Podcasts > MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories > The Monster in the Closet (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)

The Monster in the Closet (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)

By Ballen Studios

Dive into a gripping true crime story on the "MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories" where MrBallen takes listeners through the tragic murder of Stephanie Bennett in Raleigh, North Carolina. In this episode, listeners are presented with a chilling narrative that uncovers the series of events leading to the apprehension of a suspect in a crime that rocked a community.

Through methodical investigations and meticulous attention to detail, law enforcement struggles to piece together the clues left behind. The podcast takes you through the painstaking process of identifying viable suspects amidst a myriad of false leads and "peeping toms" across the apartment complex. Discover how Detective Ken Copeland, after taking the reins of the case, zeroes in on the elusive Drew Planton, whose disturbing actions prior to his death shuttered the case beyond the confines of the courtroom.

The Monster in the Closet (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)

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The Monster in the Closet (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)

1-Page Summary

Stephanie Bennett is murdered in her apartment complex in Raleigh, North Carolina

Stephanie Bennett, a 23-year-old woman, is brutally murdered on April 26th, 2002, in her Raleigh apartment. She is found raped, bound, and strangled with a metal wire in her roommate’s bedroom. Lieutenant Chris Morgan leads the initial investigation, noting ligature marks on her body and the removed window screen, suggesting a possible entry point for the killer. Despite collecting DNA samples from male neighbors and looking for a "peeping tom", the initial evidence does not lead to any suspects.

Police investigate multiple "peeping toms" seen around the complex, hoping to find Stephanie's killer

Police delve into reports of "peeping toms" within the complex before Stephanie Bennett's murder. One "peeping tom" confronts before the incident, and another is seen peering into Stephanie's window before being reported to the apartment manager. Police arrest a peeping tom named Christopher Campen post-murder, but he is not the killer as his DNA doesn't match the crime scene. Detective Ken Copeland eventually takes over the investigation, re-interviewing residents and gaining information about another peeping tom who was seen watching the initial police activities.

Copeland identifies suspect Drew Planton, who police believe stalked and killed Stephanie

Detective Copeland narrows in on Drew Planton as a suspect after learning he had a previous encounter with Stephanie and owned a Rottweiler. Planton's behavior raised suspicions, and a partial DNA match links him to the crime scene. Despite his refusal to cooperate during the trial and displaying evasive behavior, the case never reaches a verdict as Planton commits suicide in jail, leaving the case conclusively closed but without a traditional courtroom resolution.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Ligature marks are impressions or injuries on the body caused by a binding material like a rope or wire. They are often seen in cases involving strangulation or restraint. In forensic investigations, ligature marks can provide crucial evidence about the manner of death and the circumstances surrounding a crime.
  • DNA samples are biological materials taken from individuals for analysis. In criminal investigations, DNA samples are collected from crime scenes or suspects to compare with each other. This comparison helps identify or exclude individuals as potential contributors to the DNA evidence found at the scene. DNA profiling is a forensic technique that uses these samples to create a unique genetic profile for each individual, aiding in criminal investigations and other applications like paternity testing and genealogical research.
  • A "peeping tom" is a term used to describe someone who secretly spies on others, often for sexual gratification, by looking through windows or other openings without their knowledge or consent. In the context of the text, the police were investigating individuals who were observed engaging in this behavior around Stephanie Bennett's apartment complex before her murder. The presence of peeping toms raised concerns about potential suspects who might have been stalking or observing Stephanie before the crime occurred.
  • A partial DNA match occurs when only a portion of an individual's DNA profile matches the DNA evidence found at a crime scene. This can happen due to factors like degradation of the sample or limitations in the testing process. It indicates a potential connection but may not be conclusive evidence on its own. Additional investigation and evidence are typically needed to strengthen the case against a suspect.

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The Monster in the Closet (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)

Stephanie Bennett is murdered in her apartment complex in Raleigh, North Carolina

On April 26th, 2002, Stephanie Bennett, a 23-year-old woman with the look of the perfect girl next door, was the victim of a brutal murder in her Raleigh apartment. She was found on the floor in her roommate's bedroom, having been bound, gagged, raped, and strangled to death.

Police find Stephanie's body in her roommate's bedroom

Lieutenant Chris Morgan, head of the Violent Crimes Task Force in Raleigh, led the initial investigation after the apartment manager called 911. The killer had dragged Stephanie across the hall into her roommate’s bedroom after attacking her in her own. There, she was mercilessly left bound and gagged with her underwear stuffed in her mouth, raped, and killed with a long metal wire used to strangle her. Morgan noted ligature marks on Stephanie’s wrists and ankles from where she had been tied up and a dark purple mark around her neck signaling they had been strangled. Morgan also observed a number of photos on the wall in the room that depicted a different young woman, indicating that this was not Stephanie’s bedroom.

Lieutenant Chris Morgan leads initial investigation

After taking a moment of silence for Stephanie, Morgan and his team began their search for DNA evidence that might lead them to the attacker. He discovered that the window's screen had been removed, suggesting it as a possible point of entry. His team collected DNA samples from male neighbors and looked for anyone matching the description they had of a potential peeping tom. However, Morgan faced disappointment as the initial DNA evidence did not lead to any suspects. He maintained close c ...

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Stephanie Bennett is murdered in her apartment complex in Raleigh, North Carolina

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Ligature marks are visible signs on the skin caused by constriction or binding with a cord or similar object. They are often seen in cases of strangulation or binding of limbs. These marks can indicate the use of force or restraint on a person's body.
  • DNA evidence collection involves gathering biological samples from a crime scene, such as blood, hair, or saliva, to identify potential suspects. These samples are analyzed in a forensic laboratory to create a DNA profile. Investigators compare this profile to known individuals to establish connections to the crime. DNA evidence is a powerful tool in criminal investigations, often playing a crucial role in identifying perpetrators and solving cases.
  • Peeping tom behavior typically involves someone secretly observing or spying on others, often for sexual gratification or voyeuristic pleasure. This behavior can range from innocuous curiosity to criminal acts like stalking or invasion of privacy. Peeping toms may exhibit a pattern of watching their victims without their knowledge or consent, leading to feelings of violation and fear in the victims. Understanding peeping tom behavior is crucial in cases where individuals engage in intrusive and harmful actions ...

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The Monster in the Closet (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)

Police investigate multiple "peeping toms" seen around the complex, hoping to find Stephanie's killer

In their zeal to solve the murder of Stephanie Bennett, police investigators sift through sightings of "peeping toms" in the area to find a critical lead.

Neighbors report a "peeping tom" before Stephanie's murder

Residents had several unsettling encounters with "peeping toms" before the tragedy struck.

Before Stephanie’s murder, a man walking towards his apartment complex in Raleigh noticed someone lurking in the bushes peeping into a young girl's bedroom. This voyager promptly fled after being confronted. Similarly, one of Stephanie’s neighbors, having spotted a man in a hooded sweatshirt with his face pressed against Stephanie's bedroom window, called out, causing the intruder to run off. This neighbor responsibly informed Stephanie and her roommates about the occurrence and had already reported it to the apartment manager, advising a vigilant approach to locking doors and closing blinds. This warning came about a month before Stephanie’s murder. Adding to the concern, another resident saw a peeping tom at Stephanie's window but could only describe the figure as a large, Caucasian male with short hair.

A peeping tom is arrested after the murder but is not the killer

Police efforts to catch Stephanie’s killer led to the arrest of Christopher Campen, a peeping tom caught spying on a woman as she showered. However, Lieutenant Morgan found discrepancies. Campen's scattered demeanor during interrogation set him apart from the profile of an individual capable of perpetrating a crime as calculated as Stephanie’s murder. Morgan speculated the existence of multiple peeping toms, considering that Campen might not be the murderer. Ultimately, Christopher, although arrested, was cleared as his DNA did not match the samples collected at the crime scene.

Detective Ken Copeland takes o ...

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Police investigate multiple "peeping toms" seen around the complex, hoping to find Stephanie's killer

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The sightings of "peeping toms" are being investigated in connection to Stephanie's murder because they occurred in the vicinity before the crime, suggesting a potential link to the perpetrator's activities or presence. These incidents raise concerns about a possible pattern of suspicious behavior in the area leading up to the tragic event. The police are exploring if any of these individuals observed could be connected to the crime or provide crucial information that could help solve the case. The sightings serve as a significant lead for investigators to follow in their pursuit of identifying and apprehending Stephanie's killer.
  • Christopher Campen was arrested as a suspect in Stephanie Bennett's murder due to his history as a peeping tom. However, he was cleared of involvement after his DNA did not match the samples found at the crime scene. Detective Ken Copeland took over the case to explore other leads and suspects, suggesting the presence of multiple peeping toms in the area. Campen's arrest highlighted the complexity of the investigation and the need to consider various possibilities in solving the case.
  • Detective Ken Copeland took over the case years later to bring a fresh perspective and meticulous ...

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The Monster in the Closet (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)

Copeland identifies suspect Drew Planton, who police believe stalked and killed Stephanie

Detective Copeland identified Drew Planton as the likely murderer of Stephanie, revealing details about their brief interaction, the evidence that linked him to the crime, and his subsequent behavior in court and jail.

Planton met Stephanie and decided to stalk her

Drew Planton had a brief encounter with Stephanie, where she petted his Rottweiler about a month before her murder. A neighbor who routinely observed the community gave Detective Copeland information about Drew and mentioned he used to live nearby and owned a pet Rottweiler. Intrigued by this information and noting Drew's suspicious behavior of watching the police from a distance, Copeland grew to suspect Drew could be the killer.

Evidence suggests a premeditated murder

Drew's stalking behavior intensified after their initial encounter, as he spied on Stephanie through her bedroom windows. The detailed description of the killer's actions suggests a premeditated plan, indicating that the killer had been watching Stephanie closely. A partial DNA sample from a fork used by Planton eventually matched the evidence at the crime ...

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Copeland identifies suspect Drew Planton, who police believe stalked and killed Stephanie

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Detective Copeland played a crucial role in identifying Drew Planton as the suspect in Stephanie's murder. Copeland's investigation involved gathering information from the community and observing Planton's suspicious behavior, leading to the discovery of evidence linking him to the crime. Throughout the case, Copeland's focus was on uncovering the truth behind Stephanie's death and bringing the perpetrator to justice. Copeland's efforts ultimately contributed to the resolution of the case, despite the unexpected turn of events with Planton's suicide.
  • The evidence linking Planton to the crime included a partial DNA match from a fork used by Planton that matched evidence found at the crime scene. This DNA match was a crucial piece of evidence that strongly implicated Planton in the murder.
  • Planton's behavior in court and jail, where he refused ...

Counterarguments

  • The identification of Drew Planton as the likely murderer by Detective Copeland could be challenged if there were procedural errors in the investigation or if the evidence was not handled according to proper protocol, potentially leading to wrongful accusations.
  • The brief encounter between Planton and Stephanie and the decision to stalk her could be coincidental or misinterpreted; without further context or evidence, it's possible that the encounter was innocuous and not related to the crime.
  • The intensification of Planton's stalking behavior could be questioned if there were no reliable witnesses or tangible evidence to support the claim of increased surveillance.
  • The suggestion of premeditated murder based on the killer's detailed actions could be countered by proposing alternative explanations for the observed behavior or by questioning the reliability of the evidence linking Planton to the crime scene.
  • The match of a partial DNA sample from a fork used by Planton could be criticized if the forensic analysis was flawed, if the sample was contaminated, or if the match was not statistically significant enough to conclusively link Pla ...

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