The Book of the Dead
A weekly true crime podcast, hosted by Courtney Liso, where every chapter we turn the page to dive into a crime and victim's story that we refuse to let be forgotten. From unsolved crimes, missing persons cases, and interviews with experts in the field, every chapter aims to give a voice back to those who had it taken from them.
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A weekly true crime podcast, hosted by Courtney Liso, where every chapter we turn the page to dive into a crime and victim's story that we refuse to let be forgotten. From unsolved crimes, missing persons cases, and interviews with experts in the field, every chapter aims to give a voice back to those who had it taken from them.
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114
Sept. 2, 2025
Chapter 114: The Devil in the Details-The Unsolved Death of Jeannette DePalma w/ Brian Santana
On August 7, 1972, 16-year-old Jeannette DePalma left her home in Springfield, New Jersey, to go to work, but she never made it back home. Six weeks later, Jeannette's body was found atop Devil's Teeth, a cliff in Houdaille Quarry. With very little evidence, no clear suspects, and rumors of her being the victim of a Satanic Cult, her case has gone cold with no answers to be had for any of the countless questions left in the wake of her death. 53 years later, the mystery of what really happened t
94
Feb. 26, 2025
Chapter 94: Failed by the System: The Death of Crystal McCrory Jones
On February 9th, 2023, Crystal Jones was found dead in her home from a gunshot wound to the head. Despite a minimal investigation, authorities ruled her death a suicide—leaving her family devastated and searching for answers. Her sister, Jana, refused...
52
Aug. 27, 2023
Chapter 52: Missing & Murdered-Amber Tuccaro
Amber Tucarro, at 20 years old, was a single, aboriginal, mother from Alberta, Canada. After meeting a new friend they decide to take a mini vacation to Edmonton with Amber's 14 month old son. They spend the day shopping and then Amber decides she wants to go back to Edmonton that evening. She leaves her son with her friend, promising to be back in a little while, and she heads out into the night to find a ride. Amber never comes back. Two years later, her remains would be found an hour away fro
56
Sept. 24, 2023
Chapter 56: The Undetermined Death of Kayla Seago
Today on The Book of the Dead, we worked closely with Lexi, the sister of Kayla, in order to bring you this case. Through our investigation, we hope to bring closure to her loved ones and shed light on this tragic event. Kayla was a mother, a sister, a daughter, and a friend, and her life was tragically cut short in a manner that has been questioned from the beginning. There are so many unanswered questions and we hope that someone out there is able to shed light on what really happened that ni
Oct. 2, 2023
Levi's Eyes-An Interview with Aphrodite Jones
"LEVI’S EYES delves into the unspeakable murders of Christina and Levi Karlsen, as told by the killer himself... It’s a must-read for true crime addicts who dare to go deep into a killer’s mind. In it, readers will learn how the murders of Christina Karlsen and her son Levi Karlsen, committed 17 years apart, are intricately connected. There’s a hidden thread here, one that has not yet been revealed to the public, showing thatLevi kept dark secrets. This book exposes both sides of the twisted mar
58
Oct. 8, 2023
Chapter 58: A Search For Answers-The Death of Alex Vandalsen
Join us as we delve into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the untimely demise of Alex Vandalsen, a young trans man whose death has raised numerous eyebrows. In this episode, in collaboration with Jennifer Vandalsen, Alex's mom, we explore the intricacies of the case, uncovering hidden truths, and shedding light on the potential factors that contributed to his death. Through interviews with Jen and armed with body camera footage, emails, and reports, we aim to provide a comprehensive and
99
April 8, 2025
Chapter 99: A Missing Woman, Two Murders, and a Confession Ignored-What happened to Keeshae Jacobs?
In 2016, 21-year-old Keeshae Jacobs disappeared after telling her mom she would return the next day. Nearly a decade later, she’s still missing—but someone has admitted to knowing what happened. In this episode, I expose the disturbing connections...
