406: Mackenzie’s Dad is SPIRALING, 2nd DNA Sample Found in Anna Kepner & Serial Killer in Mexico?

414: Carnie Calls Decoded: Mean Girl Mackenzie Shirilla Is at It Again | What She Doesn't Want Heard

Jun 25, 202635 minSummary

In this episode of Serialously, host Annie Elise revisits the case of Mackenzie Shirilla, specifically focusing on the mysterious secret language used by Shirilla and her mother during jailhouse phone calls. Many listeners have long questioned the nature of these coded conversations, often speculating that the pair was speaking a form of Pig Latin or secret code. Annie clarifies that the language is actually Carny—a dialect with roots in the carnival circuit—and consults with an expert, immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, who is fluent in the language. Through a series of translated recordings, the podcast reveals that the secret language is not being used to discuss the details of Shirilla’s criminal case or to hide illegal activities. Instead, the translations show that Shirilla frequently uses the dialect to gossip about, criticize, and complain about other inmates and staff members at her facility. The episode highlights how Shirilla’s use of this language serves as a way to vent her frustrations. Ultimately, the discussion suggests that rather than serving as a sophisticated cover-up, the code functions as an extension of Shirilla’s entitled and impatient demeanor.

413: Track Meet Murder: The Full Backstory & Details of Austin Metcalf and Karmelo Anthony

Jun 22, 20261h 13mSummary

In this episode of Serialously, host Annie Elise explores the tragic and polarizing case of seventeen-year-old Austin Metcalf, who was killed at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. The incident began as a verbal dispute over tent space between Austin and another student, Carmelo Anthony. The argument rapidly escalated, resulting in Austin being fatally stabbed in the chest. The episode highlights the harrowing perspective of Austin’s twin brother, Hunter, who witnessed the tragedy firsthand and held his brother as he passed away. Through interviews and insights, the host paints a portrait of Austin as a dedicated athlete, a loving son, and a natural leader whose future was cut short. The discussion also addresses the controversy surrounding the case, including unsubstantiated rumors that Austin had bullied the perpetrator. Family representatives have since clarified that the two boys were strangers prior to the encounter. The podcast examines the legal complexities of the subsequent trial, the suspect’s claims of self-defense, and the devastating impact this senseless act of violence has had on two families and the broader community.

412: Kepner Stepbrother Locked Up, Teen Kills Family With Adult Boyfriend & Alabama CSAM Bunker

Jun 18, 202647 minSummary

In this episode of Serialously, host Annie Elise covers a series of troubling headlines, beginning with a significant update in the case of Anna Kempner. The eighteen-year-old was tragically murdered on a family cruise by her sixteen-year-old stepbrother. After months of public frustration regarding his lack of detention, a federal judge has officially ordered the suspect into custody ahead of his September trial, citing concerns over public safety and his alleged lack of remorse. The episode then shifts to a heartbreaking case out of Colorado, where sixteen-year-old Grace Ryan was found dead due to complications from chronic alcohol abuse. Investigators discovered that Grace and her mother had been drinking and using substances together daily, eventually uncovering over one hundred empty alcohol bottles in the girl's room. The mother has been charged with second-degree murder. Finally, the host discusses a disturbing tragedy in North Carolina, where a sixteen-year-old girl and her twenty-eight-year-old boyfriend were arrested following the murder of the girl’s parents and grandmother. The discussion highlights the dangers of grooming and the manipulative influence of older men on impressionable minors.

411: Part 2: We Have the Footage & Interrogation Netflix Couldn’t Get | Netflix's "Maternal Instinct": Reagan Hancock & Taylor Parker

Jun 15, 20261h 31mSummary

In this episode of Serialously, the host delves into the second part of the disturbing case of Taylor Parker and her murder of Reagan Hancock and her unborn daughter, Braxlan. Following the investigation's focus on the initial deception, this deep dive analyzes law enforcement interrogation footage that highlights Parker’s attempt to paint herself as a victim of a fight gone wrong rather than a calculated killer. The episode scrutinizes the evidence that dismantled her story, including the lack of medical signs of a recent pregnancy and the DNA evidence that disproved her claims. The discussion explores the harrowing trial, where the full extent of Parker’s elaborate, years-long deception—including fake medical records and manufactured online identities—was revealed. The host also examines the sentencing phase, detailing Parker's continued pattern of manipulation and lack of remorse while incarcerated. Drawing on official documents, the episode highlights how Parker’s parents enabled her behavior even after her conviction. This investigation provides a comprehensive look at the evidence presented in court, the psychological manipulation tactics used by the perpetrator, and the devastating impact of these crimes on the victims’ surviving family members.

410: Part 1: She is BEYOND Unhinged! | The Barbaric Case of Reagan Hancock & Taylor Parker

Jun 15, 20261h 3mSummary

In this episode of Serialously with Annie Elise, the host delivers a comprehensive, deep-dive examination of the disturbing case of Taylor Parker and Reagan Hancock. The episode serves as a detailed revisit to a case that gained significant notoriety, offering listeners a thorough look at the events leading up to the tragic murder of Reagan Hancock in 2020. Annie Elise explores the complex web of lies spun by Taylor Parker, who maintained a series of elaborate, bizarre facades—including false claims of oil wealth and multiple orchestrated identities—to manipulate those around her, including her partner Wade Griffin and his family. The discussion highlights the escalation of Parker’s behavior, specifically her obsessive desire to appear pregnant and her calculated targeting of the expectant mother, Reagan Hancock. By leveraging investigative materials, including unedited bodycam footage, 911 calls, and trial exhibits, the host provides a factual account that corrects and expands upon recent dramatizations of the case. This episode focuses on the chilling reality behind the headlines, pulling back the curtain on Parker’s history of deception and the tragic consequences of her actions.

409: Austin Metcalf & Karmelo Anthony, Karen Read Texts & Henry Nowak

Jun 11, 202658 minSummary

In this headline highlights episode of Serialously with Annie Elise, the host and guest Amy O'Brian dive into several major updates from the true crime world. The discussion begins with the legal and personal situation of Josh Duggar. Following the denial of his motion to overturn his conviction, Duggar was unexpectedly transferred to a federal medical center. The hosts analyze the mystery surrounding this move, noting that even his legal team was caught off guard, sparking speculation about his health and safety behind bars. The episode also revisits the controversial death of lifestyle influencer Ashley Robinson in Zanzibar. While authorities recently concluded the case as a suicide based on forensic evidence and messages found on her phone, the hosts engage in a nuanced debate. They weigh the official findings against lingering red flags, such as the timeline of events and the delayed notification to the victim's family, noting that many observers remain unconvinced by the finality of the investigation. Finally, the podcast examines new developments in the Karen Reid case, highlighting disturbing, newly released text messages from lead investigator Michael Proctor that reveal a pattern of deep-seated bigotry and misconduct.

408: A Bloodbath, Baseball Bat & Starbucks Macchiato | The Kelsey Berreth Case

Jun 8, 20261h 16mSummary

In this episode of Serialously, host Annie Elise explores the haunting disappearance of 29-year-old Kelsey Berreth, who vanished from her home in Colorado around Thanksgiving 2018. The investigation highlights a chilling timeline: after last being seen on surveillance footage at a grocery store with her young daughter, Kelsey went silent, leading her concerned parents to contact her fiancé, Patrick Frazee. Annie Elise breaks down the red flags that emerged during the search, including Frazee’s dismissive behavior and inconsistent stories about their relationship. The episode details the unsettling state of Kelsey’s condo, where essential belongings were left behind despite the claim that she had moved away. The discovery of hidden blood evidence—revealed through forensic testing—marked a turning point in the case, shifting it from a missing person report to a suspected homicide investigation. Through a careful reconstruction of phone pings and eyewitness accounts, the podcast examines the disturbing reality of a case where a young mother’s life was abruptly cut short, leaving her family and investigators to uncover the truth behind a facade of normalcy.

407: Mackenzie & Her Dad’s Creepy Texts, Plus Her Weird Jail Calls with Mom | Mackenzie Shirilla

Jun 5, 20262h 20mSummary

In this final deep dive into the Mackenzie Shirilla case, the podcast provides an unfiltered look at the jailhouse correspondence between Shirilla and her mother, Natalie. Moving away from earlier episodes that focused on Shirilla’s peers, this installment highlights how her family members continue to enable her behavior and maintain a distorted perception of the crime. The episode features a series of recorded jail calls that reveal the mother and daughter’s obsession with public perception, social media management, and the comments sections of online forums. Rather than expressing remorse for the lives lost, the conversations show the family strategizing on how to shape the public narrative, manage her digital presence, and discredit those critical of their actions. Additionally, the host examines recent online speculation regarding unsettling text messages between Shirilla and her father, Steve. These communications have sparked widespread rumors about the nature of their relationship and the family dynamic. The episode concludes by analyzing how this ongoing behavior from her parents, coupled with these disturbing revelations, paints a troubling picture of the environment that shaped Shirilla’s actions.

405: Mackenzie Joking with Her Friends While in Jail | Mackenzie Shirilla Jail Calls

Jun 3, 20261h 38mSummary

In this bonus episode of Serialously, host Annie Elise provides a candid look into the Mackenzie Shirilla case by presenting raw, uncut jailhouse phone calls. Moving beyond the surface-level details often featured in media coverage, the host shares these recordings to provide a deeper, more accurate picture of Shirilla’s personality and behavior while incarcerated. The episode features selected conversations between Shirilla and several friends, which the host argues demonstrate a distinct lack of remorse or accountability. Rather than reflecting on the gravity of her situation, the calls capture Shirilla joking about life behind bars, discussing relationships, and trading gossip. The host highlights Shirilla’s dismissive attitude toward others, noting a troubling "mean girl" mentality that persists throughout her conversations. By contrasting the public narrative with these private interactions, the host offers listeners a closer look at the suspect’s mindset. The discussion also touches upon the social media dynamics surrounding the case and the host's ongoing efforts to compile a comprehensive, evidence-based account of the situation, ultimately providing listeners with a raw, unfiltered perspective on the case's most controversial elements.

404: Stalked at the Club & Bleach Poured Down Her Throat | The Case of Mercedes Vega

Jun 1, 20261h 2mSummary

In this episode of Serialously, host Annie Elise explores the chilling and tragic case of 22-year-old Mercedes Vega. In April 2023, investigators were called to a burning vehicle on a remote stretch of highway in Arizona, where they discovered Mercedes’ body in the backseat. The investigation quickly revealed a gruesome reality: Mercedes had been subjected to extreme violence, including blunt force trauma, a gunshot wound, and the horrific detail of having bleach poured down her throat, though her ultimate cause of death was smoke inhalation from the fire. The case focuses on the mystery behind the vehicle itself—a salvaged sedan not owned by the victim—and the abduction that took place in the parking garage of Mercedes’ secure apartment complex. Annie Elise highlights Mercedes’ life, describing her as a determined, kind-hearted young woman who worked as an exotic dancer while pursuing dreams of becoming a personal trainer. The episode emphasizes the importance of intuition and personal safety, noting that Mercedes had been hyper-aware of her surroundings after surviving a previous armed robbery, which made her sudden disappearance all the more alarming to those who loved her.