Someone Knows Something

Origins and Format

Someone Knows Something marked David Ridgen's first foray into podcasting and represented a new direction for CBC Radio into serialized true crime audio documentaries. The series is characterized by its meticulous, long-form investigative approach, with each season dedicated to a single unsolved case. Ridgen narrates the nonfiction story, guiding listeners through interviews with family members, law enforcement, witnesses and experts, often revisiting crime scenes and tracking down new leads. Episodes are released on a weekly basis, with Season 1 episodes ranging from 15 to 40 minutes in length and Season 2 episodes ranging from 32 to 80 minutes. The podcast is produced by Chris Oke, executive produced by Arif Noorani, and mixed by Cesil Fernandes. In addition to its podcast distribution, episodes are sometimes broadcast on CBC Radio One as substitute programming during holidays and summer hiatus periods for regular shows. The production process involves extensive research and fieldwork, with Ridgen's method centred on building trust with the families of victims to maintain the podcast's respectful tone. The series is also known by the abbreviation SKS.

Season-by-Season Investigations

The podcast's investigations cover a wide geographic and chronological range of Canadian cold cases, with some seasons examining related American crimes. The first season of SKS focuses on the June 12, 1972, disappearance of Adrien McNaughton, a five-year-old boy who vanished during a family fishing trip in Eastern Ontario. Ridgen, who grew up in Arnprior, Ontario near where the McNaughton family lived, brought a personal connection to the haunting local mystery. Season 2, which began on November 21, 2016, investigated the January 2, 1998, disappearance of Sheryl Sheppard in Hamilton, Ontario, two days after her boyfriend, Michael Lavoie, proposed on a live television broadcast. The third season, with all six episodes released during the week of November 7, 2017, revisited the 1964 deaths of two teenagers in Mississippi, Charles Moore and Henry Dee. Ridgen had previously explored this cold case in a 2007 CBC documentary, Mississippi Cold Case, which resulted in a re-opening of the case and the conviction of James Ford Seale.

Season 4, released in February 2018, examined the murder of Wayne Greavette, who was killed by a flashlight bomb sent to him in the mail, a case Ridgen had also documented for CBC. Season 5 premiered in October 2018 and focused on the 1986 rape and murder of Kerrie Ann Brown in Thompson, Manitoba. The sixth season premiered in May 2020 and centred on the 1995 disappearance of Donald Izzett Jr. on Mother's Day. Season 7 premiered on May 14, 2023 and investigated the 1998 murder of American abortion provider Dr. Barnett Slepian, murdered by James Charles Kopp, an affiliate of the militant Roman Catholic anti-abortion group The Lambs of Christ. The season explored how Kopp may be connected to three similar shootings in Canada. Season 8 premiered on September 18, 2023 and focused on the 2007 unsolved disappearance and murder of eighteen-year-old Angel Carlick from Whitehorse, Yukon.

Production and Narrative Style

David Ridgen's approach to hosting and investigation is defined by a patient, empathetic and thorough methodology. He often spends years developing relationships with the families of victims, earning their trust before a public investigation begins. The narrative style is immersive and detailed, avoiding sensationalism in favour of a fact-based reconstruction of events. Ridgen frequently returns to key locations, interviews individuals multiple times as new information emerges, and meticulously documents his investigative process, including dead ends and challenges. This transparency builds a compelling narrative arc for listeners, who follow along as the case unfolds in real time. The production quality is high, with careful audio mixing by Cesil Fernandes that enhances the atmospheric and emotional weight of the stories. The podcast's success has established a template for long-form audio investigation within the CBC and influenced other true crime productions.

Key elements of Ridgen's investigative technique include repeated interviews with central figures, forensic re-examination of timelines, and collaboration with local journalists or producers. He often presents theories and maps out whereabouts with family members. The podcast does not shy away from complex or politically sensitive topics, such as anti-abortion violence. This commitment to depth and nuance has defined the series' identity and contributed to its critical and popular success. Ridgen uses investigative journalism to narrate a nonfiction story about a criminal cold case over multiple episodes. His work on Season 2 involved assistance from Sheppard's mother, Odette Fisher, to look into the backgrounds of both Sheryl and Michael Lavoie.

Notable Cases and Outcomes

Several seasons of Someone Knows Something have directly involved cases where Ridgen's previous work as a documentary filmmaker laid the groundwork. The Mississippi Cold Case, which formed the basis for Season 3, had already seen the conviction of James Ford Seale for the abductions of Moore and Dee due in part to his earlier television documentary. The investigation into Angel Carlick's murder in the Yukon brought national attention to an Indigenous woman's case that had received limited media coverage. The series has also tackled politically charged topics, such as anti-abortion violence in Season 7, connecting a murder in the United States to similar attacks on Canadian doctors. While the podcast does not always lead to criminal charges, its primary outcome is often measured in renewed public interest, pressure on law enforcement to revisit evidence, and a sense of advocacy and support for the families involved.

In Season 2, Michael Lavoie was named as a suspect by the Hamilton Police Service in Sheryl Sheppard's disappearance. Season 7 explored how murderer James Charles Kopp, an affiliate of The Lambs of Christ, may be connected to three similar shootings in Canada. The podcast has prompted re-openings of cases, as with the Mississippi Cold Case documentary that preceded the podcast season. The second season was rebroadcast in the summer of 2017, from June 29 to September 3, demonstrating ongoing listener interest. Ridgen's family moved to Arnprior shortly after Adrien McNaughton's disappearance, adding a personal dimension to his investigation.

