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Gary DeVercelly Jr. was 18 years old with his entire future mapped out. He was smart, driven, an athlete, and the kind of kid his parents trusted to make good decisions. When fraternities at Rider University began recruiting him, Gary saw something that could help his future: leadership, connections, and a network that might open doors after college. His parents asked him about hazing, Gary told them not to worry, that he researched it. Then came Big Little Night. Pledges were taken into a basement and given bottles of alcohol. They had one hour to finish them. Roughly 15 pledges participated. Two would end up in the hospital with alcohol poisoning. Gary would never come home. As his condition deteriorated, fraternity members put him on a stage with a backpack behind him to keep him positioned on his side. People noticed something was wrong. Eventually, his lips turned blue. He stopped breathing. By the time help came, his brain had been deprived of oxygen for too long. But Gary's death is only part of this story. In this episode of UNHEARD: True Crime in Their Own Words, Gary's parents, Julie and Gary DeVercelly, take us inside what happened before, during, and after the night their 18-year-old son was killed by hazing. They talk about the warning signs they didn't recognize until afterward, the way hazing slowly escalates, what happened inside the fraternity house, the media's attempt to portray their son as a reckless college kid, the university and fraternity response, and the legal battle that followed. They also explain what nearly two decades of fighting hazing has taught them about a system they believe continues to protect institutions while families continue to bury their children. Gary died in 2007. His parents are still fighting to make sure another family doesn't get the same phone call they did. https://www.clerycenter.org/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jason Abarca was 19 years old when he disappeared in December 2023 after a series of events that ended with him running into the woods near Winchester, Virginia. Months later, his remains were found. But for Jason’s parents, Jennifer and Benito Soto, finding their son did not bring the answers they had desperately been searching for. Instead, it left them with even more questions about what happened to Jason after he disappeared and whether his death was properly investigated. Jennifer and Benito believe their son was murdered. In this episode of Unheard, they tell Jason’s story in their own words, from the devastating loss their family had already endured, to Jason’s disappearance, the discovery of his remains, and the evidence and circumstances that led them to question the investigation into his death. This is the story of a family that found their son but is still fighting to find out what happened to him. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Seven men have been accused in a civil lawsuit of sexually assaulting a young woman at Cornell University’s Chi Phi fraternity house. Nearly two years later, questions remain about what happened that night and how the university responded. For this bonus episode of Unheard, I’m sharing a conversation from my YouTube live with my friend Dan Catullo, an Emmy Award winning filmmaker whose work includes 4000 Days, Protect the House, Breathe, Nolan, Breathe, and Death of a Pledge. We walk through the Cornell allegations and the latest developments, then talk about the fraternity culture surrounding them: secrecy, loyalty, and the fight for accountability when students and families speak up. This Cornell case is not a hazing case. But Dan and I were both in fraternities, and we’ve both spent time with families who lost children to hazing. Those conversations have shown us how much can stay hidden inside these organizations, and why people outside them so rarely hear about it. The accusations made in the case we're talking about, point to a bigger issue surrounding toxic fraternity culture. If this is your first time hearing about the Cornell case, I’ll point you toward my full breakdown as well. And if you’d like more bonus conversations when major stories break, let me know. Follow Unheard wherever you listen, and leave a five-star rating if the show has earned it. Our regular Wednesday episode is still coming tomorrow. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault and other potentially disturbing subjects. Former Miss Switzerland and international model Beatrice Keul sits down with Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words for an extensive conversation about events she says began more than three decades ago and ultimately connected her story to Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. Keul recounts her experience in New York in the early 1990s, including her allegation that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her at the Plaza Hotel, and discusses Jeffrey Epstein's connection to her story. But this conversation goes far beyond a single encounter. Beatrice discusses the documentation she has preserved, the threats she says she received after coming forward, the other women who have spoken publicly, the legal avenues now being explored, and why she sees what happened as part of a much larger story involving power, influence and international ramifications. Beatrice has never lived in the United States and has never been an American citizen. Her story began decades before today's political environment, and in this interview, we're giving her the time and space to tell it from the beginning, in her own words. This is not a sound bite. This is her story. Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words features long-form conversations with the people who lived the stories behind the headlines. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who holds the prosecutor accountable? Prosecutors are some of the most powerful people in our criminal justice system. They decide what charges to bring, what plea deals to offer and what evidence to put before a jury. But what happens when a prosecutor breaks the rules — or when the pursuit of a conviction comes at the expense of a defendant's constitutional rights? On this episode of UNHEARD, I sit down with Iris Eytan, a former Deputy State Public Defender and criminal defense attorney who spent nearly 30 years inside the criminal justice system. Iris has represented thousands of defendants and was part of Barry Morphew's defense team in a murder prosecution that became a national story and raised serious questions about prosecutorial conduct. Today, Iris is the Founder and CEO of Protect Ethical Prosecutors (PEP), a nonpartisan watchdog organization advocating for ethical prosecution and accountability when prosecutors engage in misconduct. We get into just how much power prosecutors actually have, why holding them accountable can be so difficult, prosecutorial immunity, wrongful convictions, the Morphew case, and what Iris believes needs to change. This isn't a conversation about being anti-prosecutor. It's a conversation about what accountability should look like when the people entrusted with enforcing the law are accused of breaking the rules themselves. 