Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast

• MYSTERY: Megan Trussell

  In February 2025, 18-year-old CU Boulder freshman Megan Piper Trussell walked out of her dorm and never returned. Six days later, she was found in Boulder Canyon under circumstances that left her family searching for answers. From conflicting timelines and missing belongings to troubling autopsy findings, Megan’s case has raised more questions than it has answered. Despite investigators ruling her death a suicide, her parents believe the truth has yet to be uncovered. If you have information about Megan’s case, call or text 678-636-9771 or email [email protected]. Support the family’s efforts here: gofundme.com/f/support-the-megan-memorial-fund Thank you to this week’s sponsors!  IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text MOMS to 64000.  Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to SkylightCal.com/MOMS.  Join the more than 3 million families who have chosen K12, and empower your student to reach their full potential now There is still time to enroll for this school year! Go to K12.com/MOMS today to find a tuition-free K12-Powered School near you and enroll now.  Check-out bonus episodes up on Spotify and Apple podcast now! Get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus chat episodes, at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast .    To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast.    Listen and subscribe to Melissa’s other podcast, Criminality!! It’s the podcast for those who love reality TV, true crime, and want to hear all the juicy stories where the two genres intersect. Subscribe and listen here: www.pod.link/criminality    Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more.    Sources: https://bouldercounty.gov/news/conclusion-of-investigation-into-the-death-of-megan-trussell/ https://www.beatreecremation.com/obituaries/2025-02-15-megan-trussell https://www.denverpost.com/2025/05/27/megan-trussell-cu-boulder-student-death-canyon-suicide/ https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/megan-trussell-death-parents-challenge-coroner-investigation-conclusion/73-083a7087-816f-4b83-8df7-54137a1ddf10 https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/senator-requesting-attorney-general-create-legislation-megan-trussell-death/73-18881967-7db3-4105-82fa-066ec0f8499b https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/body-matching-description-missing-cu-student-found/73-e4840533-10d2-47e2-8c17-bdefdf278eaf https://bouldercounty.gov/news/update-4-deceased-female-found-near-40-mile-marker-boulder-canyon-dr/ https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/family-of-cu-boulder-student-megan-trussell-says-purse-was-found-ripped-and-shoe-phone-are-still-missing https://weatherspark.com/h/d/3561/2025/2/9/Historical-Weather-on-Sunday-February-9-2025-in-Boulder-Colorado-United-States https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/06/05/janice-marchman-phil-weiser-review-megan-trussell-death/ https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-megan-memorial-fund Interview between Haley and Joe Trussell and Vanessa Diaz  Documents and Records https://www.sundance.org/blogs/sundance-institute-announces-boulder-colorado-as-the-new-home-for-the-sundance-film-festival-beginning-in-2027/  https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/05/20/boulder-offered-34m-to-bring-sundance-film-festival-with-hopes-of-big-economic-return/  https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/07/06/megan-trussells-death-was-ruled-a-suicide-by-boulder-county-her-family-fought-to-have-key-evidence-tested/ 

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• MURDERED: Marilyn Sheppard (The Case Behind "The Fugitive")

