On a quiet night in Albuquerque in March 1996, a routine closing shift at a neighborhood video store turned into one of the city’s most haunting crimes. What began as a robbery at a local Hollywood Video escalated into a brutal chain of events that left five people dead, including two grandparents who arrived at the wrong place at the wrong time.

In this episode, we unpack the timeline, the investigation, and the lasting impact of the Hollywood Video Murders. From the lives of the victims to the arrests of Shane Harrison and Esther Beckley, we explore how a single night shattered a sense of safety for an entire community, and why, decades later, the echoes of that night still linger.

Art By the Pixie

References

• Albuquerque Journal. (1996, March–April). Coverage of the Hollywood Video killings. Retrieved from https://www.abqjournal.com (Search: “Hollywood Video murders Albuquerque 1996”)
• The New York Times. (1996, March 6). 5 Are Slain in New Mexico Video Store Robbery. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com
• Associated Press. (1996). Reports on Albuquerque video store killings. Available via multiple archives (e.g., Google News Archive).
• KOAT-TV. (Various years). Cold case and anniversary coverage of the Hollywood Video murders. Retrieved from https://www.koat.com
• KRQE News 13. (Various years). Remembering the Hollywood Video murders. Retrieved from https://www.krqe.com
• State of New Mexico v. Harrison, court records (1996–1998). (Available via New Mexico court archives or legal databases such as Justia or Lexis summaries.)
• Murderpedia. (n.d.). Shane Harrison. Retrieved from https://murderpedia.org

Unwrap this insane case of murder in this true-crime episode from The Arkins Hearth, which explores the 1999 disappearance of Girly Chew Hossencofft in Albuquerque, uncovering a calculated, body-less murder driven by deception, control, and chilling ideology.

Art by the Pixie

References

Barrett, J. (2002). No body homicide cases: Legal strategies and challenges. Journal of Criminal Law, 45(3), 233–251.

McGaffin, J. (2002). The Hossencofft case: A study in circumstantial evidence. Albuquerque Journal Archives.

New Mexico v. Hossencofft, 2002-NMSC-005 (New Mexico Supreme Court).

Ochoa, J. (2001). Conviction without a body: The evolving standards of proof. American Criminal Review, 38(4), 1275–1302.

State of New Mexico v. Henning, CR-1999-XXXX (District Court Records).

State of New Mexico v. Reid, CR-1999-XXXX (District Court Records).

Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2000). Behavioral analysis in no-body homicide cases. FBI Law Enforcement

Step beyond the ordinary and into the surreal as we explore Meow Wolf—the mind-bending art collective redefining what an “experience” can be. In this episode, our four hosts share their firsthand journeys through the original House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe, from crawling through hidden passageways to unraveling the strange, interconnected storylines buried inside the walls. We swap personal moments of confusion, awe, and even a little existential dread, as one of us compares experiences between Santa Fe and Convergence Station in Denver, revealing how each location builds its own unique universe. We also look ahead to Meow Wolf’s expanding future, including new locations on the horizon and the upcoming tabletop role-playing game that promises to bring its chaotic, creative worlds right to your own table. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to step inside a living story, or just want to hear what happens when four people try to make sense of it, this episode pulls you into the mystery.

Original Art by the Pixie

Venture into the shadow of Superstition Mountains, in Arizona, and uncover the enduring mystery of the Lost Dutchman’s Mine, a legend of gold, deception, and deadly obsession tied to Jacob Waltz. This episode separates fact from folklore, exploring vanished miners, questionable maps, and the harsh desert that has claimed lives in pursuit of fortune. In the end, the real story may not be the gold, but the people willing to risk everything to find it.

Art by the Pixie

REFERENCES

Arizona State Parks. (n.d.). Lost Dutchman State Park: The legend. https://azstateparks.com

Britannica. (n.d.). Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lost-Dutchmans-Gold-Mine

Britannica. (n.d.). Superstition Mountains. https://www.britannica.com/place/Superstition-Mountains

Gentry, C. L. (1968). The Lost Dutchman Mine of Jacob Waltz. University of New Mexico Press.

Reilly, J. (1978). The Lost Dutchman Mine. University of New Mexico Press.

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine. Wikipedia.

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Superstition Mountain. Wikipedia.

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Weaver’s Needle. Wikipedia.

