← Crime House 24/7
Crime House 24/7
American Convicted in Bali “Suitcase Murder” Faces Court in U.S. | Crime House 24/7
00:29:00
Loading summary
Transcript18 lines
- [00:02]
Vanessa Richardson
Hi, it's Vanessa. If you're drawn to true crime stories about disappearances, there's a new Crime House original you should check out. It's called the Final Hours, hosted by Sarah Turney and Courtney Nicole. Sarah's an advocate for missing and murdered victims whose own sister disappeared in 2001. And Courtney is a true crime storyteller who's seen firsthand how crime can change a family forever. Together, they bring lived experience to every case, examining the moments just before a person disappears. The routines, the timelines, the small details that often get overlooked because every disappearance has a moment where everything still feels normal until it doesn't. Listen to and follow the final hours on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Monday. Foreign.
- [01:02]
Crime House Announcer
This is Crime House.
- [01:06]
Vanessa Richardson
Good morning everyone. We have multiple breaking true crime cases this morning that you need to know about, and we're starting with the biggest one. More than a decade after the infamous Bali suitcase murder, the American man convicted in the killing has been deported back to the United States where he now faces federal federal charges tied to the crime. This is crime house 24 7, your non stop source for the biggest crime cases developing right now. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Vanessa Richardson and we have quite a lineup for you today. Here's what you need to know.
- [01:46]
Lemonade Pet Insurance Advertiser
If you're an experienced pet owner, you already know that having a pet is 25% belly rubs, 25% yelling drop it. And 50% groaning at the bill from every pet visit. Which is why Lemonade Pet Pet Insurance is tailor made for your pet and can save you up to 90% on vet bills. It can help cover checkups, emergencies, diagnostics, basically all the stuff that makes your bank account get nervous. Claims are filed super easily through the Lemonade app and half get settled instantly. Get a'@lemonade.com pet and they'll help cover the vet bill for whatever your pet swallowed after you yelled drop it.
- [02:20]
Vanessa Richardson
On February 24, Indonesian officials transferred American citizen Tommy Schaefer out of prison custody and deported him to the United States after he served more than 11 years for his role in the infamous Bali suitcase murder. 32 year old Shaffer walked out of Kan prison after completing the majority of an 18 year sentence for the 2014 murder of 62 year old Sheila von Wiesmack, a wealthy Chicago socialite whose badly battered body was discovered inside a suitcase in the trunk of a taxi parked at the luxury St. Regis Bali resort. Indonesian Immigration officials confirmed Feb. 24, that Schaefer was handed over to authorities for deportation to the United States after receiving sentence reductions for good behavior and time served. Under Indonesian penal law, foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes are routinely deported once their prison terms conclude. Schaefer's release from Karobakan does not mark the end of the legal drama. It marks a new phase in the United States, prosecutors will argue, federal conspiracy charges that could result in a lengthy or even life prison term if he is convicted. Additionally, Schaefer's deportation now brings the spotlight to his federal legal jeopardy. A 2017 U.S. indictment that was unsealed in 2021 charges him with conspiracy to kill a U.S. national overseas, conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with a victim. Federal prosecutors say those charges stem from his alleged role in the Bali plot and violate U.S. law because Von Wiesmack was an American citizen. The case, instantly dubbed the Bali Suitcase Murder, shocked both Indonesian residents and international tourists on August 12, 2014. The same day as the murder, hotel staff and a perplexed taxi driver noticed an unusually heavy suitcase. When authorities opened it, von Wiesmack's lifeless body was inside, wrapped in a blanket. At the time, 21 year old Schaefer was dating von Wiesmack's daughter, Heather Mack. She had just turned 19 and was a few weeks pregnant pregnant with Schaefer's child at the time. The day after the murder, both Shaffer and Mac were arrested at a nearby hotel while attempting to flee. Indonesian prosecutors alleged the killing was premeditated and part of a desperate plot to access von Wiesmack's substantial trust fund, estimated at over $1.5 million. In denials that gave way to a harsher reality, prosecutors presented evidence, including incriminating text messages showing Schaefer and Mac discussed how and to kill von Wiesmack before entering her hotel room. Mac's messages reportedly encouraged Schaefer to strike her mother and both later confessed to their roles. During the 2015 Indonesian trial, both were convicted of premeditated murder. Schaer received an 18 year sentence while Mac received a 10 year term in Indonesia after the court concluded she helped restrain her mother and aided in concealing the body in the suitcase. The For a time, both faced the possibility of execution by firing squad, a maximum penalty under Indonesian law for premeditated killing. Max served roughly seven years of her Indonesian sentence and even had her baby in prison before being released and deported to the United States in October 2021. Upon arrival, federal authorities arrested her on conspiracy charges related to the murder of an American citizen Abroad In In January 2024, a US federal judge sentenced Mack to 26 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to conspiring to kill her mother. Acknowledging the planning and coordination that preceded the fatal assault on Bali. The case captivated global media from the moment von Wiesmack's body was found. The juxtaposition of an affluent socialite murdered during an idyllic vacation and the grim discovery in a suitcase at a five star resort drew comparisons to thrill, though the brutality was all too real. But the violence in Bali did not emerge from nowhere long before the suitcase was discovered at the St. Regis. Police records in Oak Park, Illinois documented a deeply fractured relationship between Heather Mack and her mother between 2004 and 2013. Officers responded to the family home more than 80 times for domestic disturbances and related calls. Reports included allegations that Mac had physically assaulted her mother on multiple occasions, including incidents in which she allegedly struck her, bit her and at one point broke her arm and cut a phone cord to prevent her from calling police. Court records later revealed that von Wiesmack had told officers she feared her daughter and worried the escalating conflict could one day turn deadly. For now, Shaffer is in U.S. custody under federal authorities. He's scheduled to appear in federal court in Chicago on February 26 for arraignment, according to U S Media reports, where the next chapter of this international saga will begin unfolding. And as legal attention turns to Chicago's federal courthouse, another shocking killing is under scrutiny where a woman allegedly shot a married Pastor dead. On February 24th, a Tennessee judge sentenced 46 year old Latasha Daniels to 20 years in prison for the 2019 killing of Memphis pastor 36 year old Broads Perry, closing a case that has unfolded in Shelby county courtrooms for nearly seven years and exposed the deeply complicated relationship that preceded the fatal shooting. Daniels received 20 years for second degree murder in Perry's death and 11 months and 29 days for criminal attempt to commit reckless endangerment after she fired additional shots that injured Perry's wife during the same confrontation. The sentences will run concurrently, resulting in a 20 year effective term under Tennessee law. The shooting occurred on April 4, 2019 outside the Perry's Memphis home. Prosecutors said Daniels drove to the residence armed with a handgun and confronted Perry after he ended their affair. Perry was shot multiple times and died from his injuries. His wife was wounded but survived, but trial testimony revealed the relationship between Daniels and the married pastor was far more complex than a simple breakup. Daniels testified that the affair began during a counseling session while she was in the process of divorcing her second husband. According to her testimony, Perry initiated a sexual relationship after providing pastoral counseling. She told jurors she felt emotionally supported and valued in ways she had not experienced before. Over time, she said, the relationship deepened. Daniels also claimed Perry told her his wife had agreed to an open marriage arrangement and that their relationship was permitted, a claim Perry's widow later denied in court. Daniels testified that Perry suggested the two women could function as sister wives, reinforcing her belief that the relationship would eventually continue openly. Daniels told jurors Perry instructed her to communicate through apps that deleted messages automatically and allegedly told her not to call 911 if anything ever happened happen to him, but instead to contact another pastor. Daniels testified that she purchased expensive gifts for Perry and paid her own way on trips they took together. By early April 2019, however, Perry ended the relationship. Prosecutors argued that Daniels reacted with anger and heartbreak after being cut off on the morning of the shooting, Perry and his wife were outside their home when Daniels