A Santa suit. A wrapped “gift.” A family Christmas Eve party in Covina, California. So how did the 2008 Covina Christmas Eve massacre—one of the most notorious holiday true crime cases in Los Angeles County—end with nine people dead after a man dressed as Santa opened fire and set a home ablaze? And what do the warning signs of divorce rage, hidden secrets, and careful premeditation reveal about the “Killer Santa” case and the devastating impact of domestic violence–fueled revenge?

In “Homicide for the Holidays: The Case of the Killer Santa,” hosts Adrienne Barker and Joseph Lobosco revisit the harrowing story of Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, the so-called “Killer Santa,” and the Christmas Eve attack that devastatingly wiped out much of the Ortega family. From the unraveling of Pardo’s marriage to Sylvia Ortega and the financial collapse that followed, to the Santa disguise, the mass shooting, the arson attack, and the attempted escape plan that ended in suicide—this true crime podcast discussion breaks down the timeline, the motive, and the lasting trauma carried by survivors and an entire community.

Tune in to hear:

2001 – A buried secret & a pattern of abandonment: Pardo’s 13-month-old son nearly drowns, suffers permanent brain damage, and Pardo reportedly withdraws—stopping visits and concealing the situation from those around him.

2004–January 2006 – Marriage begins, cracks form quickly: Pardo meets Sylvia Ortega through her brother, presents as a stable, church-going engineer, and the two marry—while tensions grow over money, control, and what Sylvia later learns about his hidden disabled child.

Early–mid 2008 – Divorce, financial pressure, and escalating resentment: Sylvia files for divorce; spousal support is ordered; Pardo loses his job and begins blaming Sylvia and the system for everything falling apart.

Mid 2008–September 2008 – Premeditation and preparation: Investigators later connect a month-by-month buildup—multiple 9mm pistols purchased over time, stockpiled racing fuel, a custom extra-large Santa suit, and a homemade fuel-spraying device boxed like a Christmas present.

December 18, 2008 – Divorce ruling as a trigger point: The divorce is finalized in court; Pardo keeps the house but must pay Sylvia and give up property—described as a key moment that fuels his revenge narrative.

Christmas Eve 2008 (around 11:30 PM) – The doorbell, the disguise, and the first shot: At a packed Ortega family holiday gathering on Nocrest Drive in Covina, an 8-year-old girl opens the door to “Santa”—and Pardo allegedly shoots her in the face before moving into the home.

Minutes later – Mass shooting inside the Christmas party: With multiple handguns and magazines, Pardo fires through the living room as guests flee; nine family members die from gunshots, the fire, or both—while several others survive with severe injuries.

The arson attack – A “gift” becomes a flamethrower: Pardo opens the large present and sprays racing fuel through the home; the house erupts in flames, ammunition cooks off, and first responders battle an inferno for hours as victims are later identified (in some cases) through dental records due to the destruction.

Christmas Day 2008 – Escape plan collapses and ends in suicide: Burned but alive, Pardo flees to the San Fernando Valley, where he dies by suicide; investigators find cash, travel plans, additional ammunition, and evidence of explosives—plus a second vehicle and supplies consistent with an alternate getaway route.

Motive, intended targets, and aftermath – Divorce rage on a community scale: Police and the hosts examine revenge as the central motive, including...

Did Scott Peterson murder his eight‑months‑pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, on Christmas Eve 2002 — or was he falsely convicted on flimsy circumstantial evidence amplified by a nonstop media frenzy? From Modesto, California to the Berkeley Marina and the San Francisco Bay, the Laci Peterson case remains one of America’s most argued true crime stories, raising hard questions about motive, “missing pregnant wife” investigations, and what juries do when there’s no body for months and no obvious crime scene.

In this episode, hosts Adrienne Barker and Joseph Lobosco revisit the disappearance and murder of Laci Peterson and her unborn son Conner (Connor), the affair with Amber Frey, the recovery of remains near the very waters where Scott said he went fishing, and the courtroom battle that ended in a conviction — followed by decades of appeals, juror‑misconduct fights, and post‑conviction DNA litigation that continues to evolve.

