Between The Madness - Episode 13 - Caught Red Handed - The Murder of Ariel Cade

Episode 324 - A Million Reasons To Lie - The Strange Death of Kacee Terry

Jun 28, 202658 minSummary

In this episode of The Minds of Madness, the podcast explores the disturbing and tangled death of 38-year-old Kacee Terry, who was found unresponsive in her Utah home in August 2024. For nearly a decade, those closest to Kacee believed she was battling terminal leukemia, a diagnosis that defined her relationships and daily routine. However, after her death, a chilling investigation revealed that Kacee never had cancer. Instead, the case unraveled into a complex web of deception, medical manipulation, and a mysterious reliance on insulin. The hosts examine the bizarre circumstances of Kacee’s final hours, focusing on the presence of her former roommate, Megan, and the alarming data retrieved from a glucometer, which showed Kacee’s blood sugar crashing while someone continued to monitor it without intervening. Through text messages and forensic analysis, the episode investigates a convoluted history between the two women—one marked by fabricated terminal illnesses, imaginary life insurance policies, and mutual suspicion. The discussion highlights the dark realities of Munchausen syndrome and the struggle of investigators to determine whether Kacee’s end was a result of self-inflicted harm, assisted suicide, or cold-blooded murder.

Episode 323 - Au Pair Affair - The Murders of Joseph Ryan and Christine Banfield

Jun 21, 202653 minSummary

The Minds of Madness explores the chilling and complex murders of Joseph Ryan and Christine Banfield in this deep dive into a case that defies typical true crime narratives. The episode dissects the events of February 2023, beginning with what initially appeared to be a straightforward case of home invasion and self-defense in a quiet Virginia suburb. As investigators peeled back the layers of the domestic scene involving IRS agent Brendan Banfield, his wife Christine, and their au pair, Juliana Magalhaes, a far more sinister plot emerged. The narrative reveals how digital deception served as the primary weapon in a cold-blooded murder scheme. Through forensic analysis, detectives uncovered that a BDSM-themed online account was used to catfish Joseph Ryan, luring him to the Banfield home under the guise of a sexual fantasy involving a knife. The investigation suggests this orchestration was designed to provide the perfect cover for a calculated killing. The podcast meticulously tracks the digital footprint and the chilling aftermath of the crime, examining the motive behind the illicit affair and the disturbing reality of a trap set to eliminate a spouse.

Episode 322 - Welded Shut - The Disappearance of Dee Warner

Jun 14, 202652 minSummary

In this episode of The Minds of Madness, the podcast explores the chilling 2021 disappearance of Dee Warner, a 52-year-old mother and successful businesswoman from rural Michigan. After failing to show up for breakfast on a Sunday morning, Dee vanished from her farm, leaving behind her vehicles, her phone, and her nine-year-old daughter. Her husband, Dale Warner, claimed she had embezzled money from their business and fled the country, potentially linking her to a drug cartel. The episode chronicles the frustrations of Dee’s family as they navigate Dale’s suspicious behavior, including his display of her wedding ring shortly after she went missing and his attempts to restrict access to security footage. As the case went cold, Michigan State Police eventually took over, conducting a thorough investigation that systematically debunked Dale’s claims regarding embezzlement and alleged substance abuse. The podcast highlights the intense search efforts led by Dee’s family and the eventual transition of the investigation into a criminal inquiry, providing a detailed look at the psychological manipulation, control, and mounting tensions that preceded Dee’s disappearance.

Between The Madness - Episode 12 - The Devil in the Canyon - What Happened to Jack Berry?

Jun 11, 202634 minSummary

In this episode of The Minds of Madness, the podcast explores the disturbing and tragic case of Jack and Jeremiah Berry, a father and son whose relationship ended in a gruesome crime in the canyons of Cortez, Colorado. When Jack Berry went missing in early 2008, his son Jeremiah initially appeared calm and dismissive, claiming his father had a history of disappearing. However, investigators soon uncovered a complex web of lies, shifting stories, and dark family secrets. As detectives delved deeper, they unearthed a history of extreme abuse, including allegations that Jack, the son of a cult leader, had attempted to indoctrinate Jeremiah into ritualistic violence and cannibalism. Following a psychological breakthrough during interrogation, Jeremiah confessed to shooting and dismembering his father, describing years of torture and a final, traumatic incident that forced his hand. The episode highlights the harrowing psychological toll of surviving such a volatile upbringing. Ultimately, the narrative examines the leniency shown to Jeremiah given his circumstances, and the tragic aftermath, as he took his own life years after the events that forever scarred his existence.

Presenting: The Final Hours with Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole

Jun 9, 20269 minSummary

This episode of The Minds of Madness presents a preview of the investigative series The Final Hours, hosted by Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole. Drawing on their personal experiences with the impact of unsolved disappearances, the hosts examine the moments leading up to a person’s vanishing, focusing on routines, timelines, and subtle shifts that are often overlooked. The featured case concerns Crystal Anne Reisinger, a twenty-nine-year-old mother who disappeared in 2016 in Crestone, Colorado. Crystal, a spiritual seeker drawn to the area’s reputation as a religious hub, had moved there seeking peace and a fresh start. However, the narrative explores the stark contrast between her spiritual aspirations and the darker realities she encountered, including a growing struggle with substance abuse and unsettling shifts in her environment. The hosts detail the period immediately preceding her disappearance, including a chilling premonition Crystal shared shortly before a violent attack on her former partner. By scrutinizing these critical final hours, the hosts aim to shed light on a mystery that continues to haunt those searching for answers about Crystal’s fate.

Episode 321 - Arsenic and Alibis - The Murder of Jake Embert

Jun 7, 202649 minSummary

Episode 321 of The Minds of Madness examines the mysterious 2014 death of Jake Embert, a beloved father and veteran from Albany, Georgia. Initially ruled a suicide, the case was steeped in suspicion from the start, as Jake’s family and friends found it impossible to believe he would take his own life. The narrative follows the persistence of his family, particularly his sister Yvonne and his children, who refused to accept the official story despite the authorities closing the case prematurely. The episode uncovers a dark web of deception surrounding Jake’s wife, Susan, who had married him quickly after they met online. Investigations revealed that Susan was not the nurse she claimed to be and that Jake had been suffering from mysterious, debilitating health issues for months. A breakthrough occurred when private investigator Lee Wilson helped the family secure forensic testing on Jake’s hair, which revealed lethal levels of arsenic and other toxins. The investigation further highlights critical inconsistencies in the crime scene, including manipulated blood patterns and an unnatural positioning of the firearm, suggesting the scene was staged. This gripping account details how a determined family fought to uncover the truth behind a tragic betrayal.

Episode 320 - The Kidnapping Defense - The Murder of Caitlyn Naffziger

May 31, 202651 minSummary

In this episode of The Minds of Madness, the podcast examines the tragic murder of 31-year-old Caitlyn Naffziger and the subsequent manhunt for her former partner, Dustin Duran. The narrative unfolds in Berlin, New Hampshire, where a custody arrangement between the two parents—intended to facilitate a fresh start—turned fatal in February 2024. The hosts explore the events leading up to the shooting, detailing how Dustin, a Marine veteran suffering from PTSD, engaged in a contentious custody battle with Caitlyn. Following the murder, Dustin fled with their two young daughters, prompting a statewide Amber Alert. The episode highlights the pivotal role of vigilant civilians who spotted his vehicle, leading to his peaceful surrender and the safe recovery of the children. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the conflicting perspectives surrounding the crime. While investigators found evidence of a deliberate killing, the defense argues that Dustin acted reflexively under the belief that he was saving his child from being kidnapped. Through this case, the episode delves into the complexities of domestic instability, the psychological impact of military service, and the devastating consequences when custody disputes spiral into violence.

Between The Madness - Episode 11 - A Stepdaughter’s Revenge - The Murder of Tom Merriman

May 28, 202629 minSummary

This episode of The Minds of Madness examines the disturbing death of Tom Merriman, a San Diego beekeeper whose life was cut short in December 2020 by his stepdaughter, Jade Janks. The investigation began when police discovered Merriman’s body discarded under a pile of debris in his own driveway. The narrative reveals a complex, long-standing familial relationship that turned fatal after Janks discovered hundreds of illicit, intimate photos of herself stored on her stepfather’s computer. The podcast details Janks’s frantic and erratic behavior following the discovery, including an attempt to recruit friends to help her move the body, which she referred to as a real-life Weekend at Bernie’s. While the defense argued that Merriman died from an accidental drug overdose and that Janks panicked, the prosecution presented a chilling case of premeditated murder. The episode explores the psychological aftermath of Janks’s actions, the testimonies of those she solicited for help, and the courtroom drama that led to her life sentence. Ultimately, the story highlights the tragic intersection of past trauma, volatile family dynamics, and a violent act of retribution.

Episode 319 - The Witness, The Pilot, and The Murders in Pembroke

May 24, 202653 minSummary

This episode of The Minds of Madness examines the chilling 2015 triple homicide in Pembroke, Kentucky, which left Calvin and Pam Phillips and their neighbor, Ed Donero, dead. The investigation into these rural murders initially stalled for years, leaving the small community unsettled. The breakthrough eventually centered on a high-stakes motive involving a military court-martial. Calvin Phillips had been a key federal witness against his neighbor, Christian Kit Martin, a decorated Army major and pilot. Phillips had turned over evidence to the FBI—including a laptop containing classified information—that threatened to end Martin’s military career. Despite Martin having an alibi and initial forensic evidence appearing inconclusive, the discovery of a military dog tag at the crime scene and other recovered items eventually linked him to the killings. The podcast details the complex web of personal disputes, accusations of abuse, and legal battles that culminated in the arrest of the pilot in 2019. By exploring the victims' lives and the eventual unraveling of the suspect's defense, the episode provides a deep look into how a neighborhood conflict turned into a calculated and devastating tragedy.

Episode 318 - Shampoo and Smoke - The Murder of Tara Baker

May 17, 202659 minSummary

In episode 318 of The Minds of Madness, the podcast explores the tragic 2001 murder of Tara Baker, a law student in Athens, Georgia. The episode details how Baker, a disciplined and organized student, was found dead in her home after a fire was set to conceal the crime. Despite an exhaustive investigation that spanned two decades, police initially found themselves at a standstill, struggling to identify a suspect in a case where traditional forensic evidence was limited and alibis were tight. The episode examines the chilling details of the crime scene and the forensic challenges investigators faced, including the failed attempts to extract usable DNA from the scene at the time. Through interviews with friends and former classmates, the show paints a portrait of Baker’s life, her academic ambitions, and the shock that rippled through the community when her life was stolen just a day before her birthday. Listeners gain insight into the evolution of forensic science and the complexities of cold cases, as the narrative follows the long road to potentially finding a killer who remained hidden for years.