In this first part of a two-part series, Obscura takes you inside the complicated and often tragic life of Kelsey A., a young woman whose story weaves together resilience, trauma, and the weight of circumstance.
From her early struggles with brain surgery and a near-fatal car accident to her years in a bootcamp and boarding school, Kelsey’s life was shaped by events that altered her path in profound ways. Despite it all, she rose as a standout athlete—first on the basketball court, then in the MMA cage. But as the years went on, new battles emerged: psychiatric crises, brushes with the law, and the dark pull of choices made in desperation.
Part 1 is not the story of her final day—it is the story of how she got there. By tracing her journey, we see the psychological weight she carried and the brief moments of triumph that stood out against a backdrop of adversity.
This episode lays the foundation. Part 2 will plunge into the darker, more unsettling details of her final chapter.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
- Kelsey’s early life in Cincinnati and the medical ordeal that reshaped her childhood.
- A devastating car accident that left lasting physical and psychological scars.
- Her removal from home and placement into a North Carolina bootcamp, followed by Montana Academy.
- Near-death experiences, including her survival after collapsing in the snow during an escape attempt.
- The drive and talent that turned her into a star basketball player and later an MMA fighter.
- Glimpses of her later years: psychiatric struggles, brushes with law enforcement, and choices that complicated her legacy.
- A reflection on how chance, trauma, and resilience shaped the person Kelsey became.
Content Warning
This episode contains discussions of brain trauma, psychiatric crises, sex work, and law enforcement encounters. Listener discretion is advised.
Closing Note
Part 1 sets the stage. Part 2 will take you deeper into the grittier, unsettling details that define Kelsey’s final years. Free listeners will get Part 2 next week; patrons can listen early.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA
* Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com
* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.com
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-content
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.