Proof Crime Podcast

08/31/2026

In 2000, Sary & Marinus Polderman and their daugther Anna Gipson Lewis were found murdered in Mr. & Mrs. Polderman's Kalamazoo-area home. We honor these victims on the anniversary of their deaths, and continue to wonder if the Kalamazoo Cold Case Team helped get the correct convictions. When we know more, you'll know more.

The Polderman murders are featured in ep. 7 and ep. 9 of PROOF podcast, season 3. Share if you think everyone should know more about the Kalamzoo Cold Case Team and the Poldermans.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/murder-at-the-bike-shop-ep-7-in-cold-blood/id1611647977?i=1000752476835

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jgmxzCCCxq981Dh18TySu

08/29/2026

The headline for this article from Kalamazoo Gazette's Ryan Boldrey says it all. A female college student was murdered at Western Michigan University, and at the time her boyfriend was in jail. The case went cold. But as our listeners know, years later the Kalamazoo Cold Case Team picked up the investigation. Was the truth uncovered? Can it be found now, 23 years after Roberto D'Avanzo was incarcerated for a crime he says he didn't commit.

We are so appreciative that MLive.com allowed access to their recent in-depth article with excellent pictures. Thank you Ryan for this reporting.

If you've wanted to see pics from the case, or of Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Chief Judge Gary Giguere Jr. (previously D'Avanzo's defense attorney) who we also interviewed, you'll appreciate the photos attached to this article. And if you don’t know about this case or the other cases investigated by the Kalamazoo Cold Case team, listen to Season 3 of PROOF true crime podcast to learn more.

FREE article for three days. Michigan Innocence Clinic

Roberto D'Avanzo was convicted in 2004 of orchestrating his girlfriend's 1980 murder despite being incarcerated at the time. The cold case team that investigated him is now under scrutiny for its methods used in his case and others. One of their convictions has already been overturned.

08/24/2026

Do you know the story behind the deaths of 15-year-old Brian, 83-year-old Earl, and 18-year-old Renee? PROOF Podcast tells their stories, and those of the people who investigated their murders, those who prosecuted them, and those who were and are in prison. Were the convictions correct?

Season 1 - Russian Roulette
Season 2 - Murder at the Warehouse
Season 3 - Murder at the Bike Shop

On Apple, Spotify, or wherever you pod. Or access directly through our website.

https://www.proofcrimepod.com/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/proof-a-true-crime-podcast/id1611647977

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7cIYTvLd8QgwirW7EhCAGH

08/21/2026

Would you like to see PROOF at SXSW? Click on the link, search for WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS AND THE PROOF PODCAST and click the ❤️.

https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw27/auth-community-voting-sxsw/page/community-voting/session/1785093271549001GQbA

Hope to see y’all there!

PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform. Enter ideas and vote to help shape Conference programming for SXSW and SXSW EDU.

08/21/2026

Have you heard season 3? Give us a listen for investigative reporting and compelling stories. Brought to you by hosts Susan Simpson, previously of Undisclosed Podcast, and Jacinda Davis and Kevin Fitzpatrick of Killer in Question.

With a season full of twists, turns, and misconduct of all kinds, we thought we'd reflect on the murdered man. Season 3 of Proof Crime Pod, "Murder at the Bike Shop," is all about the murder of Earl O'Byrne, an iconic Kalamazoo curmudgeon who was killed in his shop (where he lived) in 1988.

Did you know that there was a $25,000 reward offered by a local businessman - which would be nearly $75,000 in today's money?

$75,000. Amazing that they took more than a decade to arrest someone - in our opinion, potentially the wrong someone.

Listen again, or forward this post to a friend who might love Season 3.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/murder-at-the-bike-shop-ep-1-toes-first/id1611647977?i=1000745874121

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1qrMoZ1kBEbUe3F2qq2aBZ

08/11/2026

1998. Brian Bowling of Silver Creek, GA, is 15 years old. He loves being outside, riding his bike, laughing with friends. But Brian won't live to see 16. What happened to Brian? Listen to Proof Season One, "Russian Roulette."

On Apple, Spotify, our website, or wherever you pod.



Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-1-a-dangerous-game/id1611647977?i=1000553192463

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1xZxmYtjHRawUDPvcbXIuv

Proof Website: https://www.proofcrimepod.com/seasons/season-1-russian-roulette

A new investigative true crime podcast from Susan Simpson of Undisclosed and the producers of Evil Lives Here.

07/31/2026

Have you listened to season 3 of PROOF crime podcast? You'll meet Scott Baldwin, who served more than 2 decades for a crime he always said he didn't commit. What was the proof? He spray painted his Jeep. He briefly worked at the bike shop many years before the crime. He liked to tell girls he was in a famous band. Obviously guilty, right? Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you pod.

07/30/2026

Louisiana’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of Jimmie "Chris" Duncan’s...

07/19/2026

Scott's old girlfriend, Stacey, was the star witness in his trial. The two dated but they hadn't seen each other in many years… until they met again in the courtroom. Stacey accused Scott of coming home the morning after the murder with damning evidence. She even said that Scott confessed to her. But Scott always maintained his innocence. Listen to Proof, Season 3 "Murder at the Bike Shop" to learn more about the case against Scott and how it never added up.