This true crime podcast discussion breaks down the Scott Peterson trial, the prosecution’s theory of dumping a body in the bay, the defense’s arguments about abduction and alternate suspects, the role of taped phone calls, and the latest Los Angeles Innocence Project filings — plus a live audience debate on guilt, reasonable doubt, and the ethics of “headline” innocence work.

Tune in to hear:

December 24, 2002 – Christmas Eve disappearance in Modesto: Scott says he leaves for a spur‑of‑the‑moment solo fishing trip at the Berkeley Marina while Laci stays home to walk the dog and prep for Christmas Eve — then the family dog is found wandering with its leash on, and Laci is reported missing as search efforts explode.

Late December 2002–January 2003 – Affair revealed & Amber Frey’s recorded calls: Investigators learn Scott is having an affair with Amber Frey, who secretly records conversations with him and later steps forward publicly — shifting Scott from “cooperating husband” to prime suspect in the court of public opinion.

April 3–4, 2003 – Remains recovered near the bay: A male fetus washes ashore, followed by badly decomposed adult female remains less than a mile away; DNA confirms the devastating discovery: Laci and Conner — found near the same area where Scott admits he was fishing.

April 18, 2003 – Arrest and charges: Scott is arrested in San Diego County; investigators cite items found during the stop (including cash, multiple phones, and changes to his appearance) as suspicious, while the defense frames it as media‑avoidance — and prosecutors charge him with murder counts tied to Laci and Conner.

June–November 2004 – The Redwood City murder trial: With Mark Geragos leading the defense, the trial unfolds under wall‑to‑wall national coverage. Prosecutors argue a motive rooted in deceit (the affair, looming fatherhood) and a bay‑dumping theory supported by location and current analysis; the defense argues there’s no direct evidence, no murder weapon, no eyewitness, and no proven cause of death — and pushes alternate‑perpetrator theories including a neighborhood burglary and possible abduction.

November 12, 2004–March 16, 2005 – Conviction and death sentence: After deliberation drama and juror turnover, Scott Peterson is found guilty; the jury recommends death, and he’s formally sentenced to death by lethal injection — later spending years on San Quentin death row during automatic appeals.

2012–2020 – Appeals and the juror #7 controversy:...

Did Aaron Hernandez’s 2017 prison suicide end the story — or just kick off a whole new mess? After the former New England Patriots tight end was convicted in the Odin Lloyd murder, what happened to his conviction, his money, and the people left picking up the pieces? And how do CTE, substance abuse, secrecy, and the NFL spotlight help explain (without excusing) one of the most infamous cases in modern sports true crime?

In this episode, hosts Adrienne Barker and Joseph Lobosco are joined by Debate The News founder Jonathan Bing to continue their deep dive into the Aaron Hernandez case — focusing on the aftershocks that didn’t get as much attention as the trials. The discussion covers the post‑death legal chaos around Hernandez’s murder conviction, the escalating trust fund dispute involving his ex-fiance, and the discovery of a secret apartment tied to the Odin Lloyd investigation, as well as the controversy over alleged suicide notes, speculation about a hidden double life, and the ripple effects that continue to hit the Hernandez family years later.

Tune in to hear:

April 2017–2019 – Conviction vacated, loophole rumors, then reinstated: After Aaron Hernandez’s 2017 prison suicide, a Massachusetts judge initially vacates his murder conviction because he died mid‑appeal, fueling speculation about financial motives — until the state’s highest court reinstates the conviction in 2019 and ends that doctrine going forward.

2017–present – The money trail after Hernandez’s death: The North Attleboro home sale, the trust created for his daughter Aviel, and the roles of trustee David Schwartz and Aviel’s mother as conservator — plus how pension/Social Security benefits factor into the case.

2022–present – Trust fund war (and why it got ugly fast): A $10,000 dance request sparks an audit, allegations of extravagant spending and questionable “education” expenses, and dueling court efforts to remove either the conservator or the trustee — with about $700,000 reportedly left in the trust.

