Love Marry Kill: Just the Facts

On February 14, 2013 — Valentine’s Day — the world was stunned by the news that South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius had shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, inside his home in Pretoria. What followed was one of the most closely watched criminal trials of the 21st century — a case that forced the public to grapple with uncomfortable questions about celebrity, justice, gender-based violence, and how much of a public figure’s private life we ever truly see.On February 14, 2013 — Valentine’s Day — the world was stunned by the news that South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius had shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, inside his home in Pretoria. What followed was one of the most closely watched criminal trials of the 21st century — a case that forced the public to grapple with uncomfortable questions about celebrity, justice, gender-based violence, and how much of a public figure’s private life we ever truly see.Listen to all three parts on Patreon today.Sources:Carlin, John. Chase Your Shadow: The Trials of Oscar Pistorius. Harper, 2014.The Life and Trials of Oscar Pistorius, Netflixhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6B-13qTqdQhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6657450/2025/09/26/oscar-pistorius-reeva-steenkamp-legacy/ https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/other-sport/athletics/oscar-pistorius-prison-release-girlfriend-32894430 https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/athletics/oscar-pistorius-girlfriend-prison-release-36265400 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-21705374 

In 1988, Russell Stager was shot and killed in Durham, North Carolina. His wife Barbara claimed that Russ kept a gun under his pillow for safety and what resulted was a tragic accident. As investigators dug deeper though, Barbara’s past came back to haunt her.Support us on PatreonSources:Before He Wakes, by Jerry Bledsoehttps://loriajohnston.medium.com/barbara-stager-shots-in-the-dark-41969347674b https://murderpedia.org/female.S/s/stager-barbara.htmhttps://law.justia.com/cases/north-carolina/supreme-court/1991/212a89-0.html Forensic Files - Season 5, Episode 14: "Broken Promises"https://webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0386206&searchOffenderId=0386206&searchDOBRange=0&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Ben Novack, Jr. was the heir to a fortune built on an iconic American institution – The Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach. Benji was an eccentric and abrasive millionaire who managed to alienate nearly everyone he met. With a drug habit, multiple mistresses, and a jaw-dropping collection of jewelry and pop culture memorabilia, he lived a life of excess. There was a long list of people who might have wanted him dead. At the top of that list was his wife, Narcy Novack. When Ben Novack Jr. was found brutally murdered in July 2009, people couldn’t help wondering - had Narcy finally had enough of his running around?Original Love Marry Kill air date: 4/28/2025Support us on Patreon

Ben Novack, Jr. was the heir to a fortune built on an iconic American institution – The Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach. Benji was an eccentric and abrasive millionaire who managed to alienate nearly everyone he met. With a drug habit, multiple mistresses, and a jaw-dropping collection of jewelry and pop culture memorabilia, he lived a life of excess. There was a long list of people who might have wanted him dead. At the top of that list was his wife, Narcy Novack. When Ben Novack Jr. was found brutally murdered in July 2009, people couldn’t help wondering - had Narcy finally had enough of his running around?Original Love Marry Kill air date: 4/21/2025Support us on PatreonSources:Glatt, John. The Prince of Paradise. St. Martin’s Press, 2013.Dateline, S21E03, Family Affair.https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nys/pressreleases/December12/NovackVelizVerdictPR.phphttps://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/state/2012/03/31/from-drifter-to-millionaire-troubled/7869228007/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AluxQag1DU&ab_channel=Oxygen

Sarah Widmer was found dead in the bathtub of her Ohio home just 114 days after marrying her husband, Ryan. What initially appeared to be a tragic accident quickly turned into a complicated legal battle involving disputed forensic evidence, questionable investigative decisions, and three separate trials. This case raises enduring questions about science in the courtroom, jury conduct, and whether the justice system ultimately got it right.Support us on Patreon