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MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Amanda Wienckowski

When 20-year-old Amanda Wienckowski vanished one night in Buffalo, her mom, Leslie, refused to sit back and wait for answers. She begged police to listen and even parked outside the house where Amanda was last seen — for weeks — hoping her daughter would walk out the front door. What followed would test every ounce of a mother’s strength: a case full of contradictions, silence from the system, and a fight that would stretch on for more than a decade. This is the story of a mother who wouldn’t let the world forget her daughter — no matter how long it takes for justice.  You can track the status of Assembly Bill 8986 at this link: https://legiscan.com/NY/bill/A08986/2025 You can also comment on that site or find a local legislator to champion Leslie’s request for a 20-year extension to Article 78. Find the NY State Assembly Directory here: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/ and please include the bill number when reaching out You can find Sexual Assault resources by texting HOPE to...
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INFAMOUS: A Conversation with JonBenét Ramsey's Father

In November 2024, Ashley Flowers sat down with John Ramsey at his home for a one-on-one conversation about the murder of his daughter, JonBenét Ramsey. In the year since that interview, John has met with the Boulder Police Department and appeared in multiple media outlets, pushing for additional testing in his daughter’s case. Ashley has also continued meeting with people connected to the case, and hopes to one day soon have an update to share. Following Boulder Police’s most recent update on Dec. 12, 2025, it appears more testing is planned and efforts continue to solve the nearly 30-year mystery of who killed JonBenét. John's conversation with Ashley may give us a clue into what items they're looking at testing.   Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit:  https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/infamous-a-conversation-with-john-ramsey/ Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join ...
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SCANDAL: Police Explorer Programs

Law enforcement Explorer programs were created to mentor teens interested in policing. But decades of weak oversight created an environment where officers could manipulate that trust. Some exploited their roles, using their authority to groom, abuse, and silence the very teens they were entrusted to guide. Resources: RAINN – Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network : 24/7 hotline and resources for survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) : Research, education, and tools to support prevention and survivor recovery. Visit nsvrc.org Joyful Heart Foundation : Works to transform the response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, while supporting healing and survivor advocacy. Visit joyfulheartfoundation.org Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline : Confidential support for anyone concerned about child abuse. Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or visit childhelphotline.org ...
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MURDERED: Sandra Birchmore

In 2021, 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore was found dead in her apartment. And what Massachusetts investigators quickly called a suicide slowly revealed itself to be something much more sinister. Because out of the woodwork came friends, family, and co-workers with stories that Sandra had told them about her life. Stories of grooming, sexual abuse, and years of misconduct at the hands of several Stoughton Police officers… which began when she was barely a teenager.  Three officers later resigned from the department. With a 2026 federal trial pending, the whole state has been left to wonder whether Sandra’s death was truly a suicide – as state police continue to maintain – or the end result of something much darker.     🚨The Crime Junkie Holiday Merch Collection is here! 🚨 Shop the exclusive Holiday Collection -- limited-edition merch designed to bring a little CJ cheer to your season. Perfect for gifting (or keeping for yourself). Get it before it’s gone! 🛒✨ Shop the...
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MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Rowena Wilkinson Zapalac

For decades, police said Rowena Wilkinson Zapalac died via suicide by masturbation. But her family always believed there was more to Rowena’s death than met the eye. Could she have been the victim of a serial killer passing through Texas, or could her case be connected to two other women who died in the same small Texas town – all linked to one local man?  If you have any information about the deaths of Rowena Wilkinson Zapalac or Melody Ann Bush, please contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office at (979) 968-5856 or email us at tips@audiochuck.com . Click HERE to view and sign Joleta’s petition asking Fayette County to change Rowena’s manner of death on her death certificate to homicide.     🚨The Crime Junkie Holiday Merch Collection is here! 🚨 Shop the exclusive Holiday Collection -- limited-edition merch designed to bring a little CJ cheer to your season. Perfect for gifting (or keeping for yourself). Get it before it’s gone! 🛒✨ Shop the collection now: h...
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MURDERED: Patrick Shunn & Monique Patenaude

When a couple from Oso, Washington, is discovered missing, it doesn’t take long for detectives to develop a prime suspect. But solving the case, finding their bodies and capturing the killer took approximately 100 days, using a combination of old-school investigative methods and modern forensic tools. Click  HERE to view the footage from SnoHawk 1’s camera, courtesy of the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.   🚨The Crime Junkie Holiday Merch Collection is here! 🚨 Shop the exclusive Holiday Collection -- limited-edition merch designed to bring a little CJ cheer to your season. Perfect for gifting (or keeping for yourself). Get it before it’s gone! 🛒✨ Shop the collection now: http://shop.audiochuck.com/collections/holiday   Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit:  https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/murdered-patrick-shunn-and-monique-patenaude/ Did you know you can listen to...
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INFAMOUS: The Death of John O'Keefe & The Trial of Karen Read

John O’Keefe, a 16-year veteran of the Boston Police Department, died of blunt force trauma and hypothermia on January 29, 2022, after being found on a fellow Boston Police Officer’s front lawn during a blizzard. His girlfriend, Karen Read, is charged with allegedly backing into John with her SUV, and leaving him to die in the cold after a night of drinking. But her defense team poses a different theory – a massive cover-up spanning law enforcement agencies across Massachusetts. Karen’s first case ended in a mistrial on July 1, 2024. Her second trial is set to begin in April 2025. Join us in watching the trial and get daily recaps on Crime Junkie Jury , hosted by Brandi Churchwell, only on YouTube. We know you are following this case as closely as we are, and we can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the second trial!   Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit:  crimejunkiepodcast.com/infamou...
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