How can a woman be in two places at once? For four years, Cari Farver was a ghost. To her mother, she was a series of cruel and erratic text messages. To her boyfriend, she was a voyeuristic nightmare watching from the shadows. To the police, she was a "runaway" whose digital footprint suggested she was alive and well.

But Cari Farver wasn't running. She had been erased.

In this week’s episode, Carrie and Mandy peel back the digital curtain on one of the most sophisticated identity thefts in criminal history. We dive into the brilliant life of Cari Farver, a powerhouse programmer whose own expertise was weaponized against her memory.

We journey through the staggering scale of a "Digital Mountain" where 1.2 million fragments of data—including 15,000 emails and 50,000 texts—were meticulously crafted to bury a murder under a mountain of code. We uncover the "Garage Secret," the agonizing reality of a car that sat for three long years in a family garage, holding the evidence of a "legal death" while a mother was systematically gaslit by her daughter's killer. You’ll hear how the investigation finally cracked the case using "Linguistic DNA," tracing a single, recurring one-letter spelling mistake that unmasked the monster hiding behind the screen. Finally, we look at the legacy of this tragedy through "Cari’s Law," a hard-fought legislative victory ensuring that in the eyes of the law, a text message can never again be used as a substitute for proof of life.

Join us as we discuss the relentless work of forensic investigator Tony Kava and the mother who refused to stop fighting for the truth.

Listen now to hear how a digital ghost was finally brought back to earth.

#CariFarver #TheDigitalGhost #TrueCrime #MonstrousPodcast #DigitalForensics #JusticeForCari

Is a "simple, taunting, circle" the signature of a cross-country serial killer cell, or is it just statistical noise?

This week on Monstrous, Carrie and MawMaw dive into the chilling and controversial Smiley Face Killers Theory.

Since 1997, hundreds of college-aged, athletic men have vanished from bars, only to be found weeks later in frigid rivers. While police often rule these as accidental "Last Mile" drownings, retired detectives and forensic experts point to a darker pattern: ligature marks, the presence of GHB, and the impossible physics of "fixed lividity."

We break down the cornerstone cases of Patrick McNeill, Dakota James, and Tommy Booth, and explore why the FBI remains skeptical. Is it a decentralized network of killers operating on the dark web, or a tragic combination of alcohol and the environment?

In this episode, we discuss:

• The forensic anomalies that "accidents" can't explain.

• The significance of the smiley face graffiti.

• The "Last Mile" problem and the "Hydrocution" response.

• Institutional barriers: Why police are incentivized to close these files.

Have a theory? Email us at monstroustcpod@gmail.com or find us on Facebook.

Listen now and remember: Watch for monsters... and don’t kill people.

In a small town nestled in Ohio, a series of poison pen letters unleashed chaos and fear that would linger for decades. The Circleville letters represent a dark chapter in American history, showcasing the lengths one individual would go to in order to destroy lives and reputations. This week we delve into the harrowing story behind this campaign of terror, the psychological motivations of the writer, and the tragic consequences that followed. The Circleville letters, a notorious case of anonymous harassment that spanned decades, targeting a community and leading to tragic outcomes. We explore the psychological profile of the perpetrator, the nature of the letters, the community's response, and the failures of the investigation that allowed the writer to remain anonymous. We also highlight the profound impact of the letters on the victims and the community, as well as the tragic consequences that ensued from the investigation's shortcomings. Carrie and MawMaw delve into the mysterious death of Ron Gillespie, the subsequent investigation, and the ongoing terror campaign represented by the Circleville letters. They explore the suspicious circumstances surrounding Gillespie's death, the failures of the sheriff's department, and the wrongful conviction of Paul Freshour. Lastly they highlight the political motivations behind the investigation, the mishandling of forensic evidence, and the chilling threats faced by Mary Gillespie. Ultimately, they raise questions about justice, accountability, and the enduring legacy of the Circleville letters.

