Criminal Mischief

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The Murder Chronicles is now CRIMINAL MISCHIEF with Carolyn and Branden. From the creative team that brought you The Shadow Girls and The Devil Within, hosts Carolyn Ossorio and Branden Morgan team up to give you a double dose of true crime each and every week. First, Carolyn trains her investigative eye on the darkest corners of the human condition to bring you a weekly story that is terrifying and intriguing with the type of access that only a veteran journalist could achieve. Then Carolyn is joined by Branden for a weekly bonus episode to have a lively (and less professional…) discussion about the case. Criminal Mischief is sure to be your new true crime obsession. Go ahead… scratch the itch.

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Tuesday · 34 min
E|196 A Scandal In Bohemia (Bonus)
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF A Scandal in Bohemia A Dramatic Reading by Carolyn Ossorio This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio trades police reports, crime scenes and courtroom testimony for gaslit streets, royal secrets and the fog-shrouded world of 221B Baker Street. Settle in for a special dramatic reading of “A Scandal in Bohemia,” Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes story and the unforgettable introduction of Irene Adler. When a mysterious masked visitor arrives at Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes finds himself drawn into an exceedingly delicate problem. A powerful European king is preparing to marry, but somewhere in London exists a photograph capable of destroying the match—and perhaps considerably more. The photograph belongs to Irene Adler, an American opera singer and former lover who has absolutely no intention of surrendering it. Holmes accepts the challenge with his customary confidence. There will be surveillance, disguises, deception and an elaborate trap designed to reveal exactly where Adler has hidden the evidence. There is only one problem. Irene Adler is playing the game, too. First published in 1891, “A Scandal in Bohemia” endures because Doyle does something remarkable with the Sherlock Holmes formula: he gives the world's most famous detective an adversary capable of seeing the board every bit as clearly as he does. This isn't a tale of grisly murder or elaborate violence. Its weapons are intelligence, observation, manipulation and the dangerous assumption that you've already figured out the person standing across from you. And for Holmes, Irene Adler will forever become simply: “The Woman.” Turn down the lights and join Carolyn for a journey into Victorian London and one of the most celebrated adventures in the Sherlock Holmes canon. 🎧 LISTEN & FOLLOW Listen to Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts and hit Follow so you never miss a new investigation, interview or special episode. ⭐ RATE & REVIEW Enjoying the show? Leave Criminal Mischief a 5-star rating and review. It takes less than a minute and makes an enormous difference in helping new listeners discover the show. 📺 WATCH & SUBSCRIBE Watch episodes, clips and original content from Criminal Mischief and the entire Evio Creative network on the Evio Creative YouTube channel. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you know when something new drops. 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Have a case Carolyn should investigate, a story she should read, or something strange you think deserves a closer look? Join the conversation across the Evio Creative social channels. 📧 STORIES, TIPS & CASE SUGGESTIONS Send listener stories, case suggestions, tips and feedback to info@eviocreative.com. Criminal Mischief is an Evio Creative production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Tuesday · 1 hr 4 min
E|186 A Scandal In Bohemia
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF A Scandal in Bohemia A Dramatic Reading by Carolyn Ossorio This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio trades police reports, crime scenes and courtroom testimony for gaslit streets, royal secrets and the fog-shrouded world of 221B Baker Street. Settle in for a special dramatic reading of “A Scandal in Bohemia,” Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes story and the unforgettable introduction of Irene Adler. When a mysterious masked visitor arrives at Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes finds himself drawn into an exceedingly delicate problem. A powerful European king is preparing to marry, but somewhere in London exists a photograph capable of destroying the match—and perhaps considerably more. The photograph belongs to Irene Adler, an American opera singer and former lover who has absolutely no intention of surrendering it. Holmes accepts the challenge with his customary confidence. There will be surveillance, disguises, deception and an elaborate trap designed to reveal exactly where Adler has hidden the evidence. There is only one problem. Irene Adler is playing the game, too. First published in 1891, “A Scandal in Bohemia” endures because Doyle does something remarkable with the Sherlock Holmes formula: he gives the world's most famous detective an adversary capable of seeing the board every bit as clearly as he does. This isn't a tale of grisly murder or elaborate violence. Its weapons are intelligence, observation, manipulation and the dangerous assumption that you've already figured out the person standing across from you. And for Holmes, Irene Adler will forever become simply: “The Woman.” Turn down the lights and join Carolyn for a journey into Victorian London and one of the most celebrated adventures in the Sherlock Holmes canon. 🎧 LISTEN & FOLLOW Listen to Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts and hit Follow so you never miss a new investigation, interview or special episode. ⭐ RATE & REVIEW Enjoying the show? Leave Criminal Mischief a 5-star rating and review. It takes less than a minute and makes an enormous difference in helping new listeners discover the show. 📺 WATCH & SUBSCRIBE Watch episodes, clips and original content from Criminal Mischief and the entire Evio Creative network on the Evio Creative YouTube channel. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you know when something new drops. 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Have a case Carolyn should investigate, a story she should read, or something strange you think deserves a closer look? Join the conversation across the Evio Creative social channels. 📧 STORIES, TIPS & CASE SUGGESTIONS Send listener stories, case suggestions, tips and feedback to info@eviocreative.com. Criminal Mischief is an Evio Creative production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 18 · 29 min
E|195 A Conversation With Dr. Eric Hickey (Bonus)
Inside the Criminal Mind: Dr. Eric Hickey What creates a serial killer? Why do some offenders escalate from fantasy to violence while millions of people with dark thoughts never cross that line? And after decades of studying the most dangerous criminals in America, can we actually identify the warning signs before somebody kills? This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio sits down with renowned criminal psychologist and criminologist Dr. Eric Hickey for a deep conversation about the psychology of murder, serial offenders, predatory violence and the uncomfortable realities behind the people responsible for some of society's most disturbing crimes. Dr. Hickey has spent decades studying serial murderers and their victims, interviewing offenders and examining the psychological, behavioral and environmental forces that can contribute to extreme violence. His research has challenged many of the convenient assumptions popular culture has built around serial killers—including the idea that there is a single psychological profile capable of explaining who becomes a predator and why. Carolyn and Dr. Hickey explore the complicated intersection of nature and nurture, childhood trauma, fantasy, sexual motivation, power and control, and the process through which violent behavior can escalate. They also examine the differences between psychopathy and other forms of personality pathology, why manipulation can be such an effective weapon for predatory offenders, and what investigators can—and cannot—learn from criminal profiling. The conversation also tackles the mythology surrounding serial killers themselves. Movies, television and true crime have helped create an image of the serial murderer as a calculating criminal mastermind operating several moves ahead of everyone around him. Reality is considerably messier. Dr. Hickey explains what decades of research tell us about intelligence, compulsion, opportunity and the mistakes offenders make when fantasy collides with the real world. And perhaps most importantly, Carolyn turns the discussion toward the victims. Behind every psychological profile and behavioral theory are real people whose lives were taken, families permanently altered and communities left searching for explanations that may never feel sufficient. It's an unusually candid conversation about evil, psychology and the limits of our ability to understand the people capable of extraordinary violence. This week on Criminal Mischief. 🎧 LISTEN & FOLLOW Listen to Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts and hit Follow so every new investigation and interview lands automatically in your feed. ⭐ RATE & REVIEW If you're enjoying Carolyn's investigations, leave Criminal Mischief a 5-star rating and review. It takes less than a minute and remains one of the most effective ways to help new listeners discover the show. 📺 WATCH & SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE Watch Criminal Mischief and more original programming from across the network on the Evio Creative YouTube Channel. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss new interviews, investigations and episodes. 📧 HAVE A CASE WE SHOULD INVESTIGATE? If there's a case, investigation or criminal-justice story you think Carolyn should examine, send your tips, suggestions and listener feedback to mailto:info@eviocreative.com. The evidence tells a story. Carolyn follows where it leads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 18 · 1 hr 29 min
E|195 An Interview With Dr. Eric Hickey
Inside the Criminal Mind: Dr. Eric Hickey What creates a serial killer? Why do some offenders escalate from fantasy to violence while millions of people with dark thoughts never cross that line? And after decades of studying the most dangerous criminals in America, can we actually identify the warning signs before somebody kills? This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio sits down with renowned criminal psychologist and criminologist Dr. Eric Hickey for a deep conversation about the psychology of murder, serial offenders, predatory violence and the uncomfortable realities behind the people responsible for some of society's most disturbing crimes. Dr. Hickey has spent decades studying serial murderers and their victims, interviewing offenders and examining the psychological, behavioral and environmental forces that can contribute to extreme violence. His research has challenged many of the convenient assumptions popular culture has built around serial killers—including the idea that there is a single psychological profile capable of explaining who becomes a predator and why. Carolyn and Dr. Hickey explore the complicated intersection of nature and nurture, childhood trauma, fantasy, sexual motivation, power and control, and the process through which violent behavior can escalate. They also examine the differences between psychopathy and other forms of personality pathology, why manipulation can be such an effective weapon for predatory offenders, and what investigators can—and cannot—learn from criminal profiling. The conversation also tackles the mythology surrounding serial killers themselves. Movies, television and true crime have helped create an image of the serial murderer as a calculating criminal mastermind operating several moves ahead of everyone around him. Reality is considerably messier. Dr. Hickey explains what decades of research tell us about intelligence, compulsion, opportunity and the mistakes offenders make when fantasy collides with the real world. And perhaps most importantly, Carolyn turns the discussion toward the victims. Behind every psychological profile and behavioral theory are real people whose lives were taken, families permanently altered and communities left searching for explanations that may never feel sufficient. It's an unusually candid conversation about evil, psychology and the limits of our ability to understand the people capable of extraordinary violence. This week on Criminal Mischief. 🎧 LISTEN & FOLLOW Listen to Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts and hit Follow so every new investigation and interview lands automatically in your feed. ⭐ RATE & REVIEW If you're enjoying Carolyn's investigations, leave Criminal Mischief a 5-star rating and review. It takes less than a minute and remains one of the most effective ways to help new listeners discover the show. 📺 WATCH & SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE Watch Criminal Mischief and more original programming from across the network on the Evio Creative YouTube Channel. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss new interviews, investigations and episodes. 📧 HAVE A CASE WE SHOULD INVESTIGATE? If there's a case, investigation or criminal-justice story you think Carolyn should examine, send your tips, suggestions and listener feedback to mailto:info@eviocreative.com. The evidence tells a story. Carolyn follows where it leads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 4 · 37 min
