Friends Who Crime

Ep. 4: Rebecca Schaeffer

In this episode, we delve into the tragic murder case of Rebecca Schaeffer, a promising young actress whose life was abruptly taken by an obsessed fan. I'm thrilled to have my mom, Katherine, join me as we explore the personal and cultural impact of this notorious case. Together, we unpack the events of that fateful day and discuss how it reshaped Hollywood's approach to celebrity safety and anti-stalking laws. Tune in for an intimate, informative conversation that sheds new light on a story that still resonates today.
Trigger warning: This episode includes a brief mention of suicide.
Show Notes:
Check out the work of Thursday's Child: https://thursdayschildofli.org/ 
Mental health is just as important as physical health. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or text "HELLO" to 741741 for crisis support via text
Sources:
All That's Interesting. “Rebecca Schaeffer.” Retrieved from https://allthatsinteresting.com/rebecca-schaeffer
CBS News. “Actress Killer Stabbed in Prison.” Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/actress-killer-stabbed-in-prison/
The Day Newspaper. (1987, July 4). “Rebecca Shaeffer says co-star really like big sister.”
Deseret News Newspaper. (1989, July 19). “TV Actress Answers Her Door, is Slain by Gunman.”
Eugene Register-Guard Newspaper. (1989, July 24). “Murder Suspect Seemed as Determined as Victim.”
Find A Grave. “Rebecca Schaeffer.” Retrieved from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1486/rebecca-schaeffer
IMDb. “Rebecca Schaeffer – Biography.” Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0769726/bio/
Los Angeles Times. (1989, July 29). Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-07-29-fi-317-story.html
Medium. “Fanaticism Turned Fatal: The Rebecca Schaeffer Case.” Retrieved from https://medium.com/omitted-history/fanaticism-turned-fatal-the-rebecca-schaeffer-case-f99b71ce7376
People. “Murder Rebecca Schaeffer Anti-Stalking 20/20 Clip.” Retrieved from https://people.com/crime/murder-rebecca-schaeffer-anti-stalking-20-20-clip/
RebeccaSchaeffer.net. Retrieved from http://rebeccaschaeffer.net/
Saturday Evening Post. “The Hollywood Murder That Made States Take Stalking Seriously.” Retrieved from https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2019/07/the-hollywood-murder-that-made-states-take-stalking-seriously/
Times-Union Newspaper. (1991, October 30). “Fan Convicted in Slaying of Rebecca Shaeffer.”
The Union Democrat Newspaper. (1989, July 19). “Actress Schaeffer Slain.”
UPI. “Schaeffer Remembered as Amazing Young Lady.” Retrieved from https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/07/23/Schaeffer-remembered-as-amazing-young-lady/1562617169600/

Ep. 3: The Chowchilla Kidnapping

Step back to 1976 and uncover the chilling events of the Chowchilla kidnapping—a day when a peaceful, small-town morning turned into a nightmare. In this episode, Cortney and I trace the timeline of that fateful day, explore the impact on a tight-knit community, and delve into the investigation that followed. Through detailed accounts and expert insights, we reveal how an 11‑hour ordeal shattered the sense of security in Chowchilla and left lasting questions about resilience, trust, and the nature of fear. Join us as we piece together one of America’s most perplexing abduction cases.
Trigger warning: This episode includes child abduction.
 
Show Notes:
Mental health is just as important as physical health. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or text "HELLO" to 741741 for crisis support via text
Sources:
"1976 Bus Kidnapping." City of Chowchilla, www.cityofchowchilla.org/300/1976-Bus-Kidnapping
"48 Hours: Remembering the Chowchilla Kidnapping." 48 Hours, season 36, episode 20, CBS.
Goulet, Robert. "Ballad of Chowchilla Ray."
"Chowchilla." HBO Max, 2023.
"Chowchilla Kidnapping Collection Find Aid." Online Archive of California, https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8f47tmk/
"Chowchilla Kidnapping [YouTube Video]." YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJPh0c6VoyQ
"Edward Ray – A Local Hero." City of Chowchilla, www.cityofchowchilla.org/301/Edward-Ray---A-Local-Hero
"Ed Ray, Bus Driver Who Helped Save Kidnapped Children, Dies at 91." The New York Times, 19 May 2012, www.nytimes.com/2012/05/19/us/ed-ray-bus-driver-who-helped-save-kidnapped-children-dies-at-91.html
People v. Schoenfeld. Casetext, https://casetext.com/case/people-v-schoenfeld
 

