Criminal Mischief: The Monkey's Paw Some stories entertain. Some stories linger. And a very rare few change the course of horror forever. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio narrates one of the most influential horror stories ever written: The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs. First published in 1902, The Monkey's Paw introduced generations of readers to one of literature's most terrifying ideas—that every wish comes with a price. What begins as a simple family gathering around the fireplace slowly transforms into an unforgettable meditation on fate, grief, and the dangerous temptation to change what should never be changed. Its influence stretches across more than a century of popular culture, inspiring countless novels, films, television episodes, and perhaps most famously, Stephen King's Pet Sematary. Join Carolyn as she brings this timeless Gothic classic to life in a dramatic reading that reminds us why some stories never grow old... because the fears they explore never disappear. Sometimes the greatest horror isn't receiving exactly what you wished for. It's realizing the cost after it's too late. Follow Criminal Mischief 🎙️ Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you listen to podcasts. ⭐ If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review—it helps other true crime and mystery fans discover us. 📺 Watch exclusive video content and more original series on the Evio Creative YouTube channel. 📧 Have a case, mystery, or historical story you'd like Carolyn to investigate? We'd love to hear from you at mailto:[email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Criminal Mischief: The Monkey's Paw Some stories entertain. Some stories linger. And a very rare few change the course of horror forever. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio narrates one of the most influential horror stories ever written: The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs. First published in 1902, The Monkey's Paw introduced generations of readers to one of literature's most terrifying ideas—that every wish comes with a price. What begins as a simple family gathering around the fireplace slowly transforms into an unforgettable meditation on fate, grief, and the dangerous temptation to change what should never be changed. Its influence stretches across more than a century of popular culture, inspiring countless novels, films, television episodes, and perhaps most famously, Stephen King's Pet Sematary. Join Carolyn as she brings this timeless Gothic classic to life in a dramatic reading that reminds us why some stories never grow old... because the fears they explore never disappear. Sometimes the greatest horror isn't receiving exactly what you wished for. It's realizing the cost after it's too late. Follow Criminal Mischief 🎙️ Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you listen to podcasts. ⭐ If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review—it helps other true crime and mystery fans discover us. 📺 Watch exclusive video content and more original series on the Evio Creative YouTube channel. 📧 Have a case, mystery, or historical story you'd like Carolyn to investigate? We'd love to hear from you at mailto:[email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Criminal Mischief The Zizians: Murder in the Name of the Future On New Year's Eve 2022, Richard and Rita Zajko were found shot to death inside their quiet Pennsylvania home. For years, investigators struggled to piece together what happened. Then, prosecutors made a stunning announcement: the couple's own daughter, Michelle "Jamie" Zajko, had been charged with orchestrating the murders, allegedly with help from others connected to an enigmatic group known as the Zizians. Who are the Zizians? They're not a traditional cult. They aren't driven by religion or ancient prophecy. Instead, investigators describe them as a loosely connected group of exceptionally intelligent young people—many with backgrounds in mathematics, computer science, and Silicon Valley's rationalist movement—whose increasingly extreme beliefs centered on artificial intelligence, veganism, animal rights, and the conviction that humanity stood on the brink of catastrophe. According to authorities, the Zizians have now been linked to a series of violent crimes spanning multiple states, including the Pennsylvania murders, a deadly attack on a California landlord, the subsequent killing of another group member, and a fatal 2025 shootout in Vermont that claimed the life of a U.S. Border Patrol agent. Prosecutors allege the group's members became increasingly isolated, radicalized, and willing to embrace violence in pursuit of their beliefs. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio examines one of the strangest criminal investigations in recent memory. How did a community of brilliant young thinkers evolve into a network allegedly connected to multiple homicides? What role did charismatic leadership, ideological extremism, and fear of emerging technology play in shaping the group's worldview? And what evidence convinced investigators that the murders of Richard and Rita Zajko were not an isolated family tragedy, but part of a much larger and deeply disturbing story? Drawing from court filings, investigative reporting, and statements from law enforcement, Carolyn separates documented facts from online speculation, exploring both the Pennsylvania double homicide and the broader investigation into the Zizians' activities across the United States. This isn't simply the story of a murder investigation. It's the story of what can happen when intelligence becomes isolation, ideology hardens into certainty, and a shared fear of the future turns into something far more dangerous. Have thoughts on this case? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts, and if you're enjoying the show, please leave a rating and review. It helps others discover the stories behind the headlines. Follow Criminal MischiefInstagram, TikTok & Facebook: @criminalmischiefpod Watch on YouTubeFind full episodes, clips, and exclusive content on the Evio Creative YouTube Channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Criminal Mischief The Zizians: Murder in the Name of the Future On New Year's Eve 2022, Richard and Rita Zajko were found shot to death inside their quiet Pennsylvania home. For years, investigators struggled to piece together what happened. Then, prosecutors made a stunning announcement: the couple's own daughter, Michelle "Jamie" Zajko, had been charged with orchestrating the murders, allegedly with help from others connected to an enigmatic group known as the Zizians. Who are the Zizians? They're not a traditional cult. They aren't driven by religion or ancient prophecy. Instead, investigators describe them as a loosely connected group of exceptionally intelligent young people—many with backgrounds in mathematics, computer science, and Silicon Valley's rationalist movement—whose increasingly extreme beliefs centered on artificial intelligence, veganism, animal rights, and the conviction that humanity stood on the brink of catastrophe. According to authorities, the Zizians have now been linked to a series of violent crimes spanning multiple states, including the Pennsylvania murders, a deadly attack on a California landlord, the subsequent killing of another group member, and a fatal 2025 shootout in Vermont that claimed the life of a U.S. Border Patrol agent. Prosecutors allege the group's members became increasingly isolated, radicalized, and willing to embrace violence in pursuit of their beliefs. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio examines one of the strangest criminal investigations in recent memory. How did a community of brilliant young thinkers evolve into a network allegedly connected to multiple homicides? What role did charismatic leadership, ideological extremism, and fear of emerging technology play in shaping the group's worldview? And what evidence convinced investigators that the murders of Richard and Rita Zajko were not an isolated family tragedy, but part of a much larger and deeply disturbing story? Drawing from court filings, investigative reporting, and statements from law enforcement, Carolyn separates documented facts from online speculation, exploring both the Pennsylvania double homicide and the broader investigation into the Zizians' activities across the United States. This isn't simply the story of a murder investigation. It's the story of what can happen when intelligence becomes isolation, ideology hardens into certainty, and a shared fear of the future turns into something far more dangerous. Have thoughts on this case? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts, and if you're enjoying the show, please leave a rating and review. It helps others discover the stories behind the headlines. Follow Criminal MischiefInstagram, TikTok & Facebook: @criminalmischiefpod Watch on YouTubeFind full episodes, clips, and exclusive content on the Evio Creative YouTube Channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Criminal Mischief The Murder of a CEO: The Luigi Mangione Case On the morning of December 4, 2024, the chief executive officer of one of America's largest health insurance companies stepped onto a Manhattan sidewalk and was gunned down in what authorities would later describe as a targeted assassination. The shooting shocked the nation. The victim was a powerful healthcare executive whose company had become a lightning rod for criticism from patients, doctors, and advocacy groups frustrated by denied claims, rising costs, and the complexities of the American healthcare system. But what happened next stunned investigators even more. As police launched a nationwide manhunt, the alleged gunman—26-year-old Luigi Mangione—quickly became one of the most polarizing criminal suspects in recent memory. While law enforcement pursued a murder investigation, a growing online movement began portraying Mangione as something entirely different: a folk hero, an avenger, even a symbol of public anger toward an industry many Americans believe has failed them. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio examines the crime that ignited a national debate. Who was Luigi Mangione? What led authorities to identify him as the prime suspect? What evidence connected him to the shooting? And why did a murder case become a cultural flashpoint that exposed deep divisions in the way Americans view healthcare, corporate power, and justice itself? Through court documents, investigative reporting, and the facts established by law enforcement, Carolyn separates the online mythology from the actual case, tracing the events leading up to the shooting, the nationwide search that followed, and the legal battle that continues to unfold. This is not just the story of a homicide. It's the story of a country arguing with itself. Because sometimes the most revealing criminal cases aren't the ones that unite us in outrage. They're the ones that force us to confront why some people feel outrage in the first place. Have thoughts on this case? Email us at mailto:[email protected]. Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts, and if you're enjoying the show, please leave a rating and review. It helps others discover the stories that continue to shape our world long after the headlines fade. Instagram: @criminalmischiefpod
TikTok: @criminalmischiefpod
