Haunted Action 

In this episode of the Haunted Action Podcast, Host Nazif delves into the chilling case of Robert Pickton and the missing women of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Uncover the systemic failures that allowed a predator to operate unchecked, and explore the broader crisis of violence against marginalized women in Canada. This episode sheds light on the haunting realities faced by Indigenous women and those struggling with addiction, urging listeners to reflect on justice, dignity, and societal responsibility. Join us as we remember the women not as victims, but as individuals who deserved better.

Sources:

• “Robert Pickton” – Wikipedia
  High-level overview of Pickton’s life, crimes, number of victims, charges, convictions (six counts of second-degree murder), and sentence of life with no parole eligibility for 25 years. Wikipedia

• Missing Women Commission of Inquiry – “Forsaken: The Report of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry” (2012)
  Multi-volume public inquiry report led by Wally Oppal. Details police failures in the missing women investigations, systemic bias against marginalized and Indigenous women, and 63 recommendations for change. Wikipedia 

• Vancouver Police Department – “Missing Women Investigation Review” (2010)
  Internal review of how VPD handled the Downtown Eastside missing women cases, acknowledging investigative and leadership failures and problems coordinating with the RCMP. Vancouver Police Department

• RCMP Gazette – “Pickton investigators studied work done at Ground Zero” (2024)
  Explains how techniques from the World Trade Center recovery informed the massive forensic search at the Pickton farm, one of the largest crime scenes in Canadian history. RCMP

• Downtown Eastside – Wikipedia & related research
  Background on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside as “Canada’s poorest postal code,” its history, and the concentration of marginalized, street-involved communities there. Active History
  
  

• APTN News – “Serial killer Robert Pickton dead” (May 31, 2024)
  Confirms Pickton’s death after an assault at Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec and summarizes his convictions and the impact on families of the missing and murdered women. APTN News

• Correctional Service Canada – “Investigation into the Death of Robert Pickton” & BOI news release (2025)
  Official summary of the Board of Investigation into the May 19, 2024 assault and Pickton’s death in hospital on May 31, 2024. Canada
  

• CityNews Toronto – “Robert Pickton Found Guilty Of Six Counts Of Second-Degree Murder” (Dec. 9, 2007)
  Contemporary coverage of the 2007 verdict and sentencing in the first Pickton trial. CityNews Toronto
  

• Office of the Auditor General of B.C. – “Follow-Up on the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry” (2016)
  Tracks government progress (and gaps) in implementing the “Forsaken” recommendations to improve safety for vulnerable women. Office of the Auditor General B.C. 

• National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls – Final Report & Calls for Justice (2019)
  National context on the wider crisis of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, including 231 Calls for Justice and framing of the issue as rooted in systemic racism, misogyny, and colonial policies. CMHR
  
  

In this gripping episode of "Haunted Action," host Dr. Nazif delves into the chilling case of the Zaman family tragedy. On a quiet summer weekend in 2019, four family members were brutally murdered in their Markham, Ontario home. The shocking revelation that the perpetrator was the eldest son, Menhaz Zaman, sent ripples through the community and raised profound questions about family pressure, deception, and the devastating consequences of living a double life. Join us as we explore the background, the events leading to the horrific crimes, and the legal proceedings that followed. This episode is a haunting reminder of the pressures faced by children of immigrant families and the importance of open communication and mental health awareness.

Sources:

• “2022 University of Idaho murders” – Wikipedia
  Comprehensive summary of the case: victims, timeline of the night, investigation (Hyundai Elantra, phone data, knife sheath DNA), arrest, guilty plea, and sentencing details.

• Global News – “4 found dead in Markham home, York Regional Police say” (July 28, 2019)
  Breaking coverage of the wellness check on Castlemore Avenue, discovery of four bodies, and arrest of a 23-year-old man at the scene. Global News

• CityNews Toronto – “Suspect charged with first-degree murder after 4 found dead in Markham home” (July 28, 2019)
  Early details on the four first-degree murder charges and confirmation that three women and one man from the same family were killed. CityNews Toronto

• NewmarketToday – “Markham man, 23, charged in quadruple homicide” (July 29, 2019)
  Local follow-up summarizing the charges, confirming the victims were three women and one man, and situating the crime in the Markham community. Newmarket Today

• Toronto Life – “A Family Massacre: He seemed like the perfect son. Then he confessed to slaughtering his family with a crowbar.” (Feb. 25, 2020)
  Long-form feature on the Zaman family, Menhaz’s double life, and the gamers who tried to stop him after his Discord confession. Toronto Life

• Global News – “24-year-old Markham man who killed family sentenced to life in prison” (Nov. 6, 2020)
  Sentencing coverage confirming his guilty pleas (three counts of first-degree murder and one of second-degree), the 40-year parole ineligibility, and key quotes from the judge. Global News+1

• CityNews / CityNews Toronto (video) – “Life sentence for man convicted of killing four family members” (Nov. 6, 2020)
  Courtroom and press reaction to the life sentence and parole ineligibility period, with a concise recap of the case. YouTube+1

• The Independent – “Perfect World: A gamer murdered his family and told his online friends about it” (Mar. 12, 2022)
  Explores how Menhaz’s online gaming friends saw his messages and worked to identify him and contact police, and introduces the Peacock documentary. The Independent

• Yahoo / Oxygen – “The quadruple murders in Peacock’s ‘Perfect World: A Deadly Game’” (Mar. 9, 2022)
  Overview of the case as presented in the documentary, including his Discord posts, years of planning, and the role of the online community.

In this gripping episode, we delve into the chilling murders of four University of Idaho students in Moscow, Idaho. The Idaho College murders shocked the nation, leaving a community searching for answers. Join us as we explore one of the most disturbing and closely watched criminal cases in recent memory. Discover how investigators used DNA evidence, cell phone data, surveillance footage, and witness statements to build their case. As the legal process unfolds, we discuss the national conversations sparked about campus safety and the public's fascination with true crime. Beyond the headlines, this case remains a profound human tragedy.

Sources:

• “2022 University of Idaho murders” – Wikipedia
  Comprehensive summary of the case: victims, timeline of the night, investigation (Hyundai Elantra, phone data, knife sheath DNA), arrest, guilty plea, and sentencing details. Wikipedia

• Idaho State Police – Moscow Murders / Public Records Updates
  Official state-level information about the investigation, arrest, charges, and confirmation that the case was fully adjudicated on July 23, 2025. Idaho State Police+1

• ABC News – “Idaho college murders: Here’s the full timeline of events surrounding Bryan Kohberger’s killings”
  Clear chronological timeline from the night of November 12–13, 2022 through the investigation, arrest, plea, and sentencing. ABC News

• Moscow Police Department – “Moscow Homicide Update” (Nov. 23, 2022)
  Early official update clarifying key facts (victims, 911 call, lack of forced entry, surviving roommates, and initial investigative stance). ci.moscow.id.us

• CBS News – “Bryan Kohberger sentenced to 4 life terms in prison without parole for Idaho murders”
  Confirms his guilty plea and four life sentences without parole, plus details of the sentencing hearing and victim impact statements. CBS News

• ABC (Australia) – “Idaho court sentences Bryan Kohberger to life without parole”
  Summarizes the plea deal (avoiding the death penalty), four consecutive life terms, and the judge noting that the motive may never be known. ABC

• TIME – “Bryan Kohberger Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Idaho Student Murders”
  Good overview of the plea agreement, sentencing (four consecutive life sentences + 10 years for burglary), and the continued lack of a clear public motive. TIME

• AP / Global News – “University of Idaho killer gets 4 life sentences at emotional court hearing”
  Focused on the sentencing day: families’ victim impact statements and the emotional tone in the courtroom. Global News

• ABC7 – “Bryan Kohberger sentencing: Idaho college student killer sentenced to life in prison”
  Additional coverage of sentencing, including more detail on what families and survivors said in court.

• CBS News – “Judge in University of Idaho killings case makes ruling on key DNA evidence”
  Explains how the court handled challenges to the genetic genealogy and DNA evidence that linked Kohberger to the knife sheath. CBS News

• Crime Junkie – “INFAMOUS: University of Idaho Murders” (episode page with sources)
  Their show notes include links to court documents and reporting used to reconstruct the investigative timeline. Crime Junkie Podcast

• A&E – “Inside Bryan Kohberger’s Life in Prison”
  Covers his guilty plea date (July 2, 2025), sentencing, and what’s publicly known about his time in the Idaho Maximum Security Institution — including the fact he has not explained a motive. AETV

• The Sun (US) – coverage of Lifetime movie backlash
  Details families’ anger over the Lifetime dramatization of the murders and social-media videos of actors dancing in bloody costumes on set. The Sun

• New York Post – “Actors in Lifetime movie about mass killer Bryan Kohberger prance in fake blood…”
  Another report on the same issue, including direct quotes from victims’ families criticizing the film as exploitative and too soon after sentencing. New York Post

• YouTube News Segment – “Idaho victims disrespected by actors dancing between takes”
  Broadcast piece summarizing the families’ reaction to the Lifetime movie and the wider debate about dramatizing the case. youtube.com

In Haunted Action's first episode, we delve into a chilling chapter from Khulna, Bangladesh, exploring the rise and fall of Ershad Shikder. Once a local broker, Shikder turned into a notorious murderer, using influence and violence to control the city's heartbeat. By his arrest in 1999, authorities had filed dozens of cases against him, including the infamous murder of local leader Khalid Hossein. The court's confirmation of his death sentence in December 2003 paved the way for his execution on May 10, 2004. Join us as we uncover the dark legacy of a man whose actions shaped a generation's fear.

Sources:

• The Daily Star (Bangladesh): reports on court decisions and execution timing (Dec 10, 2003 appellate decision; Apr 21, 2004 scheduling; May 11, 2004 execution coverage).

• BBC News: “Bangladesh serial killer hanged” (May 10–11, 2004).

• UPI: “Bangladesh executes, buries serial killer” (May 11, 2004).

• Biographical overviews that consolidate court outcomes and allegations (use carefully; cross-check specifics): Wikipedia summary with references; News24 summary on convictions and pending cases.

• Context on climate of fear/politics in period: The Daily Star magazine feature “Who is Afraid of Ershad Shikder!” (May 2004).

• Related later family news: Daily Observer (Mar 4, 2022).