Digital Social Hour Episode Summary Title: How Killers Exploit Police Loopholes to Escape | Alex Cody Foster DSH #1190
Release Date: February 19, 2025
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Alex Cody Foster

1. _Journey to Vegas and Introduction to the Episode_
The episode opens with Alex Cody Foster recounting his arduous travel to Las Vegas, highlighting significant flight delays and challenges such as severe snowstorms and rerouting due to high-profile air traffic involving figures like Trump. Alex remarks at [00:27], “It was actually. It had a bunch of delays, and it ended up being like 12 and a half hours,” setting the tone for a candid and unfiltered conversation.

2. _We Hunt Serial Killers Project_
Alex introduces his investigative project, "We Hunt Serial Killers," which focuses on cases in Minneapolis and La Crosse related to the alleged "Smiley Face Killer" phenomenon. He explains at [01:06], “There are a lot of cases in Minneapolis and La Crosse that belong to the alleged smiley face killer phenomenon,” emphasizing the scope and depth of his research funded by iHeartRadio.

3. _Personal Trauma and Family History_
Delving into personal history, Alex shares his tumultuous relationship with his mother, who joined a cult and attempted to kill him, leading him to leave home at 15. At [03:25], he states, “She tried, but she wasn't the best a lot of the time. And she tried to kill me one time,” revealing the profound impact of his upbringing on his current pursuits.

4. _Overcoming Mental Health Challenges and Homelessness_
Alex discusses his struggle with mental health, including a period of homelessness lasting two and a half years. He recounts his journey of self-discovery and healing through meditation and introspection during his time in Alaska. At [11:32], Alex explains, “I started meditating every day and just coming to grips with... I finally let it go.”

5. _Career as a Ghostwriter and Ethical Concerns_
Transitioning to his professional life, Alex details his decade-long experience as a ghostwriter, emphasizing the importance of empathy and objectivity. He critiques the true crime community for its occasional ethical lapses, stating at [21:21], “I've learned so much from every single client that I've ever worked with,” highlighting his commitment to authentic storytelling over financial gain.

6. _Investigating the Long Island Serial Killer and the Rivermen_
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Alex’s investigation into the Long Island serial killer case, where he posits the existence of a highly organized group he terms the "Rivermen." At [25:19], he explains, “The law. Law enforcement sees it as a drowning. They write it off... if they frame these perfect crimes as drownings by just another drunk college kid, they're not examined as anything else.”

7. _Exposing Police Loopholes and Challenges in Investigations_
Alex elaborates on how the Rivermen exploit police procedural loopholes, ensuring their crimes are initially treated as accidental drownings. He underscores the systemic issues within law enforcement that allow such serial crimes to persist unchecked. At [26:07], he asserts, “The killers, I believe, know this, and they rely on it... so they can muddy the waters if they mix it up a little bit.”

8. _Confrontations with John McAfee and Conspiracy Theories_
The conversation shifts to Alex’s encounters with John McAfee, discussing McAfee’s alleged involvement in blackmail and his mysterious death. Alex shares at [35:44], “My theory is that if he did have a deadman switch, somehow some really good agents or a really great team dispatched to these five places found all of the deadman switches in one fell swoop,” highlighting his skepticism about the circumstances surrounding McAfee’s suicide.

9. _Media Representation and Suppressed Revelations_
Alex criticizes the media’s role in suppressing critical information that could aid in solving serial killer cases. He recounts an instance where pivotal information about McAfee’s death was omitted from a Netflix documentary, leading him to question the integrity of media portrayals. At [42:59], Alex reflects, “But hey, maybe that was for the best for me. Who knows?”

10. _Ethical Dilemmas in the True Crime Genre_
Addressing the ethical landscape of true crime, Alex expresses disdain for those who prioritize profit over justice. He states at [53:40], “I have a great level of disgust for those people,” criticizing individuals who exploit tragic stories for financial gain rather than seeking truth and closure for victims' families.

11. _Future Projects and Vision for Collaborative Investigations_
Alex outlines his future endeavors, including upcoming documentaries like "The California Kid" and collaborations with major streaming platforms. He emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration in solving serial crimes, advocating for a unified approach to share evidence and information effectively. At [60:13], he envisions, “If we all work together in some capacity under a common umbrella, we have a way better shot at helping shed light on these cases and potentially even helping to solve them.”

12. _Closing Thoughts on Authenticity and Storytelling_
Concluding the episode, both host Sean Kelly and Alex emphasize the significance of authenticity in storytelling. They discuss the transformative power of being genuine in personal and professional relationships, reinforcing the episode’s central theme of uncovering hidden truths through honest dialogue.

Notable Quotes:

• Alex Cody Foster at [01:06]: “We Hunt Serial Killers... there are a lot of cases in Minneapolis and La Crosse that belong to the alleged smiley face killer phenomenon.”

• Sean Kelly at [00:37]: “Holy crap. Was it snowing out there?”

• Alex Cody Foster at [26:07]: “The killers, I believe, know this, and they rely on it... so they can muddy the waters if they mix it up a little bit.”

• Sean Kelly at [21:57]: “You'd be surprised. A lot of these ballers, you know, behind the scenes, they're dealing with some stuff.”

• Alex Cody Foster at [53:40]: “I have a great level of disgust for those people.”

Conclusion:
In this episode of Digital Social Hour, Sean Kelly engages in a profound and revealing conversation with Alex Cody Foster about the intricate ways serial killers exploit systemic flaws within law enforcement to perpetuate their crimes. Through personal anecdotes and investigative insights, Alex exposes the vulnerabilities in police methodologies that allow sophisticated criminal groups to evade justice. The episode also delves into the ethical challenges within the true crime community and underscores the necessity of authentic, collaborative efforts to bring closure to victims' families and prevent future atrocities. Alex's unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth serves as an inspiring call to action for listeners to join in the pursuit of justice.