Nightwatch Files

#38: The Privilege of Pain: From Mormon Mommy Vlogger to Convicted Abuser

A high-definition window into a life of absolute order was broadcast to millions, presenting a vision of modern parenting that many sought to emulate. This digital storefront sold a brand of intentional living where every movement was tracked and every child followed a clockwork routine. While the daily uploads showcased a picture of stability, the internal dynamics of the household were undergoing a cold transformation. The 6:30 a.m. rehearsals and rigid preparation cycles provided the foundation for a domestic hierarchy where authority became the only metric that mattered. This account follows the transition from a highly disciplined home to an environment of total isolation. It details how a drive for a flawless public image allowed a specific, radical influence to dismantle a family from within. Behind the curated image of the vlogger, the house was being repurposed into a facility for correction—one where the "privileges" of those in charge came at a devastating cost. When the camera turns off and the storefront is shuttered, a different story emerges. This is the reality of what happened when the search for a perfect life took a turn into the extreme. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nightwatch-files--6484889/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nightwatch-files--6484889/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. SUPPORT THE SHOW & LISTEN AD-FREE Join our Patreon and unlock ad-free episodes directly in Apple Podcasts or Spotify after you connect your Patreon account. You can also join the Supporters Club for an ad-free experience. Both go for just $3/month, sign up from the links below. Ad-Free Episodes Patreon: patreon.com/NightwatchFiles Apple (after joining): bit.ly/4i7XcNW Spotify (after joining): bit.ly/4oVVEsT Supporters Club: bit.ly/497ciAm Support Us Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/nightwatchfiles Merch Shop: https://nightwatchfiles.com/store  www.nightwatchfiles.com [http://www.nightwatchfiles.com]

#37: City Under Siege - The Search for The Phoenix Serial Shooters

Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of violence against humans and animals. Between May 2005 and August 2006, Phoenix, Arizona lived in fear as two men in a silver Toyota Camry hunted victims at random. They killed eight people and countless animals in what they called "Random Recreational Violence"—shooting pedestrians, bicyclists, homeless men, dogs, and horses across the metropolitan area. The breakthrough came from an unlikely source: Detective Cliff Jewell, known as the "pet detective," matched .22-caliber shell casings from a dog shooting to those found at human murder scenes, proving the animal attacks and homicides were connected. His discovery launched an investigation complicated by the simultaneous hunt for another serial killer, the Baseline Rapist, draining resources and creating unprecedented panic. The case broke when two informants came forward with crucial information. Surveillance captured the suspects prowling Phoenix in the early morning hours, circling pedestrians like prey. Inside their apartment, police found an arsenal of weapons, a map marking their crimes, and a note reading "homicidal maniac, drug taking God among mortals." This episode examines the 15-month reign of terror, the forensic detective work that connected dozens of seemingly random attacks, and the trial where one suspect maintained his innocence while the other confessed, stating he deserved to die for what they'd done. Victims remembered: Tony Mendez, Reginald Remillard, David Estrada, Nathaniel Shoffner, Marco Carillo, Jose Ortiz, Claudia Gutierrez-Cruz, James Hodge, Robin Blasnek, and over twenty survivors. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nightwatch-files--6484889/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nightwatch-files--6484889/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. SUPPORT THE SHOW & LISTEN AD-FREE Join our Patreon and unlock ad-free episodes directly in Apple Podcasts or Spotify after you connect your Patreon account. You can also join the Supporters Club for an ad-free experience. Both go for just $3/month, sign up from the links below. Ad-Free Episodes Patreon: patreon.com/NightwatchFiles Apple (after joining): bit.ly/4i7XcNW Spotify (after joining): bit.ly/4oVVEsT Supporters Club: bit.ly/497ciAm Support Us Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/nightwatchfiles Merch Shop: https://nightwatchfiles.com/store  www.nightwatchfiles.com [http://www.nightwatchfiles.com]

#36: The 1980s Burger King Shooting of Marie Grossman

In 1987, Marie Grossman was the embodiment of the American dream: a trailblazing attorney, a devoted mother, and a woman who had meticulously built a life of stability and purpose. But on a foggy December evening, a routine stop for fast food on her way to her son's wrestling match placed her directly in the path of two men with a loaded revolver and a terrifying history of "asset card" abductions. This episode explores the intersection of two vastly different lives—a high-achieving professional and a nineteen-year-old former basketball star who believed the rules no longer applied to him. When Richard Thompson stepped between the menu board and Marie’s car, he triggered a sequence of events that would force Marie to make a split-second, life-altering gamble based on a trauma she had buried for decades. What happens when a victim refuses to follow the script of compliance? How does a community react when a pattern of systemic negligence at a major corporation is finally brought to light? This is a story of incredible resilience, the high cost of corporate indifference, and an unconventional quest for a type of justice that the legal system wasn't designed to provide. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nightwatch-files--6484889/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nightwatch-files--6484889/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. SUPPORT THE SHOW & LISTEN AD-FREE Join our Patreon and unlock ad-free episodes directly in Apple Podcasts or Spotify after you connect your Patreon account. You can also join the Supporters Club for an ad-free experience. Both go for just $3/month, sign up from the links below. Ad-Free Episodes Patreon: patreon.com/NightwatchFiles Apple (after joining): bit.ly/4i7XcNW Spotify (after joining): bit.ly/4oVVEsT Supporters Club: bit.ly/497ciAm Support Us Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/nightwatchfiles Merch Shop: https://nightwatchfiles.com/store  www.nightwatchfiles.com [http://www.nightwatchfiles.com]

Bonus: The Mother Who Hunted a Deadly Cartel in Search of her Daughter’s Captors

When her daughter was kidnapped by the notorious Zeta cartel, Mexican mother Miriam Rodríguez embarked on a relentless quest for justice. Armed with disguises, determination, and unwavering courage, she tracked down those responsible, confronting one of Mexico's most dangerous criminal organizations. This episode delves into Miriam's extraordinary journey, following her transformation from caring mother to fearless vigilante. Join us as we explore the true story of Miriam Rodríguez, a tale of love, loss, and the indomitable spirit of a mother who refused to back down. For more information on this case, we recommend "Fear Is Just a Word" by Azam Ahmed, which heavily informed this episode. This case was originally covered on episode 10. This is a remake of that episode, the only instance in which we we’ll do such a thing as we believe each episode is a document of that time period, flaws and all. This one is an exception because it was one that fell short of the research that was done at the time and it deserved an expansion and a polish to do this incredible story justice. Enjoy We'll be back with a new season January 23. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nightwatch-files--6484889/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nightwatch-files--6484889/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. SUPPORT THE SHOW & LISTEN AD-FREE Join our Patreon and unlock ad-free episodes directly in Apple Podcasts or Spotify after you connect your Patreon account. You can also join the Supporters Club for an ad-free experience. Both go for just $3/month, sign up from the links below. Ad-Free Episodes Patreon: patreon.com/NightwatchFiles Apple (after joining): bit.ly/4i7XcNW Spotify (after joining): bit.ly/4oVVEsT Supporters Club: bit.ly/497ciAm Support Us Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/nightwatchfiles Merch Shop: https://nightwatchfiles.com/store  www.nightwatchfiles.com [http://www.nightwatchfiles.com]

A quick note from the host with some news about the show.

A quick note from the host with some news about the show.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nightwatch-files--6484889/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nightwatch-files--6484889/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. SUPPORT THE SHOW & LISTEN AD-FREE Join our Patreon and unlock ad-free episodes directly in Apple Podcasts or Spotify after you connect your Patreon account. You can also join the Supporters Club for an ad-free experience. Both go for just $3/month, sign up from the links below. Ad-Free Episodes Patreon: patreon.com/NightwatchFiles Apple (after joining): bit.ly/4i7XcNW Spotify (after joining): bit.ly/4oVVEsT Supporters Club: bit.ly/497ciAm Support Us Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/nightwatchfiles Merch Shop: https://nightwatchfiles.com/store  www.nightwatchfiles.com [http://www.nightwatchfiles.com]