Canadian True Crime

In this special episode, Kristi Lee sits down with survivor and advocate Jessica Baker to chat about their appearance on CTV’s The Social earlier this week. Jessica was violently sexually assaulted by former Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard in 2016. He was found guilty in relation to her charge in 2022, and not guilty in relation to two other victim-complainants. In June, he was granted day parole after serving less than two years of his five-year prison sentence. In November 2025, Jessica publicly revealed her identity in the CBC documentary Breaking Idol, but she has has turned down all media appearance invitations since then. In this special episode, she reflects on why she chose to break that streak on The Social, and how it actually went on the day. Kristi also explains how The Social’s thoughtful, trauma-informed approach helped both women feel prepared and supported, and reflects on another TV experience that caused her to avoid media appearances for six years. Thanks to Jessica Baker, Tiffany Hsiung, and everyone at The Social! More info: Watch our segment on The Social: Jacob Hoggard’s Accuser and Survivor Speaks Out [YouTube] Watch Kristi’s segment on The Social from Jan 2026 [YouTube] Watch Breaking Idol, directed by Tiffany Hsiung [YouTube - only available in Canada) Listen to our original podcast series The Trial of Hedley’s Jacob Hoggard Visit Beyond The Verdict advocacy group Learn more about Kindness Circle Trauma-informed journalism: Tips for telling important stories, better and The Trauma Beat: A Case for Re-Thinking the Business of Bad News by Tamara Cherry www.canadiantruecrime.ca Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A dedicated nurse. A devoted mother of three. A family home that should be the safest place in the world. In 2018, Gerald Aquintey arrives home late to find his Toronto house in disarray. The respected Filipino chef and restaurant co-owner runs upstairs to discover his beloved wife, Rhoderie Estrada, has been brutally murdered. Rhoderie was loved by all who knew her. She'd built a life centred on family, community and caring for others. As investigators race to find the person responsible, the painstaking work of forensic specialists becomes the key to solving a heartbreaking crime that might otherwise have remained a mystery. Special thanks to Gerald Aquintey and family. Thanks also to Detective Constable Adrian Piccolo with the Toronto Police’s Forensic Identification Services Unit, Constable Don Laurel, and the Ontario Forensic Investigators Association. More information: WATCH Crime Beat: Awaking To a Nightmare — The Rhoderie Estrada Murder VISIT TINUNO Restaurant in Toronto Canadian True Crime donates monthly to help those facing injustice. This month we have donated to Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime . Look for early, ad-free release on CTC premium feeds: available on Amazon Music (included with Prime), Apple Podcasts and Patreon . Full list of resources, information sources, and more: www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes/217 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After nearly a decade of insisting he did nothing wrong, disgraced Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has finally admitted he was guilty of sexually assaulting the Ottawa woman known as J.B. The admission, at his first parole hearing in June 2026, was only one of several striking comments that reveal the full extent of the former Hedley frontman's years of denial, manipulation and gaslighting In this special episode, Jessica Baker joins Kristi Lee to unpack the 11‑page Parole Board of Canada decision. She reflects on the weight of Hoggard’s admissions after he forced a years‑long trial and appeals process and subjected her to years of public scrutiny. Hoggard wasn’t required to comment on the other two young women who testified against him, whose allegations did not result in guilty verdicts. But the parole board still chose to recognize them in a deliberate and meaningful way. You'll also hear why the board concluded Hoggard still requires “professional, arm’s‑length supervision” on day parole, why they refused to release him directly to his wife and family, and why his request for full parole was denied. This information is in the public interest. FURTHER READING AND HELPFUL INFO: To read the full parole decision document and for links to other resources mentioned in this episode, visit www.canadiantruecrime.ca/epis odes/216 Canadian True Crime donates monthly to help those facing injustice. This month we have donated to Beyond The Verdict. All information sources, credits and music credits: See the page for this episode at www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Part 2 of 2] The mushroom lunch moves from medical emergency to criminal investigation as doctors, police and health officials try to trace the source of the poison. As Erin Patterson’s explanations begin to shift, new evidence emerges from hospital CCTV, phone data, a local garbage dump – followed by a dramatic courtroom showdown. Find Australian True Crime on your favourite podcast player. Watch Australian True Crime’s episode about the Mushroom Murders on YouTube . Watch Kristi in conversation with Meshel Laurie about the murder of Connie Grandinetti. Look for early, ad-free release on CTC premium feeds: available on Amazon Music (included with Prime), Apple Podcasts and Patreon . Canadian True Crime donates monthly to those facing injustice. This month we have donated to Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime , who offer support, research and education to survivors, victims and their families. You can learn more at crcvc.ca. Full list of resources, information sources, credits and music credits: See the page for this episode at www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes/214 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A special collaboration with Australian True Crime podcast | It’s one of Australia’s most sensational criminal cases in recent memory, drawing intense media attention, public fascination and endless speculation. Today, the case is known around the world as the “Mushroom Murders.” In this episode, Kristi is joined by Meshel Laurie of Australian True Crime , who followed the case closely and attended the sentencing hearing, to look beyond the headlines at what happened, how the case unfolded, and why it captured so much attention. Find Australian True Crime on your favourite podcast player. Watch Australian True Crime’s episode about the Mushroom Murders on YouTube . Watch Kristi in conversation with Meshel Laurie about the murder of Connie Grandinetti. Part 2 will be available to all tomorrow. Look for early, ad-free release on CTC premium feeds: available on Amazon Music (included with Prime), Apple Podcasts and Patreon . Canadian True Crime donates monthly to those facing injustice. This month we have donated to Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime , who offer support, research and education to survivors, victims and their families. You can learn more at crcvc.ca . Full list of resources, information sources, credits and music credits: www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes/214 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Part 2 of 2] In 2019, a late-night boat collision involving Kevin and Linda O’Leary on Ontario’s Lake Joseph, left two people dead and sparked years of intense public scrutiny and conflicting narratives. In part two, we uncover why Canada’s most talked-about boating tragedies remained in the spotlight for years. --------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT NOTES AND DISCLAIMERS: – This series does not frame this incident as a crime. While it was initially investigated and reported as a potential Criminal Code matter (per Toronto Life, August 24, 2020 ), the charges ultimately laid fell under the Canada Shipping Act. – If you know anyone related to this case, please respect their privacy. – The intention of this series is to look beyond the headlines, rumours and conspiracy theories surrounding a highly publicized boating tragedy, and carefully examine the evidence to better understand what happened. – Kristi Lee is not a lawyer, but a member of the general public reviewing this case through the lens of the open court principle . This series has been pieced together from the public record, including court documents , online news sources and trial reporting by media outlets including the National Post , CBC News and the Toronto Star . --------------------------------------------------------- Look for early, ad-free release on CTC premium feeds: available on Amazon Music (included with Prime) and Apple Podcasts . Canadian True Crime donates monthly to those facing injustice. This month we have donated in Kevin O’Leary’s name to Feed Ontario - a charity that supports food banks across the province to help end hunger and poverty. Full list of resources, information sources, and more: www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes/212 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A two-part series | “Mr. Wonderful” built an empire on bluntness and being the reality TV villain we love to hate. So when his speedboat collided with another boat on Muskoka's "Billionaire's Row" - leaving two people dead, the public was ready to assume the worst of him. Early reporting - and Kevin O’Leary’s own response to the tragedy - sparked suspicion that he’d “thrown his wife under the hull”, and was using his wealth and influence to control the narrative. In this series, we go back to the summer of 2019 to trace the chain of events that ended in tragedy on Lake Joseph, examine all the evidence, and explore why conspiracy theories continue to thrive long after the case was legally closed. --------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: – If you know anyone related to this case, please respect their privacy. – This series does not frame this incident as a "crime" - the charges ultimately fell under the Canada Shipping Act. – This series has been pieced together from the public record, including court documents, online news sources and daily trial reporting. – Our intention is to look beyond the headlines, rumours and conspiracy theories surrounding a highly publicized boating tragedy, and carefully examine the evidence to better understand what happened. – Kristi Lee is not a lawyer, but a member of the general public reviewing this case through the lens of the open court principle. --------------------------------------------------------- Look for early, ad-free release on CTC premium feeds: available on Amazon Music (included with Prime), Apple Podcasts and Patreon . Canadian True Crime donates monthly to those facing injustice. This month we have donated to Feed Ontario - a charity that supports food banks across the province to help end hunger and poverty. Full list of resources, information sources, and more: www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes/212 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Part 2 of 2] With the infant recovered and the suspects in custody, the investigation only grows more disturbing. Shifting stories, buried secrets, and mounting evidence collide in a dramatic courtroom showdown — the first ever kidnapping trial in the province of New Brunswick and the last double hanging in Canada. — This two-part series is a carefully selected replay from our archive, originally titled "The Lake Family Murders". We'll be back with new episodes in late April. *Additional content warning: this series includes the death of a young child. Please take care when listening. Full list of resources, information sources, credits and music credits: See the page for this episode at https://www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes/132 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A two-part series | A New Brunswick railway worker discovers a burned‑out shack deep in the woods, with three members of the young Lake family dead inside. But their infant is missing, and there's a trail of footprints in the snow. What begins as a desperate search for the lost baby soon exposes an unbelievable web of deception and hidden motives. — This two-part series is a carefully selected replay from our archive, originally titled "The Lake Family Murders". We'll be back with new episodes in late April. *Additional content warning: this series includes the death of a young child. Please take care when listening. Full list of resources, information sources, credits and music credits: See the page for this episode at https://www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes/132 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Part 3 of 3] A surprise witness comes forward to testify against Colin Thatcher. His own contribution from the stand? Deny, deny, deny. Even after the jury reaches a verdict, Thatcher continues to make headlines for decades to come... *Additional content warning: this episode contains mentions of domestic abuse. — This series is a carefully selected replay from our archive. Full list of resources, information sources, credits and music credits: See the page for this episode at https://www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes/135 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Part 2 of 3] As she recovers from her gunshot wound, JoAnn Wilson decides to back down from the custody fight with her former husband. Colin Thatcher has won this battle, but his fixation is far from over. A series of witnesses would later come forward with information almost impossible to believe... *Additional content warning: this episode contains mentions of domestic abuse. — This series is a carefully selected replay from our archive. Full list of resources, information sources, credits and music credits: See the page for this episode at https://www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes/135 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A three-part series—A man walking home from work suddenly hears screams coming from a house... then a single sharp crack. He follows the sound to the garage, where he finds a woman bleeding out on the floor. It's JoAnn Wilson, mother of three and ex-wife of Colin Thatcher, a high-profile Saskatchewan politician. Her murder was the tip of the iceberg of a decades-long saga that gripped the nation and drew comparison to the show Dallas — but would prove far darker than anything on TV. *Additional content warning: this episode contains mentions of domestic abuse. — This series is a carefully selected replay from our archive. Full list of resources, information sources, credits and music credits: See the page for this episode at https://www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes/135 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Part 2 of 2] After picking up his pregnant wife from Saskatoon train station, Sergeant John Wilson drives them north to their new home. They just have one stop to make on the way to take care of some "police business"... *Additional content warning: brief details of an attempted suicide at approx. timestamp 29:00 to 30:30. Please take care when listening. Full list of resources, information sources, credits and music credits: See the page for this episode at www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A two-part series—A gripping, action-packed miniseries about a mountie who finds himself at the centre of a sordid love triangle. Pieced together from a treasure trove of real love letters, forged letters and police and court memos, this series paints a vivid snapshot of Canada as World War I raged on. — This series is a carefully selected replay from our archive, and was originally titled The Murderous Mountie. Full list of resources, information sources, credits and music credits: See the page for this episode at www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 5 - The Final Episode. *Thanks for your patience - it's a long one CONTENT WARNING: Graphic and disturbing details. WATCH: Robert “Willie” Pickton — Prolific serial killer’s jailhouse confession to undercover cop - The Mob Reporter, YouTube READ/LISTEN: On The Farm by Stevie Cameron WHAT TO LISTEN TO NEXT: The Shedden Massacre - our three part series The Trail Went Cold The Canadian Gothic Crisis referral services: Free National Indian Residential School Crisis Line : call 1-866-925-4419 toll free Hope for Wellness free chatline - 1-800-721-0066 or using the chat box on the website Government of Canada Crisis and Mental Health support Resources for Sexual assault survivors Canadian True Crime donates monthly to those facing injustice. Proceeds from this series are being donated to the WISH Drop-in Centre Society, supporting street-based sex workers on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside since 1984. Full list of resources, information sources, and more: www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Part 4 of 5] A single tip-off finally leads police to raid the Pickton farm with a search warrant for illegal firearms. What they stumble into instead would unravel one of the most devastating investigations in Canadian history, connecting Robert Pickton to dozens of women who vanished from the Downtown Eastside. * Part 5 - Robert Pickton's final chapter will be coming later this week. Thanks for your patience! CONTENT WARNING: mention of sexual assault, Indigenous issues, child abuse and an in-episode TW for animal abuse and neglect. Crisis referral services: Free National Indian Residential School Crisis Line : call 1-866-925-4419 toll free Hope for Wellness free chatline - 1-800-721-0066 or using the chat box on the website Government of Canada Crisis and Mental Health support Resources for Sexual assault survivors Canadian True Crime donates monthly to those facing injustice. Proceeds from this series are being donated to the WISH Drop-in Centre Society, supporting street-based sex workers on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside since 1984. Full list of resources, information sources, and more: www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Part 3 of 4] One night, a woman living on the Pickton farm witnesses an act so disturbing it prompts repeated warnings to police. A search warrant should have followed, but through another cascade of devastating missed opportunities, Robert Pickton slips through the cracks once again... CONTENT WARNING: this series includes graphic details that will be distressing for many listeners to hear, including mention of sexual assault, residential schools, Indigenous issues, child abuse and suicide. Crisis referral services: Free National Indian Residential School Crisis Line : call 1-866-925-4419 toll free Hope for Wellness free chatline - 1-800-721-0066 or using the chat box on the website Government of Canada Crisis and Mental Health support Resources for Sexual assault survivors Canadian True Crime donates monthly to those facing injustice. Proceeds from this series are being donated to the WISH Drop-in Centre Society, supporting street-based sex workers on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside since 1984. Full list of resources, information sources, and more: www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Part 2 of 4] The Pickton brothers become officially wealthy, and open the infamous party venue known as Piggy’s Palace. There’s an alarming spike in vulnerable women vanishing from the Downtown Eastside - but two would live to tell their stories. Look out for early, ad-free release on CTC premium feeds available on Amazon Music (included with Prime), Apple Podcasts , Patreon and Supercast . CONTENT WARNING: this series includes graphic details that will be distressing for many listeners to hear, including mention of sexual assault, residential schools, Indigenous issues, child abuse and suicide. Crisis referral services: Free National Indian Residential School Crisis Line : call 1-866-925-4419 toll free Hope for Wellness free chatline - 1-800-721-0066 or using the chat box on the website Government of Canada Crisis and Mental Health support Resources for Sexual assault survivors Canadian True Crime donates monthly to those facing injustice. Proceeds from this series are being donated to the WISH Drop-in Centre Society, supporting street-based sex workers on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside since 1984. Full list of resources, information sources, and more: www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A brand new four-part series. In 2024, Canada’s most prolific serial killer was murdered in prison in an act of vigilante justice. The final chapter of Robert Pickton may now be closed, but the story is far from over. Pickton confessed to murdering 49 women on his pig farm near Vancouver, many of them sex workers and Indigenous women. The evidence suggests he did not act alone. ----- Part 1 begins by tracing a disturbing childhood on the Pickton farm where cruelty was normalized, morality was optional and vulnerable people were exploited and intimidated. It also tracks how that culture escalated after Robert and his brother took over the farm, and the many police failures that followed. This series revisits the entire case to date, moving past the grotesque caricature of a lone monster in buddy boots, and restores the humanity of the women targeted through personal stories of those who loved them. It examines the culture and systems that failed them for so long, leaving their loved ones with many unanswered questions — and a prevailing sense of injustice. This miniseries draws primarily from court records, historical news archives, investigative journalism, personal interviews and the Missing Women Inquiry final report. CONTENT WARNING : this series includes graphic details that will be distressing for many listeners to hear, including mention of sexual assault, residential schools, Indigenous issues, child abuse and suicide. Crisis referral services: Free National Indian Residential School Crisis Line : call 1-866-925-4419 toll free Hope for Wellness free chatline - 1-800-721-0066 or using the chat box on the website Government of Canada Crisis and Mental Health support Resources for Sexual assault survivors Canadian True Crime donates monthly to those facing injustice. Proceeds from this series are being donated to the WISH Drop-in Centre Society, supporting street-based sex workers on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside since 1984. Full list of resources, information sources, and more: www.canadiantruecrime.ca/episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we're pleased to share a special episode from another podcast we think you'll enjoy: Crime Story from CBC Podcasts. Each week, award-winning investigative journalist Kathleen Goldhar goes deep into a true crime case with the storyteller who knows it best. In this year-end episode, Kristi Lee joins Kathleen at CBC Studios to talk about what goes into making Canadian True Crime, share behind-the-scenes insights from past cases, and wrap up with some of their favourite true crime podcasts and documentaries. You can listen to more incredible tales of true crime every week on Crime Story. Find more Crime Story episodes in your podcast app, or here: https://link.mgln.ai/CSxCTC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.