Podcast
Never Light Up A Room Podcast
Hosted by Never Light Up A Room Podcast · EN
We all know the cliche "they lit up a room". On this true crime podcast, we will explain why you should stay safe and never "light up a room"! We aim to shine a light on the well known cases as well as the overlooked or forgotten stories. Join us each week as we cover a new investigation and illuminate the darkness that surrounds us.
23episodes
Episodes
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Episode 120: The Murders of Jim Smith & Reginald Holmes AKA The Shark Arm Murder
5d ago00:42:52Tap to summarizeIn 1935, the remains found inside a shark led police into Sydney’s criminal underworld, where gambling, smuggling, blackmail, and suspected murder all collided. But whose arm was it, how did it end up in the ocean, and what happened to the man it belonged to? As investigators began pulling at the threads, they uncovered a case far stranger than anyone could have imagined. This week we discuss the story of the Shark Arm Murders. Sources: “The Shark Arm Case: When a Captive Tiger Shark Exposed a Murder (1935)”; Shark Data Lab; June 3, 2026; https://www.sharkdatalab.com/en/stories/shark-arm-case-1935; accessed Aug 9, 2026 “The Shark Arm Murders”; Sydney Crime Museum; https://www.sydneycrimemuseum.com/crime-stories/the-shark-arm-murders/; accessed Aug 9, 2026. “Shark Arm murder 1935”; Dictionary of Sydney; 2010; https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/shark_arm_murder_1935; accessed Aug 9, 2026.
Transcribe →Episode 119: The Murder of Eliza Fletcher
2w ago00:49:38Tap to summarizeEliza Fletcher left for what should have been another ordinary early morning run through the streets of Memphis, but within minutes, her routine took a terrifying and unimaginable turn. A beloved kindergarten teacher, devoted mother, and passionate runner, Eliza's disappearance sent shockwaves through her community and launched an urgent investigation that quickly captured international attention. As detectives raced against the clock, surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and one suspect's troubling past began revealing a story more disturbing than anyone could have imagined. In this episode, we trace Eliza's final morning, examine the investigation that unfolded, and explore the questions her case raised about violent offenders, public safety, and whether a devastating tragedy could have been prevented.Sources: True Crime Writers, “Four Minutes in a Parking Lot: The Murder of Eliza Fletcher”, True Crime News Weekly, June 29, 2026, https://truecrimesweekly.com/2026/06/29/four-minutes-in-a-parking-lot-the-murder-of-eliza-fletcher/, Accessed August 8, 2026 Saunders, Angel, “Man Who Kidnapped and Killed Eliza Fletcher During Her Morning Run Pleads Guilty, Gets Life”, People, October 28, 2026, https://people.com/man-who-kidnapped-killed-eliza-fletcher-during-her-morning-run-pleads-guilty-gets-life-8735773, Accessed August 8, 2026 CBS AP, “Man pleads guilty to kidnapping and killing Eliza Fletcher, Memphis teacher abducted during morning run”, CBS News, October 28, 2024, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/eliza-fletcher-murder-cleotha-abston-pleads-guilty-memphis-teacher-jogging/, Accessed August 8, 2026
Transcribe →Leave the Light On July 2026
2w ago01:28:32Tap to summarizeWe're back with our twenty ninth Leave the Light On episode where we recap the cases covered in the previous month, discuss true crime headlines from the month, and give you a sneak peak at what is coming up in the next month. If we know!References: TMZ Staff; “Bryan Kohberger Read His Handwritten Letter Slamming Ex-Lawyer, Blaming Them For Life Sentence”; TMZ.com; July 30, 2026; https://www.tmz.com/2026/07/30/bryan-kohbergers-letter-blaming-ex-lawyer-for-prison-sentence/; accessed July 31, 2026. Matt Schooley; “Lindsay Clancy now on trial in murder of her 3 children in Duxbury, Massachusetts”; CBS News; July 27, 2026; https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-patrick-clancy/; accessed July 31, 2026. Gainor, Danya; “A timeline of Nolan Wells’ disappearance, death and the unfolding investigation”; CNN; July 29, 2026; https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/13/us/nolan-wells-death-mississippi-timeline; accessed July 31, 2026.