arrived. Witnesses testified that a confrontation escalated quickly with Daniels being heard yelling, quote, he broke my heart, end quote. Before gunfire erupted, officers responding to the scene found Perry critically wounded. Despite emergency efforts, he was pronounced dead. His wife survived, but later testified about the trauma of being shot and witnessing her husband's killing in front of their home. In 2024, a jury convicted Daniels of second degree murder rather than first degree premeditated murder, meaning jurors concluded she knowingly killed. Perry did not find sufficient proof of pre planning beyond a reasonable doubt. She was also convicted of attempting to endanger his wife by firing in her direction. At the February 24 sentencing hearing, members of Perry's family described the lasting devastation of the shooting. Perry had been affiliated with Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church and was remembered as a father, husband and spiritual leader. Daniels addressed the court before sentencing, apologizing and stating, quote, I know what I did, end quote. The judge acknowledged her remorse, but emphasized the irreversible harm caused by the violence. Under Tennessee law, Daniels must serve a significant portion of her sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Nearly seven years after the deadly confrontation, the legal chapter has closed, but the emotional fallout remains. And as this Tennessee courtroom closes the chapter on a deadly affair, investigators in Australia have announced arrests in the shocking kidnapping and death of a grandfather taken by mistake.
- [12:24]
National Debt Relief Advertiser
Do you have $10,000 or more in credit card debt? Maybe you're even barely getting by by making minimum payments. With credit card debt hitting record highs, National Debt Relief offers real debt relief solutions for people struggling to keep up. These options may reduce a large portion of credit card debt. For those who qualify, you don't need to declare bankruptcy and you may be able to pay back less than you owe regardless of your credit. National Debt Relief has already reduced the credit card debt for more than 550,000 consumers, so don't wait. If you owe 10, 20 or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in credit card debt, you can now take advantage of this financial debt relief as the cost of living increases. To find out how much you could save, Visit National Debt Relief.com that's NationalDebtRelief.com
- [13:10]
Depop Advertiser
your little one grew three inches overnight. Adorable. Also expensive. Sell their pint sized pieces on Depop and list them in minutes with no selling fees because somewhere a dad refuses to pay full price for the clothes his kids will outgrow tomorrow and he's ready to buy your son's entire wardrobe right right now. Consider your future growth Bird budget secured. Start selling on depop where taste recognizes taste. Payment processing fees and boosting fees still apply. See website for details.
- [13:41]
Vanessa Richardson
In a new development, two men were placed under arrest on Wednesday, February 25 in the kidnapping and death of 85 year old Australian grandfather Chris Bogarian. Quickly, investigators in Sydney came to a devastating realization that Bogsarian was not the intended victim. It appeared that the 85 year old was taken in a case of mistaken identity. The arrests came one day after human remains believed to be his were located near a golf club in Northwest Sydney. Police did not identify the two men arrested in their news release, but they were identified by the Daily Telegraph as 29 year old Gerard Andrews and 24 year old Daniel Stevens. On February 13, officers were called to a home on Shackle Avenue in North Ride where Bog Sarian had been forcibly taken. It was his neighbors who first raised the alarm, calling police after hearing a disturbance coming from the house. One neighbor, Felix Cho, told 9News that quote, the screaming just kept on going and then it was muffled so I ended up looking outside. Cho said he then, quote, saw the guy popping into his car and fleeing off. End quote. When authorities arrived, Bog Sarian, who had lived alone since his wife died four years ago, was missing and there were signs of forced entry. Police quickly determined the the grandfather had no links to organized crime. Within days, police created a specialized task force to investigate the abduction and determine why an elderly man with no criminal ties had been forcibly abducted. Police believe Bogsarian was mistakenly kidnapped while the offenders were allegedly targeting the father of 37 year old Dimitri Stepanin, a convicted armed robber and founder of the streetwear label Proper Streetwear who lived on the same street as Boxarian. In the days following the abduction, a video surfaced