Scream and Sugar: True Crime Coffee Hour

Ep 89 - Erin Patterson's Deadly Luncheon

Hey Spooky Squad! Welcome back to another episode of Scream and Sugar, your true crime coffee hour. Today, we’re heading to rural Australia to unpack a case that sounds almost too bizarre to be real—the deadly mushroom lunch linked to Erin Patterson. In 2023, a seemingly ordinary family meal turned fatal when multiple guests fell critically ill after eating beef Wellington allegedly containing poisonous death cap mushrooms. Three people died, one narrowly survived, and attention quickly turned to the host: Erin Patterson. As investigators sifted through conflicting statements, missing evidence, and questions about intent, the case sparked international fascination and fierce debate. Was this a tragic accident rooted in foraging mistakes—or a calculated act hiding behind a home-cooked meal? In this episode, we walk through the timeline, the victims, the science behind death cap poisoning, and why this case continues to divide public opinion as legal proceedings unfold. Grab your coffee and your curiosity, and remember to stay spooky, y’all! Case Notes: Undisturbed Salon with Jessica: https://www.undisturbednv.com/ https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/01/erin-patterson-husband-simon-mushroom-lunch-murder-trial-australia-ntwnfb#:~:text=In%20the%20lead%2Dup%20to%20a%20deadly%20lunch%2C,you'd%20like%20to%20discuss%20on%20the%20phone%22 [https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/01/erin-patterson-husband-simon-mushroom-lunch-murder-trial-australia-ntwnfb#:~:text=In%20the%20lead-up%20to%20a%20deadly%20lunch%2C,you'd%20like%20to%20discuss%20on%20the%20phone%22]. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-08/live-updates-erin-patterson-sentence-mushroom-murders/105734146 [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-08/live-updates-erin-patterson-sentence-mushroom-murders/105734146] https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/09/erin-patterson-should-never-receive-parole-mushroom-murders-ntwnfb [https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/09/erin-patterson-should-never-receive-parole-mushroom-murders-ntwnfb] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-08/live-updates-erin-patterson-sentence-mushroom-murders/105734146 [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-08/live-updates-erin-patterson-sentence-mushroom-murders/105734146] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-01/erin-patterson-mushroom-trial-explainer/ [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-01/erin-patterson-mushroom-trial-explainer/] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-05/erin-patterson-mushroom-trial-evidence-excluded/ [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-05/erin-patterson-mushroom-trial-evidence-excluded/] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australian-woman-charged-over-fatal-mushroom-lunch-2023-11-02/ [https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australian-woman-charged-over-fatal-mushroom-lunch-2023-11-02/] https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/news/erin-patterson-sentencing [https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/news/erin-patterson-sentencing] https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/death-cap-mushroom.aspx [https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/death-cap-mushroom.aspx] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/scream-and-sugar-true-crime-coffee-hour--6015946/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/scream-and-sugar-true-crime-coffee-hour--6015946/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. This content is not appropriate for all listeners; listener discretion is advised.  PS. Let's just umbrella all our content with a blanket statement: allegedly, supposedly! Stay spooky, squad.

Ep 88 - Jeffrey Manchester, The Roofman (Half-Caf!)

Hey Spooky Squad! Welcome back to another episode of Scream and Sugar, your true crime coffee hour. Today, we’re climbing onto the rooftops for one of the strangest and most cinematic crime stories out there—the case of Jeffrey Manchester, better known as The Roofman. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Manchester carried out a series of daring burglaries across the Midwest, cutting through roofs and dropping into stores after hours—often without ever being seen. But this wasn’t just a story of clever theft. Behind the headlines was a former Army Ranger, a prison escape, years spent secretly living inside a Toys “R” Us, and a criminal who seemed to vanish again and again just when authorities thought they had him cornered. Was Jeffrey Manchester a criminal mastermind, a man unraveling under pressure, or something in between? In this episode, we break down the heists, the escapes, and the bizarre life of a man who quite literally lived above the law. Grab your coffee and your curiosity, and remember to stay spooky, y’all! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/scream-and-sugar-true-crime-coffee-hour--6015946/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/scream-and-sugar-true-crime-coffee-hour--6015946/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. This content is not appropriate for all listeners; listener discretion is advised.  PS. Let's just umbrella all our content with a blanket statement: allegedly, supposedly! Stay spooky, squad.

Ep 87 - The Tragic Case of Kendrick Johnson

Hey Spooky Squad! Welcome back to another episode of Scream and Sugar, your true crime coffee hour. Today, we’re unpacking one of the most controversial and emotionally charged cases of the last decade—the death of Kendrick Johnson in Valdosta, Georgia. In 2013, 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson was found deceased inside a rolled-up gym mat at his high school. What authorities quickly ruled an accidental death soon became the center of intense public scrutiny, conflicting forensic interpretations, and widespread allegations of foul play. As Kendrick’s family pushed for answers, the case ignited national debate over investigative practices, racial bias, and whether crucial evidence was overlooked—or intentionally ignored. Was Kendrick’s death a tragic accident, or does the truth lie somewhere deeper beneath the surface? In this episode, we walk through the known facts, the medical findings, the unanswered questions, and why this case continues to divide opinions to this day. Grab your coffee and your curiosity, and remember to stay spooky, y’all! Case Notes: Good Days Cafe: https://www.gooddayscafereno.com/ Documentary: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15190622/reviews/?featured=rw7433055&ref_=tt_ururv_c_2 [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15190622/reviews/?featured=rw7433055&ref_=tt_ururv_c_2] https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/45div4/kendrick_johnsons_death_is_not_an_unresolved/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf [https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/45div4/kendrick_johnsons_death_is_not_an_unresolved/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHI4Zaudbv4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHI4Zaudbv4]https://valdostadailytimes.com/2013/11/21/kendricks-final-walk/ [https://valdostadailytimes.com/2013/11/21/kendricks-final-walk/]https://valdostadailytimes.com/2014/10/31/release-of-kj-autopsy-photos-questioned/ [https://valdostadailytimes.com/2014/10/31/release-of-kj-autopsy-photos-questioned/] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/scream-and-sugar-true-crime-coffee-hour--6015946/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/scream-and-sugar-true-crime-coffee-hour--6015946/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. This content is not appropriate for all listeners; listener discretion is advised.  PS. Let's just umbrella all our content with a blanket statement: allegedly, supposedly! Stay spooky, squad.

Ep 86 - The Judas Priest Suicide Case

Hey Spooky Squad! Welcome back to another episode of Scream and Sugar, your true crime coffee hour. Today, we’re stepping into the courtroom for one of the most controversial and emotionally charged cases at the intersection of music, morality, and the law—the Judas Priest suicide trial. In the mid-1980s, two young men attempted suicide after listening to heavy metal music, leaving one dead and the other permanently injured. Their families would later take the band Judas Priest to court, alleging that hidden subliminal messages in the music pushed the teens toward self-destruction. What followed was a landmark trial that forced society to confront fear, censorship, and the power we assign to art. Can music be held responsible for violence and suicide—or was this a case of grief searching for answers? In this episode, we break down the trial, the science behind subliminal messaging, and how this case helped define artistic freedom in America. Grab your coffee and your curiosity, and remember to stay spooky, y’all! Case Notes: Rising for People Coffee: https://risingforpeoplecoffeeco.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopWrZbsnHq6KQ_GUf4HAkNbjdMcm4BrKuACy8DpPUoMlWpjZNeu http://www.thestacksreader.com/the-dreamer-deceiver-the-reno-trial-of-judas-priest/ [http://www.thestacksreader.com/the-dreamer-deceiver-the-reno-trial-of-judas-priest/] https://english.elpais.com/culture/2025-12-14/when-judas-priest-were-accused-of-inducing-two-fans-to-kill-themselves-a-chronicle-of-the-most-infamous-trial-in-music-history.html [https://english.elpais.com/culture/2025-12-14/when-judas-priest-were-accused-of-inducing-two-fans-to-kill-themselves-a-chronicle-of-the-most-infamous-trial-in-music-history.html] https://thewind.org/episodes/judaspriestontrial [https://thewind.org/episodes/judaspriestontrial] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGeNjfRWzXI&rco=1 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGeNjfRWzXI&rco=1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHOFI5UNNck [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHOFI5UNNck] https://www.hulu.com/watch/f2c6e1ed-0f73-431f-af00-8803b5b73ded [https://www.hulu.com/watch/f2c6e1ed-0f73-431f-af00-8803b5b73ded] https://ultimateclassicrock.com/judas-priest-better-by-you-better-than-me-lawsuit/ [https://ultimateclassicrock.com/judas-priest-better-by-you-better-than-me-lawsuit/] https://blabbermouth.net/news/how-judas-priest-debunked-existence-of-hidden-messages-in-its-songs [https://blabbermouth.net/news/how-judas-priest-debunked-existence-of-hidden-messages-in-its-songs] https://everyrecordtellsastory.com/2012/05/27/judas-priest-dream-deceivers/ [https://everyrecordtellsastory.com/2012/05/27/judas-priest-dream-deceivers/] Halford quote: https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-a-suicide-pact-was-almost-the-end-of-judas-priest [https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-a-suicide-pact-was-almost-the-end-of-judas-priest] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/scream-and-sugar-true-crime-coffee-hour--6015946/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/scream-and-sugar-true-crime-coffee-hour--6015946/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. This content is not appropriate for all listeners; listener discretion is advised.  PS. Let's just umbrella all our content with a blanket statement: allegedly, supposedly! Stay spooky, squad.

Ep 85 - Bruce McArthur, The Killer Mall Santa

Hey Spooky Squad! Sorry for the delay. We are running on USPS time this holiday season.  Welcome back to another episode of Scream and Sugar, your true crime coffee hour. Today, we’re heading to Toronto to uncover the chilling story of Bruce McArthur—an unassuming mall Santa, landscaper, and serial killer who hid in plain sight for years. Between 2010 and 2017, men from Toronto’s LGBTQ+ community began disappearing, many of them last seen in the city’s Gay Village. Despite mounting concerns, their disappearances were repeatedly dismissed—until a shocking arrest exposed a predator who had been trusted around children, neighbors, and clients alike. As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a pattern of violence, neglect, and systemic failure that allowed McArthur to continue killing unchecked. How did so many warning signs go ignored? And what does this case reveal about whose lives are prioritized—and whose are overlooked? In this episode, we examine the victims, the investigation, and the institutional blind spots that helped a killer remain invisible for far too long. Grab your coffee and your curiosity, and remember to stay spooky, y’all! Case Notes:  The Roost Cafe:   https://www.theroostreno.com/ https://www.bbc.com/bbcthree/article/01086f21-e102-4de0-8e4b-567a13c66c5c [https://www.bbc.com/bbcthree/article/01086f21-e102-4de0-8e4b-567a13c66c5c]https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47125443 [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47125443]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16587970/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16587970/] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/scream-and-sugar-true-crime-coffee-hour--6015946/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/scream-and-sugar-true-crime-coffee-hour--6015946/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. This content is not appropriate for all listeners; listener discretion is advised.  PS. Let's just umbrella all our content with a blanket statement: allegedly, supposedly! Stay spooky, squad.