From the snowy streets of small-town Canada to the darkest corners of the big cities, join Aussie-Canadian host Kristi Lee for an immersive deep dive into the nation's most compelling crimes. With meticulous research and a trauma-informed approach, Kristi takes you beyond the headlines, weaving the facts of each case together with the bigger picture to unravel what happened, the forces that shaped it, and the impact to those left behind. Canadian True Crime is one of the country’s leading…
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In this special episode, Kristi Lee sits down with survivor and advocate Jessica Baker to chat about their appearance on CTV’s The Social earlier this week. Jessica was violently sexually assaulted by former Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard in 2016. He was found guilty in relation to her charge in 2022, and not guilty in relation to two other victim-complainants. In June, he was granted day parole…
A dedicated nurse. A devoted mother of three. A family home that should be the safest place in the world. In 2018, Gerald Aquintey arrives home late to find his Toronto house in disarray. The respected Filipino chef and restaurant co-owner runs upstairs to discover his beloved wife, Rhoderie Estrada, has been brutally murdered. Rhoderie was loved by all who knew her. She'd built a life centred on…
After nearly a decade of insisting he did nothing wrong, disgraced Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has finally admitted he was guilty of sexually assaulting the Ottawa woman known as J.B. The admission, at his first parole hearing in June 2026, was only one of several striking comments that reveal the full extent of the former Hedley frontman's years of denial, manipulation and gaslighting In this…
[Part 2 of 2] The mushroom lunch moves from medical emergency to criminal investigation as doctors, police and health officials try to trace the source of the poison. As Erin Patterson’s explanations begin to shift, new evidence emerges from hospital CCTV, phone data, a local garbage dump – followed by a dramatic courtroom showdown. Find Australian True Crime on your favourite podcast player.…
A special collaboration with Australian True Crime podcast | It’s one of Australia’s most sensational criminal cases in recent memory, drawing intense media attention, public fascination and endless speculation. Today, the case is known around the world as the “Mushroom Murders.” In this episode, Kristi is joined by Meshel Laurie of Australian True Crime , who followed the case closely and…
[Part 2 of 2] In 2019, a late-night boat collision involving Kevin and Linda O’Leary on Ontario’s Lake Joseph, left two people dead and sparked years of intense public scrutiny and conflicting narratives. In part two, we uncover why Canada’s most talked-about boating tragedies remained in the spotlight for years. --------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT NOTES AND…
A two-part series | “Mr. Wonderful” built an empire on bluntness and being the reality TV villain we love to hate. So when his speedboat collided with another boat on Muskoka's "Billionaire's Row" - leaving two people dead, the public was ready to assume the worst of him. Early reporting - and Kevin O’Leary’s own response to the tragedy - sparked suspicion that he’d “thrown his wife under the…
[Part 2 of 2] With the infant recovered and the suspects in custody, the investigation only grows more disturbing. Shifting stories, buried secrets, and mounting evidence collide in a dramatic courtroom showdown — the first ever kidnapping trial in the province of New Brunswick and the last double hanging in Canada. — This two-part series is a carefully selected replay from our archive, originally…
A two-part series | A New Brunswick railway worker discovers a burned‑out shack deep in the woods, with three members of the young Lake family dead inside. But their infant is missing, and there's a trail of footprints in the snow. What begins as a desperate search for the lost baby soon exposes an unbelievable web of deception and hidden motives. — This two-part series is a carefully selected…
[Part 3 of 3] A surprise witness comes forward to testify against Colin Thatcher. His own contribution from the stand? Deny, deny, deny. Even after the jury reaches a verdict, Thatcher continues to make headlines for decades to come... *Additional content warning: this episode contains mentions of domestic abuse. — This series is a carefully selected replay from our archive. Full list of…
[Part 2 of 3] As she recovers from her gunshot wound, JoAnn Wilson decides to back down from the custody fight with her former husband. Colin Thatcher has won this battle, but his fixation is far from over. A series of witnesses would later come forward with information almost impossible to believe... *Additional content warning: this episode contains mentions of domestic abuse. — This series is a…
A three-part series—A man walking home from work suddenly hears screams coming from a house... then a single sharp crack. He follows the sound to the garage, where he finds a woman bleeding out on the floor. It's JoAnn Wilson, mother of three and ex-wife of Colin Thatcher, a high-profile Saskatchewan politician. Her murder was the tip of the iceberg of a decades-long saga that gripped the nation…
[Part 2 of 2] After picking up his pregnant wife from Saskatoon train station, Sergeant John Wilson drives them north to their new home. They just have one stop to make on the way to take care of some "police business"... *Additional content warning: brief details of an attempted suicide at approx. timestamp 29:00 to 30:30. Please take care when listening. Full list of resources, information…
A two-part series—A gripping, action-packed miniseries about a mountie who finds himself at the centre of a sordid love triangle. Pieced together from a treasure trove of real love letters, forged letters and police and court memos, this series paints a vivid snapshot of Canada as World War I raged on. — This series is a carefully selected replay from our archive, and was originally titled The…
Part 5 - The Final Episode. *Thanks for your patience - it's a long one CONTENT WARNING: Graphic and disturbing details. WATCH: Robert “Willie” Pickton — Prolific serial killer’s jailhouse confession to undercover cop - The Mob Reporter, YouTube READ/LISTEN: On The Farm by Stevie Cameron WHAT TO LISTEN TO NEXT: The Shedden Massacre - our three part series The Trail Went Cold The Canadian Gothic…
[Part 4 of 5] A single tip-off finally leads police to raid the Pickton farm with a search warrant for illegal firearms. What they stumble into instead would unravel one of the most devastating investigations in Canadian history, connecting Robert Pickton to dozens of women who vanished from the Downtown Eastside. * Part 5 - Robert Pickton's final chapter will be coming later this week. Thanks for…
[Part 3 of 4] One night, a woman living on the Pickton farm witnesses an act so disturbing it prompts repeated warnings to police. A search warrant should have followed, but through another cascade of devastating missed opportunities, Robert Pickton slips through the cracks once again... CONTENT WARNING: this series includes graphic details that will be distressing for many listeners to hear,…
[Part 2 of 4] The Pickton brothers become officially wealthy, and open the infamous party venue known as Piggy’s Palace. There’s an alarming spike in vulnerable women vanishing from the Downtown Eastside - but two would live to tell their stories. Look out for early, ad-free release on CTC premium feeds available on Amazon Music (included with Prime), Apple Podcasts , Patreon and Supercast .…
A brand new four-part series. In 2024, Canada’s most prolific serial killer was murdered in prison in an act of vigilante justice. The final chapter of Robert Pickton may now be closed, but the story is far from over. Pickton confessed to murdering 49 women on his pig farm near Vancouver, many of them sex workers and Indigenous women. The evidence suggests he did not act alone. ----- Part 1 begins…
Today, we're pleased to share a special episode from another podcast we think you'll enjoy: Crime Story from CBC Podcasts. Each week, award-winning investigative journalist Kathleen Goldhar goes deep into a true crime case with the storyteller who knows it best. In this year-end episode, Kristi Lee joins Kathleen at CBC Studios to talk about what goes into making Canadian True Crime, share…
In August 1982, three generations of a family set out for a two week camping trip in the wilds of British Columbia. When the entire family failed to return home, it triggered the most expensive and publicized manhunt in Canadian history — and uncovered a horrific truth that shocked the nation. Additional content warning: this episode includes the murder and sexual assault of a child. Minimal…
Today, we dive into the high-profile, baffling disappearance of six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and her four-year-old brother Jack, who vanished from their rural Nova Scotia home in May 2025. Kristi is joined by Jordan Bonaparte of The Canadian Gothic (formerly Nighttime), who has covered the case extensively from the area. Together, they cut through the speculation and conspiracy theories to focus on…
For years, J.B.’s identity was hidden behind publication ban. Now, she steps forward in her own name to share her story of survival and resilience. We're thrilled to announce the release of Breaking Idol , a powerful new documentary from CBC about "J.B.” — a survivor at the centre of the first sexual assault trial of Jacob Hoggard. J.B.’s case against the former Canadian Idol finalist and frontman…
[Part 2 of 2] A decade after the brutal murder of Christine Jessop, a DNA breakthrough completely clears Guy Paul Morin. But it would be another 25 years before the real killer is revealed. In this two-part series, we share the full story of Christine Jessop — the one her family waited decades for the courage to tell – with insight from the documentary filmmaker who spent years earning their…
