Hidden True Crime

In this episode, we break down the powerful and heartbreaking new statements from Russell and Eve Franke, the two youngest survivors of the Franke family abuse case, as they speak directly to lawmakers about the Utah bill they believe could have saved them. We revisit the rise and fall of the 8 Passengers family, the disturbing influence of Jodi Hildebrandt, and the horrifying abuse that was happening behind closed doors long before Russell made his desperate escape on August 30, 2023. But this story is no longer just about what happened — it’s about what failed. Eve reveals that police and child welfare workers were at the door for months but legally couldn’t get inside, and both children are now pleading for passage of the Gavin Peterson Bill, a measure meant to close the gap that can leave abused children trapped with no way out. Their words are raw, direct, and devastating — and they force all of us to confront a painful question: why are children still being asked to save themselves?

About Hidden True Crime

What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.

Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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** This episode was recorded live. It contains lots of profanity repeated from court evidence, and heard in audio played by the court.

Day 9 of the Kouri Richins trial delivered some of the most dramatic moments yet. For the first time, jurors heard recorded phone calls made by Kouri herself — conversations captured while she was in custody where prosecutors say her own words may reveal key contradictions. The jury also heard testimony from a coworker and close friend who claimed Kouri once said it might be easier if Eric were dead, a statement the defense fiercely challenged with prior interview recordings. Meanwhile, several of Kouri’s longtime friends — her so-called “ride-or-dies” from junior high — took the stand, offering a deeply personal look at Kouri’s life, marriage, and behavior after Eric’s death.

About Hidden True Crime

What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.

Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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*This episode was originally recorded live. Day 8 of the Kouri Richins trial delivered the moment everyone knew was coming — the paramour took the stand. In this episode, we break down the emotional testimony from Josh Grossman as jurors watched intimate text messages between him and Kouri play out on a courtroom screen, including declarations of love, dreams of a future together, and one chilling message sent the morning Eric Richins died. We walk through the texts, the tears on the witness stand, and what prosecutors appear to be building around motive. Plus, we hear from the paramour himself after he reached out to Hidden True Crime mid-livestream.

Sponsors:

For 50% off your order, head to ⁠https://DailyLook.com⁠ and use code HIDDEN.

Visit ⁠https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/HIDDEN⁠ to explore coverage.

About Hidden True Crime

What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.

Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, we break down one of the most technical — but potentially revealing — days of the Kouri Richins trial. Day 7 focused almost entirely on the finances, as a forensic accountant walked the jury through thousands of records showing mounting debt, bounced checks, payday lenders pulling daily payments, and what prosecutors say was a financial situation spiraling out of control in the months before Eric Richins’ death. We slow everything down and explain the complicated money trail step-by-step — from the HELOC and failed house flips to the Midway mansion deal, tax filings, and the $1.3 million in life insurance that was quickly spent after Eric died. And as we mark March 3rd — the night Eric likely died — we take a moment to remember the father of three at the center of this case before unpacking the testimony that prosecutors say points to motive.

Sponsors:

For 50% off your order, head to https://DailyLook.com and use code HIDDEN.

Visit https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/HIDDEN to explore coverage.

About Hidden True Crime

What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.

Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Day six of the Kouri Richins trial was a digital deep dive — and it seriously challenged the defense’s accidental overdose narrative. In this episode, we unpack explosive Google searches about wiping iPhones, retrieving deleted texts, life insurance payouts, prisons, and FBI electronic analysis — alongside hundreds of deleted messages and app-based communications that vanished during the critical January–March 2022 window. We break down the minute-by-minute phone movement the night Eric died, the 87-minute Valentine’s Day gap on Eric’s device, and the cell tower data tying Carmen and Robert Crozier’s movements to key dates. Plus, we finally watch Crozier’s original police interview — and what he says there doesn’t entirely match his testimony on the stand. From forensic pathology with Dr. Erik Christensen to motive testimony about prenups and financial fear, today was layered, technical, and heavy. And when you zoom out? The digital breadcrumbs paint a picture the jury can’t easily ignore.

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Gossip Rumor and Innuendo Interview

About Hidden True Crime

What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.

Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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