showing an older man bound at what investigators later identified as an abandoned property in Dural, about 20 km from his north ride home. By the time officers located and searched the property, he was no longer there. On Tuesday, February 24th, at approximately 8:00am officers located human remains near a golf club in Pitt town, about 60 kilometers northwest of Sydney's central business district. Authorities later confirmed the remains were those of Chris Bog Sarian and early Wednesday morning police moved to make arrests. At about 6:30am on February 25, detectives assisted by the NSW Police Raptor Squad, which targets serious and organized crime, executed coordinated search warrants in Kent Hurst, Castle Hill and Lake Macquarie. Australian media reported that Andrews and Stevens were taken into custody from their parents homes in Kent Hurst and in Castle Hill. Officers also seized vehicles, electronics and clothing. They were transported to Riverstone Police Station and charged with kidnapping and murder. Both are scheduled to appear before Blacktown Local Court. Police have not publicly detailed an official motive and describe the investigation as ongoing and in another case that has made headlines across the country, a Florida teen is now facing charges in his stepsister's death at Sea. An 18 year old high school senior boarded a Caribbean cruise with her family last November. She never came home. Now, months later, her 16 year old stepbrother has been charged with homicide in her death, according to court records that surfaced on Monday, February 20th. Timothy Hudson of Florida is facing a juvenile homicide charge in connection with the death of of Anna Kepner, an 18 year old from Titusville. The charge stems from what happened aboard the Carnival Horizon during a family vacation. The charges were revealed through an emergency custody petition filed in Brevard County, Florida. Attorneys for Thomas Hudson, the biological father of the 16 year old suspect, wrote that according to social media posts from the Kepner family, the teen was charged by the United States Attorney in the Southern District of Florida on February 3, 2026 in connection with Kep homicide. Kepner, a high school senior and cheerleader from Titusville, Florida was found dead on November 7, 2025 inside a cabin she shared with her stepbrother aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship during a week long Caribbean family vacation. She'd been traveling with her father Chris Kepner, her stepmother Chantel Hudson, grandparents and her stepmother's two children, including the suspect. According to court documents, Kepner died from asphyxiation, possibly caused by a bar hold an arm held across the neck. Investigators documented bruising on the side of her neck because the ship was in international waters. The case falls under federal jurisdiction and the FBI and the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of Florida have been involved in the investigation. Because the case involves a juvenile, the proceedings have been largely sealed. Kepner's family has described her as a bright, loving young woman with hopes to join the Navy after graduating high school. Carnival Cruise Line previously said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement. What began as a fun family vacation ended in tragedy, and now investigators continue to piece together what happened. Inside that cabin at sea,
- [19:31]
Crime House Announcer
There's an SUV that turns the unthinkable into the unforgettable. The new Nissan Pathfinder. Built for big adventures and all that family chaos. It's powered by a strong V6 engine with a nine speed automatic transmission. Inside, it's rugged and capable, but still premium and tech forward with room for up to eight passengers. It's also available with seven passenger seating and second row captain's chairs with massive hauling capability. Now you can bring all the gear you and your family need for unfortunately unforgettable adventures. The new V6 Nissan Pathfinder power your
- [19:59]
Vanessa Richardson
adventure if you're drawn to true crime stories about disappearances, there's a new crime House show for you to check out. It's the new Crime House original series, the Final Hours, hosted by Sarah Turney and Courtney Nicole. Sarah is an advocate for missing and murdered victims whose own sister disappeared in 2001, and Courtney is a true crime storyteller and investigator investigator who witnessed firsthand how crime can change a family forever. Together, they bring lived experience to every case, looking not only at what happened, but what led up to it. Each episode examines the moments just before a person disappears, the routines, the timelines, and the small details that often get overlooked. Because every disappearance has a moment where everything still feels