119
Oct. 28, 2025
Chapter 119: Behind The Mask-The Murder of Moustapha Akkad & The Birth of Halloween w/ Brian Santana
When it comes to John Carpenter's iconic franchise, Halloween, most people may be familiar, in the abstract, with the name Moustapha Akkad as his name is the first to appear in the opening credits for every movie. What fans of the series may not be familiar with is how integral Moustapha was to bringing the story of Michael Myers to life, producing all 8 original movies, even after John Carpenter, himself, left the series. To celebrate Halloween, Brian Santana joins me to talk about the life of
Recent Episodes
151
Aug. 25, 2026
Chapter 151: A Harlem Globtrotter's Last Drive-The Disappearance of Rico Omarr Harris
The 2014 Disappearance of Former Basketball Star Rico Omarr Harris in Yolo County, California
150
Aug. 11, 2026
Chapter 150: Dead Men Tell No Tales-The Legend of the S.S. Ourang Medan
Was the Ourang Medan a real ghost ship—or one of the greatest maritime legends ever created? The crew of the Ourang Medan were reportedly found dead aboard their ship in the waters of the Strait of Malacca in the late 1940s. Their bodies were said to...
149
Aug. 4, 2026
Chapter 149: The Body in the Garden-The Murder of John Sabine
For nearly two decades, John Sabine was simply gone. His wife, Leigh, had spent years telling elaborate stories about their lives, convincing friends and family that John had left and started over somewhere else. She was a gifted storyteller whose...
July 28, 2026
What Happened to Yolanda Evette Panek? W/ Missing in the PNW
Today, you'll hear the story of Yolanda Paneck, brought to you by Carmita from Missing in the PNW. A beautiful young mother is brutally murdered after last being seen at the Capri Motel in Portland, Oregon. The day after her locked car was found abandoned with her two-year-old son inside, alive and a maid at the motel who cleaned her room found the mattress stripped of its sheets and soaked in blood.Though she has never been found her husband was charged and convicted of her murder in March 199
148
July 22, 2026
Chapter 148: The Crime That Changed Brisbane-The Murder of Betty Shanks
In September 1952, Betty Shanks left work in Brisbane, Australia, and began the journey home.She never made it.What followed was one of Brisbane’s most disturbing and enduring unsolved murder cases. Betty was found brutally murdered, and despite an extensive investigation, numerous theories, and decades of speculation, the person responsible was never definitively identified. Was her murder a random attack, or did the killer know more about her movements than investigators ever realized? More th
147
July 7, 2026
Chapter 147: Japan's Most Wanted-The Murder of Lindsay Hawker
In 2007, 22-year-old Lindsay Hawker left England for Japan to pursue her dream of teaching English and experiencing life abroad. Kind, adventurous, and passionate about helping others, she had no idea that one persistent stranger would change the course of her life forever.After repeatedly seeking her attention and convincing her to give him private English lessons, the man followed Lindsay home. When she failed to arrive at work, concern quickly turned into a missing persons investigation that
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Recent Blog Posts
Aug. 14, 2026
Unit 731 and the S.S. Ourang Medan: Uncovering the Chemical Warfare Connection
When examining the chilling maritime legend of the doomed Dutch freighter, investigators often look beyond simple ghost stories to explore terrifying real-world explanations. This deep-dive analysis examines whether Imperial Japan's covert biologica…
Aug. 6, 2026
How Compulsive Deception and Pathological Lying Conceal Homicide for Decades
Pathological liars possess a chilling ability to construct elaborate, charismatic fictions that blind everyone around them to horrific realities. When compulsive deception intertwines with domestic homicide, perpetrators often use their storytelling…
July 9, 2026
The Art of Deception: How Tatsuya Ichihashi Evaded Capture for Two Years
In the quiet, orderly streets of Japan, a country known for its high level of public safety and rigorous law enforcement, the murder of Lindsay Hawker remains a haunting scar on the national consciousness. Lindsay, a 22-year-old English teacher brim…
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