Canadian True Crime

Sheslay Free Mike terrorized the north for more than a decade. His real name was Michael Oros, and he's been remembered as a legend of the north, the other “mad trapper”, a folk hero… and a cold-blooded killer. But there's much more to this story than meets the eye...

This two-part series takes a look back at a well-known, historic case that was sensationalized through headlines, to show that behind it was a real, human stor...

Additional content warning: This case is about the death of a baby, and there is mention of domestic violence and animal abuse. Please take care when listening.

After the disappearance of a baby in Windsor in 1990, lurid headlines on both sides of the Detroit River quickly turned the baby’s teen parents into sordid celebrities.

The intention of this episode is to take a look back at a shocking crime sensationalized through he...

EDMONTON, ALBERTA

After the body of a blonde-haired woman is found in an icy ditch by the side of the road, it proves difficult to get to the bottom of what happened to her - and who was ultimately responsible.

The intention of this episode is to shine a light on the inner workings of our criminal justice system in the context of the “open court principle”—which assumes that public confidence in the integrity of the court sys...

A brand new Canadian podcast from APTN News, The Place That Thaws offers a rare opportunity to discover the untold stories of resilience and adaptation in the High Arctic.

Reporter Danielle Paradis and Iqaluit video journalist Trevor Wright travelled to some of Canada's most northern communities last October to speak to the locals. Through intimate interviews and immersive storytelling, they bring you the voices of those on the ...

[ Part 2 of 2 ] THE PAROLE HEARING: In September 2023, Richard Charles Joyce's first ever parole hearing was held. Not only was it deeply revealing, but new pieces of information also came to light that shocked the victims and survivors—and has resulted in several formal complaints.

Special thanks to Kerri Kehoe, “Catherine” (mother of survivor “Annie”), and Robert Rouleau.

This two-part series is closely connected to the pre...

[ Part 1 of 2 ] “I have learned that secrets keep you sick, and this secret has kept me sick for 21 years.” - Kerri Kehoe

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Additional content warning: this series is about three separate but connected cases of historic child abduction and sexual assault—and it includes some graphic details that will be difficult and distressing to hear. Please see timestamps below to help you navig...

Yvonne Rouleau was a 34-year old wife and mother who operated a successful gas bar at the busiest intersection in Kingston. She and her husband Paul were working hard to make their dreams come—until it all came crashing down one Monday morning in 1991.

* This episode is not part of a series - it's one of a cluster of four separate cases connected by a single thread. We’ll be exploring these other cases in a future episode.

Sp...

[Part 2 of 2] After picking up his pregnant wife from Saskatoon train station, Sergeant John Wilson drives them north to their new home. They just have one stop to make on the way to take care of some "police business"...

Additional content warning: Brief details of an attempted suicide at approx. timestamp 29:00 to 30:30. Please take care when listening.

More info:

• The Secret Lives of Sgt. John Wilson by Lois Simmi...

[Part 1 of 2] The twisted story of Sergeant John Wilson: a mountie at the centre of a sordid love triangle that played out as World War I raged on. 

Put together from an archive of hundreds of real love letters, forged letters and police and court memos, this gripping, action-packed miniseries offers a vivid snapshot of Canada at a pivotal moment in history.

Part 2 available now ad-free on CTC Premium feeds - Amazon M...

[Part 2 of 2] Continuing our look back at cases we've covered that have had major updates or have attracted notable feedback.

Approximate timestamps:

• 1:20 - Jacob Hoggard Trial
• 10:30 - The Brentwood Five (Matthew de Grood)
• 20:15 - Dellen Millard, Mark Smich and other criminals serving consecutive life sentences
• 29:00 - The Giant Mine Murders - 30th Anniversary
• 32:30 - The Renfrew County Massacre - Inquiry update
• 35:30 - The Surviv...

[Part 1 of 2] In this two-part series, we report back on cases that have had major updates or have attracted notable feedback over this past year. Kristi will also be addressing some of the most common comments and feedback received.

Part 2 is available ad-free now on CTC premium feeds: Amazon Music (included with Prime), Apple Podcasts, Patreon and Supercast

Available to all in one week - November 21.

Approximate times...

Additional content warning: this episode includes mention of intimate partner violence, suicidal ideation, and grooming and sexual assault of an underage person. No graphic details will be given. Please take care when listening.

A doctor repeatedly and intentionally betrays his oath to do no harm, setting off a chain reaction that escalates to murder. 

More info:

• Fatal Prescription: A Doctor Without Remorse, written b...

Special ad-free presentation to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the murder of Beverley Rowbotham, a wife and mother of two young boys.

About three years ago, Canadian True Crime released an episode about Beverley’s case, and earlier this year we were contacted by members of her family who wanted to discuss the case.

We’ve kept in contact and at their suggestion, we’re republishing the episode ad-free today, re-mastered an...

In 1975, a teenager walked into his high school carrying two rifles in a black guitar case.

This is the story of the first ever mass shooting at a secondary school in Canada, and how it spurred changes to Canadian firearms laws.

More info:

• 1975 SCHOOL SHOOTING: "There were not words to describe this sort of thing..." - Brampton Guardian
• A TRAGEDY’S LONG SHADOW - Toronto Star
• Brampton Centennial has built a memor...

[ Part 3 of 3 ] The truth about Canada’s Opioid Crisis is complicated and multi-faceted, but many experts in the field are clear about what’s going wrong.

In this final part, we'll explore the evidence and data, and delve into what addiction is and where it originates.

We'll look at what grief-stricken families are saying about Canada's slow and limited response to the opioid crisis—and what they are demanding be done instead.

Finally...

Content warning: this episode includes mentions of Indigenous trauma, residential schools and the 60s scoop.

[ Part 1 of 3 ] Through the stories of four young Canadians from completely different walks of life—who all met the same devastating fate, we explore how Canada got itself into the mess that is the opioid crisis. Sophie Breen, Seth MacLean, Skye Crassweller and Morgan Goodridge were among the almost 40,000 Canadians who have died of toxic drug poisoning since 2016. Most of these deaths were accidental, caused by street drugs co...

[ Part 3 of 3 ] The allegations result in criminal charges.

#legacyofabuse

Content Warning: This series is about allegations of physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse of students and minors at their church-run Christian school. There is heavy focus on corporal punishment, details of grooming and sexual assault of minors, mention of anti-LGBTQ+ and racist rhetoric, mention of self-harm and suicidal ideatio...

[ Part 2 of 3 ] Caitlin Erickson makes a discovery that prompts her to give a statement to police.

#legacyofabuse

Content Warning: This series is about allegations of physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse of students and minors at their church-run Christian school. There is heavy focus on corporal punishment, details of grooming and sexual assault of minors, mention of anti-LGBTQ+ and racist rhetoric, me...