normal. A text that doesn't raise concern, a routine that goes unchanged, a door that closes just like it always has. Until it doesn't. The final hours puts those moments under a microscope because when it comes to justice, there's no such thing as overanalyzing. Listen to and follow the final hours on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen. New episodes every Monday. Before you go, let me tell you about what else is happening at Crime House today. On Serial Killers and Murderous Minds, we explore a certain archetype in true crime that the public returns to again and again. Slow, methodical murders. One of the most infamous is the so called Black Widow, a woman accused of killing romantic partners, often through deception, poison or manipulation, and Often with financial or emotional control tied to the motive. The term itself is sensational, borrowed from the spider known for consuming its mate. But the cases behind the label are very real, and the victims are very real. These crimes rarely involve strangers in dark alleys. They unfold in kitchens, bedrooms and hospital rooms. They happen slowly. They happen under the COVID of intimacy. And that's what makes them so unsettling. Before you head over to the full episode, here are five of the most infamous Black Widow murder cases in history. Number one, Belle Gunness. Belle Gunness is one of the earliest and most chilling figures associated with the Black Widow label. In the early 1900s, Gunness operated a farm in La Porte, Indiana. She placed personal ads in newspapers advertising herself as a widow seeking companionship. Suitors arrived from across the country, often bringing their life saving savings with them. Many of those men were never seen again. After a suspicious fire destroyed Gunness's farmhouse in 1908, investigators began digging through the property. What they uncovered was horrifying. Multiple bodies buried in shallow graves across the farm. Authorities believed Gunness lured men with promises of marriage, convincing them to bring cash or transfer property, and then killed them. Some estimates suggested the number of victims could exceed a dozen, though exact totals remain uncertain due to record keeping limitations of the time. Even more unsettling, the fire that exposed the crimes also killed several children. And questions lingered about whether the body believed to be Gunness was truly hers. Some investigators suspected she may have staged her own death and escaped. Belle Gunness remains one of the most mysterious early American serial killers, blending financial motive with calculated manipulation inside intimate relationships. Number two, Mary Ann Cotton. Marianne Cotton became one of Britain's most notorious poisoners in the 19th century. Born in 1832, Cotton's life was marked by repeated marriages and repeated tragedies. Multiple husbands died under her career. Several children also passed away, often after sudden illnesses. At the time, arsenic was widely available in household products and difficult to detect. Symptoms of arsenic poisoning, vomiting, stomach pain, weakness could mimic common illnesses of the era. Suspicion began to grow as death seemed to follow Cotton from town to town. Life insurance policies and small payouts often followed the deaths of family members, providing a financial incentive in an era of povert. She was ultimately arrested and convicted for the murder of her stepson, though authorities believed the true number of victims was much higher. In 1873, Mary Ann Cotton was executed. Her case illustrates how domestic trust can become a shield for violence, especially when forensic science is limited and societal expectations make certain suspects less likely in the public eye. Number three, nanny doss. The Giggling Granny Nanny Doss's public Persona could not have contrasted more sharply with her crimes. Described as friendly, chatty, and fond of romance novels, Doss confessed in 1954 to killing multiple husbands over several decades. She also admitted responsibility in the deaths of other family members. Like many women later labeled black widows, Doss used poison, often slipping arsenic into food or drink. Her marriages followed a pattern courtship, disappointment, illness, death. Investigators learned that Doss often sought relationships through lonely hearts columns, presenting herself as eager for love and companionship. But when marriages failed to match her expectations, she turned to lethal means. Her nickname, the Giggling Granny, came from her unsettling demeanor during questioning. She reportedly laughed and appeared detach while describing the deaths. While media coverage leaned heavily into caricature, the underlying reality was grim. Multiple people trusted her as a partner or caregiver, and that trust became the vehicle for harm. Her case remains