Residue: A True Crime Podcast

Epizódok

• She Made Them Do It: Sarah Jo Pender 02.06.2026 44p

  Was Sarah Jo Pender a master manipulator who orchestrated a brutal double murder, or was she a young woman caught in a flawed investigation and wrongfully convicted?One of the most controversial true-crime cases of the 2000s. Sarah Jo Pender was convicted in 2002 for the murders of Andrew Cataldi and Tricia Nordman, a crime prosecutors argued she planned and directed. Dubbed the "female Charles Manson", Pender maintained her innocence throughout her trial and imprisonment. The Lifetime movie She Made Them Do It, starring Jenna Dewan depicted Sarah's story.  Sources:https://www.hulu.com/series/5eb21b90-555a-4dc3-9b6c-60c8f7087bd4She Made Them Do It https://law.justia.com/cases/indiana/court-of-appeals/2003/12090302-smb.htmlhttps://www.aetv.com/articles/sarah-pender-escaped-prison-many-call-wrongful-conviction
• 132: Cruel Doubt: The Murder of Leith Von Stein 26.05.2026 34p

  In July 1988, Washington, North Carolina businessman Leith Von Stein was fatally stabbed and bludgeoned in his bed while his wife, Bonnie, was severely injured. The violent crime was initially staged as a burglary but later exposed a twisted conspiracy motivated by a $2 million inheritance.The chilling true-crime story was famously chronicled in the 1991 bestselling book Cruel Doubt by Joe McGinniss. Cruel Doubt was adapted into a highly rated, two-part television miniseries that premiered on NBC in May 1992 starring Blythe Danner and Gwyneth Paltrow.Sources:Cruel Doubt by Joe McGuinessBlood Relatives: Death is in the Air https://finishedpages.com/from-patriarch-to-the-small-screen-the-north-carolina-murder-of-leigh-von-stein/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1991/11/17/two-very-different-tellings-of-the-same-crime/http://www.theescapist.com/archive-pritchard01.htmhttps://law.justia.com/cases/north-carolina/supreme-court/1992/89a90-0.html
• 131: Song Sung Blue: The Mike and Claire Sardina Story 19.05.2026 35p

  We are taking a true crime break this week, but still focusing on a "based on a true story" movie. Mike and Claire Sardina were a real-life Milwaukee husband-and-wife musical duo who formed the popular Neil Diamond tribute act "Lightning & Thunder". Their remarkable true story of soaring success, devastating heartbreak, and perseverance inspired the acclaimed feature film Song Sung Blue (2025). The duo were also the subject of the 2008 documentary of the same name. A story that proves we should all dream big. Sources:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDukMQIz1ScSong Sung Blue the Documentary (2008) Song Sung Blue https://parade.com/movies/meet-the-real-life-couple-who-inspired-song-sung-bluehttps://ew.com/song-sung-blue-true-story-fact-vs-fiction-11876118https://shepherdexpress.com/film/i-hate-hollywood/lightning-thunder-story/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/hugh-jackman-kate-hudson-face-backlash-real-family-behind-tribute-band-filmhttps://archive.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/35103989.html
• 130: Abducted: The Carlina White Story 12.05.2026 35p

  In this episode, we explore the shocking true story behind the Lifetime film Abducted: The Carlina White Story. A case so unbelievable it sounds fictional, yet every major detail really happened. In 1987, 19-day-old Carlina White was kidnapped from Harlem Hospital in New York City by a woman later identified as Ann Pettway, who raised her under the name Nejdra “Netty” Nance for more than two decades. What makes this story extraordinary is that the case was ultimately solved not by investigators, but by Carlina herself.Sources:Beyond the Headlines: The Carlina White Story https://nymag.com/news/features/carlina-white-2011-10/Abducted: The Carlina White Story https://allthatsinteresting.com/carlina-white
• 129: I Know My First Name Is Steven: PART 2, Cary Stayner the Yosemite Park Killer 05.05.2026 45p

