Canadian True Crime

[Part 4 of 5] A single tip-off finally leads police to raid the Pickton farm with a search warrant for illegal firearms. What they stumble into instead would unravel one of the most devastating investigations in Canadian history, connecting Robert Pickton to dozens of women who vanished from the Downtown Eastside.

* Part 5 - Robert Pickton's final chapter will be coming later this week. Thanks for your patience!

CONTENT WARNI...

[Part 3 of 4] One night, a woman living on the Pickton farm witnesses an act so disturbing it prompts repeated warnings to police. A search warrant should have followed, but through another cascade of devastating missed opportunities, Robert Pickton slips through the cracks once again...

CONTENT WARNING: this series includes graphic details that will be distressing for many listeners to hear, including mention of sexual assault,...

[Part 2 of 4] The Pickton brothers become officially wealthy, and open the infamous party venue known as Piggy’s Palace. There’s an alarming spike in vulnerable women vanishing from the Downtown Eastside - but two would live to tell their stories. 

Look out for early, ad-free release on CTC premium feeds available on Amazon Music (included with Prime), Apple Podcasts, Patreon and Supercast.

CONTENT WARNING: this series i...

A brand new four-part series.  

In 2024, Canada’s most prolific serial killer was murdered in prison in an act of vigilante justice. The final chapter of Robert Pickton may now be closed, but the story is far from over.  

Pickton confessed to murdering 49 women on his pig farm near Vancouver, many of them sex workers and Indigenous women.

The evidence suggests he did not act alone.  

-----

We're announcing something special for episode 200. Thank you so much for listening!

Launching January 19, Robert Pickton: The Final Chapter is a completely new series that revisits the case to date.

In 2024, Canada’s most prolific serial killer was murdered in prison in an act of vigilante justice. Pickton's final chapter may now be closed, but the story is far from over. Pickton confessed to murdering 49 women - many of them se...

Today, we're pleased to share a special episode from another podcast we think you'll enjoy: Crime Story from CBC Podcasts. Each week, award-winning investigative journalist Kathleen Goldhar goes deep into a true crime case with the storyteller who knows it best.

In this year-end episode, Kristi Lee joins Kathleen at CBC Studios to talk about what goes into making Canadian True Crime, share behind-the-scenes insights from past ca...

In August 1982, three generations of a family set out for a two week camping trip in the wilds of British Columbia.

When the entire family failed to return home, it triggered the most expensive and publicized manhunt in Canadian history — and uncovered a horrific truth that shocked the nation.

Additional content warning: this episode includes the murder and sexual assault of a child. Minimal graphic details will b...

Today, we dive into the high-profile, baffling disappearance of six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and her four-year-old brother Jack, who vanished from their rural Nova Scotia home in May 2025.

Kristi is joined by Jordan Bonaparte of The Canadian Gothic (formerly Nighttime), who has covered the case extensively from the area. Together, they cut through the speculation and conspiracy theories to focus on the confirmed facts.

-------...

For years, J.B.’s identity was hidden behind publication ban.

Now, she steps forward in her own name to share her story of survival and resilience.

We're thrilled to announce the release of Breaking Idol, a powerful new documentary from CBC about "J.B.” — a survivor at the centre of the first sexual assault trial of Jacob Hoggard.

J.B.’s case against the former Canadian Idol finalist and frontman of the multi-platinum band Hed...

[Part 2 of 2] A decade after the brutal murder of Christine Jessop, a DNA breakthrough completely clears Guy Paul Morin. But it would be another 25 years before the real killer is revealed.

In this two-part series, we share the full story of Christine Jessop — the one her family waited decades for the courage to tell – with insight from the documentary filmmaker who spent years earning their trust.

Additional content war...

[Part 1 of 2] The brutal murder of nine-year-old Christine Jessop in 1984 shattered her family’s tiny Ontario community. When police arrested her quiet neighbour Guy Paul Morin, the case spiralled into a circus of trials, appeals and outrage, leading to one of Canada’s most notorious wrongful convictions. When the real killer was found in 2020, the memory of the little girl at the centre of the case had been overshadowed by the spe...

In this special update episode we’re joined by Beverley’s sister Barb Kilpatrick and niece Melanie to mark a milestone in one of the most high-profile cases the province has seen, reflect on the impact, and share new details - including some sad family news and a public plea for information.

25 years ago today, the body of 42 year old mother of two Beverley Rowbotham was found in the family car at an abandoned gas station in...

[Part 5 of 5] This final instalment wraps up our coverage and analysis of the Hockey Canada scandal and trial. At the end, Kristi shares her personal opinion about what likely happened in Room 209 that night — and why the verdicts would have remained the same anyway. The difference is in how the judge got there. 

Please note: this series does not dispute the judge’s not guilty verdicts.

Our position is that the framing of th...

[Part 4 of 5] We continue to unpack the confusing timeline of Room 209 - including the controversy around crown witness Brett Howden and the alleged slap and “splits” incidents, leading up to the verdicts and how the country reacted to them. At the end, Kristi shares her personal opinion about what likely happened in that hotel room — and why the verdicts would have remained the same anyway. The difference is in how the judge got t...

[Part 3 of 5] In Part 3, we unpack the confusing timeline of Room 209 and the contradictions at the heart of the case. A clear pattern emerges: the five accused players were repeatedly given the benefit of the doubt, while E.M. was scrutinized and cast as unreliable. 

Thanks for your patience with this deep-dive series and for allowing us the time to give it the attention it deserves. Part 4 will wrap this series up, and th...

[Part 2 of 5] The Hockey Canada verdicts are final, but the story isn’t. Kristi Lee looks closely at the most talked-about evidence, how it was reflected in the written decision, and how that shaped public opinion. Thanks for your patience!

In this episode:

• The flaws in the first police investigation - and why it didn't result in charges
• Michael McLeod's instagram exchange with EM the day after the hotel room incident
• The "grou...

Kristi Lee gives an honest and transparent update about why Part 2 of the Hockey Canada trial is taking longer than expected. 

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding as we take the time to cover this case with the care and thoroughness it deserves. 

In the meantime:

Read JB's Op-Ed in the Globe and Mail, and on our website: "When aggressive tactics are praised as legal strategy, it’s survivors like...

[Part 1 of 5] A special five-part series — Two extraordinary guests join Kristi to take you through one of the biggest scandals in Canadian sports history. They know what it means to survive not only sexual assault - but the trial itself. And you probably know their stories:

• J.B. - aka the "Ottawa woman" who testified against former Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard
• Kelly Favro - survivor and advocate from British Columbia who ...

It started with a shocking message in a private chat: “I’ve just slaughtered my entire family.” What was first thought of as a grim joke soon became a frantic race to uncover the truth… and prevent a real-life horror from getting worse.

The intention of this episode is to take a look back at a shocking crime, how it impacted the community, and how it might have been prevented. Some names have been changed to respect the pri...