one of the most disturbing examples of how serial murder can operate within ordinary domestic settings. Number 4 Blanche Taylor Moore Blanche Taylor Moore's case unfolded in North Carolina in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1989, Moore's boyfriend, Reverend Dwight Moore, became violently ill after a church dinner. Doctors initially struggled to explain his symptoms. Eventually, testing revealed arsenic poisoning. As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a pattern of illness and death surrounding Blanche Taylor Moore, including the earlier suspicious death of her first husband. And unlike historical poisoners operating before forensic advances, Moore's case was built through toxicology testing and careful medical review. Arsenic levels found in victims were far beyond accidental exposure. Prosecutors argued that Moore used poisoning as a means of control, gaining sympathy and influence while quietly eliminating partners. She was convicted in 1990 and sentenced to death. Though her execution has been delayed for decades, her case stands as a modern reminder that poisoning remains one of the most difficult crimes to detect early, often masked by what appears to be natural illness until patterns become impossible to ignore. Number five Stacy Castor, the Black widow of New York Stacey Castor's case brought the black widow archetype into the 21st century. In 2005, her second husband, husband David Castor, died after becoming violently ill. Investigators later determined he had ingested adaphreeze containing ethylene glycol, a toxic substance that initially mimics flu like symptoms before causing organ failure. Suspicion deepened when authorities revisited the death of Castor's first husband years earlier, who had also died suddenly under questionable circumstances. But what made the case even more disturbing was what followed. Stacy Castor attempted to frame her own daughter for the murder, forging a suicide note that claimed responsibility for poisoning David Castor. She even tried to stage her daughter's death to reinforce the narrative. Forensic evidence ultimately unraveled the deception. Antifreeze residue, inconsistencies in the note and investigative persistence led to Castor's conviction in 2009. The manipulation involved in this case extended beyond romantic partners. It pulled a child into the center of a calculated attempt to evade responsibility. Castor died in prison in 2016. Her case remains one of the most disturbing modern examples of how deception and financial motive can intersect with intimate relationships in devastating ways. The label black widow may be dramatic, but the crimes behind it share common elements. Intimacy, trust, and calculated control. These cases remind us that some of the most dangerous predators are not strangers. They are partners, spouses, caregivers. And the harm they cause often unfolds quietly over time, hidden behind familiarity. For the full deep dive into today's case, head over to serial killers and murderous minds. Because sometimes the most chilling stories aren't about monsters in the dark, and they're about betrayal in the light. You've been listening to crime house 247 bringing you breaking crime news. I'm Vanessa Richardson. We'll be back Monday morning with more developing stories. Stay safe and thanks for listening. Close your eyes, exhale. Feel your body relax and let go of whatever you're carrying today. Well, I'm letting go of the worry that I wouldn't get my new contacts in time for this class. I got them delivered free from 1-800-contacts. Oh my gosh, they're so fast. And breathe. Oh, sorry. I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order. Oh, sorry. Namaste. Visit 1-800-contacts.com today to save on your first order. 1-800-contacts. Hi, it's Vanessa. If you're drawn to true clothes crime stories about disappearances, check out the new Crime House original the Final Hours, hosted by Sarah Turney and Courtney Nicole. Listen to and follow the final hours on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Monday.
- [31:12]
Depop Advertiser
Lifelock, how can I help?
- [31:13]
Vanessa Richardson
The IRS said I filed my return, but I haven't.
- [31:16]
Crime House Announcer
One in four tax paying Americans has paid the price of identity fraud.
- [31:20]
Vanessa Richardson
What do I do? My refund though. I'm freaking out. Don't worry, I can fix this.
- [31:24]
Crime House Announcer
Lifelock fixes identity theft guaranteed and gets your money back with up to $3 million in coverage.
- [31:29]
Lemonade Pet Insurance Advertiser
I'm so relieved.
- [31:30]
Vanessa Richardson
No problem. I'll be with you every step of the way.
- [31:32]
Crime House Announcer
One in four was a fraud paying American. Not anymore. Save up to 40% your first year. Visit lifelock.com podcast terms apply.