In our final, decisive flight of 2025, Carrie and MawMaw are strapping on detective hats and analyzing technical blueprints to close the year on the most audacious acts of air piracy in American history. We’re stepping away from typical horrors to explore a brief, terrifying era when the sky became a frontier for high-stakes criminals—and one aircraft, the Boeing 727, became the perfect getaway vehicle.

In this episode, we dissect the three archetypes of the skyjacking era:

• The Legend (D.B. Cooper): The man who turned Seat 18C into a heist scene, vanishing into a 1971 storm with $200,000 and leaving behind nothing but a J.C. Penney tie and 60 volumes of FBI mysteries.
• The Copycat (Richard Floyd McCoy Jr.): A Green Beret who pulled off a "perfect" $500,000 jump only to be undone by a deposit slip and... a sandwich?
• The Ghost (Wilhelm Specht): The chaotic precursor who proved the human will to escape is absolute, using a simple pen knife to cut his way out of a pressurized cabin at 24,000 feet.

From the physics of "Exit Trauma" and the forensic secrets hidden in titanium particles, to Carrie’s theory on a ground accomplice, we are unraveling why the mystery of D.B. Cooper still haunts the Pacific Northwest 54 years later.

Plus: We share an incredible listener fact from dragongirl15dragon94 regarding our Sodder Children investigation!

In This Episode:

• The Technical Trap: How the "Cooper Vane" ended an era of crime.
• Forensic Deep Dive: The microscopic particles that might finally name a suspect in 2026.
• The Suspects: Analyzing Robert Rackstraw vs. Kenneth Christiansen.
• The IRS Footnote: Why the government still wants its taxes from a man who vanished.

Thank you for an incredible 2025! We’ll see you in 2026 as we kick things off with a town terrorized by a mysterious writer.

Listener Discretion is Advised: This episode contains topics and language that may not be suitable for all listeners and may be triggering for some.

Connect with us:

• Rate & Review: If you love the show, please leave us five stars!
• Submit a Case/Story: Send your suggestions and "Listener Tales" to our email monstroustcpod@gmail.com
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In the chill of Christmas Eve 1945, a tragedy unfolded in Fayetteville, West Virginia, that would haunt a family and a community for decades. The Sodder family, preparing for a joyful holiday, faced an unimaginable horror when five of their children vanished without a trace in a fire that raised more questions than answers. With theories ranging from kidnapping to political motives, In this episode we delve into the eerie details of that fateful night, exploring the dark shadows of suspicion and the enduring mystery that still captivates hearts today. We highlight the enduring mystery and the psychological impact of ambiguous loss on the Sodder family, culminating in a discussion of the children's legacy and the ongoing quest for truth.

You can email us at monstroustcpod@gmail.com

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In the frigid winter of 1959, a group of experienced hikers embarked on a challenging expedition in the Ural Mountains of the Soviet Union. Despite their skills and preparation, the group faced an inexplicable tragedy that has led to numerous theories, including natural disasters, human intervention, and even extraterrestrial involvement. What began as an adventure turned into one of the most baffling mysteries of the 20th century, leaving behind unanswered questions and chilling theories. The Soviet government's subsequent secrecy and the bizarre circumstances surrounding the hikers' deaths have only deepened the mystery, leaving many questions unanswered and captivating the public's imagination for decades. In this episode, we delve into the eerie events surrounding the Dyatlov Pass incident, exploring the hikers' backgrounds, the harrowing circumstances of their deaths, and the conspiracy theories that continue to capture the public's imagination.

You can email us at monstroustcpod@gmail.com

Photos for this episode can be found on our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=6156164145715

The Keddie Cabin Murders, a tragic event that occurred in 1981, involved the brutal killing of a family in a remote California resort. The investigation was marred by errors and a lack of resources, leading to multiple theories about the motive and identity of the killer. Despite overwhelming evidence pointing to key suspects, the case remains unsolved, leaving a lasting impact on the surviving family and the local community.

If you have any information about the Keddie Cabin Murders, please contact the Sacramento County Coroner's Office at 916-874-9257.

You can email us at monstroustcpod@gmail.com

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