Cari Farver | The Disappearance, the Texts, and the Woman Who Wouldn’t Let Go (Part 1)

Who Killed Stephanie Wasilishin? (CrimeCon Live)

Jun 4, 202658 minSummary

In this live recording from CrimeCon, the hosts of Crime Weekly examine the 1993 death of 32-year-old Stephanie Wasilishin in Sedona, Arizona. Joined by the victim’s daughter, Nikki, the discussion centers on the suspicious circumstances surrounding the night Stephanie was killed. At the time of the incident, Stephanie lived with her boyfriend, Russell Peterson, and her two young daughters. While Peterson claimed the shooting was an accident occurring during a struggle over a firearm, the investigation revealed significant inconsistencies in his story, ranging from claims of self-defense to the suggestion of suicide. The episode highlights critical failures in the initial police investigation, particularly the dismissal of forensic evidence—such as the trajectory of the wound and gunshot residue patterns—which contradict the possibility of a self-inflicted shot. Furthermore, the hosts analyze the motive, detailing how Stephanie had recently reconciled with her ex-partner and planned to leave Peterson. With emotional testimony from Nikki, who has spent decades seeking accountability, the hosts provide a professional perspective on the potential for an investigative grand jury and why the case remains a troubling example of inaction.

Cari Farver | The Hoax That Hid a Murder (Part 2)

May 22, 20261h 28mSummary

In this episode of Crime Weekly, hosts Stephanie Harlow and Derek Levasser continue their deep dive into the complex and chilling case of Cari Farver. Following her disappearance in November 2012, the investigation takes a bizarre turn as local authorities and Cari’s mother, Nancy, receive strange text messages from Cari’s phone. While law enforcement initially suspects that Cari is merely avoiding her responsibilities, her family knows the messages are out of character, especially given her deep devotion to her son and her father. The hosts analyze how a woman named Shaina Liz Goyler became central to the investigation by claiming that she and her boyfriend, Dave Krupa, were being stalked by a vengeful Cari. The discussion highlights how Liz successfully manipulated the police and Dave by feeding them a narrative of harassment, all while using that drama to tighten her grip on Dave. As the case unfolds, the hosts criticize the investigative failures that allowed a likely perpetrator to continue a reign of terror, pointing out the red flags that were overlooked during this critical period.

Mackenzie Shirilla | New Netflix Doc ‘The Crash’ Reignites Debate

May 20, 202647 minSummary

In this episode of Crime Weekly, hosts Derek Labasser and Stephanie Harlow analyze the tragic and highly debated 2022 case of Mackenzie Shirilla. The incident occurred in Strongsville, Ohio, when seventeen-year-old Shirilla drove her car into a brick wall at over 100 miles per hour, killing her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, and his friend, Davion Flanagan. While Shirilla survived the crash and was subsequently convicted of murder in a bench trial, the circumstances leading up to the impact remain a subject of intense public scrutiny, further fueled by a recent documentary. The hosts delve into the critical evidence, including the car’s event data recorder, which revealed that the accelerator was held at 100% capacity and the brakes were never applied. They discuss the prosecution's theory of intentionality, contrasting it with the defense's later, rejected claims of a potential medical emergency. The conversation also explores the problematic dynamics of the victims' and perpetrator’s personal lives, allegations of manipulation, and the chilling surveillance footage of the car's final moments. Throughout the episode, the hosts scrutinize the investigation and the legal outcome, highlighting the enduring questions surrounding Shirilla's state of mind and the tragic loss of two young lives.

Athena Strand's Killer Sentenced to Death

May 13, 202620 minSummary

In this episode of Crime Weekly, hosts Derek Lavasser and Stephanie Harlow discuss the legal conclusion of a tragic case that captured national attention: the 2022 kidnapping and murder of seven-year-old Athena Strand. The hosts recount the details of the crime, noting that the perpetrator, a delivery driver named Tanner Horner, initially misled investigators before eventually pleading guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping. Following the conclusion of the penalty phase in May 2026, Horner was sentenced to death. Beyond the legal outcome, the hosts engage in a somber discussion regarding the nature of justice and the lingering trauma experienced by the victim's family. They reflect on the impossibility of true closure and the inherent lack of balance in the punishment compared to the suffering endured by the child. The episode shifts toward a practical discussion about home safety and the risks associated with the modern prevalence of home deliveries. The hosts emphasize the importance of parental vigilance and suggest that this horrific tragedy serves as a necessary, albeit painful, reminder to prioritize the safety and constant supervision of children in an unpredictable world.

Brandy Hall | The Backpack in the Canal and the Skid Steer in the Yard (Part 3)

May 8, 20261h 18mSummary

In the third and final installment of their series on the disappearance of Brandy Hall, the hosts of Crime Weekly explore the chilling, secondary discovery of her personal belongings in a canal near Vero Beach, Florida. Nearly a year after Hall vanished in 2006, teenagers discovered a camouflage backpack containing her address book, pornographic DVDs, erection cream, and heavy metal squares. The hosts analyze the suspicious nature of these items—speculating that the backpack served as a rendezvous kit for Hall’s long-term affair with fire captain Randall Richmond—and question why the bag appeared in the canal only after it had been drained. The episode delves into the inconsistencies in Richmond’s statements, particularly his refusal to explain why his radio was active at 12:30 AM on the night of the disappearance, a move the hosts argue suggests he was not at his station as claimed. By examining the recovery of these items, including a separate, older firefighter helmet found nearby, the hosts weigh the likelihood of targeted, human intervention intended to dispose of evidence or mislead investigators.