Dark Matters: True Crime

Dark Matters explores the realities of violent and predatory behavior through stories and conversations, not classroom theory. Episodes focus on homicide and serial murder, sex crimes, stalking, criminal paraphilias, and cold cases. You will hear interviews with offenders who speak anonymously about choices and consequences, and in-depth talks with investigators, clinicians, and researchers who explain what they saw and what they learned. Guided by criminal psychologist Dr. Eric Hickey, the show looks for patterns, turning points, and practical ways to prevent harm while avoiding sensational detail.

Dark Matters: True Crime is a society podcast hosted by Dr. Eric Hickey, with 24 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Dr. Eric Hickey hosts Dark Matters: True Crime, a society show with 24 episodes published.

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  Episode #22

  Profiling Randall Woodfield

  Sep 30, 202627 min

  Dark Matters Episode 21 What drives an individual to escalate from public exposure to severe criminal acts? In this episode of Dark Matters, criminal psychologist Dr. Eric Hickey examines the underlying behavioral patterns and personality structure of Randall Woodfield. From deep-seated narcissism and fragile self-esteem to an extreme need for power, explore how psychological motives shape violent behavior and why certain offenders remain in total denial. ________________________________ Call-in show Info Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details. Call-In Number: 559-424-4805 Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in Submission Info: https://darkmatterspodcast.com/contact/#call-in

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  Episode #21

  Inside Maternal Filicide with Dr. Kristen Beyer

  Sep 29, 202656 min

  Dark Matters Episode 20 Dr. Eric Hickey welcomes forensic psychologist and former FBI analyst Dr. Kristin Bayer to examine the tragic mechanics of maternal filicide. Centered on the Lindsay Clancy case, this episode explores the critical psychological boundary separating anxiety-driven intrusive thoughts from full postpartum psychosis. Dr. Bayer breaks down how brief hospital stays, medication adjustment periods, and gaps in psychiatric safety nets fail mothers during severe mental health crises. Together, they analyze how clinical mental illness intersects with violent crime and what behavioral evidence reveals about maternal homicide. _________________________________________ Dr. Beyer's Bio Dr. Beyer’s forensic career began as a Violent Crime Resource Specialist working with the FBI’s former Child Abduction and Serial Murder Investigative Resources Center (CASMIRC). In 2003, Dr. Beyer was promoted to the Supervisory Social/Behavioral Science Research Coordinator position at the FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) in Quantico, Virginia. She served in this capacity through 2008. While at the NCAVC, she provided consultation, training, and conducted research on varying topics to include serial murder, child abduction, filicide, domestic violence, child sexual exploitation, and terrorism. During her time at the FBI, she also provided peer support and counseling for the Employee Assistance Program where she was deployed to the Flight 93 crash site during the FBI’s response to the events of 9/11. She also had collateral duties where she conducted psychological assessments for the FBI’s Undercover Safeguard Program. She was also trained and certified as a SERE-oriented psychologist with an emphasis on repatriation. ________________________________________________________ Call in show Info Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details. Call-In Number: 559-424-4805 Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in Submission Info: https://darkmatterspodcast.com/contact/#call-in ________________________________________________________ Chapters 0:00 Introduction to the case 0:47 Introducing Dr. Kristen Byer 2:55 Gender differences in crime 6:22 Overview of the Clancy case 9:45 Systemic mental health failures 14:40 Politicization and legalities 17:32 Psychosis and culpability 22:57 Mental health vs. disorders 29:37 Case parallels and outcomes 32:28 Institutionalization challenges 38:04 Symptoms, diagnosis, and DSM 44:22 Final reflections on the tragedy

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  Episode #20

  Uncovering the Tearoom Trade

  Sep 29, 202620 min

  Dark Matters Episode 19 What drives individuals to seek out secret, anonymous encounters in everyday public spaces? Criminal psychologist Dr. Eric Hickey explores the hidden world of public restroom hookups and the complex dynamics of living a dual life. Drawing from court testimony, personal encounters, and real-world law enforcement operations, Dr. Hickey unpacks the non-verbal protocols, legal dilemmas, and psychological motivations behind a phenomenon found in cities across the globe. ________________________________________________________ Call in show Info Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details. Call-In Number: 559-424-4805 Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in Submission Info: https://darkmatterspodcast.com/contact/#call-in

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  Episode #19

  Was Wayne Williams Really the Atlanta Child Killer?

  Sep 29, 202612 min

  Dark Matters Episode 18 In the summer of 1981, criminologist Dr. Eric Hickey began his career in Georgia just as the notorious Atlanta Child Murders reached a pivotal turning point. Decades later, Dr. Hickey joined a bus filled with community activists to confront long-held doubts surrounding Wayne Williams' conviction. In this episode of Dark Matters, Dr. Hickey revisits the forensic evidence, fiber analysis, and complex behavioral patterns that defined one of the most controversial cases in modern criminal history. ________________________________________________________ Call in show Info Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details. Call-In Number: 559-424-4805 Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in Submission Info: https://darkmatterspodcast.com/contact/#call-in

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  Episode #18

  Watched in Plain Sight

  Sep 29, 202613 min

  Dark Matters Episode 17 In this episode of Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey examines a harrowing case of workplace video voyeurism in Florida where personal privacy and professional trust were completely shattered. When a highly trusted corporate attorney secretly installed hidden cameras inside office restrooms under the guise of an employee wellness initiative, private moments were covertly recorded for years. Dr. Hickey shares his direct involvement in interviewing the traumatized victims, exploring the long-term psychological fallout when safe spaces are violated and how institutions attempt to silence survivors. ________________________________________________________ Call in show Info Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details. Call-In Number: 559-424-4805 Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in Submission Info: https://darkmatterspodcast.com/contact/#call-in

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