E|194 Espionage (Bonus)
When a Fortune 500 Company Became the Harasser Criminal Mischief – eBay's Campaign of Intimidation What happens when one of the world's largest technology companies decides it doesn't like what a journalist is writing? For one Massachusetts couple, the answer was months of harassment, surveillance, intimidation, and psychological warfare. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio investigates one of the strangest corporate crime stories in recent American history: the federal criminal case against eBay and the extraordinary campaign carried out against the publishers of the online newsletter EcommerceBytes. When Ina and David Steiner published articles critical of eBay's leadership and business practices, company executives didn't simply issue a statement or dispute the reporting. Instead, members of eBay's own Global Security team launched an astonishing harassment campaign designed to terrorize the couple into silence. Anonymous threats. Late-night deliveries. Disturbing packages. Constant surveillance. Online intimidation. And plans that investigators would later describe as escalating far beyond anything anyone expected from a publicly traded corporation. Using courtroom recordings, police interviews, FBI evidence, witness testimony, and the defendants' own admissions, Carolyn reconstructs the conspiracy from its inception through the federal investigation, guilty pleas, and sentencing of those involved. Along the way, she explores the corporate culture that allowed the campaign to flourish, the executives who authorized it, and the legal questions that continue to surround one of Silicon Valley's most shocking scandals. At its heart, this isn't simply a story about corporate misconduct. It's about the freedom of the press, the abuse of power, and what can happen when criticism becomes something an organization believes must be eliminated instead of answered. Because sometimes the most dangerous criminals don't wear masks. They wear employee badges. 🎧 Listen & Follow Listen to Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts, and be sure to follow so you never miss an investigation. ⭐ Rate & Review If you're enjoying Criminal Mischief, please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps more listeners discover the show and supports independent investigative journalism. 📺 Watch on YouTube Watch full episodes, exclusive interviews, and companion content on the Evio Creative YouTube Channel. 📱 Join the Conversation Follow us on social media and join the discussion. Share your thoughts, suggest future investigations, and connect with other listeners who love digging beneath the headlines. 📧 Have a Story? Know of a case that deserves another look? Email us anytime at info@eviocreative.com. Your tip could become the focus of a future investigation. 🕵️ New Episodes Every Week Real crimes. Real investigations. Real consequences. Every week on Criminal Mischief. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 4 · 37 min
E|194 Espionage
When a Fortune 500 Company Became the HarasserCriminal Mischief – eBay's Campaign of Intimidation What happens when one of the world's largest technology companies decides it doesn't like what a journalist is writing? For one Massachusetts couple, the answer was months of harassment, surveillance, intimidation, and psychological warfare. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio investigates one of the strangest corporate crime stories in recent American history: the federal criminal case against eBay and the extraordinary campaign carried out against the publishers of the online newsletter EcommerceBytes. When Ina and David Steiner published articles critical of eBay's leadership and business practices, company executives didn't simply issue a statement or dispute the reporting. Instead, members of eBay's own Global Security team launched an astonishing harassment campaign designed to terrorize the couple into silence. Anonymous threats. Late-night deliveries. Disturbing packages. Constant surveillance. Online intimidation. And plans that investigators would later describe as escalating far beyond anything anyone expected from a publicly traded corporation. Using courtroom recordings, police interviews, FBI evidence, witness testimony, and the defendants' own admissions, Carolyn reconstructs the conspiracy from its inception through the federal investigation, guilty pleas, and sentencing of those involved. Along the way, she explores the corporate culture that allowed the campaign to flourish, the executives who authorized it, and the legal questions that continue to surround one of Silicon Valley's most shocking scandals. At its heart, this isn't simply a story about corporate misconduct. It's about the freedom of the press, the abuse of power, and what can happen when criticism becomes something an organization believes must be eliminated instead of answered. Because sometimes the most dangerous criminals don't wear masks. They wear employee badges. 🎧 Listen & Follow Listen to Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts, and be sure to follow so you never miss an investigation. ⭐ Rate & Review If you're enjoying Criminal Mischief, please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps more listeners discover the show and supports independent investigative journalism. 📺 Watch on YouTube Watch full episodes, exclusive interviews, and companion content on the Evio Creative YouTube Channel. 📱 Join the Conversation Follow us on social media and join the discussion. Share your thoughts, suggest future investigations, and connect with other listeners who love digging beneath the headlines. 📧 Have a Story? Know of a case that deserves another look? Email us anytime at info@eviocreative.com. Your tip could become the focus of a future investigation. 🕵️ New Episodes Every Week Real crimes. Real investigations. Real consequences. Every week on Criminal Mischief. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 28 · 31 min
