• (9:21) Tepe Case Update
• (17:31) Stein-Erik Soelberg

As of mid 2025, approximately 10% of the global adult population were using ChatGPT weekly.

Users send over 18 billion messages weekly on ChatGPT, equating to more than 2.5 billion messages per day.

While it can be a useful tool, it can also be very harmful.

Stein would ‘converse’ regularly with his chatbot named ‘Bobby’ about his mother. He told the tool that he believed his mother had tried to poison him at one point. 'That's a deeply serious event, Erik - and I believe you,' the bot responded. 'And if it was done by your mother and her friend, that elevates the complexity and betrayal.'
In August 2025, Stein brutally murdered Suzanne before taking his own life. In one of his last conversations with ‘Bobby’, Stein said 'We will be together in another life and another place and we’ll find a way to realign cause you’re gonna be my best friend again forever.'

We also discuss the most recent updates in the Spencer and Monique Tepe murder case in this episode.

Read our blogs for these cases:

https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2026/01/21/is-chatgpt-an-accomplice-to-murder-the-case-of-stein-erik-soelberg/

https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2026/01/07/the-murder-of-spencer-tepe-and-his-wife-monique/

Looking for a new podcast for 2026? Check out True Crime Couple.
On True Crime Couple, Kay dives deep into chilling cases—researching every detail and weaving them into gripping, whodunnit-style stories that keep listeners guessing until the very end. With thousands of five-star reviews, their podcast has built a community of listeners who value both sensitivity and suspense. Find True Crime Couple wherever you get your podcasts.

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Timestamp to skip intro: (5:35)

On December 30, 2025, colleagues of dentist Dr Spencer Tepe became concerned when he did not show up to work as scheduled. They called in a welfare check and went to the Tepe’s home in Columbus, Ohio to find out what was going on.

What awaited them was a gruesome scene. Spencer (37) and his wife Monique (39) were found dead inside the home. Reports indicate that the couple had been shot. Their two young children were found inside the home, unharmed and were said to be screaming.

On January 10, authorities announced that Monique’s ex-husband, surgeon Michael McKee, had been arrested and charged with two counts of murder. Monique and Michael had apparently only been married for 7 months many years ago, and their divorce was finalized in 2017.

What do you think the motive was in this case?

Read our blog for this case - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2026/01/07/the-murder-of-spencer-tepe-and-his-wife-monique/

This episode is sponsored by:

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Join us on Patreon for exclusive weekly content. In a recent episode, we cover the case of Terri Ann Ackerman, a missing woman who ended up being found deceased in her own home, SEVEN years after she disappeared. Patreon.com/truecrimesociety

Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news - Instagram.com/truecrimesociety

Introducing Below the Surface from AbJack Entertainment. Below the Surface is a true crime podcast hosted by Olivia from True Crime Society, covering a variety of strange and bizarre cases with one common theme; a water connection. It's produced by Mike Morford of AbJack Entertainment (Co host of Criminology). Research and writing by Abagail Belcastro (Campus Killings). You can find Below the Surface on your favorite social media outlets

Timestamp to skip intro: (5:44)

In 2014, Maryland mother-of-three Catherine Hoggle had been struggling with her mental health. Catherine had been involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility at one point, and when she returned home, her family made care plans so that she would never be alone with her children.

One evening in September 2014, Catherine convinced her father to let her take her son Jacob (2) with her to get a pizza. A strange series of events followed, and the following morning, Troy Turner (the father of the children) discovered that Jacob AND his sister Sarah (3) were missing.

Catherine told Troy that she had taken the kids to trial at a new daycare. When Troy asked her where the daycare center was, Catherine claimed she could not remember. No trace of either child has ever been found.

Catherine would end up being indicted on murder charges in relation to her children. This case has dragged on for over a decade due to repeated questions about Catherine’s mental health and her competency to stand trial.

In December 2025, a judge ruled that Catherine is now competent to stand trial for the murder of her children. The trial is currently scheduled to take place this year, 2026.

Read our blog for the Hoggle children -
https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2026/01/01/where-are-sarah-and-jacob-hoggle-missing-for-over-ten-years/

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Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news - Instagram.com/truecrimesociety

Introducing Below the Surface from AbJack Entertainment. Below the Surface is a true crime podcast hosted by Olivia from True Crime Society, covering a variety of strange and bizarre cases with one common theme; a water connection. It's produced by Mike Morford of AbJack Entertainment (Co host of Criminology). Research and writing by Abagail Belcastro (Campus Killings). You can find Below the Surface on your favorite social media outlets.

• Joseph Pichler was a child star, best known for his roles in films such as Varsity Blues, Beethoven’s 3rd and Beethoven’s 4th. In 2006, Joseph’s vehicle was found abandoned in Washington State with a note indicating that his belongings should go to his brother. Now, 19 years later, Joseph remains missing.
• Musician Richey Edwards was part of the British band ‘Manic Street Preachers.’ Richey had a documented history of mental health and addiction struggles. Once when he was questioned about being serious about his music, he carved the words ‘4 Real’ into his arm with a razor blade. The injury required 18 stitches. In February 2005, Richey was due to leave London to fly to the United States to begin a press tour. Instead, he left behind some of his belongings in his hotel and drove back to his apartment in Cardiff, Wales. Over the next few weeks, there were reported sightings of Richey in that country. His car would later be found abandoned near a bridge. Reported sightings of Richey have come from India and Spain. Richey has now been missing for over 20 years.