← Crime House 24/7
Crime House 24/7
Former Mayoral Candidate Accused of Murdering Wife & D4vd Case Update | Crime House 24/7
00:27:34
Loading summary
Transcript11 lines
- [00:03]
A
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. This is Crime House. 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 we once ruled a suicide. Now charged as murder A former Bay Area mayoral candidate is set to appear in court today in a case prosecutors say was hidden for nearly a decade. 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. A year from today. What would your dream private practice look like? Would you spend less time chasing claims or only working with clients who value your skill set? What if you had more time for yourself? ALMA empowers you to confidently accept insurance backed by an all in one EHR that simplifies scheduling, documentation and day to day practice operations. Your dream practice is closer than you think. Learn more about alma@hello alma.com get started. We begin with a major court appearance. As of this recording, a former Bay Area mayoral candidate was set to be arraigned in Contra Costa county superior court on January 26. He was arrested on January 22 and prosecutors announced the charges on January 23 in connection with the 2015 death of his wife, prosecutors say. The Cold Case Unit found evidence that the 2015 death was a homicide and not a suicide and criminal charges followed, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Prosecutors allege he shot her, staged the scene and forged a note. Contra Costa county prosecutors announced late last week that 66 year old Michael Anthony Leon of Antioch has been arrested and charged with murder and the death of his wife, Brenda Joyce Leon, whose death was originally ruled a suicide nearly 10 years ago, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office. Deputies responded to the Leon's home in Antioch on September 28, 2015, after Brenda Leon was found dead from a gunshot wound. At the time, investigators located a handwritten note at the scene that was believed to be a suicide note and the death was classified as self inflicted. No criminal charges were filed and the case remained closed for years. A mother and grandmother, Brenda Leon was 52 years old when she died. Despite the official ruling, her two adult daughters, Michelle Wonders and Monica Tagus, continued to raise concerns about the circumstances surrounding her death. Those concerns eventually moved into the civil court system. In August 2021, Brenda Leon's daughters filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging their mother had been murdered. The lawsuit claimed that evidence had been staged at the scene, including the suicide note, and alleged that the original investigation failed to uncover key facts at the time. The suit named a John Doe defendant as one had been criminally charged. The civil case prompted renewed scrutiny by prosecutors. According to the District Attorney's office, the Contra Costa County Cold Case Unit reopened the investigation and began reviewing the evidence from 2015. That review expanded in 2024 when investigators obtained a search warrant and recovered digital evidence that prosecutors say had not previously been known or analyzed. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the specific nature of that digital evidence, citing the ongoing criminal case. However, prosecutors say the newly uncovered material, which as of right now is not public knowledge, combined with additional factual findings led them to conclude that Brenda Leon's death was a homicide rather than a suicide. On January 22, 2026, nearly ten and a half years after Brenda Leon's death, investigators arrested Michael Anthony Leon at his Antioch residence. Prosecutors charged him with one count of murder under California penal code section 180 and an enhancement for the personal use of a firearm causing death. He's currently being held in custody on $1 million bail. Michael Leon is not a stranger to the media spotlight. He previously ran for mayor of Antioch in 2012, finishing fourth in that race. Court records and public reporting do not indicate that he held elected office, but prosecutors have confirmed his prior candidacy as part of his background. Prosecutors have emphasized that the passage of time did not diminish their oblig obligation to pursue the case once new evidence emerged. In announcing the arrest, the District Attorney's office said cold cases remain active when new facts come to light and that advancements in investigative techniques can play a critical role in re examining earlier conclusions. At this stage, authorities have not detailed a motive for the alleged killing, and they've not said whether anyone else is suspected of involvement. They have also not released the alleged suicide note or explained how investigators determined it was staged. Prosecutors have said additional details are expected to be addressed as the case moves through court. Leon