[Part 1 of 2] The brutal murder of nine-year-old Christine Jessop in 1984 shattered her family’s tiny Ontario community. When police arrested her quiet neighbour Guy Paul Morin, the case spiralled into a circus of trials, appeals and outrage, leading to one of Canada’s most notorious wrongful convictions. When the real killer was found in 2020, the memory of the little girl at the centre of the…
In this special update episode we’re joined by Beverley’s sister Barb Kilpatrick and niece Melanie to mark a milestone in one of the most high-profile cases the province has seen, reflect on the impact, and share new details - including some sad family news and a public plea for information. 25 years ago today, the body of 42 year old mother of two Beverley Rowbotham was found in the family car at…
[Part 5 of 5] This final instalment wraps up our coverage and analysis of the Hockey Canada scandal and trial. At the end, Kristi shares her personal opinion about what likely happened in Room 209 that night — and why the verdicts would have remained the same anyway. The difference is in how the judge got there. Please note: this series does not dispute the judge’s not guilty verdicts. Our…
[Part 4 of 5] We continue to unpack the confusing timeline of Room 209 - including the controversy around crown witness Brett Howden and the alleged slap and “splits” incidents, leading up to the verdicts and how the country reacted to them. At the end, Kristi shares her personal opinion about what likely happened in that hotel room — and why the verdicts would have remained the same anyway. The…
[Part 3 of 5] In Part 3, we unpack the confusing timeline of Room 209 and the contradictions at the heart of the case. A clear pattern emerges: the five accused players were repeatedly given the benefit of the doubt, while E.M. was scrutinized and cast as unreliable. Thanks for your patience with this deep-dive series and for allowing us the time to give it the attention it deserves. Part 4 will…
[Part 2 of 5] The Hockey Canada verdicts are final, but the story isn’t. Kristi Lee looks closely at the most talked-about evidence, how it was reflected in the written decision, and how that shaped public opinion. Thanks for your patience! In this episode: The flaws in the first police investigation - and why it didn't result in charges Michael McLeod's instagram exchange with EM the day after…
[Part 1 of 5] A special five-part series — Two extraordinary guests join Kristi to take you through one of the biggest scandals in Canadian sports history. They know what it means to survive not only sexual assault - but the trial itself. And you probably know their stories: J.B. - aka the "Ottawa woman" who testified against former Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard Kelly Favro - survivor and…
It started with a shocking message in a private chat: “I’ve just slaughtered my entire family.” What was first thought of as a grim joke soon became a frantic race to uncover the truth… and prevent a real-life horror from getting worse. The intention of this episode is to take a look back at a shocking crime, how it impacted the community, and how it might have been prevented. Some names have been…
From the creators of the award-winning podcast They Walk Among Us comes The Lost Boys of Wineville—an extended limited series spanning 30 in-depth episodes. This gripping true-crime saga unravels a chilling story that unfolded nearly a century ago in the shadow of the recently erected Hollywoodland sign, and reached its harrowing conclusion on a remote poultry ranch… For more information, visit…
On a freezing night in Norman’s Cove, a brutal attack leaves the small coastal town shaken to its core. As police investigate, a twisted plot starts to unravel… The intention of this episode is to honour the victim of a harrowing crime that was largely ignored by the media at the time, and resulted in harmful rumours. Some names have been changed to respect the privacy of those involved.…
Canadian True Crime is a fully independent podcast that explores some of the most heinous, controversial, heartbreaking and thought-provoking true crime cases in Canada. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
[Part 3 of 3] At trial, Jade Richardson and Jeremy Steinke’s final testimonies are weighed against the forensic evidence, and the picture of what exactly happened inside that house starts to take shape.... leading to the final conclusion. *Additional content warning: this episode includes the death of a child. Please take care when listening. The intention of this series is to take a look back at…
[Part 2 of 3] After three members of the Richardson family are found dead, the police continue to search for the missing 12-year-old girl. But a darker picture has started to emerge involving her 23-year-old boyfriend. * Additional content warning: this episode includes the death of a child. Please take care when listening. The intention of this series is to take a look back at a shocking crime…
