Crime Curious

272: The Ranzo Murders

Phil and Kathrine Ranzo were hardworking Modesto California parents to a 10 year old son Mark when their lives were brutally cut short all over the greed of four teenage boys.
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 Music By: Michael Drzewiecki
 Cover Art By: Charnell 
A162633.PDF (ca.gov)
press-release-4-14-2023-Maria.pdf (stanislaus-da.org)
Another participant in the brutal Ranzo murders of 1979 denied parole (turlockjournal.com)
Stanislaus County Convicted Murderer Eligible for Parole (fox40.com)
(6) JUSTICE (NO PAROLE) FOR THE KILLING OF PHIL AND KATHY RANZO | Facebook
Decades after Ranzo murders, family still fights grants of parole | Modesto Bee (modbee.com)
Parole request denied for Marty Spears, ‘mastermind’ of 1979 Ranzo murders - Ceres Courier 

271: The Murder of Adam Chase

Adam Chase loved spending time with his son, his family and playing video games. Adam's parents became suspicious when his wife said he walked away from their home after an argument about his addiction to gaming got heated.  When Adam had not returned in 24 hours it was his mother who reported him missing instead of his high school sweetheart, Rose. 
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 Music By: Michael Drzewiecki
 Cover Art By: Charnell
Investigation Discovery’s A body in the basement: Chase and Lies
Rose Chase sentenced for husband's murder (democratandchronicle.com)
Adam Chase Murder: Where is Rose Chase Today? (thecinemaholic.com)
Husband killer Rose Chase featured on 'Snapped' (democratandchronicle.com)
How was Adam Chase's missing case solved after months? Details explored ahead of A Body in the Basement on ID (sportskeeda.com)
Court reversal for woman convicted of killing, dismembering husband in 2012 (13wham.com) 

270: The Crimes of Amy Bishop

Amy Bishop was a Harvard University PhD graduate (and she wanted everyone she met to know it) a mother of four, and University of Alabama Huntsville associate professor. Her life by appearances only seemed perfect. Until one day she opens fire at a staff meeting and kills three of her colleagues execution style, and police are forced to deep dive into Amy's dark past and discover she is responsible for more than just the senseless murder of three innocent people. 
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 Music By: Michael Drzewiecki
 Cover Art By: Charnell 
2010 University of Alabama in Huntsville shooting - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_University_of_Alabama_in_Huntsville_shooting
Amy Bishop: Where is the University of Alabama Mass Shooter Today? (thecinemaholic.com)
Braintree native Amy Bishop's son Seth shot to death in Alabama (patriotledger.com)
A Loaded Gun | The New Yorker
Alabama Woman Sentenced to Life in Prison After Victims Oppose Death Penalty (eji.org)
ID discovery; Deadly Women; Tipping Point. 

269: The Call Girls

Rosemarie Nitribitt was one of Germany's highest paid luxury call girls of her time. When she was found brutally strangled to death with all of her luxurious possessions still in the home, and many high profile clients- police have their work cut out for them to solve the case-and it only gets more complicated two years later when another luxury call girl is found murdered her in her home under similar circumstances. 
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 Music By: Michael Drzewiecki
 Cover Art By: Charnell
WEST GERMANY: Rosie & the New Rich | TIME
Death of a Luxury Call Girl - Rosemarie Nitribitt (Episode 6) | ZDF Studios (zdf-studios.com)
Home - The True Crime Database
Rosemarie Nitribitt - Wikipedia
BEAUTIFUL, BLONDE, AND WEALTHY, THIS GERMAN CALL GIRL MET AN UNTIMELY END (pleasekillme.com)

