The Knife: A True Crime Podcast

Episoder

• Kidnapped at Birth (Part 2 of 2) 28.05.2026 42min

  Paul Fronczak discovered that he was not biologically related to his parents, Dora and Chester Fronczak, but was born in New Jersey as Jack Rosenthal. He also learned he had a twin sister, Jill, who was missing. Paul's search for his identity had expanded. He was now looking for three people: the real Paul Fronczak who was kidnapped in 1964, the kidnapper, and his biological twin sister, Jill.  Referenced in the episode:   Paul Jack Fronczak's podcast: The Fronczak Files Paul Jack Fronczak's books: The Foundling and True Identity  Documentary: The Lost Sons See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Kidnapped at Birth (Part 1 of 2) 21.05.2026 37min

  In 1964, Paul Fronczak was kidnapped from a Chicago hospital just one day after he was born. Miraculously found and returned two years later, he grew up unaware of his past until a childhood discovery sparked a search for the truth. As an adult, Paul’s investigation into his own identity uncovers astonishing secrets that rewrite everything he thought he knew. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Off Record: A Mother on Trial (with Samantha Michaels) 14.05.2026 1t 19min

  Investigative reporter Samantha Michaels of Mother Jones spent a year digging into Oklahoma’s controversial “failure to protect” laws—statutes meant to safeguard children, but that can also send victims to prison. At the center of her reporting is Kerry King, a mother of four, and the fallout from a single night in January 2015, when her boyfriend, John Purdy, brutally abused both her and her four-year-old daughter, Lila.  In this episode, we speak with Michaels about her investigation and the broader implications of these laws. We also hear directly from Kerry King in a phone call from prison.  Article: https://www.motherjones.com/criminal-justice/2022/08/failure-to-protect-domestic-abuse-child-oklahoma-women-inequality-prison/  Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DEPpYkl8gI See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Off Record: Stalked Twice 07.05.2026 41min

  Patia tells Hannah the story of LaVonne Skalias and her fight to survive two brutal attacks by her stalker, a man she barely knew.  Recommendation: Girl on the Run: The Hunt For America's Most Wanted WomanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Scam, Continued 30.04.2026 56min

  Chancy Lewis, a retired schoolteacher and recent widower, struck up an unlikely online friendship after receiving a text from a wrong number. Five short weeks later, his entire world began to unravel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Off Record: A Conversation with Dusty Turner 23.04.2026 51min

  In today's episode, we're speaking with Dusty Turner, who was recently released from prison after 31 years. Dusty reflects on the night that changed his life forever and shares with us his plans for the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• The Night That Changed Everything 16.04.2026 1t 6min

  In 1995, 21-year-old Jennifer Evans was murdered in Virginia Beach. Dusty Turner and Billy Brown were both convicted and sent to prison. But from the beginning, Dusty maintained his innocence. Erin Lottman joins us to walk us through Dusty's case. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Off Record: Operation Royal Charm 09.04.2026 52min

  Hannah tells Patia the story of a six-year undercover FBI operation infiltrating an international smuggling operation. Plus, Patia tells Hannah about her favorite new podcast.   Recommendation: Adults in the Room See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• House on Fire 02.04.2026 1t 5min

  April Scales was 15, pregnant and running out of options. When her grandparents tried to step in, April made a devastating decision that changed the course of her life and landed her in prison. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Off Record: Victim Turned Scammer 26.03.2026 43min

  Patia tells Hannah a story about Christine Echohawk, who ran a sweeping online romance scam that drained more than $1.5 million from women who believed they were in love. But who was Christine working for and was she also a victim? Recommendation: Neighbors (HBO docuseries) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Service Dog Fraud 19.03.2026 1t 2min

  In 2018, Rebecca Peluso, a single mother whose daughter Ella has high-support-needs autism, sold off her belongings to afford a service dog she was told would change Ella’s life. Instead, Rebecca uncovered a devastating fraud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Off Record: Playing God 12.03.2026 1t 5min

  Hannah tells Patia about the criminal case against the leaders of a religious group known as His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. Its leaders, Shelley Bailey “Kat” Martin and Darryl Muzic Martin, are now facing charges connected to a 2010 death within the group, as well as the case of a current missing person. Former members allege years of religious and physical abuse, claiming that Kat Martin presented herself as a god-like figure with the power to perform miracles, even the ability to raise the dead.  Anyone with information about Emilio Salmen Ghanem, his disappearance or his whereabouts is urged to contact the Redlands Police Detective Bureau at 909-551-4424  Anyone with information about Ruben Moreno’s whereabouts or disappearance is asked to call the Claremont Police Department at 909-399-5411. Tips can be submitted anonymously.  Recommendation: The Curious Case of…The Doomsday Cat Cult on HBO Max See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• The Fugitive Mother (Part 2 of 2) 05.03.2026 1t 6min

  This is part 2 of a 2-part series. Embroiled in a hellish custody battle over her 9-month-old daughter, Lee Barnett made a surprising and criminal decision, to leave the life she'd known behind and start a new one, as an international fugitive.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• The Fugitive Mother (Part 1 of 2) 26.02.2026 53min

  This is part 1 of a 2-part series. Embroiled in a hellish custody battle over her 9-month-old daughter, Lee Barnett made a surprising and criminal decision, to leave the life she'd known behind and start a new one, as an international fugitive.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Off Record: The Promise of a Cure 19.02.2026 48min

  Patia tells Hannah a story about a woman named Antonella Carpenter who charged thousands for a laser treatment she claimed was 100-percent effective in killing cancerous tumors. But in 2010, a federal investigation exposed a million-dollar fraud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Presenting - The First Degree with Jac Vanek and Alexis Linkletter 17.02.2026 51min

  This week, we’d like to introduce you to The First Degree, a true crime podcast from Jac Vanek and Alexis Linkletter. In episode 361, Jac and Lex unravel one night in 2006 when medical student Brian Shaffer disappeared, the theories that won’t die, and the question that haunts everyone: how does someone vanish into thin air?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• One in Infinity 12.02.2026 50min

  In 2014, new parents, Jessica and Justin had just returned home from the hospital with their first baby, a boy. But after only one night home, Justin was killed. In an instant, Jessica’s world turned upside down as police hunted for the killer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Off Record: Deadly Greed 05.02.2026 54min

  Patia tells Hannah the story of Oliver Karafa and Lucy Li, a married couple chasing fame and fortune who went on a deadly crime spree. Also, we have recommendations.  Recommended this week:   Valley of Shadows podcast  Heartwood by Amity Gaige (audiobook)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• A Dangerous Man 29.01.2026 1t 7min

  Cassandra Rosa had just moved back to her home state when she began receiving vulgar messages from an anonymous number. Cassandra was being stalked. The more Cassandra asked for help, the worse things became. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Off Record: Highway Serial Killings (with Frank Figliuzzi) 22.01.2026 1t 15min

  Hannah tells Patia a story about a Crime Analyst who spotted the most sinister connection between human remains found along a highway. And later, we hear from Frank Figliuzzi, a retired FBI Agent who breaks down the connection between long-haul trucking and some of America's most notorious serial killers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.