When a close-knit family hides a dark secret

Case 187: Peter & Joan Porco
In the early hours of Monday, November 15 2004, husband and wife Peter and Joan Porco were savagely attacked with an axe while they slept...
CREDITS
Narration - Anonymous Host
Research & writing - Jessica Forsayeth
Creative direction - Milly Raso
Production and music - Mike Migas
Music - Andrew D.B. Joslyn
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[@Greenmountainferns]

One of the creepiest things I’ve ever seen is the news footage of Joan with her hatcheted face walking arm and arm into court with her son. Never underestimate the power of denial.

[@Levon2464]

She wasn't in denial, she lost her memory from the attack.

[@KrystalLioness]

@@Levon2464 Oh they were in denial for a very long time

[@bridgettec9200]

denial isn't just a river, it's a freakin' ocean 😬😬

[@SH-to8sh]

tf lol. I shouldn't be laughing.......

[@HoundTor]

@@KrystalLioness Indeed, why not both?

[@nancychisholm5399]

It`s 6 am I am drinking my bodum of coffee with Morticia next to me purring as we listen to Casefile. Enjoy the long weekend.

[@nancychisholm5399]

@To Release is To Resolve Morticia is my cat. The sweetest LOOKING little calico but I am under no illusions....if I dropped dead after breakfast I would be her lunch the same day LOL

[@ssn-5898]

Peter turning into a zombie is absolutely terrifying.

[@zero_bs_tolerance8646]

Steve Martin just mentioned Casefile on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert!

[@kevinistalking]

I heard about Case File the same way.

[@gillianchansam]

Yesssss! That's great news. I'm glad this channel is getting good recognition. I love Casefile ❤️

[@discopervert9871]

Cleaning, coffee and casefile. Ideal start to my Saturday. Thank you.

[@Weirdkauz]

I was going to that, but got so entranced by the story that I stayed glued to the sofa…

[@juliettemacdonald6184]

This is one crime that I'll always remember for educating us about the very specific areas + function of the brain. It's chilling to hear of Peter Porco's unfortunate injury. To think if it had been just a little different Mr Porco may have acknowledged his injuries, called for help, survived, + would now be one of his son's main accusers!!!

[@Weirdkauz]

You are right! I just read up on wikipedia, that Peter had once told a co-worker that his younger son was a psychopath. I do suspect Joan of being in denial.

[@mariaquiet6211]

I'm mostly desensitized to true crime but the thought of someone waking up, seeing their skull bashed in, casually cleaning themselves up as they die is the creepiest thing I've heard in years.

[@harpandblooz7733]

The fact that one's brain cannot recognize trauma but still carry out routines is beyond incredible. The human body is amazing!

[@aoifem4296]

Dublin, Ireland. Great episode!

[@margaretwhittaker2291]

I am just across the water, on the other side of the Irish Sea. Greetings from England

[@icequeen9417]

Without forensic science , and these amazing detectives there would be no justice for all these innocent people in this world . May they all the victims of crime find some peace ❤🌹🌹

[@TheTesemeau]

Great show as ever, thanks Casefile for more thought provoking content. Greetings to all from Scotland

[@maboleen_bolf]

Hello 👋. These tragic murders, by a narcissistic sociopathic son, driven by greed and animosity towards his parents, for daring to condemn his criminality. Have you heard about Henri Van Breda? In this case, authorities lament Henri's idea came from a movie about Chris Porco, "The Romeo Killer". If you are curious about this case, it's found on the podcast " True Crime South Africa". The presenter is thorough, accurate, and makes an honest unbiased effort to avoid sensationalism. It is a 4 part series thou. Cheers! from America 🇺🇸 ✌

[@lisetteeliseparis7070]

CaseFiles before work? I'm all in! Thank you for the upload.

[@harpandblooz7733]

I do construction and this is all I listen too...

[@KrystalLioness]

Loved this episode while I was doing dishes! I've watched this case on many media channels. I've heard the downsides and upsides of everything about this case. It was refreshing to listen from a different perspective. It always comes back to that Chris did it.

[@SHurd-rc2go]

I love the narrator's voice. Thanks to the entire crew.

[@Weirdkauz]

Goes to show how terrible sociopathy really is. No matter how lovingly this guy was raised, he developed not one shred of consideration, let alone heart.

[@tmcurly]

Like chandler Halderson

[@AmonAnon-vw3hr]

@tmcurly or Darrel E Brooks Jr.

[@ThatCrimeGuy]

Did this case not long ago... truly a shocking one. Genuinely pleased to see your take on the events that took place 👍 one of my favourite podcasts!

[@annettealex1]

Hey love your true crime and yall got a shout out from Steve Martin he was on colbert the other night and mentioned he listened to your podcast thought that was a nice for him to say he loves to listen to you 👍

[@ssn-5898]

I knew he was guilty the moment I heard that 911 call. Cold, calculated psychopath.

[@harpandblooz7733]

So emotionless!! I swear I said the same thing...it's like he almost slipped an said they were ! murdered..instead caught himself and said I dont know how...like yooo

[@naomiledger1374]

He was delusional, not to mention a psychopath. His poor parents were too lenient on him it seems, no doubt out of deep love for their son but, even if they weren't, it may not have changed the course of their lives, sadly. Joan's unwavering support of Chris's innocence was probably out of desperation and had nothing to do with her academic understanding of what the truth may have in fact been. She'd lost her husband, had born near deadly injuries herself and probably couldn't bear to face the truth, which is entirely fair enough. I'm just stunned that with such a barbaric act, and one that you'd expect would kill someone outright, both Peter and Joan survived their attacks. Had Peter been found sooner he too may have lived. Reminds me a little of the Menendez brothers. I remember reading about that case in Vanity Fair in the early 90s as they were going to trial and I at that time (being in my very early 20s) was goggle-eyed at the depravity of the crime and the drama of it all, as were many others I suspect. Would you consider covering that one, Casefile?? It was an intriguing case.

[@soalegria1971]

It’s horrific he hacked his Mother and Father in an attempt to kill the innocent parents, who’s only crime was to hold him responsible for his selfish behavior. Sick AF!

[@DownUnderCrimeTalks]

Thanks so much for your awesome episodes! I love Saturday nights! ❤

[@hueparis1163]

Paris, France. Excellent as always. Thank you, thank you.

[@HumptyFrump]

So glad you have slowed down when u speak otherwise its very hard to understand your accent at warp speed. Thank u ⚘

[@FutureSystem738]

What a disgusting low life. This guy is as bad as they come, and yet after 19 years in jail still pleads his “innocence”, with absolutely no conscience whatsoever. He’s a damn psychopath. It’s disturbing, and very sad, that he has his mother so convinced that he’s innocent, but that only confirms what a convincing liar he is.

[@sandcat66]

As a mother my heart goes out to Joan. What a horrible thing to have to live with

[@kerriemorris3155]

Very sad needless murder and attempted murder 1 will never forget!! Greedy for to go to such horrendous lengths I hope this scumbag never gets to see the light of day again as I've not finished listening yet. ⚘6hours???? Guilty as fuc delighted but very sad for his mum and brother though💔and obviously his dad⚘thank you another great topic. Love from Ireland🇮🇪

[@candacehandyside8638]

Joan Porco and Terry Caffey have something in common. They both live in total denial. I understand unconditional love for your child. I have two of my own. But at some point reality has to make them see the light.

[@spikesgirl9371]

Love my son more then anything but if he killed his father and wacked me with an ax, he ain't getting anything for his birthday much less Christmas. He's on his own.

[@user-mt4ku7jw1y]

Well said

[@darthkhepri129]

That'll show em ​@@spikesgirl9371

[@chaos_baron]

The dad was an enabler. RIP.

[@ttaylorboi]

This was a good listen!