Facebook: @criminalmischiefpod Watch clips and exclusive content on the Evio Creative YouTube Channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Criminal Mischief The Murder of a CEO: The Luigi Mangione Case On the morning of December 4, 2024, the chief executive officer of one of America's largest health insurance companies stepped onto a Manhattan sidewalk and was gunned down in what authorities would later describe as a targeted assassination. The shooting shocked the nation. The victim was a powerful healthcare executive whose company had become a lightning rod for criticism from patients, doctors, and advocacy groups frustrated by denied claims, rising costs, and the complexities of the American healthcare system. But what happened next stunned investigators even more. As police launched a nationwide manhunt, the alleged gunman—26-year-old Luigi Mangione—quickly became one of the most polarizing criminal suspects in recent memory. While law enforcement pursued a murder investigation, a growing online movement began portraying Mangione as something entirely different: a folk hero, an avenger, even a symbol of public anger toward an industry many Americans believe has failed them. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio examines the crime that ignited a national debate. Who was Luigi Mangione? What led authorities to identify him as the prime suspect? What evidence connected him to the shooting? And why did a murder case become a cultural flashpoint that exposed deep divisions in the way Americans view healthcare, corporate power, and justice itself? Through court documents, investigative reporting, and the facts established by law enforcement, Carolyn separates the online mythology from the actual case, tracing the events leading up to the shooting, the nationwide search that followed, and the legal battle that continues to unfold. This is not just the story of a homicide. It's the story of a country arguing with itself. Because sometimes the most revealing criminal cases aren't the ones that unite us in outrage. They're the ones that force us to confront why some people feel outrage in the first place. Have thoughts on this case? Email us at mailto:[email protected]. Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts, and if you're enjoying the show, please leave a rating and review. It helps others discover the stories that continue to shape our world long after the headlines fade. Instagram: @criminalmischiefpod
TikTok: @criminalmischiefpod
Facebook: @criminalmischiefpod Watch clips and exclusive content on the Evio Creative YouTube Channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Highers Brothers: Twenty-Five Years Stolen In 1987, a Detroit drug dealer was murdered. Within months, two brothers—Tommy and Raymond Highers—were convicted of the crime and sentenced to life in prison without parole. They maintained their innocence from the beginning. More than twenty years later, their convictions would be overturned in a case that exposed serious flaws in eyewitness testimony and the criminal justice system. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio examines one of Michigan’s most extraordinary wrongful conviction cases. The Highers brothers entered prison as teenagers and emerged decades later as middle-aged men, having spent more than 25 years incarcerated for a crime they say they never committed. Their road to freedom began in an unexpected place: social media. A Facebook conversation led investigators to witnesses whose accounts challenged the prosecution’s original case, setting in motion a legal battle that would ultimately unravel the convictions. Carolyn explores how eyewitness misidentification, investigative tunnel vision, and the slow pace of justice can alter lives forever. She traces the brothers’ journey from arrest to conviction, through years of appeals, and finally to exoneration—raising difficult questions about accountability, memory, and the cost of wrongful imprisonment. The Highers case has become a landmark example of how modern technology can aid old investigations and how justice, though delayed, can still prevail. But after decades behind bars, one question remains impossible to answer: How do you compensate someone for twenty-five lost years? Join Carolyn as she unpacks a story of resilience, redemption, and a justice system forced to confront its own mistakes. Have thoughts on this case? Email us at [email protected]. Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts, and if you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review—it helps others discover stories that still demand answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Highers Brothers: Twenty-Five Years Stolen In 1987, a Detroit drug dealer was murdered. Within months, two brothers—Tommy and Raymond Highers—were convicted of the crime and sentenced to life in prison without parole. They maintained their innocence from the beginning. More than twenty years later, their convictions would be overturned in a case that exposed serious flaws in eyewitness testimony and the criminal justice system. This week on Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio examines one of Michigan’s most extraordinary wrongful conviction cases. The Highers brothers entered prison as teenagers and emerged decades later as middle-aged men, having spent more than 25 years incarcerated for a crime they say they never committed. Their road to freedom began in an unexpected place: social media. A Facebook conversation led investigators to witnesses whose accounts challenged the prosecution’s original case, setting in motion a legal battle that would ultimately unravel the convictions. Carolyn explores how eyewitness misidentification, investigative tunnel vision, and the slow pace of justice can alter lives forever. She traces the brothers’ journey from arrest to conviction, through years of appeals, and finally to exoneration—raising difficult questions about accountability, memory, and the cost of wrongful imprisonment. The Highers case has become a landmark example of how modern technology can aid old investigations and how justice, though delayed, can still prevail. But after decades behind bars, one question remains impossible to answer: How do you compensate someone for twenty-five lost years? Join Carolyn as she unpacks a story of resilience, redemption, and a justice system forced to confront its own mistakes. Have thoughts on this case? Email us at [email protected]. Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts, and if you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review—it helps others discover stories that still demand answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Criminal Mischief: Case Updates — New Evidence, New Outcomes, New Questions On this episode of Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio revisits some of the most high-profile and disturbing cases she’s covered—bringing listeners up to speed with major developments, fresh audio, and new perspective. These aren’t rehashes. These are updates that change the story. The Gilgo Beach Murders — Rex Heuerman Sentenced One of the most chilling cases in modern true crime reaches a major milestone. Carolyn breaks down the sentencing of Rex Heuerman, the alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer, examining what we now know, what remains unanswered, and what this moment means for the victims and their families. Featuring newly surfaced audio and commentary, this segment explores how a case that lingered for over a decade finally reached this stage—and what may still lie beneath the surface. Karen Read — Acquitted Again… But Not Finished After a second acquittal, Karen Read remains at the center of one of the most polarizing cases in recent memory. But this story isn’t over. With a civil lawsuit looming, Carolyn examines what comes next—legally, publicly, and personally. Through new interviews and analysis, this segment explores the divide between courtroom outcomes and public perception, and how a case can evolve even after a verdict is delivered. Brendan Banfield — Sentenced, But For How Long? The case of Brendan Banfield takes another turn as sentencing is handed down—but the story is far from settled. With an appeal already expected, Carolyn unpacks the legal strategy ahead, the potential vulnerabilities in the conviction, and what could come next. Featuring fresh audio and investigative insight, this segment highlights how even after sentencing, the fight over truth—and outcome—can continue. A New Layer to Familiar Stories Each of these cases has been covered before. But time changes things. New evidence surfaces. New voices emerge. And the story you thought you understood begins to shift. Listen & Follow Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the show, take a moment to rate and review—it helps others discover these stories. Watch & Subscribe Full episodes and video content are available on the Evio Creative YouTube channel.Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss what’s next. Join the Conversation Have thoughts on these cases?Tips? Stories we should cover? 📩 [email protected] 📲 Instagram: @criminalmischiefpod (or your preferred handle) Closing The story doesn’t end with a verdict. Sometimes—that’s where it really begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Criminal Mischief: Case Updates — New Evidence, New Outcomes, New Questions On this episode of Criminal Mischief, Carolyn Ossorio revisits some of the most high-profile and disturbing cases she’s covered—bringing listeners up to speed with major developments, fresh audio, and new perspective. These aren’t rehashes. These are updates that change the story. The Gilgo Beach Murders — Rex Heuerman Sentenced One of the most chilling cases in modern true crime reaches a major milestone. Carolyn breaks down the sentencing of Rex Heuerman, the alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer, examining what we now know, what remains unanswered, and what this moment means for the victims and their families. Featuring newly surfaced audio and commentary, this segment explores how a case that lingered for over a decade finally reached this stage—and what may still lie beneath the surface. Karen Read — Acquitted Again… But Not Finished After a second acquittal, Karen Read remains at the center of one of the most polarizing cases in recent memory. But this story isn’t over. With a civil lawsuit looming, Carolyn examines what comes next—legally, publicly, and personally. Through new interviews and analysis, this segment explores the divide between courtroom outcomes and public perception, and how a case can evolve even after a verdict is delivered. Brendan Banfield — Sentenced, But For How Long? The case of Brendan Banfield takes another turn as sentencing is handed down—but the story is far from settled. With an appeal already expected, Carolyn unpacks the legal strategy ahead, the potential vulnerabilities in the conviction, and what could come next. Featuring fresh audio and investigative insight, this segment highlights how even after sentencing, the fight over truth—and outcome—can continue. A New Layer to Familiar Stories Each of these cases has been covered before. But time changes things. New evidence surfaces. New voices emerge. And the story you thought you understood begins to shift. Listen & Follow Follow Criminal Mischief wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the show, take a moment to rate and review—it helps others discover these stories. Watch & Subscribe Full episodes and video content are available on the Evio Creative YouTube channel.
Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss what’s next. Join the Conversation Have thoughts on these cases?
Tips? Stories we should cover? 📩 [email protected]
📲 Instagram: @criminalmischiefpod (or your preferred handle) Closing The story doesn’t end with a verdict. Sometimes—that’s where it really begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices