In the glittering underbelly of 1990s Hollywood, one woman built a multimillion-dollar empire catering to the rich, famous, and powerful. Heidi Lynne Fleiss — the infamous “Hollywood Madam” — ran a high-end escort service until a daring police sting brought it all crashing down.

In this episode of A True Crime Podcast, host Alexander Lawson uncovers Heidi’s meteoric rise from protégé of Madam Alex to the queen of Beverly Hills call girls, her explosive arrest, the shocking trial featuring testimony from Charlie Sheen, the federal tax evasion case, and the legendary black book of clients she refused to name.

From Benedict Canyon mansions to federal prison, explore the glamour, greed, selective justice, and enduring mystery of one of Tinseltown’s biggest scandals.

What happens when the madam goes down but the clients walk free? Listen now.

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On July 13, 2024, a 20-year-old gunman climbed onto a rooftop outside a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania and opened fire on former President Donald Trump. One spectator was killed, two others critically wounded, and Trump was grazed by a bullet that came within inches of ending his life.

In this gripping episode, host Alexander Lawson breaks down the crimes of Thomas Matthew Crooks — his background, meticulous planning, and the eight shots that shattered a peaceful summer evening. We walk through the minute-by-minute timeline, the heroic actions of Corey Comperatore, the immediate chaos, and the FBI’s exhaustive investigation that found a lone actor with no clear motive.

We also examine the critical security failures that allowed the attack to unfold.

A true crime story that nearly changed American history.

Content warning: Detailed discussion of gun violence and assassination attempt. Listener discretion advised.

Runtime: ~35 minutes

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On September 10, 2025, conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed by a sniper while speaking at a Turning Point event on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, Utah. A single bullet from a rooftop 142 yards away ended the life of one of the most influential voices in young conservative politics.

In this episode, host Alexander Lawson unravels the chilling timeline: the light-security outdoor debate, the shooter’s preparation, the 33-hour manhunt, the dramatic family surrender, and the mountain of forensic evidence — including engraved bullet casings with political messages. We examine the alleged motive, Tyler James Robinson’s background, the ongoing death penalty case, and what this political assassination reveals about America’s deepening divisions.

Listener discretion advised — this episode discusses real violence and a high-profile murder.

Based on court documents, official statements, and investigative reporting.

What do you think drove this act of political violence? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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On New Year’s Eve 2015 into 2016, the festive streets of Hamburg’s famous Reeperbahn and Große Freiheit district turned into a scene of horror. Hundreds of women were surrounded by groups of men in coordinated attacks involving sexual harassment, groping, robbery, and reported rapes. Over 400 victims came forward with more than 230 complaints.

In this episode, host Alexander Lawson examines the shocking events, the police response, the challenges of identifying perpetrators in the chaos, key arrests, and the lasting impact on victims and German society. A stark reminder of public safety failures and the vulnerabilities women can face in crowded celebrations.

Content Warning: This episode discusses sexual assault and violence. Listener discretion is advised.

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In this episode of A True Crime Podcast, host Alexander Lawson examines the dramatic downfall of one of Britain’s most prominent journalists. Huw Edwards, the longtime face of BBC News, went from trusted news anchor to convicted offender after pleading guilty to charges involving indecent images of children.

We break down the public timeline, the 2024 court proceedings, sentencing, and the wider impact on the BBC and public trust — all based on verified facts from official records. A sobering look at how power, secrecy, and digital trails can collide.

Content warning: This episode discusses crimes involving child exploitation imagery. Listener discretion is advised.

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She called herself the Cryptoqueen and promised the world a revolutionary new cryptocurrency. Ruja Ignatova built OneCoin into a global empire that allegedly defrauded investors of over $4 billion. Then, in October 2017, just days after U.S. charges were filed, she boarded a flight from Bulgaria to Greece and disappeared without a trace.

In this episode of A True Crime Podcast, host Alexander Lawson unpacks the rise and fall of the massive OneCoin Ponzi scheme, Ruja’s glamorous double life, the devastating impact on victims worldwide, and the ongoing international manhunt. Now on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list with a $5 million reward, is the Cryptoqueen living in hiding, protected by powerful allies, or has she met a darker fate?

A story of greed, deception, and one of the most mysterious vanishing acts in modern crime history.

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On December 8, 1980, music legend John Lennon was shot and killed outside his New York City home, The Dakota. In this gripping episode of A True Crime Podcast, host Alexander Lawson explores the shocking final hours of Lennon’s life, the troubled descent of his killer Mark David Chapman, and the obsessive motives rooted in fame, resentment, and The Catcher in the Rye.

From the poignant autograph earlier that day to the fatal moments in the archway, the global mourning, and Chapman’s ongoing imprisonment, uncover one of the most heartbreaking crimes in music history.

What turns a fan into a murderer? How did Lennon’s message of peace end in violence?

Listener discretion advised — contains detailed descriptions of violence.

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On July 8, 2022, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe — the country’s longest-serving leader — was gunned down in Nara while delivering a campaign speech. The weapon? A homemade shotgun. The shooter? A man with a devastating personal grudge against a powerful religious organization and its political ties.

In this gripping episode of A True Crime Podcast, host Alexander Lawson unpacks the shocking assassination that stunned a nation known for its strict gun control. From Abe’s influential political legacy and the shooter Tetsuya Yamagami’s traumatic family history, to the explosive revelations about the Unification Church’s influence on Japanese politics, this case exposed deep societal fractures.

Follow the timeline of the deadly attack, the immediate chaos, the investigation, Yamagami’s life sentence in 2026, and the sweeping reforms that followed — including the eventual dissolution of the controversial church.

A story of political violence, cult-like manipulation, personal vengeance, and national reckoning.

True crime meets history in one of the most consequential assassinations of the 21st century.

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