Welcome to The Book of the Dead

Interviews Episodes

138
April 6, 2026

Chapter 138: Dog O' War-Diane Whipple and The Aryan Brotherhood w/ Aphrodite Jones

On January 26, 2001, 33-year-old Diane Whipple returned to her apartment building in San Francisconever knowing she was walking into a deadly encounter. Just outside her door, she was brutally attacked by two massive Presa Canario dogs owned by her neighbors, Robert Noel and Marjorie Knoller. As the attack unfolded, Knoller stood by, and Diane suffered catastrophic injuries that would ultimately take her life.What followed was a case that shocked the nation. Public outrage quickly grew, with ma...
135
March 15, 2026

Chapter 135: Felony Review-Tales of True Crime & Corruption in Chicago w/ Randy Barnett

Today, I sat down with Randy Barnett, professor of Constitutional Law at the Georgetown University Law Center, Director of the Georgetown Center for the Constitution and former prosecutor for the City of Chicago. He joins me to tell me all about his latest book, Felony Review: Tales of True Crime and Corruption that gives a behind the scenes look at what it was like to work in the thick of the violence and corruption running rampant in 1970s and 1980s Chicago. Randy Barnett walked me through hi...
117
Oct. 7, 2025

Chapter 117: Convergence-The Murders of Gio Messina & Delphine Moore w/ Gregg Owen and Jonathan Dixon

On a cold night in March of 1976, a young couple was brutally murdered in an apartment in Chicago. The murders were as violent as they were baffling. Who would want to hurt them, and why? At the same time that police were investigating the scene, Gregg Owen was taking the bar exam and would go on to become a prosecutor. 4 years later, Gregg would take the case, determined to put the man guilty of killing the couple behind bars when no one else would. The case was, seemingly, unwinnable: no evide...
112
Aug. 12, 2025

Chapter 112: In Cold Blood-The Death of Dr. Eric Garcia w/ Chris Connelly

In March 2017, the quiet Alaskan town of Ketchikan was rocked by the sudden death of beloved surgeon Dr. Eric Garcia. Found in his home under suspicious circumstances, his death would devolve into a mystery that was truly stranger than fiction. Journalist Chris Connelly, host of Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska, joined me to discuss his investigation and shared what it was like to walk the streets of Ketchikan, speak with Dr. Garcia’s grieving loved ones, and sit face-to-face with the detectives ...
110
July 22, 2025

Chapter 110: A Hidden Crisis-American Infanticide & The Emilie Weaver Case with Clara S. Lewis

Today I sat down with Clara S. Lewis, author of American Infanticide: Sexism, Science, and the Politics of Sympathy, to examine the deeply unsettling and complex case of Emilie Weaver, a college student convicted of killing her newborn in 2015. Clara walked me through how the legal system, media, and public perception often fail to grasp the complex realities behind neonaticide and infanticide in America. From the influence of a long history of stigmatizing young mothers that shape how we respon...
Guest: Clara S Lewis
105
May 27, 2025

Chapter 105: Summer's Almost Gone-The Bricca Family Murders w/ JT Townsend & Brian Santana

As summer drew to a close in September of 1966 in Cincinnati, Ohio, something terrible was happening at 3381 Greenway Avenue amid another killer's reign of terror attacking women. The Bricca family, Jerry, Linda, and their little girl, Debbie, were brutally murdered in their own home as their neighbors gathered in their homes, settling in to watch TV on that rainy evening. Decades later, the mystery of who committed this heinous crime and who was responsible remains unsolved. Today, I am joined ...
103
May 6, 2025

Chapter 103: The Crime That Appalachia Forgot-The Nancy Morgan Murder w/ Mark Pinsky

In Today's episode, I am joined by veteran investigative journalist Mark Pinsky to unpack the decades-old mystery of Nancy Morgan, a young VISTA volunteer found brutally murdered in Madison County, North Carolina in 1970. Mark walks me through the...
101
April 22, 2025

Chapter 101: Voices From The Inside-The Dublin Prison Scandal w/ Tess Korth

Today, I sit down with Tess Korth, the whistleblower who exposed rampant abuse and systemic corruption at FCI Dublin, a federal women’s prison in California once dubbed “the rape club” by those who lived and worked within its walls. Tess shares her...
Guest: Tess Korth
98
April 1, 2025

Chapter 98: Shadows of the City- Homicide, Mystery, & The Murder of Henryk Siwiak w/ Vic Ferrari

In this Chapter of the Book of the Dead, we sit down, with retired NYPD detective and author Vic Ferrari who has joined us, again, to delve into his experiences with homicides and death in New York City. From the grim realities of crime scenes to...
Guest: Vic Ferrari
97
March 25, 2025

