All Episodes

August 26, 2025 62 mins

Send us a text

Teens come with an array of emotions from happiness to anger, from excitement to anxiety and even jealousy and envy. But what happens when some of those emotions become too overwhelming for teens to handle on their own? Well, in the summer of 1984, in Orinda, California, sixteen-year-old Bernadette Protti, ruthlessly murdered her fifteen-year-old classmates Kirsten Costas, which was motivated by greed, envy and the desire to be more like Kirsten. So, what were the signs that were missed showing Bernadette was on her way to becoming a killer?

References:

Life Story of Bernadette Protti and Where She is Today

The Grisly 1984 Murder Of Cheerleader Kirsten Costas That Inspired Multiple Films

'Death of a Cheerleader' Is Based on a True and Very Chilling Story

16-Year-Old Is Held in Killing - The New York Times

What's The True Story Behind Lifetime's Remake Of 'Death Of A Cheerleader?'

Crime: Profile of a Murder Suspect | TIME

The True Story Behind 'Death of a Cheerleader'

The story of Bernadette Protti: Everything you need to know - Tuko.co.ke

Bernadette Protti: Where is Kirsten Costas Killer Today? 

Support the show

email- sinistercrimesandcocktails@gmail.com
website-https://www.sinistercrimesandcocktailspodcast.com/
Facebook Page-https://www.facebook.com/sinistercrimesandcocktails
Instagram Page-https://www.instagram.com/sinistercrimesandcocktails/
Cash App-

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

Crime Junkie

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.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.