Very Scary People

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An intense custody battle turns deadly when Christine Belford’s ex-husband and his family become obsessed with controlling the couple’s three daughters. The family is willing to do anything including stalking, kidnapping, and even murder to get their way. Over eight episodes, host Donnie Wahlberg takes listeners down a dark and twisted journey, exploring how one family’s obsession became a mother’s worst nightmare. With exclusive interviews and audio, the story goes beyond the headlines of the sinister Matusiewicz family.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Our Editor's Take

Very Scary People is a six-part true crime podcast about a mansion, a mass murder, and a ghost story. The podcast comes from the HLN TV show of the same name.

Donnie Wahlberg hosts the Very Scary People podcast. The singer and actor is famous for performing with New Kids on the Block and starring in the CBS show Blue Bloods and. He shows a different side of his talents with this series.

Amityville is a sleepy village in Long Island, New York. But it became an infamous town in 1974. One day that fall, police discovered the DeFeo family murdered. Someone killed six family members in the middle of the night, when they were sleeping. Only Ronald DeFeo Jr., the eldest son, survived. He claimed innocence at first, saying he thought the Mafia did the killings. Then he admitted to the terrible truth. But he later claimed that he heard voices in the house telling him to kill. Very Scary People tells the story of this terrible crime. The podcast also talks about DeFeo's issues with addiction and mental illness.

But there is much more to this story. George and Kathy Lutz bought the house. They fled the property after less than a month. The couple claimed scary paranormal activity haunted the home. The Lutzes ended up telling their story in The Amityville Horror book. Hollywood made a movie by the same name. The Very Scary People podcast reveals the family's story as well.

Donnie guides listeners through every detail of this complicated story. The podcast helps untangle mysteries along the way. The show talks about how DeFeo's past may have contributed towards his shocking actions. It also discusses whether the Dutch Colonial house had ghosts haunting it. The show reveals what the house is like today.

This true crime podcast may keep listeners interested through all the episodes. Even those who think they knew all about Amityville may learn something new with this comprehensive podcast. Very Scary People is a frightening listen.

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True Crime

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Introducing: Very Scary People

Introducing: Very Scary People

In 1974, a mass murder shook the sleepy waterfront town of Amityville, New York. One November night, police found the DeFeo family shot dead, face down in their beds. Only one survived: Ron DeFeo Jr., the eldest son with a troubled past. In this six-part series, host Donnie Wahlberg untangles the dark and complicated story of what happened that night, and unearths how these grisly murders sparked an infamous haunted tale.Starting March 18, 2022To learn more about how HLN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 3

Ep.1: The Takeover

Ep.1: The Takeover

Recently divorced mother, Christine Belford, waits at home for her ex-husband, David Matusiewicz, to drop off their three children after a two-week vacation. But when they fail to arrive, Christine is thrust into every parent’s worst nightmare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep.2: The Root of Evil

Ep.2: The Root of Evil

Following a bitter divorce, David, Lenore, and the three Matusiewicz girls have all vanished without a trace. But as a full investigation is launched to try and find them, detectives start to question just how far this family will go for total control. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With time running out, investigators struggle to find David, Lenore, and the Matusiewicz girls. As U.S. Marshal Bill David takes charge, one thing is clear: the family doesn’t want to be found— and the hunt for them is about to go international. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep.4: A Grandmother’s Impossible Choice

Ep.4: A Grandmother’s Impossible Choice

With her daughters finally returned home, Christine Belford tries to move on from the events of the past year and a half. But when a vicious smear campaign is launched against her, it’s clear that the Matusiewicz family’s reign of terror is far from over. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep.5: The Watchers

Ep.5: The Watchers

The Matusiewicz family ramps up their harassment of Christine by aggressively recruiting outsiders to help in their campaign of terror. Christine begins to fortify her home to try and protect her children, but the family's network of spies is relentless. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep.6: Off The Grid

Ep.6: Off The Grid

With David and Lenore’s release from prison, the Matusiewicz family is officially reunited in Texas. While their deep-rooted disdain for the government continues to grow deeper, a sinister new plan is hatched to get the girls back…this time for good. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep.7: Judgment Day

Ep.7: Judgment Day

On February 11th, 2013, Christine must come face-to-face with David for a child support hearing at the Newcastle County Courthouse. But things go horribly wrong when a violent shootout erupts in the lobby, leaving three people dead and two others injured. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep.8: Last Chance

Ep.8: Last Chance

The Matusiewicz family makes one last attempt to secure the girls, while law enforcement tries to manage a chaotic scene at the courthouse. Investigators are forced to risk everything to try and put the entire family behind bars forever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 2