Related Television Series: Somebody Knows Something

A separate television docuseries titled Somebody Knows Something premiered in August 2026 on Freeform, with episodes streaming on Hulu. This series is distinct from Ridgen's podcast and is hosted by true crime influencer and kidnapping survivor Kara Robinson Chamberlain, a former law enforcement officer. Each episode of the television series investigates a different unsolved American case, with Chamberlain working alongside victims' families, police and online communities. The series concludes each episode with a direct appeal to viewers for information. The show's format involves a single case per episode, contrasting with the podcast's seasonal deep dives, and aims to leverage renewed public attention to generate new leads. The first season of the television series investigated eight cases, each airing on a Monday night, highlighting the scale of unsolved cases in the United States. The television series title is a deliberate variation on the podcast's name.

Release Schedule and Distribution

The podcast follows a traditional weekly release model during its active seasons. Season 1 episodes were released starting in March 2016. Season 2 aired from November 21, 2016, to February 12, 2017, with a break for Boxing Week, and was rebroadcast in the summer of 2017 from June 29 to September 3. Season 3 had a unique release, with all six episodes dropping during the week of November 7, 2017. Season 4 was released in February 2018, and Season 5 began in October 2018. Season 6 premiered in May 2020. Season 7 premiered on May 14, 2023. Season 8 premiered on September 18, 2023. The distribution strategy has expanded over time to include early access through the CBC True Crime YouTube channel and a premium subscription option on Apple Podcasts for ad-free listening. On October 21, 2016, a message posted on the show's Facebook page announced that Season 2 was coming soon. Season 2 episodes were released on a weekly basis excluding a break for Boxing Week.

Cultural Impact and Reception

Someone Knows Something has been critically acclaimed for setting high standards in true crime podcasting in Canada, prioritizing journalistic integrity and compassion. It helped establish CBC Podcasts as a major player in the global audio landscape and demonstrated a significant audience appetite for long-form Canadian investigative content. The podcast has built a dedicated listener base that actively engages with each season's details, often discussing theories and sharing information online. Its success has paved the way for other CBC investigative series and has shown the power of audio to mobilize attention around cold cases that may have faded from public memory. The respectful treatment of victims and their families has been a consistent feature, setting it apart in a crowded genre. The series continues to be a central production for CBC, with new seasons attracting substantial anticipation and listenership from across the country.

The podcast's influence extends beyond entertainment, often serving as a form of advocacy for families seeking answers. It has brought national attention to cases in smaller communities, such as Thompson, Manitoba, and Whitehorse, Yukon. The series has also contributed to public conversations about justice, missing persons protocols, and the challenges of investigating historical crimes. Its model of sustained, respectful investigation has been noted by critics and listeners alike as a benchmark for ethical true crime storytelling. The podcast's first season focused on a case from Ridgen's own childhood region, adding a layer of personal investment that resonated with audiences. The series overview is structured to present one criminal cold case per season.

Questions about Someone Knows Something

Where can I listen to Someone Knows Something?

The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms through CBC Podcasts. Episodes are released weekly during a season. Listeners can also hear episodes early on the CBC True Crime YouTube channel or subscribe to CBC True Crime Premium on Apple Podcasts for early, ad-free access. Episodes are occasionally broadcast on CBC Radio One as substitute programming during holidays and summer hiatuses.

Who hosts Someone Knows Something?

Someone Knows Something is hosted, written, and produced by Canadian award winning filmmaker and writer David Ridgen. The podcast is also produced by Chris Oke and executive produced by Arif Noorani, with audio mixing by Cesil Fernandes. Ridgen narrates a nonfiction story about a criminal cold case over multiple episodes using investigative journalism. This podcast, first released in March 2016, was Ridgen's first podcast experience and also the CBC Radio's first true crime podcast.

How many seasons of Someone Knows Something are there?

As of 2026, there are eight seasons of Someone Knows Something. The podcast first launched in March 2016, with Season 8 premiering on September 18, 2023. The series began with Season 1 focusing on the 1972 disappearance of Adrien McNaughton. Subsequent seasons have covered cases such as Sheryl Sheppard's disappearance in Season 2 and the 1964 Mississippi murders in Season 3.

What is the difference between Someone Knows Something and Somebody Knows Something?

Someone Knows Something is a Canadian investigative true crime podcast hosted by David Ridgen and produced by CBC. Each season of this podcast focuses on a single cold case. Somebody Knows Something is a separate television docuseries that premiered in 2026 on Freeform and Hulu. The TV series is hosted by true crime influencer and former law enforcement officer Kara Robinson Chamberlain and features a different unsolved case in each episode.

Has the podcast helped solve any cases?

The podcast's role is investigative journalism to bring attention to cold cases. A notable connection to a resolution is in Season 3, which revisited the 1964 murders of Charles Moore and Henry Dee in Mississippi. David Ridgen had previously explored this case in a 2007 CBC documentary called Mississippi Cold Case. That earlier documentary work contributed to the case being reopened and led to the conviction of James Ford Seale for the abductions of Moore and Dee.

What case is featured in Season 8?

Season 8 of Someone Knows Something investigates the 2007 unsolved disappearance and murder of eighteen-year-old Angel Carlick from Whitehorse, Yukon. The season premiered on September 18, 2023. The case had received limited media coverage prior to the podcast's investigation. Ridgen focuses on this single cold case over the season's episodes.

Sources and further reading

• Someone Knows Something (Wikipedia)
• Someone Knows Something, Podcast (podcasts.apple.com)
• 'Somebody Knows Something' brings renewed attention to ... (goodmorningamerica.com)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-10-30.