Sidetrack Sleuth
I’m Jessica — a lifelong true crime enthusiast with a curious mind, a lot of opinions, and a tendency to get sidetracked. Every week, I walk you through a fascinating case and the stories behind it, then let the conversation wander into unexpected territory — because crime doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and neither do our thoughts.
From cold cases and courtroom drama to celebrity scandals, pop culture hot takes, political messes, and whatever’s trending on my For You page, nothing is off-limits. I’ll wrap things up with The Lead — my weekly recommendation you didn’t know you needed — and occasionally drag a guest into The Depositions for their testimony on all things crime and chaos.
Think of it as your smartest, most unhinged group chat come to life — equal parts investigative deep dive and oversharing bestie energy. If you love true crime and a good tangent, you’re in the right place.
Episodes
38 episodes
Amy Bishop
Hi sleuths!This episode is twisty and it covers Jessica's favorite... the grey area! Tell us what you thinkhttps://abcnews.go.com/US/murders-texas-town-connected-convicted-killer-maintains-innocence/story?id=80564869...
We are back but our audio is MEHHHHHH
SLLLLEEEUUUTTTHHHHHSSSSWe recording in person for the first time and there is an echo. I gave it my ALL and many hours... It was can it or give it to you like this.We will BE BETTER!!! This case is a good though, pl...
Two Stories/ Kelly Peters/Matthew Shepard
Hi, I don't know when we will be back again but are doing our best!The first story is a wild ride full of PTA dramaThe second story is Matthew Sheppard's storyhttps://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-framed/https...
Episode 34: Denise Huskins//Victim F
Hi Sleuths, this story is wild and sad and frustrating. We want you to listen to the podcast but then go buy Denise's book, Victim Fhttps://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/denise-huskins-called-the-real-life-gone-girl-gets-apology-from-police...
Episode 33: ELIZABETH IS THE STORYTELLER! Pinkerton Detective Agency
Hiiii Sleuths! Elizabeth is BACK! She came back STRONG telling us all about the Pinkerton Detective Agency. There are lots of modern references that will make you feel cool that you know them. It's a must listen! Also, it was a late night recor...
Episode 32: Colleen Shipman's story/ Bishop's back
Hi Sleuths! Jessica and Elizabeth miss each other SO much but parenting, working and sleuthing makes for a busy life. Bishop joins us again because recording with someone who lives with you is easier at this point in our life. WE WILL REUNITE.<...
Episode 31: Elizabeth's husband guests/Ed Kemper
Hiiii Sleuths! This episode is something special. Not only did Brad guest, he actually did the story telling. Can someone tell Bishop to pull it together? Brad told us about Ed Kemper, he is a special kind of awful. Give it a listen! ...
Episode 30: Jessica's husband guest hosts / Daniel Holtzclaw
Hi Sleuths! This episode is a really sad one and hard to hear. Jessica is the story teller and her husband Bishop is the co-host.These women are strong and told their story. We take that seriously.
Episode 29: Tamla Horsford
Hi Sleuths, welcome back! This week Jessica tells the story of the tragic death of Tamla Horsford. There is discussion of racism and police misconduct here. Below are the sources Jessica used - give them a read.https://www.youtu...
The Menendez Brothers
Hi Sleuths! Elizabeth takes us through the complicated case of the Menendez Brothers. It's a wild ride!https://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/1990/10/dunne199010<...
Episode 27: Conrad Roy III
Hi Sleuths! This week Jessica talks us through the tragic death of Conrad Roy III. It is a controversial case that challenged the legal system and made national headlines. No spoilers but you have probably heard the headlines before :)<...
Episode 26: Highway of Tears
Hi Sleuths! This is a really tough episode but so dang important. Elizabeth did such a great job. Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference, and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women ...
Episode 25: The Martens Corbett Family
Hi Sleuths! Have you ever wished Jessica's goldendoodles would be more vocal while we record? If so, this is the episode for you ;) This episode is a total Jessica case... twist and turns leaving you unsure how you feel. Jason Corb...
Episode 24: Amber Hagerman
Hi Sleuths! We are back and Elizabeth is telling us about the Amber Alert. It's a sad one but has a good legacy. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/amber-ale...
Episode 23: Introduction of our Miranda Rights
Hi Sleuths. This case made Jessica nerd all the way out. It is so good! Come tell us if you knew where our Miranda rights came from??The sources on this one are so good because #landmarksupremecourtcasehttps://www.oyez.org/cases...
Episode 22: H. H. Holmes
Hi Sleuths, we are saying trigger warning on this one. It is old timey AF but also, he was a twisted person. This may be the first documented serial killer.The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Episode 21: Bryce Laspisa
Hi Sleuths! Jessica and Elizabeth are in their feelings over this one. Bryce Laspisa left to head home at 11:30pm and never made it there. On the way there was so many strange encounters and so many ALMOSTS that will break your heart.
Episode 20: Elizabeth Holmes
Hi Sleuths! Elizabeth did a case from this century! It's the story of Theranos. Was Elizabeth Holmes too ambitious or just a fraud? Listen and tell us!
Episode 19:The Black Widow of Keller, Texas
Keller, Texas is our stomping grounds and this case takes place right in the center of it. Gregg Williams was shot in his home in the middle of the night, was it murder or suicide? These sources are good and we are the sleuths ...
Episode 18: Mary Mallon
Hi Sleuths! Elizabeth is back at it with an old timey but TOO relevant case. You may have heard of Mary before... she was dubbed.. Typhoid Mary. Ya know we love our sources, check them out!!
Episode 17: Angela Diaz, Ian Diaz and Michelle Hadley
Welcome back, Sleuths. This case is a wild ride. WILD ride. Angela Diaz life was going perfectly until she started receiving threatening emails.Also, Jessica wanted to tell Kendrick Johnson's story but it is a hard one. The idea w...
Episode 16: The Donner Party
Welcome back, Sleuths!This one is... dark but SO good. This is another one of those stories that you may have thought you knew! We love our sources, this is how we do this! They make us the sleuths we are so please show them lov...
Episode 15: Chanel Miller
Hi Sleuths!! We are back! We took a week off while Elizabeth dealt with the Texas catastrophe. BIG NEWS: We have a facebook group to discuss the cases and all the things. Search Spare Time Sleuths Hangout or find the link in the @...