Truer Crime

In 2001, Sarah Turney’s sister, Alissa, went missing. Nearly two decades later and no arrests in the case, the police told her they could no longer help her and she needed to get media coverage for the case. So, in 2019, Sarah started The Voices for Justice Podcast as a way to tell Alissa’s story. In August 2020, an arrest was made in the case and Sarah’s efforts were recognized by the Maricopa County Attorney. Since the arrest, Sarah has shifted her focus to advocating for other cases in need of justice.

In today’s bonus interview, Sarah reflects on what she’s learned along the way, and answers critical questions from her own experience as both a victim’s family member and a true crime media creator herself. Why might a family member tell their story on a podcast with exploitative tendencies? How does Sarah create a safe space for victims and their family members to share their stories on Voices for Justice? What could ethical true crime content look like? And what can true crime media consumers do to push the genre into a more ethical direction?

I was so honored to learn from Sarah, and I hope you enjoy this bonus interview while we are on a break from regular season episodes.

When Roiann was diagnosed with early onset dementia, her sister Robin had her back, making sure everything was in order so she could live comfortably in an assisted living facility. When her other sister and mom were also diagnosed with dementia, Robin worked harder and reached deeper to support the family she loved. A problem solver, Robin had a plan to both support her family and retire happily with her husband. But then she met Isaiah, and her life and plans were irreparably changed. In this special announcement episode, Celisia has a small story and a big request.

In 2017, Olivia Gatwood picked up a new hobby: listening to true crime podcasts. Living in a first floor Boston apartment at the time, Olivia was quickly consumed by a new fear: a man breaking into her apartment and murdering her in her sleep. In order to work through this fear, Olivia wrote about it in what would eventually become her poetry collection “Life of the Party.”

A conversation between Olivia and Celisia, today’s episode explores how warranted fear can become harmful paranoia, why so many women are obsessed with true crime, and what ‘justice’ looks like in a society obsessed with punishment.

At just 21 years old, Joan Little finds herself on trial for murder and facing the death penalty. But still, thousands of people around the country insist that Joan’s actions were justified. When her case sparks nationwide protests and a wave of financial support, eyes around the world are suddenly all on Joan. Picking up where part 1 left off, today’s episode explores what happens when someone suddenly and unwittingly becomes the face of a movement.

Last week I sat in a courtroom, a government building not so different from the ones we often mention on Truer Crime. So this week I decided to do something different: In today’s episode, I’m both crime storyteller and crime victim. This is the story of how a man I trusted stole my entire life savings — and what I learned along the way.

In the early hours of August 27th, 1974, the security camera at North Carolina’s Beaufort County Jail was inexplicably not working. So when the night jailer, Clarence Alligood is found dead in 20-year-old Joan Little’s cell — everyone is left with a slew of unanswered questions. Why was Clarence Alligood in Joan Little’s cell? What had led to his murder? And where was Joan Little?

Today’s episode explores a case that was too big and important to fit into one episode. The story continues with part 2 next Tuesday (July 6th).

Today’s episode contains references to sexual assault. Please take care while listening.

In the winter of 2013, Dylan King-Lemons went to the doctor with stomach pains. His diagnosis? HIV. A few months later, one of his former sexual partners, Michael Johnson, is arrested. But why? Today’s episode explores identity, crime, and our societal obsession with punishment.

Please be aware that today’s episode contains references to anti-Black racism, homophobia, and incarceration.

*Correction: In the episode we mentioned St. Charles, Missouri has a Black population of less than 2%. This was an error. The most recent U.S. Census data shows that St. Charles County, Missouri has Black or African American population of 5.3%.

In 1921, an act of terrorism would turn a once thriving Black community to ash and rubble overnight. It was an event so horrific that many historians now call it the single worst incident of racist violence in U.S. history. But what led up to that fateful day? And why were folks so intent to forget it ever happened? Today’s episode explores the importance of history and the ways violence can stretch — touching us all even a century later. 

Please be aware that today’s episode discusses anti-Black racist violence, murder, and sexual assault. 

No one had seen 8-year-old Relisha Rudd for weeks before she was finally reported missing in March of 2014. So where was she? Why did it take so long for anyone to notice? And who was to blame? Today’s episode explores what can happen when the systems built to protect families just — *don’t*. 

Please be aware that today’s story contains references to suicide, gun violence, child abuse, and housing insecurity.

At just 16 years old, Josiah Sutton is accused and convicted of a heinous crime he swears he didn’t commit. Only problem? Investigators have DNA evidence which links him directly to the crime. Today’s episode explores forensic science, the effects of imprisonment, and the bond between a mother and her son. Today’s story contains references to sexual assault, incarceration, and very briefly, suicidal ideation. 

Please take care while listening. A special thank you to Josiah’s mom, Carol Batie for talking with us for this episode. 

Prior to his death in 2020, Samuel Little confessed to 93 different murders between the years of 1970 and 2005. And over 50 of them have been confirmed by investigators. It makes Little the most prolific serial killer in US history. So why then, have you never heard of him? Today’s episode explores who is looked for, who is seen, and who is forgotten.

Today's episode contains references to sexual assault, opioid addiction, and physical abuse. Please take care while listening.

At 2:30am in June of 1996, Darlie Routier placed a frantic call to 911. A rough story starts to emerge: an intruder broke into the Routier home, attacked Darlie and her two sons Damon and Devon, and then fled into the night.. Almost immediately, cops have only one suspect. But the Routier family? They know that investigators have it all wrong. Today’s story is an  episode that examines what it really means to be innocent until proven guilty.

Today's episode contains references to violence against children, depression, suicidal ideation, and incarceration. Please take care while listening.

Do you ever listen to a true crime podcast and think “that’s not quite right…?” Same. Crime stories are hard to ignore and even harder to forget. But the thing is... they’re stories. And getting a story right is all about how you tell it. Truer Crime talks about real people — murdered, missing, misled — with more nuance, more context, and more questions. Hosted by Celisia Stanton. Starting Tuesday, May 18th.