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Santana True Crime

Santana True Crime

Written by: Cameron Santana Eric Tansey
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Deep dive into true crime and real investigations Cameron Santana is a veteran law enforcement officer with over 18 years of experience. He holds an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate and spent his first 16 years with the Raleigh Police Department. Explore real cases and real investigations with an insider perspective you can find nowhere else.

Cameron Santana, Eric Tansey
True Crime
Episodes
  • Sent Away: Inside America's Troubled Teen Industry | Survivor "A" Speaks Out
    Jun 10 2026

    For decades, thousands of teenagers have been sent to wilderness camps, religious boarding schools, behavioral programs, and residential treatment facilities as part of what has become known as the "Troubled Teen Industry."

    Supporters argue these programs help struggling youth. Critics and survivors say some facilities have operated with little oversight, resulting in allegations of emotional, physical, and psychological abuse.

    In this episode of Santana True Crime, I sit down with "A," a survivor of one of these programs. She shares her personal story, what life was like inside the facility, the impact the experience has had on her life, and what she wishes parents knew before sending their children away.

    We also discuss warning signs parents should look for when researching programs, questions every family should ask, and alternatives that may provide support without removing children from their homes.

    Topics Covered:
    • The Troubled Teen Industry
    • Survivor testimony
    • Allegations of abuse in youth programs
    • Warning signs for parents
    • Religious and behavioral programs
    • Long-term effects on survivors
    • Mental health and family intervention
    • Safer alternatives for struggling teens

    ⚠️ This episode contains discussions of abuse, trauma, and mental health that some viewers may find disturbing.

    If you enjoy thoughtful true crime and investigative content, please subscribe, like, and share. Your support helps Santana True Crime continue telling important stories.

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Kent McGowen Speaks Out: The Susan White Shooting, Prison, and Fighting to Clear His Name
    Jun 5 2026

    In 1992, Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Kent McGowen was involved in the fatal shooting of Susan White while serving an arrest warrant in Texas. The case resulted in a criminal conviction, years in prison, and a controversy that continues more than three decades later.

    In this exclusive interview, Kent joins Santana True Crime to discuss the events of that day, the investigation, the trial, his time behind bars, and the personal toll of losing his freedom, career, and reputation.

    We explore the evidence, the questions that still surround the case, and Kent's ongoing efforts to clear his name.

    Whether you believe the justice system got it right or wrong, this conversation provides a rare opportunity to hear directly from the man at the center of one of Texas' most debated law enforcement cases.

    If you would like to support Kent's legal efforts, a link to his GiveSendGo fundraiser is included in the show notes.

    https://www.givesendgo.com/G31TC?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=G31TC


    Subscribe to Santana True Crime for in-depth interviews, cold cases, wrongful conviction investigations, law enforcement perspectives, and the stories behind some of the most controversial cases in America.

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    2 hrs and 38 mins
  • A Trail Run Turned Into a Nightmare
    Jun 3 2026

    A trail run near Asheville, North Carolina turned into a terrifying encounter that has captured national attention.

    In this episode of Santana True Crime, retired police officer Cameron Santana is joined by military veteran, use-of-force expert, and law enforcement trainer Eric Scott to examine the attack on trail runner Emily Sutherland and the criminal charges filed against Dillon James Curtis.

    Together, they break down the known facts of the case, discuss the investigative process, explore how Iryna's Law applies to crimes committed on trails and greenways, and provide practical safety advice for hikers, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts.

    One of the most important discussions centers on the actions of the mountain bikers who encountered the incident in progress. Most people prepare to protect themselves—but what should you do if you suddenly find yourself in a position to help someone else?

    Topics Include:
    • The attack on Emily Sutherland
    • Charges against Dillon James Curtis
    • Investigative steps taken by law enforcement
    • Understanding Iryna's Law
    • Situational awareness and trail safety
    • Hiking and running alone
    • What witnesses should do during an emergency
    • Lessons learned from this case

    If you enjoy in-depth true crime discussions, expert analysis, and practical safety conversations, be sure to subscribe to Santana True Crime.

    📚 Check out Cameron Santana's book:
    "A Murder on Campus: The Professor, the Cop, and North Carolina's Most Notorious Cold Case"

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    #SantanaTrueCrime #EmilySutherland #EricScott #TrueCrime #Asheville #NorthCarolina #TrailSafety #HikingSafety #PersonalSafety #SituationalAwareness #IrynasLaw #CrimeAnalysis #OutdoorSafety

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    52 mins
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