True Crime All The Time – Episode 490: Christina Sanoubane
Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike Gibson
Release Date: April 20, 2026
Episode Overview
In this episode, hosts Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson meticulously unravel the tragic and brutal murder of Christina Sanoubane, a young mother from Iowa who was killed just days after fleeing an abusive relationship. The episode explores Christina’s background, the abusive dynamic with her ex-boyfriend, the events leading up to the murder, the ensuing investigation, and the surprising identity and conviction of the true killer. The hosts analyze investigative details, the complexities of domestic violence, and the evidence that ultimately brought justice for Christina.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Christina’s Life and Relationship History
[04:35]
- Christina was born on November 21, 1979, in Des Moines, Iowa, and raised in Cedar Rapids.
- Her childhood ambitions were to become a journalist, diverging from her parents' wishes for her to pursue law or medicine.
- In high school, Christina began experimenting with drugs and got pregnant her senior year, moving in with her boyfriend Jacob Croson.
- The relationship with Jacob quickly turned abusive; she would often show up at work with bruises, openly talking about being beaten.
[08:06] Mike Gibson:
"People stay in relationships that they probably shouldn’t be in because they love the person that is hurting them."
- Christina’s supervisor, Sandy Smith, testified about the visible and escalating signs of abuse.
- Despite encouragement from family/friends to leave, Christina remained because she loved Jacob and feared the repercussions of leaving.
Escalating Abuse and Attempted Escape
[09:52]
- Jacob was arrested twice for domestic violence, including an incident where he shot Christina in the face with a pellet gun. He served only three days in jail for the assault.
- Christina kept a diary chronicling the abuse and her emotional turmoil, including the heartbreaking realization:
"He criticizes me. He puts me down and physically abuses me. After three years, I’m just starting to realize I was the only one in love." (Diaries, no timestamp)
- Eventually, Christina decided to leave Jacob, moving into her own duplex with her young son, Corbin, for a fresh start.
The Murder
[16:58]
- Four days after moving, on September 4, 2000, friend Todd Hale discovered Christina’s body submerged in a bathtub full of bloody water after hearing her son, Corbin, say "Mommy’s dead."
- The scene was vicious; signs of a struggle included Christina’s sandals, a metal pan collar, her teeth on the floor, and bloody footprints.
- There were no signs of forced entry or robbery, suggesting Christina let her attacker in.
- Christina’s body showed evidence of sexual assault and her throat was cut so deeply that her trachea was severed.
[18:33] Mike Ferguson:
"You have a young mother who’s killed and that’s horrible. But you also have this two-year-old little boy...that my mommy’s dead. That’s heartbreaking."
The Investigation: Suspects and Evidence
[21:35]
- Jacob was initially the prime suspect but produced a partial alibi.
- The investigation also scrutinized Todd Hale (who found the body) and Carlos Robinson, Christina’s new neighbor, both of whom had helped her move in.
- Police scrutinized their alibis and collected their footprints for comparison with the bloody prints at the scene.
[27:54]
- During evidence collection, Carlos deliberately muddled his footprint samples by walking over them again—a suspicious act in the eyes of investigators.
- After matching the prints and a palm print at the scene to Carlos, as well as recovering his DNA as the major contributor from the sexual assault kit, the focus shifted squarely onto him.
Hamburger Bun Clue: A Grisly First
[35:17]
- A key, unique detail: A barefoot imprint was found on a hamburger bun discarded in the bathroom, likely used to wrap the murder weapon and avoid a blood trail. The impression matched Carlos’s foot.
[35:56] Mike Ferguson:
"Never heard of footprints being found in a hamburger bun."
The Confession and Defense
[31:54]
- Confronted with evidence, Carlos changed his story multiple times. He eventually claimed he had consensual sex with Christina and only found her body after returning to check on noises, touching the sink (leaving the palm print) and stepping in blood (leaving the footprint).
[52:03] Mike Ferguson:
"Even if you had nothing to do with someone’s death—how could you just leave them like that?"
- Carlos argued he did not call 911 due to fear of being racially profiled and because he didn’t want his partner to find out about the affair.
- The prosecution dismantled his narrative, pointing to the overwhelming physical evidence, inconsistencies in his stories, and lack of plausible explanations for the sequence and locations of evidence.
Trial, Conviction, and Aftermath
[54:54]
- At trial, Carlos continued to deny responsibility, arguing only that he had consensual relations with Christina on the night she died.
- The jury rejected his shifting accounts and the alternative theories posited by the defense.
[53:41] Mike Ferguson:
"But even if you had nothing to do with someone’s death—how could you just leave them like that?"
- On December 12, 2001, Carlos Robinson was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in April 2002.
- Carlos has since filed numerous appeals, seeking new DNA tests to suggest another, unidentified male might have been present, but these have been consistently denied.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
[07:09] Mike Ferguson (on Christina’s childhood ambitions):
"I did think it was, you know, just a little strange that, you know, growing up, she wanted to be a journalist. You know, a lot of kids. Okay. Doctor, lawyer. You hear that a lot."
-
[11:05] Mike Gibson (on the justice system):
"Three days in jail. All that is doing is pissing him off and he knows he’s going to be out in three days. But if you put him away for a year, that's going to give her time to get herself together and move on.”
-
[35:56] Mike Ferguson (on evidence):
"Never heard of footprints being found in a hamburger bun."
-
[53:41] Mike Ferguson:
"But even if you had nothing to do with someone’s death—how could you just leave them like that?"
-
[54:54] Carlos Robinson (at sentencing, quoting the Gazette):
"I did not commit this crime. I know it. My family knows it. Part of me knows that the San Eubane family knows I didn’t do it. Justice for me will be finding the real person who committed this ungodly crime."
Lighter Moments & Banter
- The hosts joke about moose track ice cream, footprints on hamburger buns, and (incorrectly) identifying "Tostitos" as a type of bread that wouldn't hold a footprint, showing their signature blend of seriousness about the crime and lightness in their personal banter.
- They acknowledge the nuance and challenges inherent in domestic violence cases, both in terms of law enforcement and family response.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Background & Early Life: [04:35] – [09:35]
- Relationship with Jacob & Abuse: [09:35] – [12:19]
- Moving Into New Home: [13:34]
- Discovery of Murder: [16:58]
- Autopsy & Evidence: [19:00] – [21:08]
- Suspect Investigations: [21:35] – [31:38]
- Hamburger Bun Footprint: [35:06] – [36:54]
- Carlos’s Changing Story: [31:54] – [53:41]
- Trial, Verdict, and Appeals: [54:54] – [56:52]
Conclusion & Reflections
The episode spotlights the tragic consequences of domestic violence and the complexities of policing and prosecuting such cases. Despite his attempts to deflect suspicion, overwhelming forensic evidence convicted Carlos Robinson for Christina’s murder. The hosts caution listeners about the nuanced realities in abusive relationships, the sometimes-inadequate justice system, and how forensic detail—down to a footprint on a hamburger bun—can seal the fate of a killer.
For Listeners Who Haven’t Heard the Episode
This episode delivers a thorough, compassionate, and sometimes darkly humorous exploration of Christina Sanoubane’s life and death. The hosts blend empathy with forensic detail and plenty of thoughtful commentary, making it an engaging listen whether you’re new to true crime or a devoted follower of the genre.
[End of Summary]
