Podcast Summary
Mental Health Support Systems: Effective support systems like online therapy and website creation tools can improve overall well-being and help navigate challenging times, preventing potential tragic outcomes.
Better support systems, such as online therapy from BetterHelp and website creation through Squarespace, can help individuals navigate through challenging times and improve their overall well-being. As a kid, Leslie Arnold, who later became a criminal, was described as normal but had a complicated relationship with his domineering mother. His mother's mental health issues and arbitrary behavior led to frequent arguments, culminating in a tragic event where Leslie, feeling frustrated and desperate, took his mother's life. This unfortunate incident highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues and fostering healthy communication within families. To seek help and improve mental health, consider BetterHelp's online therapy services, and for website creation, try Squarespace. Remember, taking care of yourself and focusing on your goals can lead to positive changes.
Hiding dark secrets: People may go to great lengths to cover up their actions, including deceiving loved ones and manipulating the media, but eventually, the truth may come out and lead to their downfall.
Leslie Arnold, after killing his parents in a fit of confusion, went to great lengths to cover up his actions. He first dragged their bodies to the basement, called a family friend with a false story, and sent his younger brother away. Then, he went to the movies with his girlfriend, knowing the press would later portray him as callous. Over the next two weeks, he continued to attend school and church, helping run his father's business with the same cover story. However, when his grandfather arrived in town, he had to change his story again. Suspicion grew, and eventually, the family contacted the police, leading to Leslie's arrest. This tragic event illustrates the lengths some people will go to hide their dark secrets.
Juvenile Offenders, Online Presence, Yawning: Juvenile offenders' treatment and life expectancy have drastically changed, with some serving life sentences despite good behavior. Online presence is crucial for businesses to attract customers, and Squarespace offers an all-in-one platform for creating professional websites. Yawning can help improve focus and change brain temperature.
The life expectancy and treatment of juvenile offenders convicted of murder have significantly changed over the decades. The case of Leslie Arnold, who was charged with first-degree murder at the age of 16, serves as an illustrative example. At the time, it was expected that he would serve around 10 years in prison and have a chance for parole. Leslie was a model prisoner, studying to become a dental technician and playing in the prison band. However, in 1967, the rules changed, and he was left to serve life in prison with no chance for parole. This was a stark contrast to the expectations and realities of the 1950s. Today, the first impression people have of businesses and brands often comes from their online presence. Squarespace is an all-in-one platform that allows businesses to create beautiful and functional websites, presenting themselves to the right audience. Yawning, a simple action shared across species, can also serve as a secret superpower to help change the temperature of your brain and improve focus.
Contagious yawning: Yawning is contagious and can bring people together, just like successful teamwork and cooperation in achieving remarkable outcomes, such as escaping from prison.
Yawning is contagious and can be shared with others, just like Leslie and Jim's escape plan required teamwork and cooperation. In the podcast episode of Unexplainable, they discussed the scientific reasons behind yawning and how it can spread easily among people. Meanwhile, in a historical event, Leslie Arnold and Jim Harding, two prisoners, used their intelligence and creativity to plan an escape from prison by sawing through bars and making it seem like they were still in their beds. Their successful escape was only possible through their collaboration and careful planning. So, whether it's yawning or escaping from prison, sharing and working together can lead to remarkable outcomes.
Escape from Prison: Determination and persistence are crucial in solving long-standing missing persons cases, as demonstrated by the 1962 Nebraska State Penitentiary escape case that was finally solved in 2020
Leslie Arnold and Jim Harding successfully escaped from the Nebraska State Penitentiary in 1962, leaving behind dummies in their beds to deceive the night watchman. They had a head start on the authorities and managed to evade capture for over eight hours. With the help of an old friend, they made their way to Chicago where they started new lives. Harding was eventually arrested in 1968, but Leslie remained elusive. The FBI and local authorities conducted extensive investigations, but were unable to find him. Decades later, in 2020, the case was reopened by Deputy U.S. Marshal Matt Westover and investigator Jeff Britton, who worked together to finally uncover Leslie's whereabouts. This case highlights the determination and persistence required to solve a long-standing missing persons case.
