On July 15, 1976, school bus driver Ed Ray was driving a bus full of children home from a fun summer day trip to the pool. However, just after 4 pm, the unexpected happened that would change their lives forever. Three men with nylon stockings covering their faces and guns hijacked the bus, which carried children ranging from the ages of 5 to 14. The following 36 hours after the kidnapping were harrowing for everyone involved, but thankfully, Ed and the children were able to escape. As the investigation into who could have committed this type of crime began, it wouldn’t take long for law enforcement to narrow down its suspects.

Join us for today’s case to learn what happened to Ed and the bus full of kids on that fateful day. So, grab your cafeito and let’s get started.

You can keep up with us on Instagram at @cafecitoandcrimepod

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In this episode, we'll be trying out a new segment on the podcast where we will read crime-related, creepy, ominous stories from people who experienced them (supposedly).

The first story is about a young woman who a friend almost killed because of a boy she had been obsessed with for years. The second is about another young woman who was picked up on the side of the road by someone trying to teach her a lesson for hitchhiking, but was he really?

Join us for this new venture, so grab your cafecitos and let's get to it.

You can keep up with us on Instagram at @cafecitoandcrimepod

Or you can send us a nice email to cafecitoandcrimepod@gmail.com

When 15-year-old Kirsten Costas left her home on the night of June 23, 1984, she was attending a secret initiation dinner for the Bobbies, a philanthropic school club. However, she soon found out that was not the case, when another member of the Bobbies picked her up to attend a party instead. The two girls made a stop at a church parking lot before heading there, but things soon took a turn which then caused Kirsten to walk to a nearby home and ask to use the phone to call her mom and pick her up. When no one answered, Kirsten was driven to a neighbor’s home instead, but before she reached the front door, she was attacked and killed.

Join us for today’s to learn what happened to Kirsten Costas and how a regular night out turned into the last night of her life. So grab your cafecitos and let’s get started.

You can keep up with us on Instagram at @cafecitoandcrimepod

Or you can send us a nice email to cafecitoandcrimepod@gmail.com

In July 2022, 20-year-old Jay Lee was living his life to the fullest. The popular University of Mississippi student was openly gay and well-liked in the LGBTQ+ community. But when Jay disappeared without a trace on July 8, it was believed to be due to his sexual orientation. As the investigation began, detectives found leads pointing to someone who didn’t want people to know he and Jay had some sort of relationship.

Join us for today's case to learn what happened to Jay and who was responsible for his disappearance and murder. So, grab your cafecito and let's get started.

You can keep up with us on Instagram at @cafecitoandcrimepod

Or you can send us a nice email to cafecitoandcrimepod@gmail.com

When Yingying Zhang arrived in Illinois as a visiting scholar from China, she was filled with excitement, knowing that this opportunity would help advance her academic career. After arriving in late April 2017, she concentrated on her research and began to settle into a routine. However, what was meant to be a wonderful opportunity turned into an unimaginable tragedy.

On June 9, after Yingying did not return to campus from lunch, her colleagues became concerned and reported her missing later that evening. Early in the investigation, police discovered that Yingying had been approached by a black vehicle while she was waiting for a bus. She was seen getting into the car and was never seen again.

Join us for today's episode to learn what happened to Yingying Zhang, and who was responsible for her disappearance. So, grab your cafecito, and let's get started.

You can keep up with us on Instagram at @cafecitoandcrimepod

Or you can send us a nice email to cafecitoandcrimepod@gmail.com

In the afternoon of January 13, 2010, 16-year-old twin sisters, Jasmiyah and Tasmiyah, ran out of their home and flagged down a passing police car. They informed the officer that their mother appeared to be dead. Inside the home, 34-year-old Nikkie appeared to have been the victim of a brutal attack and was, in fact, deceased. As the investigation into the murder began, there were a couple of strong suspects, but they were eventually ruled out.

It wasn't until detectives began to look more closely into the history that Nikki had with her daughters that led them to believe that the girls knew more about what happened to their mothers than they were letting on. Join us for today's case to learn what really happened to Nikki Whitehead. So, grab your cafecito, and let's get started.

You can keep up with us on Instagram at @cafecitoandcrimepod

Or you can send us a nice email to cafecitoandcrimepod@gmail.com

On Friday, May 11, 2007, the Haines family spent quality time together, having dinner and watching a movie before they all went to bed. What they were unaware of was that just hours later, 3 of its 4 members would be brutally killed. For weeks into the investigation, there were no leads or suspects, but then, out of seemingly nowhere, the killer confessed.

Join us for today’s case to learn what happened to the Haines family and who was responsible for the murders. So, grab your cafecito, and let’s get started.

Book - Refuse To Drown - by Tim Kreider and Shawn Smucker

You can keep up with us on Instagram at @cafecitoandcrimepod

Or you can send us a nice email to cafecitoandcrimepod@gmail.com

On February 24, 2020, 911 dispatch received a call from 42-year-old Sarah Boone informing them that her boyfriend was dead and that she needed help. When officers arrived at the scene, they had no idea what they were about to walk into. Not only was 42-year-old Jorge Torres dead, but he had died due to being left inside a suitcase after the couple decided to play hide and seek. During the investigation, Sarah claimed that it was an accident, but when forensic investigators searched her phone, they found videos stating just the opposite.

Join us for today's case to learn what truly happened to Jorge that night. So, grab your cafecito, and let's get started.

You can keep up with us on Instagram at @cafecitoandcrimepod

Or you can send us a nice email to cafecitoandcrimepod@gmail.com