Transcribe →Episode 118: The Costa Concordia Tragedy
3w ago01:11:16Tap to summarizeOn Friday, January 13, 2012, The Costa Concordia set sail for a weeklong cruise around the Mediterranean. Tragically, hours into the voyage tragedy struck as the captain sailed the ship recklessly close to the rocks near Giglio Island. By morning, 32 lives had been lost and, in the years following the tragedy, a criminal trial would be held to hold those responsible accountable. Sources: Tikkanen, Amy; “Costa Concordia disaster”; Britannica; July 12, 2026; https://www.britannica.com/event/Costa-Concordia-disaster; accessed July 21, 2026. Blair, Caroline; “7 Fatal Mistakes Made During the Costa Concordia Shipwreck”; People; July 16, 2026; https://people.com/what-went-wrong-during-costa-concordia-shipwreck-12019840; accessed July 21, 2026. Bain, Ellissa; “The names, ages and nationalities of all 32 Costa Concordia victims, and how they died”; The Tab; July 15, 2026; https://thetab.com/2026/07/15/the-names-ages-and-nationalities-of-all-32-costa-concordia-victims-and-how-they-died; accessed July 21, 2026. Bain, Ellissa; “Heartbreaking court records reveal exactly how people died on the Costa Concordia”; The Tab; July 16, 2026; https://thetab.com/2026/07/17/heartbreaking-court-records-reveal-exactly-how-people-died-on-the-costa-concordia; accessed July 21, 2026. Lyon, Rivy; “The Shocking Story Of The Costa Concordia, The Luxury Cruise Ship That Catastrophically Capsized Near Italy”; All Thats Interesting; March 1, 2026; https://allthatsinteresting.com/costa-concordia; accessed July 21, 2026. Comiter, Jordana; “Why Did the Costa Concordia Deviate from Its Planned Route? Inside the Captain’s Fatal Decision”; People; July 16, 2026; https://people.com/why-the-costa-concordia-deviated-from-itinerary-12019847; accessed July 21, 2026. LaCroix, Emy; “The Disastrous True Story of Netflix’s Shipwrecked and the 2012 Costa Concordia Sinking”; People; July 11, 2026; https://people.com/costa-concordia-shipwreck-what-to-know-12014447; accessed July 23, 2026. “Full transcript: Coast guard berates cruise ship captain”; ABC.net.au; Jan 17, 2012; https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-18/recording-of-schettinos-conversation-with-coast-guard/3779592; accessed July 23, 2026. “Five guilty in Costa Concordia trial”; BBC; July 20, 2013; https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-23388680; accessed July 23, 2026. “Did a diver died on Costa Concordia?”; Citizen Daily; July 2026; https://www.citizendailypost.com/faq/did-a-diver-died-on-costa-concordia/; accessed July 26, 2026. “Shipment of Mafia drugs was hidden in Costa Concordia?”; Crew-Center; https://crew-center.com/shipment-mafia-drugs-was-hidden-costa-concordia; accessed July 26, 2026.
Transcribe →Episode 117: The Murders of Samantha Koenig, and Bill and Lorraine Currier
4w ago00:55:24Tap to summarizeIn 2012, the disappearance of an 18-year-old barista from Anchorage, Alaska shocked her community and launched a desperate search for answers. What began as a seemingly isolated kidnapping soon unraveled into something far more disturbing, exposing a killer who had spent years operating in the shadows. In this episode, we explore the lives of Samantha Koenig, Bill Currier, and Lorraine Currier, and the chilling investigation that uncovered one of the most calculating criminals in modern true crime. How many secrets can one man hide and how many may still remain buried today? Sources Sinha, Shivangi, “Samantha Koenig: How Did She Die? Who Killed Her?”, The Cinemaholic, December 4, 2024, https://thecinemaholic.com/samantha-koenig/, Accessed July 19, 2026 Kabra, Prathamesh, “Samantha Koenig: The 2012 Anchorage Abduction, Ransom Trail, Arrest, and Indictment”, Thar Tribune, January 16, 2026, https://thartribune.com/samantha-koenig-the-2012-anchorage-abduction-ransom-trail-arrest-and-indictment/, Accessed July 19, 2026 Giacomazzo, Bernadette, “Inside The Grisly Murder Of Samantha Koenig And The Horrifying ‘Ransom’ Photo Her Killer Took”, All Thats Interesting, January 29, 2026, https://allthatsinteresting.com/samantha-koenig, Accessed July 19, 2026 Sinha, Shivangi, “Bill and Lorraine Currier: How Did They Die? Who Killed Them?”, The Cinemaholic, December 4, 2024, https://thecinemaholic.com/bill-lorraine-currier/, Accessed July 19, 2026
Transcribe →Episode 116: The Browning Family Murders
