Scream and Sugar True Crime Coffee Hour

07/25/2025

This week on Scream & Sugar, we’re headed back to the place both Candace and Sahara used to call home—Chesapeake, Virginia—for a case that shook the Hampton Roads area to its core.

Known as the "Hampton Roads Killer," Elton M. Jackson preyed on young men throughout the late '90s and early 2000s. A normal guy by day, predator by night, Jackson led a double life—luring vulnerable men with promises of money or hookups and then brutally taking their lives. In this episode, we honor the lives of the victims, examine the disturbing patterns in Jackson’s crimes, and follow the long and frustrating investigation that finally brought him to justice.

We also discuss how homophobia, racism, and victim-blaming delayed the case for years. Big shoutout to Renee Davis and the Melanin Mayhem podcast, where I first heard about this case—go give her a listen!)

So hang with us as we sip on some La Victoria Coffee and remember to stay spooky, y'all!

Case Notes:
https://www.lavictoriacoffee.com/

Melanin Meyhem Podcast with Renee Davis: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/renee-davis07/episodes/The-Hampton-Roads-Killer-e2nni9r

https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1997/vp970914/09140087.htm
https://skdb.fandom.com/wiki/JACKSON_Elton_Manning
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/magazine/1997/06/29/and-then-there-were-twelve/b1301584-7ee3-4645-8a7a-339d092cf62f/
https://prezi.com/yumdwqoamkaz/elton-m-jackson-hampton-road-killer/
Elton Manning Jackson v Commonwealth of Virginia :: 2000 :: Virginia Court of Appeals - https://law.justia.com/cases/virginia/court-of-appeals-unpublished/2000/2587981.html
https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1997/vp970914/09140087.htm
https://www.deseret.com/1998/10/28/19409196/suspect-in-virginia-slayings-sentenced-to-life-in-prison
https://crimesolverscentral.com/serialkillers/775

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07/17/2025

In this episode of Scream and Sugar, we’re heading back to the Wild West to uncover the infamous 1899 robbery of the Union Pacific Overland Flyer No. 1. Masterminded by the legendary Butch Cassidy and his gang, the Wild Bunch, this daring train heist near Wilcox, Wyoming, left railroad cars blown apart and lawmen scrambling across the frontier. With explosives, horses, and a disappearing act that would baffle authorities, this robbery became one of the most iconic crimes of the American West.

Join us as we explore how it happened, who was involved, and what came next in this dusty tale of outlaws and audacity.  And remember, stay spooky, y'all!

Case References: 
https://roamercoffeehouse.com/

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07/10/2025

Welcome back, Spooky Squad! In this chilling yet vital episode of Scream and Sugar, we dive into the heartbreaking 2002 case of Gwen Amber Rose Araujo—a transgender teenager whose life was tragically cut short in a brutal hate crime. We explore Gwen’s life, the events leading to her murder, the trial that followed, and the lasting impact her story had on hate crime legislation and the transgender rights movement. Rest in peace, Gwen. 

Case Notes: 

Larry's Gourmet Coffee House: https://www.instagram.com/larrysgourmetcoffee/?hl=en

Gay Panic Defense States: https://lgbtqbar.org/programs/advocacy/gay-trans-panic-defense/gay-trans-panic-defense-legislation/
PA: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2023/hb637

Resources: 
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/10/nx-s1-5355126/trump-nih-trans-regret-detransition-research #:~:text=%22Regret%20rates%20for%20gender%2Daffirming,KFF%2C%20a%20non%2Dpartisan%20healthhttps://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/parole-granted-to-defendant-in-2002-murder-of-transgender-teen-gwen-araujo-in-newark/65252/https://www.ebar.com/story/76362https://www.hrc.org/resources/fatal-violence-against-the-transgender-and-gender-expansive-community-in-2023https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32345113/https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/10/nx-s1-5355126/trump-nih-trans-regret-detransition-research #:~:text=%22Regret%20rates%20for%20gender%2Daffirming,KFF%2C%20a%20non%2Dpartisan%20healthhttps://abc7news.com/who-is-gwen-araujo-timeline-documentary-transgender-murder/12451079/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jun-23-me-transgender23-story.htmlhttps://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/chilling-time-line-of-a-killing-death-of-2668044.php

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06/25/2025

In this week’s episode of Scream and Sugar, we dive into the chilling double life of Elaine Antoinette Parent—a master manipulator, identity thief, and murderer.
Dubbed “The Chameleon Killer” by authorities, Parent left a trail of forged documents, stolen identities, and at least one gruesome murder in her wake. But how did an upper-middle-class girl from Florida become one of the most elusive suspects in FBI history? And what twisted motives drove her to kill and vanish again and again? Buckle up for a tale of deception, plastic masks, and postcards from the edge—this one is as wild as it is terrifying.

So grab your coffee and your crime scene curiosity—because this week, the truth is wearing someone else’s face. Shout out to Black Rock Desserts for today's review! 

And remember, stay spooky, y’all!

Notes:
Scream and Sugar Merch: scream-and-sugar-podcast.printify.me/
Black Rock Desserts: https://www.blackrockdesserts.com/

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06/24/2025

Merch alert!! We've got the spookiest gear for y'all!! Go check it out on printify: https://scream-and-sugar-podcast.printify.me/

06/18/2025

Welcome back, spooky squad, to another episode of Scream and Sugar, your true crime coffee hour.
In the quiet town of Acme, Washington, the Thanksgiving weekend of 1989 turned into a nightmare. Mandy Stavik, a bright, athletic 18-year-old college freshman, went out for a routine jog with her dog, Kyra, and never came home. Days later, her body was found in the Nooksack River. The case would haunt the community for decades until a shocking DNA breakthrough revealed her killer. Join us as we unpack the chilling details of Mandy’s life, her disappearance, and the long-delayed justice that finally gave her family some peace.
Come sip along with us as we dive into the details surrounding this case, including the amazing women who came together to finally solve it. And remember, to stay spooky, y'all!

https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/crime/article189667204.htmlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU7GIDi66xE

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06/11/2025

UPDATE! We now have merch!! Shirts, hoodies, hats, towels, cups, you name it!! Check it out here:
https://scream-and-sugar-podcast.printify.me/

And if there's a product you want but don't see, let us know, and we'll try to make it happen.

Stay spooky, ya'll!!

06/05/2025

Welcome back, Spooky Squad, to Scream and Sugar - your true crime coffee hour. This week, we’re heading to Houston, Texas, to uncover the chilling mystery of the Icebox Murders—a gruesome 1965 double homicide that left investigators reeling.

When police forced entry into the home of elderly couple Fred and Edwina Rogers, what they found inside the refrigerator shocked even seasoned detectives. But the most haunting part? Their reclusive son, Charles, had vanished, leaving behind a house full of clues, cryptic diary entries, and conspiracy theories that converge on the JFK assassination (!). Join us as we untangle the twisted tale of paranoia, espionage, and family secrets. Was Charles Rogers a cold-blooded killer, or was he running from something even darker? Grab your coffee and hang with us as we munch on snacks from Ikeda's in Auburn, CA—this one’s a doozy.

And remember to stay spooky, y'all!!

Case Notes: 
https://www.ikedas.com/

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05/28/2025

This week, we're diving into the chilling and tragic case of Aileen Wuornos—often labeled as America's first female serial killer. But was she truly a cold-blooded predator, or a deeply damaged woman failed by every system around her? Join us as Candace traces Aileen’s turbulent life—from a childhood filled with abuse and abandonment to the Florida highways where seven men met their end. We’ll explore her controversial trial, the media frenzy that followed, and the psychological complexities that still spark debate today.

Was it self-defense, as she claimed, or something much darker? Brew something strong—this one’s heavy. 
And remember to stay spooky, y’all!

Snacks: Ikedas, Auburn, CA https://www.ikedas.com/

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05/21/2025

Welcome back ya'll! Today, we are diving deep into one of the creepiest cases we've covered. This is one of Brazil’s most disturbing and unexplained cases — the Guarapiranga Reservoir Mutilation. In 1988, the body of an unidentified man was discovered near São Paulo's Guarapiranga Reservoir. What shocked investigators wasn't just the death — it was the horrifying, surgical precision of the mutilations. No blood. No signs of struggle. No clear cause of death. Was it a sadistic human crime, an elaborate cover-up, or something far more unexplainable? Join us as we dissect the forensics, explore the theories — from criminal to paranormal — and piece together the unsettling puzzle that has baffled experts for decades. 

Case Notes: 
https://realhorrordiaries.blogspot.com/2023/01/obscure-occurrences-mystery-behind-body.htmlHow bodies found in water can be difficult to understand: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1756231721001249Stages of decomposition:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10493-009-9284-9Creeptime link: https://www.reddit.com/r/creeptimethepodcast/comments/1j66rjt/ep_134_the_mutilated_body_discovered_near_brazils/ ://realhorrordiaries.blogspot.com/2023/01/obscure-occurrences-mystery-behind-body.html

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04/24/2025

Hey Spooky Squad! Welcome back to another episode of Scream and Sugar, your true crime coffee hour. Today, we are talking about a serial killer, or lack thereof, in Austin, Texas, who's allegedly stalking Rainy St. 
Since 2022, a chilling pattern has haunted Austin, Texas—bodies of young men have been found in Lady Bird Lake, near the bustling bars and music venues of Rainy Street. Official reports have often ruled these deaths as accidental or self-inflicted, but locals aren’t convinced.
Are these tragic drownings a coincidence? Or the work of a serial predator hiding in plain sight? In this episode of Scream and Sugar, we unravel the unsettling timeline, examine the victims, and dive into the growing theories that point to something far more sinister lurking along the shores of this beloved nightlife district.

Grab your coffee and your curiosity, and remember to stay spooky, ya'll!

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/1fOAguINVZ4nbbUmWC51PA?si=1HQSO3CSTuuhLiqSP1BMjw

04/23/2025