Chapter 97: NYPD Unplugged-Stories of A Former Detective w/ Vic Ferrari

In today's chapter of The Book of the Dead, we sit down with retired NYPD detective and author Vic Ferrari to uncover the fascinating world of law enforcement in New York City. With over 20 years of experience on the force, Vic shares firsthand...
Guest: Vic Ferrari
91
Jan. 22, 2025

Chapter 91: Murder on Campus-The Virginia Olson Cold Case w/ Brian and Cameron Santana

On April 15, 1973, the body of 19-year-old Virginia Olson was found on the campus of the University of North Carolina-Ashville. She had been brutally murdered on a campus that considered itself to be so safe, they didn't need security. The...
78
May 15, 2024

Chapter 78: Teens That Kill & Rod Ferrell Revisited w/ Aphrodite Jones

It's no surprise to anybody that in this day and age, teenagers are becoming more and more violent. With horrific events such as The Vampire Cult Murders, the countless school shootings that started with Columbine, and more, recently, violent protests...
76
April 17, 2024

Novela Chapter 5: A Creeptastic Time with Creepy Confidential

On today's chapter of The Book of the Dead, Courtney hung out with Noelle, host of Creepy Confidential to talk all things creepy. From True Crime, Ghost Stories, Cryptids, and even Aliens, nothing was off limits. Join us for a hell of a time and check...
71
Jan. 14, 2024

Chapter 71: Counter Terrorism and The Billionaire Boys Club w/ Gary Edgington

In today's chapter, I sat down with former counter-terrorism task force commander and author of Outside the Wire, Gary Edgington. Gary is a former counter-terrorism task force commander with over thirty years in law enforcement. From 1999 to 2008 he...
Guest: Gary
67
Dec. 10, 2023

Chapter 67: Bulldoze Your Fear; Overcoming Trauma W/ Susan Snow

Last week we spoke with Glynn Martin who told us about the murder of LAPD Detective Thomas Williams. Today, Courtney sat down with Det. Williams's daughter, Susan Snow, and spoke about what happened to her father that Halloween day in 1985 and how...
66
Dec. 3, 2023

Chapter 66: The Risks of Wearing the Badge w/ Glynn Martin

In today's chapter, Courtney sat down with Glynn Martin, retired detective and Executive Director of the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting fallen LAPD Officers' families. During the discussion, Glynn...
Guest: Glynn Martin
63
Nov. 12, 2023

Chapter 63: A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing-Dr. Michael Swango w/ Bruce Sackman

Lucy Letby, The Lainz Angels of Death, Kristen Gilbert, and Michael Swango. All of these people have two things in common. They are all former. medical professionals and they are all killers. In today's chapter, Courtney had the honor of sitting...
Guest: Bruce Sackman
59
Oct. 15, 2023

Chapter 59: A Survivor Shares Her Story w/ Ashley Michelle

On August 28, 2016 Ashley Michelle received a phone call from William Joles at 5am asking her to come over to the apartment he shared with his best friend Nathan Deslippe. Ashley agreed and headed over. Once arriving her world would be flipped upside down when she walked into a crime scene and an attempt on her life. This is her story. A story of survival, perseverance, and overcoming trauma. Follow Ashley and her Journey here Follow Ashley on TikTok Finding Strength Through Tragedy on Facebook...
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...
57
Oct. 1, 2023

Chapter 57: A Look Behind The Badge W/ Detective Thomas Williams

Unmasking the Truth: Join us for an insightful interview with a veteran detective, as he reveals what it's really like to protect and serve. From reform needed within law enforcement to keeping victims at the forefront, Det. Williams shows us what it's like to live the life of a detective. It was truly eye-opening to talk to him about what it's really like and how Hollywood has done a disservice by dramatizing what LEOs deal with on a daily basis (think a LOT of late nights and even more paperwo...
55
Sept. 17, 2023

Chapter 55: The ABC's of How Not To Date A Serial Killer w/ Dr. Dana Anderson

Today, on The Book of the Dead, Courtney sat down with Forensic Psychologist, Dr. Dana Anderson to tell you all ways to keep yourselves safe. We go over the Dr. Anderson's ABC's to stay safe, some warning signs and some amazing resources to keep yourself safe. This is definitely a chapter you do not want to miss. Resources: The ACEs Assessment The Danger Assessment Scale Family Justice Centers The Healthy Relationship Wheel The Domestic Violence Hotline Website or call: 800-799-7233 Or Text SAF...
Guest: Dana Anderson