L.A. Crimes

Introducing: Season 4 of Crimes of the Times

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 18:05:34 +0000

Here is a sneak peak at the new season of another Los Angeles Times Studios podcast called "Crimes of the Times." In the show, L.A. Times staff writer Christopher Goffard revisits old crimes in Los Angeles and beyond, from the famous to the forgotten, the consequential to the obscure, diving into archives and the memories of those who were there. This new season kicks off with a four part series about how an amateur codebreaker may have cracked the Zodiac killer's infamously complex Z13 code, and how the name it reveals potentially connects the Zodiac killer to another notoriously unsolved California murder: The Black Dahlia.

BONUS EPISODE: Controversial Opinion with Jami Rice

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

In this specially released bonus episode, Madison McGhee and Jami Rice share some extremely opinionated opinions about everything from the Menendez Brothers to Jax Taylor. And just so you know, they are absolutely, one hundred percent right about everything.

BONUS EPISODE: Last in Line at the ATM

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

In this specially released bonus episode, An entire bank heist crew was caught – except for one man. And he could have maybe kept it this way if he hadn’t decided to blow up that gosh darn ATM. L.A. Times journalist Nathan Solis tells the story in this week’s bonus episode.

BONUS EPISODE: Getting Controversial with Josh Mankiewicz

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 3 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

In this specially released bonus episode, Madison McGhee and Dateline's Josh Mankiewicz talk through the controversial connection between celebrity criminals and the fanbase that idolizes them.

You Think Your Mother-in-Law Is Bad? Think Again.

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

In 2014, prominent lawyer Dan Markel was found gunned down in his Florida home. While authorities were quick to capture and convict the gunmen, the full story took years to uncover. Madison McGhee is joined by host of Housewives of True Crime Tabitha Kane to discuss the elaborate murder-for-hire plot and the unlikely mastermind at the center of it.

The Yogurt Shop Murders Get a New Ending

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

On a quiet night in Austin, Texas, four young girls were closing up the “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt” shop when their routine was violently interrupted. Moments later, a fire erupted, engulfing the store. In this episode, Madison McGhee and Tabitha Kane, hosts of Housewives of True Crime, unpack the evidence, explore their own theories, and share a huge update in this puzzling case.

A Nearly Forgotten NorCal Rampage

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 5 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

In 2017, tragedy struck Rancho Tehama when Kevin Janson Neal went on a deadly shooting spree. After killing his wife and then his neighbors, he began to openly shoot at people from his car as he drove through town to the local elementary school, where he injured several students. Five years after this senseless event, L.A. Times reporter Connor Sheets picked up the story, taking note of the lack of media coverage it had received compared to others like it.

Tragedy Under a Solar Eclipse

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Astrology is a common conversation starter here in Los Angeles, to the point where people like Danielle Johnson made her living as an “Astrology Influencer,” selling her horoscope predictions and mantras to curious customers. But things turned sinister as a solar eclipse approached in 2024 that sent Danielle into a murderous spiral. Richard Winton joins Madison McGhee on this episode to lay out how the events of that day went down.

Caroline Fraser’s “Murderland”

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In the so-called “Golden Age of Serial Murder,” Americans were introduced to names such as Ted Bundy, Gary Ridgeway, and Richard Ramirez in relatively short succession. What was it about this period of time that seemed to breed so many serial killers? In today’s episode, Madison McGhee is joined by Caroline Fraser, author of Murderland, to discuss her unique theory about what may have contributed to these men’s murderous psyches.

Bloody Frying Pan, a Litigious Divorce, and a Mysterious Fire

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

When the police received calls about a small house fire in San Marino, the last thing they expected to find was the body of local doctor and mother of two, Irene Gaw-Lai. Madison McGhee is joined by LA Times Reporter Salvador Hernandez to talk through the investigation that followed the fire and the layers of domestic conflict that built up to this morbid conclusion.

Crypto, Kidnapping, and a Crooked Cop

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 8 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Madison McGhee is joined by friend of the pod, L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton, to untangle the crime web that was sewn by Eric Halem, an ex-reserve cop with wealthy connections and a history of criminal activity that extended through his LAPD career.

When the Labubu Craze Turned Criminal

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 1 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

If you hadn’t heard of Labubus before this episode…we’re jealous. Whether you are on the Labubu train or not, today’s story about a heist involving $30,000 worth of Labubus will capture your attention. L.A. Times Fast Break Reporter Nathan Solis joins Madison with all the wild details.

Dirty Pools and Deathly Money Schemes

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Neighbors didn’t exactly notice when the reclusive Charles Wilding wasn’t seen coming or going from his home in Sherman Oaks, but when a fiery redhead with a strange story suddenly moved into the quiet man’s estate, alarm bells started ringing. Madison McGhee is joined by L.A. Times Reporter Brittny Mejia to comb through the details of how this woman, Caroline Herrling, was able to manipulate her way to millions, and the trail of bodies she left in her wake.