  PART 2: While Steven Stayner became known for his extraordinary survival, his story reached millions through the made for TV film I Know My First Name Is Steven, and for a time the Stayner name was associated with resilience and hope. But that sense of closure did not last, and years later the same name would return to the national spotlight under far darker circumstances.In 1999, Cary Stayner carried out a series of murders in and around Yosemite National Park, killing Carole Sund, Juli Sund, Silvina Pelosso, and later Joie Armstrong. The case stunned the country not only for its brutality but for its connection to Steven’s story. The contrast is stark. Two brothers from the same family, one remembered for survival, the other for tragedy.Sources: Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story I Know My First Name Is Steven https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/20/there-was-a-lot-of-torment-the-family-who-endured-two-true-storieshttps://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/12/18/The-man-who-kidnapped-young-Steven-Stayner-alternated-sexual/8624377499600/https://time.com/archive/6883464/nation-escaping-dad/Wikihttps://people.com/carole-sund-teen-daughter-murdered-yosemite-serial-killer-1182569220/20: Evil In Eden 
• 128: I Know My First Name Is Steven: Part 1, Steven Stayner 28.04.2026 1ó 2p

  PART 1: The 1989 television miniseries I Know My First Name Is Steven is a dramatization of the real-life kidnapping of Steven Stayner, who was held captive for seven years before heroically escaping and rescuing another child.The film chronicles the abduction of seven-year-old Steven by Kenneth Parnell in 1972. Parnell brainwashes Steven into believing his parents no longer want him and renames him "Dennis Parnell". Over the next seven years, Steven endures severe physical and sexual abuse while living a transient life with his captor. The story reaches its climax in 1980 when Parnell kidnaps five-year-old Timmy White. Determined to spare the young boy from the same fate, a 14-year-old Steven escapes with Timothy and brings him to a police station. The title comes from Steven's actual police statement: "I know my first name is Steven." Sources:Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story I Know My First Name Is Steven by Mike EcholsI Know My First Name Is Steven the movie https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/20/there-was-a-lot-of-torment-the-family-who-endured-two-true-storieshttps://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/12/18/The-man-who-kidnapped-young-Steven-Stayner-alternated-sexual/8624377499600/https://time.com/archive/6883464/nation-escaping-dad/Wiki
• 127: Soldier's Girl: The Murder of Barry Winchell 21.04.2026 34p

  The 2003 film Soldier's Girl tells the true story of Barry Winchell, a young soldier stationed at Fort Campbell who becomes romantically involved with transgender performer Calpernia Addams. Their relationship develops quietly at first, but it becomes increasingly dangerous within the highly rigid and hostile environment of the military under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” era.As rumors about Winchell begin circulating among fellow soldiers, he becomes the target of escalating harassment and social pressure. That hostility is fueled in part by other soldiers, including Justin Fisher, who encourages and manipulates younger soldier Calvin Glover. The film builds toward the real-life tragedy where Winchell is attacked with a baseball bat while sleeping in his barracks, a violent act rooted in a toxic mix of rumor, prejudice, and peer pressure.Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NpanzTImkEhttps://inmagazine.ca/2024/07/flashback-soldier-barry-winchell-dies-after-anti-gay-hate-crime-july-6-1999/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2000/05/kentucky-murder-200005?srsltid=AfmBOoppbiKCRONCbuReee_d9LP_ImBd8uuuNkWew3BvLsttjmk1De7khttps://www.out.com/news/drag-race-barry-winchell-murderhttps://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/09/us/killer-s-trial-shows-gay-soldier-s-anguish.html#:~:text=But%20nothing%20came%20of%20their,factors%20in%20meting%20out%20sentences.&text=Articles%20yesterday%20about%20the%20conviction,the%20Army%20account%20for%20312.https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/magazine/home/20000528mag-calpernia.html
• 126: Kidnapped: The Hannah Anderson Story 14.04.2026 52p