[@HoundTor]

I laughed when his min. sentence was 50 years. Bravo to the jury and judge!

[@KenyanBunnie]

One of my..."favorite" cases.

[@bearcatracing007]

I can't believe the amount of blood in the crime scene photos.

[@Weirdkauz]

Well… an axe…

[@michellee6812]

Chandler Halderson vibes ☹️

[@OldSkullInn]

Damn. That's some dead man walking.

[@Weirdkauz]

Best comment!!!

[@donnablack6280]

Just on the beautifully written intro I recognise one of the most awful scenarios from a terrible case. Hi from England. 🇬🇧

[@maboleen_bolf]

Hello 👋. These are tragic murders by a narcissistic sociopath who was driven by greed and resentment of his parent's successful happy life. Did you hear about Henry Van Breda? The authorities lament Henri watched the movie about Chris Porco called "The Romeo Killer". If interested listen 👂 to the podcast " True Crime South Africa". She's thorough, accurate, unbiased, and makes an honest effort to avoid sensationalism. But, it is a 4 part series. Cheers! from America 🇺🇸 ✌

[@Bette_Fontenot]

As soon as I heard the opening, I had a feeling which story this was going to cover. When the narrator said Peter went to grab the paper and was locked out of the home, I knew it was the one where the son attacked his parents with the axe and the yellow Jeep.

[@maboleen_bolf]

@@Bette_Fontenot 🌹✌

[@steemdup]

i remember this case from Forensic Files - Chris Porco got off easy. Where's the life sentence for killing your father, and attempting to kill your own mother? A greedy, arrogant, despicable individual.

[@CyndraMystic]

I love true stories with a twist. It's really the people you least expect.

[@jaccusefashion]

will never understand nyoney killing for money...Let alone killing your parents for money.

[@august6389]

Taylor Swift, Woody Allen and Mel Brooks brought me here!

[@chris-uh2xo]

why do people think she remembers this attack and they never recorded her nodding her head yes

[@HerraHazar]

Did you see that Steve Martin is a huge fan ?

[@alpyhaWQFwef]

Warning: Not a real life version of Porco Rosso

[@lizardstillruntheworldliza4883]

YES 😀👏👏👏👍🏻

[@brendajstevens3719]

👏👏👏

[@voiceofreason1208]

"Now, Peter Porco picked peppers and Run rocks rhymes..." Sorry couldn't resist.

[@samsitluoc2375]

Hahahah

[@anthonybowers7571]

Thanks , but such a pity you interrupt with ads

[@user-mt4ku7jw1y]

Complete fantqsist

[@unarammer2003]

someone needs to cover the Valhermoso Massacre...

[@stonehouseguitars3869]

What a super messed up family. The way the mom lied to protect her son and said that they all had a hunky dory relationship. The son's behaviors which clearly resulted from poor parenting and possible psychological or other abuse. The emails and all that stuff. While this was surely a fascinating story I couldn't help leaving it feeling a little disgusted in my myself for feeling just a tiny bit like everybody in this story got what they deserved.

[@VladRadu-tq1pg]

what a moronic comment...way to accuse his suportive family for his psicopathic existence...way to victim blame bozo

[@romystumpy1197]

Again a greedy son Dana Ewell who orchestrated his parents and sister to be murdered

[@cathybassett6432]

Shades of Chandler Halderson.

[@jerrymarbury9365]

If I were chris's dad Chris would've been gittin the axe

[@donnablack6280]

How they gonna send you down on killing your parents as "might do it again"?

[@Weirdkauz]

Lol as first reaction, but: Mom's still alive…

[@michellelammi787]

Obviously the judge saw what type of person this guy was and wasn't going to risk the public.

[@marseycat1821]

If you're willing to kill your own parents for financial gain, who knows what else he might be capable of? I could easily see him murdering a spouse or maybe even his brother.

[@SHurd-rc2go]

@@marseycat1821 Absolutely. A psychopath. Who's next?

[@cloe56]

Fuck me that's a lot of ads 😳