Forensic genetic genealogy: Forensic genetic genealogy has revolutionized crime solving but raises ethical concerns as relatives could be linked to crimes without their consent
The use of genealogy databases and forensic genetic genealogy in criminal investigations, as seen in the case of the Golden State Killer, has revolutionized the way law enforcement solves crimes. However, it raises ethical and privacy concerns as relatives could be linked to crimes without their consent. In this specific case, investigator Matt Westover used this method to identify potential relatives of Leslie Olin, a suspect, and requested a DNA sample from his brother, leading to the identification of Olin as a suspect. Despite initial negative results, Westover persisted and eventually identified Olin as the suspect. The success of this method has inspired many investigators to use it, but the ethical and privacy implications must be carefully considered.
DNA matches and investigations: Diligent and patient investigation using DNA matches can lead to solving long-standing cases, even if it involves posing as a representative and carefully navigating the situation to avoid revealing one's true identity.
Persistence and careful investigation paid off for a deputy U.S. Marshal in his pursuit of a long-standing case. The deputy, Matt Westover, had been searching for a fugitive for decades when he received a promising lead through a DNA match. Despite the potential risks, Matt carefully navigated the situation, posing as a representative and asking questions instead of revealing his true identity. As he suspected, the man's father was indeed the fugitive, but Matt waited for confirmation before making contact. Eventually, he arranged a video call and revealed his true role in the investigation, delivering the long-awaited answers to the son. The experience underscores the importance of diligence and patience in law enforcement work.
Identity and Secrets: Assuming a new identity can provide a fresh start, but hidden pasts can eventually be uncovered, potentially causing emotional turmoil and damage to relationships.
The power of a fresh identity and a new start can be transformative, but it can also conceal a dark past. In this story, Leslie Arnold, an escaped prisoner, assumed a new identity as John Damon and built a new life with a family, but his past eventually caught up with him. During an emotional phone call with his son, who was unaware of his father's criminal history, Matt Westover revealed the truth about Leslie's past. The son was shocked and surprised, leading to a long conversation between him and Henry Cordes, a reporter who had been investigating Leslie's disappearance. Leslie had managed to create a perfect cover for himself by marrying a woman named Jean Bouvier and producing a forged birth certificate under the name John Damon. Despite moving several times and possibly raising suspicions, Leslie's new identity allowed him to live a normal life for decades. However, the question remains: did Jean Bouvier know about Leslie's past? While it's unclear, the evidence suggests that she may have had some knowledge, but it's impossible to know for sure. The story serves as a reminder of the complexities of identity and the power of secrets to shape our lives.
Leslie's hidden past: Leslie's past was marked by a bitter divorce, a false identity, and a criminal record, which led to his sudden disappearance from his children's lives. However, his son's discovery of the truth brought closure and gratitude.
Leslie's life was marked by a complex mix of happiness and darkness. His marriage ended in a bitter divorce, with his former wife destroying his saxophone as a final act. He later met and married a younger woman, with whom he had two children. However, in the early 1990s, he suddenly cut off all contact with his previous family and moved overseas with his new family. Despite his love of music, his children never saw him perform. Later in life, Leslie's son discovered that the birth certificate he had been given was likely false, adding to the mystery surrounding his father's past. It was only through a DNA test that his son was able to uncover the truth about Leslie's criminal past and the events that led to his disappearance from their lives. Despite the revelation of his father's dark past, Leslie's son expressed that he was grateful for the love and support his father had provided him as a child.
Criminal podcast illustrations, Criminal Plus: Julian Alexander creates custom illustrations for each Criminal podcast episode. Criminal Plus is a membership program with ad-free episodes and bonus content.
Julian Alexander creates unique illustrations for each episode of the Criminal podcast, which can be viewed on the show's website. The podcast also offers a membership program, Criminal Plus, that allows listeners to access ad-free episodes and bonus content with hosts Phoebe Judge and Lauren Spore. The Criminal podcast is available on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as YouTube and the Vox Media podcast network. To stay updated and join Criminal Plus, sign up for the newsletter on the Criminal website.