Season 8 - Episode 15

Most parents would do almost anything to save a child's life. Some are fortunate enough to be able to afford whatever treatment is needed, but money can’t buy everything. In 2023, a landmark case highlighted just how far one family was willing to go to help their child, even at the cost of someone else's...

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Black Widow

On this episode of They Walk Among America… Ethylene glycol is a colorless and odorless compound with a sweet taste commonly found in antifreeze. Ingesting a sufficient quantity of it can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs, organ damage, seizures, and, ultimately, death. The effects of this poison typically manifest within one to twelve hours after ingestion, initially impacting the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. Within twelve to 24 hours, ethylene glycol starts affecting the heart and lungs, while toxic calcium oxalate crystals begin to form. After 24 hours or more, the metabolized poison takes its toll on the kidneys, and death becomes possible at any stage. This type of poisoning results in a slow and agonizing demise, yet it often remains imperceptible. One particularly troubling aspect is that antifreeze poisoning does not readily show up on standard toxicology tests. Consequently, if a death doesn't appear suspicious, the presence of antifreeze poisoning may go undetected…

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Season 8 - Episode 14

Advancements in technology and home security have allowed people to feel safer than ever in their homes. CCTV systems are more accessible, and mobile phone apps can be used to receive alerts within seconds regarding movement outside a property. Generally, these notifications are triggered by a delivery driver or a welcomed guest, but sometimes that visitor has bad intentions. Home security systems can assist users to raise the alarm. However, in October 2021, a furious father to a young child took matters into his own hands. A jury would have to decide if the accused never intended to take a life or was enacting revenge on someone they felt deserved the ultimate punishment…

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Mother's Intuition

On this episode of They Walk Among America… It's often said that the bond between a mother and her child is incomparable, even transcending the boundaries of life and death. A mother forges a connection with her child that defies any worldly explanation. Such is the power of a mother's intuition. In 2004, this truth manifested in a remarkable way when a mother encountered a girl who bore an uncanny resemblance to someone she knew all too well. Having tragically lost her own daughter following a fire in 1997, she was struck by an overwhelming sense of familiarity upon seeing this girl…

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Season 8 - Episode 13

Double jeopardy is a legal principle that somebody cannot go on trial for the same crime more than once. The rule, over 800 years old, was put in place to protect the innocent against judicial misconduct that could see them convicted, even after being found not guilty. A pivotal shift occurred twenty years ago, with the UK's double jeopardy law undergoing a significant transformation through the Criminal Justice Act 2003. This introduced substantial reforms, particularly for serious crimes. The amendment allowed the possibility of retrial for someone previously acquitted, if "new and compelling" evidence surfaced…

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Season 8 - Episode 12

A couple living on a farm in Kempsey, Worcestershire, had been having issues with their septic tank for some time. Two maintenance companies had been employed to fix the problem, but frustratingly, it was still blocked. On July 12th, 2019, a third company sent out a worker to drain the septic tank on the 500-acre farm. While emptying the tank, the pipe suddenly became blocked. When the worker cleared the obstruction, he discovered a mass of human hair was causing the problem. He thought it was an unusual amount to find, but continued with his duties. Work stopped once again when another object was found. This time, it was more than just hair; it was a human skull... 

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Heartbreak

On this episode of They Walk Among America… When people with children embark on new relationships, the children involved often require an adjustment period. This may involve adapting to new routines, becoming part of a blended family, and getting used to an entirely new dynamic. Additionally, the new adult in their lives might bring unresolved issues from their own past. At about 3 PM on July 8th, 2009, Spartanburg Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a scene following reports of a domestic incident. When first responders arrived, they were shocked to find a young child had been caught up in a situation that had nothing to do with her. The case sent shockwaves throughout the community, shedding light on the unfortunate reality that far too often, innocent children can become collateral damage in adult affairs…

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Season 8 - Episode 11

At first glance, the Foster family possessed all the trappings of a picture-perfect life; a sprawling mansion worth £1.2 million nestled in the quiet expanse of Maesbrook, Shropshire, a privately educated daughter, and a fleet of luxury cars. In the summer of 2008, everything changed in an instant. As dawn broke on August 26th, an explosive eruption jolted the neighbourhood awake, drawing sleepy residents from their beds. Flames engulfed the Foster’s lavish home, and thick smoke penetrated the morning sky. An investigation into the inferno would unearth the unsettling truth that sometimes, appearances can be deceiving….

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No Hard Feelings

On this episode of They Walk Among America… Every individual possesses unique fingerprints, making them invaluable in resolving homicide investigations. The year 1911 marked a significant milestone as U.S. courts officially recognized fingerprints as a dependable method of identification. Advancements continued into the 1970s when forensic professionals pioneered a novel technique—fingerprinting the deceased. This innovative approach incorporated chemical powders and photosensitive paper to capture prints. A pivotal moment occurred in 1978, as forensic experts in Miami, Florida, adopted this revolutionary method while probing a triple murder case in a local spa. At first, the crime appeared to be a robbery gone wrong. However, the examination by the forensic experts revealed that they were looking for somebody much closer to home…