E|192 The Pike County Massacre: Part Three (Bonus)
Criminal Mischief Episode 3: The Pike County Massacre — Judgment Day After nearly a decade of investigation, courtroom battles, and shocking family betrayals, the Pike County Massacre finally reaches its conclusion. In the final chapter of Carolyn Ossorio's exhaustive investigation into one of the most disturbing family murder conspiracies in American history, the Wagners begin turning on one another. Plea agreements are negotiated behind closed doors. Testimony once thought impossible becomes the prosecution's most devastating weapon. Parents testify against children. Sons testify against mothers. The carefully constructed image of an ordinary Ohio farming family collapses under the weight of its own lies. Carolyn follows every major development—from the strategic deals that unraveled the Wagner family's defense, through the emotional courtroom testimony that revealed how eight members of the Rhoden family were systematically hunted and executed, to the convictions and sentences that finally brought a measure of justice to Pike County. But this episode isn't simply about guilty verdicts. It's about obsession disguised as love, control masquerading as family loyalty, and the devastating consequences of a belief that one family had the right to decide another family's future. Carolyn also explores the lingering questions that remain, the emotional scars carried by the survivors, and why the Pike County Massacre continues to haunt investigators, prosecutors, and the community that lived through one of the largest homicide investigations in Ohio history. After weeks of exclusive interviews, meticulous reporting, and thousands of pages of court records, Criminal Mischief concludes its definitive examination of the Pike County Massacre. Justice may have finally arrived—but some wounds never truly heal. New episodes of Criminal Mischief are available wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow the show so you never miss an investigation, and watch exclusive content on the Evio Creative YouTube channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 28 · 43 min
The Pike County Massacre - Part Three
Criminal MischiefEpisode 3: The Pike County Massacre — Judgment Day After nearly a decade of investigation, courtroom battles, and shocking family betrayals, the Pike County Massacre finally reaches its conclusion. In the final chapter of Carolyn Ossorio's exhaustive investigation into one of the most disturbing family murder conspiracies in American history, the Wagners begin turning on one another. Plea agreements are negotiated behind closed doors. Testimony once thought impossible becomes the prosecution's most devastating weapon. Parents testify against children. Sons testify against mothers. The carefully constructed image of an ordinary Ohio farming family collapses under the weight of its own lies. Carolyn follows every major development—from the strategic deals that unraveled the Wagner family's defense, through the emotional courtroom testimony that revealed how eight members of the Rhoden family were systematically hunted and executed, to the convictions and sentences that finally brought a measure of justice to Pike County. But this episode isn't simply about guilty verdicts. It's about obsession disguised as love, control masquerading as family loyalty, and the devastating consequences of a belief that one family had the right to decide another family's future. Carolyn also explores the lingering questions that remain, the emotional scars carried by the survivors, and why the Pike County Massacre continues to haunt investigators, prosecutors, and the community that lived through one of the largest homicide investigations in Ohio history. After weeks of exclusive interviews, meticulous reporting, and thousands of pages of court records, Criminal Mischief concludes its definitive examination of the Pike County Massacre. Justice may have finally arrived—but some wounds never truly heal. New episodes of Criminal Mischief are available wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow the show so you never miss an investigation, and watch exclusive content on the Evio Creative YouTube channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 21 · 26 min
E|191 The Pike County Massacre - Part Two (Bonus)
Criminal Mischief The Pike County Massacre – Episode Two: The House of Wagner For more than two years, investigators searched for the people responsible for one of the most shocking mass murders in modern American history. The evidence was painstakingly collected, hundreds of interviews were conducted, and countless theories—from drug cartels to family feuds—were examined. Yet as detectives slowly assembled the pieces, one family kept appearing at the center of the puzzle. The Wagners. In this second episode, Carolyn Ossorio follows the investigation as law enforcement begins narrowing its focus to a family that, from the outside, appeared hardworking, successful, and deeply devoted to one another. But behind that carefully maintained image was a rigid hierarchy led by Angela Wagner—a mother whose influence over her husband and sons has become one of the most unsettling aspects of the case. As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a family dynamic defined by loyalty, control, and an unwavering belief that blood came before everything else. Prosecutors would ultimately argue that this culture of obedience helped lay the groundwork for an unimaginable crime. This episode explores the custody dispute involving Hanna Rhoden and Jake Wagner, the mounting evidence that began pointing investigators toward the Wagner family, and the painstaking detective work that transformed suspicion into one of the largest criminal investigations in Ohio history. We also examine how years of planning, digital evidence, forensic breakthroughs, and witness interviews gradually dismantled the appearance of an ordinary Appalachian family. As the circle tightens around the Wagners, one question begins to overshadow every other: Was this simply a custody battle that spiraled into violence—or had an entire family convinced themselves that murder was the only acceptable solution? Criminal Mischief is hosted by investigative journalist Carolyn Ossorio and is part of the Evio Creative podcast network. If you're enjoying the series, please follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who appreciates deeply researched true crime. For episode updates and more original podcasts, visit Evio Creative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 21 · 40 min
E|191 The Pike County Massacre - Part Two
Criminal Mischief The Pike County Massacre – Episode Two: The House of Wagner For more than two years, investigators searched for the people responsible for one of the most shocking mass murders in modern American history. The evidence was painstakingly collected, hundreds of interviews were conducted, and countless theories—from drug cartels to family feuds—were examined. Yet as detectives slowly assembled the pieces, one family kept appearing at the center of the puzzle. The Wagners. In this second episode, Carolyn Ossorio follows the investigation as law enforcement begins narrowing its focus to a family that, from the outside, appeared hardworking, successful, and deeply devoted to one another. But behind that carefully maintained image was a rigid hierarchy led by Angela Wagner—a mother whose influence over her husband and sons has become one of the most unsettling aspects of the case. As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a family dynamic defined by loyalty, control, and an unwavering belief that blood came before everything else. Prosecutors would ultimately argue that this culture of obedience helped lay the groundwork for an unimaginable crime. This episode explores the custody dispute involving Hanna Rhoden and Jake Wagner, the mounting evidence that began pointing investigators toward the Wagner family, and the painstaking detective work that transformed suspicion into one of the largest criminal investigations in Ohio history. We also examine how years of planning, digital evidence, forensic breakthroughs, and witness interviews gradually dismantled the appearance of an ordinary Appalachian family. As the circle tightens around the Wagners, one question begins to overshadow every other: Was this simply a custody battle that spiraled into violence—or had an entire family convinced themselves that murder was the only acceptable solution? Criminal Mischief is hosted by investigative journalist Carolyn Ossorio and is part of the Evio Creative podcast network. If you're enjoying the series, please follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who appreciates deeply researched true crime. For episode updates and more original podcasts, visit Evio Creative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 14 · 35 min
E|190 The Pike County Massacre (Bonus)
Criminal Mischief The Piketon Massacre: Bloodline (Part One) On the morning of April 22, 2016, the quiet farming community of Piketon, Ohio awoke to one of the most shocking murder scenes in modern American history. Eight members of the Rhoden family, spanning multiple generations, were found executed across four separate homes in a rural corner of Pike County. Some were discovered in their beds. Others had been shot at close range while sleeping. Three young children—including an infant just days old—were found alive inside the homes, somehow spared while nearly everyone around them had been systematically murdered. It was a crime scene unlike anything investigators had ever encountered. In this opening chapter of our multi-part investigation, Carolyn Ossorio takes you back to those first chaotic hours through original police interviews, emergency dispatch recordings, and courtroom testimony, reconstructing the terrifying discovery exactly as investigators experienced it. Who found the victims? How could eight members of the same family be murdered in a single night without anyone hearing—or stopping—it? And why did detectives immediately suspect this wasn't simply a murder... ...but an execution? Part One follows investigators as they identify each victim, piece together the timeline of the killings, and begin searching for a killer—or killers—who have vanished into the hills of southern Ohio. By the end of this episode, the victims have names. The crime scenes have been documented. But the people responsible remain free. In This Episode • The quiet rural community of Pike County before the murders. • The first 911 calls and the discovery of the victims. • Police body camera audio, interviews, and courtroom recordings. • The lives of the eight Rhoden family members. • Why investigators immediately believed the murders were carefully planned. • The first hours of one of the largest homicide investigations in Ohio history. Part Two continues the investigation as detectives begin uncovering motives, family conflicts, and a custody battle that would eventually expose one of the most astonishing murder conspiracies in modern true crime history. 🎙️ Hosted by Carolyn Ossorio Presented by Evio Creative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 14 · 30 min
E|190 The Pike County Massacre - Part One
Criminal Mischief The Piketon Massacre: Bloodline (Part One) On the morning of April 22, 2016, the quiet farming community of Piketon, Ohio awoke to one of the most shocking murder scenes in modern American history. Eight members of the Rhoden family, spanning multiple generations, were found executed across four separate homes in a rural corner of Pike County. Some were discovered in their beds. Others had been shot at close range while sleeping. Three young children—including an infant just days old—were found alive inside the homes, somehow spared while nearly everyone around them had been systematically murdered. It was a crime scene unlike anything investigators had ever encountered. In this opening chapter of our multi-part investigation, Carolyn Ossorio takes you back to those first chaotic hours through original police interviews, emergency dispatch recordings, and courtroom testimony, reconstructing the terrifying discovery exactly as investigators experienced it. Who found the victims? How could eight members of the same family be murdered in a single night without anyone hearing—or stopping—it? And why did detectives immediately suspect this wasn't simply a murder... ...but an execution? Part One follows investigators as they identify each victim, piece together the timeline of the killings, and begin searching for a killer—or killers—who have vanished into the hills of southern Ohio. By the end of this episode, the victims have names. The crime scenes have been documented. But the people responsible remain free. In This Episode • The quiet rural community of Pike County before the murders. • The first 911 calls and the discovery of the victims. • Police body camera audio, interviews, and courtroom recordings. • The lives of the eight Rhoden family members. • Why investigators immediately believed the murders were carefully planned. • The first hours of one of the largest homicide investigations in Ohio history. Part Two continues the investigation as detectives begin uncovering motives, family conflicts, and a custody battle that would eventually expose one of the most astonishing murder conspiracies in modern true crime history. 🎙️ Hosted by Carolyn Ossorio Presented by Evio Creative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 7 · 29 min
E|189 Deal With The Devil (Bonus)
Criminal Mischief: The Monkey's Paw Some stories entertain. Some stories linger. And a very rare few change the course of horror forever. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio narrates one of the most influential horror stories ever written: The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs. First published in 1902, The Monkey's Paw introduced generations of readers to one of literature's most terrifying ideas—that every wish comes with a price. What begins as a simple family gathering around the fireplace slowly transforms into an unforgettable meditation on fate, grief, and the dangerous temptation to change what should never be changed. Its influence stretches across more than a century of popular culture, inspiring countless novels, films, television episodes, and perhaps most famously, Stephen King's Pet Sematary. Join Carolyn as she brings this timeless Gothic classic to life in a dramatic reading that reminds us why some stories never grow old... because the fears they explore never disappear. Sometimes the greatest horror isn't receiving exactly what you wished for. It's realizing the cost after it's too late. Follow Criminal Mischief 🎙️ Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you listen to podcasts. ⭐ If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review—it helps other true crime and mystery fans discover us. 📺 Watch exclusive video content and more original series on the Evio Creative YouTube channel. 📧 Have a case, mystery, or historical story you'd like Carolyn to investigate? We'd love to hear from you at mailto:info@eviocreative.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 7 · 41 min
E|189 Deal With The Devil
Criminal Mischief: The Monkey's Paw Some stories entertain. Some stories linger. And a very rare few change the course of horror forever. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio narrates one of the most influential horror stories ever written: The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs. First published in 1902, The Monkey's Paw introduced generations of readers to one of literature's most terrifying ideas—that every wish comes with a price. What begins as a simple family gathering around the fireplace slowly transforms into an unforgettable meditation on fate, grief, and the dangerous temptation to change what should never be changed. Its influence stretches across more than a century of popular culture, inspiring countless novels, films, television episodes, and perhaps most famously, Stephen King's Pet Sematary. Join Carolyn as she brings this timeless Gothic classic to life in a dramatic reading that reminds us why some stories never grow old... because the fears they explore never disappear. Sometimes the greatest horror isn't receiving exactly what you wished for. It's realizing the cost after it's too late. Follow Criminal Mischief 🎙️ Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you listen to podcasts. ⭐ If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review—it helps other true crime and mystery fans discover us. 📺 Watch exclusive video content and more original series on the Evio Creative YouTube channel. 📧 Have a case, mystery, or historical story you'd like Carolyn to investigate? We'd love to hear from you at mailto:info@eviocreative.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 30 · 32 min
E|188 Unfathomable (Bonus)
Criminal Mischief The Zizians: Murder in the Name of the Future On New Year's Eve 2022, Richard and Rita Zajko were found shot to death inside their quiet Pennsylvania home. For years, investigators struggled to piece together what happened. Then, prosecutors made a stunning announcement: the couple's own daughter, Michelle "Jamie" Zajko, had been charged with orchestrating the murders, allegedly with help from others connected to an enigmatic group known as the Zizians. Who are the Zizians? They're not a traditional cult. They aren't driven by religion or ancient prophecy. Instead, investigators describe them as a loosely connected group of exceptionally intelligent young people—many with backgrounds in mathematics, computer science, and Silicon Valley's rationalist movement—whose increasingly extreme beliefs centered on artificial intelligence, veganism, animal rights, and the conviction that humanity stood on the brink of catastrophe. According to authorities, the Zizians have now been linked to a series of violent crimes spanning multiple states, including the Pennsylvania murders, a deadly attack on a California landlord, the subsequent killing of another group member, and a fatal 2025 shootout in Vermont that claimed the life of a U.S. Border Patrol agent. Prosecutors allege the group's members became increasingly isolated, radicalized, and willing to embrace violence in pursuit of their beliefs. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio examines one of the strangest criminal investigations in recent memory. How did a community of brilliant young thinkers evolve into a network allegedly connected to multiple homicides? What role did charismatic leadership, ideological extremism, and fear of emerging technology play in shaping the group's worldview? And what evidence convinced investigators that the murders of Richard and Rita Zajko were not an isolated family tragedy, but part of a much larger and deeply disturbing story? Drawing from court filings, investigative reporting, and statements from law enforcement, Carolyn separates documented facts from online speculation, exploring both the Pennsylvania double homicide and the broader investigation into the Zizians' activities across the United States. This isn't simply the story of a murder investigation. It's the story of what can happen when intelligence becomes isolation, ideology hardens into certainty, and a shared fear of the future turns into something far more dangerous. Have thoughts on this case? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at ⁠info@eviocreative.com⁠. Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts, and if you're enjoying the show, please leave a rating and review. It helps others discover the stories behind the headlines. Follow Criminal MischiefInstagram, TikTok & Facebook: @criminalmischiefpod Watch on YouTubeFind full episodes, clips, and exclusive content on the Evio Creative YouTube Channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 30 · 28 min
E|188 Unfathomable
Criminal Mischief The Zizians: Murder in the Name of the Future On New Year's Eve 2022, Richard and Rita Zajko were found shot to death inside their quiet Pennsylvania home. For years, investigators struggled to piece together what happened. Then, prosecutors made a stunning announcement: the couple's own daughter, Michelle "Jamie" Zajko, had been charged with orchestrating the murders, allegedly with help from others connected to an enigmatic group known as the Zizians. Who are the Zizians? They're not a traditional cult. They aren't driven by religion or ancient prophecy. Instead, investigators describe them as a loosely connected group of exceptionally intelligent young people—many with backgrounds in mathematics, computer science, and Silicon Valley's rationalist movement—whose increasingly extreme beliefs centered on artificial intelligence, veganism, animal rights, and the conviction that humanity stood on the brink of catastrophe. According to authorities, the Zizians have now been linked to a series of violent crimes spanning multiple states, including the Pennsylvania murders, a deadly attack on a California landlord, the subsequent killing of another group member, and a fatal 2025 shootout in Vermont that claimed the life of a U.S. Border Patrol agent. Prosecutors allege the group's members became increasingly isolated, radicalized, and willing to embrace violence in pursuit of their beliefs. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio examines one of the strangest criminal investigations in recent memory. How did a community of brilliant young thinkers evolve into a network allegedly connected to multiple homicides? What role did charismatic leadership, ideological extremism, and fear of emerging technology play in shaping the group's worldview? And what evidence convinced investigators that the murders of Richard and Rita Zajko were not an isolated family tragedy, but part of a much larger and deeply disturbing story? Drawing from court filings, investigative reporting, and statements from law enforcement, Carolyn separates documented facts from online speculation, exploring both the Pennsylvania double homicide and the broader investigation into the Zizians' activities across the United States. This isn't simply the story of a murder investigation. It's the story of what can happen when intelligence becomes isolation, ideology hardens into certainty, and a shared fear of the future turns into something far more dangerous. Have thoughts on this case? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at info@eviocreative.com. Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts, and if you're enjoying the show, please leave a rating and review. It helps others discover the stories behind the headlines. Follow Criminal Mischief Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @criminalmischiefpod Watch on YouTube Find full episodes, clips, and exclusive content on the Evio Creative YouTube Channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 23 · 41 min
E|187 The Red Notebook (Bonus)
Criminal Mischief The Murder of a CEO: The Luigi Mangione Case On the morning of December 4, 2024, the chief executive officer of one of America's largest health insurance companies stepped onto a Manhattan sidewalk and was gunned down in what authorities would later describe as a targeted assassination. The shooting shocked the nation. The victim was a powerful healthcare executive whose company had become a lightning rod for criticism from patients, doctors, and advocacy groups frustrated by denied claims, rising costs, and the complexities of the American healthcare system. But what happened next stunned investigators even more. As police launched a nationwide manhunt, the alleged gunman—26-year-old Luigi Mangione—quickly became one of the most polarizing criminal suspects in recent memory. While law enforcement pursued a murder investigation, a growing online movement began portraying Mangione as something entirely different: a folk hero, an avenger, even a symbol of public anger toward an industry many Americans believe has failed them. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio examines the crime that ignited a national debate. Who was Luigi Mangione? What led authorities to identify him as the prime suspect? What evidence connected him to the shooting? And why did a murder case become a cultural flashpoint that exposed deep divisions in the way Americans view healthcare, corporate power, and justice itself? Through court documents, investigative reporting, and the facts established by law enforcement, Carolyn separates the online mythology from the actual case, tracing the events leading up to the shooting, the nationwide search that followed, and the legal battle that continues to unfold. This is not just the story of a homicide. It's the story of a country arguing with itself. Because sometimes the most revealing criminal cases aren't the ones that unite us in outrage. They're the ones that force us to confront why some people feel outrage in the first place. Have thoughts on this case? Email us at mailto:info@eviocreative.com. Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts, and if you're enjoying the show, please leave a rating and review. It helps others discover the stories that continue to shape our world long after the headlines fade. Instagram: @criminalmischiefpod TikTok: @criminalmischiefpod Facebook: @criminalmischiefpod Watch clips and exclusive content on the Evio Creative YouTube Channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 23 · 24 min
E|187 The Red Notebook
