Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Criminal.
The Last Memory: Chapter Four
Chapter Four Trenton stretched and got out of bed. Though the shades were drawn, she could see the earliest rays of sunlight peeking through, and she didn't want to waste too much time in bed when she could be out looking for employment. Trenton looked around the room, trying to spot a clock that might give her some indication as to what time it was. However, the room was completely void of electronics.
By Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue17 days ago in Criminal
The Tragic Death of Melody Hoffman in Marion, Iowa
The tragic story of Melody Hoffman a 20-year-old woman from Marion Iowa is one marked by vulnerability, misplaced trust, and a brutal betrayal that ultimately ended her life.Melody was born with an intellectual disability that affected how she related to others and understood complex social and emotional situations. Friends and family described her as someone who longed for companionship and acceptance, and who deeply desired to experience love and connection like other young people her age. Because of her challenges, Melody was particularly trusting of those who showed her affection, often taking their words and intentions at face value.
By Kure Garba17 days ago in Criminal
Serial Killers' Favorite Bar Hangouts
Serial killers share many common characteristics. For example, many live with ASPD and have had difficult childhoods. One of the most unexpected and interesting traits is their fondness for local bars. Before, during, and after their crimes, many notorious serial killers frequented local bars. Some even discussed their crimes with police officers! Perhaps alcohol allowed these killers to relax after such monstrous crimes. Maybe it was their way of blending in with regular society or people-watching. Whatever the case, here’s a look at bars frequented by serial killers.
By Criminal Matters17 days ago in Criminal
The Story of Tameka Drummer
At 34 years old, Tameka Drummer was a mother of four simply trying to make her way home when a routine traffic stop in Alcorn County, Mississippi, altered the trajectory of her life forever. It was 2006 when police pulled her over for an expired license plate — a tag that was later found sitting in plain sight in the backseat. What happened next set off a chain of events that would leave her serving life in prison without the possibility of parole for less than two ounces of marijuana.
By Organic Products 18 days ago in Criminal
From DNA to Cell Phone Pings to Witnesses - ALL the Unknowns in the Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case
When investigators confront a disappearance like Nancy Guthrie’s, the truth rarely reveals itself through dramatic breakthroughs. Instead, it emerges slowly, pieced together through patterns—tiny, often invisible clues that form a digital and physical trail. Two of the most powerful tools in that process are neighborhood surveillance footage and cellular data. Together, they can reconstruct movements, identify anomalies, and ultimately expose the presence of someone who didn’t belong.
By Lawrence Lease18 days ago in Criminal
Inside the Sordid World of Jeffrey Epstein and What His Troubling Emails to Women Really Reveal
There’s something almost hypnotic about the Epstein document archive. Sitting down to explore it isn’t just research—it’s immersion. Hours disappear as you scroll through emails, attachments, and fragments of conversations that hint at a larger system operating behind the scenes. The sheer volume alone is overwhelming. And yet, paradoxically, what’s most striking isn’t what’s there. It’s the constant awareness that much more may still be missing.
By Lawrence Lease18 days ago in Criminal
A Breakup That Ended in Murder: The Dark Side of Emotional Dependency
In November 2016 a young relationship in Loxahatchee Florida ended in a tragedy that would leave an entire community searching for answers.At the center of the case were James Barry a 21-year-old college student, and his former girlfriend, Melanie Eam, who was 22 at the time.Their relationship, which began like many others between young adults navigating school and early adulthood, gradually took a troubling turn. According to accounts later presented in court, Melanie became increasingly fixated on James and on maintaining constant access to his life. What may have initially felt like devotion slowly transformed into something far more consuming.
By Kure Garba18 days ago in Criminal