  In 1954, Marilyn Sheppard was found murdered in her Bay Village, Ohio home. Her husband, Dr. Sam Sheppard, claimed an intruder was responsible, but the case quickly became a media sensation and one of the most controversial trials in U.S. history. We cover the murder, the investigation, the trial that captivated the nation, the Supreme Court appeal, and the decades of new evidence that continue to spark debate over Sam Sheppard’s guilt or innocence.   Thank you to this week’s sponsors! Maximize your look with minimal effort. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/MOMS for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.   Save 25% on your first month of subscription by going to dosedaily.co/MOMS or entering MOMS at checkout.  We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/MOMS. This deal is not available on their regular website.   Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at Greenlight.com/moms.  Check-out bonus episodes up on Spotify and Apple podcast now! Get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus chat episodes, at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast .    To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast.    Listen and subscribe to Melissa’s other podcast, Criminality!! It’s the podcast for those who love reality TV, true crime, and want to hear all the juicy stories where the two genres intersect. Subscribe and listen here: www.pod.link/criminality    Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more.    Sources: Dr. Sam Sheppard https://www.newspapers.com/image/1161579403/?match=1&terms=Sam%20Sheppard July 5, 1954 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1161579430/ July 5, 1954 https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sheppard/chronology.html (Timeline) Marilyn Reese Sheppard (1923-1954) - Find a Grave Memorial https://www.newspapers.com/image/1061161401/?match=1&terms=Sam%20Sheppard July 5, 1954 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1061161847/?terms=Sam%20Sheppard July 5, 1954 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1161579673/ - July 6, 1954 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1161579693/ July 6, 1954 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1161580320/?terms=%22Dr.%20Samuel%20Sheppard%22 July 8, 1954 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1161580329/?terms=%22Dr.%20Samuel%20Sheppard%22 July 8, 1954 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1061163143/ July 8, 1954 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1061152937/?match=1&terms=%22Dr.%20Samuel%20Sheppard%22 July 23, 1954 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1161580677/?terms=%22Dr.%20Samuel%20Sheppard%22 July 9, 1954 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1161580670/?terms=%22Dr.%20Samuel%20Sheppard%22 July 9, 1954 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1161580688/?terms=%22Dr.%20Samuel%20Sheppard%22 July 9, 1954 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1161581456/?match=1&terms=Susan%20Hayes July 13, 1954 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1061167105/?match=1&terms=Susan%20Hayes July 13, 1954 SHEPPARD MURDER CASE | Encyclopedia of Cleveland History  Sheppard v. Maxwell | 384 U.S. 333 (1966) | Justia U.S. Supreme Court Center  James Neff’s book “The Wrong Man: The Final Verdict on the Dr. Sam Sheppard Murder Case” (Random House, 2001) ACLU of Ohio. (n.d.). Case Summary: Sheppard v. Maxwell. Sheppard v. Maxwell 384 U.S. 333 (1966) - ACLU of Ohio  Sam Sheppard, the inspiration for “The Fugitive,” dies | April 6, 1970 | HISTORY https://www.newspapers.com/image/1161457250/?match=1&terms=Susan%20Hayes Dec 1, 1954 Sam Sheppard | EBSCO Research  https://www.newspapers.com/image/960535986/?match=1&terms=Sam%20Sheppard July 19, 1964 https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetailpre1989.aspx?caseid=300 Dr. Sam's Last Days The Trials of Dr. Sam Sheppard: A Chronology https://www.newspapers.com/image/1097959212/?match=1&terms=The%20Sheppard%20murder%20case%20at%2070%3A%20Terry%20Gilbert July 2024 Dr. Sam Sheppard's Body Exhumed in Bid to Clear Name in Murder - Los Angeles Times Sept. 18, 1997 https://web.archive.org/web/20220306173150/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/05/us/dna-test-absolves-sam-sheppard-of-murder-lawyer-says.html March 5, 1998 Body of Marilyn Sheppard exhumed - UPI Archives Oct. 5, 1999 https://www.famous-trials.com/sam-sheppard/2-sheppard The Dr. Sam Sheppard Trial. https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=7078505068087048302&q=State+v.+Sheppard,+135+N.E.2d+340,+342+(Ohio+1956)&hl=en&as_sdt=2006#r[1] NOVA Online | Killer's Trail | Chronology of a Murder (5) Prejudicial Publicity in Criminal Trials: Bringing Sheppard v. Maxwell Into the Nineties | Office of Justice Programs His father's wrongful conviction became a Hollywood hit. Decades later, Sam Sheppard is learning how to be himself. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0791985/?ref_=nmbio_ov_bk The Marilyn Sheppard Murder of 1954: An Analysis of Evidence.

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• MURDER: Belle Gunness, American Serial Killer

  This week, we’re heading back to the early 1900s to meet Belle Gunness—a seemingly respectable Indiana widow with a dark side and a very well-fed hog pen. Belle used lonely hearts ads to lure wealthy, unattached men to her farm, promising love and companionship but delivering something far more sinister.  Thank you to this week’s sponsors! Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at Greenlight.com/moms.  Feel the difference an extraordinary night’s sleep can make with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollandBranch.com/moms to save 15% and unlock free shipping. Exclusions apply. For a limited time only, new Cash App customers can use our exclusive code to earn some additional cash. For real. Just download Cash App, use our exclusive referral code FAMILY10 in your profile, send $5 to a friend within 14 days, and you’ll get $10 dropped right into your account. Terms apply.  Check-out bonus episodes up on Spotify and Apple podcast now! Get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus chat episodes, at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast .    To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast.    Listen and subscribe to Melissa’s other podcast, Criminality!! It’s the podcast for those who love reality TV, true crime, and want to hear all the juicy stories where the two genres intersect. Subscribe and listen here: www.pod.link/criminality    Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more.   

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• MURDERED: The Billionaire Boys' Club

  In the 1980s, a group of wealthy young men calling themselves the Billionaire Boys Club set out to make millions under the leadership of charismatic con man Joe Hunt. What started as a flashy business-meets-brotherhood venture quickly spiraled into a Ponzi scheme, manipulation, and two brutal murders — one of a fellow scam artist, and another of a wealthy father kidnapped for ransom. Thank you to this week’s sponsors! See thicker, stronger, faster-growing hair with less shedding in just 3-6 months with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code MOMS.  Get organized, refreshed, and back to routine for way less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. Elevate your fall wardrobe essentials with Quince. Go to Quince.com/moms  for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns.  Right now save 20% on your FIRST order and get a free cat toy at PrettyLitter.com/moms. Terms and conditions apply. See site for details. Check-out bonus episodes up on Spotify and Apple podcast now! Get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus chat episodes, at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast .    To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast.    Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more.      Sources: Billionaire Boys Club Bodyguard Admits Slaying in TV Interview May 21, 1993 Free Joe Hunt https://www.newspapers.com/image/402515483/?match=1&terms=%22Billionaire%20boys%20club%22 Feb 3, 1987 HUNT v. PLILER CSP CDC (2003) | FindLaw https://www.newspapers.com/image/402516769/?match=1&terms=%22Billionaire%20boys%20club%22 Feb 4, 1987 https://www.newspapers.com/image/404875828/?match=1&terms=%22Billionaire%20boys%20club%22 Feb 20, 1987 Charges In Famed Death Dropped / Victim's son accused in `billionaire' slaying Nov 7, 2000 Former Billionaire Boy wants drug trial moved | Local News | smdailyjournal.com Oct 21, 2005 Ex-Billionaire Boys Club member sought for vehicular manslaughter | Reuters May 13, 2013 brian eslaminia letter : r/MenendezBrothers https://web.archive.org/web/20160305061613/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/02/07/saga-of-fast-track-group-told-at-trial/41c5b752-dcfe-46db-bb36-c13e6b29531b/ Feb 7, 1987 https://web.archive.org/web/20210804131916/https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a37200506/billonaire-boys-club-joe-hunt-true-story/ original, Sept. 1986, updated Aug 4, 2021 No. 13-56207 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT JOSEPH HUNT, Petitioner-Appellant, v. TIM V. VIRGA, How the 'Billionaire Boys Club' Led to Murder Aug 13, 2106 https://charleyproject.org/case/ronald-george-levin WITNESS SAYS CLUB FOUNDER DIRECTED MURDER OF BEVERLY HILLS MAN - The New York Times 1987 https://web.archive.org/web/20171101155156/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/23/us/murder-conviction-for-club-leader.html A Timeline of the Entire Menendez Brothers Murder Case https://mail.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/young/joe_hunt/11.html https://mail.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/young/joe_hunt/2.html https://mail.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/young/joe_hunt/3.html https://mail.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/young/joe_hunt/4.html https://mail.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/young/joe_hunt/5.html https://mail.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/young/joe_hunt/6.html https://mail.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/young/joe_hunt/7.html https://mail.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/young/joe_hunt/8.html https://mail.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/young/joe_hunt/9.html Joe Hunt, Plaintiff-appellant, v. National Broadcasting Company, Inc.; Itc Productions, Inc.,defendants-appellees, 872 F.2d 289 (9th Cir. 1989) :: Justia The True Story of the Billionaire Boys Club Original 1986, Sept.  The Billionaire Boys’ Club Billionaire Boys Club Founder Convicted Of Murder Is Asking Gov. Brown For Parole - CBS Los Angeles https://www.newspapers.com/image/404116359/?match=1&terms=Dosti Jan 26, 1988 https://www.newspapers.com/image/404116662/?match=1&terms=Dosti https://freejoehunt.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/box-4-rt-volume-53-of-101-pages-7982-8195.pdf.pdf ESLAMINIA v. WHITE (1998) | FindLaw Two BBC members get life in prison - UPI Archives Billionaire Boys Club’s Joe Hunt seeks cut in life sentence | News, Sports, Jobs - Times Republican The Billionaire Boys Club Podcast Tells a Twisted Tale of Greed, Murder and 1980s Excess August 3, 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom 1303 10th Street, Suite 1173 Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: Joe Hunt https://www.newspapers.com/image/402980517/?match=1&terms=James%20Pittman https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iAYqAAAAIBAJ&pg=6928,221426 https://ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov/details?cdcrNumber=D6186 https://freejoehunt.com/reward/

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• Charles Ponzi: The Original Scammer

    In this episode of Moms and Mysteries, we’re diving into the outrageous life and legendary lies of Charles Ponzi, the man whose name is now forever linked to financial fraud. Long before Bernie Madoff or crypto bros with ring lights, Ponzi was out here in the 1920s promising 50% returns in just 45 days… and somehow, people bought it. Thank you to this week’s sponsors! Elevate your fall wardrobe essentials with Quince. Go to Quince.com/moms for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.  And right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping.  text MOMS to 64000.  Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Join the more than 3 million families who have chosen K12, and empower your student to reach their full potential now. ! Go to K12.com/MOMS today to find a tuition-free K12-Powered School near you and enroll now.  Check-out bonus episodes up on Spotify and Apple podcast now! Get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus chat episodes, discord access and zoom hangouts at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast .    To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast.    Listen and subscribe to Melissa’s other podcast, Criminality!! It’s the podcast for those who love reality TV, true crime, and want to hear all the juicy stories where the two genres intersect. Subscribe and listen here: www.pod.link/criminality    Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more.      SOURCES  "Charles Ponzi - Scheme, Movie & Wife." Biography.com. Charles Ponzi - Scheme, Movie & Wife.  "Charles Ponzi | EBSCO Research Starters." EBSCO. Charles Ponzi | EBSCO Research Starters.  "Charles Ponzi's immortal financial scam : Planet Money : NPR." NPR. Charles Ponzi's scheme : Planet Money. "Ponzi Schemes | Investor.gov." Investor.gov. Ponzi Schemes | Investor.gov.  "Ponzi's Scheme: The True Story of a Financial Legend - Mitchell Zuckoff - Google Books." Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=RshbAA3v1kUC&oi=fnd&pg=PR11&dq=Charles+Ponzi+biography&ots=YztbTNhuie&sig=Ub0G9PJ3QpUqviwot3o5yGsNigI.

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