Crime House Daily — First Watch: Colorado’s “Faith Gym” Predator & Four Moms Solve Cold Case
Host: Katie Ring
Date: October 7, 2025

Overview

In this First Watch episode of Crime House Daily, host Katie Ring covers two headline-making cases:

1. The conviction of Colorado fitness trainer Aaron Corrado, known as the “Faith Gym” Predator, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting two teenage athletes under his care and now faces a potential life sentence.
2. The extraordinary story of the “Carpool Detectives”—four suburban moms from Los Angeles who solved a 15-year-old cold case double homicide with ties to organized crime, leading to the publication of a true crime book.

The episode highlights abuse of trust, the relentless pursuit of justice, and the power of citizen detectives.

Case 1: Colorado’s “Faith Gym” Predator — The Conviction of Aaron Corrado

Key Points

• Background:

  • Aaron Corrado, the 48-year-old owner of “Strength in Christ” Gym in Parker, CO, was a former athlete who blended biblical studies and exercise science to work with young athletes. The gym, promoted as a faith-focused, top-tier training center, has since closed.
  • Corrado coached youth, high school, and collegiate athletes, many considered Olympic-level prospects.

• The Crimes:

  • Corrado sexually assaulted two girls aged 15 and 16 between 2019 and 2022, exploiting his position of authority.
  • The abuse went undiscovered until Corrado’s now ex-wife found incriminating notes and messages on his phone and reported them to police.

• Investigation:

  • Forensic analysis of Corrado’s and the victims’ devices, and DNA samples, confirmed suspicions.
  • Corrado attempted to flee but was arrested in Montana in September 2022.

• Trial and Conviction:

  • Corrado was charged with 12 crimes, including six counts of sexual assault on a child by someone in a position of trust as part of a pattern of abuse.
  • He pled not guilty, but the “brave testimonies” of the survivors, combined with forensic evidence, secured a conviction.
  • On August 14, 2025, Corrado was found guilty on all 12 counts.

• Sentencing and Impact:

  • Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2025, with prosecutors seeking a life sentence (“eight years to life”).
  • Investigators believe there could be additional victims and encourage possible witnesses to contact Parker Police.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [00:53] Victim’s perspective:
  • “The concern that he would get right back out in the public… really emboldened sex offenders to believe that what they did wasn’t wrong and that it’s okay to continue to do things like that.” — Unnamed survivor
• [04:54] Katie Ring on justice:
  • “These courageous survivors have shown that no title, no position, and no power can shield predators from justice.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:46] — Summary of case background and Corrado’s profile
• [05:15] — Details on discovery of evidence, investigation, and arrest
• [07:00] — Trial testimony and conviction
• [08:35] — Sentencing details and DA’s statement
• [09:15] — Appeal for further victims to come forward

Case 2: Four Moms Crack a Cold Case — The “Carpool Detectives”

Key Points

• Case Overview:

  • Focuses on a 2005 double homicide in Los Angeles. Victims (pseudonyms: Joel & Angela Watkins) vanished after their business collapsed and millions went missing. Their bodies were found weeks later near their crashed SUV, but foul play was suspected from the positioning of the bodies.
  • The original investigation stalled and the case went cold.

• Formation of the Carpool Detectives:

  • In 2020, Marissa Pianco, a former forensic accountant turned stay-at-home mom, discovered the case in a UCLA journalism class.
  • She joined forces with Jeannie Wilkinson (freelance writer), Nicole Lancet Blank (political researcher), and Samira Poulos (digital ad project manager)—all true crime enthusiasts and “carpool moms.”

• The Investigation:

  • The moms divided tasks: cold-calling the family, acquiring police records, and re-interviewing detectives.
  • Key discoveries:
    • Neighbors reported a “bloodcurdling scream” days before the disappearance.
    • Joel pleaded with someone to buy the business days before the couple vanished.
    • The company was shut by their son within a week of the disappearance; later, lawsuits alleged fraud.
    • Possible beneficiaries (son and son-in-law) gained financially; the daughter was the only actively concerned family member and willingly assisted the investigation.

• Breakthrough and Danger:

  • The moms unearthed connections between the company’s fraudulent finances and organized crime (the mob).
  • The fatal “car crash” was a cover for a targeted hit.
  • As their investigation drew attention, one suspect called Marissa directly, warning her off:
    • [17:48] Marissa: “Our main suspect called my cell phone when I was making a PB&J sandwich for my kid, and the caller asked me why I was digging into him. I felt the blood drain out of my body at that moment. I felt that we had gotten into something too dangerous for us.”

• Resolution & Legacy:

  • Brought their findings to the retired DA, who helped officially reopen the case.
  • Law enforcement took over, identifying mobster suspects.
  • The story inspired a book, “The Carpool: A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies and One Mysterious Cold Case” (author: Chuck Hogan, pub. July 29, 2025).
  • The Carpool Detectives continue to investigate new cases, currently pursuing an alleged serial killer from the ‘70s-‘80s.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [20:10] Author Chuck Hogan on the detectives:

  • “The detectives’ ability as women to get people to trust and confide in them was their superpower. Motherhood no longer defined them. It was one of many hats they wore. Taking on the original case gave Marissa’s life new meaning and set her on a new path.”

• [21:32] Nicole Lancet Blank:

  • “We went through a lot more than just solving the case.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [09:40] — How the Carpool Detectives formed
• [13:16] — Detailed breakdown of the investigation steps
• [15:44] — Uncovering the motive & risk from organized crime
• [17:48] — Marissa receives threatening phone call
• [19:00] — Handover to police & book publication
• [20:10] — Reflections from author Chuck Hogan
• [21:32] — The Carpool Detectives pursue their next case

Closing Thoughts

Katie Ring wraps up urging listeners to share their theories and reminds them to subscribe and follow for breaking updates:

• “What did you think of today’s case? Drop your thoughts and theories in the comments. See you tonight.”

The episode is a compelling look at both systemic failures and the unparalleled power of determined individuals—whether survivors seeking justice or citizen detectives cracking cold cases.

For further updates:

• Follow @rimehouse24.7 on social media
• Contact Parker Police at 303-805-6561 if you have information on the Corrado case.

End of Summary