268: The Careaga Family Murders

Johnny and Christale Careaga were a happy big blended family that enjoyed running multiple businesses together in their community. Unfortunately, Johnny also got himself wrapped up in an illegal business that ended up taking his life, his wife and two of their innocent children as well.
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 Music By: Michael Drzewiecki
 Cover Art By: Charnell 
Kitsap Peninsula - Wikipedia
'We've wanted answers for the last 5 years': 3 suspects in Careaga family murders held without bail (yahoo.com)
Christale Lynn (Agado) Careaga, 37 (kitsapsun.com)
Johnathon Felipe Higgins, 16 (kitsapsun.com)
Hunter Evan Schaap, 16 (kitsapsun.com)
Detectives' investigation links 3 men to murders of Careaga family (kitsapsun.com)
3 found guilty in 2017 quadruple killing of Washington family | AP News
Careaga family murder: Timeline of the investigation and arrests made (fox13seattle.com)
Killers sentenced to life in prison for 2017 quadruple murder | king5.com
Careaga family murders - Wikipedia
Closing arguments begin for 'Bandidos' gang members accused of killing Seabeck family | king5.com

267: Natalia Grace Part Two

Natalia Grace born with a rare form of dwarfism was adopted from a Ukrainian orphanage at the age of 4 but when that adoptive placement did not work out, Natalia was dropped off at a private adoption agency in Florida where she was then adopted by the Barnett family. What ensues over the next several years from 2010-2014 is a series of abuse, manipulation and neglect. This was a heavily requested case (thanks to all who requested it) and although a popular story- one that is bananas enough we just had to dive in!!
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Investigation Discovery released the first three episodes of Natalia’s story in the docuseries, “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace.”  These first three episodes tell the story from the Barnett’s perspective, mainly by Michael Barnett.  Three more episodes were later released from Natalia’s point of view, called “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks.”
Sources
Haasch, Palmer, and Torres, Libby.  “The 7 most…”  Business Insider.  03 Jan 2024.
Vargas, Ramon.  “Six-year-old…” The Guardian.  04 Jun 2023.
Eidell, Lynsey.  “Where is Natalia…”  People.  04 Jan 2024.
Sainez, Brianna.  “What did Natalia…”  Yahoo Entertainment.  30 Jan 2024.
Thomas, Carly.  “Natalia Grace’s adoptive…”  Hollywood Reporter.  10 Jan 2024.
Bradley, Faye.  “Who is Natalia…”  Style Magazine Online.  16 Jan 2024.

266: Natalia Grace Part One

Natalia Grace born with a rare form of dwarfism was adopted from a Ukrainian orphanage at the age of 4 but when that adoptive placement did not work out, Natalia was dropped off at a private adoption agency in Florida where she was then adopted by the Barnett family. What ensues over the next several years from 2010-2014 is a series of abuse, manipulation and neglect. This was a heavily requested case (thanks to all who requested it) and although a popular story- one that is bananas enough we just had to dive in!!
Join Patreon here to binge bonus content! Crime Curious is creating a kick-ass exclusive listener experience | Patreon
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 Music By: Michael Drzewiecki
 Cover Art By: Charnell
 
Investigation Discovery released the first three episodes of Natalia’s story in the docuseries, “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace.”  These first three episodes tell the story from the Barnett’s perspective, mainly by Michael Barnett.  Three more episodes were later released from Natalia’s point of view, called “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks.”
Sources
Haasch, Palmer, and Torres, Libby.  “The 7 most…”  Business Insider.  03 Jan 2024.
Vargas, Ramon.  “Six-year-old…” The Guardian.  04 Jun 2023.
Eidell, Lynsey.  “Where is Natalia…”  People.  04 Jan 2024.
Sainez, Brianna.  “What did Natalia…”  Yahoo Entertainment.  30 Jan 2024.
Thomas, Carly.  “Natalia Grace’s adoptive…”  Hollywood Reporter.  10 Jan 2024.
Bradley, Faye.  “Who is Natalia…”  Style Magazine Online.  16 Jan 2024.

