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In April 2006, three members of the Richardson family were found murdered inside their Medicine Hat, Alberta home.
Marc Richardson, his wife Debra, and their eight-year-old son Jacob had all been killed. Missing from the house was the couple’s 12-year-old daughter, who we will refer to as J.R. because of protections under Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act.
What initially appeared to be a terrifying abduction quickly became something much darker.
Investigators uncovered a relationship between J.R. and 23-year-old Jeremy Steinke, along with online messages discussing her family and the possibility of killing them. Both were eventually arrested, tried separately, and convicted of three counts of first-degree murder.
In this solo Valerie episode, we look at the events leading up to the Richardson family murders, the evidence presented at trial, the radically different sentences handed to J.R. and Steinke, and the role Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act played in the outcome.
We also explore what happened after the convictions, J.R.’s rehabilitation and eventual release, and the difficult question at the centre of this case: how should the justice system respond when a child commits an extraordinarily serious crime?
Research for this episode was done by Christine Young.
And a little housekeeping: there is no Creep of the Week this time. Richard, Valerie and Kyle’s cat, decided to make an unscheduled contribution to the production process by walking across the keyboard, and somewhere along the way that segment disappeared. Valerie will make it up to you with a Creep of the Week in the next episode.
Because sometimes true crime podcasting also involves being defeated by a cat.
Tell us your Creep of the Week submission, Current Case or Hometown Haunt
Your next creepy obsession starts here.
✨ This episode also highlights the work of Niagara Reproductive Justice (NRJ)— Learn more or support their work by visiting their social media or emailing niagarareproductivejustice@gmail.com.
Thorain Art & Illustration creates darkly whimsical art inspired by vintage Halloween, forgotten fairytales, and strange woodland magic. Find stickers, prints, magnets, keychains, and more on Etsy or at @thorain.draws, and save 10% with code CANADIANCREEPIES.
Manet Macrame & Fibre Arts, created by our researcher Christine, makes spooky handmade macrame, pixel art, epoxy pieces, and Canadian Creepies-inspired books. Save 10% with code CANADIANCREEPIES.
Disastra brings heavy, unapologetic energy with their EP Head First. Listen now on YouTube or Bandcamp.
📸 Darkroom Photography is a Niagara-based photographer known for creative lifestyle shoots, spooky sessions, and legendary Halloween photos.
Edited by Kyle McDonnell