The episode examines the perplexing series of disappearances and deaths of college students in La Crosse, Wisconsin, many of whom were found in the Mississippi River. It contrasts two primary explanations: the official stance of alcohol-related accidental drownings and the persistent theory of a serial killer, often linked to the "Smiley Face Killers" hypothesis. The source highlights the recurring patterns in these cases, such as victims being young, primarily male students last seen leaving bars, and the recent death of Eliotte Heinz, which has reignited public debate. It also discusses the profound impact on the community, including grief, fear, and efforts like "Operation: River Watch," while exploring the psychological and cultural factors that sustain the serial killer narrative despite official denials.

This episode exposes the elaborate healthcare deception of Shannon Nicole Womack, who allegedly impersonated licensed nurses using numerous aliases and Social Security numbers across multiple states, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The text details her sophisticated methods of securing employment in various facilities by exploiting staffing shortages. It further explains how a routine traffic stop led to the unraveling of her scheme, revealing the breadth of her fraudulent activities and resulting in 43 criminal charges, including endangering vulnerable patients. The document underscores the systemic vulnerabilities in the healthcare industry that Womack exploited and emphasizes the need for strengthened safeguards to prevent similar incidents.

The episode details the chilling criminal career of Christopher Bernard Wilder, known as the "Beauty Queen Killer" and "Snapshot Killer", who became one of America's most infamous serial murderers. It outlines his early life and background, including his dual citizenship and initial arrests for sexual assault, which foreshadowed his later violent tendencies. The source then focuses on his six-week crime spree in 1984, during which he abducted and murdered multiple young women across several states, often luring them under the guise of photography or modeling opportunities. It describes his modus operandi, the investigation and nationwide manhunt that ensued, and the violent confrontation in which he was killed, concluding with a discussion of his psychological profile and the lasting impact of his horrific crimes.

The episode recounts the tragic murder of Sunshine "Sunny" Stewart, a 48-year-old marine biologist and outdoor enthusiast, on Crawford Pond in Union, Maine, on July 2, 2025. It details her vibrant life and the community's shock and grief following her brutal death by strangulation and blunt force trauma. The source describes the swift investigation that led to the arrest of 17-year-old Deven Young two weeks later, who is charged with murder and will likely be tried as an adult. It also highlights the widespread fear and speculation within the peaceful town, particularly due to the unusual nature of the crime and rumors of other unsolved deaths in New England, while emphasizing the ongoing police investigation and the community's struggle to find closure.

The episode details the tragic 2013 murder of Jessie Blodgett, a 19-year-old college student and musician from Hartford, Wisconsin. It recounts how her death, caused by strangulation in her own home, deeply impacted her community and led to a complex investigation. The source also describes how the Investigation Discovery true-crime series, "A Killer Among Friends," specifically the episode titled "Your Smiles and Your Lies," explores this case. This particular episode highlights the betrayal felt by Jessie's loved ones when her former high school classmate and friend, Daniel Bartelt, was identified and convicted as her killer, despite initially maintaining his innocence. The text emphasizes Jessie's vibrant life, the profound grief her family experienced, and her father's subsequent establishment of The Love > Hate Project, a nonprofit aimed at preventing interpersonal violence.

This episode details the unsolved disappearance and murder of ten-year-old Lindsey Baum from McCleary, Washington. It outlines her sudden vanishing in June 2009 while walking home, the immediate community and national search efforts, and the heartbreaking discovery of her partial remains in 2017, which transformed the case into a homicide investigation. The narrative traces the family's ongoing anguish and dedication to finding justice, highlighting the challenges faced by investigators due to the passage of time and the remote location where her remains were found. Despite several leads and persons of interest, Lindsey's killer remains at large, leaving a permanent scar on her small, once-innocent hometown and her family.

The episode summarizes Hulu's 2025 true crime docuseries, "Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari," which recounts the 2016 murder of Bianca Rudolph during an African hunting trip. Her husband, Larry Rudolph, a wealthy dentist, was convicted of her murder, with his mistress, Lori Milliron, sentenced as an accessory. The series features exclusive prison interviews with both Larry and Lori, offering their perspectives on the events. It explores the crime, the complex characters involved, and the international investigation that exposed Larry's deceptive life and ultimately led to his conviction. The series has been praised for its compelling narrative and its examination of power, privilege, and the pursuit of justice in a high-stakes true crime saga.

The episode examines the chilling, unsolved disappearance of Angela Hammond from Clinton, Missouri, on April 4, 1991. It details the events of that fateful night, including a distressed phone call to her fiancé and the sighting of a distinctive green pickup truck. The article explores the subsequent police investigation, including initial challenges and theories, such as potential links to other regional abductions. It also highlights new evidence like a cryptic letter suggesting a possible mistaken identity. Finally, the text describes the profound impact on Angela's family and community, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to find answers and bring closure to this enduring mystery.