High-ranking executives at the Columbus Zoo are caught in a wild fraud scheme and experience an epic fall from grace. Marissa Gibson, who investigated their crimes, is here to tell us this bizarre story. And it all starts with a most unlikely whistle-blower. 

High-ranking executives at the&nbsp;Columbus Zoo&nbsp;are caught in&nbsp;a wild&nbsp;fraud scheme&nbsp;and&nbsp;experience an epic&nbsp;fall from grace.&nbsp;Marissa Gibson,&nbsp;who investigated&nbsp;their crimes,&nbsp;is here&nbsp;to tell us&nbsp;this&nbsp;bizarre&nbsp;story. And it all starts&nbsp;with a most&nbsp;unlikely whistle-blower.&nbsp;

Scandal at the Zoo

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cdba0f41-51fe-476f-a3c9-b3cb01612e2d/transcript

Hannah and Patia join Karen and Georgia on My Favorite Murder to discuss their approach to true crime storytelling, the importance of centering the voices of those affected by crime and what listeners can expect from their new show.

Episode originally aired on My Favorite Murder on March 13, 2025.

Hannah and Patia join Karen and Georgia on My Favorite Murder to discuss their approach to true crime storytelling, the importance of centering the voices of those affected by crime and what listeners can expect from their new show.
Episode originally aired on My Favorite Murder on March 13, 2025.

Hannah & Patia Were on My Favorite Murder!

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Kylie Bearse, a meteorologist at a local news channel in Denver, joins us to discuss what it feels like to be stalked by an obsessed man. When Kylie took legal action, she thought she’d be protected—until one night in September, when it became clear his obsession was far from over. 

Kylie Bearse, a meteorologist at a local news channel in Denver, joins us to discuss what it feels like to be stalked by an obsessed man. When Kylie took legal action, she thought&nbsp;she&rsquo;d&nbsp;be protected&mdash;until one night in September, when it became clear his obsession was far from over.&nbsp;

Chilling Obsession

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ef29adda-4744-4bc9-abf6-b3b00152efcc/transcript

In 2017, a family friend’s concern over a peculiar coworker led FBI Agent Mark Hastbacka straight into the path of Dana Lawrence — a serial con artist hiding behind the alias “Genna Kaplan.” Patia tells Hannah how Hastbacka pieced together the truth behind Dana’s long con. 

In 2017, a family friend&rsquo;s concern over a peculiar coworker led FBI Agent Mark&nbsp;Hastbacka&nbsp;straight into the path of Dana Lawrence &mdash; a serial con artist hiding behind the alias &ldquo;Genna Kaplan.&rdquo; Patia tells Hannah how&nbsp;Hastbacka&nbsp;pieced together the truth behind Dana&rsquo;s long con.&nbsp;

The Knife: Off Record 136

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6b879b79-6713-4254-a3a5-b3a9014cfef4/transcript

Ashlee and Kristal join us from Perth, Australia, to discuss the case of their mother, Donna Nelson. In January 2023, their 58-year-old mother was arrested in Tokyo on international drug-smuggling charges. Right away, they suspected the man Donna had been dating online. Together, Ashlee and Kristal share their family’s heartbreaking story, their ongoing fight for justice, and the warning signs of the elder drug mule scam.  

Ashlee and Kristal join us from Perth, Australia, to discuss the case of their mother, Donna Nelson. In January 2023, their 58-year-old mother was arrested in Tokyo on international drug-smuggling charges. Right away, they suspected the man Donna had been dating online. Together, Ashlee and Kristal share their family&rsquo;s heartbreaking story,&nbsp;their ongoing fight for justice, and the warning signs of the elder drug mule&nbsp;scam.&nbsp;&nbsp;

When Trust Becomes A Trap

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6fb9357a-f127-4e4f-92ac-b3a10006f2a8/transcript

Criminal defense attorney Michael Foote joins The Knife to discuss the murder trial of Bricen Rivers. In July of 2024, 22-year-old Lauren Johansen was found dead in the trunk of her own car. Her ex-boyfriend, Bricen Rivers, is now charged with capital murder. Lauren’s father is fighting to change the system that ignored the warning signs and allowed Rivers to be released on bail. We speak with Michael Foote about the case and how the criminal justice system failed to protect Lauren.

Listen to Michael Foote’s podcast, Brief Recess, wherever you get your podcasts.

Criminal defense attorney Michael Foote joins The Knife to discuss the murder trial of Bricen Rivers. In July of 2024, 22-year-old Lauren Johansen was found dead in the trunk of her own car. Her ex-boyfriend, Bricen Rivers, is now charged with capital murder. Lauren&rsquo;s father is fighting to change the system that ignored the warning signs and allowed Rivers to be released on bail. We speak with Michael Foote about the case and how the criminal justice system failed to protect Lauren.
Listen to Michael Foote&rsquo;s podcast, Brief Recess, wherever you get your podcasts.

A Preventable Tragedy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/30a4d8ec-5951-4757-b424-b3940012cf36/transcript

When Heather Rovet met Jace Paratti, the chemistry was instant. And soon, they were making plans for the future. But when the relationship hit a rough patch, Heather wondered if maybe Jace was hiding something. What she discovered would thrust them both into international headlines and reveal that Jace Paratti wasn’t Jace Paratti at all. 

When Heather Rovet met Jace Paratti, the chemistry was instant. And soon, they were making plans for the future. But when the relationship hit a rough patch, Heather wondered if maybe Jace was hiding something. What she discovered would thrust them both into international headlines and reveal that Jace Paratti wasn&rsquo;t Jace Paratti at all.&nbsp;

I Know Everything

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The sudden passing of husband and father, Michael Cochran, in 2019, was initially a medical mystery. But when his widow, Natalie Cochran was convicted of fraud, a web of lies and a possible motive were revealed. By 2025 Natalie Cochran stood trial for his murder. Forensic Pathologist Dr. Paul Uribe walks us through the results of the autopsy he conducted on Michael Cochran’s remains and the role of his findings in Natalie Cochran’s shocking murder trial. 

The sudden passing of husband and father, Michael Cochran, in 2019, was initially a medical mystery. But when his widow, Natalie Cochran was convicted of fraud, a web of lies and a possible motive were revealed. By 2025 Natalie Cochran stood trial for his murder. Forensic Pathologist Dr. Paul Uribe walks us through the results of the autopsy he conducted on Michael Cochran&rsquo;s remains and the role of his findings in Natalie Cochran&rsquo;s shocking murder trial.&nbsp;

What Remains

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/57295cbd-4306-4e61-b568-b387002b2ed0/transcript

In this crossover episode with lovelustfear, a podcast hosted by Jake Deptula, we hear a powerful story from a woman named Allyn. Allyn met a captivating man who swiftly declared his love, asked her to be his girlfriend, and even proposed. But as their long-distance relationship deepened, she uncovered his lingering connection with an ex, which led Allyn down a dark path of deception. 

In this crossover episode with lovelustfear, a podcast hosted by Jake Deptula, we hear a powerful story from a woman named Allyn. Allyn met a captivating man who swiftly declared his love, asked her to be his girlfriend, and even proposed. But as their long-distance relationship deepened, she uncovered his lingering connection with an ex, which led Allyn down a dark path of deception.&nbsp;

Special Episode: It’s Worse Than We Thought 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c32de1e1-7e02-487a-bb8b-b387014c8e33/transcript

When Jaime and Ben bought their first home in Lamar, Arkansas, a charming 1800s fixer-upper with two chimneys and a wraparound porch, they were thrilled to start their new life. But soon after moving in with their kids, strange things began to happen. What started as small, unexplained events grew harder to ignore, leading the family to wonder if their dream home might be haunted. 

When Jaime and Ben bought their first home in Lamar, Arkansas, a charming 1800s fixer-upper with two chimneys and a wraparound porch, they were thrilled to start their new life. But soon after moving in with their kids, strange things began to happen. What started as small, unexplained events grew harder to ignore, leading the family to wonder if their dream home might be haunted.&nbsp;

Haunted

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/812d5f77-e1a3-42bf-9ec5-b37e016421a5/transcript

The Knife: A True Crime Podcast is a weekly true crime podcast from journalist/producers Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton.
It's a show about people who’ve been dropped into a story they didn't start, but are left to finish. In-depth interviews take the listener behind the punchy headlines to hear what really happened from the people who lived it. The Knife reveals the ripple effect of crime.
Through empathetic, solution-oriented journalism, Hannah and Patia find the untold stories of people who’ve been touched by crime. They’re not breaking news or solving cases, they’re cutting to the heart of the experience through gripping, first-person storytelling.
Follow The Knife on Instagram @theknifepodcast and on Bluesky @theknifepodcast.bsky.social.
The Knife is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including true crime, comedic interviews, news, science, pop culture and more. The network is home to My Favorite Murder hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, This Podcast Will Kill You, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, Buried Bones and more.

The Knife: A True Crime Podcast is a weekly true crime podcast from journalist/producers Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton. It's a show about people who&rsquo;ve been dropped into a story they didn't start, but are left to finish. In-depth interviews take the listener behind the punchy headlines to hear what really happened from the people who lived it. The Knife reveals the ripple effect of crime. Through empathetic, solution-oriented journalism, Hannah and Patia find the untold stories of people who&rsquo;ve been touched by crime. They&rsquo;re not breaking news or solving cases, they&rsquo;re cutting to the heart of the experience through gripping, first-person storytelling. Follow The Knife on Instagram @theknifepodcast and on Bluesky @theknifepodcast.bsky.social. The Knife is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including true crime, comedic interviews, news, science, pop culture and more. The network is home to My Favorite Murder hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, This Podcast Will Kill You, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, Buried Bones and more.

The Knife: A True Crime Podcast

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