True Crime Files — 2026-05-22
A Bermuda Dunes, California couple was found dead after the wife was allegedly targeted by a Tom Selleck catfish scammer, sending shockwaves through their quiet community. Meanwhile, singer D4vd (David Burke) faces a rescheduled preliminary hearing in a murder case, and a Florida man was arrested after suspected human remains of his father were discovered on family property. Cold case investigators continue to make DNA-driven breakthroughs, with a 1986 teen murder finally cracked four decades later.
True Crime Files — 2026-05-22
Breaking Today
Donald and Karen Whitaker — Bermuda Dunes, California
- What happened: An elderly married couple, Donald and Karen Whitaker, were found dead inside their Bermuda Dunes, California home. According to a friend, Karen Whitaker may have been targeted by an online scammer posing as actor Tom Selleck before the couple's deaths.
- Status: Under investigation
- Why it stands out: The alleged catfish angle — a scammer impersonating a celebrity to target a vulnerable victim — adds a deeply disturbing layer to what is already a shocking double homicide in a quiet desert community.
Andres Bahamon — Dunnellon, Florida
- What happened: A Florida man, Andres Bahamon, was arrested after investigators searching a Dunnellon family property found suspected human remains believed to belong to his missing father.
- Status: Arrested
- Why it stands out: The case combines a missing persons investigation with a potential familial homicide — investigators discovered the remains while actively searching for the suspect's father.
Jonathan Andic (Mango Founder's Son) — Spain
- What happened: Jonathan Andic, son of billionaire Mango fashion chain founder Isak Andic, was arrested in Spain as authorities investigate his father's fatal fall from a cliff near Barcelona as a possible homicide. Isak Andic died in the fall, and authorities are now treating the case as a potential murder.
- Status: Arrested; named as suspect
- Why it stands out: The case involves an ultra-high-profile fashion dynasty with international reach. The arrest of a son in connection with a billionaire father's cliff death has drawn global attention.
Two Suspects — Earlimart, Tulare County, California
- What happened: Tulare County Sheriff's detectives arrested two men in connection with the murder of Ruben Chavez in the Earlimart community.
- Status: Arrested
- Why it stands out: The swift arrest of two suspects in a rural Central California community homicide underscores the sheriff's office's investigative response in an area that has historically grappled with gang-related violence.
Trials & Verdicts
Erik Fleming — Matthew Perry Ketamine Case
- Courtroom today: Drug counselor Erik Fleming, who delivered ketamine to actor Matthew Perry, was sentenced to 2 years in prison. Fleming had cooperated with investigators, giving up his co-defendant Jasveen Sangha, who was previously sentenced to 15 years. Both convictions stem from Perry's death.
- Background: Matthew Perry, star of the hit sitcom Friends, died in October 2023. Investigators determined he died from the acute effects of ketamine. Fleming and Sangha were convicted for their roles in supplying the drug.
- What's next: Sentences are now handed down for both key defendants; the case is effectively at its sentencing conclusion.
D4vd (David Burke) — Murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
- Courtroom today: The preliminary hearing for 21-year-old singer David Burke, known professionally as D4vd, was rescheduled to June 29, 2026. The postponement came after Burke's legal team requested more time to review a large volume of evidence presented by prosecutors.
- Background: Burke is charged with the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The case has attracted intense public attention given Burke's rising profile as a musical artist.
- What's next: Preliminary hearing reset for June 29, 2026.
Cold Case Breakthroughs
Murder of Deanna Ogg (1986)
- The break: DNA evidence identified and led to the arrest of Bobby Charles Taylor, Sr., nearly 40 years after the crime.
- The crime: In 1986, 16-year-old Deanna Ogg was found dead miles from a convenience store she had been walking to. Her killer was never identified for almost four decades.
- Impact: The case is a powerful example of investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) and modern DNA technology solving decades-old crimes. The breakthrough brings long-awaited closure to the victim's family after nearly 40 years of uncertainty.
Texas: Murder of Mary Catherine Edwards (1995)
- The break: After nearly three decades unsolved, a stunning breakthrough led to the arrest of an unexpected suspect in the 1995 murder of beloved Beaumont teacher Mary Catherine Edwards. ABC13's "Texas True Crime" series is currently covering the full story.
- The crime: Edwards, a well-known teacher in Beaumont, Texas, was murdered in 1995. Her community was deeply shaken, and for almost 30 years, her killer remained unidentified.
- Impact: The case illustrates how cold case units, combined with modern forensic techniques, can crack even the most stubborn unsolved murders — and deliver justice for victims whose stories might otherwise be forgotten.
Watch & Listen
No verified true crime podcast or streaming titles with confirmed release dates after 2026-05-15 were available in the research results. The Vulture true crime hub referenced content including coverage of:
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"The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox" (Hulu) — A docuseries examining the Amanda Knox case from Knox's own perspective, recently covered with critical analysis on Vulture. Described as a cautionary study in media and justice.
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Ryan Murphy's New Season (network unconfirmed) — Murphy's anthology crime series is reportedly covering its fourth season focused on Lizzie Borden, featuring Charlie Hunnam. Referenced as actively trending in true crime media coverage.
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Allison Mack NXIVM Podcast — Former Smallville actress Allison Mack has launched a new podcast addressing assumptions about her NXIVM involvement, described as a notable new entry in the true crime confessional space.
Pattern Watch
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Celebrity catfishing as a gateway to violent crime: The Bermuda Dunes case brings renewed attention to romance scams and celebrity impersonation fraud — a threat that increasingly overlaps with real-world violence when victims are targeted and destabilized by bad actors.
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DNA closing 30–40 year cold cases: This week's breakthroughs in both the 1986 Deanna Ogg case and the 1995 Mary Catherine Edwards case reinforce a clear and accelerating trend: forensic DNA and investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) are systematically dismantling the "cold case" barrier, delivering justice across generational timelines.
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High-profile offspring and inheritance homicides: The arrest of the Mango founder's son in Spain echoes a broader pattern of cases involving wealthy heirs or family members as suspects in the deaths of ultra-high-net-worth individuals — a category that continues to command outsized media and prosecutorial attention globally.
Reader Action Items
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Follow this case: The Bermuda Dunes catfish double homicide (Donald and Karen Whitaker) deserves close attention. Key questions remain unanswered: Was the scammer ever identified? Did the catfish operation directly precipitate the killings, or were they connected in a different way? As investigators build their case, expect major developments in the coming weeks.
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Do your part: If you have any information related to the Bermuda Dunes homicides or know of anyone who may have been in contact with individuals posing as celebrities online to defraud or harm others, contact your local FBI field office or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at .
Sources
Breaking Today
Trials & Verdicts
Cold Case Breakthroughs
Watch & Listen
foxnews.com
crimevoice.com
foxnews.com
frontpagedetectives.com
abc13.com
crimevoice.com
foxla.com
Brendan Banfield convicted of double murder in au pair affair trial | CNN
Drug counselor who delivered Matthew Perry ketamine sentenced to 2 years | CNN
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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