"I Refuse to Be Intimidated" — Murdaugh Housekeeper Responds to Criticism
“I spoke the truth.” Murdaugh housekeeper and confidant of Maggie, Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson says she’s faced some backlash for using her voice. In previous interviews with Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson, Blanca opened up about the kind of person Maggie Murdaugh was. She was more than a boss; she was a dear friend. Blanca’s book Within the House of Murdaugh hit #6 on the New York Times Bestseller list where she questions the investigation into the double murder involving a southern legal dynasty. In this follow-up interview, Blanca says she "will not be intimidated or bullied" amid a disturbing encounter/incident at a local grocery store. She speaks candidly about Maggie’s hardships after Paul’s boat crash, highlights the power and privilege that can influence law enforcement, and reveals the complex/complicated feelings she still has about members of the Murdaugh family today. She also answers the question—has anyone from law enforcement reached out to you about what you told us in your last interview, or what you wrote in your book? Watch our previous interviews with Blanca on YouTube Learn more about House of Murdaugh on Facebook
"It's Not A Cold Case" — Father's 2,000-Mile Journey To Find Missing Son
David Robinson wants everyone to know his son's case is anything but cold. Daniel Robinson went missing in the desert of Buckeye, Arizona in June 2021. The 23-year-old geologist’s jeep was found overturned in a ravine, but he remains missing. What started with a devoted father jumping in his car and driving 2,000 miles from South Carolina to Arizona to search for Daniel, has turned into years of perseverance that has inspired us all here at Criminally Obsessed. From 50 weeks of desert searches for his son, to creating new laws for reform in missing persons investigations, David’s work on Daniel's case - and to help other families - is alive and well. Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson speaks with David Robinson as he pushes for the passing of the "Please Help Find Missing Americans Act" or the Daniel Robinson Law, the latest updates in Daniel’s case, and his work with other families like Gabby Petito’s father, Joseph. As we continue the search for Nancy Guthrie out of Tucson, Arizona, David explains the unique difficulties of searching extreme desert terrain, and how the community can combat disparity in media coverage of missing person cases. While he hasn't found his own son yet, he has even helped solve other missing person cases by finding others’ remains during his searches for Daniel. Please support the search for Daniel by sharing his story, and if you have information, submit tips to the family's dedicated tipline at 844-602-0660. You can also contact the Buckeye Police tipline at 623-349-6411. Subscribe, like, and follow Criminally Obsessed for ongoing coverage and expert insight into the cases everyone is talking about. Get true crime stories delivered to your inbox every Friday! Subscribe to our Newsletter here. Learn more about Daniel’s case, and print or share his missing person flyer here. Learn more about the National Missing and Unidentified Person System (NAMUS)
"A Good Idea Who Committed This" — Murdaugh Witness Investigates Stephen Smith Cold Case
The star witness in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial is independently investigating the Stephen Smith cold case — and he says they “got a good idea who committed this.” Stephen was a blonde haired, blue-eyed 19-year-old left dead on a rural South Carolina road in 2015. Kenny Kinsey, who’s a forensic investigator brought in by attorneys for Stephen’s mother, has reviewed the evidence, the second autopsy, police interviews and walked the very road where Stephen’s body was found on that hot summer night. Senior Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson spoke with Kinsey about his investigation, what he learned about law enforcement’s investigation and how he believes Stephen died. Stephen Smith’s death investigation was reopened in 2021 just two weeks after Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were murdered. The State of South Carolina’s Law Enforcement Division (SLED) cited information collected during the Murdaugh murder investigation but would not elaborate. In 2023, SLED announced Stephen’s death was a homicide. His body was exhumed and a second autopsy done, but that information has been sealed. When will justice come? July 8, 2026 will mark 11 years since Stephen was killed. Someone knows something. There is a $50,000 reward in this case.
The Terrifying Disappearance of Madison Fields — Her Parents' Plea for Help
It's been more than 3 weeks since 16-year-old Madison Fields was last seen by her parents, or by anyone. What started as a search for a missing teen in Colerain Township, Ohio has shifted to an FBI investigation into the dark corners of the internet - encrypted apps, private messaging platforms - and the people who hide there, preying on kids and teens. We now know that a 43-year-old man named Kyle Lawrence has been arrested in Buffalo, New York in connection with the investigation. He’s charged with Transportation with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity, Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct and Transportation of Child pornography. Criminally Obsessed got a hold of the 7-page federal criminal complaint against Lawrence, and we found a disturbing history - context that could hold clues to understanding what happened to Madison. Investigative reporter Anne Emerson speaks with Madison’s parents, Carrie and Tyler, in an emotional interview about their daughter’s case and what we can do to support them. We then hear from Chief of Ohio Land Search and Rescue, John Adams, about his boots-on-the-ground role in the search for Madison. He offers chilling insight from his experience working hundreds of missing persons cases, and the common thread that should raise alarm bells that every parent or guardian. Please support the search for Madison by sharing her story, and if you have information, submit tips to Colerain Township PD by calling (513) 321-2677. Subscribe, like, and follow Criminally Obsessed for ongoing coverage and expert insight into the cases everyone is talking about. Share Madison’s NCMEC poster Learn more about Ohio Land Search and Rescue
Accident or Murder — What Really Happened to Casey Pitzer?
Watch the Criminally Obsessed original documentary "Dead Silence: The Casey Pitzer Investigation" out now on our YouTube channel. “She's got her hand on my shoulder guiding me slowly. But she's there. She's there with me all the time." Nearly thirteen years ago, a day meant to celebrate luck and joy took a dark turn for 32-year-old mother Casey Pitzer. She was last seen leaving a bar in Wilmington, Ohio the night before St. Patrick’s Day 2013... and was later discovered a week later in a retention pond, her death ruled an accidental drowning. But failed polygraphs, destroyed evidence and buried questions tell a different story. The family’s painful and complicated fight for answers continues to this day. For more than a decade, Casey’s loved ones have lived with questions, heartbreak, and a relentless determination to seek the truth. Casey’s case is close to our hearts here at Criminally Obsessed, and we’re here to make sure it remains in the spotlight. Senior Investigative reporter Anne Emerson sits down with Greg Pitzer, Casey’s father, and Darrell Petrey, the Pitzer family’s advocate. They take us through the timeline and key evidence in the case, speak candidly about the toll of a 13-year search for answers, and share their latest efforts in an unwavering fight for justice. The full documentary will also air Saturday, March 7th, at 7pm ET on WKRC-TV/Local 12 in Cincinnati, Columbus WSYX-TV/ABC 6 in Columbus and WKEF-TV/ABC 22 in Dayton. Our conversation with Casey’s loved ones is a powerful reminder that this is more than a headline - it’s a family’s fight, and it’s far from finished. Subscribe, like, and follow Criminally Obsessed for ongoing coverage and expert insight into the cases everyone is talking about. We’re headed to CrimeCon Vegas in May! Make sure you’re following us on all platforms for more exciting @CrimeCon updates coming soon.
"My Life WAS Normal" — Daughter Reveals Debra Newton's Lies
Michelle Newton was found 42 years after police say her mom kidnapped her and she’s now revealing more of her mother’s lies. When Anne Emerson first spoke with her back in December after the viral video of her mother’s arrest in Marion County, Florida, Michelle had so many emotions about finding out who she really was and catching up with family she’d never met. The federal investigation into why her mom left was still fresh and left her with many unanswered questions. Michelle has spent the last four months reading 40 years of police reports, court documents, and talking to family and she now has a better understanding of what happened and how police finally caught up with her mother and uncovered her true identity and it’s not what you might expect. Investigative Reporter Anne Emerson reconnects with Michelle Newton as she navigates her complex new reality – reuniting with her father, Joe, sifting through the truths and lies of her own past, and still trying to maintain a relationship with her mother, Debra Newton, even after all that’s happened. Subscribe, like, and follow Criminally Obsessed for ongoing coverage and expert insight into the cases everyone is talking about. We’re headed to CrimeCon Vegas in May! Make sure you’re following us on all platforms for more exciting @CrimeCon updates coming soon.
Criminally Obsessed goes deeper — inside the investigations, the courtroom drama, and the human stories at the center of the country’s biggest true crime cases. We track breaking developments, uncover overlooked details, and bring clarity to the chaos — always with compassion for victims and the people whose lives are forever changed. Host Anne Emerson brings more than 30 years of award-winning investigative reporting to every episode. She’s covered the nation’s most high-profile trials firsthand, conducted interviews with some of the biggest names in the true crime world — from Amanda Knox to Elizabeth Smart — and has trusted sources connected to the cases dominating the national conversation.
