A local murder becomes a study of fear, memory, and a town changed by violence.
California True Crime treats Ida Stein's 1973 killing as more than a single case, and the episode works best when it stays in Capitola and Santa Cruz in the 1970s.

California True Crime
87 episodes listed below
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A true crime podcast taking you through different stories and locations all around California.
Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A local murder becomes a study of fear, memory, and a town changed by violence.
California True Crime treats Ida Stein's 1973 killing as more than a single case, and the episode works best when it stays in Capitola and Santa Cruz in the 1970s.
A careful, fact-minded recap that separates the arrests from the differing Jose Avena and Willie Sams accounts.
California True Crime's second Puente Hills Mall Murders chapter works best as a careful case-file recap, returning to the arrests, the robberies, the kidnappings, and the suspects tied to the investigation.



Measured true crime with uneasy questions.



This episode examines the unsolved 1982 kidnapping and murder of five-year-old Anne Pham in Seaside, California, a cold case that remains open after 40 years.
This episode of California True Crime discusses the 33-year-old unsolved kidnapping case of 13-year-old Ilene Misheloff from California's East Bay, exploring how her family and community have kept her memory alive.
This episode of California True Crime explores the life of Arthur Rudy Martinez, a serial killer linked to two cold cases from 1977-1978 that were solved 40 years later through DNA evidence, examining whether the system failed the victims.
This episode covers the 1981 murder of Sonia Carmen Herrick-Stone in California, focusing on the recent 2021 arrest through DNA testing and the long investigation involving a suspect arrested multiple times over 40 years.
This episode explores the 1976-1977 murders of young women in Garden Grove, California, focusing on Janet Stallcup's case and how similar crimes can be mistakenly linked to serial killers.
This episode continues the detailed examination of the 2002 murder of trans teenager Gwen Araujo, focusing on the transphobic motivations and brutal circumstances of her death.
This episode of California True Crime explores the case of Dana Sue Gray, a money-hungry nurse who combined traits of other female serial killers to destroy lives for financial gain.
This episode covers the trial of Arturo Juarez Suarez for the murder of the Martinez family and assault of Yolanda Martinez, focusing on the hearing, verdict, and aftermath.
This episode examines the brutal 1998 murders of the Martinez family in California, focusing on the crimes and trial of Arturo Juarez Suarez.
This episode of California True Crime features a discussion about the recent murder of Justin Peoples in Tracy, California, exploring the unfolding case in real time.
This episode is a season finale for California True Crime, featuring updates on cases, show news, and a game, with hosts Sean, Jessica, and Charles expressing gratitude to listeners and patrons.
This episode discusses the community impact, investigation details, and arrest in the Stockton serial murder case, continuing from part one.
This episode covers the Stockton serial murders, including the police investigation, media coverage, and eventual arrest of the alleged serial killer in California.
This episode is a Halloween-themed sleepover featuring chilling tales from various Dark Cast Network podcasts, including true crime stories from the LGBTQ community.
This episode details the crimes of Brett Thomas and Mark Titch in Garden Grove, California, in 1977, focusing on their murder, robbery, and other charges as part of a two-part true crime series.
This episode details the intense search for bank robbers Ross Neal Porter and Leonard Ellsworth Miller after they robbed a California bank in 1970, murdered Sheriff Billy Joe Dickens, and fled.
This episode of California True Crime details a daring 1970s bank robbery, shootout, and massive manhunt involving law enforcement across five counties in California's Central Valley.
This bonus episode of California True Crime explores the lesser-known case of Carlo Mercado, a Christmas tragedy in San Diego that received local but limited national attention.
This episode examines the mistrial in the murder case of transgender victim Gwen Araujo, discussing the jury's inability to reach a verdict and the challenges in achieving justice.
This episode continues the investigation into the murder of Gwen Araujo, a transgender teenager who faced bullying and violence from those she sought acceptance from.
This episode explores the mysterious 1892 death of Kate Morgan at the Hotel Del Coronado, examining the historical facts, lingering questions about her identity and circumstances, and subsequent ghost sightings that have built a mythology around the case.
This episode explores the legend of the Billiwhack Monster, a half-man, half-goat creature created in a secret government lab in Ventura County, as part of a Halloween special on California folklore.
This episode explores the dark holiday folklore of Belschnickel, a terrifying companion of Saint Nicholas from German and Pennsylvania traditions, as part of a series on naughty stories.
This episode of California True Crime examines the 1979 murder of 8-year-old Kani Bullock in San Pablo, California, discussing the crime details, legal proceedings, and social implications.
This episode explores the unsolved murder of Marina Ruggiero in San Luis Obispo, focusing on the emotional impact on families and communities when crimes remain unresolved.
This episode explores the history of the Hollywood Christmas Parade, a unique California event blending traditional Christmas festivities with Hollywood glamour, featuring hosts Charles and Sean discussing its origins and their personal holiday preparations.
