Chronicle 28: "Academic Espionage"

Chronicle 28: "Academic Espionage"

Author: Nicole Turner April 4, 2022 Duration: 27:24
This episode is rated a 2 (on my serious crime scale). This story is partially what sparked the conspiracy theories (AKA rumors) that the coronavirus was developed in a lab in China. While the man in this story was found guilty of blatantly lying to the IRS about millions of dollars and his ties to China, he was NOT found guilty in any way of developing the coronavirus or even charged with anything of the sorts. It's the story of 62-year-old Harvard University professor Dr. Charles Lieber, who covered up his involvement with the Wuhan University of Technology and his participation in a program called China’s Thousand Talents Plan. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nicole Turner has spent her career within the walls of academia, and now she brings that unique perspective to Campus Crime Chronicles. As both a professor and an administrator, she understands the complex ecosystem of a college campus-the rhythms of student life, the pressures, the closed communities, and the specific vulnerabilities that can exist. This podcast digs into cases that occur in these unique settings, from long-unsolved mysteries in campus libraries to modern-day digital crimes that spread through university networks. Each episode is built on meticulous research, examining not just the "what" of a crime, but the "why" these environments can become a backdrop for tragedy. You'll hear about cases that made national headlines alongside obscure incidents that reveal deeper systemic issues, all analyzed through Nicole's informed lens. The goal isn't just to recount events, but to explore the lasting impact on victims, families, and the very idea of a campus as a sanctuary. For anyone fascinated by true crime but weary of the same well-trodden stories, this series offers a distinct and thoughtful niche. Tune in for a compelling blend of investigative narrative and institutional insight, where every story begins at a place meant for learning.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 136

Campus Crime Chronicles
Podcast Episodes
Campus Crime News: Ariel Spillner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:28
Welcome to Campus Crime News. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2025, pharmacy student Ariel Spillner visited her friend, Jamica Mills, for Jamica's 32nd birthday. But the quiet celebration took a dark turn when both friends were shot…
Chronicle 105: "Murder in Apartment 1601" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:00
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). After a night of birthday celebrations and heavy drinking, three friends stumbled back to a tiny high-rise apartment just outside of Washington, D.C. But within just…
Chronicle 104: "Fifteen Minutes from Death - A Survival Story" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:45
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). Imagine losing your father from a heart attack when you’re only 11 years old; losing your stepfather from an apparent suicide a few years later at 16, and then wakin…
Campus Crime News: Demartravion "Trey" Reed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:07
Introducing Campus Crime News! On the morning of Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, the body of a Black male was found hanging from a tree on the campus of Delta State University near the pickle ball courts. At a press conference l…
Chronicle 103: "Hiding in Plain Sight" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:01
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In February of 1980, Katherine Foster, an 18-year-old freshman attending the University of South Alabama in Mobile, was found shot to death in a wooded area next to…
Chronicle 102: "The Fake Interview" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:52
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the summer of 2012, 24-year-old nursing student Megan Sharpton was standing at the edge of a bright future. Just months away from graduation, she was eager to ste…
Chronicle 101: "Hot Tub Tragedy" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:44
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). On the night of May 11, 2019, three friends met for what was supposed to be a relaxed evening by the pool and hot tub — laughing, drinking, and soaking in the music.…
Chronicle 100: "Death By Hazing" (Part 3) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:22
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the spring of 2017, Timothy Piazza was like many college sophomores — eager to find his place, to build lasting friendships, and to be part of something bigger th…
Chronicle 100: "Death by Hazing" (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:50
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the spring of 2017, Timothy Piazza was like many college sophomores — eager to find his place, to build lasting friendships, and to be part of something bigger th…
Chronicle 100: "Death by Hazing" (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:15
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the spring of 2017, Timothy Piazza was like many college sophomores — eager to find his place, to build lasting friendships, and to be part of something bigger th…