Criminal Mischief The Murder of a CEO: The Luigi Mangione Case On the morning of December 4, 2024, the chief executive officer of one of America's largest health insurance companies stepped onto a Manhattan sidewalk and was gunned down in what authorities would later describe as a targeted assassination. The shooting shocked the nation. The victim was a powerful healthcare executive whose company had become a lightning rod for criticism from patients, doctors, and advocacy groups frustrated by denied claims, rising costs, and the complexities of the American healthcare system. But what happened next stunned investigators even more. As police launched a nationwide manhunt, the alleged gunman—26-year-old Luigi Mangione—quickly became one of the most polarizing criminal suspects in recent memory. While law enforcement pursued a murder investigation, a growing online movement began portraying Mangione as something entirely different: a folk hero, an avenger, even a symbol of public anger toward an industry many Americans believe has failed them. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio examines the crime that ignited a national debate. Who was Luigi Mangione? What led authorities to identify him as the prime suspect? What evidence connected him to the shooting? And why did a murder case become a cultural flashpoint that exposed deep divisions in the way Americans view healthcare, corporate power, and justice itself? Through court documents, investigative reporting, and the facts established by law enforcement, Carolyn separates the online mythology from the actual case, tracing the events leading up to the shooting, the nationwide search that followed, and the legal battle that continues to unfold. This is not just the story of a homicide. It's the story of a country arguing with itself. Because sometimes the most revealing criminal cases aren't the ones that unite us in outrage. They're the ones that force us to confront why some people feel outrage in the first place. Have thoughts on this case? Email us at mailto:info@eviocreative.com. Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts, and if you're enjoying the show, please leave a rating and review. It helps others discover the stories that continue to shape our world long after the headlines fade. Instagram: @criminalmischiefpod TikTok: @criminalmischiefpod Facebook: @criminalmischiefpod Watch clips and exclusive content on the Evio Creative YouTube Channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 16 · 37 min
E|186 Song Sung Blue (Bonus)
The Highers Brothers: Twenty-Five Years Stolen In 1987, a Detroit drug dealer was murdered. Within months, two brothers—Tommy and Raymond Highers—were convicted of the crime and sentenced to life in prison without parole. They maintained their innocence from the beginning. More than twenty years later, their convictions would be overturned in a case that exposed serious flaws in eyewitness testimony and the criminal justice system. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio examines one of Michigan’s most extraordinary wrongful conviction cases. The Highers brothers entered prison as teenagers and emerged decades later as middle-aged men, having spent more than 25 years incarcerated for a crime they say they never committed. Their road to freedom began in an unexpected place: social media. A Facebook conversation led investigators to witnesses whose accounts challenged the prosecution’s original case, setting in motion a legal battle that would ultimately unravel the convictions. Carolyn explores how eyewitness misidentification, investigative tunnel vision, and the slow pace of justice can alter lives forever. She traces the brothers’ journey from arrest to conviction, through years of appeals, and finally to exoneration—raising difficult questions about accountability, memory, and the cost of wrongful imprisonment. The Highers case has become a landmark example of how modern technology can aid old investigations and how justice, though delayed, can still prevail. But after decades behind bars, one question remains impossible to answer: How do you compensate someone for twenty-five lost years? Join Carolyn as she unpacks a story of resilience, redemption, and a justice system forced to confront its own mistakes. Have thoughts on this case? Email us at info@eviocreative.com. Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts, and if you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review—it helps others discover stories that still demand answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 16 · 58 min
E|186 Song Sung Blue
The Highers Brothers: Twenty-Five Years Stolen In 1987, a Detroit drug dealer was murdered. Within months, two brothers—Tommy and Raymond Highers—were convicted of the crime and sentenced to life in prison without parole. They maintained their innocence from the beginning. More than twenty years later, their convictions would be overturned in a case that exposed serious flaws in eyewitness testimony and the criminal justice system. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio examines one of Michigan’s most extraordinary wrongful conviction cases. The Highers brothers entered prison as teenagers and emerged decades later as middle-aged men, having spent more than 25 years incarcerated for a crime they say they never committed. Their road to freedom began in an unexpected place: social media. A Facebook conversation led investigators to witnesses whose accounts challenged the prosecution’s original case, setting in motion a legal battle that would ultimately unravel the convictions. Carolyn explores how eyewitness misidentification, investigative tunnel vision, and the slow pace of justice can alter lives forever. She traces the brothers’ journey from arrest to conviction, through years of appeals, and finally to exoneration—raising difficult questions about accountability, memory, and the cost of wrongful imprisonment. The Highers case has become a landmark example of how modern technology can aid old investigations and how justice, though delayed, can still prevail. But after decades behind bars, one question remains impossible to answer: How do you compensate someone for twenty-five lost years? Join Carolyn as she unpacks a story of resilience, redemption, and a justice system forced to confront its own mistakes. Have thoughts on this case? Email us at info@eviocreative.com. Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts, and if you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review—it helps others discover stories that still demand answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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