This episode of California True Crime discusses the clemency process in California, including pardons, commutations, and reprieves, inspired by Governor Gavin Newsom's 2022 actions.
This episode focuses on the court trial of Arturo Juarez Suarez for the Martinez family murders and rape, exploring issues like immigration and legal proceedings.
This episode examines the 2002 murder of transgender teenager Gwen Araujo in California, exploring the case details and its impact on legal changes regarding trans panic defenses.
This episode continues the investigation into the brutal 1998 Martinez Family Murders in Auburn, California, focusing on the aftermath and pursuit of justice for the victims.
This episode concludes the series on the brutal murder of Gwen Araujo, a 17-year-old trans woman, exploring the trials and prejudice involved in bringing her killers to justice.
This holiday episode features a Ukrainian Christmas tradition story about why spiderwebs are placed on Christmas trees, told through a folktale about a poor family and a growing pine tree.
This episode features an interview with author Deborah Holt Larkin about her book 'A Lovely Girl,' which explores the 1958 disappearance and murder of pregnant nurse Olga Duncan in Santa Barbara, California, and the subsequent trial of one of the state's most notorious killers.
This episode of California True Crime features hosts Sean and Charles discussing juvenile justice topics in the news and legal issues, marking their first in-person team reunion in over a year.
This episode of California True Crime details the 1976 murder of Denise Lampe, part of the Gypsy Hill Murders, and how DNA technology led to an arrest in 2017, with a trial upcoming in 2020.
This episode explores the 1900 Thanksgiving football game between Stanford and California Berkeley that turned into the biggest disaster in American sports history, examining its social context of rich versus poor.
This episode of California True Crime discusses the 1986 murder of San Diego State University student Cara Knott, exploring the details of the case with hosts and guests.
This Halloween episode of California True Crime explores the 1925 discovery of the Moore's Beach Monster in Santa Cruz, its eventual debunking, and its connections to global water monster folklore.
The hosts of California True Crime return after a COVID hiatus to discuss police violence and current events.
The hosts of California True Crime discuss their holiday break, upcoming 2021 plans, past episodes, listener questions, and express gratitude to their audience in this year-end wrap-up episode.
This episode explores the 1966 disappearance and death of three-year-old David Dixon in Los Angeles County, detailing the community's search efforts and the tragic resolution of the case.
This episode explores the 1970 Houston bank robbery by Ross Neal Porter and Leonard Ellsworth Miller, focusing on the shootout that wounded Sheriff Billy Joe Dickens and the subsequent manhunt.
This episode of California True Crime discusses the 1981 murder of 14-year-old Marcy Conrad, a case that gained national attention and inspired a Hollywood movie.
This episode of California True Crime examines the aftermath of the 1970 Hughson bank robbery and murder of Sheriff Billy Joe Dickens, focusing on the legal proceedings against surviving robber Leonard Ellsworth Miller.
This episode of California True Crime explores the decades-long investigation into the 1974 murder of Long Beach Jane Doe #40, focusing on the challenges of identifying the victim and solving the case.
This episode examines the 1932 murder of Idema Cerny by her husband Gus Cerny, exploring intimate partner violence through a historical true crime case spanning Los Angeles, the Mojave Desert, and Chicago.
This episode introduces the Puente Hills Mall Murders, a series of five killings in Southern California that have been largely forgotten despite national coverage.
This episode discusses the Hulu documentary 'Captive Audience' about the kidnapping of Stephen Stainer and crimes of Carrie Stainer, featuring hosts Sean and Charles analyzing the series and sharing listener feedback.
This episode continues the investigation into the Puente Hills Mall Murders, focusing on the suspects' backgrounds, the evidence found in their apartment, and the trial proceedings.
This episode explores the 1973 murder of 79-year-old Ida Stein in Capitola, California, during a time when Santa Cruz was dubbed the murder capital of the world.
California True Crime examines the 2002 disappearance of 24-year-old Evelyn Hernandez and her five-year-old son Alex in San Francisco.
California True Crime host Sean and Calaveras Enterprise journalist Dakota Moreland examine Christina Carlson’s 1991 house-fire death, Levi Carlson’s 2008 death beneath a 5,000-pound Chevrolet truck, and the insurance policies connected to both cases.
California True Crime’s Season Ender reviews the first season’s creation, from a Christmas sweater party and an abandoned Zodiac concept to a three-host production.
California True Crime examines Thanksgiving traditions, including El Cajon's Mother Goose Parade, which began in 1947 and drew 25,000 people in its first year.
California True Crime examines the Fresno Nightcrawler, a figure reportedly recorded in South Fresno in November 2007 after Jose's dogs woke him shortly after midnight.
California True Crime’s “Cary Stayner Pt.
California True Crime begins its Cary Stayner case timeline with his family history, including Stephen Stayner's 1972 kidnapping and Cary's later jealousy of the attention Stephen received after returning home.
California True Crime follows Stephen Stainer's life after he returned home from seven years with Kenneth Parnell, focusing on family strain, public scrutiny, trauma, work, and fatherhood.
California True Crime follows Kenneth Parnell, Murphy, and Barbara Mathias after the 1982 kidnapping trials involving Stephen Steiner and Timothy White.
California True Crime examines the December 1981 Hayward trial over Stephen Stainer's kidnapping, nine years after he disappeared and nearly two years after he escaped Kenneth Parnell.