Deep Cover
Deep Cover is a show about people who lead double lives. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Halpern reveals webs of deception and dark underworlds, through interviews with federal agents and convicted criminals.
Sarah Cavanaugh was many things: A decorated veteran. A Marine who saved her comrades. A young woman fighting cancer. She was stoic, humble, tough. In short: a hero. Sarah was everything people wanted her to be—until she wasn’t. Turns out, no one knew the real Sarah. Not her comrades. Not her wife. No one.
Lies tend to be fragile, temperamental things. Small ones may flourish, but the big ones die, wilting under their own weight—except in this case. The bigger it grew, the more real it became.
Jake Halpern and acclaimed investigative journalist Jess McHugh unravel an epic six-year deception that upended the lives of countless people.
To this day, much of this story is shrouded in mystery. There was never a trial and most of the people involved, including victims and investigators, have never spoken publicly in any depth.
In the sixth season of Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah, Jake and Jess interview all of the key sources—including Sarah, herself—to tell this sprawling tale.
Season five covers the rise and fall of George Santos, the former Republican Congressman from New York, and the stories—many of which were not true—he told about his life and credentials.
Season four, The Nameless Man, tells the epic tale of two federal agents who investigate a rumor about a murder that supposedly took place 15 years prior. It is also the story of a family searching for answers about why their brother was killed. These two storylines collide in a courtroom in Philadelphia, where murder, memory, and morality go on trial.
Season three, Never Seen Again, tells the story of two women living on opposite sides of the country, who went missing in the summer of 1999. Seven years later, their stories collided when a small town detective got a tip and became convinced that if he could solve one mystery, he'd solve the other.
Season two, Mob Land, is about a high-rolling lawyer who joins forces with the feds to try to bring down one of the most powerful criminal syndicates in the country.
Season one, The Drug Wars, tells the story of an FBI agent who goes undercover with a biker gang, and follows a trail of clues that eventually leads to the US invasion of a foreign country.
Deep Cover drops on Mondays. To hear episodes early and ad-free, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus.
iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.
Latest episodes
Apr 29, 2024 • 30min
Episode 2: The Confession
Investigators secure a confession from the alleged accomplice in a murder case from 1989. The confession lacks key details, driving the team to unravel the mystery. Detective Luby's expertise aids in identifying a potential suspect, leading to debates on the sufficiency of evidence for a conviction.
Apr 22, 2024 • 40min
Episode 1: The Rumor
Federal agents investigate a rumored racially motivated murder linked to a white supremacy group. The investigation uncovers hidden clues, mysterious connections to white supremacist groups, and a 15-year-old rumor. The agents pursue the truth with determination, leading to a high-stakes confrontation and exploration of Adolf Hitler's controversial influence on the 1936 Olympics.
Apr 10, 2024 • 4min
The Nameless Man: Deep Cover Season 4
Federal agents tackle a murder case without a body, facing the challenges of a racially motivated killing. They work to identify the victim and gain the suspect's cooperation amidst family dynamics. Uncovering the truth in a mysterious case, they seek closure through legal complexities and emotional challenges.
Feb 12, 2024 • 21min
Camouflage Bias: Part 3
The podcast explores the baffling disappearance of My Tres Richardson and updates on Ronnie Carrasquillo's case, his unjust sentence, and struggles for parole. It delves into mysteries, parole hearings, legal battles, court decisions, and his emotional release after decades in prison. The episode captures Ronnie's journey towards freedom, reflections on prison life, safety, and helping others.
Feb 12, 2024 • 27min
Camouflage Bias: Part 2
Explore Ronnie Carrasquillo's battle for parole after nearly 50 years in prison for accidental manslaughter, facing biased judges, unsolved mysteries, and opposition from law enforcement. Dive into his journey of redemption, justice, and faith amidst challenges and the pursuit of parole despite stigma and notoriety.
Feb 12, 2024 • 24min
Camouflage Bias: Part 1
The podcast discusses the mysterious Hargan family case, allegations of corruption in Chicago, and Ronnie's unusual 200-600 year sentence. It explores the challenges of proving bias in legal cases and Ronnie's hopeful outlook after decades in prison.
Apr 13, 2023 • 33min
The Search for Brooke Henson
In July of 1999, a young woman named Brooke Henson went missing from Travelers Rest, South Carolina. In this follow up episode to Deep Cover: Never Seen Again, Jake Halpern talks to Ben Ford, the chief of police in Travelers Rest about what we know and don’t know about her case, as the search continues. If you have any new information at all that might be helpful, please contact him at ford@trpolice.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 27, 2023 • 52min
Deep Cover Live with Emily Bazelon
In this special episode of Deep Cover, recorded live at Littlefield in Brooklyn, host Jake Halpern and his friend and fellow journalist Emily Bazelon (of New York Times Magazine and Political Gabfest) talk all things crime reporting. They talk about the ways female offenders have been portrayed in the media, the complicated ethics of telling these stories, and Jake gives the inside scoop on season three: “Never Seen Again.” For more about Emily’s reporting on Noura Jackson’s case, check out her New York Times Magazine article and her book Charged. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6 snips
Mar 6, 2023 • 41min
Episode 6: A Shared Name
Esther's past catches up with her, as investigators in South Carolina seek answers about what happened to Brooke Henson. In our season finale, we bring you the latest details on the fates of both women. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6 snips
Feb 27, 2023 • 38min
Episode 5: The Searchers
Esther’s sister has been looking for her for nearly a decade without any luck. A US Marshal is brought in to track Esther down. One of them will eventually find her. Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear all of Deep Cover Season 3 right now. Find Pushkin+ on the Deep Cover showpage in Apple Podcasts, or at pushkin.fm/plus using this link: bit.ly/3HeCERO. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