2013 – The secret Franklin “flop house” apartment: The hidden apartment few people knew about, what investigators found inside (including items tied to the Odin Lloyd murder timeline), and why police also suspected drug activity connected to the location.

April 2017–2020 – Suicide notes and the double‑life controversy: Claims of three suicide notes (including a rumored third note to a prison boyfriend), attorney José Baez pushing back, and how prosecutors and later media coverage explored Hernandez’s sexuality as potential motive.

2023–February 2025 – DJ Hernandez’s breakdown and criminal case: The ESPN incident, alleged scouting of potential shooting locations, diagnoses reported in court, and the eventual outcome focused on treatment and supervised release.

2007–late 2025 – Earlier red flags revisited: The Gainesville shooting rumors that were later closed without charges, the Gainesville bar fight at The Swamp, and Tim Tebow’s later comments arguing the incident has been inaccurately portrayed.

Debate & analysis – CTE, drugs, mental illness, and accountability: A blunt discussion on whether Hernandez was simply a “stone cold murderer,” how CTE and substance abuse may (or may not) factor in, and what responsibility (if any) the NFL/Patriots should carry for off‑field

In this episode, Joseph and Adrienne break down the chilling Carman family saga: the 2013 shooting death of Connecticut millionaire grandfather John Chakalos, the 2016 disappearance of his daughter Linda on a midnight fishing trip off New England, and the role of her son, Nathan, who is later rescued alone after eight days at sea and eventually indicted for murder on the high seas and fraud before dying by suicide in jail.

Nathan Carman, diagnosed with autism and struggling with mental health and isolation, grows up financially supported but heavily pressured by his wealthy grandfather, John. In 2013, John is found shot in his bed with no forced entry, shortly after Nathan buys a matching‑caliber rifle and discards key electronics, leading police to name him a person of interest but never charge him. Nathan later inherits roughly $550,000 and stands to gain about $7 million more if his mother Linda’s share of the $40+ million estate passes to him after she vanishes during a deep‑sea fishing trip aboard his boat, *Chickenpox*, which a federal judge later rules was intentionally rendered unseaworthy by human action — most likely Nathan’s.

Joseph, Adrienne, and live guests debate whether Nathan was truly stranded at sea or staged his survival to cover up a planned homicide for inheritance, including questions around his physical condition at rescue, the missing mayday call, the altered boat, and the mysteriously sinking life raft. They dig into how autism and flat affect complicate public perception of guilt, whether John’s murder and Linda’s disappearance are parts of a single two‑step financial plot or two unrelated tragedies, and why Linda agreed to an isolated offshore trip with a son she had reportedly feared. The episode closes with hard safety takeaways about estate planning, documenting threats, avoiding isolated meetings with dangerous family members, and using domestic violence resources even when the abuser is your own adult child.

⚖️ Disclaimer: Debate the News: True Crime Edition is for informational and discussion purposes only. We are not attorneys, law enforcement officers, medical professionals, or forensic experts. While we research each case, the show is recorded live with minimal editing; any factual errors are unintentional. The episode also includes discussion of graphic violence, guns, terrorism‑related charges, and more. Listener discretion is strongly advised. Guest and audience views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts or producers.

Speakers:

→ Adrienne Barker — Host

→ Joseph Lobosco — Host

→ Debbie Dowling-Wahba — Guest Contributor

“Debate The News: True Crime”

Lost at Sea: The Carman Family Deaths

Created by: Jonathan Bing, Adrienne Barker and Joseph R. Lobosco

Producers: Adrienne Barker, Joseph R. Lobosco, and Jonathan Bing

Writers: Adrienne Barker & Joseph R. Lobosco

Editor: Joseph R. Lobosco

Cover Art: Joseph R. Lobosco

Special Thanks: Nelson, Lea, Nawzil, and the entire Chatter Social team

Theme Song: Alaina Cross — “Karma” [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: ncs.io/karma

Watch: ncs.lnk.to/karmaAT/youtube

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What really happened on that June 1994 night in Brentwood when Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were brutally murdered outside her Bundy Drive condo? Did the “trial of the century” reveal the truth about who killed Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman — or did fame, police misconduct, and reasonable doubt allow justice to slip away?

In this episode, hosts Adrienne Barker and Joseph Lobosco revisit the 1994 Brentwood double homicide of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, the O.J. Simpson criminal murder trial, the civil wrongful death verdict, and the post‑death fight over O.J. Simpson’s estate. This true crime podcast discussion breaks down the Bundy Drive murders, the LAPD’s handling of the case, the infamous white Bronco chase, and the decades-long legal and moral questions that still divide the public.

Tune in to hear:

June 12–13, 1994 – Murders on Bundy Drive: Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman are found savagely stabbed outside Nicole’s Brentwood condo after a late-night visit, and LAPD quickly zeroes in on her ex-husband, football legend O.J. Simpson, who has just flown to Chicago.

Late 1970s–1992 – Relationship & domestic violence timeline: How O.J. met teenage waitress Nicole, married her, had two children, and was repeatedly accused of brutal abuse — including the 1989 New Year’s Day incident and Nicole’s chilling claims to friends that he would kill her and “get away with it,” even after their 1992 divorce.

June 13–17, 1994 – Evidence trail & Bronco chase: Detectives find blood at Bundy, Rockingham, and in O.J.’s white Ford Bronco, along with a matching bloody glove, DNA links, rare Bruno Magli shoe prints, and an unexplained hand injury — culminating in O.J.’s failure to surrender and the infamous low-speed white Bronco chase broadcast live nationwide.

January–October 1995 – “Trial of the Century”: The prosecution’s domestic-violence‑to‑murder narrative faces the “Dream Team” defense, which attacks LAPD integrity, highlights Mark Fuhrman’s racist slurs, questions DNA handling, and seizes on the glove demonstration — ending in a lightning-fast not‑guilty verdict that divides the country along racial and cultural lines.

1996–1997 – Civil wrongful death verdict: A Santa Monica jury, applying a lower legal standard, hears a streamlined case, finds O.J. Simpson liable for the wrongful deaths of Nicole and Ron, and awards $33.5 million — a judgment he largely avoids paying as he relocates to Florida and protects assets while the Goldman family later acquires rights to If I Did It.

2007–2017 – Las Vegas robbery & prison time: Simpson is recorded confronting memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room, is convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping, sentenced to up to 33 years, serves about nine, and is paroled in 2017 — resurfacing in public life around Las Vegas while the shadow of the 1994 murders never fades.

April 2024–late 2025 – Death & estate battle: After O.J. Simpson dies from cancer at 76, media revive the Bundy Drive murders and the verdict, while Fred Goldman files a new creditor claim; Simpson’s Nevada estate accepts the decades-old judgment (now tens of millions with interest) and begins auctioning assets, even though the Goldmans are unlikely to recover the full amount.

Debate & analysis – Guilt, reasonable doubt, race & domestic violence: the hosts and guest contributors weigh in on whether they believe O.J. killed Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, examine alternate theories and LAPD misconduct, dissect why the criminal and civil juries reached opposite conclusions, and close with a sobering look at domestic violence red flags, the dangers of leaving, and resources for those in abusive relationships.

⚖️ Disclaimer:

How does a 26‑year‑old, Ivy League‑educated son of a wealthy Maryland family become the prime suspect in the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson—and a polarizing folk "hero" online at the same time?

In this episode, hosts Adrienne Barker and Joseph Lobosco break down the case against Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting Brian Thompson outside the New York Hilton Midtown on December 4, 2024. Drawing on court filings, news reporting, and your live call‑ins, they unpack the ghost gun, the diary entry about “whacking” a CEO, the five‑day manhunt ending in a McDonald’s arrest, and the viral “Free Luigi” movement that turned this alleged assassin into a symbol in America’s healthcare wars. This conversation focuses on allegations and unanswered questions—Mangione has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent while the courts decide what really happened.

Debate & analysis – vigilante justice, terrorism, or systemic failure?

Our panel dives into the most explosive questions surrounding the Luigi Mangione / Brian Thompson case:

• Is this terrorism or “CEO slaying” vigilante justice? Was the alleged shooting a political message about corporate greed and health‑insurance denials, or simply cold‑blooded murder wrapped in a manifesto? We unpack the diary, the etched shell casings (“delay, deny, depose”), and the decision to pursue terrorism‑style charges.
• Mental health, privilege, and motive - From cutting off contact with his family to traveling under a fake identity and paying thousands of dollars to meet an anti‑corporate author, the hosts examine whether Mangione’s behavior suggests ideological extremism, a psychological break, or both—and what other options he had to channel his anger besides violence.
• The folk "hero" problem: why are people cheering an alleged assassin? We talk about women romanticizing accused killers, social media treating Mangione like an anti‑capitalist icon, and the ethical line between criticizing health insurers and celebrating a real executive’s death.
• Is the healthcare system the villain—or just an easy target? Listeners describe the pain of claim denials and delays, while Joseph pushes back with data about approval rates and the realities of a heavily regulated industry. The room grapples with whether a broken system explains public sympathy for Mangione, even if it can never justify killing.
• Courts, media, and imagery - From the bulletproof‑vest perp walk to the high‑security courtroom footage, panelists debate whether authorities are trying to protect Mangione, prejudice a future jury, or both—and how PR teams on each side are shaping the story before a single juror is seated.

⚖️ Disclaimer: Debate the News: True Crime Edition is for informational and discussion purposes only. We are not attorneys, law enforcement officers, medical professionals, or forensic experts. While we research each case, the show is recorded live with little to no editing; any factual errors are unintentional. This episode discusses an ongoing case. As of late 2025, Luigi Mangione has been charged but not convicted in connection with the killing of Brian Thompson. Since this podcast was recorded, the Terrorism and 1st degree murder charges in his State case have been dropped. He has pleaded not guilty and, under the law, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The episode also includes discussion of graphic violence, guns, terrorism‑related charges, and more. Listener discretion is strongly advised. Guest and audience views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts or...

What happens when a young woman is found stabbed more than twenty times inside her locked apartment—and authorities still call it a suicide? How does a 2011 Philadelphia “locked-room” death keep sparking controversy, lawsuits, and new reviews more than a decade later? In this episode, hosts Adrienne Barker and Joseph Lobosco, joined by guest host Debbie Dowling‑Wahba, unpack the haunting case of Ellen Greenberg— a 27‑year‑old first-grade teacher found dead in Apartment 603 with a knife in her chest and dozens of wounds, yet officially ruled a suicide.

From the snowy January evening when Ellen’s fiancé, Sam Goldberg, says he returned from the gym to a door latched from the inside, to the shocking autopsy findings, a reversed homicide ruling, and a 2025 reinvestigation that again declared suicide, our panel walks through every twist in one of Pennsylvania’s most hotly debated true crime cases. We follow Ellen’s parents’ relentless quest to prove their daughter was murdered, and the legal battles they launched against the city and medical examiner’s office to challenge what they see as a cover‑up and a catastrophic failure of justice.

Tune in to hear:

The night of January 26, 2011: How a Philadelphia snowstorm, a “locked” Apartment 603, and a frantic 911 call led to the discovery of 27‑year‑old teacher Ellen Greenberg with a knife in her chest and more than twenty stab wounds.

Autopsy vs. investigation: Why the medical examiner initially ruled Ellen’s death a homicide, then reversed it to suicide after a closed‑door meeting with Philadelphia police – and how that change shut down a full murder investigation.

Parents turned investigators: How Josh and Sandy Greenberg hired top forensic experts and a former prosecutor who argue that Ellen’s wounds, bruises, and possible spinal injury are far more consistent with homicide than self‑harm.

Lawsuits and a bombshell affidavit: The 2019 and 2022 civil suits accusing officials of a cover‑up, and the 2025 affidavit where the original pathologist says Ellen’s manner of death should not be classified as suicide.

The 2025 review that kept “suicide” on the death certificate: What Philadelphia’s new 32‑page medical examiner report says about hesitation wounds, lack of defensive injuries, and why it still calls this a suicide – and why our panel and many true crime followers remain unconvinced.

Our panel’s debate: Could this really be a bizarre, self‑inflicted death – or is Apartment 603 a staged crime scene and an unsolved Philadelphia murder?

⚖️ Disclaimer: Debate the News: True Crime is for informational and discussion purposes only. We are not attorneys, law enforcement officers, medical professionals, or forensic experts. While we research each case, the show is recorded live with minimal editing; any factual errors are unintentional. Any individuals, businesses, and organizations mentioned who have not been convicted of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This episode includes discussion of graphic violence and suicide; listener discretion is strongly advised. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help may be available in the U.S. via the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Guest and audience views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts.

Speakers:

→ Adrienne Barker — Host

→ Joseph Lobosco — Host

→ Debbie Dowling‑Wahba — Guest Host

→ Mariana Thomas — Guest Contributor

→ Maria — Guest Contributor

→ Shauna — Guest Contributor

→ "Mama K" — Guest Contributor

Credits:

“Debate The News: True Crime”

Created by: Jonathan...

What happens when a rising pop artist’s secret relationship with a 14‑year‑old collides with a missing‑person case—and a body found in a Tesla’s front trunk in Los Angeles? In this episode of Debate The News: True Crime, hosts Adrienne Barker and Joseph Lobosco examine the unfolding D4vd (David Anthony Burke) & Celeste Hernandez case—an LAPD death investigation with no charges filed as of November 18, 2025. We trace the timeline from repeated runaways in 2024 to the grisly discovery in September 2025, and debate what the available facts—and gaps—really suggest.

Tune in to hear:

• Early 2024 – Runaways & a secret older “friend”: Fifteen‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez repeatedly runs away from her Lake Elsinore, CA home as her family pleads for her return. Her mother suspects an older friend named “David.”
• April 5, 2024 – Found in Hollywood: Police locate Celeste ~80 miles away in Hollywood and return her home. Family learns she had been in contact with 20‑year‑old David Anthony Burke (stage name: D4vd), and a former teacher later says Celeste spent about a month with him before police intervened.
• May 2024 – Double life intensifies: Celeste runs away again; she and David reportedly get matching “SHHH” finger tattoos. Friends claim they thought she was 19 because of fake IDs and 18+ events. She eventually returns home.
• Jan 2, 2025 – Last confirmed alive image: After this date, Celeste is scarcely seen in Lake Elsinore and is believed to have secretly rejoined David in LA as his career surges (debut album Withered releases April 2025; major tour planned).
• May–July 2025 – The Tesla starts moving: Neighbors notice David’s Tesla being shuffled to different curb spots (apparently to avoid the 72‑hour rule). On July 29, the SUV is parked one last time on Bluebird Avenue as David departs by tour bus for the first leg of the Withered Tour.
• Aug 27–Sep 5, 2025 – From chalk to tow: Tires are chalked on Aug 27; a 72‑hour citation is issued Sep 3; the Tesla is towed Sep 5 to a Hollywood impound lot.
• Sep 8, 2025 – Discovery in the frunk: A tow‑yard employee reports a powerful odor. Police open the front trunk (frunk) and find a black duffel containing the badly decomposed remains of a young female, quickly identified as Celeste—one day after what would have been her 15th birthday. The Medical Examiner cannot immediately determine cause or time of death, though she likely died weeks earlier.
• Sep 17, 2025 – Warrants & swatting: LAPD searches David’s Hollywood Hills rental, seizing electronics and personal items; a swatting hoax hits his family home in Texas the same day.
• Sep 19–24, 2025 – Career in freefall: Tour canceled by sponsors/management; his social media goes quiet; a Texas property is transferred to his mother; movers clear out the LA rental as the lease ends. Police name no suspect and suggest the only potential crime known so far could be concealment of a death if Celeste died accidentally.
• October 2025 – Defense counsel...