has not entered a plea. His arraignment was scheduled to be the 26th in Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez, where the charges will be formally read and bail conditions reviewed. His defense attorney has not commented publicly on the case. If convicted of murder with the firearm enhancement, Leon could face a sentence of up to 50 years to life in prison under California law. The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Brenda Leon's daughters remains pending in civil court. This arrest marks the first criminal accountability in a case they've questioned for nearly a decade. Prosecutors say the investigation remains active as they prepare for upcoming court proceedings. As of this recording, Michael Leon remains in custody and we will continue to follow developments as the case moves through arraignment and beyond. While prosecutors in the Bay Area prepare for Leon's arraignment, a similar court day development is unfolding in Southern California, where a wealthy tech founder is also accused of the murder of his spouse. 66 year old Gordon Abbas Gudarski is set to appear in Court on January 27th in San Bernardino County Superior Court on a murder charge in connection with the death of his estranged wife, whose body was found down a steep embankment in the San Bernardino Mountains late last year. The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office announced on January 23 that it has charged Gudarzi with one count of murder. Prosecutors allege he's responsible for the death of 58 year old Orion Papali, whose body was discovered on November 18, 2025 in the Crestline area. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, deputies from the Twin Peaks station responded that day to a report of a deceased person located approximately 75ft down a steep embankment near Highway 138 and Crestline Road. Fire crews assisted in recovering the body from the rugged terrain before it was transported to the county coroner's office. At the time the body was discovered, investigators were unable to immediately identify the victim. Authorities later confirmed that Papoli remained unidentified for nearly two weeks. She'd been reported missing on Nov. 22 and her remains were positively identified on Dec. 1, 2025, according to sheriff's officials. Following identification, detectives with the Sheriff's Department's Specialized Investigations Division continued examining the circumstances surrounding Papali's death. An autopsy later determined her death was a homicide with injuries consistent with a steep fall. Though investigators have not publicly released specific details about the cause of death. As the investigation progressed, authorities identified Gudarzi as a suspect. He was arrested at his home in Rolling Hills Estates on January 23, 2026 and booked into the Central Detention center in San Bernardino. Prosecutors say he's currently being held without bail. Court records and statements from prosecutors indicate that Gudarzi and Papoli were estranged at the time of her death. Papoli had been living in Newport beach prior to her disappearance. Family members have described her as a creative individual and a mother, and her son has spoken publicly about the emotional toll of waiting weeks for identification and answers, according to his LinkedIn page. Gudarzi, a Rolling Hills Estates resident, is identified as the CEO of US Hybrid, a clean energy company, where he also had professional ties to his wife. His company was bought by Torrance based Ideanomics for $50 million in 2021 in a CA stock deal. Prosecutors have filed only the single murder charge at this stage. They have not publicly alleged a motive. In announcing the charge, the District Attorney's office described the case as the result of a lengthy and persistent investigation carried out in coordination with sheriff's detectives and other law enforcement partners. Authorities have said they worked to reconstruct the timeline following Papoli's identification and worked to evaluate evidence developed over several weeks. Prosecutors have also noted the presence of aggravating circumstances which could affect sentencing if Gudarzi is convicted, though those factors have not yet been detailed in public court filings. Under California law, a murder conviction can carry a lengthy prison sentence. At this point, Gudarzi has not entered a plea and his defense attorney has not commented publicly on the charge. Investigators have also not indicated whether additional charges or defendants could be involved. As of this recording, Gudarzi's arraignment is scheduled for January 27th at the San Bernardino justice center, where the charge will be formally read and the case will move into its next procedural phase. Gudarzi remains in custody ahead of that court appearance and from one murder case to another, we turn now to a new development tied to the high profile homicide investigation involving musician David after his close friend failed to show up in court.
