Dark Matters: True Crime

Epizody

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  Profiling Randall Woodfield 30.09.2026 26min

  Dark Matters Episode 21 What drives an individual to escalate from public exposure to severe criminal acts? In this episode of Dark Matters, criminal psychologist Dr. Eric Hickey examines the underlying behavioral patterns and personality structure of Randall Woodfield. From deep-seated narcissism and fragile self-esteem to an extreme need for power, explore how psychological motives shape violent behavior and why certain offenders remain in total denial.   ________________________________Call-in show Info Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details. Call-In Number: 559-424-4805 Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in Submission Info: https://darkmatterspodcast.com/contact/#call-in
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  Inside Maternal Filicide with Dr. Kristen Beyer 29.09.2026 56min

  Dark Matters Episode 20 Dr. Eric Hickey welcomes forensic psychologist and former FBI analyst Dr. Kristin Bayer to examine the tragic mechanics of maternal filicide. Centered on the Lindsay Clancy case, this episode explores the critical psychological boundary separating anxiety-driven intrusive thoughts from full postpartum psychosis. Dr. Bayer breaks down how brief hospital stays, medication adjustment periods, and gaps in psychiatric safety nets fail mothers during severe mental health crises. Together, they analyze how clinical mental illness intersects with violent crime and what behavioral evidence reveals about maternal homicide. _________________________________________Dr. Beyer's Bio Dr. Beyer’s forensic career began as a Violent Crime Resource Specialist working with the FBI’s former Child Abduction and Serial Murder Investigative Resources Center (CASMIRC).  In 2003, Dr. Beyer was promoted to the Supervisory Social/Behavioral Science Research Coordinator position at the FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) in Quantico, Virginia.  She served in this capacity through 2008.  While at the NCAVC, she provided consultation, training, and conducted research on varying topics to include serial murder, child abduction, filicide, domestic violence, child sexual exploitation, and terrorism. During her time at the FBI, she also provided peer support and counseling for the Employee Assistance Program where she was deployed to the Flight 93 crash site during the FBI’s response to the events of 9/11.  She also had collateral duties where she conducted psychological assessments for the FBI’s Undercover Safeguard Program.  She was also trained and certified as a SERE-oriented psychologist with an emphasis on repatriation. ________________________________________________________Call in show Info Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details. Call-In Number: 559-424-4805 Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in Submission Info: https://darkmatterspodcast.com/contact/#call-in________________________________________________________Chapters 0:00 Introduction to the case0:47 Introducing Dr. Kristen Byer2:55 Gender differences in crime6:22 Overview of the Clancy case9:45 Systemic mental health failures14:40 Politicization and legalities17:32 Psychosis and culpability22:57 Mental health vs. disorders29:37 Case parallels and outcomes32:28 Institutionalization challenges38:04 Symptoms, diagnosis, and DSM44:22 Final reflections on the tragedy
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  Uncovering the Tearoom Trade 29.09.2026 19min

  Dark Matters Episode 19 What drives individuals to seek out secret, anonymous encounters in everyday public spaces? Criminal psychologist Dr. Eric Hickey explores the hidden world of public restroom hookups and the complex dynamics of living a dual life. Drawing from court testimony, personal encounters, and real-world law enforcement operations, Dr. Hickey unpacks the non-verbal protocols, legal dilemmas, and psychological motivations behind a phenomenon found in cities across the globe. ________________________________________________________Call in show Info Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details. Call-In Number: 559-424-4805 Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in Submission Info: https://darkmatterspodcast.com/contact/#call-in
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  Was Wayne Williams Really the Atlanta Child Killer? 29.09.2026 12min

  Dark Matters Episode 18 In the summer of 1981, criminologist Dr. Eric Hickey began his career in Georgia just as the notorious Atlanta Child Murders reached a pivotal turning point. Decades later, Dr. Hickey joined a bus filled with community activists to confront long-held doubts surrounding Wayne Williams' conviction. In this episode of Dark Matters, Dr. Hickey revisits the forensic evidence, fiber analysis, and complex behavioral patterns that defined one of the most controversial cases in modern criminal history. ________________________________________________________Call in show Info Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details. Call-In Number: 559-424-4805 Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in Submission Info: https://darkmatterspodcast.com/contact/#call-in
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  Watched in Plain Sight 29.09.2026 12min

  Dark Matters Episode 17 In this episode of Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey examines a harrowing case of workplace video voyeurism in Florida where personal privacy and professional trust were completely shattered. When a highly trusted corporate attorney secretly installed hidden cameras inside office restrooms under the guise of an employee wellness initiative, private moments were covertly recorded for years. Dr. Hickey shares his direct involvement in interviewing the traumatized victims, exploring the long-term psychological fallout when safe spaces are violated and how institutions attempt to silence survivors.________________________________________________________Call in show Info Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details. Call-In Number: 559-424-4805 Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in Submission Info: https://darkmatterspodcast.com/contact/#call-in
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  Decoding the Criminal Brain: Inside Neurocriminology w/ Dr. Jerrod Brown 30.08.2026 51min

