Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"And you see that, you see that again and again and again, where Leopold and Loeb individually wouldn't have done anything. But together... It's toxic. They each, each one can trigger something in the other that doesn't exist independently." — Conan O'Brien
"The case is only good as good as the investigators that are working on it, who are only as good as the guys who taught them and everyone's like very human. And that's where I see so much stuff going wrong is just mishandling a scene, mishandling and investigation." — Ashley Flowers
"And that's one that still tugs every now and then I'm like, what I'm in there, you could have answers to one case like you can you can know everything that happened but just for one." — Conan O'Brien
The episode opens with Ashley Flowers introducing Conan O'Brien, her guest from his podcast "Conan Needs a Friend," highlighting their mutual interest in true crime. Conan shares his early fascination, citing Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" as a formative influence, and discusses the chilling randomness and psychological dynamics of familial murder, exemplified by the Clutter family case. Ashley elaborates on the concept of seemingly normal lives being disrupted, drawing parallels to the John List case, where financial distress and a perceived need for salvation led to a family annihilation. Both hosts express a deep intrigue into the motivations behind such extreme acts, questioning the disconnect between raising children and committing such violence.
The conversation then delves into persistently unsolved mysteries, with both hosts expressing frustration and fascination with cases like JonBenét Ramsey. They critically examine how public perception and media coverage can unfairly target families based on perceived emotional responses, and discuss the challenges of investigative work, including the potential for mishandling evidence and the overwhelming nature of multiple theories. Conan and Ashley reflect on the evolution of investigative tools, such as DNA technology, acknowledging its impact while also noting that some cases, like Jack the Ripper, may forever remain a mystery due to the passage of time and lack of conclusive evidence.
Concluding their discussion, the hosts share their preferred true crime viewing habits, with Ashley favoring "Forensic Files" for its direct approach and Conan appreciating its historical context. They also touch upon the role of defense attorneys in challenging investigations and the increasing complexity of navigating true crime narratives in the digital age. The episode underscores the enduring human curiosity about the darker aspects of life and the persistent quest for understanding, even when definitive answers remain out of reach.