Trigger warning: this article contains mentions of violence and murder.
With the recent tragic case involving the Idaho students, I’ve found myself involved more in the true crime community, educating myself and learning how to keep myself safe, especially as a female college student living in off-campus housing without family nearby. Here is what I’ve learned through the podcasts that I listen to that could benefit your safety:
Which Podcasts Should I Listen To?
Mile Higher with married couple Kendall Rae and Josh Thomas, speaks upon the topics of true crime, conspiracy theories, and much more. Though they primarily cover true crime of all kinds of cases from older to newer cases. Kendall and Josh do an amazing job of not only covering several different cases but also try to give as much coverage as possible to the family and the victim so that they may find peace and justice. They also cover the step-by-step of each case, educating their viewers and allowing them a better understanding and perspective of what the victims endured. They do not sugarcoat or exclude any details in each case, as it can be a bit hard to hear. It is important to cover such topics to really understand what the victim went through. They always also include recordings of phone calls, 911 calls, or even tape recordings of confessions to allow the audience to get a better understanding of the timeline of the story and evidence of what had happened in certain cases. Kendall and Josh always include links at the end of their episodes if needed, whether it be a hotline or a tip line for missing victims, links for a GoFundMe, police department phone lines, or even a hotline for those who may be struggling with mental health.
True Crime With Kendall Rae, is another podcast that Kendall herself has. As she speaks about true crime cases for victims and their families, she tries to bring as much awareness as possible. Kendall has this approach of the victim mindset and has empathic content as these are the victim’s stories. Kendall includes photos of the victim, and any recordings or physical evidence to make sure the audience understands and can get the perspective of what the victim endured. Kendall also always ensures to include links in her captions of the episode, whether it be GoFundMe for the family or victim, a Town Hall link, police department phone lines, donation links, and so much more to help bring more awareness to each individual case.
Killer Queens: A True Crime Podcast, with Tyrella and Tori, close sisters who dive into a variety of true crime cases just like Kendall and Josh, they cover from older cases to newer cases. These southern sisters speak about each case in detail, while explaining any confusing details that may come up. Though it is a podcast, there are no photos shown, but Tyrella and Tori do have a YouTube channel where you can watch video recordings or see photos that they may include in their video.
How Can These Podcasts Benefit My Safety?
True crime has heavily become more and more popular because of podcasts, YouTube, TikTok, and other platforms. True crime covers crime events, most commonly murder. Other crimes covered include kidnapping, assault, domestic violence, and more. Miler Higher, True Crime With Kendall Rae, and Killer Queens: A True Crime Podcast cover these crimes in certain cases they speak about. As a listener, I found myself more educated on these crimes. I understand people’s behavior more before they commit a crime, or as they are about to. I’ve also learned how to get myself out of certain situations that include either of these crimes by hearing about how others bravely fought and or spoke their way out of their situations. Educating yourself on these situations can help prepare you for any situations that may arise.
How to Listen to Your Instincts: Grace Millane Case
One case in particular that speaks of the behaviors of someone who has committed an atrocious act that could have been prevented is Grace Millane and her story. Grace was a British tourist who disappeared in Auckland, New Zealand in December 2018. Jesse Kempson was soon charged with her murder on December 8, 2018. Grace had reported Jesse to the police as “very violent” but the police at the time put aside her report which tragically led her to her death by Jesse.
Not shortly after the horrific crime Jess committed against Grace, he continued to go on dates and eventually went out with a woman who got instincts during the time they were together to not continue the date. Jesse had mentioned a series of disturbing stories in their conversations that caused the woman to feel uneasy and uncomfortable which ultimately led to her instincts to allow her to not follow Jesse back to his car.
Understanding the behaviors, and attitudes of others can benefit your safety. As for Grace Millane, she knew Jesse Kempson’s behavior was not right and filed for a report, but was failed by the New Zealand Police. Even the woman that went on the date with Jesse could read that something was right, and her instincts told her to not follow him back to his car. This instinct could have saved another innocent woman.
Listening and educating yourself on true crime cases can allow you to understand your surroundings, trust your instincts and gut feelings, and read other behaviors that can benefit your safety. But it also can bring awareness to the victim and the families who want justice and who do not want others to endure what their loved ones tragically did.
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