Jul 1500:48:49Tap to summarizeBefore the tragedy that made national headlines, the Browning family was known as a close-knit, respected family in their Maryland community. John and Tammy Browning had built a life centered on faith, family, and service while raising their three sons in what appeared to be an idyllic home. But beneath that polished image, tensions were growing behind closed doors - tensions that would erupt into an unimaginable act of violence over a single weekend in February 2008. When the family's oldest son returned home and reported a horrific discovery, investigators were thrust into a case that quickly took an unexpected and deeply disturbing turn. As the truth emerged, it raised difficult questions about family dynamics, motive, and whether the warning signs had been there all along. This week we are covering the heartbreaking story of the Browning family murders. Sources: Shrestha, Naman; “Where is Nicholas Waggoner Browning Now? Update on the Killer”; Moviedelic; Aug 31, 2025; https://moviedelic.com/nicholas-waggoner-browning/; accessed July 13, 2026. “Teen who killed family gets 4 life sentences”; NBC News; Jan 23, 2009; https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28815861; accessed July 13, 2026. “In Maryland, Boy Charged in 4 Deaths”; The New York Times; Feb 4 2008; https://murderpedia.org/male.B/b/browning-nicholas.htm; accessed July 13, 2026. Jones, Kasey; “Police say Maryland Boy Scout killed his family while they slept”; The Associated Press; Feb 4, 2008; https://murderpedia.org/male.B/b/browning-nicholas.htm; accessed July 13, 2026. Broadwater, Luke; “Police say 'no explanation' why Browning family murdered”; The Examiner; Feb 6, 2008; https://murderpedia.org/male.B/b/browning-nicholas.htm; accessed July13, 2026. Broadwater, Luke; “Cockeysville murder suspect portrayed as 'arrogant, rude'”; The Examiner; Feb 7, 2008; https://murderpedia.org/male.B/b/browning-nicholas.htm; accessed July 13, 2026. Broadwater, Luke; Janis, Stephen; “Student: Nicholas Browning joked about killing family”; The Examiner; Feb 11, 2008; https://murderpedia.org/male.B/b/browning-nicholas.htm; accessed July 13, 2026. Broadwater, Luke; “Nicholas Browing indicted in Cockeysville family’s slaying”; The Examiner; Feb 12, 2008; https://murderpedia.org/male.B/b/browning-nicholas.htm; accessed July 13, 2026. Nuckols, Ben; “Md. teen who killed family gets 4 life sentences”; KansasCity.com; Jan 23, 2009; https://murderpedia.org/male.B/b/browning-nicholas.htm; accessed July 13, 2026. Thompson, Adam; “Cockeysville home where manhunt started is where a high-profiled murder occurred in 2008”; CBS News; Feb 9, 2023; https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/cockeysville-home-where-manhunt-started-was-same-place-of-2008-browning-family-murders-source-tells-wjz/; accessed July 13, 2026 James, John; Loader Jake; “Man who murdered entire family when he was 15 pens creepy dating profile from cell”; Daily Star; July 10, 2022; https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/man-who-murdered-entire-family-27445461; accessed July 13, 2026. Neil, Martha; “Teen Son Gets Life in Murder of His Dad, a Md. Lawyer, Mom & 2 Brothers”; ABA Journal; Jan 26, 2009; https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/teen_son_gets_life_in_murder_of_dad_a_md._lawyer_mom_2_brothers/; accessed July 13, 2026. WBFF STAFF; “Same house | Man shot officer at home where teen murdered family in 2008”; Fox Baltimore News; May 20, 2025; https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/same-house-manhunt-wanted-man-shot-officer-where-teen-murdered-family-in-2008; accessed July 13, 2026.
Transcribe →Episode Re-Release: The Escape of Kara Robinson
Jul 800:46:44Tap to summarizeWith life being unpredictable lets flash back 1 year ago today and have Episode 067: The Escape of Kara Robinson for a Re-Release episode! Enjoy!On June 24th 2002 while at a friends house, 15 year old Kara was outside watering plants when a man pulled into the driveway. Striking up a conversation, the man would then go on to kidnap Kara and take her back to his apartment where he would assault her for the next 18 hours. Sources: Pelisek, Christine, “At 15, Kara Robinson Chamberlain Was Kidnapped by a Serial Killer. She Not Only Escaped — She Helped Catch Him”, People, February 17th 2022, https://people.com/crime/kara-robinson-chamberlain-survived-serial-killer-helped-catch-him-as-teen/, Accessed July 6th 2025 Morgan, Amber, “Kara Robinson: The 15-Year-Old Girl Who Escaped A Serial Killer, Then Helped Police Solve Three Of His Murders”, All Thats Interesting, August 29, 2024, https://allthatsinteresting.com/kara-robinson, Accessed July 6th 2025 Finn, Natalie, “Why Kara Robinson's Escape From a Suspected Serial Killer in 2002 Is as Timely a Story as Ever”, E News, February 11, 2023, https://www.eonline.com/news/1364336/why-kara-robinsons-escape-from-a-suspected-serial-killer-in-2002-is-as-timely-a-story-as-ever, Accessed July 6th 2025 Dziemianowicz, Joe, “‘Picking Me Was The Greatest Mistake He Ever Made’: Where Is Kara Robinson’s Kidnapper Now?”, Oxygen True Crime, September 26, 2021, https://www.oxygen.com/escaping-captivity-the-kara-robinson-story/crime-news/where-is-kara-robinsons-kidnapper-richard, Accessed July 6th 2025 Gokhale, Stuti, “Kara Robinson Chamberlain: Where is Kidnapping Survivor Now?” The Cinemaholic, February 11, 2023, https://thecinemaholic.com/kara-robinson-chamberlain-where-is-kidnapping-survivor-now/, Accessed July 6th 2025
