Episodios

  • #13: The Unnamed Passenger - Inside the 20-Year Search for Grateful Doe

    #13: The Unnamed Passenger - Inside the 20-Year Search for Grateful Doe
    May 24 2025
    An unidentified Grateful Dead fan. A fatal crash. A mystery that took 20 years to solve.

    In June 1995, a fatal car crash on a quiet Virginia highway left behind two unidentified victims. One of them—a young man with ticket stubs to a Grateful Dead concert and a note signed by two women named Caroline—remained nameless for two decades. Known only as Grateful Doe, his case became one of the most widely discussed mysteries in the online true crime community.

    This episode traces the long road to uncovering Grateful Doe’s identity, from the early police sketches and national appeals, to the emotional impact of the 2012 forensic facial reconstruction that brought renewed attention to the case. We explore the nomadic world of Grateful Dead fans in the 1990s, the circumstances that led Grateful Doe to vanish, and the dedicated amateur investigators who refused to let him be forgotten.

    Through verified records, forensic advancements, and community-driven efforts, we piece together how Grateful Doe was finally named—and why his story still resonates.

    Keywords: Grateful Doe, Jason Callahan, unidentified persons, true crime, forensic reconstruction, Grateful Dead fan, 1995 car crash, missing person, Doe Network, Websleuths, NCMEC, solved cold case, Casefile style podcast
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    56 m
  • Quick message from show host Harper Finley

    Quick message from show host Harper Finley
    May 22 2025
    Quick message from show host Harper Finley

    LISTEN EARLY AND AD-FREE ON - https://patreon.com/NightwatchFiles

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    1 m
  • #12: The Red Light Bandit: Crime, Dictatorship, and Silence

    #12: The Red Light Bandit: Crime, Dictatorship, and Silence
    May 16 2025
    In pitch black, the eerie red beam of a flashlight meant one thing: he was already inside.

    In this episode, we examine the true story of João Acácio Pereira da Costa — the man who would become known across Brazil as the Red Light Bandit. Set against the backdrop of 1960s São Paulo and Baixada Santista, this episode explores how social inequality, urban migration, and post-coup authoritarianism shaped both the city and the criminals it produced. João Acácio didn’t emerge in a vacuum. His actions — a string of high-profile robberies that terrified the public and embarrassed the police — reflected deeper fractures in Brazilian society.

    We trace João Acácio’s early years, his crimes, and the media storm that followed. What made him stand out wasn’t just the volume of his robberies, but the way the press mythologized him in a Brazil gripped by fear and fascination.

    Whether you're a true crime fan or someone interested in the social history of Brazil, this episode offers a detailed, fact-based look at one of the country's most talked-about criminals.

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    True Crime Brazil, João Acácio, Red Light Bandit, 1960s São Paulo Crime, Brazilian Criminal History, Crime Podcast Brazil, Infamous Brazilian Robbers, João Acácio Pereira da Costa, São Paulo True Crime, Red Light Bandit Case, Brazilian Urban Crime, True Crime Episode Brazil, Brazilian History Podcast, true crime, murder, crime, serial killer, cold case, unsolved, criminal, missing persons, investigative journalism, real crime, crime podcast, mystery, forensic files, solved case, true story, court case, police investigation, crime documentary, wrongful conviction, psychopath
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    56 m
  • #11: The Kill Code - A Bloody Attack Planned in a Chatroom

    #11: The Kill Code - A Bloody Attack Planned in a Chatroom
    May 9 2025
    Dive into a harrowing tale of digital deception and hidden danger in this gripping true crime episode. When two strangers connect in an anonymous online chatroom, their seemingly harmless friendship takes a sinister turn, unraveling a chilling web of lies, manipulation, and fatal consequences. Explore how investigators untangled a labyrinth of encrypted messages, fabricated identities, and cryptic clues to expose a shocking truth lurking behind the screen.


    This episode unpacks the psychological twists, forensic breakthroughs, and haunting questions surrounding one of the internet’s most unsettling cold cases. Perfect for fans of cyber mysteries, unsolved crimes, and stories that blur the line between reality and illusion.

    🔍 Keywords: True crime podcast, digital deception, anonymous chatrooms, cold case mystery, cyber investigation, online predators, forensic psychology, unsolved crimes, internet mysteries, hidden identities.


