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Hi Crime House Community. It's Vanessa Richardson. Exciting news. Conspiracy theories, cults and crimes is leveling up starting the week of January 12th. You'll be getting two episodes every week. Wednesdays we unravel the conspiracy or the cult and on Fridays we look at a corresponding crime. Every week has a theme. Tech, bioterror, power, paranoia, you name it. Follow conspiracy theories, cults and crimes now on your podcast app because you're about to dive deeper, get weirder, and go darker than ever before.
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This is Crime House.
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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. It's in Florida. A woman was convicted in the 2021 death of her sister who was found wrapped in garbage bags, bound with bungee cords and duct tape and buried in the backyard they shared together. 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 few a quite a lineup for you today. Here's what you need to know.
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This morning, we're jumping right into the latest news, starting with a Florida murder trial that prosecutors expected to last several days, which came to a sudden conclusion this week. On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, jurors convicted 72 year old Deborah Patton of second degree murder and the death of her sister Karen Pace, bringing a SW to a case that centered on a killing prosecutors say occurred back in May of 2021. The verdict was delivered less than two days after testimony began, abruptly ending the highly anticipated trial. According to court records and trial testimony, Karen Pace was killed roughly five years ago inside the Carrollwood home she shared with her sister Deborah Patton on Poia Drive. Prosecutors told jurors that during an argument, Patton shot her sister once in the chest. The medical examiner later confirmed Pace died from that gunshot wound. Rather than reporting the shooting, prosecutors said Patton wrapped her sister's body in garbage bags, bound her with bungee cords and duct tape and buried her two feet deep in the backyard. Investigative reporting and court testimony show that the killing wasn't an isolated incident. Instead, it unfolded against a backdrop of family tension, financial strain and warning signs that friends say went unheeded. On May 31, 2021, Pais's friends became worried when Pais, who was normally reliable and communicative, stopped answering calls and texts. They went to her house, and when they realized Pais's car was still there, they called 911 for a welfare check. When the police couldn't get inside the home, they left. But a separate group of Pais's friends got in through an unlocked side door and noticed something highly unusual. A large dirt pile was in the backyar. They also found Pais's purse, driver's license, wallet and debit card. Immediately, the police were called again, and they descended on the home. The friends saw Patton walking her dog nearby, and when they approached her, she seemed completely unfrazzled. When investigators searched the dirt pile, they found Pace's body. Patton provided inconsistent stories about where she thought Pais was, and she was arrested shortly after. On that same day, Patton was charged with abuse of a corpse and second degree murder. Upon further investigation, authorities learned that the sisters had a turbulent relationship. Pace had allegedly expressed fear of her sister before her death. One friend said Pais warned her that if she were ever harmed or disappeared, Patton should be considered responsible. That chilling statement was later cited by prosecutors as evidence. Friends and family described Pais as financially stable and generous, having worked for years as a construction engineer and accumulated significant savings. They told investigators that Patton, who struggled financially, had lived with Pais for years and relied on her support, According to testimony and interviews, the sisters relationship had become increasingly strained because of it. Investigators also uncovered a handwritten letter found among Pais's belongings. It was written by Patton, and in it she referenced thoughts of killing her ex husband and then herself. Prosecutors described the letter as significant insight into Patton's mental state, although at the time they cautioned that it was not proof of the charged crime itself. As Patton's case made its way through court, it was consistently delayed due to competency hearings and mental health treatment. A year after she was arrested, she was ordered to two years of subsequent hospitalization until she was finally deemed fit to stand trial this year in January 2026. Surveillance footage and financial records presented at the trial on Monday showed Patton making repeated trips in Pa's vehicle in the days after her disappearance. Investigators said six garbage bags were discarded during that period, and prosecutors argued those movements were consistent with efforts to conceal pa's killing. Jurors also saw photographs of the backyard excavation and heard recordings of Patton's interviews with detectives. Prosecutors arg that her statements shifted as evidence mounted. After closing arguments, the jury deliberated briefly before returning a guilty verdict, bringing the trial to a rapid conclusion on Wednesday. We're awaiting Patton's sentencing date, which hasn't been released yet. As soon as we know, we'll keep you posted. This Florida case took years