Forensic Tales

#323 - In 1986, a Washington woman was convicted of intentionally killing two people with cyanide-laced extra-strength Excedrin capsules. One of the victims was her very own husband. The other was a complete stranger. 

Her conviction and 90-year prison sentence became the first under federal product tampering laws instituted after the 1982 Chicago Tylenol murders that killed at least 7 people. 

Is she a victim of a system that got it wrong during a time when people were paranoid of product tampering? Or is she guilty as charged?

Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written & produced by Courtney Fretwell.

If you’d like to support the show and help fund research, production, and editing, you can do so with a small monthly contribution on Patreon.

Patreon supporters get early access to ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content.

You can learn more at Patreon.com/ForensicTales.

You can also watch Forensic Tales on YouTube. Just search Forensic Tales Podcast and be sure to subscribe.

And if you enjoy the show, leaving a positive rating or review really helps others discover it.

For a full list of sources used in this episode, visit ForensicTales.com.

Until then… remember: not all stories have happy endings.
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#322 - In 2007, two-year-old Mariah Alvarez was rushed to a hospital in Brownsville, Texas. She wasn’t breathing. Doctors were unable to revive her.

Within hours, suspicion turned toward her mother, Melissa Lucio.

After a lengthy interrogation, Melissa said four words that prosecutors would later present as a confession. She was charged with capital murder, convicted, and sentenced to death.

But over the years, serious questions have been raised about the case from the forensic conclusions surrounding Mariah’s death, to the interrogation tactics used by investigators, to testimony the jury never heard.

Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production.

The show is written and produced by Courtney Fretwell.

If you’d like to support the show and help fund research, production, and editing, you can do so with a small monthly contribution on Patreon.

Patreon supporters get early access to ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content.

You can learn more at Patreon.com/ForensicTales.

You can also watch Forensic Tales on YouTube. Just search Forensic Tales Podcast and be sure to subscribe.

And if you enjoy the show, leaving a positive rating or review really helps others discover it.

For a full list of sources used in this episode, visit ForensicTales.com.

Remember... not all stories have happy endings.
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#321 - In December 2004, 21-year-old Johnia Berry was attacked inside her Knoxville, Tennessee apartment.

The crime scene raised more questions than answers. There were no clear signs of forced entry. The weapon came from inside the home. And despite the brutality of the attack, there was no obvious motive.

Investigators initially focused on someone close to her, but forensic evidence would soon complicate that theory.

A partial fingerprint. A single shoe print. And an unidentified DNA profile left behind at the scene.

For years, the case seemed stalled. Then, an unexpected lead shifted the investigation in a new direction.

In this episode of Forensic Tales, we examine the forensic evidence, the missteps, the turning points, and the lasting impact this case had on DNA laws in Tennessee.

Because sometimes the science speaks clearly even when the “why” never does.

Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written and produced by Courtney Fretwell.

If you'd like to support the show and gain access to exclusive content, early and ad-free episodes, please consider joining the show's Patreon.

You can support the show for as low as $3/month.

Subscribe to Forensic Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen so you don't miss an episode. Also, be sure to follow us on YouTube.

If you love the show, please leave a positive review or tell friends and family about us.

For a complete list of sources used in this episode, visit our website.

Remember... Not all stories have happy endings...
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#320 - In 2008, a South Carolina man disappeared while checking his mail outside his home. His body was soon found in nearby woods, and an autopsy revealed he had been strangled to death.

At first, the police had few suspects. But right before the case turned cold, investigators did something outside the box. They turned to cell phone forensics.

Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller Audio production. The show is written and produced by Courtney Fretwell.

If you'd like to support the show and get access to early, ad-free episodes, consider joining the show's Patreon page. You can support the show for as little as $3/month.

For a complete list of sources used in this episode, please visit our website.

Listen on YouTube: Search Forensic Tales and subscribe.
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BONUS UPDATE

Yesterday, Juliana Peres Magalhães, the former au pair and key witness in the so-called “Au Pair Affair” murder trial, was sentenced.

In this short follow-up episode of Forensic Tales, we recap the sentencing hearing, including the defense’s motion to exclude victim impact statements from Christine Banfield’s family, the judge’s ruling, and the final sentence handed down in connection with the death of Joseph Ryan.

Juliana previously entered into a plea agreement and testified for the Commonwealth against Brendan Banfield, serving as the prosecution’s central witness in a case built heavily on digital forensic evidence and allegations of a calculated online setup.

This episode breaks down what happened in court, what the sentence means, and how this development fits into the larger case.

If you haven’t listened to our full trial recap, be sure to check out last week’s special episode for the complete breakdown.

Forensic Tales is a Rockefeller audio production. The show is written and produced by Courtney Fretwell.

If you'd like to support the show and get access to early, ad-free episodes, please consider joining the show's Patreon page. You can support the show for as low as $3/month.

For more ways to listen and support, subscribe to Forensic Tales on YouTube. You can also leave the show a positive review or tell friends and family about the show.

Remember... not all stories have happy endings.
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