    **Content Warning**: Contains discussions of sensitive topics, including violence and psychological manipulation. Listener discretion advised.


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    37 m
  • #10: Echoes in San Fernando - The Mother Who Hunted a Cartel

    #10: Echoes in San Fernando - The Mother Who Hunted a Cartel
    May 3 2025
    When her daughter was kidnapped by the notorious Zeta cartel, Mexican mother Miriam Rodríguez embarked on a relentless quest for justice. Armed with disguises, determination, and unwavering courage, she tracked down those responsible, confronting one of Mexico's most dangerous criminal organizations.

    This episode delves into Miriam's extraordinary journey, highlighting her transformation from caring mother to fearless vigilante.

    Join us as we explore the true story of Miriam Rodríguez—a tale of love, loss, and the indomitable spirit of a mother who refused to back down.

    For more information on this case, we recommend "Fear Is Just a Word" by Azam Ahmed, which heavily informed this episode from the following link - https://amzn.to/42HvPEy

    Keywords: Miriam Rodríguez, Los Zetas cartel, true crime podcast, kidnapping, vigilante justice, Mexico, cartel violence, mother's quest for justice.

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    Hosted by Harper Finley
    Script and research by DH Silva
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    1 h y 23 m
  • #09: Murder in the Family - The True Crime Story of a Music Legend

    #09: Murder in the Family - The True Crime Story of a Music Legend
    Apr 19 2025
    He was one of the most influential voices of a generation — a trailblazer in soul, funk, and R&B who redefined the sound of an era. With chart-topping hits and a voice that captured the struggles and spirit of a nation, he seemed untouchable. But behind the fame, the awards, and the legacy was a deeply fractured family dynamic… one that would lead to a shocking and fatal confrontation.

    In this episode, we unravel the harrowing true story of a musical giant whose life was cut short just one day before his 45th birthday — not by a random act of violence, but by the very person who gave him life. Join us as we dig into the complicated past, the signs everyone missed, and the moments that led to a tragedy that stunned the world.

    For more information on this case, we recommend "Divided Soul: The Life Of Marvin Gaye" by David Ritz, which heavily informed this episode from the following link - https://amzn.to/3GgzFvz

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    Tags:
    true crime podcast, unsolved mysteries, celebrity deaths, music industry tragedies, family crimes, iconic musician murder, true crime stories, fatal family feud, shocking celebrity crime, 1980s true crime
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    1 h y 9 m
  • #08: High-Flying Betrayal - The Attempted Murder in the Skies

    #08: High-Flying Betrayal - The Attempted Murder in the Skies
    Apr 12 2025
    In this compelling episode, we explore the extraordinary survival of Victoria Cilliers, an experienced skydiver and army physiotherapist, who endured a 4,000-foot fall when both her main and reserve parachutes failed during a jump in 2015. Initially perceived as a tragic accident, the incident led to an extensive investigation that uncovered shocking details.

    We delve into the complexities of the case, examining the circumstances surrounding the parachute malfunction, the subsequent legal proceedings, and the broader implications of coercive control within intimate relationships.

    Victoria's resilience and determination to seek justice have been highlighted in various media, including the Channel 4 docuseries "The Fall: Skydive Murder Plot" and her memoir, "I Survived.

    For more information on this case, we recommend "I Survived: A True Story" by Victoria Cilliers, which heavily informed this episode from the following link - https://amzn.to/42FqPQt

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    1 h y 43 m
  • #07: The Bain Family Murders - A Father’s Confession or a Son’s Setup?

    #07: The Bain Family Murders - A Father’s Confession or a Son’s Setup?
    Apr 5 2025
    In this episode, we explore the chilling true story of the Bain family murders — one of New Zealand’s most infamous and controversial criminal cases. On June 20, 1994, five members of the Bain family were found shot dead in their Dunedin home. The only survivor was 22-year-old David Bain.

    Was it a tragic murder-suicide committed by his father, Robin Bain — or did David kill his entire family and stage the scene? With a cryptic message left on the family computer and conflicting forensic evidence, the case sparked decades of debate, appeals, and public fascination.

    Join us as we unravel the timeline, the investigation, and the haunting question at the center of it all: who really killed the Bain family?

    Black Hands: Inside The Bain Family Murders by Martin van Beynen - https://amzn.to/4joBaWN

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    1 h y 41 m
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