Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Criminal.

Colton Harris-Moore
It is hard to understand what goes through the mind of a child who has the home life and diagnoses such as what Colton had. It is not that often when someone of his stature takes law enforcement on a wild goose chase for as long as he did, but it makes me wonder though, "Would he have become the Barefoot Bandit if the outcome of his home life were totally different than what is stated in news and court reports?"
By Kate Adams8 years ago in Criminal
Countess Elizabeth Báthory
There are a million articles claiming who "the most prolific" serial killers are, but Elizabeth Báthory, whom I only recently discovered, has taken the cake for most murders committed in a 19 year span. If I've done the math correctly, that's roughly one unlucky girl every ten days, three girls every month, or 34 girls a year. If that seems hard to do, you're not wrong; she had help.
By Maggie Bornemann8 years ago in Criminal
A Former Officer and a Former Inmate: Who's Actually the Bad Guy?. Top Story - February 2018.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND – What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “police”? You might recall the most recent incident of police brutality that was shared on every social media platform. Or maybe you think about a time when an officer made you feel safe and protected. How about when you hear the word “inmate” or imagine someone who has been incarcerated? Perhaps you associate these people with danger or allow your perception of them to linger on their delinquency, maybe even their race. Or you might be reminded of loved ones who need more guidance and love.
By Natalie Jenkins8 years ago in Criminal
The Partnership
I've heard it said that every story must have a beginning. That moment in your life that changed everything; where a simple start became something more. My beginning started the moment I, Katherine, stepped foot into the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (N.B.C.I.) after leaving the life I dreadfully hated. There I met a new friend, a partner, an ally, who stood by me no matter what, and she had my back as much as I had hers.
By Sara Aulds8 years ago in Criminal
Richard Crafts: The Infamous Wood Chipper Murderer
Newtown, Connecticut - On November 19, 1986, airline pilot Richard Crafts undoubtedly murdered his wife — a Danish flight attendant named Helle Crafts. He then chainsawed her body, temporarily stored it in a freezer, and later fed it into a wood chipper near Lake Zoar, hoping it would successfully disperse the remains and leave no traceable evidence.
By Wade Wainio8 years ago in Criminal
The Mysterious Disappearance of Nicholas Barclay
Being a college student, it is very rare I have free time during the week between classes, extracurricular activities and my weekend fun, but I decided I want to dedicated one day a week to writing something interesting.
By Colleen Byrne8 years ago in Criminal
The Cafe Run By Prison Inmates
*Location and area not disclosed* Am I right in saying that some people might hear ‘cafe run by prison inmates’ and might be inclined to RUN FOR THE HILLS?
By Imogen Levitt-Harwood8 years ago in Criminal
Phase One
6:00am. The sharp ring of my alarm startles me awake and I groan as I remember the day I have ahead of me. I reluctantly push the damp sheets off of me and the humid air of the room hits me as I head towards the bathroom. Stepping into the shower, I sigh as the cool water rushes down my body, washing off the sweat that was clinging to me throughout the night. The thought of digging with the hot sun beating down on me all day filled me with dread; why couldn’t I have picked a standard office job instead of this? I stepped out of the shower and dried myself off, looking in the mirror over the sink I started to brush my teeth and my mind drifted off into a world of its own. After I dried my hair and got dressed, I grabbed my keys and headed out the door to my car. I could already feel the heat from the sun that was only just rising into the sky, it was going to be a hot one.
By Hannah Jayne8 years ago in Criminal
Cold Case Nate
Dear Nathan, Let me start from the beginning. On November 5, 2012, I called you but you didn’t answer. So, I went onto your Facebook page and I started writing “hey, call me when you can I miss you!!” But I erased it. Something in my gut told me to scroll through your page and see what you were up to. As I was scrolling I saw a video. That video played sad music with pictures of you and your daughter. At first I laughed because I thought it was a joke. Moments after that I saw numerous posts saying “Rest in paradise.” Immediately after I called your phone ten times because I couldn’t believe it— it just couldn’t be real. Unfortunately, it was real and my world instantly came to an end. But it soon got worse. I soon found out that you had been killed on October 17, 2012. Our mother knew everything and refused to tell me. When I told her I called you numerous times she responded with “Maybe he doesn’t want to talk to you.” That night I cried and really thought maybe you didn’t. But it wasn’t true. You and I had plans, Nate. We were going to get an apartment together and be happy. We were going to reconnect after all the time we lost. One of the worst parts of this, Nate—I couldn’t say goodbye. I couldn’t go to your funeral and say goodbye. I was stuck thinking you hated me and wanted nothing to do with me. I felt like you thought I was just like our mother. I became depressed and didn’t know why. After I found out I broke down— I hated her. I didn’t understand any of it, Nate. I felt alone and lost. I feel like you died with a broken heart and that’s not what you deserved at all. You deserved to be happy— a family that loves you and sees the good in you. A family that supported you and helped you accomplish all of your goals and dreams. Nate, this was just the beginning.
By D T8 years ago in Criminal
Chad Alan Lee
When I moved to Phoenix Arizona in 1985 I never thought, in my wildest dreams, I would meet some of the people in which I did. The wide array of personalities was captivating to say the least. Many of the people who eventually became friends and acquaintances kept me on my toes when at varies social events. Two of the "social events;" I was in my teens at the time, we were at Great Skate and the Break Cue Club (Pool Hall) off of 43rd ave and Peoria. I remember great times and great people. However, what I never imagined, in a million years is what was going to happen in the early 1990s by an acquaintance I met at The Break.
By Kate Adams8 years ago in Criminal
West Memphis Three
In 1993, in West Memphis, Arkansas, three young boys were murdered. Steve Branch (8), Michael Moore (8) and Christopher Byers (7) were beaten, choked, drowned and their naked bodies were hog tied with their own shoelaces. The boys were out playing that day and decided to play in a place called Robin Hood Woods, which is where most of the kids played in those days.
By Samantha Stubbs8 years ago in Criminal
Cold Case Nate
Dear Nathan, Your death has impacted my life on every level. I went from a stage where I was unable to cope with your loss—doing drugs, overdosing constantly and drinking alcohol every single day—to being a young mother free from drugs and alcohol. I wish I were able to know the true story behind your murder so that I would have closure and know that you truly are resting peacefully. You’ve had a short and stressful life and you didn’t deserve to be murdered so brutally like that. Some days I wish to get a degree in Forensic Science to solve your case, but I know if I did I would only focus on your case, I would go insane. If I couldn’t find answers while being a Forensic Expert/Detective it would make me go mad.
By D T8 years ago in Criminal