  In this episode, we examine the disturbing events surrounding the Kidnapping of Hannah Anderson, a case that shocked the nation in 2013. The story follows 16-year-old Hannah Anderson, who was abducted by family friend James DiMaggio after what initially seemed like a routine visit. What followed was a tragic chain of events, including the murders of Hannah’s mother, Christina Anderson, and her younger brother, Ethan Anderson, and a multi-state manhunt that gripped the country.Sources:Kidnapped: The Hannah Anderson Story https://abcnews.com/US/saving-hannah-anderson-inside-dramatic-fbi-rescue-kidnapped/story?id=29089347https://www.nbcnews.com/video/hannah-anderson-on-kidnap-i-couldnt-do-anything-53357123546?featureFlagAix=trueFBI True: Season 1, Epi 4https://www.cnn.com/2013/09/24/justice/hannah-anderson-family-autopsyhttps://fox5sandiego.com/news/20m-lawsuit-against-fbi-in-hannah-anderson-kidnap-case-can-move-forward-judge-rules/https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2013/0817/What-s-the-real-story-behind-Hannah-Anderson-s-abductionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhIPIu3W4Tohttps://www.10news.com/news/hannah-anderson-blasts-credibility-of-lifetime-moviehttps://www.today.com/video/hannah-anderson-speaks-out-in-today-exclusive-44023363804
• 125: Heavenly Creatures: The Murder of Honorah (Rieper) Parker 07.04.2026 35p

  This episode explores the chilling true story that inspired Heavenly Creatures, the 1997 film based on the infamous case of Pauline Parker and Juliette Hulme.In 1950s Christchurch, New Zealand, two teenage girls formed an intense and obsessive friendship after bonding over illness, isolation, and a shared love of fantasy. Together, they created an elaborate imaginary world where they ruled as powerful figures, blurring the line between imagination and reality. As their relationship deepened, they became increasingly detached from the outside world. Sources:Anne Perry The Murder of the Century - by Peter Graham https://parkerhulme.wordpress.com/2016/08/13/the-relationship/https://www.adamabrams.com/hc/faq2/Section_7/7.4.3.htmlhttps://heavenly-creatures.com/phc_people_pauline.phphttps://medium.com/crimes-by-mr-o/this-best-selling-crime-author-was-actually-a-convicted-teenage-killer-true-crime-ee63e98d03c7wiki
• 124: Stuck: The Murder of Gregory Glen Biggs 31.03.2026 34p

  The tragic true story of Gregory Glen Biggs and the shocking case involving Chante Mallard. A story that stunned the nation for its cruelty and unimaginable choices. We break down what really happened the night Biggs lost his life, the disturbing decisions that followed, and how those actions impacted not only the victim, but his family, including his son Brandon, and others who became entangled in the aftermath.We also take a closer look at how this real-life case was adapted into the film Stuck, examining what the movie gets right, what it changes, and why certain creative decisions have sparked conversation. This story isn’t just about the true crime or the film, it’s about the ripple effects of one tragic night and the lasting impact on those left behind.Sources:Stuck (2007)Court TV: Judgement of Chante Mallardhttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/was-windshield-victim-conscious/https://abcnews.com/Entertainment/story?id=4991235&page=1https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/second-court-of-appeals/2005/16351.htmlhttps://www.google.com/search?q=prosecuting+evil+with+kelly+siegler+season+2+episode+5&rlz=1CAGZLV_enUS1160&oq=season+2+episode+5+prosecu&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCAgCEAAYFhgeMgYIABBFGDkyCAgBEAAYFhgeMggIAhAAGBYYHjIHCAMQABjvBTIKCAQQABiABBiiBDIHCAUQABjvBTIHCAYQABjvBTIHCAcQABjvBdIBCjEyOTAxajBqMTWoAgywAgHxBdjlihKDahZv8QXY5YoSg2oWbw&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:89a2cf69,vid:mXDnKf8Cr6k,st:0https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/victims-son-awarded-scholarship-from-prisoners-on-death-row
• 123: Gaslit By My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story 24.03.2026 36p

  In this episode, we unpack the unsettling themes behind Gaslit By My Husband:The Morgan Metzer Story, a story that dives into the hidden world of psychological abuse. What happens when the person you trust most begins to manipulate your reality? What starts as small moments of doubt quickly escalates into something far more unsettling, as Morgan struggles to separate truth from deception and hold onto her sense of self. Sources:Gaslit By My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story https://people.com/where-is-morgan-metzer-now-11928319https://www.google.com/search?q=morgan+metzer+48+hrs&rlz=1CAGZLV_enUS1160&oq=morgan+metzer+48+hrs+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yCAgCEAAYFhgeMgoIAxAAGIAEGKIEMgoIBBAAGIAEGKIEMgoIBRAAGIAEGKIEMgoIBhAAGIAEGKIEMgcIBxAAGO8F0gEJNTg2OGowajE1qAIIsAIB8QXCQV1uRpPvFA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:68f174bd,vid:6J27-GEwBYc,st:0https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/when-gaslighting-turns-violent-how-a-canton-mom-wants-to-shed-light-on-sinister-problem
• 122: Vampire Clan: The Wendorf Murders 17.03.2026 38p

  The 2002 true-crime film Vampire Clan dramatizes the shocking real-life murders carried out by a group of teenagers who believed they were part of a vampire cult. Starring Drew Fuller as cult leader Rod Ferrell, the film follows how fantasy role-playing and obsession with vampirism spiraled into violence, ultimately leading to the brutal killing. The case of Rod Ferrell and the brutal Wendorf Murders began as a group of teenagers role-playing vampires spiraled into real-world violence when Ferrell, who called himself a 500-year-old vampire, led members of his so-called “Vampire Clan” to the home of Richard Wendorf and Naomi Wendorf in Eustis, Florida.Sources:Killer Kids Vampire Clan (2002) The Vampire Murders (1999) https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/teen-vampire-cult-leader-rod-203422626.htmlhttps://www.dailycommercial.com/story/news/local/eustis/2019/12/01/mother-of-vampire-cult-killer-ive-changed/2178130007/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1998/07/16/cooper-pleads-guilty/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1998/11/22/more-evidence-turns-up-in-vampire-cult-deaths
• 121: Abducted By My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story 10.03.2026 52p

  In this episode, we explore the shocking true story behind the made-for-TV movie Abducted by My Teacher and the real-life case of Elizabeth Thomas. In 2017, Elizabeth was a 15-year-old student in Tennessee when her health teacher, Tad Cummins, groomed and ultimately abducted her, sparking a nationwide search. What began as a troubling case of teacher misconduct quickly turned into a multi-state manhunt that captured national attention.Sources:Abducted By My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story https://people.com/where-is-elizabeth-thomas-now-865607720/20 From Classroom to Captivehttps://allthatsinteresting.com/tad-cumminshttps://www.thewrap.com/lifetime-extends-partnership-elizabeth-smart-film-abducted-by-my-teacher/?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2017/04/27/court-records-kimberly-thomas-accused-child-abuse-humiliating-children/100951338/
• 120: The Curse of Rosemary's Baby? 03.03.2026 34p

