reaching her full potential. In the end, he couldn’t escape the many investigators who pursued truth and justice for a woman whose true identity took decades to reveal. 
 
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes graphic content about kidnapping and violence against women and children. 
 
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 
 
Topic #1 10:33 The first of several stories that, eventually, collide.  
Topic #2 28:13 1990: 3 men near OKC find critically injured on side of road  
Topic #3 45:10 2002: Investigative journalist interviews suspect in string of crimes 
Topic #4 56:20 Escapism, cohost-style 
 
 
Resources & Links 
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/girl-in-the-picture-netflix-suzanne-sevakis-b2116243.html  
 
“Girl in the Picture” Netflix documentary 
 
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/inside-the-true-crime-netflix-documentary-girl-in-the-picture/5FGD3MCIDBEIPOHHXZFJWSOVFM/  
 
https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/cold-case-investigation  
  
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A Swedish man joins a Pentecostal church in 1989 and soon becomes a pastor. But he has a unique way of fighting off the devil: with sex – and sex with women who aren’t his wife. (Spoiler alert: she’s a pastor, too, and claims to be the “bride of Christ.”) In time, their love triangle starts to look more like a love hexagon, and the body count begins to grow. 
Plus, co-host Charity shares her own story of seeking out a church where she thought she could belong, only to find a religious sect using scare tactics (and pet bunnies on Easter?) to try to influence a small child. It’s a pretty crazy story too! So jump into the Escape Pod this week for a wild ride of “religion” gone very wrong! 
 
DISCLAIMER: The Escape Pod and its cohosts are, in no way, passing judgement (pun intended) on ALL churches or faith leaders. The first story in this episode is shared in keeping with our focus on tales of true crime; the second is a co-host's personal experience trying to find a spiritual home but being sorely disappointed with her search. 
 
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 
Topic #1   6:30 Introduction of key members of church in Sweden 
Topic #2 13:31 Woman used to “ward off the devil” is shunned  
Topic #3 23:49 6-year-old Charity goes on an ill-fated faith journey 
Topic #4 40:33 Escapism, cohost-style! 
Resources & Links 
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9462799/How-Pentecostal-pastor-convinced-lover-murder-wife.html  
https://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Man-guilty-of-sending-murderous-messages-from-God-1668112.php  
https://www.news24.com/news24/priests-murder-plot-sickens-20040730  
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282224820_The_Life_Story_of_Helge_Fossmo_Former_Pastor_of_Knutby_Filadelfia_as_Told_in_Prison_A_Narrative_Analysis_Approach  
https://www.thelocal.se/20111214/37938  
https://www.religionnewsblog.com/8939/i-was-a-sex-slave 
https://infosekolah.net/en/Helge_Fossmo  
https://infosekolah.net/en/%C3%85sa_Waldau  
 
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FR-Odd But True – Ep. 17 
Summary of Episode 
If you’ve ever asked the question, “What is wrong with people?” then this episode is for you! 
Join co-hosts Julie and Charity in the Escape Pod for three very odd but true stories of people who failed to escape from their very bad ideas – including a case of insurance fraud that led to severe (and severed?) consequences. 
CORRECTION: In “The Office” episode referenced here, Andy was the driver of the car, while Dwight was pushed into the shrubbery. (We apologize to our fellow Office fans for the mix-up.) 
 
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 
Topic #1   4:03 6 for 1: Police investigating a car theft end up with way more suspects than they bargained for.  
Topic #2   8:44 A would-be arsonist wants revenge on an ex.  
Topic #3 15:00 Super-hard fraud: Two friends in Taiwan attempt to cash in on an insurance policy, with dire results for one of them. 
Topic #4 26:52 Escapism, co-host-style! 
 
Resources & Links 
Story #1: 
https://www.ccso.us/press-releases/12662/ 
https://www.foxnews.com/us/maryland-guardian-arrives-stolen-vehicle-take-custody-teens-arrested-auto-theft-police-say 
https://www.newser.com/story/335690/after-cops-arrested-6-the-arrests-kept-coming.html 
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2023/03/10/711686.htm#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20new%20analysis,consistently%20exceeded%2075%2C000%20in%202022.  
https://www.fastcompany.com/91028032/car-thefts-and-carjackings-are-up-unreliable-data-makes-it-hard-to-pinpoint-why  
https://www.newsweek.com/car-theft-rise-fbi-council-criminal-justice-annual-report-2023-1863972#:~:text=The%20%22clearance%20rate%22%20or%20rate,and%2013%20percent%20for%20burglary.  
 
