Advertise on podcast: Legally Brunette

Before he became one of America's most notorious domestic terrorists, Ted Kaczynski was a 16-year-old Harvard prodigy subjected to controversial psychological experiments. Did those experiences help turn a brilliant young man into a killer? Actor David Webster, who stars in Netflix's Unabomber, joins Elisa Donovan to explore the disturbing experiments, Kaczynski's descent into violence, and the unanswered questions surrounding his transformation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seven fraternity brothers accused of sexual assault. A disturbing group chat involving more than 50 frat brothers. And an Ivy League university under fire. Netflix's InstaDoc Jane Doe v. Cornell is sparking outrage, and Elisa Donovan and Jenn Fessler have even more to say about the explosive case. From shocking allegations and a culture of silence to troubling questions about Cornell's handling of the case.Who knew what, who should be held accountable, and how could this happen at one of America's most prestigious universities? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebecca Zahau’s world seemed to crumble when her billionaire boyfriend’s son had a fatal fall under her care… Two days after the accident, Rebecca was found hanging from a balcony, completely naked, with a gag in her mouth and her hands and feet bound.  Does this sound like a suicide to you? That’s what investigators ruled it as. But, Rebecca’s family didn’t buy it. Where does the case stand now, and do we know the truth? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did Charles Manson convince young women to kill for him? Actress Marianne Rendon, who portrayed notorious Manson Family member Susan “Sadie” Atkins in Charlie Says, joins Elisa Donovan to expose the twisted mix of sex, drugs, love bombing and psychological manipulation that transformed seemingly ordinary young women into followers of one of America's most infamous killers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First, Emily and Shane are giving you some updates on Lindsay Clancy and Larry Millete. Will Lindsay Clancy be retried? Is Larry Millete willing to reveal where his wife’s body is? Plus, SFPD officer Kevin Mannix killed his wife and daughter before committing suicide. What led to this psychotic break? What did life look like for this family before tragedy struck? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the biggest threat to college sexual assault victims wasn't just their attackers, but the universities that were supposed to protect them? Jennifer Fessler sits down with Emmy Award-winning producer Amy Ziering to revisit The Hunting Ground, the explosive documentary that exposed the disturbing reality of sexual assault on college campuses and the universities that looked the other way. Amy reveals how repeat offenders were able to continue assaulting women, how fraternity culture helped create environments where predators could thrive, and what happened to the survivors who dared to speak out. She also shares the heartbreaking stories that have stayed with her, why some victims never told their own families, and the backlash that followed those who came forward. More than a decade after the film's release, Amy explains why college rape culture is still a major problem, why progress is being rolled back, and whether universities have really changed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydney Loofe went missing after a Tinder date with a woman she thought could be her dream girl… Who did Sydney actually meet the night of her death? Where do “witches” and “covens” come into play? Why was Sydney their target? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a bomb destroyed Pan Am Flight 103, killing 270 people, it launched one of the largest terrorism investigations in history. And the case still isn't over. Former FBI agent Dick Marquise reveals how investigators tracked down the killers, the secrets behind the investigation, what it was like serving as a consultant on the Netflix series The Bombing of Pan Am 103 and being portrayed by Patrick J. Adams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greer Grammer reveals how Leslie Van Houten went from an ordinary California teenager to a convicted Manson Family killer and shares her surprising personal connection to the woman who participated in the brutal murders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two women in Michael Peterson’s life had a fatal fall down a staircase… Is it a coincidence or alleged murder pattern? The case is much more complicated than you’d think. Is there a possibility that an owl was involved in the death of his second wife? Could infidelity have anything to do with this case? Where is Michael Peterson now? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elizabeth Chambers joins Jennifer Fessler to break down the devastating Haight family murders and the chilling warning signs that preceded the tragedy. Discussing her Investigation Discovery special, Toxic: What Happened in the Haight House?, Elizabeth reveals the controlling behaviors, financial abuse, and red flags that may have been missed before Tausha Haight, her five children, and her mother were killed. She also explains the one assessment she believes everyone should know about, why domestic violence can turn deadly, and what Tausha’s story can teach us about recognizing dangerous relationships before it’s too late. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily and Shane have updates on many of the cases they’ve covered recently…  A man was finally sentenced for his role in Tupac Shakur’s murder, Christa Pike had 10 needles in her arm during her botched execution, Diddy has poor prison behavior, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A New Jersey father of two vanishes, only for his dismembered remains to turn up in three suitcases along the Virginia coast. His wife is convicted of murder, but investigators never establish exactly where the gruesome dismemberment took place. How could someone commit such a horrific crime without leaving behind an obvious bloody crime scene? Actor and attorney Michael Roark joins Elisa to examine the disturbing evidence and the possibility that Melanie McGuire didn't act alone. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily and Shane are joined by Dateline NBC correspondent Andrea Canning to discuss the trial of Matthew Farwell and his alleged role in the murder of Sandra Birchmore. Why is the trial not being filmed? What key evidence did the prosecution present against Matthew? What do they expect the defense to do next?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halloween is all about costumes, candy, and spooky fun, but these true crime stories are scarier than fiction. 🎃 Jen Fessler and Elisa Donovan discuss three chilling cases involving a Halloween-night murder, a devastating family massacre, and a father who poisoned his child’s Halloween candy. It’s a haunting look at the real-life horrors behind the holiday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.