  In 1968, Rosemary’s Baby arrived in theaters and changed horror forever. A story about a young woman manipulated, isolated, and ultimately betrayed by those closest to her, the film tapped into a cultural moment already steeped in paranoia. America was reeling from assassinations, war, the rise of the occult, and the founding of the Church of Satan. Evil lived next door. But what happened after the film’s release is what fuels the legend.Sources:Cursed Films https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/06/the-most-cursed-hit-movie-ever-made-rosemarys-baby?srsltid=AfmBOooydSo-i0JJPAuPxk1-vcQnLhMf89eS5--wPQ1j3DRQwqpMUmJbhttps://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/sammy-davis-jr-satanism-anton-lavey-1235070544/https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/RosemarysBabyhttps://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=cb0b2358a0071c17&rlz=1CAGZLV_enUS1160&sxsrf=ANbL-n5lM8wmBIv6YN-uSyWxalPe4GeMag:1772509245280&udm=7&fbs=ADc_l-aN0CWEZBOHjofHoaMMDiKpaEWjvZ2Py1XXV8d8KvlI3vWUtYx0DZdicpfE1faGYemg2KC4yuMPyQlIvlWqq2At2yMvCZgi_bwXXU0sv2NZz1ci8vvXN7qvH5d5H0L2gzDVa8EQXPOe03G6oWgM1i7mQuRVJZMw63JPM9jizs0p2p0CKnW3p6_iMTGuk3xLMjYD_G_SYUdHsIciM1dHUgViogBHUA&q=victoria+vetri+scene+in+rosemary%27s+baby&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwix87O_54KTAxWVFlkFHRShMjgQtKgLegQIGBAB&biw=1536&bih=719&dpr=1.25#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:4b67af60,vid:4AXjL7ae_io,st:0https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mia-farrow-addresses-vicious-rumors-about-past-deaths-three-children-n1262744https://people.com/remembering-the-tate-labianca-murders-almost-6-decades-later-8692445
• 119: Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard 24.02.2026 34p

  In December 2019, 33-year-old Heidi Broussard disappeared in Austin,TX along with her three-week-old daughter, Margot Carey, shortly after dropping her older child off at school. The case was dramatized in the 2023 Lifetime television film Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard, directed by Michelle Ouellet. The movie stars Emily Osment as Fieramusca and Anna Hopkins as Heidi Broussard, and follows the events leading up to Heidi’s disappearance, the growing suspicions surrounding her friend, and the investigation that ultimately uncovered the truth. The film presents a dramatized but largely faithful retelling of the crime, emphasizing the shocking betrayal at its center and the tense search that led to the baby’s rescue.Sources:https://www.aetv.com/articles/why-heidi-broussard-s-best-friend-killed-her-and-kidnapped-her-babyhttps://www.cnn.com/2023/02/04/us/heidi-broussard-murder-fieramusca-guilty-pleaDateline: Abducted Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard https://www.fox7austin.com/news/magen-fieramusca-heidi-broussard-guilty-plea-murder-kidnapping-baby-austin-texashttps://www.npr.org/2010/01/01/314255191/excerpt-maternal-desirehttps://www.johnsonfuneralhome.net/obituaries/heidi-elizabeth-broussardhttps://www.google.com/search?q=megan+fieramusca+sentence&rlz=1CAGZLV_enUS1160&oq=megan+fieramusca+sentence&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRiPAjIHCAIQIRiPAtIBCjEzMDQxajBqMTWoAgiwAgHxBdVZ20LZOdcu8QXVWdtC2TnXLg&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:161bf9b6,vid:-9weGGoZe5I,st:0
• 118: Party Monster: The Murder of Andre "Angel" Melendez 18.02.2026 41p

  In this episode, we dive into the glitter-soaked rise and catastrophic fall of New York City’s infamous Club Kid scene, as portrayed in the film Party Monster. But beyond the tabloid-fueled fame lies a far darker true story — the murder of Andre "Angel" Melendez.We explore how Michael Alig, once a self-proclaimed king of nightlife, built a celebrity persona in the early ’90s underground party world alongside figures like James St. James. Fueled by fame, excess, and escalating drug use, the scene spiraled into chaos culminating in Andre "Angel" Melendez’s brutal killing in 1996.Sources:Party Monster by James St. JamesGlory Daze: The Life and Times of Michael Alig https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/michael-alig-dead-club-kid-party-monster-1107737/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_Melendez
• 117: Jennifer's Body: The Murder of Elyse Pahler 10.02.2026 39p