to go to trial, but another case is mounting in Arizona, where a man is appearing in court today for the gruesome murder of of an exotic dancer. A third suspect in the killing of a woman named Mercedes Vega is expected to make another court appearance in Arizona today, marking the latest development in a homicide case that prosecutors say involved planning, three defendants and extreme violence. According to authorities, the suspect, Jared Gray, was extradited to Maricopa county early last week on January 9, 2026. He was brought from Georgia and faces nine charges in Vega's death. It all started with an armed robbery seven years ago in Tempe, Arizona. On October 12, 2020, Mercedes Vega was in the parking lot outside her apartment when a masked man drew a gun on her and took her car keys, wallet, phone and a bag that had hundreds of dollars in it. Vega, who told her mom about the incident, was so traumatized after the crime that she moved to a new apartment after the robbery. Other dancers at the strip club where Vega worked reported being robbed in similar fashions both before and after Vega's incident, making it clear to authorities that these were strings of targeted attacks. The exotic dancers gave authorities a description of the robber, and in December 2020, the club's manager noticed that the man was in the club. When the authorities arrived, Vega told them she believed the man was her assailant. The the man, identified as Kujo Young, was arrested that same day, but he denied any involvement. Later, the police believed they had enough evidence to charge him, and Vega was set to testify against him. However, Young eventually posted bond and was released. But that wasn't the end of it. On April 16, 2023, Vega disappeared, and security footage showed her leaving her apartment around 9:17pm a couple minutes later, her car was captured leaving the garage at the same time as another vehicle. Allegedly, she was supposed to meet up with her friends that night, but she didn't show. At 1:30 the next morning, police were called because witnesses spotted a car on fire near Interstate 10. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found Vega's body burned in the back seat. Police then found her abandoned car roughly a mile away, but when they tested it for fingerprints, they found no suspect was found for years. Vega's killing went unsolved until May 2024, when a man named Senser Hayes was arrested in Tennessee for a separate incident and his prints were entered into the system. They were a match for the fingerprints in Vega's car. He was arrested and police eventually learned that he was flown into Arizona on March 3, 2023, in an alleged scheme by Young to kidnap and kill ve. Authorities believe that Young, the man who allegedly robbed Vega, calculated the scheme and brought Hayes and a man named Gray, who appeared in court today, to Arizona to carry out the killing. All three men are now facing murder charges. Prosecutors say they intend to seek the death penalty against Young and Hayes, and we're waiting to learn what they seek against Gray. The two previously charged defendants are scheduled for additional hearings later this year as prosecutors continue to pursue capital charges for the Vega family. The arrests indicate small steps towards getting justice for Mercedes. But over in Wisconsin, we're getting word of justice being served in the gruesome discovery of six children padlocked in a storage unit who were put there by their parents.
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You open the fridge, there's nothing there. So what's it gonna be?
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Greasy Pizza?
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A Milwaukee county jury has just convicted a father after prosecutors presented evidence showing that six young children, including a newborn baby, were locked inside a storage unit while their parents slept nearby. The verdict was returned yesterday on Thursday, January 15, 2026, concluding a trial that began earlier in the week. On Tuesday, January 13th, the defendant, Charles Dup, was found guilty of multiple counts of child neglect in a case that stems from events that occurred in September 2025. On that day, police were called to a storage facility after an employee reported hearing a baby crying and noticing movement coming from inside a rented unit. When officers arrived and opened the metal door, they found six children locked inside. Prosecutors told jurors the children ranged in age from a newborn infant to 7 years old. Body camera video played during the trial this week showed officers reacting with shock as the unit was opened. Testimony established the space had no electricity, no ventilation, no running water and no bathroom access. Officers said the floor was cluttered with trash and soiled items and that the unit smelled strongly of urine and feces. One responding officer testified the storage unit appeared to be used as a bathroom, a description prosecutors highlighted during closing arguments. The children told officers they'd been staying inside the unit overnight. Investigators later located Dupriest and the children's mother, Asia Zelensky, asleep inside an SUV parked at the facility, along with the family dog. They were both charged with child neglect, according to testimony. The parents said they were homeless and had been living at the storage facility. Beginning on September 15, 2025. Prosecutors introduced surveillance video showing both parents entering and exiting the storage unit