A 74-year-old woman opened her home to family, never imagining the greatest danger was already inside. After the beloved Kentucky grandmother is beaten to death, investigators uncover a case marked by unimaginable violence and a shocking piece of evidence that would become central to the prosecution. Join John Conner as he dives deep into the dark to discuss the murder of Cheri Kaye Oliver. Will this case be enough to make you check the locks?

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This episode of Check the Locks is dedicated, with love, to the memory of our friend Mathew Scott Halliday.

Sources:

‘Nothing short of animalistic’: Kentucky teen recorded himself beating grandmother to death with metal tumbler

Cheri Kaye Oliver Obituary Oct 8, 2024 - Swindler & Currin Funeral Homes

Erlanger man who beat his grandmother to death sentenced to life in prison

911 caller claims 18-year-old accused of killing grandmother with tumbler was ‘out of control’

19-year-old Northern Kentucky man sentenced for 'barbaric' murder of grandmother

Northern Kentucky man admits to killing his grandmother, was abusing acid at the time

A family outing at a Portland park turns into every parent's worst nightmare when a stranger allegedly tries to pull a 7-year-old girl away in broad daylight. It takes the child's parents—and courageous bystanders—to stop the attack before police arrive. Join John Conner as he dives deep into the dark to discuss a breaking story in Oregon. Will this case be enough to make you check the locks?

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Check the Locks Podcast is Supported By:

Audible: Enjoy 30 Days for Free

This episode of Check the Locks is dedicated, with love, to the memory of our friend Mathew Scott Halliday.

Sources:

'I am God!' Would be naked kidnapper blames manic episode and lack of sleep for actions

Naked man allegedly tried to kidnap 7-year-old girl from Oregon park

Man Arrested for Attempted Kidnapping of 7-year-old Girl in Waterfront Park | Portland.gov

When a woman is murdered inside her home, a quiet Tennessee community is left searching for answers. As investigators piece together what happened behind closed doors, the victim's husband is arrested and charged with criminal homicide. Join John Conner as he dives deep into the dark to discuss the murder of Allison Rawl. Will this case be enough to make you check the locks?

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Check the Locks Podcast is Supported By:

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This episode of Check the Locks is dedicated, with love, to the memory of our friend Mathew Scott Halliday.

Sources:

Detectives: College Grove Homicide Suspect Admitted He ‘Ate Some of’ Wife During Killing | News | williamsonscene.com

https://www.williamsonscene.com/news/douglas-kirk-rawl-homicide-college-grove-tn/article_8c159d5e-da26-42d2-8379-64e92b7cf14b.html

https://www.wsmv.com/2026/07/06/tn-man-told-911-his-wife-was-devil-hes-jesus-before-allegedly-killing-her-heres-what-we-know/

https://truecrimenews.com/2026/07/08/pharmacist-who-allegedly-tried-to-pull-wife-s-head-off-shot-her-and-ate-her-remains-told-911-dispatchers-she-was-dead-as-fried-chicken/

When the 20-year-old college student is found murdered inside her own apartment, investigators must determine whether the killer was someone she knew... or someone who already had a way inside. Join John Conner as he dives deep into the dark to discuss the murder of Jenna Verhaalen. Will this case be enough to make you check the locks?

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Check the Locks Podcast is Supported By:

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This episode of Check the Locks is dedicated, with love, to the memory of our friend Mathew Scott Halliday.

Sources:

Jenna Verhaalen Archives - Forensic Files Now

Jenna Verhaalen Murder: Where is Jeremiah Rosser Now?

College Student Jenna Verhaalen Was Murdered in Her Apartment | by Ana Writes | The Criminalist | Medium

Jenna Verhaalen Obituary (2008) - Austin, TX - Austin American-Statesman

Forensic Files - S14 E13 - Low Maintenace

When a house fire erupts in rural Washington, an 11-year-old boy is reported missing, and a desperate search begins. But as investigators sift through the ashes, they uncover a far more sinister truth—one that points to betrayal from the person who should have protected him most. Join John Conner as he dives deep into the dark to discuss the murder of Christopher Wood. Will this case be enough to make you check the locks?

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Check the Locks Podcast is Supported By:

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This episode of Check the Locks is dedicated, with love, to the memory of our friend Mathew Scott Halliday.

Sources:

Did Boy Pay Deadly Price For Father's Debts? -- Money Mattered Most To Man Accused Of Killing Son For Insurance, Accusers Say | The Seattle Times

A Cereal Killer – Forensic Tales

Arson-Slaying Suspect Dies In Apparent Suicide -- Spokane County Man Accused Of Strangling Son | The Seattle Times

Murder Suspect Wood Kills Himself Father Was Accused Of Murdering 11-Year-Old Son

Wood Left No Confession, Detectives Say

Forensic Files - Season 10, Episode 12 - Cereal Killer

When a respected Colorado businessman is found brutally murdered in his own home, investigators uncover a twisted plot of greed, deception, and an unlikely clue hidden in his final meal. Join John Conner as he dives deep into the dark to discuss the murder of Gerald Boggs. Will this case be enough to make you check the locks?

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Check the Locks Podcast is Supported By:

Audible: Enjoy 30 Days for Free

This episode of Check the Locks is dedicated, with love, to the memory of our friend Mathew Scott Halliday.

Sources:

Crime of the Century: The Black Widow murder case | SteamboatToday.com

Jill Coit Archives - Forensic Files Now

Wigs, Stun Gun, Escape Plan: How An Ex-Wife Plotted The Murder Of Her 8th Husband | Oxygen

Jill Coit

How a Victim’s Last Meal Can Identify a Killer

Planted Evidence | Alumni Association | University of Colorado Boulder

Crime of the Century: The Black Widow murder case | SteamboatToday.com

Forensic Files - Season 8, Episode 12 - Order Up

In 1987, women across Richmond were locking their doors, but a lurking predator always seemed to find a way inside. As fear gripped an entire community, investigators raced to stop a killer whose crimes would ultimately change forensic science forever. Join John Conner as he dives deep into the dark to discuss the Southside Strangler, Timothy Wilson Spencer. Will this case be enough to make you check the locks?

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Check the Locks Podcast is Supported By:

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This episode of Check the Locks is dedicated, with love, to the memory of our friend Mathew Scott Halliday.

Sources:

David Vasquez - Innocence Project

How Was the Southside Strangler Caught? | A&E

The Case of the Southside Strangler: The novel forensic technology offered new hope of scientifically linking individuals to crimes.

Spencer v. Com. :: 1989 :: Supreme Court of Virginia Decisions

Timothy W. Spencer, Petitioner-appellant, v. Edward W. Murray, Director, Respondent-appellee, 5 F.3d 758 (4th Cir. 1993)

Timothy W. Spencer, Petitioner-appellant, v. Edward W. Murray, Director, Respondent-appellee, 5 F.3d 758 (4th Cir. 1993)

Spencer v. Com. :: 1990 :: Supreme Court of Virginia Decisions

Murderer Put to Death In Virginia - The New York Times

Forensic Files - Season 1, Episode 6 - Southside Strangler

In July 1993, a 27-year-old musician was beaten, raped, and killed while walking home through Seattle. An hour and a half later, the beloved lead singer of The Gits was found dumped in the street, leaving the city searching for answers. For nearly a decade, her killer remained unknown—until a breakthrough in DNA technology finally broke the case. Join John Conner as he dives deep into the dark to discuss the murder of Mia Zapata. Will this case be enough to make you check the locks?

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Check the Locks Podcast is Supported By:

Audible: Enjoy 30 Days for Free

This episode of Check the Locks is dedicated, with love, to the memory of our friend Mathew Scott Halliday.

Sources:

Grunge music | Music | Research Starters | EBSCO Research

10 of the Best Seattle Grunge Bands | uDiscover

Mia Zapata: Punk Musician Murdered in 1993, Changing Seattle Grunge Scene

PCR Test: What It Is, How It Works & Results

CODIS and NDIS Fact Sheet — FBI

Who Murdered The Rock Star? - CBS News

Man Held in Singer's 1993 Killing - Los Angeles Times

Home Alive

Forensic Files - Season 12, Episode 7 - The Day the Music Died