Up and Vanished Weekly: CrimeCon 2025 with Annie Elise

Podcast: Up and Vanished Weekly
Host: Tenderfoot TV (Maggie Freleng, Payne Lindsey)
Guest: Annie Elise (10 to Life, Serial-lessly)
Release Date: October 17, 2025
Location: Live from CrimeCon 2025, Denver
Key Segment: Interview conducted by John (Tenderfoot TV)

Episode Overview

This episode features a live conversation with Annie Elise, renowned true crime creator and host of "10 to Life" and "Serial-lessly." Recorded at CrimeCon 2025, the discussion dives into Annie's path from fashion industry professional to true crime influencer, her approach to covering sensitive cases, insights into the true crime community, and the ethics of reporting on real-life tragedies. The episode aims to shed light on Annie’s impact and process, while exploring broader themes of responsibility, community, and the evolving landscape of true crime.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Annie Elise’s Background and Entry Into True Crime

• Annie transitioned from 15 years in fashion to addressing true crime, initially as a hobby.
• Her original niche was 10-minute case recaps on YouTube ("10 to Life"), which grew rapidly, leading to podcasting and a multimedia platform.
  • "I just started talking about these cases that really bothered me... it resonated with people who were hearing it and viewing it." (04:02–06:01)

2. Experience and Takeaways from CrimeCon

• Annie emphasizes the positive, unique community atmosphere at CrimeCon, inclusive of victims, families, media, and fans.
  • "I just feel it sounds so cheesy and cliche, but I feel like there's just such an incredible community that has been built here..." (04:10)
• Highlights of the event include her live episode and connecting with people in person rather than online.
  • "Being able to connect with so many people in person, that was definitely a highlight for me." (04:36)

3. Growth and Inspiration as a Content Creator

• Annie began with TikTok and moved to YouTube out of a need for longer content.
• Cites inspirations like Up and Vanished and Bailey Sarian.
  • "I have listened to Up and Vanished for years. I watched Bailey Sarian here and there..." (08:33)
• Her style is conversational, aiming to be a "true crime best friend" and prioritizing authenticity.
  • "I want to feel like your true crime best friend, where we're just talking..." (09:02)

4. Content Strategy, Platform Differences, and Team

• Annie produces content daily, treating her work as a full-time job supported by a 12-person team sourced from her community.
  • "When I left my job in fashion to do this full time, I kind of made a commitment to myself and I was like, if I'm gonna do this, I'm going to treat it like a full time job..." (10:00)
• Discusses burnout and the challenge of unplugging, especially as a driven creator and mother.
  • "I just don't know how to turn it off, which I think is very unhealthy. And the burnout and the crash I fear is coming." (10:54)

5. Case Selection and Ethical Reporting

• Utilizes case submissions from victims, survivors, and the community.
• Focuses on cases with a “value add”—where her coverage can bring attention or new understanding, explicitly declining to cover highly publicized cases like JonBenet Ramsey due to lack of additional value.
  • “I've never covered it and I don't think I ever will... There's no value add. It's been covered. Everybody knows it.” (12:30)

6. Sensitive Coverage & Impact on Families

• Avoids sensationalism; maintains empathy for victims and survivors.
• She finds her in-depth, investigative work most rewarding, with deep dives and engagement in online communities.
  • “Deep dives are like my vibe because I just, I'm already like scouring things as it is.” (13:29)

7. Case Focus: Robyn Gardner

• Recaps the case, highlighting inconsistencies, toxic relationships, and possible financial motives.
  • “She was on vacation... there was some involvement with life insurance and different sums of money. And it looked as though it was very intentional...” (15:47)
• Stresses the importance of coverage for awareness and the potential to generate tips leading to resolution.
  • "I believe the more awareness that's out there, the more likely you are to hear something." (17:03)

8. Citizen Sleuths vs. Legacy Media

• Annie sees value in the rise of “citizen sleuths,” but warns of the potential harm due to misinformation or overinvolvement.
  • “Sometimes the citizen sleuth, they can cause more damage than good.” (17:43)
• Notes distrust in mainstream media and importance of trusted, authentic voices.
  • "Consumers like to hear from other people and like to trustworthy sources. And again, not in this very buttoned up news anchor voice that feels detached..." (17:43)

