Podcast Summary: Culpable – "A Conversation w/ Rae"

Podcast: Culpable
Host: Dennis Cooper (Tenderfoot TV & Audacy)
Guest: Ray Andreacchio
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Episode Focus: Revisiting the Christian Andreacchio case with his mother, Ray, reflecting on the impact of the investigation, the production of the original podcast, and updates on the quest for justice.

Overview

This bonus episode returns to the core of season one: the unresolved and suspicious death of Christian Andreacchio. Host Dennis Cooper sits down for a rare, extensive conversation with Christian’s mother, Ray Andreacchio, after several years of limited contact. Together, they discuss the personal aftermath of the podcast, legal developments, the ongoing fight for justice, community impacts, and personal growth and changes endured by the family. The dialogue provides candid insights into emotional struggles, lessons learned, and future steps in seeking accountability and closure.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Catching Up With the Andreacchio Family ([02:36–05:17])

• Ray shares updates on her family, highlighting her four grandchildren and how the family is shifting into a new phase of life with children’s activities and family routines.

• The presence of grandchildren has been a source of healing:

  "It helps too, even dealing with Christian's death... you have these little ones... I catch myself, especially Ashton... telling Alexa now, that was just like Christian."
  — Ray Andreacchio [03:25]

• Contrasting parenting styles of her two surviving children, Josh and Alexa, reflect family nuances and offer everyday moments of nostalgic connection to Christian.

Living With Grief and Continuously Seeking Justice ([05:13–06:11])

• Despite the podcast's lowered public activity, Ray is still deeply involved in the pursuit of justice for Christian:

  "We don't do a lot of updates primarily because of, you know, there's always been a lawsuit... that's far from the truth—I still work on it all the time and always looking for ways to move things forward."
  — Ray Andreacchio [05:17]

Processing the Podcast’s Impact, Trust, and Storytelling ([06:11–13:11])

• Ray reveals she has never listened to a full episode of "Culpable" due to the emotional toll—especially after the public release of autopsy photos.

• On initially reaching out to Tenderfoot TV:

  "I came to y’all. You didn’t come to me… I thought, it won’t be any good, but I’ll try... at least somebody would be talking about it."
  — Ray Andreacchio [08:22]

• She reflects on her decision to trust Dennis and his team despite their inexperience, attributing it to an intuitive sense of sincerity rather than promises of expertise.

Personal Impact & Community Support ([12:31–15:19])

• Ray recognizes the show’s influence and the community it created, though she doesn’t see herself as inspirational:

  "I don't feel like I'm an inspirational figure… I look back at all the mistakes made. I don't look at the right moves..."
  — Ray Andreacchio [13:18]

• She’s formed lasting friendships with other families in similar circumstances and tries to temper their hopes with realistic advice, noting the emotional rollercoaster of pursuit.

Advice to Other Families: Document Everything ([15:33–16:21])

• Ray offers practical advice: meticulously document conversations, record everything, and don’t assume investigators will do their jobs properly.
• This insight has been shared by Dennis with other affected families as a critical strategy for accountability.

Legal Challenges & The Conspiracy Angle ([18:01–22:17], [25:26–28:08])

• The conversation covers defamation lawsuits, depositions, and the legal strategy as tools for exposing truth—even if suits are unsuccessful.

• Notable moment regarding Whitley’s (a key figure) refusal of deposition and evidence of deliberate obstruction.

  "If you have so many things have been said that are wrong about you, this is your perfect opportunity to set it straight... she dipp[ed] and dodged that."
  — Ray Andreacchio [19:24]

• Ray believes there is still grounds for a major civil conspiracy lawsuit and shares frustration at systemic resistance to accountability.

• Ray discusses new information from depositions, highlighting persistent doubts about the investigation’s credibility—particularly regarding the coroner’s knowledge and actions.

The Status of Christian’s Case and Ongoing Frustrations ([28:49–32:26])

• The case is officially closed; law enforcement agencies defer responsibilities to one another, leaving the family in limbo.
• Multiple officials, including the DA and Attorney General’s office, have stated on record that re-examination is warranted, yet bureaucratic avoidance persists.

  "It's almost like they've boxed me in now, because... the two agencies... should be doing it, but both... are saying, well, you know... so there is... actually the county attorney... could take it to the grand jury... but...he won't."
  — Ray Andreacchio [31:09–31:55]

Next Steps: Documentary and Legal Efforts ([33:03–35:35])

• Ray is focused on amplifying the pressure through media, now that civil litigation avenues have been largely exhausted.
• Victoria (Ray’s niece and a key early connector to the podcast project) is now an attorney and pursuing a new legal angle based on recent deposition revelations.
• Ray has declined previous documentary opportunities, waiting for the right creative direction and trustworthy partners. She wants any new project to address broader systemic failure, not just Christian’s narrative.

Reflections on Narrative, Trust, and the Podcast Journey ([35:35–50:41])

• Ray and Dennis both acknowledge the emotional toll, frequent misunderstandings, and occasional conflicts that marked their collaboration.

• The question of narrative control emerges: true crime media often leaves families anxious about representation.

• The podcast created unexpected lifelong connections within support groups and online communities.

• Dennis shares:

  "Everything became so polarizing…it wasn't even necessarily like, sure, I had direct messages... but it was honestly less about that that weighed me down and more just seeing, worrying about you all."
  — Dennis Cooper [53:56]

Personal Transformation and Ongoing Resolve ([51:44–56:14])

• Ray reflects on the ripple effects of the tragedy and pursuit of justice: increased cynicism, need for control, and fundamental shifts in relationships and worldview.

• Dennis candidly discusses his own growth, including starting therapy due to the emotional demands of the project.

  "It was a bumpy road in many, many ways that probably no one could really expect, but... I wasn't bluffing. It was a stressful time, wasn't it? You're right. I was on a little island on my own over here."
  — Dennis Cooper [47:41]

• Both reaffirm their enduring connection and gratitude despite the hardships, with Dennis stating,

  "Christian's story changed my life, so... I'll never take that for granted."
  — Dennis Cooper [53:26]

Notable Quotes

• On the healing power of grandchildren:
  "I think that that has been very helpful as far as just kind of a healing process." — Ray Andreacchio [03:25]

• On trusting her instincts:
  "Just trust your gut, you know, your instincts. Because, you know, things that I thought within the first two weeks, four weeks… Now, 11 years later, it’s really coming back full circle." — Ray Andreacchio [42:46]

• On her role in the community:
  "I don't feel like I'm an inspirational figure... I look back at all the mistakes made." — Ray Andreacchio [13:18]

• On bureaucratic obstacles:
  "It's almost like they've boxed me in now because... the two agencies... should be doing it, but both...are saying, well, you know..." — Ray Andreacchio [31:09]

• On the impact of the podcast:
  "Christian's story changed my life, so... I'll never take that for granted." — Dennis Cooper [53:26]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Catching up with Ray & family update: [02:36–05:17]
• Ray on not listening to her own episodes: [06:11–07:25]
• Why Ray trusted Dennis & the podcast team: [08:22–10:22]
• Podcast’s reception & Ray’s impact: [12:31–13:18]
• Documenting as advice to other families: [15:33–16:21]
• Legal obstacles & lawsuits: [18:01–22:17], [25:26–28:08]
• New evidence from depositions: [25:26–28:08]
• Case status & bureaucratic avoidance: [28:49–32:26]
• Push for a documentary and new legal angles: [33:03–35:35]
• Candid partnership & narrative control: [35:35–50:41]
• Lasting changes and gratitude: [51:44–56:14]

Memorable Moments

• Ray's practical, hard-won advice to "document, document, document" and her recounting of how her earliest suspicions proved prescient over time.
• Candid reflections from both Dennis and Ray about periods of tension, misunderstanding, and emotional exhaustion—offering a rare, behind-the-scenes view into the making of a high-profile true crime podcast.
• The emergence of an online support network and lasting friendships as an unexpected, positive consequence of the show.
• Ray's frank acknowledgment of how trauma changed her, making her more controlling and cynical, but also more resolute.

Conclusion & Forward Look

This episode offers a meaningful, unvarnished snapshot of the ongoing struggle for justice after a suspicious loss, seen through the eyes of a mother forged by grief and frustration, and a host forever changed by the story he helped tell. With new legal avenues being explored and increasing emphasis on media pressure, Ray’s determination remains undiminished. The candid dialogue underscores the toll of such quests—both personally and within communities—while providing practical wisdom and hope for others walking similar paths.

Look ahead: More updates on Christian’s case and a coming focus on Brittany Stykes’ story in the next series of reflective episodes, with season three of Culpable promised for August.