Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes

In the 1980s, “Freeway” Rick Ross rose from the streets of Los Angeles to become one of the most powerful drug traffickers in the United States, building an empire that helped fuel the crack cocaine epidemic. Years later, explosive allegations surfaced claiming that the drug pipeline supplying Ross was connected to CIA backed operations tied to the Nicaraguan Contras. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson examines the rise of Freeway Rick Ross, the controversy sparked by journalist Gary Webb’s “Dark Alliance” investigation, and the enduring claims that U.S. intelligence agencies may have played a role in one of America’s most devastating drug crises. Head over to our Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes YouTube channel to WATCH our video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@Conspiracytheoriescultscrimes If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1989, University of Texas student Mark Kilroy traveled to Matamoros, Mexico for a spring break trip that would end in one of the most disturbing cult crimes in modern history. When Kilroy vanished after a night out with friends, authorities uncovered a shocking network tied to drug trafficking, ritual sacrifice, and a violent group known as the Narcosatanists. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson examines the cult led by Adolfo Constanzo, the beliefs that fueled its brutality, and the investigation that exposed a chilling intersection of organized crime and ritual murder. Head over to our Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes YouTube channel to WATCH our video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@Conspiracytheoriescultscrimes If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Webb was an award winning investigative journalist who ignited a national firestorm when he published the “Dark Alliance” series, reporting that a CIA connected drug network had helped fuel the crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles. His reporting made him a hero to some and a target to others, as major newspapers challenged his findings and pressure mounted inside his own newsroom. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson examines the rise and fall of Gary Webb, the controversy surrounding his investigation, and the events leading up to his death in 2004. Was Webb a journalist destroyed for exposing a dangerous truth, or the center of a story that spiraled far beyond the evidence? Head over to our Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes YouTube channel to WATCH our video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@Conspiracytheoriescultscrimes If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson examines the story of Bob Lazar, the man who claimed he worked on reverse engineered alien spacecraft at a secret site near Area 51. Since coming forward in 1989, Lazar has fueled one of the most persistent UFO conspiracy theories in modern history. Lazar alleged that the U.S. government possessed extraterrestrial technology powered by an unknown element and was attempting to weaponize it. His detailed descriptions of a hidden facility known as S 4 and advanced propulsion systems captivated believers and skeptics alike. Supporters point to his technical knowledge as proof. Critics highlight inconsistencies in his education, employment history, and past legal troubles. This episode explores the origins of Lazar’s claims, the investigations that followed, and why his story continues to shape the conversation around UFO disclosure decades later. Head over to our Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes YouTube channel to WATCH our video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@Conspiracytheoriescultscrimes If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special episode Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Christie Wallace and Heather McKinney from Sinisterhood, introduce The Raëlians cult. In the 1970s, a French journalist claimed he was contacted by extraterrestrial beings who revealed that humanity was scientifically created by an advanced alien race. From that encounter, the Raëlian Movement was born, blending UFO belief, sensual freedom, and a futuristic vision of human destiny. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson examines the rise of founder Claude Vorilhon, known as Raël, and the group’s teachings about the Elohim, cloning, and eternal life through science. As the movement spread internationally and made headlines with controversial claims of human cloning, critics challenged its credibility and internal practices. This episode explores how a message of cosmic origins and technological salvation evolved into one of the most unusual and debated new religious movements of the modern era. Stay tuned for the end of the episode for an extended conversation between Vanessa, Christie, and Heather about the The Raëlians. Follow Sinisterhood with Christie Wallace and Heather McKinney wherever you get your podcasts. Head over to our Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes YouTube channel to WATCH our video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@Conspiracytheoriescultscrimes If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson investigates Area 51, the secretive military base in the Nevada desert that has become ground zero for UFO sightings, alien rumors, and government cover-up claims. Originally established during the Cold War to test experimental aircraft, the facility’s extreme secrecy helped spark decades of speculation about what might be hidden behind its guarded perimeter. From reported sightings in the skies above Nevada to whistleblower stories of reverse engineered spacecraft, Area 51 has evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Declassified documents confirm the development of top secret spy planes, yet for many, official explanations have never fully quieted suspicion. This episode traces how a classified airbase became the centerpiece of modern UFO conspiracy theories and explores why Area 51 remains one of the most enduring symbols of secrecy and mistrust in American history. Head over to our Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes YouTube channel to WATCH our video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@Conspiracytheoriescultscrimes If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