The Hillside Strangler is Back (Not really though, don’t worry)

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In the 1970s, Los Angeles was plagued by a series of gruesome murders that seemed to target vulnerable women around the area. Richard Winton joins Madison McGhee to rehash the happenings around these murders and how police were eventually able to track down the culprit behind this murder spree, as well as some recent updates to the case.

"Hos Long to Die In Cold?"

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

One of 2025’s biggest trials focused on the killing of John O’Keefe – a Boston police officer found unconscious in the snow outside a fellow officer’s home after a night of heavy drinking. Detectives zeroed in on O’Keefe’s girlfriend, Karen Read, with whom he had a fraught relationship. But did they prioritize her too quickly? Did they use her as a scapegoat to protect their fellow men in blue? According to Read’s defense team: Absolutely. Madison McGhee is joined by friend of the show Jami Rice to break down the details of the controversial case.

Introducing: Pandora’s Box: The Fall of L.A.’s Sheriff

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Tue, 9 Sep 2025 17:11:31 +0000

Pandora’s Box: The Fall of L.A.’s Sheriff is a six-part true crime investigation from the Los Angeles Times about one of the biggest law enforcement scandals in U.S. history.

Follow Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter Christopher Goffard as he uncovers how Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, once hailed as a reformer, became entangled in a shocking cover-up inside the nation’s largest jail system. From FBI informants and jailhouse brutality to corruption at the highest levels, this series reveals how deputies hid an inmate, intimidated federal agents, and ultimately brought down one of California’s most powerful sheriffs.

How Bad Can a TikTok Dance Cult Be? Bad.

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

When people think of cults they tend to think of a bunch of long haired people in matching tracksuits on a farm somewhere. But the future is now and even cults have gone online. Madison McGhee speaks with Los Angeles Times reporter Nathan Solis about one such group: the 7M TikTok Dance Cult. It’s exactly what you think it is, but also so much more.

Everything You Didn’t Know About The Idaho Four

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

On today’s episode, Madison McGhee is joined by Vicky Ward, investigative journalist and co-author of the book The Idaho Four, An American Tragedy. When researching the book, Vicky interviewed hundreds of witnesses and key players in the small town of Moscow, Idaho. This in-depth reporting led her to discover little known details regarding both the victims and the perpetrator, including facts about the night the crime was committed and theories regarding the murderer's motive.

The Murder Case Your Parents Wouldn’t Stop Talking About

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Scott Peterson was convicted in 2002 of murdering his pregnant wife, Laci. Much of his conviction rested on a litany of circumstantial evidence that looked…really not good for him. Fast forward to today, and the L.A. Innocence Project – notoriously picky about what clients it takes on – has mysteriously taken up his case. L.A. Times reporter Harriet Ryan recaps the original murder and explains the new evidence that the Innocence Project is pushing forward.

On Today's Show: A Very Expensive Nap

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 6 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In 2022, millions of dollars worth of jewelry was stolen out of a Brinks tractor-trailer as the driver slept soundly at an interstate truck stop. In June of this year, the FBI finally broke the case and arrested seven LA-area men. The men are being charged as co-conspirators in one of the largest jewelry heists in U.S. history. Madison Mcghee is joined by Daniel Miller and Richard Winton to break down details of the heist and how the FBI zeroed in on the alleged thieves.

Double Murder With a Dash of Helicopters

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

On July 10, 2025, 911 received two calls. The first was from a person witnessing a man climbing over their neighbor’s fence. The second was from the criminal himself while inside the house he had broken into. Police somehow never made it to the front door. Four days later, the bodies of American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband Tom DeLuca were found murdered in the home. Many questions remain. Richard Winton joins the show to answer some of them.

Shirtless, Ripped, and Accused of Triple Murder

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In November 2023, Sam Haskell IV offered to pay day laborers to haul off some heavy bags from his Tarzana home that he said were filled with “rocks,” but when the men decided to open one, they discovered what looked like human body parts. Fast-forward to now, and Haskell – the son of a prominent Hollywood agent – is currently awaiting trial for the murder of his wife and her two parents. Madison McGhee is joined by L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton break down the story.

Inmate Homicide On The Rise In L.A. County Jails

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In recent years, the L.A. County jail system has seen an uptick in inmate homicides that many have attributed to negligence within the system. Madison McGhee is joined by L.A. Times Breaking News Reporter Clara Harter to talk through the different incidents happening behind bars and what reforms need to be put in place in order to curb these deadly incidents.

The Real Life Gone Girl

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 9 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In 2016 America was shocked by the apparent kidnapping of 34 year old Redding, California resident Sherri Papini. Papini was “returned” three weeks later, and the kidnapping was eventually revealed to have been a hoax coordinated by Papini herself. This week Madison is joined by podcast host Jami Rice to contemplate why a seemingly happy housewife would plot something so elaborate, and why the decade old story is back in the news.

Checking In On The Diddy Trial

darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Sean “Diddy” Combs had been a household name in the Rap and R&B community for years, but these days he’s in federal court fighting multiple charges including sex trafficking. If convicted of all charges, he could face up to life in prison. Madison is joined by L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton to talk about the full scope of what Combs is accused of, and what the trial has looked like so far.