Idaho murders victim’s mother makes emotional plea at CrimeCon – live
Follow live updates as The Independent attends the true crime conference CrimeCon 2023 in Orlando, Florida
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Thousands of true-crime enthusiasts, media personalities and survivors travelled to Orlando, Florida, to take part in CrimeCon 2023 this weekend.
The Independent was at the event which included talks with Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin, the attorneys of Alex Murdaugh; and Kerri Rawson, the daughter of BTK serial killer Dennis Rader.
During one panel at the event, the mother of murdered University of Idaho student Ethan Chapin made an emotional plea to the crowd.
“But I just wanted you all to know that these were four of the greatest kids. And all the great things you read are legitimately true,” she said, before adding “don’t forget these kids”.
Also at the event, Ms Rawson spoke about the moment that she confronted her father over two cold cases that he is now being investigated over – years after he was convicted of 10 murders.
“If you haven’t done anything wrong, I’ll make sure to do everything I can to protect you. But if you did, I’ll come back and nail you to the wall,” Ms Rawson recounted telling him. “He’s been playing games for years, with me, and with you...”
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Kerri Rawson confronted her father Dennis Rader also known as BTK, after it was announced that he was being investigated in at least two cases years after he was convicted of 10 murders.
Ms Rawson, who is an advocate for victims and survivors, said she went in calm, then also pushed to talk about his crimes.
She said her father pushed her to talk about the Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger. They also discussed the two cases Rader is being of of, including Cynthia Kinney, who went missing 1976 from a laundromat.
Ms Rawson said she told her father, “I love you but this is out of my hands…”
“If you haven’t done anything wrong, I’ll make sure to do everything I can to protect you. But if you did, I’ll come back and nail you to the wall,” Ms Rawson said. “He’s been playing games for years, with me, and with you...”
Ms Rawson also called out true crime fans in the audience for writing letters to her father.
Special CrimeCon campaign raises nearly $9K for Gabby Petito Foundation
A special CrimeCon campaign for the Gabby Petito Foundation has raised nearly $9,000 halfway through the second full day of the three-day true crime event.
The foundation was created by Gabby’s parents and stepparents, Nichole and Jim Schmidt, and Joe and Tara Petito, to turn the family’s tragedy into purpose.
The purpose is to spread awareness of domestic violence’s warning signs and assist organisations that provide immediate, tangible help to survivors, according to the campaign.
The Gabby Petito Foundation is CrimeCon’s CLUE Award recipient for the event’s Crimefighter of the Year award.
Missing geologist Daniel Robinson’s family at CrimeCon 2023
Mr Robinson, who graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in archaeology, disappeared on 23 June 2021 after seeming disoriented on a work site and ostensibly driving off into the desert with no explanation.
His behaviour had been slightly off in the weeks before his disappearance but there has been no sign of him since; the geologist’s car was recovered nearly a month after he vanished, along with his phone, wallet, keys and clothes he was last seen wearing.
Mr Robinson’s sister and his father David Robinson have a table at the crime convention and are giving out flyers with information about the missing geologist’s case/
Dateline correspondent Josh Mankiewicz dubbed CrimeCon’s mayor
The beloved journalist spoke at the panel, Beyond the Headlines: Examining the Aftermath of Carlee Russell’s Fake Disappearance. Curiously, attendees at the event have been referring to Mr Mankiewicz as “CrimeCon’s mayor.”
Ms Russell made headlines across the country after she disappeared on 13 July following a 911 in which she claimed she had seen a toddler walking on the side of an Alabama interstate. But by the time police arrived at the scene, neither Ms Russell nor the toddler were anywhere to be found.
Ms Russell’s story was later debunked by police and she was charged.
ICYMI: What does CrimeCon offer?
The three-day-long conference offers various panels, immersive experiences and the chance to rub elbows with the greatest minds in the true crime genre.
Special guests will speak on a variety of topics including forensics, criminology, victimology, DNA, and more. There are experts leading the sessions who are educated in their field and will provide the latest developments.
