HOAX: The Sherri Papini Story

Episode 4: The Unraveling

Episode Summary

After years go by with little news about Sherri’s case, law enforcement makes a huge breakthrough that blows everything wide open. When DNA from the clothing Sherri was wearing in captivity shows that it belonged to an unknown male, the police use some of the same methods used to crack cold cases like the “Golden State Killer” and ultimately trace the sample to Sherri Papini’s ex-boyfriend. After authorities interview the Ex, they learn a stunning revelation: Sherri’s kidnapping was all made up…

Episode Notes

After years go by with little news about Sherri’s case, law enforcement makes a huge breakthrough that blows everything wide open. When DNA from the clothing Sherri was wearing in captivity shows that it belonged to an unknown male, the police use some of the same methods used to crack cold cases like the “Golden State Killer” and ultimately trace the sample to Sherri Papini’s ex-boyfriend. After authorities interview the Ex, they learn a stunning revelation: Sherri’s kidnapping was all made up…

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Audio clips featured in this episode can be found here:

  1. Good Morning America interview with Sheriff Michael Johnson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxa0wkOCEj0

3:25-3:42 and 3:59-4:37

  1. Sound bite from Sherri’s lawyer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt8wnIP7RfM

0:54-1:02

Sources for this episode:

  1. Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jvchamary/2020/06/30/genetic-genealogy-golden-state-killer/?sh=487192cc5a6d
  2. Department of Justice / United States District Court: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/press-release/file/1479901/download
  3. Good Morning America: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxa0wkOCEj0

Credits:

Created by: 

Jessica Devine and Abby Schreiber

Follow Abby Schreiber at @abbyschreiber28 and Jessica Devine/CAKE Media at @cakemediastudio on Instagram

Written and hosted by:

Abby Schreiber

Executive produced by:

Elena Murdock

Sound design and editing by: 

Gus Hurteau

Original art by: 

Keitha McClocklin

Graphics by: 

Katherine Deck