Ep. 2: The Unsolved Murder of Donna Doll

In this episode of Friends Who Crime, I’m joined by my friend, Andy, as we dive into the bizarre and unsettling unsolved murder of Donna Doll. In 1970, the quiet college town of DeKalb, Illinois, was rocked by the mysterious death of the NIU student, whose body was found with an eerie and unexplained detail—six pounds of potatoes in her stomach. Was this a crime of passion? A case of poisoning? Or something even stranger? We’ll break down the theories, the suspects, and the lingering questions that still haunt this case 55 years later. And remember- friends don't let friends commit crimes! Follow @friendswhocrime on Instagram!
Trigger warning: This episode includes a brief mention of suicide.
 
Show Notes:
DeKalb County Police are still accepting tips on Donna's murder. Call them at 404-294-2911 with any information you may know surrounding the case. 
Sources:
"Murder case remains unsolved." Northern Star. Link
"Murder by Potatoes: The Curious Case of Donna Doll." The Wicked Truth on Medium. Link
Donna Susan Doll Memorial. Find A Grave. Link
"Who was Donna Doll? The college student murdered in 1970 with six pounds of potatoes in her body." We Got This Covered. Link
r/MyFavoriteMurder discussion on Reddit. Link
"University Student Found Suffocated to Death in Cornfield." Vocal Media. Link
The Daily Chronicle (DeKalb, Illinois), October 20, 1970.
"Bizarre True Crime Stories." Weird Darkness. Link
"Hold the Starch: Confounding Carbohydrates in the Deaths of Donna Doll and Elizabeth Lightfoot." I Did It For Jodie Archive. Link

Ep. 1: Ryan Poston & Shayna Hubers

In the very first episode of Friends Who Crime, Brynn is joined by her friend Kaity to dive into the shocking case of Ryan Poston’s murder. They unravel the toxic relationship between Ryan and Shayna Hubers, the chilling 911 call, Shayna’s bizarre police interrogation, and the dramatic trial that captivated the nation. Was this self-defense or cold-blooded murder? Tune in for wild details, dark twists, and plenty of unfiltered reactions. And remember—true friends don’t let friends commit crimes! Follow @friendswhocrime on Instagram!
 
Show Notes:
Shayna Hubers Interrogation Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcPheto_rSw
Ryan Poston's Obituary Page: https://www.dmefuneral.com/obituaries/Ryan-Carter-Poston?obId=4462995
National Domestic Abuse Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/
SAFE Austin: https://www.safeaustin.org/
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
Sources:
Wikipedia: Murder of Ryan Poston
Ryan Poston's Obituary (Legacy)
Ryan Poston's Obituary (DME Funeral Home)
ABC News: Shocking Things About the Case
Killer Cases, Season 1, Episode 3: “Murder in Kentucky Hills”
20/20 Episode: “Bad Blood”
Kentucky Department of Corrections Offender Lookup (Archived)
YouTube: Trial Footage & Analysis
A&E Real Crime: The Ryan Poston Murder

Friends Who Crime Trailer

In this Friends Who Crime trailer, host Brynn introduces the podcast, sharing her love for true crime and the idea behind the show. Each episode features a different friend reacting to a case Brynn has researched, blending storytelling with humor while keeping the focus on the victims. Tune in for a mix of mystery, friendship, and lighthearted crime talk! First full episode releases on February 4th! Follow FWC on instagram @friendswhocrime