Investigators who have cracked decades-old cold cases reveal their secrets about their process. Families of victims and survivors of crime will share their stories, many seeking justice and the support of the true crime community.
Gabby’s parents and stepparents read aloud excerpts from people impacted by Gabby’s story
“Because of Gabby...” her mom Nichole Schmidt read through tears on Saturday.
The short excerpt went on to read from the survivor’s point of view that because of Gabby, she never went back inside the house where it turns out her partner had a gun to kill her.
Gabby’s mom added: “She’s a hero, saved so many lives. Even tho she’s not here anymore. She’s a hero.”
Key players in Alex Murdaugh’s murder conviction among speakers at CrimeCon 2023
Alex Murdaugh’s defence attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin spoke about the infamous South Carolina murder trial at CrimeCon in Orlando on Saturday.
The lawyers joined 20/20’s Eva Pilgrim for a “tell all” conversation about “the Southern crime saga that captivated the world.”
Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul earlier this year.
“This CrimeCon exclusive will give attendees an inside look at the defense strategies used by Murdaugh’s legal team and the decision to have Alex take the stand – which many cite as a pivotal moment in the trial,” a promotional blurb stated.
“The pair will share firsthand accounts of the unexpected twists, challenges they faced, reflections on their time with Alex Murdaugh, and what may be coming next.”
The attorneys filed a motion for a mistrial earlier this month alleging jury tampering in Murdaugh’s murder case and requesting a new trial.
What is CrimeCon?
CrimeCon is an immersive, weekend-long event with a jammed packed schedule of panels and sessions featuring guests from the true crime field including victims’ families, lawyers, journalists, advocates, podcasters and big players from within the criminal justice system.
“From the latest cases to the latest scientific techniques to the newest TV shows and docs to the best podcasts in the world. And from deep-dives into topics you didn’t even know existed to big ballroom sessions with personalities you watch every week—CrimeCon is the platform that delivers it all,” their website boasts.
Sponsored each year by Oxygen, the event was launched in 2017 by Red Seat Ventures after the firm noticed a “hole” in the true crime market, according to A&E. At the time, there was no convention that focused on the public’s growing fascination with true crime.
The first conference was held in Indianapolis in 2017 with a crowd of just 800, but has quickly grown into the thousands.
CrimeCon 2022, which was held in Las Vegas, attracted around 5,000 attendees.
Gabby Petito’s family makes 15,000 donation to Black & Missing Foundation at CrimeCon awards event
Gabby Petito’s family accepted the Crime Fighter of the Year award on Saturday night for their foundation focused on helping domestic violence victims.
Presenting the award were Natalie Wilson and Derrica Wilson, co-founders of the Black & Missing Foundation.
The Petito family accepted the award then promptly acknowledged the disparities in the coverage of missing people of color.
They announced that they were donating a gift of $15,000 to the foundation.
A father’s plea for answers: Daniel Robinson’s loved ones bring awareness to his case two years after he went missing
David Robinson, the father of missing geologist Daniel Robinson, has a goal of handing out every one of his flyers at CrimeCon 2023 in Orlando this weekend to spread awareness of his son’s disappearance, Andrea Cavallier reports from Florida.
But his ultimate goal is to find his son. Daniel Robinson was last spotted on 23 June as he was leaving a worksite in the Arizona desert at Sun Valley Parkway and Cactus Road in Buckeye – 35 miles west of of Phoenix.
On 19 July, a rancher found Robinson’s busted vehicle – a 2017 Jeep Renegade – in a ravine three miles away. His keys, clothes, boots, and cell phone were also found. According to a crash report, the vehicle sped up just before the crash.
The case has been worked by Buckeye Police, but Mr Robinson said he wants his son’s case turned over to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office where it can get the attention it needs.
Mr Robinson has never given up the fight for his son, and hired a private investigator who he says uncovered new information in the case.
The investigator found that Daniel’s vehicle had 11 additional miles on it after the airbags had been deployed and had been cranked 46 times.