🎙️ UNHEARD: True Crime in Their Own Words Guest: Iris Eytan ABOUT PROTECT ETHICAL PROSECUTORS: PEP is working to document prosecutorial misconduct and advocate for greater accountability within the criminal justice system. Learn more, support their work, or find their social channels at: protectethicalprosecutors.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Jessica Vestal's son Dax started coming home with bruises and injuries, she knew something wasn't right. The problem was that Dax is nonverbal. He couldn't tell her what was happening. What Jessica eventually uncovered led to criminal charges, national attention, and difficult questions about how vulnerable children are protected when they can't speak for themselves. In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, Jessica shares Dax's story, the warning signs she saw, the fight for answers, and what happened after the truth finally came to light. Follow Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, for more conversations with the people at the center of the stories making headlines. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At 17 years old, David Garlock and his brother killed the man they say subjected them to years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. The crime led to murder convictions and decades-long prison sentences. David ultimately spent more than 13 years behind bars before being released on parole. Today, he is a criminal justice reform advocate, speaker, and survivor who openly discusses what he calls the "trauma-to-prison pipeline"—the connection between childhood trauma, violence, incarceration, and rehabilitation. His story has drawn comparisons to the Menendez brothers, raising many of the same questions that continue to divide the public: Can someone be both a victim and an offender? How should courts evaluate years of abuse when a victim eventually becomes a perpetrator? What does accountability look like after taking a life? And can redemption exist after prison? In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, David walks through the abuse he says he endured, the events that led to the killing, his years inside prison, and how he rebuilt his life after release. Whether you see his story as one of justice, tragedy, survival, or all three, it challenges many of the assumptions people hold about crime, punishment, and trauma. Listen now and decide for yourself. 🎙️ Subscribe to Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words on your favorite podcast platform. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On November 6, 2021, 22-year-old Vladek Hasel walked away from a coffee shop near the University of Central Florida and seemingly vanished. More than four years later, his family is still searching for answers. In this episode, I sit down with Vladek's sister, Bethany Hasel, to discuss the day her brother disappeared, the investigation that followed, the theories surrounding his case, and why she refuses to give up hope. This is not just the story of a missing person. It's the story of a family living through every unanswered question imaginable. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Vladek Hasel, please contact law enforcement immediately. Make sure to follow and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Follow Find Vladek Hasel on IG, FB and TikTok #VladekHasel #MissingPerson #TrueCrime #UnsolvedMystery #Missing #BryanHasel #ColdCase #Justice #CrimePodcast #JustInTheNickOfCrime See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mark Geragos has spent more than three decades at the center of some of the most high-profile and controversial legal battles in America. From Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Winona Ryder, and Scott Peterson to Erik and Lyle Menendez, Geragos has represented clients whose names dominated headlines around the world. Most recently, he served as an advisor to Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense team during one of the most closely watched federal trials in recent memory. In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, Justin sits down with one of America's most recognizable defense attorneys for a candid conversation about the justice system, celebrity defendants, media narratives, public perception, wrongful convictions, the Menendez brothers' fight for freedom, and the challenges of defending clients in the age of social media. Whether you agree with him or not, Mark Geragos has had a front-row seat to some of the biggest legal stories of our generation. Topics include: Sean "Diddy" CombsErik & Lyle MenendezMichael JacksonScott PetersonCelebrity trialsMedia influence on juriesThe court of public opinionHigh-profile criminal defenseAmerica's justice system 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with the people closest to the stories that captivated the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On May 25, 2020, the world watched as George Floyd’s final moments sparked one of the largest social justice movements in modern history. Six years later, on the anniversary of his death, Unheard sits down with the man who has spent years carrying both the grief and the responsibility of keeping George’s name alive: his uncle, Selwyn Jones. In this deeply personal and emotional conversation, Selwyn speaks openly about the pain of losing George, the weight of becoming a public voice for his family, and the reality of fighting for justice in America long after the headlines fade away. But this episode goes far beyond one case. Selwyn and Justin Shepherd discuss systemic racism, police brutality, sentencing disparities, and the larger history that connects George Floyd to generations of injustice stretching back through the civil rights era and the murder of Emmett Till. Selwyn reflects on the courage of Mamie Till, the outrage that followed George Floyd’s death, and why accountability still remains elusive for so many families. The conversation also explores the emotional toll of activism, the failures within the justice system, the importance of speaking out, and why silence only allows injustice to continue. Throughout the episode, Selwyn shares raw personal reflections, difficult truths, and a message centered on courage, awareness, and action. This is not a political debate. It is a conversation about humanity, loss, accountability, and what happens when ordinary people decide they can no longer stay quiet. Follow and subscribe to Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This isn't just another Charles Manson episode.... For decades, the name Charles Manson has been synonymous with evil. The media painted him as a master manipulator, a cult leader capable of controlling minds, and the face of one of the most infamous murder cases in American history. But what if the story the