265: Black Sam

This one was a lot of fun to research- sometimes here at crime curious we like to take a break from murder and bring you other crimes....so today we are bringing you the good old fashion crime pirate story of Black Sam Bellamy- his reign as a notorious pirate didn't last long, but he left an impression on history from the Golden Pirate Age.
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 Music By: Michael Drzewiecki
 Cover Art By: Charnell
https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=41&q=Samuel+Bellamy&cvid=9ebb0b76e62445a9ab974607e7e73537&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQABhAMgYIAhAAGEAyBggDEAAYQDIGCAQQABhAMgYIBRAAGEAyBggGEAAYQDIGCAcQABhAMgYICBAAGEDSAQg1MTI5ajBqMagCALACAA&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=DCTS
dc06d8077ea961aJmltdHM9MTcxODMyMzIwMCZpZ3VpZD0wMmM4ZmU2My0yOWUwLTY4ZmItMmY4ZC1lZDEyMjg3MzY5ZDkmaW5zaWQ9NTQ4MA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=02c8fe63-29e0-68fb-2f8d-ed12287369d9&psq=Samuel+Bellamy&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ3Vpbm5lc3N3b3JsZHJlY29yZHMuY29tL25ld3MvMjAyMy8xMS9zYW0tYmVsbGFteS1iZWNhbWUtd29ybGRzLXJpY2hlc3QtcGlyYXRlLWRlc3BpdGUtcnVsaW5nLW9jZWFucy1mb3ItanVzdC10d28teWVhcnMtNzYxNzk4&ntb=1
Flying Gang | Samuel Bellamy (goldenageofpiracy.org)
Home - The True Crime DatabaseWho Was Samuel Bellamy, The Richest Pirate In History? (allthatsinteresting.com)
The Tragic Story Of Black Sam Bellamy And The Witch Of Wellfleet (grunge.com)
Samuel Bellamy - Wikipedia

264: The Murder of Joseph Elwell

Have you ever played the game Bridge? Me either. It looks hard- but Joseph here made quite a name and living for himself on the game. He had it all- a yacht, several houses, cars and lots and lots of women.....his lifestyle came with everything including enemies apparently.
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 Music By: Michael Drzewiecki
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J.B. ELWELL, WHIST EXPERT AND RACE HORSE OWNER, SLAIN; Found Dying by Housekeeper After Being Mysteriously Shot While Reading Letter. VALUABLES NOT TOUCHED Tragedy Follows Theatre Party at Which Victim Was Guest of Walter Lewisohn. WOMEN HAD KEYS TO HOME Police Obtain List of His Visitors but Fail to Find Them--Suicide Theory Is Exploded. - The New York Times (nytimes.com)Joseph Bowne Elwell - The True Crime Database JB Elwell
The 'Impossible' Locked Room Killing of Joseph Elwell (frontpagedetectives.com)
Wikipedia
Joseph Bowne “J. B.” Elwell (1873-1920) - Find a Grave Memorial
Book Reviews, Sites, Romance, Fantasy, Fiction | Kirkus Reviews

263: The Murder of Sophie Elliott

Sophie Elliott was a recently graduated 22 year old beautiful woman with a new job and ready to begin her adult life. She recently ended her relationship with 33 year old Clayton Weatherston a university tutor that worked at the same university Sophie had attended. Clayton could not cope with Sophie ending their unhealthy relationship just as she learned she would be moving for her first after college professional job. On his birthday just before Sophie leaves Clayton Weatherston does the unthinkable with Sophie's mother right on the other side of her bedroom door.
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 Music By: Michael Drzewiecki
 Cover Art By: Charnell 
Booker, Jarrod.  “Gruesome details of…”  The  New Zealand Herald.  23 Jun 2009.
Longley, Mark, and Brownlie, Kaysha.  “Sophie Elliott’s mother…” NewsHub.  22 Nov 2022.
Find-a-Grave.  Sophie Kate Elliott. 
Dennett, Kelly.  “A decade on…”  New Zealand Herald.  05 Jan 2018.
Callahan, Caley.  “Father of Dunedin…” NewsHub.  09 Jul 2022.
Murder of Sophie Elliott - Wikipedia
Clayton Weatherston jailed for minimum 18 years | Stuff
Gruesome details of Sophie Elliott killing revealed in court - NZ Herald