Transcribe →Leave the Light On June 2026
Jul 101:03:09Tap to summarizeWe're back with our twenty eighth Leave the Light On episode where we recap the cases covered in the previous month, discuss true crime headlines from the month, and give you a sneak peak at what is coming up in the next month. If we know!References: Levenson, Eric, “‘I am responsible.’ Takeaways from Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann’s sentencing hearing”, CNN, June 17, 2026, https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/17/us/rex-heuermann-life-sentence, Accessed June 27, 2026
Transcribe →Episode 115: The Disappearance of Lori Hacking
Jul 100:54:38Tap to summarizeLori Hacking seemed to have everything to look forward to, a happy marriage, a baby on the way, and an exciting new chapter just around the corner. But when she vanished after what was supposed to be an early morning jog, investigators quickly discovered that not everything in her seemingly perfect life was as it appeared. As the search for Lori intensified, a web of shocking lies, devastating betrayal, and heartbreaking truths began to unravel. This is the tragic case of Lori Hacking, a story that would captivate the nation and leave one family forever searching for answers. Sources: Kettler, Sara, “The Murder of Lori Hacking: Killed by Her Husband's Lies”, A&E, July 23, 2021, https://www.aetv.com/articles/murder-of-lori-hacking, Accessed June 28th, 2026 Crime Library Writers, “The Murder of Lori Hacking”, Crime Library, https://crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/family/mark_hacking/, Accessed June 28th, 2026 Wikipedia, The Murder of Lori Hacking, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Lori_Hacking, Accessed June 28th 2026
Transcribe →Episode 114: The Murder of Betsy Faria and Louis Gumpenberger
Jun 2400:55:09Tap to summarizeElizabeth "Betsy" Faria, was a beloved wife, mother, and friend who was battling terminal cancer when her life was suddenly cut short. What initially appeared to be a straightforward investigation soon evolved into a complex saga involving allegations of deception, a wrongful conviction, and years of unanswered questions. Along the way, another life would be lost—that of Louis Gumpenberger, a vulnerable man living with disabilities who became entangled in a shocking chain of events. Together, the deaths of Betsy and Louis left their families searching for justice and transformed this case into one of the most extraordinary true crime stories in recent memory. Sources: First Alert 4 Staff; “Pam Hupp waives jury trial for no death penalty”; First Alert 4; April 28, 2026; https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/04/28/pam-hupp-waives-jury-trial-no-death-penalty/; accessed June 21, 2026. Cesaric, Corin; “Woman at Center of The Thing About Pam Miniseries Charged Again in Connection with Friend's Stabbing Death”; People; Oct 30, 2023; https://people.com/pam-hupp-charge-refiled-betsy-faria-stabbing-death-8384298; Access June 21, 2026. Mehrotra, Kriti; “Betsy Faria’s Murder: How Did She Die? Who Killed Her?”; TheCinemaholic; Mar 8, 2022; https://thecinemaholic.com/betsy-farias-murder-how-did-she-die-who-killed-her/; accessed June 21, 2026. Fraga, Kaleena; “The Story Of Pam Hupp, The Remorseless Killer Who Butchered Betsy Faria — Then Framed Her Husband”; All Thats Interesting; Mar 2, 2022; https://allthatsinteresting.com/pam-hupp; Accessed June 21, 2026. Carlin, Shannon; “Renée Zellweger Stars In The NBC Docudrama The Thing About Pam. Here's the True Story Behind the Series”; Time; Mar 9, 2022; https://time.com/6156033/the-thing-about-pam-renee-zellweger-true-story/; Accessed June 21, 2026. Reed, J.A.; “Untangling Betsy Faria’s murder: True story of ‘The thing about Pam’”; New York Post; April 2, 2022; https://nypost.com/2022/04/02/true-story-of-the-thing-about-pam-betsy-farias-murder/; accessed June 21, 2026. Farberov, Snejana; “Mother of disabled man who was shot and killed by Pam Hupp wins $3million wrongful death judgment after emotional testimony”; Daily Mail; July 17, 2020; https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-8535145/Mother-disabled-man-killed-Pam-Hupp-wins-3million-judgment.html; accessed June 21, 2026.
Transcribe →