Once Upon A Crime | True Crime – Details, episodes & analysis

On June 10th, 1983, the decomposing body of a well-dressed man was found in a desolate canyon near Los Angeles. John Doe #94 would soon be identified as missing variety show producer Roy Radin. He'd last been seen after meeting with a mysterious woman in a gold dress. Her name was Lanie Jacobs.

 

Jacobs and Radin were obsessed with becoming Hollywood movie producers. And when their paths collided, it led them to a tantalizing film deal promising fame and fortune. But then, a twisted script unfolded, plunging them into a million-dollar cocaine and cash heist, a tangled web of lies, and ultimately – murder.

 

The trail led investigators right to Hollywood's doorstep, linking former golden boy producer Robert Evans to the case and dredging up Radin's own troubled past.

 

But the case turned ice cold. It would take more than five years of dogged pursuit by the L.A. Sheriff’s Department detectives, a secret undercover witness, and another murder almost 3,000 miles from Hollywood – to unlock the truth.

 

This is the story of a doomed Hollywood partnership, a grisly murder and the search that stretched across the country for a killer – or killers.

 

From Wondery, and the team behind the hit series Hollywood & Crime: The Dating Game Killer, The Wonderland Murders, Death of Starlet, and the Execution of Bonny Lee Bakley comes a six part series that dives into the dark side of Hollywood through a shocking murder – fueled by ruthless ambition and desperate dreams. Co-hosted by Tracy Pattin and Josh Lucas.

 

Listen to Hollywood & Crime: The Cotton Club Murder: Wondery.fm/TCCM_OUAC

American musical producer and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested in September  2024 on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation for purposes of prostitution.  He is currently in federal custody awaiting trial in Brooklyn, New York.  Almost daily, new accusers are coming forward to share additional information about Combs’ alleged history of sexual assault, abuse, and sexual exploitation.

In this 2-part series, we’ll dig into Sean Combs’ early life, career, and relationships to answer the question - why Diddy do it?  How did Sean Diddy Combs, a man who seemed to have it all - fame, money, and success - end up in scandal, disgrace, and facing dozens of felony charges and lawsuits? 

In this first episode, you’ll learn how the bombshell allegations against Combs came to light. We’ll also examine his childhood and early life to determine what factors contributed to his behavior and alleged criminal activities.

We’ll discover that, early on, cracks in the image Diddy presented to the world as a professional businessperson and star marker masked a narcissistic need for control that turned abusive in both his personal and professional lives. 

Sources:

Timeline: https://www.billboard.com/lists/sean-diddy-combs-allegations-timeline/november-28-2023-diddy-steps-down-as-chairman-from-revolt/

Nov 2023 - Cassie’s statement and lawsuit. https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-cassie-lawsuit-e3681f1abbe38c11d829c269c9a89260

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sean-combs-read-full-indictment-1235103933/ 

Complete text of lawsuit - https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/diddy-cassie.pdf 

https://www.businessinsider.com/sean-diddy-combs-cassie-relationship-timeline-2023-11#september-2019-cassie-marries-alex-fine-9

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/diddy-friends-bad-boy-artists-abuse-violence-1235028178/

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/diddy-assault-women-college-1235028172/

United States District Court Southern District of New York, United States of American V. Sean Combs, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/media/1368556/dl

Sponsors: 

BetterHelp - Visit BetterHelp.com/once to get 10% of your first month of online therapy.

Uncommon Goods - For 15% off your next gift, go to 

Mint Mobile - Visit MintMobile.com/once to get a new 3-month premium wireless plan for $15 a month. 

Air Doctor - AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code ONCE to receive up to $300 off air purifiers. 

Links: 

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime 

Our Website -  www.truecrimepodcast.com 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

 

In this episode, a young Ohio man begins playing music before he is barely out of diapers. He and his brothers would form a band and shoot to the top of the charts. They were hometown heroes and certified music stars, but a baffling turn of events would end in a double tragedy.  

 

This is chapter one in the Rocktober series, “Murdered Musicians” - Zapped - The Life and Death of Funk Musician Roger. 

 

Resources: 

https://www.dayton.com/news/local/icon-lost-one-dayton-most-gut-wrenching-murders-years-ago/g0LamsZlgO9s7NvR6Ar6cM/

https://www.daytondailynews.com/what-to-know/troutman-brothers-shot-dead-recording-artist-believed-victim-in-murder-suicide/HDHRGKMFV5BP5DQVK53FIE7DX4/

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/zapp-brothers-found-dead-90905/

https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/photos-roger-troutman-and-the-legendary-zapp-band-through-the-years/s5jkHsjNadR3ym8L3YLK9H/

https://vimeopro.com/user15889254/unsung/video/301288752 

https://www.grunge.com/931330/the-tragic-1999-murder-of-funk-legend-roger-troutman-explained/

https://ohtravel88.wordpress.com/2020/06/14/the-tragic-stories-of-roger-larry-troutman-and-ray-combs/

 

Sponsor: 

Mochi Health - Use code ONCE to get $40 off at joinmochi.com 

 

Links: 

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

 

Kitty LeRoy was a sharpshooter, cardsharp, dancer, and entrepreneur.  She became a well-known entertainer in the Old West and ran with legends like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock. But her fierce temper and fiery personality often made her dangerous to be around. You may have never heard of Kitty LeRoy before but after this episode you won’t soon forget her.

Resources: 

“Kitty LeRoy: Lady Gambler and Gunfighter” by Kathy Weiser for Legends of America, Feb 2020. 

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-kittyleroy/

“Kitty LeRoy: Untimely Death” by Greta for Explore Dallas History, Dec 29, 2018. 

https://exploredallashistory.com/kitty-leroy-untimely-death/

“Kitty LeRoy was a Jig Dancer and Much More” by Marshall Trimble for True West Magazine, August 3, 2016. 

https://truewestmagazine.com/kitty-leroy-was-a-jig-dancer-and-much-more/

“Wild Women Wednesday: Kitty LeRoy” by Chris Enss for Cowgir Magazinel, Dec 30, 2015.

https://cowgirlmagazine.com/wild-women-wednesday-kitty-leroy/

Boudoirs to Brothels: The Intimate World of Wild West Women, Michael Rutter, Farcountry Press, 2015.
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Boudoirs_to_Brothels/QhrICgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1
 

In 1819, Lavinia Fisher and her husband John were accused poisoning and murdering multiple guests of their Charleston, South Carolina inn and sentenced to hang.  But were the Fishers really serial killers or is the legend simply a tall tale concocted to entertain tourists? The true story of who Lavinia Fisher was and why she was hanged may shock you.

Resources:
Lavinia Fisher: Legends of America, https://www.legendsofamerica.com/sc-laviniafisher/

Murder and Mayhem in the Holy City, Pat Hendrix, The History Press, Charleston, South Carolina, 2006.

Six Miles to Charleston: The True Story of John and Lavinia Fisher, Bruce Orr, The History Press, Charleston, South Carolina, 2010. 

In this series we’ll step back in history to learn about some of the history’s first female outlaws. In this episode I’ll tell you about Sally Skull, ranch owner, horse trader, fandango dancer, and gunslinger. Some say Sally’s quick temper - and even quicker hand with a gun - was responsible for the mysterious disappearances of two of her five husbands. 

Resources: 
“The legendary Sally Skull was a gun-slinging, foul-mouthed Texas horse trader”, Allison Ehrlich for the Corpus Christi Caller Times, March 17, 2022. 
https://www.caller.com/story/news/special-reports/building-our-future/throwback/2022/03/17/tbt-sally-skull-gun-slinging-foul-mouthed-texas-horse-trader/7006359001/

“Two Sixshooters and a Sunbonnet”, Dan Kilgore for Publications of the Texas Folklore Society, Legendary Ladies of Texas. 
http://sonsofdewittcolony.org/texwomen.htm

Scull, Sarah Jane Newman (Sally) (1817 - unknown), Texas State Historical Association. 
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/scull-sarah-jane-newman-sally

“Sally Skull - The Scariest Siren in Texas”, Maggie Van Ostrand for Legends of America.
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/tx-sallyskull/


Music Attributions:
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Slow Western Intro by Brian Holtz Music
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8782-slow-western-intro
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://brianholtzmusic.com
 

A young girl leaves her hometown of Ohio for the Big Apple with her heart set on a career as a Broadway dancer. Instead, she meets a young man who becomes obsessed with controlling her life. Unable to let her go, Paul Cortez commits a shocking crime. 

Resources:
The People v. Paul Cortez, New York Court of Appeals filing, April 8, 2013. 
https://casetext.com/brief/e970db1d-the-people-respondentvpaul-cortez-appellant-brief 
“A dancer’s secret life and savage murder, Keith Morrison/NBCNews.com, Jan 15, 2006. 
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna10868185 
“The Last Dance”, 48 Hours, May 4, 2006, retrieved from CBSNews.com
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-last-dance/ 

This week’s episode details a murder that, at first glance, appears to be a cut-and-dried case of a lover’s quarrel turned deadly.  Upon investigation, it is discovered to be a much more thought-out and sinister plan.  When authorities uncover the real killer he turns out to be an actor who attempted to parlay his skills as a performer to pull off “the perfect crime”.

Sources:

“Actor is held in double slaying.” Los Angeles Times, 29 05 2010, 
 
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104583077/actor-is-held-in-double-slaying/.

“Actress convicted of lying to police about ex-fiance's double murder pleads innocence in  interrogation tapes.” ABC News, 30 May 2019, 

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/actress-convicted-lying-police-fiances-double-murder- pleads/story?id=63234575 . Accessed 4 July 2022.

“As coldblooded as a murderer gets.” Los Angeles Times, 09 01 2016, 

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104976453/as-coldblooded-as-a-murderer-gets/.

Berg, Tom. “Justice delayed: Why it took more than 5 years for trial of Daniel Wozniak, accused  of killing 2, beheading one victim.” Orange County Register, 7 December 2015, 

https://www.ocregister.com/2015/12/07/justice-delayed-why-it-took-more-than-5-years- for-trial-of-daniel-wozniak-accused-of-killing-2-beheading-one-victim/. Accessed 4 July  2022.

“Brother of double killer is arrested.” Los Angeles Times, 24 12 2016, 

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105002079/brother-of-double-killer-is-arrested/.

“Death Penalty for OC Killer.” Los Angeles Times, 12 01 2016, 

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104977538/death-penalty-for-oc-killer/.

“Neighbor beheaded and his friend killed.” Modesto Bee, 29 05 2010, 

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105001017/neighbor-beheaded-and-his-friend-killed/.

Pelisek, Christine. “Daniel Wozniak Murders Re-examined in New Podcast | PEOPLE.com.”  People, 28 August 2018, 

https://people.com/crime/daniel-wozniak-rachel-buffett-murders-in-new-podcast/.  Accessed 28 June 2022.

“Prosecutors will seek death penalty.” Los Angeles Times, 26 05 2012, 

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104951198/prosecutors-will-seek-death-penalty/.

Sclafani, Julia. “Double murderer's ex-fiancée is sentenced to jail as accessory after slayings.”  Los Angeles Times, 8 November 2018, 

https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-me-buffet-sentencing-20181108- story.html. Accessed 4 July 2022.

“This community theater actor's final performance was a chilling confession to double murder.”  ABC News, 29 May 2019, 

https://abcnews.go.com/US/community-theater-actors-final-performance-chilling- confession-double/story?id=63181588. Accessed 4 July 2022.

“Woman pleads not guilty in beheading.” The Californian, 05 12 2012,

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104945493/woman-pleads-not-guilty-in-beheading/.


The following music was used for this media project:

Music: Cinematic Background Sad by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8181-cinematic-background-sad

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Artist website: https://cemmusicproject.wixsite.com/musiclibraryfiles
 

Stay The Course by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5048-stay-the-course

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Edge Of Forever by Tim Kulig

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8488-edge-of-forever

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license 
 

What Lurks In The Dark by Dave Deville

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8233-what-lurks-in-the-dark

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this month’s series “Final Curtain Call” a film or theater actor is connected to a sensational crime. 

In 1973, The Exorcist was released in theaters. Moviegoers were shocked by the film’s graphic depiction of a little girl possessed by a demon.  But one movie extra, Paul Bateson, had demons of his own which lead him to commit an act of violence and become a prime suspect in a series of grisly murders. 

Resources:

Paul Bateson: The ‘Mindhunter’ Murderer Who Appeared in ‘The Exorcist’ - 

https://allthatsinteresting.com/paul-bateson  

The Exorcist Serial Killer - 

https://www.truecrimeedition.com/post/paul-bateson

Bag Murders and The Last Call Killer Put in Focus the Dangers the NY LGBTQ+ Community Faces, Inside Edition Online -

https://www.insideedition.com/how-the-bag-murders-and-the-last-call-killer-put-in-focus-the-dangers-the-new-york-lgbtq-community

Rites Held for Addison Verrill, Variety Reporter Killed in Robbery, The New York Times,  Sept 20, 1977.

Arthur Bell, 51, a Columnist, Homosexual Rights Activist, The New York Times, June 6, 1984. 

Cruising, The Daily Sentinel, Grand Junction, Colorado, Feb 22, 1980. 

Visit our website at www.truecrimepodcast.com

Harry Uzoka was a rising star who’d broken into the world of high-end modeling against all odds. But another model envious of his success began a rivalry which lead to a violent showdown that no one saw coming.

Resources
Adey, Linda. “Remembering Harry.” BBC, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/remembering_harry_uzoka_the_murder_of_a_model. Accessed 8 June 2022.Balogun, Simi. “FAB Editorial: Ty Ogunkoya & Harry Uzoka Featured In Paper Magazine.” FAB, 21 February 2014, http://fabmagazineonline.com/fab-editorial-ty-ogunkoya-harry-uzoka-featured-paper-magazine/. Accessed 8 June 2022.Okeowo, Alexis. “The Tragedy of Harry Uzoka.” The New York Times, 23 April 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/20/magazine/harry-uzoka-murder-george-koh.html. Accessed 8 June 2022.“Two charged over stabbing of male model.” London Evening Standard, 16 01 2018, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103618163/two-charged-over-stabbing-of-male-model/.

MUSIC CREDITS:
Missing (Loopable) by Dave DevilleLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/9419-missing-loopable-License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The End by Tim KuligLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/9335-the-endLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

This episode was written by Troy Larson who also provided additional research.