Scream and Sugar: True Crime Coffee Hour

On this episode of Scream and Sugar, we’re diving into the twisted tale of Belle Gunness—one of America’s most infamous female serial killers, alongside our special guest, Brett Masterson! Operating under the guise of a lonely widow, she lured unsuspecting men to her Indiana farm with promises of love and fortune. But instead of wedding bells, these suitors met a far more gruesome fate. Was Belle a heartless murderer, motivated by greed and a thirst for blood? Or was there something even more sinister at play?  Brett, who was born and raised in La Porte, Indiana before moving to Reno will lead us through her life, her crimes, and the shocking discovery that left investigators reeling.  Did she really die in the mysterious fire that consumed her farm, or did she escape to kill again? Grab your coffee and settle in—it’s going to be a dark one. And remember, stay spooky! Case Notes:  Coffee From: Superstitions Java, Reno  [https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fsuperstitionsjava%2F%3Fhl%3Den&is_from_rle] Brett Masterson: Reno musician, Magic the Gathering Nerd, born Indianan.  Heterophobia Band:  Bandcamp [https://heterophobia.bandcamp.com/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/heterophobia666/], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/5NbL5xEu4VY7uEvL3Kygo6] Grimer Band: Bandcamp [https://grimer775.bandcamp.com/] 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 week on Scream and Sugar, we’re exploring the shocking case of Darren Mack, a prominent Reno businessman whose seemingly perfect life unraveled in a spiral of violence and betrayal. In 2006, amidst a bitter divorce and custody battle, Darren brutally murdered his estranged wife, Charla Mack, in their home. He then attempted to assassinate the family court judge overseeing their case, unleashing chaos and fear throughout the Reno community. We’ll take you through the events leading up to this tragic day, the international manhunt that ended with Darren’s arrest in Mexico, and the twists and turns of the trial that followed. How did a successful and respected man reach such a breaking point? Grab your favorite mug and join us as we sip on tasty beverages from Chrome Coffee Works Reno and dissect this chilling story. Don't forget to stay spooky, ya'll! Notes:  Chrome Coffee Works Reno: https://www.instagram.com/chromecoffeeworks/ [https://www.instagram.com/chromecoffeeworks/] 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].

Hello Spooky Squad! Welcome back to another episode of Scream and Sugar, your true crime coffee hour.  Today we're sipping on some delicious lattes from local spot, Old World Coffee Roasters and getting into a chilling and recent true crime case. In September 2021, Fort Worth police made a grisly discovery: the dismembered remains of three individuals burning in a dumpster behind a church. What began as a routine investigation into arson quickly spiraled into one of the most chilling murder cases the city had ever seen. Jason Thornburg, a man with a dark past and deeply unsettling motives, would later confess to the murders, claiming they were part of a "sacrificial ritual." Thornburg's twisted belief system and his brutal acts left the community reeling. Join us as we unravel the chilling details of this case and explore the disturbing mindset of a man who believed he was fulfilling a divine mission. So hang out with us, sip on some bean juice, and remember to stay spooky! Case notes:  Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective M. Barron at 817-392-4339 or Detective T. O'Brien at 817-392-4338. Callers can also contact the homicide unit directly at 817-392-4330. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting CrimeStoppers at 817-469-8477. https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/trial-tarrant-county-jason-thornburg-serial-killer/ [https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/trial-tarrant-county-jason-thornburg-serial-killer/]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIAwzJWBtPU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIAwzJWBtPU]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft:Jason_Thornburg [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft:Jason_Thornburg]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_B._Polunsky_Unit [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_B._Polunsky_Unit]https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/trial-tarrant-county-jason-thornburg-serial-killer/ [https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/trial-tarrant-county-jason-thornburg-serial-killer/]https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/who-is-jason-thornburg-texas-cannibal-serial-killer-fort-worth/ [https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/who-is-jason-thornburg-texas-cannibal-serial-killer-fort-worth/]https://www.fox4news.com/news/details-revealed-gruesome-triple-murder-trial-jason-thornburg-sentenced-death [https://www.fox4news.com/news/details-revealed-gruesome-triple-murder-trial-jason-thornburg-sentenced-death]https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/timeline-criminal-history-what-we-know-jason-thornburg-fort-worth-body-dumpster/287-77caec68-34d7-41b4-a884-2f15a28649b3 [https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/timeline-criminal-history-what-we-know-jason-thornburg-fort-worth-body-dumpster/287-77caec68-34d7-41b4-a884-2f15a28649b3] (lots of trial videos)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_FQ9gpiOXA [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_FQ9gpiOXA] - officials in arrest case videohttps://www.wfaa.com/article/news/crime/arrest-made-homicide-case-3-bodies-found-dumpster-fort-worth-texas/287-ad0f335a-b68b-43c2-a697-34408a7b941a [https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/crime/arrest-made-homicide-case-3-bodies-found-dumpster-fort-worth-texas/287-ad0f335a-b68b-43c2-a697-34408a7b941a]https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/tarrant-county/man-who-killed-3-people-burned-bodies-in-dumpster-sentenced-to-death/287-f31529fd-6a21-413d-99a2-04e2ae03639f [https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/tarrant-county/man-who-killed-3-people-burned-bodies-in-dumpster-sentenced-to-death/287-f31529fd-6a21-413d-99a2-04e2ae03639f] - closing argumentshttps://www.fox4news.com/news/details-revealed-gruesome-triple-murder-trial-jason-thornburg-sentenced-death [https://www.fox4news.com/news/details-revealed-gruesome-triple-murder-trial-jason-thornburg-sentenced-death]https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/us/jason-alan-thornburg-death-sentence-texas.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/us/jason-alan-thornburg-death-sentence-texas.html]https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/tarrant-county/man-who-killed-3-people-burned-bodies-in-dumpster-sentenced-to-death/287-f31529fd-6a21-413d-99a2-04e2ae03639f [https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/tarrant-county/man-who-killed-3-people-burned-bodies-in-dumpster-sentenced-to-death/287-f31529fd-6a21-413d-99a2-04e2ae03639f]https://www.yahoo.com/news/jury-determines-cannibal-serial-killer-170957426.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jaGF0Z3B0LmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAElN5eijZ7dW32QSGQTV0Bzgl8JPKm3Bge4_zYP8offLtDwlvci8pkvwv4UO7XAh7AxmI3hmQiZb8gvipTf4xHwhxhdukPJUwB2_ji3A0I5n7cQ_Z4W2MWN0_UBxUmX2mh4VGy-ZbqCRsrbo0ZO10dz7TXrJAUWmYKDnXBifnqAE [https://www.yahoo.com/news/jury-determines-cannibal-serial-killer-170957426.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jaGF0Z3B0LmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAElN5eijZ7dW32QSGQTV0Bzgl8JPKm3Bge4_zYP8offLtDwlvci8pkvwv4UO7XAh7AxmI3hmQiZb8gvipTf4xHwhxhdukPJUwB2_ji3A0I5n7cQ_Z4W2MWN0_UBxUmX2mh4VGy-ZbqCRsrbo0ZO10dz7TXrJAUWmYKDnXBifnqAE]https://lawandcrime.com/crime/convicted-cannibal-serial-killer-sentenced-to-death-for-dismembering-victims-for-sacrifices/ [https://lawandcrime.com/crime/convicted-cannibal-serial-killer-sentenced-to-death-for-dismembering-victims-for-sacrifices/]https://www.fox4news.com/news/jason-thornburg-murder-conviction-trial-fort-worth-dumpster-fire-dismembered-bodies [https://www.fox4news.com/news/jason-thornburg-murder-conviction-trial-fort-worth-dumpster-fire-dismembered-bodies] 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].

