126 episodes
True Crime Reporter True Crime Reporter
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- True Crime
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4.8 • 232 Ratings
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My deep dive into reporting real-life criminal cases began in 1991 with an investigation into corruption within the Texas Parole Board. This started a ten-year journey that took me into the darkest corners of the prison system, from maximum security units to Texas death row and the Texas Death Chamber.
I sat across the table from some of the most violent and reprehensible criminals in Texas history to expose widespread corruption in the state’s criminal justice system.
Throughout these inquiries, I built a reputation for uncovering wrongdoing, regardless of where it led. I developed a vast network of trusted sources, including law enforcement officers, prosecutors, criminal justice experts, crime victims, and convicted criminals.
In my podcast and audiobooks, you'll hear exclusive interviews in police procedurals as I unravel the complexity and gravity of each case. I am deeply fascinated not just by the 'what' and the 'who' but by the often elusive 'why' behind criminal acts. This fascination drives me to dig deeper into each case. Additionally, I feature interviews with true crime authors and reporters about their books and stories.
I draw from my extensive archive of reporters' notebooks to tell true crime stories that might seem familiar at first glance but reveal unexpected and often overlooked aspects of these stories. I take great pleasure in bringing these historical stories back to life, adding a new dimension to the understanding of these cases.
As the creator of the True Crime Reporter® podcast, Texas Crime Stories Audiobooks, and the "Freed To Kill" Television documentary series, I employ an immersive, investigative, and deeply human storytelling style.
Here are the key elements of his approach:
Immersive Reporting - I take my audience inside the crime scene tape, providing a vivid, first-hand investigation experience. My storytelling is detailed and descriptive, allowing listeners and viewers to feel as if they are part of the unfolding story.
Investigative Depth—Drawing on my extensive background as an investigative reporter, I delve deeply into each case. I meticulously uncover details, often exposing corruption, procedural failures, or overlooked evidence. My thorough research ensures that the stories are comprehensive and well-supported by facts.
Human Focus—I emphasize the human element in my stories. I explore the lives of victims, their families, law enforcement officers, and even the criminals themselves. This approach adds emotional depth and relatability, helping my audience connect with the people behind the headlines.
Police Procedurals – Many of my stories follow the format of police procedurals, detailing the step-by-step process of how investigators solve cases. I provide insights into the methods and technologies used by law enforcement, offering an educational aspect to my storytelling.
Psychological Exploration – I am fascinated by what drives serial killers and criminal psychopaths. I delve into the "why" behind the crimes, exploring the psychological and sociological factors contributing to criminal behavior.
Exclusive Interviews – My access to key figures, including law enforcement officers, prosecutors, crime victims, and even convicted criminals, allows me to provide authenticity and depth, enriching the narrative with diverse perspectives.
Historical Context – I often bring historical stories back to life, providing context and background that enhance the understanding of contemporary cases. My storytelling connects past and present, showing how historical events influence modern criminal justice issues.
Engaging Narrative—Listeners and viewers say my style is engaging and compelling. It is often characterized by a narrative drive that keeps the audience hooked.
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The Devil In My Friend. The Family Man. The Stone Cold Killer.
How well do we truly know our friends? Can we discern when they are lying, or even worse, when they might be hiding a deadly secret?
In this episode, I delve into the unsettling story of Fred Roehler, who seemed to embody the perfect father and husband in the idyllic setting of Malibu, California.
However, beneath this facade of a picture-perfect family lies a chilling tale of deception, tragedy, and murder.
Join me as I unravel the mystery that Ivor Davis and his wife Sally, both seasoned journalists, uncovered about their close friend in their book The Devil In My Friend: The Inside Story Of A Malibu Murder.
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John Dillinger: The Rise and Fall of America’s Public Enemy Number One
John Dillinger & The Lady In Red Confronted Leaving The Biograph Theater in Chicago July 22, 1934. Artists Rendition
John Dillinger was the most famous outlaw of the 1930s—a charming yet elusive bank robber who captured the public's imagination and fueled an entire genre of crime melodramas during the darkest days of the Great Depression.
His daring escapades, including multiple jailbreaks and bank heists, captivated the nation and earned him the moniker of "Public Enemy Number One" from FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.
Join me as I delve into the life and legacy of John Dillinger, the man behind the myth.
Listen to my earlier episode The John Dillinger Enigma: Did The FBI Really Kill Public Enemy #1?
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The Postman Cometh: A Deadly Delivery That Went Tick, Tick, Tick In Small-Town Texas
The arrival of a mysterious box at a government office in a small Texas town shattered its quiet morning routine.
Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere turned to chaos as panicked men and women ran screaming from the building into the street.
They were the targets of a sinister plot designed to kill them all with a powerful pipe bomb in a case of domestic violence.
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Blood Pacts and Breaking Bad: The Rise and Fall of the Devil Lovers
In the shadow of Texas' heartland, a clandestine cult flourished under the guise of dark rituals and methamphetamine production.
Known as the Devil Lovers, this group of middle-aged men and women from prominent Waco families engaged in sinister ceremonies, pledging allegiance to their enigmatic leader, David Russell Zell.
Their twisted journey from occult gatherings to running the state's largest illicit meth lab in the late 1980s unfolded a tale stranger than fiction.
Join investigative reporter Robert Riggs and former federal prosecutor Bill Johnston as they delve into the spine-chilling case of meth, murder, and malevolence that shocked a community and exposed the terrifying underbelly of human nature.
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True Crime Meets Fiction: Exploring Serial Killer Psychology with David Bethel
Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs dives into the mind of a serial killer with author John David Bethel as we explore his latest novel “Mapping The Night.”
Bethel's books stand out for their profound basis in real-life cases.
His fiction and nonfiction offer a unique lens through which to explore the darkest corners of the human mind.
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A Case Of Pure Evil Haunts Dallas FBI Agent
Genaro “Geno” Ruiz Camacho's drug empire thrived on violence.
In the late 1980s in Dallas, he ruled with an iron fist and displayed an almost unimaginable cruelty towards those who crossed his path.
This story is about violence, revenge, and an unrelenting pursuit of justice led by FBI Special Agent Tase Bailey.
I uncover how Camacho's brutality shaped one of the most notorious federal investigations in Texas history and how it haunted the investigators for years to come.
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Customer Reviews
Informative, respectful and professionally presented
Thank you for your podcast.
Very thrilling
This podcast shares insane stories that I had no idea existed!! The one on June 4th 2024 was a CRAZY! Robert goes into amazing detail with all of his reporters notes and with the people on the podcast 10/10 recommend
Wholly Cow 🐄
This is some really captivating storytelling at its finest 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ 🌟 ⭐️ ⭐️ all the way 😎✅