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Artwork for Going West: True Crime

Going West: True Crime

Dark West Productions
Domestic Violence
Murder
California
True Crime
Murder Investigation
Los Angeles
Abduction
Homicide
Deorr Kunz Jr.
Child Abuse
Missing Persons
New York City
Serial Killers
Mental Health
Florida
Dustin Kjersem
Divorce
Idaho
Robert Hansen
Bryce Laspisa

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 weeklyEpisodes678Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTrue Crime

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Going West: True Crime

Latest Episodes

In May of 2019, a 15-year-old girl vanished from her West Virginia home one night after sending a string of chilling text messages to her boyfriend. With the name of a potential culprit in one of the texts, investigators knew exactly where to begin l... more

In May of 1996, a 19-year-old college freshman vanished from her San Luis Obispo university in the middle of the night. When she never returned to her dorm room, what began as a missing-person case quickly gripped California and sparked decades of qu... more

In April of 2023, a missing Minnesota woman was last spotted on surveillance footage being forced back into her apartment building after trying to flee. And afterwards, she was never seen again. With suspicious texts, a disturbing storage facility fi... more

In April of 2026, an arrest was made in the disturbing, unfolding murder case of a 14-year-old girl who had been found in the trunk of a Tesla last September in Los Angeles. And since that arrest was made, countless horrific details have been release... 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

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 and co-founder, known for compelling storytelling and providing insightful commentary on true crime cases.
Daphne Woolsoncroft
Host and co-founder, recognized for her deep empathy and thorough research on various true crime narratives.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 17.8k ratings
  • It’s Getting Bad

    Long time follower, and I don’t know what it is, but I find this podcast virtually unlistenable these days. I wish I could blame it on them selling out to Unwell, but I started noticing my disappointment prior to that. Most podcasters have an arc of growth, and I do feel like Heath and Daphne’s storytelling had improved dramatically over the years. However over the past year or so I feel like they’re spiraling backwards and it’s become almost like True Crime For Dummies in its format. Maybe it’s... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Lalalaney12
    United States18 days ago
  • Could be…

    SO. MANY. ADS. It has potential but why do many ads???

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    amber young k
    United States24 days ago
  • Stop spoiling the story

    I wish Heath would stop mocking Daphne’s speech when she jumbles up a word. I also wish you stop giving spoilers in the first 10 seconds. We love mystery!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    GirlNextDoor1989
    United States25 days ago
  • Forensic Files?

    Great job on the Joanne Chambers case! I’ve been obsessed with it for decades, ever since Forensic Files covered it. I can’t believe more people don’t know about it. Have you considered doing a Forensic files run of episodes? There are some interesting ones to choose from!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Rijms
    United Statesa month ago
  • Sounds like a.m. shock jocks/commercial readers doing true crime podcasts. Really distracted from the stories by their delivery.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    mimibob
    a month ago

Listeners Say

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

Many find the hosts relatable and engaging, enjoying their narrative style and expert commentary.
A few listeners express frustration with pacing, noting that some episodes feel lengthened unnecessarily.
Listeners appreciate the detailed storytelling and respectful handling of sensitive topics.
Some feedback suggests a desire for increased focus on diversity in case selection and representation.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#196
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#44
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#99
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#210
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#153
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#197
France/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?

Themes of true crime pervade the episodes, focusing on various grim and often tragic murder cases that have captured public interest. Each episode meticulously outlines the narrative surrounding each case, delving into the motivations behind the crime and the subsequent investigations. The hosts emphasize the importance of accurately portraying the victims' stories while exploring themes such as mental health, domestic violence, and the complex dynamics of familial relationships. With each release, the hosts aim to provide listeners with a detailed account of the events and the human elements connected to these harrowing stories, fostering a sense of empathy and awareness about the impact of these crimes on communities.

Listeners appreciat... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Going West: True Crime?

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

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

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

Going West: True Crime launched 7 years ago and published 678 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. Kouri Richins
2. Holly Madison
3. Kara Robinson Chamberlain
4. 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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