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Season 8 - Episode 10

Early on an autumn morning, the emergency services received a call that a teenager was unresponsive in Newtown, Wales. It was Saturday, October 10th, 2020. What the panicked woman on the other end of the line described was a far cry from the typical teenage weekend drinking sessions that ended with alcohol poisoning or injury. The caller was the motionless girl’s grandmother. She contacted the emergency services as she had received a call from her son, Alun Titford. Alun was panicked. There was something seriously wrong with his 16-year-old daughter Kaylea. The caller relayed all the information she had to the operator. Her son told her that Kaylea was cold to the touch…

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Season 8 - Episode 9

A milkman was going about his early morning rounds in St. Stephen’s Court in Bath. June 9th, 1984, was a day he would never forget. As he journeyed along his usual route, he noticed something on the ground. He followed what appeared to be a trail of blood, which led him to the source — the body of a teenage girl. She wasn't moving. She had been brutally stabbed a short distance from her home…

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Harsh Reality

On this episode of They Walk Among America… On the evening of July 24th, 2000, Sarasota police officers were dispatched to a house on Grand Cayman Street following a 911 call from a local resident who said a young man had told him he believed his aunt had been killed. After forcing their way into the property, they found a woman lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen, beaten to death. It didn’t take long for the victim to be identified, and it took even less time for the media to pick up the story. 52-year-old Nancy Campbell-Panitz had appeared on national television just hours before she was found dead. Her ex-husband and his new wife had confronted her on an episode of The Jerry Springer Show, and it seemed as though their troubles had followed them back home…

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Season 8 - Episode 8

On the morning of May 15th, 1979, three boys were playing by the Wyken Basin when they noticed something floating in the water. Curious, they went to take a closer look. They approached the reeds on the water's edge, and the object came into focus. It dawned on them that it was a body. Panicked by their discovery, the boys ran to the first adult they could find. They told him what they had seen in the water and in turn he hurriedly contacted the police…

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Wayward

On this episode of They Walk Among America… Nestled in the heart of Somers, New York, The Turner House stands as a remarkable testament to the grandeur of the 19th century. This pristine white-framed home was crafted by a wealthy Gentry farmer, and its presence exudes a sense of affluence and historical significance. Spanning an impressive 4,731 square feet, The Turner House rests on a sprawling 2.05-acre estate. The front of the home is framed by majestic and age-old trees, providing shade and ensuring an air of privacy. However, The Turner House is not without a dark past. In 1980, this once tranquil abode became the haunting scene of a gruesome murder, a murder that sent shockwaves throughout the peaceful bedroom community…

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Sisters

On this episode of They Walk Among America… The rural roadside was illuminated by the flames consuming the trailer, and the blue and red flashing lights of the emergency vehicles. It was a chaotic scene as people desperately tried to rescue the teenage girls believed to be trapped inside. As firefighters dashed towards the blaze, someone on the road noticed a girl lying face down in the mud. When paramedics noticed a gaping 6-inch wound in her abdomen, they believed she had been injured in the fire somehow, but when a surgeon found a shotgun wad inside her body at the hospital, it was clear that the fire had been set intentionally to cover a horrific crime…

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Season 8 - Episode 7

In 1952, Cardiff was a bustling industrial hub, a Welsh city that was in the midst of post-war construction. Cardiff docks were the main economic driver, and they welcomed ships from all across the globe, trading goods and raw materials. This trade led to the city quickly becoming a hub of multiculturalism. In particular, it became home to many Somali sailors who had sought new pastures. That same year, one of those sailors would find himself at the centre of a murder investigation that would highlight the dangers of a biassed justice system...

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Season 8 - Episode 6

The Newborough family had gathered together at their home in Nuneaton. They had just finished their dinner, when 23-year-old Megan said she was going out to meet a “friend” from work. His name was Ross McCullam, and she described him as a gentleman. Her words were meant to reassure her family, to give the impression of a harmless, platonic encounter, since they had not met this “friend”. She waved her family goodbye as Megan climbed into her Citroen C3 and set off into the night…

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American Dream

On this episode of They Walk Among America… An Australian man named Greg McNicol saw something in Detroit that few others could. He wanted to enrich the lives of the community by purchasing a dilapidated apartment complex and transforming it into a desirable place to live. Greg lowered the rent and ensured his tenants were well taken care of. In the end, however, Greg’s goodwill was repaid in the most horrific way imaginable…

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Season 8 - Episode 5

Saturday, April 18th, 1998. In the early hours of the morning, two police officers were dispatched to the scene of a disturbance at a car park near Dolphin Square and Oxford Street in Weston-Super-Mare. PC Clive Golding-Ellis and PC Robert Deville were expecting a standard weekend drunken brawl. They saw something much different and considerably more disturbing. A woman was lying on the ground. Her skin blistered and distorted with extensive burns that covered her head and upper body. As the officers urgently called for an ambulance, they spoke to a man standing nearby, drinking from a can of lager. He was drunk and told the officers, "I tried to put her out. The flames kept going back again”…

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Bonus Episode 35

In the early hours of July 14th, a resident of Highfield Road in Neston heard banging on his front door. On his doorstep, he saw a middle-aged woman in a state of distress. The homeowner didn’t know her well, but he knew she lived further down the street. Through heaving sobs, his neighbour said: "I've hurt him. I've hurt him really bad. I think I’ve killed him…"

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