Podcast
Obscura: A True Crime Podcast
Hosted by Justin Drown · EN
The darkest true crime cases are the ones you've never heard of. Obscura investigates murders written off as accidents, disappearances dismissed as runaways, and obscure cases buried in forgotten files. Host Justin Drown delivers unflinching investigations through real archival audio, court records, and graphic forensic detail. No comedy. No sanitized narratives. Only the complete truth. New episodes every Tuesday.
46episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
CHILD ABUSE: Tina Ramirez | Piedmont, OK 2024
Jan 1300:43:17Tap to summarizeBLACK LABEL CONTENT — Premium subscribers only A Piedmont officer uncovered horrors when a runaway's plight revealed deep-seated abuse. Highlighted audio exposes systemic failures. Black Label explores a dark saga of abuse and neglect masked by routine appearances. This episode delves deep into the trauma faced by a child on the brink. Tina Ramirez's case exposes shocking neglect and brutality endured by a 14-year-old girl weighing the size of a five-year-old. A situation that violated innocence and reshaped a community. The investigation, driven by disturbing confessions and heart-wrenching audio, uncovers deeply buried secrets, revealing a system at odds with protection. Access Black Label:Patreon | Apple PremiumOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA* Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com* Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com* Check out Progressive: https://progressive.com* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code OBSCURA20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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KILLER: Ana Maria Cardona (Part 2 of 2) | Miami, FL 1990
Jan 600:25:48Tap to summarizeAna Maria Cardona's chilling narrative concludes in Miami, tracing the final steps of Baby Lollipops. Real court recordings featured. Ana Maria Cardona, a saga of relentless pursuit and ultimate conviction, reflects on the tragic life and death of three-year-old Lazaro Figueroa, known as Baby Lollipops. On November 2, 1990, after the boy's emaciated body was found in Miami Beach, investigators followed chilling clues that unraveled a tapestry of abuse and neglect inflicted by his own mother. The trial, marked by damning testimonies and real court recordings, brought to light the horrifying circumstances leading to Lazaro's death, driving the urgent call for justice. Ana Maria Cardona faced justice, convicted thrice, closing decades of torment and achieving a semblance of justice for Lazaro. This episode includes court and investigative audio. Listener discretion advised. Support Obscura:Patreon | Website | Apple PremiumOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA* Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com* Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com* Check out Progressive: https://progressive.com* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code OBSCURA20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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KILLER: Ana Maria Cardona (Part 1 of 2) | Miami, FL 1990
Dec 3000:24:45Tap to summarizeBaby Lollipops' tragic story begins with a harrowing discovery in Miami. Featuring real court and testimony audio. Ana Maria Cardona's tale of tragedy begins with the discovery of Lazaro Figueroa, a child caught in the crossfire of his mother's abuse as baby Lollipops. On November 2, 1990, Miami Beach witnessed an atrocity with Lazaro's body lying near a wealthy home, marking the start of a relentless pursuit for justice. Investigators pieced together the harrowing account of Lazaro's short life through forensic evidence and heartbreaking testimonies, painting a dire portrait of neglect. The trial that ensued shed light on unbearable truths, echoed through the courthouses with penetrating intensity to ensure Lazaro's plight was vindicated. This episode features court proceedings and victim testimonies. Listener discretion advised. Support Obscura:Patreon | Website | Apple PremiumOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA* Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com* Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com* Check out Progressive: https://progressive.com* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code OBSCURA20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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178: The Ricin Physician - Part 01
Oct 1500:29:12Tap to summarizeListener, what happens when your home is destroyed in an accident and you lose everything? You have no home to go to, and are adrift without the people you love who you rely on to make difficult times easier to bear. You feel abandoned and alone. What happens if that ‘accident’ that destroyed your home and killed your loved ones wasn’t actually determined to be an accident at all, but something far more sinister, caused by the last person on earth you’d suspect?Our Sponsors:* Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA* Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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177: Inferno - Screams in the Night
Oct 900:17:42Tap to summarizeListener,On a quiet May evening, a white stretch limousine glides across the San Mateo Bridge — nine women inside, celebrating a new chapter in life. But before the night can unfold, flames consume the vehicle, trapping five passengers inside as desperate 911 calls flood dispatch. What begins as confusion on the highway becomes a horrifying tragedy burned into California’s memory.In this episode, Obscura host Justin Drown takes you inside the 911 recordings, witness statements, and the official investigation into one of the most haunting limousine fires in U.S. history. You’ll hear how a mechanical failure turned celebration into catastrophe — and how survival and guilt intertwine in the aftermath.What really caused the fire? Could it have been prevented? And what happens to the people who walk away when others can’t?Our Sponsors:* Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA* Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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176: The Turbulent Life and Death of Kelsey Hildal - Part 02
