Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast

This week, we are revisiting our most downloaded episode of the year: the heartbreaking case of Lauren Burk. In March 2008, the brutal murder of this 18-year-old Auburn University student shattered a community and left a family searching for answers in a case that is as tragic as it is controversial. Lauren was a bright, promising freshman who was abducted at gunpoint from her campus, robbed, and shot before she bravely jumped from a moving car in a desperate attempt to save her life. Her story is one of unimaginable terror, but also of incredible courage in her final moments.   The investigation led police to Courtney Lockhart, an Iraq War veteran whose life had taken a dark turn after returning home. His confession painted a disturbing picture of a man pushed to the edge, but was it the full story? We dive into the complexities of the case, from the initial crime to the controversial trial that followed, where a judge overrode a unanimous jury recommendation for life in prison and sentenced Lockhart to death.   Join us as we take a second look at the case that resonated so deeply with our listeners. We explore the devastating impact of Lauren's murder, the questions surrounding her killer's mental state, and the unique legal proceedings that still spark debate today.      

In 1908 Glasgow, 82-year-old Marion Gilchrist was brutally murdered in her home during a ten-minute window while her maid was out. There was no forced entry, and the only thing missing was a single diamond brooch. The police quickly zeroed in on Oscar Slater, a German-Jewish immigrant with a gambling habit, and built a case around him with flimsy evidence and coached witnesses. Despite a weak case, Slater was convicted and sentenced to death, a sentence later commuted to life in prison. After a nearly 20-year fight for justice, championed by Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Slater was finally exonerated. But the question remains: if Slater didn't do it, who did?   New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday!   Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries   Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries   Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com   #TrueCrime #Podcast #MomsAndMysteries #OscarSlater #MarionGilchrist #UnsolvedMysteries #HistoricalCrime #WrongfulConviction #Scotland

The polished facade of NXIVM has shattered, and in Part 2, we take you inside the federal courthouse where its leaders finally face justice. We explore the harrowing trial of Keith Raniere, built on the brave testimony of the women who escaped his control. From the secret master-slave sorority known as DOS to the shocking details of branding, blackmail, and psychological abuse, the full truth of the cult is laid bare. We cover the verdicts, the sentences, and the downfall of the man who called himself "Vanguard." But what happens after the headlines fade? To discuss the case's complex legacy, we are joined by a special guest: Natalie, the host of the popular podcast "Allison After NXIVM." She shares her unique insights into the story, the people involved, and the long road to recovery for those who lived through it. Find more information about "Allison After NXIVM" here Thank you to this week's sponsors! IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products—including the sampler pack—plus FREE shipping. Text MOMS to 64000.  Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Give the gift of confidence this holiday season with Nutrafol. Right now, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month's subscription plus free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com com and use promo code MOMS. It's time to get your own personal stylist with DailyLook.  Head to DailyLook.com to take your style quiz and use code MOMS for 50% off your first order.  #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #momsandmysteries #nxivm #keithraniere #trial #dos #allisonafternxivm #justice #cult New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/momsandmysteries ⁠ Visit our website: ⁠momsandmysteries.com

Imagine thinking you signed up for a self-improvement course, only to wake up inside a secret hierarchy where starvation, blackmail, and branding were sold as empowerment. This is the story of NXIVM, the so-called leadership program that unraveled into one of the most disturbing criminal enterprises in modern history.   In Part 1, we pull back the curtain on how Keith Raniere, a man who called himself "Vanguard," and his partner Nancy Salzman built a multi-million dollar empire on the promise of human potential. We explore the early days of their Executive Success Programs (ESP), the manipulative techniques used to lure in thousands of followers—including celebrities and business leaders—and the slow, deliberate process of indoctrination. How did a group that started with corporate retreats and PowerPoint presentations devolve into a destructive cult? We trace the origins of the abuse, the creation of a master-slave sorority, and the psychological tactics that kept its members loyal, even as the darkness closed in.   Thank you to this week's sponsors!   Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince! Go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.   Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.    #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #momsandmysteries #nxivm #keithraniere #cult #nancysalzman #selfhelp #esp #vanguard     New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday!   Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries   Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries    Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com

In 1931 Liverpool, a bizarre phone call sent William Herbert Wallace on a wild goose chase across the city. The caller, a man named "Qualtrough," had left a message for him at his chess club, asking him to meet at a non-existent address. When William returned home, he found his wife, Julia, brutally murdered in their parlor. The house was locked, there were no signs of forced entry, and the timeline seemed impossibly tight.   Police immediately suspected William, believing the phone call was a ruse to create a fake alibi. He was quickly arrested, tried, and convicted, only to have the verdict overturned in an unprecedented move by the Court of Criminal Appeal. For nearly a century, the case has remained one of Britain's greatest unsolved mysteries. Was William a cunning killer who almost got away with it, or an innocent man framed by a phantom?   New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday!   Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries   Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries   Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com   #TrueCrime #Podcast #MomsAndMysteries #JuliaWallace #UnsolvedMysteries #HistoricalCrime #Liverpool #LockedRoomMystery