  In this episode, we dig into the truth behind Jennifer’s Body the 2009 horror film that was initially dismissed and later reclaimed as a cult classic with feminist themes of female rage, power, and exploitation. While the movie is fictional, its central premise (a teenage girl sacrificed by a band seeking fame) echoes a disturbing real-life case that many viewers are unaware of. We examine the 1995 murder of Elyse Pahler, a 15-year-old girl from California who was killed by three teenage boys who claimed they were performing a ritual to help their own metal band succeed.This episode walks through what happened to Elyse, how the case unfolded, and how her parents later filed a lawsuit against the band Slayer, arguing that violent lyrics and imagery influenced the killers — a case that was ultimately dismissed on First Amendment grounds. We explore how Elyse’s story became entangled in broader conversations about satanic panic, media blame, and moral responsibility in the 1990s. By separating fact from fiction, this episode centers the real tragedy behind the parallels and highlights the lasting impact of Elyse Pahler’s case beyond the courtroom.Sources:In the Name of Satan by Wensley Clarkson A Killer Among Friends: episode 3 https://www.courthousenews.com/two-killers-from-shocking-satanic-teen-murder-case-paroled/Wikihttps://www.courthousenews.com/two-killers-from-shocking-satanic-teen-murder-case-paroled/
• 116: Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story 03.02.2026 39p

  In this episode, we unpack the story behind Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story and the real-life survival of Carlesha Freeland-Gaither. On November 2, 2014, Carlesha was abducted while walking home in Philadelphia, a crime that was partially caught on surveillance footage and sparked a desperate search. Through the Lifetime film, viewers are taken inside the fear, resilience, and quick thinking that defined those terrifying days — including Carlesha’s bravery in leaving behind clues for detectives after she was taken.Sources:Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Storyhttps://abcnews.go.com/US/woman-philadelphia-abduction-found-alive-police/story?id=26706205https://www.aetv.com/articles/carlesha-gaither-abductionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ-oME48Pd4https://www.npr.org/2021/09/24/1040048967/missing-black-women-girls-left-out-media-ignored#:~:text=The%20media%20ignores%20missing%20Black,of%20the%20overall%20female%20population.
• 115: An American Crime: Sylvia Likens 27.01.2026 59p

  In this episode, we examine An American Crime (2007), a harrowing film based on one of the most disturbing true crime cases in American history. The movie follows the story of Sylvia Likens, a teenage girl left in the care of Gertrude Baniszewski while her parents traveled for work. What begins as a temporary living arrangement quickly spirals into unimaginable cruelty, as Gertrude, her children, and neighborhood kids participate in escalating physical and psychological abuse. We also dive into the real-life case that inspired the film, exploring what actually happened to Sylvia Likens in 1965 and how closely the movie follows the facts. This episode discusses the social conditions, power dynamics, and warning signs that allowed the abuse to continue unchecked, as well as the legal consequences that followed. While deeply unsettling, this story raises critical questions about accountability, community responsibility, and how extreme harm can occur in plain sight. Listener discreti...
• 114: The Girl From Plainville: The Conrad Roy Story 20.01.2026 50p

  The true story behind The Girl From Plainville, the chilling real-life case that sparked national debate about responsibility, mental health, and the power of words. In 2014, 18-year-old Conrad Roy III died by suicide in a Massachusetts parking lot. In the months leading up to his death, Roy had been in an intense, mostly digital relationship with 17-year-old Michelle Carter — a relationship later revealed through thousands of text messages. Prosecutors argued that Carter’s messages didn’t just witness Roy’s struggles, but actively encouraged his death, including a final phone call in which she told him to get back into his carbon-monoxide-filled truck. Carter’s eventual conviction for involuntary manslaughter raised unprecedented legal and ethical questions: Can someone be held criminally responsible for another person’s suicide? We explore the facts of the case, the court’s controversial ruling, and how this tragedy continues to shape conversations around mental health in the digi...