repeatedly over multiple days, including overnight. They argued the footage showed the children were intentionally placed inside the unit and that the door was locked from the outside. Child welfare officials testified that all six children were immediately removed from the parents care. The newborn baby was transported to a hospital for medical evaluation. Authorities later confirmed all of the children were placed into protective custody. During the trial, prosecutors emphasized the case was not about poverty but about safety. They told jurors that storage units are not designed for human occupancy and that locking children inside, particularly an infant, created a serious risk of harm. After closing arguments Thursday morning, the jury deliberated briefly before returning guilty verdicts on multiple counts of child neglect. Dupriest was taken into custody following the verdict. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for April 9, 2026. The children's mother, Zelinsky, on the other hand, accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts of child neglect and she'll be sentenced this March while we await the outcomes of their sentencing hearings in Philadelphia, federal prosecutors just announced sweeping charges in the world of sports that might take months to prosec. We round out today's top stories with breaking news. Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia have announced that they're charging 26 people in what they describe as a large scale basketball game, fixing and point shaving conspiracy. The conspiracy, they allege, Targeted NCAA Division 1 men's basketball games as well as Chinese Basketball association games. According to an indictment unsealed yesterday January 15, 2026. The defendants are accused of conspiring to manipulate the outcomes of professional and semi professional basketball games, including contests played in Chinese basketball leagues, to influence international betting markets. The crime was allegedly carried out from September 2022 to February 2025. The scheme primarily involves former college basketball players. Prosecutors alleged the defendants intentionally altered their on court performance by missing shots, committing intentional fouls or limiting scoring to control point spreads used by gamblers. Among those charged are Antonio Blakeney, a former NBA player. Federal prosecutors say other defendants acted as intermediaries, connecting players with gamblers and coordinating payments. According to court documents, participants used encrypted messaging applications to discuss betting strategies and payments. Prosecutors allege 39 players across schools, including Tulane University, Fordham University and Eastern Michigan were paid thousands of dollars per game to influence outcomes without overtly losing games. Five of those players have participated in games this season. Specifically, the payments found by investigators were between $10,000 to $30,000 per game, which ABC News notes likely exceeds the money players would make their name, image and likeness. Authorities say the investigation began after betting monitors and sportsbooks flagged irregular wagering patterns tied to specific professional games overseas. Those alerts prompted federal investigators to analyze game footage, financial transactions and communications between the defendants. On its part, the NCAA has said that it's been conducting internal investigations into sports betting over the past year. The charges, announced on January 15, include wire fraud, conspiracy and sports bribery, which carry significant potential prison sentences if convictions are secured. Prosecutors emphasized that the alleged conduct undermined the integrity of professional sports and exploited international gambling markets. Authorities are calling to mind similarities between this crime and the NBA gambling scandal that broke late last year, which saw pro basketball players and coaches conspiring to rig not only games but also poker matches. As of right now, both investigations are still ongoing, so we'll keep our eyes peeled for any updates a year from today.
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Lastly, let me tell you about what else is happening at Crime House today. Murder True Crime Stories is exploring the mysterious deaths of nine experienced Soviet hikers at Dyatlov Pass in 1959. When people disappear or die in cities, there are witnesses, cameras, phone records and timelines. When the same thing happens in mountains or remote wilderness, those safeguards vanish. Terrain destroys evidence. Weather rearranges scenes. Time erases intention. That's why some of the most unsettling true stories on record didn't happen in alleys or buildings, but on trails, ridge lines and snow fields. Places where nature becomes both the setting and the accomplice. Today, we're looking at three real, documented hiking and mountain mysteries. Every one of these cases happened, every one was investigated, and everyone still leaves questions that refuse to settle. The first is Dyatlov Pass. In February of 1959, nine Soviet hikers died in the northern Ural Mountains at a location now known as Dyatlov Pass. The group was led by Igor Dyatlov, and all of the hikers were young, fit and experienced in winter travel. They were not lost, not intoxicated, and not poorly Equipped. Their planned route was difficult, but within their abilities. When they failed to return, search teams eventually located their campsite. The tent was still standing, partially buried in snow, but it had been cut open