9. High-Profile Case Coverage & Trial Attendance

• Shares experience of covering the Karen Reed trial, interacting with the family, and the complexities of reasonable doubt and evidence mishandling.
  • “What I do know... there was way too much reasonable doubt to convict her. I think that there was so much shadiness and evidence that didn't match and mishandling of things...” (18:50)
• Expresses desire to cover the Barry Morphew trial and more in-person legal proceedings.
  • "I definitely plan on being at the Barry Morphew trial for sure." (20:49)

10. Ethics and Emotional Health in True Crime

• Ethics: Not exploiting real people’s tragedies, focusing on accuracy and sensitivity.
  • “It's the worst day of their life. So somebody that. Taking that and spinning it... overly dramatic things, things that aren't true... it's almost as though they've become so detached that this is a real person's life and story.” (21:21)
• Mental health: Annie compartmentalizes work and personal life, limits personal true crime media intake, and focuses on gratitude and presence with family.
  • “I have found a way to compartmentalize so that when I go home, I truly try to turn it off and be present with my family...” (25:26)

11. Community and Advice for Aspiring Creators

• Annie’s high points come from victim family feedback and gratitude for respectful, valuable coverage.
  • “Every single time will be the high mark. Just because it makes me remember... reinforces what we're doing...” (26:08)
• Encourages new creators: "Just start... you don't need any fancy equipment, you don't need any sort of plan in place." (26:40)

12. Upcoming Projects

• Annie is touring and continues to focus on podcast and YouTube content, with an open invitation for listeners to follow her on all major platforms.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On community at CrimeCon:
  "I always come out of this just feeling very, like, positive and uplifted." – Annie Elise (04:10)

• On authentic content creation style:
  "I want to feel like your true crime best friend, where we're just talking... I want to break it down for you how I would talk with my sister." – Annie Elise (09:02)

• On citizen sleuths:
  "Sometimes the, you know, as you put it, the citizen sleuth, they can cause more damage than good... But I also think that there's not a lot of trust out there with the mainstream media." – Annie Elise (17:43)

• On the challenge of covering true crime:
  "It's somebody's worst day of their life... The root of it is it's the worst day of their life." – Annie Elise (21:21)

• On mental health and boundaries:
  "I have found a way to compartmentalize so that when I go home, I truly try to turn it off and be present with my family..." – Annie Elise (25:26)

• Advice to newcomers:
  "Just start. You don't need any fancy equipment, you don't need any sort of plan in place. If there's something you're passionate about... just start talking and the rest will come." – Annie Elise (26:40)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:40 | Annie introduces herself and "10 to Life" | | 04:10 | Takeaways from CrimeCon & community | | 05:34 | Transition from fashion to true crime | | 06:58 | First video (Lori Vallow case, 2020) | | 09:02 | Discussing her style: authentic, “best friend” approach | | 10:00 | Creating daily content; treating as full-time job | | 10:48 | On burnout and mental load | | 11:40 | How Annie selects cases and value add | | 15:23 | Examining the Robyn Gardner case | | 17:43 | Citizen sleuth movement & media distrust | | 18:24 | Experience as a network TV contributor (Court TV, News Nation) | | 18:50 | Reflections on the Karen Reed trial | | 20:49 | Interest in future trials, specifically Barry Morphew | | 21:21 | Defining ethical true crime | | 25:26 | Managing mental health amidst difficult material | | 26:08 | High points: positive feedback from victims’ families | | 26:40 | Advice for aspiring creators | | 27:03 | What's next for Annie (tour, future content) |

Conclusion: Episode Tone and Reflection

The conversation remains candid and warm, with Annie Elise’s humor and self-awareness shining through. Her reflections, practical advice, and ethical stance highlight both the promise and complexity of true crime content creation. As Maggie Freleng concludes, Annie stands out for prioritizing meaningful, value-added coverage and for her empathetic commitment to victims and their families.

Where to Find Annie Elise:

• Social Media: @_AnnieElise
• YouTube: 10 to Life
• Podcast: Serial-lessly

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