- [11:42]
B
If you're a mom or just a busy woman like me, Finding time to shop when you're juggling work, life and family can be overwhelming. And searching through rack after rack to find the perfect pieces can be tedious to say the least, if you don't have the time or energy. If you're looking to update your wardrobe in the new year, Daily look is the number one highest rated premium personal styling service for women. And it's basically like having a personal shopper and a best friend rolled into one. Here's how it works. You get a real personal stylist, not an app or an algorithm, who curates up to 12 premium pieces just for you, based on your body, your lifestyle and your personal taste. They arrive at your door. You try everything on at home, keep what you love and then send back the rest free shipping both ways. You can schedule boxes every 30, 60 or 90 days so it fits your life perfectly. What I love most is that the quiz is super simple and all of the pieces are handpicked just for you. Currently waiting on my first box, but if you see me in anything other than my typical hoodie or crew neck, it will definitely be thanks to Dailylook. Take your style quiz@dailylook.com and use code crime house to get 50% off your first styling fee.
- [12:58]
A
Parle tu francais hablage espanol Parle italiano.
- [13:01]
C
If you've used Babbel, you would Babbel's conversation based technique teaches you useful words and phrases to get you speaking quickly about the things you actually talk about in the real world. With lessons handcrafted by over 200 language experts and voiced by real native speakers, Babbel is like having a private tutor in your pocket. Start speaking with Babbel today. Get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription right now at babbel.com listen spelled b a kbb.com listen rules and restrictions may apply.
- [13:28]
A
Neo Langston, a 23 year old social media streamer and friend of recording artist David, is expected to appear in Los Angeles court this week after being arrested on a failure to appear warrant issued in connection with that case. The warrant stems from a broader investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14 year old girl whose remains were discovered on September 8, 2025 inside the front trunk of a Tesla been impounded in the Hollywood Hills. The vehicle was registered to David Anthony Burke, better known by his stage name, David. According to search warrant records, Rivas Hernandez had been reported missing for more than a year before her body was found. Due to the condition of the remains and the ongoing nature of the investigation, authorities have not publicly released a cause of death. The case has been handled by the LAPD Robbery Homicide Division, with a grand jury convened to review evidence and testimony. Investigators have identified identified David as a person of interest, but officials have repeatedly emphasized that no criminal charges have been filed against him. Law enforcement has said the investigation remains active and that details are being withheld under grand jury secrecy rules. According to law enforcement and court records, Langston was taken into custody on January 22, 2026 at his mother's home in Helena, Montana. Authorities say the warrant was issued after Langston failed to appear as ordered in proceedings linked to a Los Angele Angeles grand jury investigation Langston was initially booked into the Lewis and Clark County Jail before being transferred to the LAPD Metropolitan Detention center in Los Angeles. Online jail records show he was held on a $60,000 bail, which he has since posted. The charge he faces at this stage is failure to appear, which is a felony offense under California law. Prosecutors have not publicly detailed the specific testimony Langston was expected to provide, nor have they alleged that he's a suspect in underlying homicide. Authorities have described his status as that of a witness and they've not filed any homicide related charges against him. Prosecutors have also not explained how his failure to appear may affect the pace or direction of the homicide investigation. Court records indicate multiple witnesses have already testified before the grand jury and officials have not said whether Langston will be called again. Langston is expected to return to court in Los Angeles in the coming days, where a judge will address the failure to appear charge and determine next procedural steps. His attorney has not commented publicly and representatives for David have not responded to requests for comment. We now turn to another investigation underway in California involving the death of the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Ursay, and how his addiction doctor may have played a role. In the most recent development. Federal authorities are now seeking records as part of a growing investigation into the death of Jim Irsay. Reporting confirms that a federal grand jury subpoena was issued in early January 2026, signaling an active review by the FBI into Irsay's medical treatment and substance use history, sources familiar with the matter say. The subpoena, issued from the U.S. district Court for the Central District of California, requests information related to Irsay's care in the months before his death, including his professional relationship with Dr. Harry Haratunian, a California addiction specialist. Investigators are also reviewing prescription records tied to controlled substances, though no allegations of criminal wrongdoing have been announced. The Colts organization acknowledged awareness of the federal probe on Thursday, January 22, with the team's chief legal officer confirming that while the franchise knows of the investigation of the death of their owner, federal authorities have not contacted the Colts or requested documents from the organization. Irsay died on May 21, 2025 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in California. He was 65 years old. His health certificate listed the cause as cardiac arrest related to pneumonia and underlying heart disease, and no autopsy was performed. At the time, Irsay had been open about his long history with addiction and according to cnn, had previously survived three overdose incidents in the last five years of his life. Amidst his struggle, he launched the Kicking the Stigma initiative to support mental health and addiction treatment programs at this stage, federal officials have not commented publicly on the scope or timeline of the investigation, and no charges have been filed. Ownership of the Colts transferred to Ear say's three daughters following his death. Well, the holidays have come and gone once again, but if you've forgotten to get that special someone in your life a gift, well, Mint Mobile is extending their holiday offer of half off unlimited wireless. So here's the idea. You get it now, you call it an early present for next year.
- [18:43]
B
What do you have to lose?
- [18:45]
A
Give it a try@mintmobile.com Switch limited time.
- [18:48]
B
50% off regular price for new customers. Upfront payment required $45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for 12 month plan taxes and fees. Extra speeds may slow after 50 gigabytes per month when network is busy see.
- [18:57]
C
Terms Confronting high credit card debt can feel scary. But the good news is if you owe $10,000 or more in credit card debt, financial relief options are now available. National Debt Relief is currently offering debt relief designed to reduce what you owe and put you on the fast track to becoming debt free. If you qualify for debt relief, you may be able to pay back less than what you owe and save thousands of dollars. Just visit nationaldebtrelief.com Imagine only paying one low monthly program payment you can afford and saving money as you become debt free. National Debt Relief has already helped bring debt relief to over 550,000 US consumers earning thousands of five star reviews and an A rating with the Better Business Bureau. You are stronger than your credit card debt. Let today be the day you start turning things around. Take the first step and visit nationaldebtrelief.com to see what debt relief you may qualify for. That's nationaldebtrelief.com why are more women than.
- [19:55]
B
Ever choosing Natural Cycles, the hormone free, side effect free way to take control of your fertility. Natural Cycles is a birth control app that uses your temperature to find your fertile window. It is more than a basic cycle tracking app. App Natural Cycles is the only FDA cleared and CE marked birth control app and has helped millions prevent and plan for pregnancy naturally. Save 15% when you sign up today with code RADIO15. Learn more@natural cycles.com lastly, let me tell.
- [20:25]
A
You about what else is happening at Crime House today. We're covering the tragic and deeply controversial death of Pat Tillman on Murder True Crime Stories. Tillman was an NFL star who walked away from fame and a multi million dollar contract with the Arizona Cardinals after 911 to enlist in the U.S. army. In 2004, he was killed in Afghanistan under circumstances that were initially described as heroic combat. It later emerged that Tillman died as a result of friendly fire and that crucial details were withheld from his family. For weeks. The case became less about how he died and more about the institutional EV effort to control the narrative afterward, leaving behind a legacy of unanswered questions and mistrust. That story got me thinking. With the super bowl just over a week away, I started to become interested in the darker side of professional football. Today, we're counting down the top five most shocking or interesting NFL related true crime cases, stories that extend far beyond the field and into murder, manipulation and psychological unraveling. Case number five Aaron Hernandez and the Double Life Aaron Hernandez's story remains one of the most disturbing examples of how celebrity and violence can exist side by side. Hernandez was a star tight end for the New England Patriots, part of a Super bowl winning team, and had just signed a massive contract extension in 2012. To the public, he appeared successful and charismatic. Behind closed doors, however, Hernandez was living a life marked by paranoia, aggression and criminal activity. In 2013, Hernandez was arrested and later convicted for the murder of Odin Lloyd, a semi professional football player who'd been dating the sister of Hernandez's fiance. The evidence was overwhelming. Surveillance footage, shell casings traced to Hernandez's firearm and his own increasingly erratic behavior after the killing. What makes this case especially chilling is how easily Hernandez compartmentalized violence. Investigators later connected him to additional shootings, including a double homicide in Boston. After his conviction, Hernandez died by suicide in prison in 2017. Posthumous analysis of his brain revealed severe CTE, raising troubling questions about responsibility, neurological damage, and how much the sport itself contributed to his descent. Case number four Ray Carruth and the Murder for Hire Plot Ray Carru's crime stands out for its cold calculation. Carruth was a wide receiver for the Carolina panthers when, in 1999, his pregnant girlfriend, Cherika Adams, was shot multiple times while driving. She survived long enough to identify Carru as the architect of the attack before dying. A month later, her child was delivered by emergency surgery and survived, but with severe brain damage. Investigators uncovered a murder for hire plot motivated by Carruth's