The Camping Murders Trilogy

The Vanishing of Susan Powell

Would you take a 2-year-old camping at midnight in a blinding snowstorm? That was the alibi Josh Powell gave police when his wife, Susan Cox Powell, vanished from their home in West Valley City, Utah, in December 2009. He claimed he had no idea where she was because he had spontaneously decided to drive his young sons into the freezing West Desert to roast s'mores. But the evidence told a darker story. From a secret "If I die" letter hidden in a safety deposit box to a terrifying statement from their 4-year-old son about "where the crystals grow," every clue pointed to a carefully calculated murder. In this deep-dive episode of Crime Beneath the Pine, we unravel the timeline of one of the most heartbreaking mysteries in the Pacific Northwest.

The Camping Murders Trilogy

We are told there is safety in numbers. But in the deep woods of the Pacific Northwest, that rule doesn't always apply. In this episode, we unzip the tent on three nightmares that happened just beyond the treeline: * A family of six hunted by a stranger who watched them for days. * A serial killer who left a bizarre signature on his victims that baffled police for decades. * A campsite found frozen in time—dinner on the stove, money on the table, but the family gone without a trace. Plus, a lighter story to end the New Year on a good note. Step into the silence of the trees... if you dare. ⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains sensitive topics, including crimes against children. Listener discretion is strictly advised.

Robert Lee Yates Jr

How does a decorated Army helicopter pilot and father of five become one of Washington State’s most prolific serial killers? Robert Lee Yates was the ultimate "wolf in sheep’s clothing." While his colleagues saw a disciplined soldier and his neighbors saw a devoted family man, Yates was stalking the streets of Spokane, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. In this episode, we peel back the layers of his double life—from his early crimes in 1975 to the "grocery bag" signature that eventually led to his downfall. We explore the chilling reality of how evil can hide in plain sight, earning medals by day and committing atrocities by night.

Diane Downs

In the quiet stillness of an Oregon night, a frantic woman raced toward a hospital—her car stained with fear, chaos, and unanswered questions. What happened on that dark stretch of road would grip the nation, sparking disbelief, suspicion, and one of the most controversial criminal investigations of the 1980s. Today, on Crime Beneath the Pine, we step into the shadows surrounding Diane Downs—a mother whose name still sends a chill through true-crime circles. Before the headlines, before the courtroom drama, there was a single moment that changed everything. And behind that moment lies a story both haunting and deeply unsettling.

Israel Keyes

Tonight we are diving into the disturbing story of Israel Keyes- A man that traveled the country like he was on vacation...except instead of souvenirs, he left chaos in his wake.  Buckle up, keep your hands inside the True-crime ride at all times, and lets unravel one of the wildest, weirdest cases of all time.