S2 Ep.1: Blond Hair Blue Eyes

S2 Ep.1: Blond Hair Blue Eyes

A beautiful young couple, Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo, are getting married on the shores of Lake Ontario in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada. Meanwhile, in the neighboring town of Scarborough, locals are gripped with fear and the police are at a loss: a serial rapist is at large, showing no signs of stopping. Host Donnie Wahlberg traces the perpetrator's steps, only to find them leading back to the blond-haired blue-eyed groom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S2 Ep.2: Call 911

S2 Ep.2: Call 911

Paul Bernardo is questioned by police after receiving multiple anonymous tips in response to a composite sketch of the Scarborough Rapist published in the local newspaper. At the same time, he’s falling in love with Karla Homolka and spending time with her family in the quiet town of St. Catharines. During their first holiday together, tragedy strikes close to home, her sister is found dead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S2 Ep.3: Kristen French

S2 Ep.3: Kristen French

The Saint Catharine’s community is rattled by a tragedy of their own. Sixteen-year-old, Kristen French, goes missing while walking home from school. The case quickly draws national attention and sparks a massive search effort.  Eerie similarities are found between Kristen’s case and another teenage girl, Leslie Mahaffy, who was murdered just a year earlier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S2 Ep.4: The DNA Sample

S2 Ep.4: The DNA Sample

A long-shelved DNA sample in the case of the Scarborough Rapist is finally tested. The sample matches Paul Bernardo. And after a physically violent dispute between Karla and Paul that sends Karla to the hospital, the police get more details about just how monstrous Paul can be. The police start to zero in on Paul for the murders of Leslie and Kristen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S2 Ep.5: The Videotapes

S2 Ep.5: The Videotapes

Law enforcement gain a very helpful tip. They tirelessly search Karla and Paul’s little pink house for video tape evidence that would prove all of their suspicions and be enough to convict Paul of murder. As the investigation develops, it turns out that Karla isn’t as innocent as she’s let on.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S2 Ep.6: Tammy Homolka

S2 Ep.6: Tammy Homolka

Now that long sought-after video tapes are finally in the hands of the police. Karla has one final, shocking confession that leads investigators to revisit the night of her little sister Tammy’s untimely death. It turns out, Tammy’s death wasn’t an accident. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S2 Ep.7: Ken vs. Barbie

S2 Ep.7: Ken vs. Barbie

Paul Bernardo finally gets his day in court and the trial becomes a national spectacle. With limited physical evidence of murder, it’s Karla’s word again his. Host Donnie Wahlberg takes us through the nearly 5-month trial that captivated all of Canada and the aftermath of the violent saga of the Ken and Barbie Killers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 1

S1 Ep. 1: Small Town Murder

S1 Ep. 1: Small Town Murder

After Ron DeFeo Jr. finds his parents and younger siblings dead in their Amityville, New York, home, police begin to search for the killer. Host Donnie Wahlberg and local journalist Joel Martin revisit that horrific evening in 1974, the crime scene and the investigation — all in hopes of answering a question heavy on residents' minds: “Who would murder an entire family in the dead of night?”To learn more about how HLN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S1 Ep.2: Meet The DeFeos

S1 Ep.2: Meet The DeFeos

As the community reels from the shocking DeFeo murders, residents pack an Amityville church to mourn the loss of the family. Host Donnie Wahlberg dives deep into DeFeo history, only to find out that this picture-perfect family had very violent secrets.To learn more about how HLN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S1 Ep.3: Mob Ties

S1 Ep.3: Mob Ties

As police continue their search for the killer of the DeFeos in Amityville, they discover the family's connections to organized crime. Host Donnie Wahlberg reveals how these mob ties came to light. It's a turning point in the case which brings police one step closer to their top suspect.To learn more about how HLN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S1 Ep.4: The Confession

S1 Ep.4: The Confession

Amityville detectives shift all their attention to a single suspect in the murders of the DeFeo family: the oldest son, Ron DeFeo Jr. Following hours of intense interrogation, the sole surviving family member breaks. But Ron Jr.'s confession dredged up new details, complicated questions, and more secrets.To learn more about how HLN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S1 Ep.5: The People v. Ronald DeFeo Jr.

S1 Ep.5: The People v. Ronald DeFeo Jr.

Nearly a year after the grisly Amityville murders, Ron “Butch” DeFeo Jr.'s fate would rest in the hands of a New York jury. But even in front of a judge, Ron Jr. was a chameleon; his story continued to evolve. One conflicted juror recounts the disturbing trial while host Donnie Wahlberg considers the question: Will the inconsistencies in Ron Jr.'s story spare him from life behind bars?To learn more about how HLN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.