A three-part series — A little boy peered through the window of a neighbour’s home one Sunday in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and discovered a scene so horrific it would shock even seasoned police officers. A frantic search began for a missing 12-year-old girl. * Additional content warning: this episode includes the death of a child. Please take care when listening. The intention of this series is to…
[Part 3 of 3] As the perpetrators of the Bandidos Massacre try to get away with it, a covert police investigation is closing in on them — with the help of a secret police informant. The intention of this series is to take a detailed look back at a shocking crime sensationalized through headlines. Book recommendation: Bandido Massacre: A True Story of Bikers, Brotherhood and Betrayal , 2010, by…
[Part 2 of 3] As the call is made to pull the patches of the Toronto Bandidos, tensions escalate, leading to a final ultimatum ...and a devastating betrayal. The intention of this episode is to take a detailed look back at a shocking crime sensationalized through headlines. Canadian True Crime donates monthly to help those facing injustice. This month we have donated to the Canadian Resource…
A three-part series — After a rural Ontario farmer makes a shocking discovery on a field, the quiet village of Shedden finds itself the backdrop to one of Canada’s most infamous mass murders. It was the bloody culmination of shifting alliances in the outlaw biker underworld in Canada—but it’s also a deeper story about a search for connection and belonging… that ultimately ended in a senseless…
After a 15-year-old boy dies a horrific death in a shocking incident, the city of Calgary demands justice. But what really happened that day? The intention of this episode is to take a look back at a shocking crime sensationalized through headlines to uncover the truth of what happened. Some names have been changed to respect the privacy of those involved. Canadian true crime donates monthly to…
[Part 2 of 2] Was Canadian Teenager David Curtis an innocent party who unexpectedly found himself in the middle of a very bad situation? Or was there something more sinister at play? In this episode: the trial. The intention of this series is to take a look back at a shocking crime sensationalized through headlines across the US and Canada, and explore its impact on relevant communities. Some…
A two-part series — A teenager from Nova Scotia is invited to stay with his wealthy school friend on the Jersey Shore, but finds himself at the centre of an American horror story. The intention of this series is to take a look back at a shocking crime sensationalized through headlines across the US and Canada, and explore its impact on relevant communities. Some names have been changed to respect…
[Part 2 of 2] Dramatic headlines continue as three teenagers are tried for their roles in the murders of a mother and grandmother, with spoiled heir Darren Huenemann at the center of it all. While he and Derik Lord testify with their own conflicting versions of events, the youngest, David Muir remains silent... for now. But the theatrics and shocking updates would continue long after the trial —…
A two-part series — When police are called to do a welfare check at the home of a fashion store owner, they're confronted with a shocking sight. Lying on the kitchen floor are the lifeless bodies of two women, their faces covered in dishcloths. There's blood everywhere. It looks as if Doris Leatherbarrow and her daughter Sharon Huenemann were killed just as they were serving up dinner for two…
[Part 2 of 2 ] Lawyer Bruce Lorenz had been shot dead at Warden Subway Station in the east of Toronto, and the police believed they knew exactly who did it. The first degree murder trial revealed many new truths… and dropped several bombshells. The intention of this series is to take a look back at a shocking crime sensationalized through headlines and reveal the inner workings of the criminal…
A two-part series — On a dark icy evening at a suburban Toronto subway station, a parking lot attendant came across an odd sight: protruding out of the driver’s side window of a tan Mustang, was a pair of legs. They belonged to a 36-year-old lawyer. And he was dead. The investigation that ensued uncovered a deadly tale of sex, lies, betrayal and corruption, that would be called Canada’s version of…
Christine Harron, a book-loving teenager from Hanover, Ontario, leaves for school in the spring of 1993 and is never seen again. A suspect emerges, confessing to her murder, but the case falls apart and Christine's family are left without answers. In Season 9 of the award winning podcast Someone Knows Something, David Ridgen, along with Christine's mother, reopen the investigation and come face to…
An elderly woman is found dead in her own home, the victim of a brutally violent attack in a typically sleepy community. At first it appears to be a robbery gone wrong, but further investigation reveals a complex web of lies — and a much more disturbing truth. The intention of this episode is to take a detailed look back at a tragic crime that played out through the media and highlight the…
