- 19
- Episodes
- 27
- Ratings
- Daily
- Cadence
- 2026
- First episode
About Dark Matter Moms
Dark Matter Moms is a true crime podcast hosted by Sam and Sarah, two moms with a passion for uncovering the truth behind real criminal cases. With a special focus on Wisconsin crimes, we dig into court records, trial transcripts, police reports, and investigative documents to tell the stories behind the headlines. From murders and missing persons to courtroom twists and overlooked details, we explore the cases that continue to haunt communities while keeping victims and their families at the heart of every story.
- Publisher
- Dark Matter Moms
- Category
- true crime
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 1 Jun 2026
- Latest episode
- 5 Oct 2026
Latest episodes
19 episodes in the feed.
5 Oct 2026
Julie Jensen Part 2
Julie Jensen feared for her life—and left behind a letter explaining why. In Part 2, we follow the investigation into her death, the evidence against her husband, Mark Jensen, and the courtroom battles that stretched across decades. From the controversy surrounding Julie’s letter to the appeals and retrial, we explore the fight for justice and the aftermath for the family she left behind. Content warning: Discussion of murder, poisoning, and suicide.
28 Sept 2026
Julie Jensen, Part 1: The Letter She Left Behind
Before her death in December 1998, Julie Jensen left behind a letter warning police that if anything happened to her, they should suspect her husband. In Part 1, we begin Julie’s story, exploring the fears she shared before her death and the circumstances that sparked an investigation. Her letter would become central to a case that stretched across more than two decades.
20 Sept 2026
Traci Lynn Rataczak: The Question an Acquittal Couldn't Answer
On April 8, 2013, 43-year-old mother of three Traci Lynn Rataczak was found dead in the basement of her Wyocena, Wisconsin, home. Her boyfriend, Patrick Kraemer, reported finding her hanging from an extension cord—but investigators believed there was more to the story. In this episode, we examine the final hours of Traci’s life, the troubling evidence discovered after her death, allegations of coercive control, conflicting accounts, and the case prosecutors presented against Patrick. Although a jury ultimately found him not guilty, Traci’s family was left with questions the verdict could not answer. Using court records and testimony obtained through the Columbia County Clerk of Courts, investigative documents, and information shared by Traci’s family, we look beyond the trial and remember the woman at the center of the case: a beloved mother, sister, and friend whose family believes her death was not a suicide. Content warning: This episode discusses domestic abuse, suicide, hanging, and graphic details surrounding a death. Sources: Columbia County Clerk of Courts records and case materials; information provided by Traci’s family. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7. For confidential domestic-violence support, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
14 Sept 2026
The Murders of Geraldine Knipfer and Michael Walker
In May of 1992, a brutal double murder rocked the small Wisconsin community of Pardeeville. Geraldine Knipfer and Michael Walker were found murdered inside Geraldine’s home in Pardeeville. What followed was an investigation that quickly turned toward someone Geraldine knew all too well—her estranged husband, James Knipfer. In this episode of Dark Matter Moms, we dig into the events surrounding the murders, the evidence investigators uncovered, witness statements, James Knipfer’s arrest, and the disturbing details revealed through interviews and court records. But this story is about more than the man accused of taking two lives. We also want to remember Geraldine and Michael as people—the lives they lived, the people who loved them, and the family left behind to carry the weight of what happened that night. This is the story of Geraldine Knipfer and Michael Walker—and the case against James Knipfer. Listener discretion is strongly advised. This episode contains discussions of domestic violence, homicide, graphic injuries, and other disturbing details.
7 Sept 2026
The Portage House of Horrors, Part 2: I don't want to hurt no more.
In Part 2, we return to the house on West Oneida Street in Portage, Wisconsin. We examine the death of Tammi Garlin, the horrific abuse endured by her 11-year-old son, A.C.G., and the impossible position Tammi’s 15-year-old daughter, Felicia, was forced into. We also discuss the investigation, the medical evidence, and the convictions and sentences handed down to Michaela Clerc, Michael Sisk, and Candace Clark. This episode contains detailed discussions of child abuse, torture, starvation, domestic violence, homicide, and severe injuries. Listener discretion is strongly advised. Resources: Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline Call or text: 1-800-422-4453 https://www.childhelphotline.org (https://www.childhelphotline.org) National Domestic Violence Hotline Call: 1-800-799-7233 Text START to 88788 https://www.thehotline.org (https://www.thehotline.org) 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text: 988 https://988lifeline.org (https://988lifeline.org) If you believe a child or another person is in immediate danger, call 911. Sources for this episode include: Columbia County court records and case filings, appellate records, medical and autopsy findings contained within the case records, contemporary news coverage, and our interview with retired Portage Police Detective Mark Hahn.
31 Aug 2026
The Portage House of Horrors, Part 1: The Boy in the Closet
What began as a routine attempt to locate a parentally abducted three-year-old child would expose something far more horrifying inside a home in Portage, Wisconsin. When officers arrived at 304 West Oneida Street, nearly everyone inside lied about who they were. Then, at the police station, one woman revealed that officers had unknowingly left someone behind: an severely injured 11-year-old boy hiding inside an upstairs closet. But the child wasn’t the only secret concealed within the house. Freshly disturbed soil and newly planted flowers in the backyard would lead investigators to an even darker discovery. In Part 1 of the Portage House of Horrors, we follow the investigation from the officers’ first knock on the door through the rescue of A.C.G., the discovery of Tammie Garlin’s body, and the multistate search for Michael Sisk. Content warning: This episode discusses severe child abuse, torture, domestic violence, and murder. Listener discretion is strongly advised. SOURCES: • Columbia County Circuit Court records obtained through the Columbia County Clerk of Courts • A personal interview with retired Portage Police Detective Mark Hahn • “House of Horrors,” published by Milwaukee Magazine on March 5, 2008 • This case was recommended to Dark Matter Moms by retired Portage Police Detective Daniel Pionke 🎙️ Dark Matter Moms 🖤 A Wisconsin true-crime podcast
24 Aug 2026
Mary Schlais: The Road to Chicago
On February 15, 1974, 25-year-old Mary Kathlene Schlais was hitchhiking from Minneapolis to Chicago to attend an art show. She never made it. Mary's body was discovered along a rural road in Dunn County, Wisconsin. Despite an eyewitness, physical evidence, and decades of investigation, her killer remained unidentified for 50 years. Then, modern DNA technology and investigative genetic genealogy gave new life to a piece of evidence preserved since 1974: a stocking cap containing hair. That evidence eventually led investigators to Jon Keith Miller. Join us on Dark Matter Moms as we tell the story of Mary Schlais, the investigation that spanned generations, and the evidence that finally helped reveal the man responsible more than five decades later. Sources: CBS News Minnesota Billy Lund, Crime Reporter — YouTube Dunn County Sheriff’s Office / Dunn County Crime Stoppers
17 Aug 2026
The Fire on Cass Street: The Murder of Daniel Gilmartin
On April 20, 2019, firefighters responding to a house fire in Montello, Wisconsin, discovered the burned body of 43-year-old Daniel Gilmartin. Hours before his death, Daniel told friends—and posted publicly—that his ex-girlfriend, Frances Rittmann, had attempted to set fire to a couch inside his detached garage. When investigators questioned Frances, her version of events began to change. Internet searches, witness accounts, physical evidence, and her own statements would ultimately reveal what happened inside Daniel’s home. In this episode, we examine Daniel’s final hours, Frances’s shifting explanations, and the evidence that led to her guilty pleas and 45-year prison sentence. This episode includes audio excerpts from Frances Rittmann’s recorded police interrogations. Source: Official court records obtained from the Marquette County Clerk of Courts. ⚠️ Listener discretion is advised. This episode discusses domestic violence, suicide, fatal fire, and other disturbing subject matter.
10 Aug 2026
The Baraboo Bone Breaker: 43 Hours of Hell
In the summer of 1995, 13-year-old Thad Phillips went to sleep inside his home in Baraboo, Wisconsin. When he woke up, someone was carrying him away. That someone was 17-year-old Joseph Clark—a teenager who lived nearby and had a horrifying fascination with breaking bones. For more than two days, Thad was held captive and subjected to unimaginable torture. His legs were repeatedly broken, his ankles were twisted, and his body was pushed to the point where survival seemed almost impossible. But Thad refused to give up. Unable to walk, he did the only thing he could think of: he threw himself down a flight of stairs in an attempt to reach a telephone. Fighting through excruciating pain and slipping in and out of consciousness, Thad eventually managed to call 911. He survived. And what Thad told investigators afterward would lead them to take another look at the mysterious death of 14-year-old Chris Steiner, whose body had been found in the Baraboo River the year before. Suddenly, investigators were faced with a terrifying possibility. Thad may not have been Joseph Clark's first victim. He was simply the one who lived long enough to tell them what happened. Join me on Dark Matter Moms as we tell the disturbing story of Joseph Clark, the teenager who became known as The Baraboo Bone Breaker, the young life that was lost, and the incredible survival of Thad Phillips—a 13-year-old boy who endured 43 hours of hell and somehow found the strength to save himself. SOURCES: *wkow.com/kidnapped-and-tortured-by-the-bonebreaker (https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwkow.com%2Fkidnapped-and-tortured-by-the-bonebreaker%3Ffbclid%3DIwcGRvZgRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFuOEt4cjZzTXV0TDFkRUlOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTE0NzcxNTY5MjI4MDYxAAEedba-xeDtfGOBYOwkg5x4Wla5elK1IbL31qytPyoDsqTdHqTEj4kY5-Z_Yw0_aem_QY7MMhCmGblVqPtTzNYTMw&h=AUDktFDjnqMp6_bY6uSlwcISgt4Qa1JbIchE4fxWglyUtWxXkH9yyodJwgNe3QdEOJcg6HlKmhm-c70HWtERana2JZDIJuTPNPVTTWqFxysS6ONIXRn-BwZ394ybDkXUDmtssg) *I survived (Netflix) Season 5 Episode 18 *Medium.com/Twisted (http://medium.com/Twisted?fbclid=IwcGRvZgRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFuOEt4cjZzTXV0TDFkRUlOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTE0NzcxNTY5MjI4MDYxAAEefEj0nPv-WGtYYvxDTGi4VL7GKrPXvf16OBOflZ-fqqC8P5uaIARh74E2sc8_aem_GTYqR7qOzsZvMPNBOLzkfA) tale of Joe Clark
3 Aug 2026
Jesse Yanske: A Wisconsin Man Vanishes Without a Trace
On April 17, 2025, 32-year-old Jesse Yanske disappeared near Westboro, Wisconsin. Despite extensive searches and an ongoing investigation, Jesse has never been found. In this episode, we cover the known timeline, search efforts, and information shared by Jesse's family. Disclaimer: This episode includes documented facts as well as alleged statements and personal accounts. Unless otherwise stated, allegations and recollections are presented as such and should not be taken as established fact. For updates and ways to support the search, follow Bring Jesse Yanske Home on Facebook, a page run by Jesse's sister, Briana. If you have any information about Jesse's disappearance, please contact: • Price County Sheriff's Office: (715) 339-3011 • Taylor County Sheriff's Office: (715) 748-2200
27 Jul 2026
Halloween's Darkest Nightmare: The Lisa Ann French Story
CAUTION WARNING! This episode contains talk of child sexual abuse. What should of been a night filled with costumes, candy, and childhood excitement became one of Wisconsin's most heartbreaking tragedies. In this episode of Dark Matter Moms, we examine the tragic abduction and murder of nine-year-old Lisa Ann French, whose life was stolen on Halloween night in 1973. We walk through the timeline of that fateful evening, the investigation that gripped Wisconsin, and the forensic evidence that ultimately led investigators to her killer. More than fifty years later, Lisa's story continues to resonate, not only because of the unimaginable loss of a little girl, but because her case forever changed the way many families approached Halloween. Join us as we honor Lisa's memory, separate fact from fiction, and revisit one of Wisconsin's most haunting and unforgettable true crime cases.
20 Jul 2026
Kevin & Tracy Krueger: A Marriage Ends in Murder
When first responders arrived at the Ridge Motor Inn in Portage, Wisconsin, they found Tracy Krueger dead outside her motel room. Within 20 minutes, investigators had stopped her husband, Kevin Krueger, and uncovered evidence that would shape the homicide case against him. In this episode of Dark Matter Moms, we walk through the investigation, the evidence, Kevin's statements to detectives, and the court proceedings that followed. From witness accounts and forensic evidence to the interrogation room, we separate documented facts from conflicting explanations to examine how this Wisconsin homicide case unfolded. Join us as we explore the story behind the headlines and the investigation that led to a life sentence.
13 Jul 2026
Buried Secrets: The Tim and Eve Nance Case
On the outside, Tim and Eve Nance looked like an ordinary Wisconsin couple trying to build a life together. But behind closed doors, their marriage was unraveling with betrayal, jealousy, and growing resentment. When Tim suddenly vanished in November 2013, Eve insisted he had simply disappeared. Detectives weren't convinced. As investigators peeled back the layers, they uncovered a chilling murder, an elaborate attempt to hide the truth, and a web of lies that ultimately led to a shocking confession. In this episode of Dark Matter Moms, we break down the events that turned a missing person's case into one of Wisconsin's most disturbing domestic homicides. Join us as we explore the tragic story of Tim and Eve Nance, and the devastating consequences of secrets kept behind closed doors.
6 Jul 2026
Thirty Years Later: The Truth About Curtis Forbes
On March 11, 1980, 18-year-old Marilyn McIntyre was found brutally murdered inside her Columbus, Wisconsin apartment while her 3-month-old son slept in the next room. Despite early suspicions, investigators couldn't gather enough evidence to make an arrest, and the case went cold for nearly 30 years. Then, in an unbelievable twist, a wrong phone call reopened the investigation and put the case back into the hands of detectives determined to find answers. This week, we're diving into the story of Curtis Forbes, the decades-long search for justice, and how one family's persistence helped solve one of Wisconsin's most fascinating cold cases. 🎙️ Join us as we discuss the investigation, changing witness statements, hidden clues, and the long road that finally led to a conviction. ⚠️ Content warning: This episode contains discussions of homicide, sexual violence, child endangerment, and abuse that may be difficult for some listeners.
29 Jun 2026
Lori Esker: The Dairy Princess
Lori Esker seemed to have it all. She was a respected Wisconsin Dairy Princess, an honor student, and the picture of small-town success. But beneath that polished image was an obsession that would end in tragedy. When 21-year-old Lisa Cihaski became engaged to Lori's former boyfriend, jealousy turned deadly. In September 1989, Lisa was found strangled in her car outside a motel in Rib Mountain, Wisconsin. Investigators would uncover a shocking story that stunned communities across the state and inspired the made-for-TV movie Beauty's Revenge. Lori Esker was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide in 1990. This week, we're diving into the disturbing case of the Dairy Princess whose obsession destroyed multiple lives forever. 🎙️ Join us as we discuss the investigation, the motive, and how someone viewed as a hometown role model became one of Wisconsin's most infamous killers.
22 Jun 2026
Colette Carr: A Timeline That Didn't Add Up
In this episode of Dark Matter Moms, we examine the 2004 homicide of Colette Carr in Portage, Wisconsin. When first responders arrived at Colette's home after a frantic 911 call, they found a scene that would launch a lengthy investigation into her final hours. As detectives worked to piece together what happened, they uncovered conflicting accounts, witness testimony, forensic evidence, and a timeline that raised more questions than answers. At the center of the investigation was Colette's estranged husband, Alan Larson. Prosecutors argued that a critical gap in his timeline, combined with physical and DNA evidence, pointed to his guilt. The defense challenged the state's case, setting the stage for a trial that would ultimately decide his fate. Join us as we walk through the investigation, trial testimony, and the evidence presented in one of Portage's most tragic homicide cases. We also take a moment to remember Colette Carr—a mother, daughter, sister, and friend whose life was taken far too soon. CORRECTION: This episode incorrectly refers to a jury trial. Alan Larson entered a no contest plea before trial, so there was no jury verdict. References to testimony and evidence are based on the preliminary hearing and court records. ⚠️ This episode contains discussions of homicide, domestic violence, and graphic violence that may not be suitable for all listeners. 📧 Have a Wisconsin case you'd like us to cover? Email us at darkmattermoms@gmail.com ⭐ Follow, rate, and review Dark Matter Moms wherever you listen to podcasts.
15 Jun 2026
The Sweetheart Murders: The case of Edward Wayne Edwards
In this episode of Dark Matter Moms, we travel back to 1977 and discuss one of Wisconsin's most haunting unsolved murders—the deaths of young sweethearts Tim Hack and Kelly Drew. When the couple disappeared after attending a wedding dance in rural Wisconsin, their families and community desperately searched for answers. Months later, the heartbreaking truth was discovered, but the person responsible remained a mystery for decades. It would take advances in DNA technology and a shocking confession before investigators finally connected the murders to a man named Edward Wayne Edwards—a convicted killer who spent years hiding in plain sight. Join us as we break down the timeline, investigation, and eventual resolution of a case that haunted Wisconsin for over 30 years. ⚠️ This episode contains discussions of homicide and violence that may not be suitable for all listeners. 📧 Have a Wisconsin case you'd like us to cover? Email us at darkmattermoms@gmail.com ⭐ Follow, rate, and review Dark Matter Moms wherever you listen to podcasts.
8 Jun 2026
The Disappearance of Elizabeth "Beth" Kutz
On July 27, 2000, Elizabeth "Beth" Kutz left work and called her mother with a chilling message: "If I'm not home by 3:45, come looking for me." Beth never made it home. In the days leading up to her disappearance, Beth told family and friends that her estranged husband, Daniel Kutz, had been following her, watching her, and refusing to accept the end of their marriage. When Beth vanished, investigators quickly focused on Dan—but without a body, proving what happened would be far from simple. In this episode of Dark Matter Moms, we examine Beth's disappearance, the evidence presented at trial, the conflicting stories told by Daniel Kutz, and the questions that remain unanswered more than two decades later. Despite a conviction for Beth's murder, one mystery remains: Where is Elizabeth Kutz? 🎙️ Dark Matter Moms is a Wisconsin true crime podcast hosted by Sam and Sarah, exploring murders, missing persons, and criminal cases from across the state.
1 Jun 2026
The Murder of Nicole VanderHeyden
A Friday night out. A missing woman. A body discovered in a Wisconsin field. When Nicole VanderHeyden failed to return home after an evening with friends, investigators began searching for answers. What they uncovered would lead them down a path of DNA evidence, digital tracking, conflicting accounts, and a suspect no one initially expected. In our debut episode, we take a deep dive into the murder of Nicole VanderHeyden and the investigation that captured national attention. Join Sam and Sarah as they examine the timeline, the evidence, and the case that would become one of Wisconsin's most talked-about murder trials. 🎙️ Dark Matter Moms — A Wisconsin True Crime Podcast.
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- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 3.3 / 5
- 3 ratings
- Spotify
- 3.9 / 5
- 24 ratings
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