Welcome back, Spooky Squad, to another episode of Scream and Sugar, your true crime coffee hour. Today we unravel the chilling mystery of Pam Jackson and Sherri Miller, two teenage friends who vanished without a trace in South Dakota in 1971. The case baffled investigators for decades as the girls’ last known moments on a quiet road trip turned into an unsolved enigma. What happened on that fateful day? With no evidence or leads, families were left searching for answers, while theories ranged from tragic accidents to foul play. Join us as we follow the decades-long investigation that finally uncovered the truth hidden in a creek bed, bringing closure to one of South Dakota’s most haunting mysteries. We’ll dive into the painstaking recovery of their car, how advanced forensic technology pieced together their story, and the emotional impact on their loved ones. Grab your coffee and settle in for a heartbreaking journey into a case that underscores the power of persistence in uncovering the truth. We will be sipping on Main Vein Coffee Company, the cutest little shop in town!  And remember, to stay spooky, and have a great holiday! Resources: http://mainveincoffee.com/ [http://mainveincoffee.com/] https://www.yankton.net/news/article_d14e280d-410e-5d69-a619-cc5f0d0f3bfc.html [https://www.yankton.net/news/article_d14e280d-410e-5d69-a619-cc5f0d0f3bfc.html]https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2014/06/20/documents-missing-girls-case-released/11061399/ [https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2014/06/20/documents-missing-girls-case-released/11061399/]https://books.google.com/books/about/Vanished_in_Vermillion.html?id=4QCmEAAAQBAJ [https://books.google.com/books/about/Vanished_in_Vermillion.html?id=4QCmEAAAQBAJ]https://vanishedinvermillion.com/ [https://vanishedinvermillion.com/]https://lasvegassun.com/news/2014/apr/17/teens-missing-1971-found-old-wrecked-car/ [https://lasvegassun.com/news/2014/apr/17/teens-missing-1971-found-old-wrecked-car/] 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].

Welcome back, Spooky Squad, to another episode of Scream and Sugar. Today we unravel the sinister story of Dorothea Puente, the "Deathhouse Landlady" - who we like to call Landlady Death - who turned her unassuming boarding house in Sacramento (what up, sister city!) into a house of horrors. Beneath her kind, grandmotherly exterior, Puente orchestrated a shocking scheme of manipulation, theft, and murder that targeted society's most vulnerable. Her crimes came to light in the 1980s, but the darkness surrounding her story runs much deeper. Join us as we peel back the layers of this true crime classic. From Dorothea's troubled past and her ability to deceive even the most watchful eyes to the grisly discoveries buried—quite literally—in her backyard, we dive into how she evaded suspicion for so long and the trial that cemented her as one of America's most notorious female serial killers. Today we are talking about the importance of social work and community relations, as well as referencing a fantastic food spot (Candace's Fave!), Lupita's Mexican Restaurant and Bar. [https://www.facebook.com/Lupitasmexicanrestaurantsparks/] So grab your coffee (or ceviche?), settle in, and remember to stay spooky, ya'll! 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].