Crime Analyst

Mica Francis’ case is now being widely talked about due to the Netflix documentary, The Death of The Pastors Wife. Laura talked about Mica and all the red flags she saw in 2024. Mica died trying to leave John Paul Miller – a man who calls himself a Pastor. In this remastered series you will learn much more about what he did to Mica as well as what was left out of the documentary.  Mica was failed when she was alive. She’s been failed in death - up until now.  Mica’s case raises urgent questions about justice, accoun...

Why doesn't she just leave?  It's a question survivors of domestic abuse hear again and again. But it places the focus in entirely the wrong place.  Laura interviews Grace Stuart, survivor and host of Why She Stayed podcast, to examine how coercive control can develop gradually - and why it can be so difficult to recognise when you're living inside it.  Grace was just 20 when she met her former partner, who was 14 years older. What initially felt intense and intoxicating became a complex spider's web of grooming, manipulation and control.  Grace shares how apparent honesty a...

In this remastered episode which drops on the five year anniversary of Gabby's murder, Laura continues to interview Nichole Schmidt, Gabby’s mum. Laura and Nichole discuss the significance of 24 days Gabby was missing for, why men need to lead the charge stopping male violence to women, lawsuits, and why new coercive control laws and training are urgently needed. In honour of Gabby, listen to the conversation and share the episodes with family and friends. It might just save a life. If you want more in-depth conversations and to join the Ringleader Happy Hour with Nichole, join the Crime...

You can earn your own money, pay the bills and have access to the joint account - and still be economically abused.  Economic abuse is about far more than stopping someone from accessing money. It can involve restriction, exploitation and sabotage - and it can be so deeply woven into coercive control that victims may not recognise what is happening to them.  Laura is joined by Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs OBE, CF internationally recognised expert on economic abuse, author and founder of Surviving Economic Abuse, for a deeper examination of how perpetrators weaponise money and economic resources to establis...

In this remastered episode, which was recorded on the three-year anniversary of 22-year-old Gabby Petito’s murder, Laura interviews Nichole Schmidt, Gabby’s mother.  Nichole shares what Gabby was like growing up as well as details about Brian and Gabby’s relationship and what she now knows to be the red flags.  Gabby was reported missing on September 11 2021 after her 23-year-old fiancé, Brian Laundrie, returned from a cross-country road trip without her on September 1 2021. Instead of speaking with Gabby’s family, the Laundrie family chose to lawyer up.  In honour of Gabby, listen to the conversation and...

Imagine waiting 530 days waiting for the trial of the man who groomed, controlled, strangled and assaulted you only to walk into court on day one and be told there would be no trial. Behind closed doors a plea deal was negotiated dramatically altering the outcome of the case, resulting in Robert Hastings walking free – no prison time.  Strangulation and coercive control are high risk behaviours correlating significantly with serious harm and femicide – yet far too often abusers are rarely charged. This case was rare because it did and yet there was still no justice.  Listen as Laura and Pari...

In this remastered episode, Laura discusses the May 24 2023, fascinating development in the lawsuit Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito filed against Roberta and Christopher Laundrie, Judge Danielle Brewer ordered Roberta and Christopher Laundrie to share the ‘Burn After Reading’ letter Roberta Laundrie wrote to Brian Laundrie with Gabby Petito’s parents.  Laura shares her analysis of the letter and her thoughts about Roberta Laundrie breaking her silence about the case by making a statement once the letter was made public. You will not want to miss this.  As a mark of respect to Gabby, please honour Gabby by taking a...

Paris Shears never imagined that the man she fell in love with would groom, physically harm and control her. What began as a seemingly loving relationship became a pattern of coercive control, intimidation and violence that left her fearing for her life.  When Paris's former partner was charged with offences including intentional strangulation and assault, he initially pleaded not guilty. After more than a year with the trial looming over her head, Paris went to court for the first day of the trial, and there was a closed meeting where he changed his plea and took a deal. The con...

In this remastered episode, In this special episode, which was originally released on what would have been Gabby’s 24th Birthday,  Laura highlights the latest developments in Gabby’s case regarding the two ongoing lawsuits Gabby’s family have filed against Moab City Police and Brian’s parents, Roberta and Christopher Laundrie.  Laura discusses three key updates including: Judge Danielle Brewer’s decision to add the Laundrie’s former lawyer, Steve Bertolino, as a defendant to the lawsuit filed by Gabby’s parents against the Laundries; the selfie that Gabby took on her mobile phone just minutes before the 911 call to po...

In April 2024 25-year-old Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche was a social media marketer and mother from East London who was found murdered in her car. She had been strangled and stabbed. Days before her death, Kennedi told a friend she was “on a break” from her relationship with Gogoa Lois Tape. But Tape lured her to meet him under false pretences and strangled her in the driver’s seat of her own car—for eight minutes.   Tape was charged with murder, but prosecutors ultimately accepted a guilty plea to the lesser offence of manslaughter by diminished responsibility. He was sentenced to a hos...