Story #2: 
https://www.salisburypost.com/2023/04/23/charges-upgraded-to-attempted-murder-for-alleged-arsonist/ 
https://www.salisburypost.com/2023/08/03/woman-sentenced-to-20-25-years-for-attempted-murder-in-2022-fire/  
https://truecrimedaily.com/2022/07/27/north-carolina-christie-jones-sets-wrong-house-on-fire-revenge-ex-boyfriend/ 
https://www.statista.com/statistics/252459/number-of-arson-offenses-in-the-united-states-by-type/#:~:text=Number%20of%20arson%20offenses%20in%20the%20United%20States%202022%2C%20by%20type&text=In%202022%2C%20a%20total%206%2C508,which%2013%2C147%20were%20structure%20fires.  
https://www.statista.com/statistics/252461/average-damage-caused-by-arson-offenses-in-the-united-states-by-type/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20the%20average%20damage,costing%20about%20324%2C389%20U.S.%20dollars. 
Clip from “The Duel” (The Office): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAIzFIOJA2c 
 
 
Story #3: 
https://people.com/man-allegedly-convinced-friend-amputate-legs-insurance-scam-authorities-8611327  
https://www.businessinsider.com/taiwan-student-convinced-friend-amputate-legs-insurance-scam-prosecutors-2024-3 
https://wpde.com/news/nation-world/taiwanese-duo-accused-of-self-amputation-insurance-fraud-scheme-zhang-and-liao-taiwan-taipei-district-prosecutors-office-fraud-investigation 
https://www.moneycontrol.com/investor-education/insurance/classroom/student-used-dry-ice-to-get-frostbite-got-legs-amputated-for-million-insurance-payout-17502041.html 
https://content.naic.org/cipr-topics/insurance-fraud#:~:text=The%20Coalition%20Against%20Insurance%20Fraud,%24700%20a%20year%20in%20premiums 
 

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Escape Pod Show Notes – Episode 16: THE AGREEMENT (KAMARIE’S STORY) 
 
Date: 5/17/2024 
Episode Title and Number: THE AGREEMENT: Kamarie’s Story – Ep. 16 
 
Summary of Episode 
A little girl goes missing in Georgia just days before Christmas. It doesn’t take investigators long to find the body of Kamarie Holland or the person suspected of killing her. As they dig into the case, investigators not only learn about the suspect’s violent past, but also that one of the people closest to Kamarie may have made the deal that ultimately led to her death. 
 
Kamarie couldn’t escape her fate, but as co-hosts Charity and Julie explain in this episode of The Escape Pod, those responsible for her death couldn’t escape the justice system either. 
  
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains content about physical and sexual violence committed against children. 
 
 
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

Topic #1    9:35  | Dec. 13, 2021: Kamarie Holland goes missing. 
Topic #2  16:48  | A 31-year-old woman says she was sexually assaulted by a man who called her “Kamarie.”  
Topic #3  27:50  | Human trafficking doesn’t look like what we might imagine.
Topic #4  41:55   | Escapism, cohost-style.  

 
 
Resources & Links 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqj2770kI44  
https://www.wrbl.com/news/local-news/alaska-authorities-man-accused-of-killing-kamarie-holland-now-a-suspect-in-2005-death-of-his-1-month-old-daughter/ 
https://www.wrbl.com/news/columbus-woman-sex-trafficked-five-year-old-daughter-to-childs-alleged-killer/ 
https://1819news.com/news/item/capital-murder-rial-for-mother-accused-of-killing-5-y-o-daughter-slated-to-begin-in-february  
https://www.wrbl.com/news/local-news/kamarie-holland/breaking-mother-of-kamarie-holland-pleads-guilty-to-human-sex-trafficking/  
 
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He could be in prison; instead, he’s in the Escape Pod, sharing his story of escaping cycles of addiction and criminal activity. 
 
Michael will be the first to tell you he didn’t have a “hard knocked” life. He grew up in a loving, two-parent home. He went to college, got good grades, and earned a degree. But he also had a curiosity for drugs at a very young age, and that curiosity led to harder drugs, grand theft, and many other problems. 
 
After several arrests, broken relationships, and a crash that could have killed him, Michael asked for help, and his escape from his “delusional” self finally began. 
 
Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 
Topic #1   3:05 Meet escape artist Michael, a guest at the OneHeart campus. 
Topic #2 20:16 Michael considers enlisting in the military. 
Topic #3 38:49 A fight with his girlfriend leads to yet another major relapse. 
Topic #4 57:07 Workout junky! Michael fills the addiction void with much healthier habits. 
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Her trauma was extensive, but it was no match for her faith and resilience. "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."
From testifying against her father at age 5, to dealing with toxic relationships and addiction as an adult, escape artist Linda is brutally honest about the “crappy hand” life dealt her. But she’s also brutally honest about her faith in God, her love for her children, and her new-found peace of mind. 
Buckle up for this episode of the Escape Pod, as we experience the highest of highs and lowest of lows on Linda’s journey toward transformation. 
 
Key Topics and Markers: 
Topic #1   2:40 Meet escape artist Linda, a guest at the OneHeart campus. 
Topic #2 10:33 Linda’s drug use begins. 
Topic #3 28:57 What changed in Linda’s life? She explains. 
Topic #4 37:17 An opportunity arises … but she’s not ready. 
Topic #5 57:27 Escapism, cohost-style!
 
Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more at http://www.escapepod.live
http://www.escapepod.live 
General mail: justbecause@escapepod.live  
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