Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"It was like a big jigsaw puzzle, and most of the pieces were upside down." — Dilya D'Ambra
"The February 2008 Lane Bryant homicides in Tinley Park, Illinois are a notorious case that for nearly two decades have looked like one type of crime, but might just be something much, much bigger." — Dilya D'Ambra
"When you shoot somebody, execution style you've done it before." — Unidentified Speaker (from Counter-Clock audio snippet)
The episode begins by detailing the 2008 Lane Bryant murders in Tinley Park, Illinois, where six women were held at gunpoint, resulting in five fatalities. The host, Ashley Flowers, highlights the unusual situation of having significant initial evidence, including a surviving witness, a composite sketch, and a 911 call recording, yet no perpetrator has been identified after nearly two decades. This frustration with the lack of progress led Flowers to seek out further investigation.
The narrative then pivots to introduce Dilya D'Ambra, the host of the investigative podcast "Counter-Clock," who is dedicating Season 8 to an in-depth examination of the Lane Bryant murders. The provided audio snippets from "Counter-Clock" suggest that the case may be far more complex than initially perceived, hinting at potential motives beyond a simple robbery gone wrong. The investigation explores a variety of disparate elements, including a "church in crisis," a "dilapidated mental health center," a "notorious street gang," and links to another violent shooting, indicating a multifaceted and deeply layered mystery.
The episode serves as a compelling teaser for "Counter-Clock Season 8," encouraging listeners to binge the entire season to understand the "jigsaw puzzle" of the case and the lengths to which D'Ambra has gone to uncover new insights. The promotion emphasizes the investigative journalism aspect, suggesting that the true story behind the murders is "anything but straightforward" and may involve elements such as financial motives or even an "inside job."