desire to avoid financial responsibility and parenthood. Phone records, witness testimony, and Carruth's decision to flee the scene without helping Adams sealed the case. Carruth was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and served nearly two decades in prison. For true crime audiences, the horror of this case lies in its intentionality. This wasn't a crime of passion, it was premeditated, detached and chillingly pragmatic. Case number three Darren Sharper and a Serial Pattern of Predation Darren Sharper's fall from grace exposed how power and fame can enable long term abuse. A former super bowl winning safety and respected media personality, Sharper was eventually revealed to be a serial sexual predator. Between 2009 and 2014, Sharper drugged and sexually assaulted assaulted multiple women across several states, often using his celebrity status to gain trust and access. The assaults followed a consistent pattern. Sharper met women in nightlife settings, slipped drugs into their drinks, and assaulted them while they were incapacitated or unconscious. Some victims had no memory of the assaults until hospital toxicology reports revealed the presence of drugs. After multiple investigations were combined, Sharper pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. For true crime audiences, this case highlights how long predators can operate undetected when protected by status and how difficult it can be for victims to come forward against powerful figures. Case number two Robert Rosier and the Cult Connection Robert Rozier's story is one of the most disturbing intersections between professional football and religious extremism. Rozier briefly played as a defensive end for the St. Louis Cardinals in the late 1970s. His NFL career was short lived, but what followed was far more shocking. After leaving football, Rozier became involved with a violent religious cult known as the Nation of Yahweh, a group that believed they were divinely chosen to cleanse society of those they deemed impure. Between 1981 and 1982, Rosier murdered at least five people in California, though he later claimed responsibility for many more. His victims included homeless individuals, sex workers and gay men, people the cult leadership identified as targets. Rosier later described his crimes in chilling detail, explaining that he believed he was carrying out God's will. He expressed little remorse and framed the murders as acts of obedience rather than violence. For true crime audiences, Rozier's case is particularly unsettling because it combines ideological indoctrination with physical capacity. His football training gave him strength and confidence, while the cult provided moral justification. It's a reminder of how easily belief systems can weaponize individuals already conditioned for aggression. Case number one O.J. simpson and the trial that changed true crime forever no discussion of NFL related true crime is complete without O.J. simpson. In 1994, Simpson was charged with the murders of his ex wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman. The case became a media spectacle unlike anything before it. A slow speed police chase broadcast live on television, a courtroom drama consumed daily by millions and a verdict that split public opinion down racial and cultural ties. Despite overwhelming circumstantial evidence, Simpson was acquitted in criminal court. Years later, he was found liable for the deaths in a civil wrongful death lawsuit. For true crime audiences, the Simpson case isn't just about guilt or innocence. It fundamentally changed how crime was covered, consumed and debated. It blurred the line between news and entertainment and laid the groundwork for modern true crime culture. Football is built on controlled violence, discipline and spectacle. But these cases reveal what happens when aggression, entitlement and secrecy spill beyond the boundaries of the game. From murder for hire plots and serial predation to cult driven killings and unresolved questions, these stories remind us that fame doesn't erase accountability, and sometimes it only delays it. If you enjoyed this deep dive into NFL related true crime, make sure to like, subscribe and comment with the case you think deserves a deeper investigation. Because sometimes the most shocking stories don't happen under stadium lights, but in their shadows. You've been listening to crime house 247 bringing you breaking crime news. I'm Vanessa Richardson and we'll be back tomorrow morning with more developing stories. Stay safe and thanks for listening. 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. Week Wednesdays we 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.