In this remastered episode, Laura highlights key events, witnesses and evidence in the timeline and sequence of events, revisiting Gabby and Brian’s Instagram and what friends have said about Gabby and Brian’s relationship.  Laura also breaks down the 9-minute video footage that was released on October 19 2022 of Gabby and Brian’s trip to Whole Foods on August 27 2021 and explains why it is so significant. Laura highlights the lessons that must be learned from Gabby’s case and what needs to happen next. You won’t want to miss this.  Trigger warning: Listener discretion is advised. This episode...

Investigative journalist Mandy Matney is best known for doggedly pursuing and unraveling Alex Murdaugh's financial crimes against his 100-year-old family law firm and its clients in the low country of South Carolina. Mandy’s coverage of and in-depth investigation into Murdaugh’s legal dynasty family began in 2019, when a boat crash involving 19-year-old Paul Murdaugh resulted in the death of 19 -year-old Mallory Beach. Mandy's relentless reporting continued through 2021 with the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh and extensive trial of former attorney Alex Murdaugh, who was eventually found guilty of their murders. However, in 2026 he was granted a new trial.   </p...

In this remastered episode, Laura concludes her analysis of the 99-page Moab City Police Investigative Review by detailing and breaking down Captain Ratcliffe’s conclusion and recommendations.  Laura shares her professional thoughts about why the conclusion makes little sense and why the recommendations will not create the change that’s urgently required to save the next Gabby’s life.  Trigger warning: Listener discretion is advised. This episode may be upsetting and/or triggering and it will be angry making.  Wyoming Crime Scene Visit:  Laura recently recorded an exclusive episode based in Wyoming where she retraces Gabby Pet...

In this episode, Laura interviews pioneering human rights lawyer and CEO of the Centre for Women's Justice, Harriet Wistrich, whose groundbreaking work has helped transform the way the justice system responds to male violence against women and girls.    Together, Laura and Harriet analyse landmark cases including John Worboys and Sally Challen, the campaign to criminalise coercive control, and the legal mechanisms used to keep dangerous offenders behind bars.     Harriet also shares the realities of fighting for systemic change through strategic litigation, the legacy of the botched investigation into serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, the role fem...

In this remastered episode, Laura continues to analyze the police report filed by Officer Pratt and Officer Robbins and the 99-page Moab City Police Investigative Review of the Police Stop was published on 12th January 2022.  Laura reveals that another witness came forward and stated Brian hit Gabby with a closed fist, as well as a number of bizarre revelations made by Officer Pratt on interview with Captain Ratcliffe. Laura also takes a deeper dive into the DV 101 Manual for Police and Prosecutors in Utah and what it lists regarding male and female factors as well as religious factors that...

Joanna Simpson was brutally killed by her estranged husband, British Airways pilot Robert Brown, just one week before their divorce was due to be finalised. Brown pre-dug a grave and hid her body in Great Windsor Park. He finally admitted killing Joanna with a claw hammer, but he was acquitted of murder and convicted of manslaughter which meant he was eligible for release after 13 years. Following years of campaigning by Joanna's mother Diana Parkes, best friend Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, Laura Richards and thousands of Crime Analyst listeners, Brown’s automatic release was stopped in 2023.   He came up for parole in April...

In this remastered episode, Laura shares new reflections and analysis about how and why Moab police got it so wrong.    Laura outlines how and why the predominant aggressor law in Utah has been misunderstood and misapplied including one major detail which Brian disclosed to police. This important detail appears to have been overlooked or ignored.   Laura also details important guidance written by the Utah Attorney General’s Office, the Domestic Violence 101: A User-Friendly Manual on Domestic Violence for Police and Prosecutors, which points to Gabby being the victim and Brian the abuser. You won’t want to miss this.  ...

In this exclusive interview Laura is joined by Jazmine’s parents following the Court of Appeal's decision to overturn the unduly lenient sentences handed to two teenage boys convicted of 10 counts of rape of two girls in Hampshire.    After widespread public outrage and a legal challenge by the Attorney General, the Court of Appeal ruled that the original sentences failed to reflect the seriousness of the offences. Two boys, who had initially avoided custody, were re-sentenced to four years' detention.     Whilst the decision marked an important step towards accountability, Jazmine’s parents explain in detail wh...

In this remastered episode, Laura continues to analyze the police report filed by Officer Pratt and Officer Robbins and the 99-page Moab City Police Investigative Review of the Police Stop was published on 12th January 2022.  Astonishingly, the report concluded that ‘several unintentional mistakes stemmed from the fact the officers failed to cite Ms Petito for domestic violence.’ Laura disagrees with this preposterous conclusion and explains why. You won’t want to miss this.  Trigger warning: Listener discretion is advised. This episode may be upsetting and/or triggering and it will be angry making.  Wyoming Crime Scene V...

Mother of two, Joanna Simpson, was brutally killed by her estranged husband, British Airways pilot Robert Brown, on 31 October 2010. Brown smuggled a claw hammer in to Joanna's home and bludgeoned her to death before burying her body in a pre-dug grave. Despite this, Brown was acquitted of murder and convicted of manslaughter. He would serve just 13 years before becoming eligible for automatic release.    Laura’s forensic analysis of Joanna's case, together with Joanna's extraordinary mother, Diana Parkes CBE, and best friend, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE, ignited a grassroots movement that successfully prevented Brown's automatic release.    But that w...