  Dark Matters Episode 16 Interview with Dr. Jerrod Brown What truly drives a person to commit extreme acts of violence? In this episode of Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey sits down with professor and forensic trainer Dr. Jerrod Brown to explore neurocriminology—a multidisciplinary field bridging neuroscience, psychology, and criminal justice. From prenatal development and adverse childhood experiences to head injuries, glucose metabolism, and nutrition, Dr. Brown breaks down the biological and environmental puzzle pieces behind complex human behavior. Together, they examine classic case studies like Charles Whitman to illustrate how hidden physiological factors can shape violent behavior. Dr. Browns BioJerrod Brown, PhD, MA, MS, MS, MS, MS, MS, CTTS, EFC, CFNC, CZT, CART, GCPain, is a professor, trainer, researcher, consultant, and founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). He has extensive experience teaching collegiate courses and consulting with caregivers, professionals, and organizations on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and adversity, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting.Jerrod has completed six master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in numerous areas, including pain management, applied pediatric nutrition, medical biochemistry, exercise prescription, neuroscience and the law, neuropsychology, ASD, dyslexia, other health disabilities, and TBI. Some of his professional certifications include Lifestyle Medicine, Functional Nutrition, Adult Sleep Coaching, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Executive Functions Consultant, Brain Story, Digestive Health, Autism Direct Support, and FASD Trainer.Jerrod has conducted more than 400 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for professional and student audiences. He has published numerous articles and book chapters, contributed to multiple media outlets, and is regularly featured on national and international podcasts. He is also a 2013 graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy, Minneapolis Division.
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  Crossing Dangerous Boundaries 30.08.2026 29min

  Dark Matters Episode 15 Dr. Eric Hickey reflects on his decades as a professor and program dean, examining cautionary cases where doctoral students crossed critical professional lines with incarcerated offenders. From unexpected personal attachments to career-ending violations, Dr. Hickey breaks down how intelligent, highly educated individuals fall victim to inmate manipulation and why academic success alone cannot protect against psychological exploitation. Links Mentioned https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=6282 https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/white-supremacist-gets-26-to-life-in-killing-of-child-molester/
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  Public Paraphilias: Predators in Plain Sight 30.08.2026 24min

  Dark Matters Episode 14 Public spaces are designed for convenience, but predators view them through a very different lens. Host Dr. Eric Hickey breaks down how offenders exploit everyday environments, targeting distracted individuals in places like greeting card sections, parking lots, and store aisles. From viral exposures to non-consensual acts of frottage and public assault, this episode examines the psychology of public paraphilias, the permanent digital trail of these crimes, and practical ways to stay situationally aware. Articles Mentioned  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jul/20/dollar-tree-sexual-assault-goonerhttps://www.phillyburbs.com/story/news/crime/2026/08/10/gooning-anthony-oates-falls-dollar-tree-exposure-lewd-crime-assault-bucks-county-police-trenton/91243491007/https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/san-diego-woman-suing-dollar-tree-over-gooning-incidents-here-across-the-country/4060517/https://www.denverpost.com/2026/08/18/gooning-dollar-tree-colorado-lawsuit/
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  Tales from the Passenger Seat: Hitchhikers, Convicts, and Killers 15.08.2026 29min

  Dark Matters Episode 13What leads a criminal psychologist to pull over for a high-risk stranger on a dark, stormy night? Dr. Eric Hickey dives into his personal history on the road, detailing how he turned passenger-seat conversations into rare psychological studies of recently released offenders. This episode explores the dynamics of threat assessment, the psychology of compartmentalizing violent crime, and the painful process required for genuine behavioral change.
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  Mind Games Behind Bars: The Ed Kemper Interview 15.08.2026 22min

  Dark Matters Episode 12 Serial killers often seek total control, even behind bars. In this episode, Dr. Eric Hickey breaks down the infamous locked-room encounter between serial murderer Ed Kemper and pioneering FBI profiler Bob Ressler. Through the lens of criminal psychology, Dr. Hickey explores how intelligent predators manipulate interviewers, test physical boundaries, and play dangerous psychological mind games with those attempting to study them.
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  The West Side Park Murders 19.07.2026 31min

  Dark Matters Episode 11 In this episode, criminal psychologist Dr. Eric Hickey takes listeners behind the scenes of two starkly different homicide investigations. He begins with a devastating, unsolved double shooting from his time in Muncie, Indiana, involving two teenagers targeted in what should have been a safe haven. Dr. Hickey recalls his tense, face-to-face interview with the prime suspect who ultimately slipped through the fingers of the law. He then contrasts this cold case with his experience inside a California Supermax prison interviewing the serial killer behind the MacArthur Park murders, exploring how distinct psychological motivations and trauma dictate who gets caught and who evades justice. Purchase Serial Murderers and Their Victims https://a.co/d/0gHOwVnm
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  A Walk on the Dark Side interview with Dr. Marshall Jones 11.07.2026 49min