Sep 3000:20:03Tap to summarizeIn the conclusion of this two-part series, Obscura turns from the formative years of Kelsey A. to her final, devastating night.On April 1st, 2025, calls began flooding into dispatch: a wrong-way driver on Interstate 275. Officers pursued a gray Ford Escape, ultimately forcing it to a stop. What unfolded in the following minutes was chaos, fear, and tragedy—ending with gunfire that would claim Kelsey’s life.Part 2 captures the raw audio from the dash cams, radios, and body mics that recorded her final moments. Beyond the incident itself, we examine the aftershock: the grief of her family, the official investigation, and the long shadow of untreated mental illness that had haunted her for years.This episode is not only about what happened on that highway—it’s about how a life shaped by hardship, resilience, and trauma reached its breaking point.What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeEmergency calls describing a wrong-way driver on I-275.Police radio and dash cam audio from the pursuit and confrontation.Kelsey’s final words, captured in tense exchanges with officers.First-hand accounts of officers securing the scene and her dog.News reports and witness perspectives on the officer-involved shooting.The moment her family was notified and their reflections on her struggles.Insights into the paranoia, fear, and mental health battles that consumed Kelsey in her final year.Content WarningThis episode contains graphic audio of a police shooting, discussions of mental illness, and descriptions of death. Listener discretion is strongly advised.Closing NotePart 2 closes the story of Kelsey’s life—a life marked by resilience and collapse, triumph and tragedy. Thank you for sitting with her story.Our Sponsors:* Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA* Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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175: The Turbulent Life and Death of Kelsey Hildal - Part 01
Sep 2500:20:05Tap to summarizeIn this first part of a two-part series, Obscura takes you inside the complicated and often tragic life of Kelsey A., a young woman whose story weaves together resilience, trauma, and the weight of circumstance.From her early struggles with brain surgery and a near-fatal car accident to her years in a bootcamp and boarding school, Kelsey’s life was shaped by events that altered her path in profound ways. Despite it all, she rose as a standout athlete—first on the basketball court, then in the MMA cage. But as the years went on, new battles emerged: psychiatric crises, brushes with the law, and the dark pull of choices made in desperation.Part 1 is not the story of her final day—it is the story of how she got there. By tracing her journey, we see the psychological weight she carried and the brief moments of triumph that stood out against a backdrop of adversity.This episode lays the foundation. Part 2 will plunge into the darker, more unsettling details of her final chapter.What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeKelsey’s early life in Cincinnati and the medical ordeal that reshaped her childhood.A devastating car accident that left lasting physical and psychological scars.Her removal from home and placement into a North Carolina bootcamp, followed by Montana Academy.Near-death experiences, including her survival after collapsing in the snow during an escape attempt.The drive and talent that turned her into a star basketball player and later an MMA fighter.Glimpses of her later years: psychiatric struggles, brushes with law enforcement, and choices that complicated her legacy.A reflection on how chance, trauma, and resilience shaped the person Kelsey became.Content WarningThis episode contains discussions of brain trauma, psychiatric crises, sex work, and law enforcement encounters. Listener discretion is advised.Closing NotePart 1 sets the stage. Part 2 will take you deeper into the grittier, unsettling details that define Kelsey’s final years. Free listeners will get Part 2 next week; patrons can listen early.Our Sponsors:* Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA* Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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174: The Peculiar Life and Death of Joe Winko - Part 02
Sep 1700:31:42Tap to summarizeToday we cover a strange case. An unusual case. The case of Joe Winko. But who is Joe Winko? Well, pinning him down is a challenge in itself. I’ll try my best. I warn you this episode is going to be unlike any Obscura episode you’ve heard before. But I promise you it will be worth it.Our Sponsors:* Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA* Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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173: The Peculiar Life and Death of Joe Winko - Part 01
Sep 1700:23:40Tap to summarizeHello Listener.Today we cover a strange case. An unusual case. The case of Joe Winko. But who is Joe Winko? Well, pinning him down is a challenge in itself. I’ll try my best. I warn you this episode is going to be unlike any Obscura episode you’ve heard before. But I promise you it will be worth it.Our Sponsors:* Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA* Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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172 [Black Label]: A Discarded Man
Sep 500:20:19Tap to summarizeIn December 1984, a man walked into a karate dojo in Dumfries, Virginia. Minutes later, he was dragged out the back door, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. Decades later, the grainy footage of his brutal beating would reemerge on YouTube, igniting a firestorm of outrage, speculation—and questions that remain unanswered to this day.In this Black Label episode of Obscura, Justin Drown unpacks the haunting story behind what came to be known as the "Kung Fu Guy Incident." At the center is Bobby Joe Blythe—a self-styled sensei with a history of violent stunts and a doctrine that turned martial arts into a license for cruelty. What happened inside that dojo wasn't a demonstration. It was an orchestrated attack on a mentally ill man, all filmed, narrated, and later uploaded by the very man who allowed it to happen.This is not a tale of ancient discipline or honor. It's the story of power abused, a life discarded, and a justice system left paralyzed by the absence of a name. No arrest. No trial. No confirmed identity for the victim—only the echo of his last words and the sound of boots on concrete.Listener discretion is strongly advised. The audio in this episode is graphic. The subject matter is disturbing. But the story must be told.Join me on Black Label at https://www.patreon.com/c/obscuracrimepodcastOur Sponsors:* Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA* Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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