370. Bloodlines: The Murder of Yara Gambriasio

Thank you to Fabi, our fantastic tour guide in Italy, for suggesting this case. I apologize in advance for any mispronunciations.

When 13-year-old Yara Gambirasio vanished on a freezing November night in Brembate di Sopra, it kicked off a heartbreaking search that ended months later in a desolate field.

What started as a devastating local tragedy snowballed into an absolutely unprecedented investigation. Investigators tested the DNA of twenty-two thousand people: a massive undertaking that accidentally blew the lid off decades of deeply buried family secrets across northern Italy. At the same time, authorities hunted down "Unknown 1" and eventually arrested Massimo Bossetti.

Even now, the lingering forensic questions make some wonder if justice was actually served.

Join Jen and Cam as they unravel the twisted genetic mystery of Bloodlines: The Murder of Yara Gambirasio.

Our team:

Listener Discretion by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Edward October ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Research & Writing by Lauretta Allen

Executive Producers Nico & Jesse of⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Inky Pawprint⁠⁠⁠

Sources:

⁠The murder that has obsessed Italy | Italy | The Guardian⁠ (excellent, full detailed article)

⁠Murder of Yara Gambirasio - Wikipedia⁠

⁠DNA evidence and family secrets snare Italian child murderer | Italy | The Guardian⁠

⁠A Murder That Shook Italy — Yara Gambirasio | by Sandeep Dahiya | Medium⁠

⁠The Yara Gambirasio case: Combining evidence in a complex DNA mixture case - ScienceDirect⁠

⁠https://youtu.be/dCCCly69C-E?si=qMECDKDyiF0mdotq⁠

Netflix: Beyond Reasonable Doubt (is a five-episode breakdown of the case. It leans very much in the direction that Massimo is innocent.)

⁠Jul 27, 2014, page 6 - The Bulletin at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Jan 20, 2015, page 22 - Belfast Telegraph at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Jan 17, 2015, page T8-01 - Irish Independent at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠https://youtu.be/gUXmoYYMDT8?si=7mWnM9UL0UuOBiMH⁠

⁠Lombardy - Wikipedia⁠

⁠Brembate di Sopra - Wikipedia⁠

⁠Northern Italy Vs Southern Italy Culture Guide 2024 - DID SOMEONE SAY ITALY⁠

⁠The Murder Mystery Solved by DNA From the Back of a Postage Stamp - Newsweek⁠

⁠Yara Gambirasio: Most Expensive Murder Investigation in Italian History - HubPages⁠

⁠The Unyielding Claim of Innocence⁠

⁠Chimera (genetics) - Wikipedia⁠

⁠YARA GAMBIRASIO - A MYSTERIOUS PREDATOR and the SECRET of the church⁠

⁠Yara case, Saviano: "They have never investigated the company of the boss's son, disturbing"⁠

369. From Fiction to Fatal: William Savage & Patsy Byers

 In Oklahoma, the Edmondson family was royalty.

For decades, the Edmondson name had been synonymous with public service, integrity, and leadership. Some people even called them "the Kennedys of Oklahoma."

It was because, generation after generation, they answered the call to serve.

Sarah's grandfather served in the United States Congress. Her great-uncle was both the governor of Oklahoma and, later, a U.S. senator. Her uncle served as the state's attorney general. And her father, Jim Edmondson, would become a justice on the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Their reputation had been built on a deep commitment to the people of Oklahoma. The Edmondsons weren't known for scandal.

And then came Sarah.

Join Jen and Cam as we discuss ‘From Fiction to Fatal: William Savage & Patsy Byers.’

Shout out to Jason P, who suggested the episode!

Promo from our friend Chris at  They’re Not Shadows notshadowspodcast@gmail.com

Listener discretion is by @octoberpodVHS

Music and editing by @theinkypawprint

Sources: 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2773056/

⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_Born_Killers_copycat_crimes⁠

⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_E._Edmondson⁠

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/09/10/cold-blood/82d33fa3-5700-4585-bfc1-858e2dea9d4f/

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-25-ls-49759-story.html

https://pardonletter.wordpress.com/category/sarah-edmondson/

https://www.rcfp.org/judge-dismisses-natural-born-killers-incitement-case/

https://law.justia.com/cases/louisiana/first-circuit-court-of-appeal/1998/97-ca-0831.html

https://www.yahoo.com/news/crime-rewind-natural-born-killers-205200935.html

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/la-supreme-court/1455991.html

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2010/05/20/sarah-edmondson-to-serve-parole-in-oklahoma/61245352007/

https://ew.com/article/1999/08/06/natural-born-killers-creates-controversy/

https://web.archive.org/web/20081206030915/http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=3962

⁠https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-25-ls-49759-story.html⁠

https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1217642.stm

Special: The Mysterious Death of Ricky McCormick with Dean & Laura from The Family Plot

 In this special episode, Cam and Jen join forces with Dean and Laura from The Family Plot to unravel the haunting mystery of Ricky McCormick.

When Ricky McCormick’s body was discovered in a remote Missouri field in 1999, it seemed like a standard missing person case gone wrong.

However, the discovery of two encrypted, handwritten notes in his pockets turned an already baffling death into one of the most persistent puzzles in modern forensics. Despite being subjected to some of the finest cryptanalysts at the FBI, the meaning of these codes remains locked away, fueling decades of speculation about what really happened to him.

Join us as we examine the evidence, the dead ends, and why this cryptic case continues to haunt investigators today.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Dean and Laura’s podcast, ⁠The Family Plot.⁠ Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Music by Nico Fyffe-Vettese. 

Editing by Jesse Fyffe-Vettese. Check them out: ⁠The Inky Paw Print⁠

368.The Boogeyman of Melbourne: Mr Cruel

 On August 22nd, 1987, a man wearing a balaclava broke into a home in Lower Plenty, Australia. After tying up the parents and their young son, he brutally assaulted their eleven-year-old daughter. Then, he did something truly chilling: he made himself a snack, sat down, and ate it, leaving the family tied up and traumatized in the other rooms.

This monster, who would eventually be dubbed “Mr. Cruel” by the media, was just getting started.

He went on to terrorize the suburbs of Melbourne, executing highly planned child abductions that sparked one of the largest police investigations in Australian history. Then, just as suddenly as he arrived, he vanished.

This case is still open. If you have any information on these abductions, please contact the Melbourne Police. Or Crimestoppers 

Phone Number (Within Australia): 1800 333 000

Website (For international listeners or online tips): crimestoppersvic.com.au

Join Jen & Cam as they dive into the details behind 'The Boogeyman of Melbourne: Mr Cruel.' 

Our team:

Listener Discretion by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Edward October ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Research & Writing by Lauretta Allen

Executive Producers Nico & Jesse of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Inky Pawprint⁠⁠

Sources:

https://youtu.be/ArIl4189jDw?si=RpwZGMKgwfzv_cmg

https://youtu.be/Jaq001Evc_c?si=CxsMwY8U6CL-_1pb

Apr 14, 1992, page 5 - The Age at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

Mr Cruel - Wikipedia

Chilling new evidence in harrowing ‘Mr Cruel’ investigation | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site for latest headlines

Major breakthrough in Melbourne’s notorious ‘Mr Cruel’ case - Starts at 60

A new profile of Mr Cruel, who may have been a burglar before he was a killer

Mr. Cruel: The Australian Serial Kidnapper Still at Large

Aug 29, 1987, page 5 - The Age at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

Dec 29, 1988, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Dec 28, 1988, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

Dec 31, 1988, page 2 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Dec 30, 1988, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Dec 29, 1988, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Dec 28, 1988, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Jul 06, 1990, page 4 - The Age at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

Jul 05, 1990, page 3 - The Sydney Morning Herald at Newspapers.com™

Jul 07, 1990, page 5 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Apr 16, 1991, page 3 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Jul 07, 1990, page 4 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Apr 15, 1991, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Jul 05, 1990, page 7 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Jul 21, 1990, page 17 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Jul 07, 1990, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Apr 21, 1991, page 5 - The Age at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

Apr 17, 1991, page 9 - The Sydney Morning Herald at Newspapers.com™

Apr 30, 1991, page 3 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Apr 29, 1991, page 3 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

May 27, 1991, page 8 - The Sydney Morning Herald at Newspapers.com™

Apr 15, 1991, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Apr 20, 1991, page 1 - The Sydney Morning Herald at Newspapers.com™

Apr 24, 1991, page 10 - The Sydney Morning Herald at Newspapers.com™

Apr 11, 1992, page 20 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

May 29, 1992, page 18 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

May 11, 1992, page 5 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

May 17, 1992, page 3 - The Age at Newspapers.com™ 

 Jan 29, 1995, page 2 - The Age at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

 

Cheers to 10 Years! The Ultimate Celebration Tour 2028

 

Our True Crime Podcast is officially kicking off its

10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION TOUR

We are heading to

Belgium • Netherlands • Luxembourg

July 8-19 2028

Our True Crime Podcast is turning 10 in 2028, and we want to celebrate this milestone with the very people who made it possible—you! We are so excited to bring our community together for an unforgettable anniversary getaway.

We’re heading to the heart of Europe to swap stories and make memories together. From the storybook canals of Bruges and Amsterdam to the breathtaking, cliffside charm of Luxembourg, a dream itinerary that is all about culture, connection, and celebrating our community.

We would love for you to be part of this special anniversary experience!

Some highlights from the tour:

• Belgium: Indulge in world-class Belgian chocolates, fresh waffles, and famous abbey beers while wandering the magical medieval streets of Bruges and Brussels.

• The Netherlands: Raise a glass on a private evening canal cruise through Amsterdam, explore vibrant historic towns, and take in the iconic windmills.

If you book the extension

Luxembourg: Toast to 10 years overlooking the breathtaking, fairytale valleys and clifftop castles of Luxembourg City's Old Town.

Travel in Comfort & Style:

• 🏨 Beautiful, hand-selected boutique hotels

• 🚌 Private, seamless ground transportation

• 🗺️ An expert, 24/7 Local Tour Director handling every detail

• 🥐 Daily breakfast, celebratory regional dinners, and exclusive tastings

• 🔒 Lock in 2028 pricing early with flexible, interest-free monthly payment plans

We can’t wait to make a toast to the next 10 years and make new memories with you!

This is a once-in-a-decade celebration, and spots are strictly limited to keep the group intimate and fun. Let’s make some lifelong memories together!

Book by July 20th, 2026, and SAVE $150!

Nervous about booking?

Cam and possibly Jen are hosting a Zoom meeting to answer all your questions. RSVP by clicking HERE

Reserve Your Spot at the Party:

👉 CLICK HERE to view pricing, the day-by-day itinerary, and payment options.

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