from the inside. Not unzipped, not torn by wind. Cut. The hikers had fled the tent at night in sub zero temperatures, many without boots or adequate clothing. Their bodies were later found scattered across the terrain. Some were near a tree line, suggesting an attempt to build a fire. Others were found between the tree line and the tent, as if trying to return. Several were discovered months later in a ravine beneath deep snow. What made the case uniquely disturbing were the injuries. Some hikers died from hypothermia alone. Others suffered massive internal trauma, including crushed ribs and skull fractures without corresponding external wounds. Early reports also noted traces of radiation on some clothing, a fact later minimized but never fully erased from the case record. Over the decades, explanations have ranged from avalanches to rare wind phenomena. In 2020, Russian authorities officially concluded that a slab avalanche forced the hikers to flee, leading to hypothermia and fatal injuries. And yet, Dyatlov Pass remains unresolved in the public mind because no explanation accounts cleanly for every detail. The mystery isn't that there are no answers. It's that the answers contradict one another. Next, Death Valley. The German family who walked into the desert. In July of 1996, a German family of four disappeared while traveling through Death Valley National Park. The parents and their two young sons were tourists driving a rented minivan. They had maps, supplies, and a general travel plan. When they failed to return the vehicle, concern was raised. Search efforts began and continued intermittently for years. The desert was vast. Temperatures were extreme. Nothing was found. No vehicle, no remains. No clear indication of what had gone wrong. Thirteen years later, hikers discovered the family's remains and their minivan in a remote, mountainous section of the park. The vehicle appeared to have become stuck or disabled, and evidence suggested the family left the van on foot, likely believing they could reach help. What makes this case so disturbing is that the mystery isn't who harmed them. It's how human judgment collapses under environmental stress. Extreme heat, dehydration, and panic distort perception. Distances seem shorter. Terrain looks manageable when it isn't. Once people leave a vehicle in that environment, survival chances drop sharply. This case is fully documented and tragic. Not mysterious because of foul play, but because it shows how the desert and mountains can quietly overwhelm even cautious travelers. The next story is Joshua Tree, the disappearance and rediscovery of Bill Iwasco. Bill Iwasco was a retired engineer, an experienced hiker who disappeared in Joshua Tree National park in 2010. He set out alone on what should have been a manageable day hike. Never returned. Unlike many missing person cases, Iwasco's disappearance triggered an enormous and sustained search effort. Hundreds of volunteers participated. Thousands of hours were logged. Helicopters, ground teams, and expert trackers searched the park repeatedly. Maps were redrawn. Routes were reconsidered. Areas were searched and researched. Nothing was found. Years passed, but volunteers continued to search, often returning annually. The case became one of the most extensively searched disappearances in US national park history. And still there was no sign of Iwasco. In 2018, eight years after he vanished, his remains were discovered in a remote area that had been searched multiple times before. His backpack and personal items were nearby. There was no evidence of foul play. The discovery answered the question of where he was, but not how he had gone unseen for so long. The conclusion was simple and unsettling. Even thorough, well coordinated searches can miss a person entirely when Touraine decides to hide them. What connects all three of these cases is not conspiracy or the supernatural. Its environment, mountains, deserts and high wilderness destroy context. They erase footprints, rearrange objects, alter bodies and collapse timelines. They force decisions under stress that look irrational afterward but feel logical in the moment. By the time investigators arrive, the story has already been rewritten by wind, snow, heat, animals and time. In Dyatlov Pass, that distortion created contradictions. In Death Valley, it produced fatal misjudgment. In Joshua Tree, it created invisibility. These are real people, real places, and real investigations. And they all point to the same uncomfortable truth. The wilderness doesn't keep secrets because it's mysterious. It keeps secrets because it doesn't care. Sometimes the most frightening mysteries aren't unsolved crimes. They're moments where the world simply stops giving us answers. For the in depth story behind the mysterious deaths at Dyatlov Pass, head over to our Crime House feed for the latest episode of True Crime Stories. You've been listening to crime house 247 bringing you breaking crime news. I'm Vanessa Richardson. We'll be back tomorrow morning with more developing stories stories. Stay safe and thanks for listening.
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Looking for your next listen? Hi, it's Vanessa Richardson and I have exciting news. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is leveling up starting the week of January 12th. You'll be getting two episodes every week. Wednesdays we unrecognize, unravel the conspiracy or the cult, and on Fridays we look at a corresponding crime. Follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen.