Quantcast
Channel: True Crime Writer Chelsea Hoffman
Viewing all 494 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

Take the Poll: Will Amanda Knox be found guilty?

December 6, 2013, 2:31 am
$
0
0
What do you think the Amanda Knox verdict will be in January 2014?
 
 
  
pollcode.com free polls 
↧
Search

The Case to Case podcast: What you missed

December 8, 2013, 4:10 pm
↧
↧

How to send a FOIA request

December 12, 2013, 1:24 am
$
0
0
The Freedom of Information Act was established to provide transparency between government and the public (but not the other way around, of course!) That means information held by police departments and other government agencies is information that you, as an American citizen, have a right to know! There are, of course, circumstances in which a FOIA request would be declined, but in many cases you can send a request to your choice of agency to disclose information that want to know (within reason, of course).


There are quiet a few cases of missing people and unsolved homicides in which officials hold onto vital information that the public could either use to ease their suspicions or to demand justice and push for government officials to do their damn jobs. One case that comes to mind is the case of Hannah Anderson's so called kidnapping and the murders of her mother and little brother. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is refusing to release a ton of information that could either incriminate the surviving teen, or clear her of any remaining public scrutiny. There is also the case of missing teen Abigail Hernandez -- a case where officials are refusing to release details that the public could possibly use to help find the girl.

Sending a FOIA request to a police department or other government agency is easier than you'd think:


  • There are no forms to fill out. No specific forms even exist to make a FOIA request. A FOIA request is simply a request you make, concisely, in writing.
  • You can request info in any format. That means you can request digital copies of information, or hard copy photos, or any other format.
  • Waiting times vary. The agency you send the request too may take their sweet time to get to you, but you could always send a second, third, fourth (etc.,) request. 
It's really easy to send a FOIA request if you already know how to write a business or formal letter. If you don't know how to, you can learn how very quickly by clicking here. From there, it's really about being specific, clear and fully aware of what you are seeking. You can't expect the agency you are contacting to do research or answer questions or guide you through this process. That's  because they usually feel contempt for the entire process and only give in to these FOIA requests begrudgingly. You must know exactly what you want and be able to address the situation tightly. You may also request that the request be met in a reasonable frame of time, but the agency may respond with only a request for an extension if they are being slow to release information.


↧

Hannah Anderson case: Sign the petition and get a book

December 13, 2013, 1:12 pm
$
0
0
A petition is now live that is demanding the release of detailed evidence from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, regarding the alleged kidnapping of Hannah Anderson. The petition is on Change.Org, and it directly addresses San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore before going into a detailed list of information that the public deserves to know about the murders of Christina and Ethan Anderson as well as information surrounding the alleged kidnapping of the 16-year-old girl.

Sign the petition and get a free PDF copy of "The River of No Return: On the trail of Hannah Anderson and Jim DiMaggio."

↧

The Case to Case podcast: What you missed!

December 15, 2013, 8:42 pm
$
0
0
Hey guys, this week's podcast was about Hannah Anderson. I touched up on some of the latest updates in her case, but I also have a terrible cold so it was hard for me to talk for 30 minutes. I overslept today and woke up sick and with a sore throat :( I hope you guys understand!

New News Podcasts with Chelsea Hoffman Case to Case on BlogTalkRadio

The links I mentioned:

Sign the petition
↧
↧

Under Maintenance

December 17, 2013, 6:22 pm
$
0
0
"Case to Case" blog will be under maintenance for the next 48 to 72 hours. Please be patient with the fluctuating design and changes as the new and improved site is perfected and tweeked. 
↧

My John and Ken Show appearance

October 10, 2013, 7:16 pm
$
0
0
Had a fun time with John and Ken -- even if they did razz me a bit for not wanting to share my juiciest details in "The River of No Return."
↧

RIP Courtney Coats, and why I hate being right sometimes

December 28, 2013, 3:24 am
$
0
0
Missing woman Courtney Coats was finally located, but the ending was a horrific scene that ended in the arrests of her on-again-off-again boyfriend and his best friend. She had been dismembered, her head and extremities removed crudely and discarded like garbage in an act of desecration in attempts at concealing their evil deeds. The men allegedly acted together in this homicidal act, but the ultimate motives and complete stories may never be known. One thing is for certain: I hate that I was right about this case. Sometimes, I hate being right.

Courtney Coats was a beautiful but mixed up woman who was apparently trying to find herself and get her life back on track. She was a recovering drug addict who had seen her share of hardships, but she was known to be a loving and cheerful person -- and she was cared for very deeply by everyone who knew her. Nobody is perfect and nobody is truly a saint, but Coats was reportedly someone who had no enemies. Nobody had a reason to harm a hair on her head -- except Patrick Chase. The two had a history of domestic violence incidents, so it's not entirely shocking to see this case line up with statistics. Women who are in abusive relationships are statistically more likely to die at the hand of their abusive partners than other modes of death. It's also a statistical fact that women in abusive relationships are often in more danger when they attempt to leave their abusers. One of Courtney's loved ones claims that she was gong to leave Chase.
Brandon Chittum reportedly watched as Pat Chase strangled the woman to death, and then to be "good bro" to the alleged killer, he helped in the disposal of the woman's body. The who then had a secret to keep together -- and Chittum even posted on Facebook something about brotherly bonding shortly around the time that the woman was killed.

Courtney had only been missing for a couple of weeks, I was approached by her loved ones (who will remain anonymous for their protection) and asked to cover the case and give it a look with my own analysis -- and it wasn't long before I had written up this blog post. I also very bluntly warned the woman's loved ones that Chase didn't appear to be acting like someone in his position would normally act in a case like this. I also drove home the importance of asking numerous questions, such as whether or not the woman's cellphone had last pinged anywhere near Chase's phone, or if he was definitely the last person to actually physically see her. I asked, directly, if either one of them had a rocky relationship with histories of violence and if Chase had a history of violent crimes. I pointed out, like I am known to do time and time again, that he should be investigated by default. However, the true source of my worries came from Pat Chase's behavior directly after her disappearance. 

He claimed that she "was fucked up, packed a bag and left" (on foot even though she had a vehicle), and then he unfriended her on Facebook even after she had been missing. He participated in the online community dedicated to searching for her, but only to the point that he was there to try to dictate the direction of conversation and speculation. This was made even clearer when the post that I wrote -- indicating my suspicion in him -- was removed from the community. I was contacted by someone close to Courtney Coats (again, anonymous for their protection) that he had read my post and it "scared the shit out of him." Good. I'm glad I scared him, and I am glad that he and his friend are now behind bars, but I hate that I was right about him for the sake of the family and this case in general. I hate that I was right that this woman was murdered at the hands of someone who was supposed to care about her. 

Now all that is left is the hope that Courtney Coats gets the justice she deserves. That means that both Chittum and Chase deserve the death penalty for their alleged actions. Too bad it's not on the table in Illinois. 
↧
Search

'Sins of the Sexual Sadist' available now!

January 6, 2014, 2:03 am
↧
↧

News release: New Book by Chelsea Hoffman about Sexual Sadism

January 8, 2014, 12:14 am
$
0
0
From the Desk of Chelsea Hoffman


Chelsea.Hoffman@ChelseaHoffman.Com • Las Vegas, Nev. • (702)723-6541



New book released: Sins of the Sexual Sadist



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Criminal profiler and true crime author Chelsea Hoffman -- author of the first ever published book on the Hannah Anderson/James Lee DiMaggio case (The River of No Return: On the trail of Hannah Anderson and Jim DiMaggio) -- has published a new true crime book.


Sins of the Sexual Sadist is a compilation of profiles of the most deranged criminals in history -- including Cleveland, Ohio kidnapper/rapist Ariel Castro and California serial rapist couple Michelle Michaud and James Daveggio. The book also covers the psychological details of sexual sadism with aims to inform and enrich the reader’s intellect. Other figures mentioned in the book included the Boston Strangler, David Parker Ray, Paul Bernardo and Robert Ben Rhoades.


While Sins of the Sexual Sadist rehashes a lot of case details of various crimes, the book also contains never-before-seen correspondence between the author and notorious criminals, as well as on-point analysis with attitude by rising true crime personality Chelsea Hoffman.


Who is Chelsea Hoffman?
  • An independent criminal profiler and consultant
  • An author of true crime literature
  • A news and current events blogger and commentator
  • A controversial and no-holds-barred public persona with more than 12 Million annual readers and several thousand devoted fans who thinks-outside-the-box with a plethora of crime cases
  • An advocate for missing women and children


For more information about Sins of the Sexual Sadist (available on Amazon Kindle, paperback and hardcover) please visit Crime Scene Media’s website.
For more information about Chelsea Hoffman please visit her personal site:



↧

Heather Elvis disturbing social network transcripts

January 9, 2014, 12:26 am
↧

Heather Elvis case analysis (Part I)

January 11, 2014, 7:30 am
$
0
0

Heather Elvis vanished between Dec. 17 and Dec. 19 2013 and still hasn't been located. It's in the back of everyone's minds: Is there a predator on the loose in Myrtle Beach? That question is amplified by the fact that this is the same location where Brittanee Drexel vanished several years ago. I don't know how much research is being done, but I am sure authorities are doing what they can. Nonetheless, I was compelled to dig a little on my own to find out if there are any actual signs of serial killer activity in the Myrtle Beach area (or outlying area. I'm glad I started digging, because I'm beginning to see patterns in unsolved disappearances in the area -- which leads me to believe that something foul is going on in South Carolina.

I've mapped the past 20 years of disappearances and unsolved homicides, and as you can see from the following post, the results are a little disturbing. Could any of this research indicate that Heather is the victim of a serial predator? I believe that if Heather herself isn't a victim of some kind of serial killer in the area, then she's at least inspired a look into the possibility. I believe that authorities in South Carolina have their work cut out for them.



Dail Dinwiddie * Sept. 24, 1992 * Columbia, S.c.
An attractive woman in her early 20s, Dail was reportedly kidnapped after walking from a bar in the late night/early morning hours. A known murderer has been connected to her case before, but never proven. Her case remains unsolved and there appears to be a complete and total lack of evidence leading in any direction for this woman. The picture on the far left is the most recent photo prior to Dail's disappearance. The photo on the right is an age-progressed image of what she may look like today. It should be noted that the town of Columbia is just a two hour drive west from Myrtle Beach.




Paula Louise Merchant * Jan. 3, 1999 * Forest Acres, S.c.
Last seen leaving her home at approx. 6:30 p.m. to head to church but never made it. Her car was later found abandoned at the 2000 block of Commerce Drive in Columbia, S.c. It had been burned and no other evidence has presented itself over the years. However, much like the case of Dail Dinwiddie, officials believe Paula was the victim of presumed serial killer Reinaldo Rivera. It should be noted that Forest Acres is in/around Columbia, making it only around two hours west of Myrtle Beach.








Brooke Henson * July 4, 1999 * Travelers Rest, S.c. 
Brooke vanished after a party when she reportedly left on foot to walk to a convenience store. Her case has been a volatile one over the years with many of her friends and loved one refusing to cooperate due to the level of illegal activity surrounding their lifestyles. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that any of her loved ones are responsible for her disappearance. Nonetheless, officials claim to have a suspect but they've never found the evidence to warrant an arrest. It should be noted that Travelers Rest is four hours west of Myrtle Beach -- with Columbia, S.c. being the central point between the two locations.






Sherri Lynn Puzjak * Oct. 29, 2005 * Orangeburg, S.c.
Virtually no details available in this pretty young woman's disappearance. She was reportedly last seen with an Hispanic male. Otherwise, nothing is known about her disappearance. It seems that Sherri is one of those missing woman who has slipped through the cracks of awareness and justice. Is she alive? Is she dead? Who's the Hispanic male she was last seen talking to?

Note: Orangeburg is approx. two hours west of Myrtle Beach, just a little south of Columbia.





Brittanee Drexel * April 25, 2009 * Myrtle Beach, S.c.
Of course everyone is currently talking about this disappearance and drawing comparisons between it and the disappearance of Heather Elvis. Officials in Myrtle Beach don't appear convinced that the cases are related, but it would be dishonest to omit Drexel's profile from this list. Brittanee vanished without a trace after heading to Myrtle Beach with friends against her mother's wishes. She vanished after leaving the motel she was staying at and was never seen or heard from again. A small handful of people have been suspected but nothing concrete. She remains missing and her case is unsolved.







Stacy Lester * Aug. 09, 2009 * Sumter, S.c.
She was last seen at a hospital having what is being reported as a "common medical procedure" done -- but what exactly isn't being shared, for clear reasons of medical privacy. She was never seen or heard from again, but police accidentally closed her case at one point on mistaken info that she had been located. She still hasn't been located and very little information exists about her case for some reason. The pretty blonde vanished from under two hours away from Myrtle Beach.







Brandy Renee Hanna * May 20, 2005 * Charleston, S.c.
Vanished from her home without a trace. No suspects in her case, and not very many details at all. Her loved ones believe that she left her home for something, intending to return, but never made it back. The lack of details in her case is just perplexing, but it doesn't seem like anything new as far as South Carolina disappearances go. Charleston is just about two hours south of Myrtle Beach.









Christine Marie Ludwig * Jan. 17, 2012 * Richland County, S.c.
Little is known about Christine's disappearance other than she was last seen at a business near the 1400 block of Bluff Road, Columbia. Her car was later found abandoned in a Bi-Lo parking lot in the same city.

There have been no detail providing whether or not she's a victim of foul play, but the fact that she's never been found and her car abandoned just reeks of suspicion.




Take note that this is just the research of the missing women in the area who are missing under similar or unknown circumstances. This is not yet counting the unsolved homicides or Jane Does in a two to four hour radius yet, but it's already shaping up to be a profile of missing women who remain missing with no answers.

It's likely that not all of these cases are connected -- if even any of them are at all -- but I have a gut feeling that someone is responsible for at least a couple of the disappearances, and this person is likely centrally located -- meaning he travels outward for his victims -- possibly from the Columbia area, outward. This is just a hunch.



Jane Doe #856UFSC (Doe Network) *1992* Charleston, S.c.
No case information available, near-complete skeleton of a female. Age 15-20 years old, no clothing or jewelry present. No police information about this particular Doe either.



Jane Doe #347UFSC (Doe Network) *1995* Yemassee, S.c.
Possibly biracial or Hispanic, but it must be noted that bone structure may tell anthropologists one thing, but still not be entirely accurate. This woman died by strangulation/homicide and presumably laid on her back for around 12 hours before she was moved and dumped in a ditch where she was found. This is likely because pooling may have been noticed on her backside (pooling is when blood settles where a body is laying on whatever part of the body). Officials believe this means she was transported from 12 hour away (likely) but it could also simply mean that she had just been dead for 12 hours prior to being moved for any other variety of reasons.





Jane Doe #830UFSC (Doe Network) *2006* Mount Pleasant, S.c.
Female aged 14 to 19 but unidentifiable. She had been dead for an undetermined amount of time (likely several years) and had no clothing or jewelry. No trauma to her skull, which was found beneath a bridge apparently separated from her body.




Is someone preying on women in South Carolina? Very likely. I find it worrisome that some of the more recently missing women have yet to be located. This could mean a number of things, but there do appear to be themes shared by their disappearances and the disappearance of Heather Elvis. So what happened to her?
(Please wait for Part II) 
Enhanced by Zemanta
↧

More Amanda Knox archived coverage by Chelsea Hoffman

January 11, 2014, 6:29 pm
↧
↧

My dear readers: I need your help!

January 12, 2014, 5:37 am
$
0
0
I've devotedly kept you guys up-to-date for a handful of years about a multitude of missing cases (men, women and children) -- and I've worked closely with the loved ones of many of these voiceless victims. However, due to my busy schedule, I've found it difficult to find the balance between work and advocacy work. As many of you know, all of the work I do officially with the loved ones of victims is strictly pro bono (meaning I do not take money from grieving family members). So that means I can't prioritize these cases ahead of working to make ends meet (by blogging and writing crime books).

I want to devote more of my time to the people who matter: The loved ones of victims and missing people. I want to spend more time maintaining the blog  and hosting important podcasts while doing what I can to search for the loved ones of frantic, grieving family members.

I have created a "GoFundMe" page in hopes of attracting some donations from those of you who want to help me find the missing. If you want me to devote more of my time to finding missing people and bringing closure to families, please consider donating. Any amount helps!
Enhanced by Zemanta
↧

My Ch. 10 (San Diego News) interview with Steve Fiorina

October 24, 2013, 4:41 pm
↧
Search

Mother of the year used heroin in front of child after murdering her own mother

January 15, 2014, 3:28 am
$
0
0
Sarah Vercauteren is a hot freaking mess of a drug addict, and it's safe to say that she's going to be horrified with the life she's created for herself and her child after she cleans up and kicks the habit. Of course, it's going to be far too late by then.  The pretty blonde Pa. woman bashed her mother in the head 18 times with a hammer after an argument in her trailer park home.

Enhanced by Zemanta
↧

Heather Koons is a daycare child rapist

January 15, 2014, 3:46 am
$
0
0
Police say that Heather Koons (the supermodel you see pictured) is a child rapist who targeted young kids at the daycare she worked at, as well as another school location that employed her. The details of the crimes are still coming out, little by little, but she is accused of photographing and filming various abusive acts on preteen children and some as young as 12 months old, which she then transmitted to her lover -- a registered sex offender named James Osborne. 

The Ohio couple were busted when officials found videos of  Heather Koons raping at least four different children on a laptop that was in Osborne's possession. While Osborne is facing various child porn related charges, he is not the one in trouble compared to the crimes Heather is accused of committing. She is charged with kidnapping and a variety of child sex crimes -- so here's to hoping the pervert gets what she deserves.
Enhanced by Zemanta
↧
↧

Death penalty for Jodi Arias? Take the poll!

January 15, 2014, 3:58 am
$
0
0

Should Jodi Arias get the death penalty?
  
pollcode.com free polls 
Enhanced by Zemanta
↧

Sins of the Sexual Sadist Official Trailer

January 15, 2014, 6:10 am
↧

Introducing Crime Scene Media

January 16, 2014, 3:18 am
$
0
0
Many of you may have noticed the imprint of "Crime Scene Media" as the publisher on my true crime books lately. In fact, I've republished "The River of No Return: On the trail of Hannah Anderson and Jim DiMaggio" under this imprint. I have purchased the domain (which can be visited by clicking here) and am currently orchestrating various plans to pull CSM together into a production company that will serve as an umbrella parent to my book publishing and media broadcasting endeavors. I've already published another title ("Sins of the Sexual Sadist") under CSM, and currently writing a couple other books. I am also publishing the stories of other up-and-coming and established authors who specialize in true crime or cultural nonfiction.

I have big plans for Crime Scene Media, so stay tuned.
Enhanced by Zemanta
↧
Viewing all 494 articles
Browse latest View live
Search