Special: Sister Tadea Benz & Johnny Garret with Courtney from Book of the Dead

Special: Sister Tadea Benz & Johnny Garret with Courtney from Book of the Dead

Author: Our True Crime Podcast May 11, 2026 Duration: 1:53:13
This month, we have a talk with Courtney from The Book of the Dead, who joins us to talk about the murder of Sister Tadea Benz and the execution of Johnny Frank Garret. In October 1981, the quiet city of Amarillo, Texas, was rocked by a crime that felt like a nightmare: the brutal assault and murder of 76-year-old Sister Tadea Benz inside St. Francis Convent. The pressure to catch the killer was on, and the police quickly set their sights on 17-year-old Johnny, who lived across the street. Johnny Frank Garrett was executed by the state of Texas in 1992, but was he a cold-blooded killer, or a convenient scapegoat? Don't forget to subscribe to Courtney's podcast, ⁠The Book of the Dead⁠. We think you will like her as much as Jen and Cam do. Sponsored by Quince Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to Quince.com/otcp for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Music by Nico Fyffe-Vettese Editing by Jesse Fyffe-Vettese Both from ⁠The Inky Pawprint⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a whole world of strange and unsettling stories that rarely make the headlines, and that's exactly where you'll find Our True Crime Podcast. Each episode digs into one of those bizarre, lesser-known cases from any corner of the globe, stories that often defy easy explanation. Hosts Jen and Cam guide you through these peculiar narratives with a genuine sense of respect for those involved, balancing the darker details with their own conversational chemistry and a bit of well-timed humor. You might even get a smidge of song along the way, because real life, especially the strange parts, rarely follows a single tone. This isn't just a retelling of facts; it's a shared exploration of the oddities hidden within human behavior and society. Tuning into this podcast feels like pulling up a chair with two friends who have a knack for finding the most compelling, offbeat tales. You'll hear the careful research, the thoughtful discussions, and the personal touch that Jen and Cam bring to every story, making even the most obscure case feel immediate and fascinating. If you're looking for a true crime experience that ventures far beyond the usual cases and does so with character and heart, you've found it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Our True Crime Podcast
Podcast Episodes
359. Stolen: The Abduction and Murder of Hailey Owens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:08
Just after 5:00 p.m. on February 18, 2014, ten-year-old Hailey Owens set out on the short walk home from a friend’s house. What began as an ordinary Tuesday turned horrific when neighbors Carlos and Michelle Edwards watc…
358. Unbelieveable: The Murder of Mindi Kassotis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:29
When hunters in Bulltown Swamp discovered the remains of an unidentified woman in late 2022, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was left with a mystery that felt impossible to solve. There were no matching missing perso…
357. Waiting in the Dark: The Murder of Beverly Guenther [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:58
In the early 1990s, long before his name would be tied to something unthinkable, Scott McLaughlin was already unraveling. Untreated childhood trauma, cognitive struggles, and severe mental illness shaped his life. Suicid…
356. In the Boat Shed: The Houston Heights Murders & Dean Corll [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:42
The 1970s were more than just shag carpet and polyester; they were a time of deep contradiction. While things felt full of possibility, a shadow of distrust hung over everything—fueled by Vietnam, Watergate, and a strugg…
355. Firestarter: Crimes of Bruce George Peter Lee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:44
In the early hours of December 4, 1979, something jolted Edith Hastie awake—and within seconds, her worst fears were confirmed. Fire was already inside her home on Selby Street in Kingston upon Hull, climbing fast, swall…
354. Out of the Fire: Suzanne Capper [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:44
***Content Warning*** This episode contains discussion of violence, torture, and murder. Listener discretion is strongly advised. At 16, Suzanne Capper was just a girl trying to find her place in the world and hanging ou…
353. Family Ties, Killer Lies: Murder of Peter Porco [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:28
It was November 15, 2004, 52-year-old Peter Porco woke up like he always did: early, well before his alarm, with a few minutes to gather his thoughts in the quiet of his Delmar, New York, home. Peter was a fixture in the…
352. A Date With Evil: Grace Millane [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:46
For many young travelers, a gap year is a chance to explore, to grow, to feel free. For Grace Millane, it was all of that and more. She had already crossed continents, shared daily memories with her family, and embraced…