  Dark Matters Episode 10  True crime isn't just about the crime itself; it's about the professionals who dedicate their lives to understanding it. This week on Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey is joined by his first guest, Dr. Marshall Jones of the Florida Institute of Technology. Drawing from decades of combined experience, these two veteran behavioral analysts trade hard-earned insights from the trenches of the criminal justice system. Dr. Jones discusses bridging the gap between clinical academia and front-line law enforcement , the dangers of confirmation bias in behavioral research , and the grim realities of tracking criminal phenomena across the country. It’s an unfiltered look at the grit, the science, and the relentless curiosity required to walk on the dark side.    Connect with Dr. Marshall Jones https://hopeforheroes.com/dr-marshall-jones/
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  The Frog Boys 08.07.2026 12min

  Dark Matters Episode 9  A community plunged into panic, an intensive military search, and a mystery that lay hidden for over a decade. This episode of Dark Matters tackles the complex case of the "Frog Boys". Dr. Eric Hickey breaks down the timeline, analyzes why initial search efforts fell short, and explores how an elusive individual managed to evade justice for over thirty years.
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  Canada's Darkest Pen Pal 06.07.2026 17min

  Dark Matters Episode 8 Clifford Olson wasn't just a brutal killer; he was a master manipulator desperate for the spotlight. In this installment of Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey breaks down the psychology of a monster who refused to be forgotten. From calling into Dr. Hickey's graduate university classes to orchestrating a massive, authenticated hoax claiming involvement in the Green River killings, discover the lengths a predator will go to maintain control from behind bars. Step into the dark side and learn how forensic psychologists handle the mind games of a highly dangerous sociopath.
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  Dahmer: Nature Loads the Gun 09.05.2026 42min

  Dark Matters Episode 7 Dr. Eric Hickey shares the remarkable story of how a chance encounter in California led to rare, personal interviews with Jeffrey Dahmer’s closest family members. This episode details his private conversations with Dahmer’s brother, David, and his mother, Joyce Flint. Through these unique accounts, the episode provides an unprecedented look at the Dahmer family's internal struggles with depression, the profound impact of childhood abandonment, and how those closest to the killer have processed the devastating reality of his crimes. Links to videos mentionedhttps://youtu.be/I2m0tM16uOY?si=nF4tlPuQzyUGcerJhttps://youtu.be/EwH3CuECEwA?si=t8Ev0dxOUr45gigH To purchase Serial Murderers and their Victims (7th Edition)https://a.co/d/eeQcIsS
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  Shadows of Control: The Psychology of Stalking 30.04.2026 1h 10min

  Dark Matters Bonus EpisodeDr. Eric Hickey explores how stalking serves as a harbinger of violence in failed relationships, focusing on the offender’s relentless need for power and control. From the "Hearts Stalker" who used gasoline to mark his territory to the "School Bus Stalker" who turned a diamond ring into a tool of terror, this episode deconstructs the pathological need to dominate another person's life.Compilation of the Stalking Series originally posted to YouTube.
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  Beyond the PhD: Building a Career as an Expert Witness 28.04.2026 1h 3min

  Dark Matters Episode 5 In this episode of Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey breaks down the realities of becoming a forensic psychology consultant and expert witness. Earning your PhD is just the beginning. Dr. Hickey shares his personal journey from a half-page resume to a 45-page CV, outlining the essential steps for success in the field. Learn the value of field experience , the importance of publishing , and the critical differences between licensed clinicians and investigative behavioral analysts. Tune in to discover how forensic experts use their aggregate knowledge to help law enforcement solve crimes.
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  The Corpse Collector: Inside the Mind of a Predator 25.04.2026 21min

  Dark Matters Episode 4 Dr. Eric Hickey takes us into the dark psychology of necrophilia and criminal paraphilia, exploring how childhood trauma can evolve into dangerous obsessions. In this episode of Dark Matters, we examine the thin line between fantasy and crime, discussing chronoparaphilia, the psychology of incels, and Dr. Hickey’s theory of Relational Paraphilic Attachment.
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  They Let the Patients Run a Haunted House?! 22.04.2026 8min

  Step inside the Haunted Castle of Provo, a Halloween spook alley run by hospital patients in the late 70s and early 80s. In this firsthand story, Dr. Hickey recalls security duties, unforgettable scares, and a community that lined up for fear and spectacle, then wrestles with the complicated legacy of using a psychiatric setting for entertainment and charity.
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  The Toothpaste Incident, Insights from the Case Files 20.04.2026 7min

  This episode revisits an Indiana case from my early career, a tragic toothpaste incident that shocked a community and demanded careful reasoning. I break down how we narrowed suspects, why appearances can mislead, and what clues point to revenge rather than attention seeking. We also cover practical traits of critical thinkers, from truth seeking to checking bias, and how asking better questions moves a case forward.