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Peralta Stones. Wikipedia.

This episode explores the legend of La Llorona, the Weeping Woman, and her lasting influence on New Mexico’s culture. We trace her origins, cultural evolution, and why she remains a powerful symbol in the Southwest. We explore why La Llorona endures, her emotional impact, adaptability, and presence in art and daily life. More than a ghost story, she’s part of New Mexico’s identity.

Original Art by The Pixie

REFERENCE LIST

Books & Academic Sources

• Perez, D. R. (2008). There was a woman: La Llorona from folklore to popular culture. University of Texas Press.
• Radford, B. (2014). Mysterious New Mexico: Miracles, magic, and monsters in the Land of Enchantment. University of New Mexico Press.

Web & Folklore Sources

• Castro, M. (Ed.). (n.d.). La Llorona. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/La-Llorona
• La Llorona — Legends of America. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/gh-lallorona/
• La Llorona; the Wailing Woman (Fort Union National Monument, NPS). https://www.nps.gov/foun/learn/news/october-20-2016.htm
• Ramírez Plascencia, D. (2017). The role of the Internet in the endurance of “La Llorona” as a liminal archetypal monster in modern Latin American society. eTropic: Electronic Journal of Studies in the Tropics, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.25120/etropic.16.1.2017.3567

In this episode, we examine the events of the Serial Killer Robert Fry. Join The Arkins Hearth as we discuss the complexities of justice, accountability, and public reaction.

Art By the Pixie

References:

Scott, R. (2005). Monster slayer: The true story of a New Mexico serial killer. Pinnacle Books.

New Mexico Supreme Court. (2003). State v. Fry, 2003-NMSC-006. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/nm-supreme-court/1397835.html

New Mexico Supreme Court. (2005). State v. Fry, 2005-NMSC-039. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/nm-supreme-court/1362743.html

Krueger, J. (2008). Death penalty decisions in New Mexico. Albuquerque Journal.

Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.). Serial murder: Multi-disciplinary perspectives for investigators. https://www.fbi.gov

New Mexico Corrections Department. (n.d.). Offender information: Robert Fry. https://cd.nm.gov

Associated Press. (2001–2004). Coverage of Robert Fry trials and convictions.

The Daily Times. (1996–2004). Local coverage of the Eclectic homicides and subsequent investigations.

In the first episode of the Hero Series, we share the remarkable life of John Brenner, a man whose story spans generations and continents. From escaping the horrors of the Blitz as a child to serving in the Korean War to dedicating over fifty years to medicine, John’s life is defined by resilience and service. He brought care to those in hospice, supported communities on the reservation, and did it all with a sharp sense of humor that never left him. This episode is a tribute to a man who didn’t just live through history; he spent his life helping others survive it, too.

Art by the Pixie

References:

Michael Chandler

Shieila Brenner-Willmett

This podcast explores the haunting case of the West Mesa Murders in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the remains of eleven women and one unborn child were uncovered in 2009, revealing a long-hidden tragedy. Through sensitive storytelling, the script traces the victims' discovery, identities, and lives, the ongoing investigation, and the enduring impact on families and the community.

Art by The Pixie

Call for Information

• If you or anyone you know has information:
  • 118th Street Task Force: 1-877-765-8273 or 505-768-2450
  • Crime Stoppers: 505-843-STOP
  • Email Investigator Ida Lopez: ilopez@cabq.gov

References

• City Leaders Open the Women’s Memorial Park with Blessing and Dedication. (2019). City of Albuquerque. https://www.cabq.gov/council/find-your-councilor/district-3/news/city-leaders-open-the-women2019s-memorial-park-with-blessing-and-dedication
• Fjeld, J. (2025, February 3). Families, APD seek answers 16 years after West Mesa murders. KOB.com
• Albuquerque Police Department. West Mesa Homicide Investigation. City of Albuquerque. https://www.cabq.gov/police/contact-the-police/west-mesa-homicide-investigation
• Albuquerque Police Department. APD Honors West Mesa Victims on Anniversary of Discovery. City of Albuquerque News Releases.
• Wikipedia contributors. West Mesa Murders. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
• A&E Television Networks. The West Mesa Murders: Searching for a Killer. AETV.com
• People Magazine. 11 Victims, No Arrests: The West Mesa Murders. People.com