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Artwork for Going West: True Crime

Going West: True Crime

Dark West Productions
Murder
Domestic Violence
California
True Crime
Murder Investigation
Los Angeles
Abduction
Homicide
Child Abuse
New York City
Serial Killers
Mental Health
Dustin Kjersem
Divorce
Florida
Robert Hansen
Missing Persons
Bryce Laspisa
Hannah Kobayashi
Jodi Huisentruit

Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman discuss haunting details of different disappearance and murder cases week by week. New episodes released every Tuesday and Friday.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes698Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Going West: True Crime

Latest Episodes

In August of 2004, a 40-year-old woman boarded an Alaskan cruise alone in Seattle, looking forward to a week at sea. But just days into the voyage, she seemingly vanished without a trace. Her cabin remained filled with personal belongings, yet no one... more

In June of 2009, a 30-year-old Amish woman was found dead in her bed inside a quiet Ohio farming community. At first glance, the crime seemed unthinkable in her tight-knit world known for their simplicity, faith, and tradition. But as investigators d... more

In July of 2014, a law professor was shot in broad daylight outside his home in Tallahassee, Florida. And detectives quickly suspected that the killing was anything but random, yet the truth would take years to unravel. What emerged was a history of ... more

In July of 1991, a 34-year-old woman set off on the waters of Lake Sammamish, Washington with her husband for their anniversary. But she wouldn’t make it back to shore alive… What initially appeared to be a tragic drowning accident soon raised troubl... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Allie Shehorn
Hollywood makeup artist featured in Rebel Moon and Obsession, survivor of domestic violence
Independent filmmaker and makeup artist
Episode: Allie Shehorn: 'Obsession' and Survival in Hollywood // 622
Kouri Richins
Former wife of Eric Richins, originally appeared as a guest in interview segments
Individual involved in case
Episode: Kouri Richins: Killer Turned Author // 596
Holly Madison
Star of Girls Next Door and author of Down the Rabbit Hole
Episode: Summer of Hell (ft Holly Madison) // 500
Kara Robinson Chamberlain
Survivor of Richard Evonitz's kidnapping, now a victim advocate and public speaker
Episode: The Spotsylvania Killer // 422
Bonnie Lou Gower
Evonitz's ex-wife who has spoken publicly about her experiences with him
Episode: The Spotsylvania Killer // 422

Hosts

Heath Merryman
Host of Going West: True Crime; engages in deep-dive investigations with a focus on case details, updates, and survivor perspectives.
Daphne Woolsoncroft
Co-host; contributes to case narratives, research, and conversational dynamics.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 17.9k ratings
  • Lots of Advertisements

    I used to like this show as an intro to different cases but recently there is so little actual content and a greedy and insulting amount of advertising. These two lost my interest and are just really annoying now.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nicknamed Named
    United States16 days ago
  • Cay

    I love you but cay is pronounced like key or kee

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    waynelet
    United States20 days ago
  • Campfire Stories

    I’ve been listening to this show for 2 years and it’s my favorite commute podcast. I loved your campfire stories and easy going style of storytelling. Keep up the amazing content!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jenny_from_the_Block890
    United States23 days ago
  • Listened to the interesting Fahey story. What bothers me, no matter what, women in your true crime episodes can never do wrong. Women good, men bad. Lawyer was having multiple affairs, and was a murderer, he's a "POS," but you never call out the women who are also choosing to have an affair with a married man. You emphasize he was 17 years her senior as if that is so awful in itself. They're both adults. That age gap is irrelevant to the crime. It takes two to tango. You are so Portlandia woke.

    Podcast Addict
    4
    Pedicure
    a month ago
  • Unfollowed

    I had to unfollow for several reasons. 1) Heath’s need to repeat EVERYTHING like we are a bunch of idiots. 2) the ads are ridiculous 3) spoiling the entire podcast by telling what happens in the first 3-5 minutes. It’s unfortunate because I liked the podcast, but I can’t handle it anymore.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ~Just_Jess~
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Engaged fans praise strong host chemistry and respectful storytelling.
Fans appreciate case updates and survivor-centered framing; some criticize tone at times.
Listeners note heavy ad load and occasional spoilers.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#49
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#215
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#35
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#64
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#154
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#109
Australia/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Hall of Crime with Daphne and Heath + Q & A // 600
Q: In real life, what if anything do you argue about?
The couple explains that, as a married duo who work together, everyday disagreements exist but episodes remain professional; most arguments are mundane and centered on normal daily life rather than topics they discuss publicly.
Tess Hilt // 530
Q: What theories have emerged regarding Tess Hilt's murder?
Theories include potential involvement by an older male professor or even a female perpetrator driven by jealousy.
Tess Hilt // 530
Q: What happened to Tess Hilt?
Tess Hilt was brutally murdered in her apartment in 1973, with evidence suggesting it was a personal crime, possibly committed by someone who knew her.
The Hiding Man: Anatomy of a Serial Killer // 518
Q: Did having Going West make it easier to create a fictional investigation? Did you do additional research for the book?
Yes, I did a lot more research into police procedures and wrote with the goal of keeping the book accurate.
The Hiding Man: Anatomy of a Serial Killer // 518
Q: How did you come up with the mask and why did you give him one?
I wanted to write it like a horror movie, and since many horror movies feature masked killers, I thought it would add to the creep factor.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Going West: True Crime

What is Going West: True Crime about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep, narrative-driven true crime show that covers a wide range of disappearance and murder cases, often updating older cases with new forensic or investigative developments. The hosts maintain a conversational, often personal tone while weaving in archival details, media coverage, and public interest, producing thorough, theory-rich episodes. Notable strengths include strong on-air chemistry between the hosts and a tendency to connect case details to larger societal and survivor-focused themes, which can help listeners feel like they're following long-running investigations. A standout trait is the show's habit of revisiting cases over time, offering fresh perspectives and updates that keep older stories alive for devoted fans.

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How many listeners does Going West: True Crime get?

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How many subscribers and views does Going West: True Crime have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Going West: True Crime has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Going West: True Crime?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Going West: True Crime:

1. Crime Salad
2. Park Predators
3. Dark Downeast
4. Big Mad True Crime
5. Crime Junkie

How many episodes of Going West: True Crime are there?

Going West: True Crime launched 8 years ago and published 698 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Going West: True Crime?

Recent guests on Going West: True Crime include:

1. Allie Shehorn
2. Kouri Richins
3. Holly Madison
4. Kara Robinson Chamberlain
5. Bonnie Lou Gower

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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