75 years after the Rosenberg trial gripped the nation, its legacy still sparks debate about justice, fear, and political power. In Part 2 of this two-part special, Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes turns to the courtroom battle that would cement Julius and Ethel Rosenberg’s place in history and ignite decades of controversy. Vanessa Richardson is joined again by Carter Roy, host of Murder: True Crime Stories, to break down the prosecution’s strategy, the defense’s uphill fight, and the testimony that shaped the jury’s decision. Against a backdrop of anti-Communist hysteria and the looming threat of nuclear annihilation, the case raises urgent questions about due process, loyalty, and the influence of public opinion. As the verdict is delivered and the sentence shocks the world, the fallout reverberates far beyond the courtroom. Public protests, international appeals, and lingering doubts ensure that the Rosenberg case endures as one of the most polarizing chapters of Cold War history. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At the height of Cold War paranoia, one American couple stood accused of betraying their country in a case that would divide a nation. Marking the 75th anniversary of the Rosenberg trial, Part 1 of this two-part special from Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes examines the explosive investigation that placed Julius and Ethel Rosenberg at the center of an alleged atomic spy ring. Vanessa Richardson is joined by Carter Roy, host of Murder: True Crime Stories, to unravel the earliest cracks in a story shaped by fear, ideology, and the race for nuclear dominance. As the United States grappled with the threat of Soviet expansion, whispers of stolen secrets and hidden allegiances began to fuel a rapidly intensifying manhunt. What began as quiet suspicion soon escalated into sweeping accusations, mounting pressure, and a tightening circle of scrutiny around family and friends. The tension reaches a breaking point with a pivotal arrest, a moment that reshapes the investigation and sets the stage for one of the most controversial espionage trials in American history. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, Vanessa Richardson examines the 1972 disappearance of House Majority Leader Hale Boggs and Alaska Congressman Nick Begich, whose small plane vanished over the Alaskan wilderness during a campaign trip. As a powerful Louisiana politician and member of the Warren Commission, Boggs had publicly questioned aspects of the JFK assassination investigation, a fact that later fueled conspiracy theories about political motives behind the crash. Begich, a rising political figure in Alaska, was also aboard the aircraft along with an aide and the pilot. Despite one of the largest search and rescue operations in U.S. history, no wreckage was ever recovered. This episode traces the political careers of Boggs and Begich, the events leading up to the doomed flight, the massive search effort, and the enduring mystery that continues to spark debate about one of America’s most puzzling unsolved aviation disappearances. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, Vanessa Richardson examines the so called 241 Plot and the rise of Alaska militia leader Schaeffer Cox, whose anti government ideology and armed network drew national attention in 2011. Cox, a self described constitutionalist, built a following rooted in sovereign citizen beliefs, apocalyptic rhetoric, and deep distrust of federal authority. Prosecutors alleged that he and his associates plotted violent retaliation against law enforcement officers and federal officials, referring to their plan as “241” in online communications. As undercover informants infiltrated the group, recordings captured discussions of weapons, ambush tactics, and revolutionary fantasies. This episode traces Cox’s ascent within the militia movement, the cult like dynamics that formed around his leadership, the federal investigation that dismantled the group, and the broader implications of extremist ideology in modern America. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, Vanessa Richardson examines the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, one of the deadliest industrial disasters in American history. When a blaze broke out on the upper floors of a New York City garment factory, locked doors, inadequate fire escapes, and overcrowded working conditions trapped hundreds of immigrant workers inside. One hundred forty six people, most of them young women, lost their lives in a tragedy that shocked the nation. As investigations revealed widespread labor violations and corporate negligence, public outrage ignited sweeping workplace safety reforms. This episode traces the events of that devastating day, the courtroom battles that followed, and the lasting impact the fire had on labor laws, worker protections, and the American labor movement. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, Vanessa Richardson examines the rise and fall of the Pullman Company Town, a planned industrial community built outside Chicago in the 1880s. Created by railroad magnate George Pullman, the town was designed to provide workers with housing, stores, churches, and strict moral oversight under corporate control. While promoted as a model society, Pullman tightly regulated daily life, wages, and behavior, fostering criticism that the town functioned less like a community and more like a paternalistic social experiment. When economic downturn led to wage cuts without reduced rents, tensions erupted into the violent Pullman Strike of 1894. This episode explores the structure of the company town, the power dynamics at play, and how corporate control over workers’ lives fueled one of the most significant labor conflicts in American history. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, Vanessa Richardson examines the 2022 destruction of the Georgia Guidestones, a rural monument that had long been at the center of global conspiracy theories. Erected in 1980 and inscribed with ten guiding principles for humanity, the massive granite structure was viewed by some as a call for unity and sustainability, and by others as evidence of a secret plan for population control and global governance. For decades, the Guidestones attracted speculation about the New World Order, elite agendas, and hidden messages. This episode traces the origins of the monument, the rise of conspiracy theories surrounding it, the explosion that brought it down, and the cultural forces that turned a roadside landmark into a lightning rod for suspicion and outrage. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, Vanessa Richardson examines the mystery and speculation surrounding Stonehenge, the prehistoric stone circle that has puzzled historians for centuries. Built thousands of years ago by Neolithic communities, the monument’s massive stones and precise alignments have fueled theories about lost civilizations, sacred geometry, ley lines, and hidden knowledge. As archaeological discoveries shed new light on how Stonehenge was constructed and used, alternative interpretations continue to thrive in books, documentaries, and online forums. This episode traces the origins of these conspiracy theories, explores the evidence behind the monument’s construction and purpose, and unpacks why Stonehenge remains one of the most debated and mysterious ancient sites in the world. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, Vanessa Richardson examines the 1978 kidnapping and murder of Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro, a crime that unfolded at the height of Italy’s “Years of Lead.” As Moro worked to unite rival political factions and reshape the country’s future, he became a target for the Red Brigades, a left-wing terrorist group determined to derail his vision. Held captive for 55 days, Moro pleaded for negotiation while the Italian government refused to bend, ultimately sealing his fate. This episode traces Moro’s rise, the brutal mechanics of his abduction, the political calculations that left him abandoned, and the lasting consequences of a decision that changed Italian history forever. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, Vanessa Richardson investigates Operation Gladio, a secret Cold War program that saw the U.S. and its allies establish covert “stay-behind” armies across Western Europe to resist a potential Soviet invasion. But when that invasion never came, questions began to surface about what these shadow forces were actually used for. From political assassinations and terror attacks to military coups and state-sanctioned violence, this episode explores the documented history of Gladio, the testimony of intelligence officials, and the conspiracy theories that allege these secret armies were turned against civilians in the name of anti-communism. As facts blur into speculation, the story raises an unsettling question: what happens when weapons built for defense are left without an enemy? If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, host Vanessa Richardson examines the chilling bioterrorism attack that terrorized the United States in the weeks following September 11, 2001. As letters laced with deadly anthrax spores moved silently through the U.S. mail, journalists, postal workers, and government employees became unsuspecting targets—leaving five people dead and an entire nation gripped by fear. Vanessa breaks down how the attacks unfolded, why the mail system became a weapon, and how investigators navigated years of false leads, public panic, and scientific breakthroughs to identify the culprit. It’s a haunting look at paranoia, power, and how one person exploited national trauma to carry out the most infamous bioterror attack in American history. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, Vanessa Richardson, joined by The Final Hours hosts Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole, unpack the rise and collapse of the Rajneesh Movement, a New Age cult that transformed a remote stretch of rural Oregon into a powerful and deeply disturbing experiment in control. What began as a promise of spiritual enlightenment and communal living under the guidance of guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh quickly devolved into paranoia, political manipulation, and violence. As the cult’s leadership consolidated power, its members carried out election interference, intimidation campaigns, and ultimately the largest bioterror attack in U.S. history. This episode explores how idealism gave way to authoritarian rule—and how a quest for utopia ended in criminal chaos.Listen to and follow The Final Hours with Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole wherever you listen to podcasts: https://play.megaphone.fm/zl8pwmgtteoqb01h_o7oww If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forty years after the murder of Sherri Rasmussen, Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes examines how her case became a lasting symbol of systemic failure and delayed justice. Vanessa and Carter explore the cold case revival, the explosive evidence uncovered decades later, and the uncomfortable implications for law enforcement accountability. Why did it take so long for the truth to emerge—and what does that delay reveal about power and protection within institutions? On this milestone anniversary, the case forces a hard reckoning with how justice can be compromised—and what it takes to finally set it right. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marking the 40-year anniversary of Sherri Rasmussen’s murder, Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes revisits a case defined by power, proximity, and unanswered questions. Vanessa is joined by Carter Roy, host of Murder: True Crime Stories, to break down the earliest moments of the investigation—and the assumptions that steered it off course. From a rushed burglary narrative to overlooked personal motives, the discussion explores how institutional loyalty and perception may have clouded the search for truth. Four decades later, the origins of this case still raise disturbing questions about who was protected—and why. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ira Einhorn was a celebrated counterculture figure, environmental activist, and self-proclaimed guru who helped promote the very first Earth Day—until his carefully crafted image unraveled. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson tells the chilling story of how Einhorn’s ego, manipulation, and hunger for control led to the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend, Holly Maddux. From his rise as a charismatic leader to decades on the run across Europe, this episode exposes how ideology can mask abuse, how followers can become accomplices, and how one man used the language of peace and progress to hide a deadly crime in plain sight. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From “clean diesel” cars to recyclable products that aren’t, greenwashing has shaped how corporations sell sustainability—often at the planet’s expense. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson traces the history of greenwashing from the Industrial Revolution to modern climate pledges, exposing how companies have used advertising, deception, and shifting blame to appear environmentally responsible while continuing to pollute. Featuring scandals like Volkswagen’s emissions fraud, oil industry cover-ups, and the rise of “net-zero” promises, this episode asks a critical question: are corporations saving the planet, or just selling us the illusion that they are? If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot in broad daylight in St. Peter’s Square—an attack that stunned the world and left behind decades of unanswered questions. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson investigates the gunman, Mehmet Ali Ağca, his ties to far-right extremist groups, and the tangled web of theories surrounding who truly ordered the assassination. From Cold War intrigue and alleged KGB involvement to apocalyptic prophecies tied to the Secrets of Fátima, this episode explores how faith, politics, and paranoia collided in one of the most mysterious assassination attempts in modern history—and why the truth may never fully be known. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 1980s and 1990s, a secretive spiritual order spread across Europe and Canada, promising enlightenment, cosmic destiny, and rebirth among the stars. Instead, it led to one of the most disturbing cult tragedies in modern history. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson investigates the Order of the Solar Temple, its charismatic leaders Joseph Di Mambro and Luc Jouret, and the blend of New Age beliefs, Catholic ritual, and apocalyptic prophecy that drew hundreds of devoted followers. As paranoia, financial exploitation, and staged “miracles” spiraled out of control, the group’s teachings culminated in coordinated murders and mass deaths that claimed 74 lives across two continents. This is the haunting story of how faith, secrecy, and manipulation turned belief into catastrophe. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A string of high-profile killings involving tech leaders sparked fears that Silicon Valley’s elite were being hunted—but the truth is far more complicated. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson examines the so-called “Tech Bro Murders,” unpacking the brutal deaths of entrepreneur Fahim Saleh, Cash App co-creator Bob Lee, and rising tech leader Pava LaPere. Through each case, the episode reveals how personal relationships, misplaced trust, misogyny, and systemic failures—not wealth alone—led to devastating violence. It’s a sobering look at how ambition, power, and proximity can turn deadly behind the glossy image of the tech world. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if reality isn’t real at all? In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson explores Simulation Theory — the unsettling idea that our world may be an advanced computer program. Tracing the concept from ancient philosophy and science fiction to modern thinkers like Nick Bostrom and today’s tech leaders, this episode examines why millions believe we’re living in a simulation, the so-called “glitches” people claim as proof, and the dangerous consequences when the theory blurs the line between belief and violence. Is this a harmless thought experiment… or a worldview with real-world consequences? If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In December 1969, the Rolling Stones set out to create the West Coast’s answer to Woodstock — a free concert meant to celebrate peace, music, and the spirit of the era. Instead, the Altamont Speedway Free Festival descended into chaos. With the Hells Angels hired as security, a massive, unruly crowd, and mounting violence throughout the day, the event spiraled toward tragedy. When 18-year-old Meredith Hunter was killed during the Stones’ set, Altamont became a symbol of the counterculture’s dark turn. In this episode, Vanessa Richardson recounts the disastrous planning, escalating tensions, and fatal chain of events that transformed a landmark concert into one of rock history’s most haunting cautionary tales. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the summer of 1969, a fringe commune led by ex-convict Charles Manson unleashed a wave of brutality that stunned the nation and marked the violent end of the 1960s counterculture. In this episode, Vanessa Richardson traces Manson’s path from a troubled childhood to the creation of his devoted “Family,” revealing how he manipulated vulnerable followers with drugs, apocalyptic prophecy, and promises of revolution. As the Tate-LaBianca murders terrorized Los Angeles, investigators uncovered a chilling web of control, delusion, and orchestrated violence that made Manson one of history’s most notorious cult leaders. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1930, New York Supreme Court Justice Joseph Force Crater stepped into a cab in Manhattan—and was never seen again. His sudden disappearance sparked national panic, fed decades of conspiracy theories, and exposed the shadowy world of political corruption surrounding Tammany Hall. In this episode, Vanessa Richardson unravels Judge Crater’s final days, from mysterious cash withdrawals to secret meetings, showgirl entanglements, and powerful enemies who may have wanted him silenced. Nearly a century later, the truth remains elusive, but the legend of “the missingest man in New York” still haunts American history. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Crime House Daily, Killer Minds, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When two Pennsylvania judges secretly took millions in kickbacks from private juvenile detention centers, thousands of kids paid the price. From minor misbehavior to harmless pranks, children were funneled into for-profit facilities under Judge Mark Ciavarella’s “zero-tolerance” courtroom—while he and his colleague Michael Conahan grew wealthier by the day. In this episode, Vanessa Richardson unpacks the shocking “Kids for Cash” conspiracy, the corruption that enabled it, the lives it destroyed, and the whistleblowers who finally brought the scheme to light. It’s a disturbing look at what happens when justice is sold to the highest bidder—and how power can turn a courthouse into a pipeline of abuse. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Crime House Daily, Killer Minds, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When 31-year-old MI6 codebreaker Gareth Williams was found dead inside a padlocked sports bag in his London apartment, investigators were left with a scene as baffling as it was chilling. With no signs of forced entry, almost no forensic evidence, and a timeline clouded by secrecy, his death sparked worldwide speculation: Was it a tragic accident, a covert assassination, or something far stranger? In this episode, Vanessa Richardson unpacks the twists, missteps, and explosive revelations surrounding one of the UK’s most mysterious modern cases — and explores why, more than a decade later, the truth remains fiercely debated. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Crime House Daily, Killer Minds, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The investigation into the disappearance of Olivia Hope and Ben Smart intensifies in this second episode, following detectives as they seize on 26-year-old Scott Watson as their primary suspect despite mismatched witness descriptions, a missing boat, and no bodies ever found. Carter and Vanessa examine the controversial forensic hair evidence, disputed scratch marks, shifting witness identifications, jailhouse informants, and the prosecution’s improvised “two-trip theory,” all of which led to Watson’s conviction in one of New Zealand’s most divisive murder cases. As key witnesses later recant and public skepticism grows, the episode explores decades of appeals, wavering public opinion, and the families’ painful search for closure—raising the haunting question of whether the truth about what happened to Olivia and Ben has ever truly been uncovered. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Crime House Daily, Killer Minds, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first episode of this New Year’s two-part special retraces the final hours of 17-year-old Olivia Hope and 21-year-old Ben Smart, who rang in 1998 at a massive party at New Zealand’s Furneaux Lodge before mysteriously vanishing. Through eyewitness accounts, detailed timelines, and growing concerns from loved ones, Carter Roy and guest host Vanessa Richardson unravel the pair’s movements that night—from youthful excitement and romantic sparks to a fateful ride on a water taxi with a drunken stranger and a promise of a place to sleep. As police launch a massive search through the Marlborough Sounds and sift through conflicting descriptions, dozens of witnesses, and more than 150 boats, the disappearance quickly shifts from confusion… to fear that something far darker occurred on the water. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Crime House Daily, Killer Minds, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Christmas Eve 1945, the Sodder family’s home burned to the ground — and five of their children vanished without a trace. No bodies were ever recovered, sparking decades of suspicion, strange sightings, and unanswered questions. Was it a tragic house fire, a deliberate act of arson, or something even more sinister? In this episode, Vanessa Richardson unpacks the mysterious events of that night, the baffling evidence left behind, and the many theories that have kept this case alive for nearly 80 years. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Crime House Daily, Killer Minds, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this chilling episode, Vanessa Richardson unravels one of Russia’s most enduring mysteries: the 1959 Dyatlov Pass Incident, where nine experienced hikers were found dead under bizarre and increasingly inexplicable circumstances. Torn tents, barefoot footprints in the snow, massive internal injuries, missing body parts, traces of radiation, and eyewitness accounts of strange lights in the sky fueled decades of speculation—ranging from Soviet weapons tests and secret military cover-ups to UFOs, infrasound-induced panic, and natural but deadly environmental forces. With newly uncovered reports, expert analysis, and the 2019 reopening of the case, Vanessa explores how science, secrecy, and sensational theories intertwine in the search for what truly happened on that snowy Ural mountainside. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Crime House Daily, Killer Minds, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dozens of young men, all found drowned. A single eerie clue near every crime scene: a painted smiley face. In this chilling crossover with Killer Minds, host Vanessa Richardson and forensic psychologist Dr. Tristin Engels uncover the dark origins of the Smiley Face Killers theory — a decades-long investigation that suggests a nationwide ring of serial murderers might still be active. Were these tragic deaths accidents, or the work of a secret cabal hiding in plain sight?Listen to Killer Minds with Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristin Engels wherever you get your podcasts: https://play.megaphone.fm/1jez8qq8ttqibebif5u_wq If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Crime House Daily, Killer Minds, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early 1900s, self-proclaimed “Doctor” Linda Burfield Hazzard promised to cure any disease through fasting. Instead, her methods led to a trail of emaciated bodies and stolen fortunes in the woods of Washington State. Join Vanessa Richardson as she exposes the deadly world of Starvation Heights — a sanitarium built on greed, deception, and starvation disguised as salvation. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Crime House Daily, Killer Minds, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 1970s, residents of Circleville, Ohio, began receiving hundreds of anonymous letters — filled with threats, accusations, and terrifying secrets.What started as a small-town scandal spiraled into a decades-long mystery involving murder, blackmail, and a botched investigation.Join Vanessa Richardson as she unravels one of America’s strangest unsolved cases — the chilling story of The Circleville Letter Writer. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What began as a self-help movement for ambitious women became one of the most disturbing cults in modern history. Led by so-called guru Keith Raniere, NXIVM lured in Hollywood stars, heiresses, and professionals — only to trap them in a secret society built on control, blackmail, and abuse. Join Vanessa Richardson as she unravels how NXIVM’s “executive success” seminars turned into a nightmare of branding, manipulation, and modern-day slavery. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1945, the quiet village of Lower Quinton, England, was rocked by a brutal killing. Seventy-four-year-old Charles Walton was found dead in a field — pinned to the ground with his own pitchfork, his body marked in what looked like ritual sacrifice. Was it a crime of passion… or something darker? Join Vanessa Richardson as she investigates one of Britain’s most chilling unsolved murders — where wartime paranoia, black magic, and folklore collide. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1997, the world lost its most beloved royal — but decades later, the question remains: Was Princess Diana’s death truly an accident… or was she silenced?In this gripping episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa Richardson unpacks the life, legacy, and mysterious death of Princess Diana. From her fairy-tale romance and public heartbreak to her chilling prediction that someone would stage her fatal “accident,” this story dives deep into the theories that have haunted Buckingham Palace for years.Explore secret letters, suppressed evidence, and Operation Paget’s classified findings — and decide for yourself whether Diana’s tragic crash in Paris was a tragic twist of fate… or a royal cover-up. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1947, the mutilated body of 22-year-old Elizabeth Short was found in Los Angeles, shocking the nation and spawning a media firestorm. Dubbed “The Black Dahlia,” her case became one of the most infamous unsolved murders in American history. This episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes unravels the secrets, suspects, and sinister theories that still haunt Hollywood nearly 80 years later. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1995, a woman checked into Oslo’s Plaza Hotel under a fake name. Days later, she was found dead in her room: no ID, no fingerprints, and no one looking for her. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, we investigate the chilling mystery of the Oslo Plaza Woman and why some believe she wasn’t just hiding… she was hunted. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1955, Jim Jones founded the Peoples Temple. By 1978, he led more than 900 of his followers to their deaths. From political power plays to psychological torture in the Guyanese jungle, this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes exposes how one man’s delusions led to one of the deadliest cult tragedies in history: the Jonestown Massacre. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1945, the Manhattan Project created the deadliest weapon the world had ever seen. But behind the race to build the atomic bomb were secret human radiation experiments, government surveillance, and a suspicious death that still raises questions. This episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes uncovers the dark truth behind Oppenheimer’s legacy...and the secrets that never made it into history books. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1997, thousands across Arizona reported seeing strange lights in the night sky. The military called them flares. But some witnesses, including pilots, doctors, and the state’s own governor, say it was something far more mysterious. This episode of "Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes" explores the Phoenix Lights, one of the largest UFO sightings in U.S. history. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Danny Casolaro said he was about to expose a global conspiracy. Days later, he was found dead in a hotel bathtub. In this episode of "Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes," we investigate "The Octopus," a shadowy network involving stolen software, CIA secrets, and political sabotage...and the chilling questions that still surround Casolaro’s death. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in broad daylight. The government said it was the work of one man: Lee Harvey Oswald. But decades later, newly-released files still don’t tell the full story. This episode of "Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes" investigates the JFK assassination and the tangled web of theories involving the CIA, the mafia, and a second shooter. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a small Alabama church, faith meant more than prayer. It meant picking up a live rattlesnake and trusting God to spare you. But when Pastor Glenn Summerford’s wife was bitten twice, the truth slithered into view. On this episode of "Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes," we investigate the rise of the Church of Jesus with Signs Following and the attempted murder that brought it all crashing down. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1993, a cult outside Waco, Texas went to war with the U.S. government. Seventy-six people, including 25 children, didn’t survive. In this episode, "Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes" unravels the terrifying rise of David Koresh and the Branch Davidians...and how belief in a coming apocalypse turned deadly. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1983, 15-year-old Emanuela Orlandi vanished from Vatican City...and never came home. For decades, her family searched for answers. What they uncovered pointed to something far darker than a kidnapping. In this episode, "Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes" takes a deep dive into the Vatican’s most disturbing cold case and the chilling evidence the Church never wanted you to see. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mind control. LSD. Government cover-ups. In this episode, "Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes" investigates Project MK-Ultra, the CIA program that secretly tested drugs and psychological torture on U.S. citizens. Find out why decades later we still don’t know the full truth. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1997, 39 Heaven’s Gate cult members died by mass suicide, believing a UFO would grant them salvation. In this debut episode, Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes peels back the layers of how a cosmic prophecy and Marshall Applewhite’s delusion ended in the deadliest cult suicide in U.S. history. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Don’t miss out on all things Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes! Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From UFO cults and mass suicides to secret CIA experiments, presidential assassinations, and murderous doctors, these aren’t just theories. They’re real stories that blur the line between fact and fiction. In Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, host Vanessa Richardson takes you deep inside some of the most disturbing, shocking, and unforgettable true crime cases in history and the people who lived them, lied through them, and sometimes died because of them. This is your official preview of the show. New episodes drop every Wednesday and Friday. Follow now so you never miss a story. For early, ad-free access, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. For more from Crime House, follow us on Instagram @crimehouse. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices