In May of 2009, the 31-year-old wife of a televangelist’s security guard was murdered in her Illinois home alongside her two sons. For months prior, her husband had been receiving threatening messages via email, and he told police that he feared his anonymous stalker had finally acted on their warnings. But as the investigation into the tragic murders unfolded, a shocking scheme, and sinister cause, was revealed, and it was closer to home than anyone could have imagined. These are the murders of Sheri, Garett, and Gavin Coleman.

In February of 1985, two teenage girls headed out for an unofficial tour of a historic abandoned mansion outside of San Francisco. But once they arrived, the security officer outside - who had a bad reputation in the area - took the opportunity to prey on the girls, and what followed was a night of horror that only one of the girls would survive. This is the murder at the Carolands Chateau.

Sources:

1. “Carolands Foundation.” Carolands Foundation, https://carolands.org/history/. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
2. “David Allen Raley Claims Autism Exempts Him from Death Sentence - UPI.Com.” UPI, UPI, 9 Sept. 2013, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/09/09/Calif-death-row-inmate-claims-autism-exempts-him-from-execution/18281378760170/.
3. “Harriett Pullman Schermerhorn (1869-1956) - Find a Grave Memorial.” Find a Grave - Millions of Cemetery Records, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15732070/harriett-schermerhorn. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
4. “Living Terror : Stabbing Victim Survives on Sheer Willpower, Small Victories - Los Angeles Times.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 1988, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-22-mn-4762-story.html.
5. “Trial Set to Start in Torture-Murder Case - UPI Archives.” UPI, UPI, 23 Mar. 1987, https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/03/23/Trial-set-to-start-in-torture-murder-case/9763543474000/.
6. SF Gate, 18 Sept. 2022, https://www.sfgate.com/sfhistory/article/california-gilded-age-mansion-carolands-17441886.php.
7. The Peninsula Times Tribune, 5 Feb. 1985.
8. SF Gate, 15 Apr. 2006, https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/san-mateo-county-death-penalty-upheld-in-teen-s-2499469.php.
9. The San Francisco Examiner, 5 Feb. 1985.
10. The Peninsula Times Tribune, 9 Feb. 1985.
11. News-Press, 6 Oct. 2006.
12. The Peninsula Times Tribune, 2 Apr. 1987.

In January of 2025, a 14-year-old Indigenous girl went missing without a trace from her home in Mesa, Arizona. Just weeks later, her dismembered remains were discovered on the side of a highway a few hours away. Investigators began to dive into a devastating homicide investigation, but it is still very much underway. This is the murder of Emily Pike.

Sources:

1. Blasius, Melissa, et al. “What Led up to Emily Pike’s Placement in Foster Care?” ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV), ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV), 15 Apr. 2025, https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/what-led-up-to-emily-pikes-placement-in-foster-care.
2. DeYoung, Lauren, and Robert Anglen. AZ Central, 15 Apr. 2025, https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2025/04/15/emily-pike-san-carlos-apache-tribe-homicide-investigation/83016994007/?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawJyC_tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHq6CGD6NvXUs6oNFiGUTdzJ.
3. Grace, Nancy. Horrifying Discovery: Emily Pike’s Body Found Off US 60. YouTube, 24 Mar. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAz9Sz83Kok.
4. Holden, Ashley. “New Reports: Emily Pike Didn’t Want to Return to Group Home.” ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV), ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV), 24 Mar. 2025, https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/mesa/new-reports-emily-pike-didnt-want-to-return-to-group-home.
5. Krasean, Nicole. “Family of Emily Pike Says Murdered 14-Year-Old Was a Sexual Assault Victim before the Murder Occurred | FOX 10 Phoenix.” FOX 10 Phoenix, FOX 10 Phoenix, 16 Apr. 2025, https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/family-emily-pike-says-murdered-14-year-old-was-sexual-assault-victim-before-murder-occurred.
6. “Family of Emily Pike Says Murdered 14-Year-Old Was a Sexual Assault Victim before the Murder Occurred | FOX 10 Phoenix.” FOX 10 Phoenix, 16 Apr. 2025, https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/family-emily-pike-says-murdered-14-year-old-was-sexual-assault-victim-before-murder-occurred.
7. The Interview Room. EMILY PIKE: IS THIS A SERIAL KILLER? - The Interview Room with Chris McDonough. YouTube, 14 Apr. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1e2W0EUPXE.
8. Whitney, Briana. “Former Roommate Describes What Happened Before Emily Pike’s Mesa Disappearance.” Https://www.Azfamily.Com, https://www.facebook.com/arizonasfamily/, 5 Mar. 2025, https://www.azfamily.com/2025/03/05/former-roommate-describes-what-happened-before-emily-pikes-mesa-disappearance/.
9. Young, Lauren De. “Slain Apache Teen Emily Pike Honored in San Carlos Memorial Service.” The Arizona Republic, Arizona Republic, 30 Mar. 2025, https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2025/03/29/slain-teen-emily-pike-honored-san-carlos-memorial-service/82697107007/.
10. Legiscan, 2025, https://legiscan.com/AZ/text/HB2281/id/3059181