public was told was never the full story? In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, Justin Shepherd sits down with John Michael Jones — a man who developed a deeply personal relationship with Charles Manson over years of correspondence and conversations — alongside filmmaker Billie Mintz, director of the documentary Making Manson. Together, they explore the man behind the myth through unheard prison recordings, firsthand experiences, and years of research into one of the most controversial criminal cases in American history. The conversation challenges long-held beliefs surrounding the so-called “Manson Family,” the idea of mind control, and whether Manson became a scapegoat for a chaotic era America was desperate to make sense of. It also examines the role media narratives played in transforming Manson into something larger than life, often overshadowing the deeper complexities of the case itself. John Michael Jones shares what it was like communicating directly with Manson and witnessing sides of him the public never saw, while Billie Mintz discusses the process of creating Making Manson and the questions that emerged while digging through archival material, recordings, and decades of public mythology. The episode also dives into prison brutality, manipulation, redemption, societal fear, and the emotional burden carried by those connected to the case. At the center of it all is an important reminder: while history often turns killers into legends, the victims and the lives stolen should never be forgotten. This is not a glorification of Charles Manson. It is an attempt to understand how one man became a symbol, how narratives are shaped, and what happens when media mythology overtakes reality. Follow Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more long-form conversations with survivors, investigators, journalists, insiders, and voices rarely heard in mainstream coverage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, I sit down with Jesse Weber, attorney, legal analyst, host, and one of the most recognized voices in true crime and courtroom coverage today. Known for his work with Law&Crime, CourtTV, NewsNation, national television appearances, and extensive coverage of high profile criminal trials, Jesse joins me for an in depth conversation about some of the biggest cases dominating headlines, the evolution of true crime media, courtroom strategy, and what really happens behind the scenes when the cameras are rolling. From livestreamed trials and internet sleuthing to the ethical line between reporting and entertainment, this is a raw and honest discussion between two people who spend their lives immersed in some of the darkest and most talked about stories in the country. We also discuss the pressure of live television, the responsibility that comes with covering victims and defendants in real time, and why certain cases explode into national obsessions while others disappear from public attention. If you follow criminal trials, breaking news, legal analysis, or the modern true crime landscape, this is an episode you do not want to miss. Follow and subscribe to Unheard on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are available. Be sure to leave a review and turn notifications on so you never miss an episode. #JesseWeber #LawAndCrime #TrueCrime #Podcast #UnheardPodcast #CourtTV #NewsNation #LegalAnalysis #CriminalJustice #TrialCoverage #BreakingNews #TrueCrimeCommunity #JustinShepherd #CrimeNews #HighProfileCases See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are cases that sit for years, sometimes decades, with no answers. No suspect, no clear direction, and no path forward. But that’s starting to change. In this episode, Justin sits down with Dr. Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer at Othram Labs, to break down how advanced DNA technology is being used to solve cases that were once considered unsolvable. Othram specializes in working with extremely limited or degraded DNA, evidence that, until recently, would have gone nowhere. Their work has helped identify unknown victims, generate new leads in cold cases, and push investigations forward when traditional methods failed. That includes playing an instrumental role in the process that helped connect DNA evidence to Bryan Kohberger in the Idaho four case, using an incredibly small amount of touch DNA. In this conversation, Dr. Mittelman explains how this technology works, what people often misunderstand about DNA evidence, and how forensic science is rapidly evolving. More importantly, this episode looks at what all of this means for the future, where cases that once had no path forward may now have one. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There’s the version of a case you see… and then there’s what’s actually happening while it’s unfolding. In this episode, I’m joined by Allison Weiner, an investigative journalist who’s spent years covering high-profile cases in real time, not after the fact, not cleaned up for a documentary, but as they’re happening. We get into cases like Holly Bobo case and Amy Harwick case, but this isn’t about retelling what happened. It’s about everything that happens around it. How quickly narratives form. How pressure, whether it’s media, law enforcement, or public opinion, can shape the direction of a case. And how hard it is to undo that once it starts. We also talk about the impact on victims’ families, what people misunderstand about investigative reporting, and where the line is in true crime, and what happens when it gets crossed. This is one of those conversations that makes you step back and question how these stories are told… and what you think you know. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Columbine High School shooting changed everything, but what came after is a story most people don’t fully understand. In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School shooting, shares what happened after that day, how his family coped with unimaginable loss, and how Rachel’s story became a movement that has impacted millions. This is not only a conversation about Columbine. It’s about what came next. Darrell walks through the creation of Rachel’s Challenge, a program focused on kindness, compassion, and preventing violence in schools, which has now reached more than 30 million students and parents. Alongside Kristi Krings, we talk about bullying, mental health, forgiveness, and what schools, parents, and communities can actually do to change the culture for the next generation. We also get into what people still misunderstand about Columbine, the long-term impact on families, and why Rachel Scott’s message continues to resonate decades later. If you think you understand Columbine, this conversation will challenge that. Make sure you subscribe as we continue bringing you real conversations with the people directly connected to the stories you think you know. SUPPORT RACHEL'S CHALLENGE https://rachelschallenge.org/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.