CrimeCon 2023 kicks off in Orlando: Live updates

Attendees and special guests at the convention range from top experts in the field to notable news personalities to a plethora of true crime podcasters.

Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz, Cold Justice’s Kelly Siegler, and Nancy Grace are among the big names in attendance to discuss their years of work in the industry and insight into their most memorable cases.

On the second day of the conference, Gabby Petito’s parents will participate in a panel to discuss their daughter’s life and the events that led to her tragic murder in 2021.

“Gabby’s parents and stepparents, Nichole and Jim Schmidt, and Joe and Tara Petito are changing the narrative and stigmas associated with domestic violence. Through the efforts of the Gabby Petito Foundation and the spirit of who Gabby was, the hope is to make sure this kind of tragedy never befalls another family,” according to the event description.

Another big story dominating the conference this year is the trial of disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh. His attorneys  Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlianand and the prosecutor Creighton Waters will be on hand for meet and greets.

Stacy Chapin, the mother of Idaho murders victim Ethan Chapin, was the last person called on during a CrimeCon panel about the slayings.

“I just have one thing to say,” the woman told the packed room on Friday.

“I’m Stacy Chapin and I’m Ethan’s mom,” she said, choking back tears.

Joseph Scott Morgan, a veteran death investigator and forensics professor, was the solo speaker of the panel in which he took true crime fans on a journey through the crime scene at 1122 King Road.

He took questions at the end, the last one from Ms Chapin who received a gasp from the crowd when she identified herself.

“I actually did not sit through it [the panel],” she said, her voice breaking. “But I just wanted you all to know that these were four of the greatest kids. And all the great things you read are legitimately true.”

She went on to talk about her son Ethan, whom she called incredible, and said that he and the three other victims were in the prime of their lives.

“Don’t forget these kids.”

True crime fans excitedly talked to other fans and waved at TV personalities as they stood in lines that wound through the halls of an Orlando hotel waiting to get into the first discussions of the 2023 CrimeCon.

A video was played in each of the first panels that showed all the big crime stories of the year.

Crowds cheered as they were showed clips of the Lori Vallow verdict, the arrest of Richard Allen in the “Delphi murders”, and the arrest of Gilgo beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann.

CrimeCon has partnered with Fox Nation to exclusively livestream 12 incredible sessions over the weekend. New subscribers to Fox Nation can join for 3 months for just $1.99.

The Independent is on the ground at the conference and will be covering it live here.

A special CrimeCon campaign for the Gabby Petito Foundation has raised nearly $6,000 halfway through the first full day of the three-day true crime event.

The foundation was created by Gabby’s parents and stepparents, Nichole and Jim Schmidt, and Joe and Tara Petito, to turn the family’s tragedy into purpose.

The purpose is to spread awareness of domestic violence’s warning signs and assist organisations that provide immediate, tangible help to survivors, according to the campaign.

The Gabby Petito Foundation is CrimeCon’s CLUE Award recipient for the event’s Crimefighter of the Year award.

Gabby Petito’s parents, who have become campaigners for missing persons and domestic abuse, are holding a discussion about her legacy at the 2023 CrimeCon in Orlando.

Nicole Schmidt and Joe Petito formed the Gabby Petito Foundation with their respective partners fter their daughter was killed by her boyfriend Brian Laundrie in 2021.

They will appear at two sessions to discuss domestic violence and “Missing White Woman Syndrome” over the weekend.

Petito was murdered during a cross-country roadtrip by Laundrie, who then went on the run before taking his own life.

“Her story has inspired ordinary people around the world and will continue to help others free themselves from domestic violence,” the CrimeCon website states.

Criminology academic Katherine Ramsland, who co-wrote a book with BTK Dennis Rader and taught accused Idaho killer Bryan Kohberger, is taking part in an expert panel at CrimeCon.

Ms Ramsland is appearing in an event titled: Violent Minds: What Drives The Most Heinous Serial Killers? discussing serial killer Manny Cortez at 2.40pm ET on Friday.

“Join criminal psychologists Dr Gary Brucato and Dr Katherine Ramsland, Ph.D on a journey through the mind of serial killer Manny Cortez,” a promo reads.

“Kathryn Vaughan, Executive Producer of Oxygen True Crime’s Violent Minds: Killers on Tape, will also join the conversation. Moderated by Oxygen.com’s Stephanie Gomulka.”

Alex Murdaugh defence attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin will be speaking about the infamous South Carolina murder trial at CrimeCon in Orlando this weekend.

The lawyers are joining 20/20’s Eva Pilgrim for a “tell all” conversation about the “the Southern crime saga that captivated the world” on Saturday afternoon.

Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul earlier this year.

“This CrimeCon exclusive will give attendees an inside look at the defense strategies used by Murdaugh’s legal team and the decision to have Alex take the stand – which many cite as a pivotal moment in the trial,” a promotional blurb states.

“The pair will share firsthand accounts of the unexpected twists, challenges they faced, reflections on their time with Alex Murdaugh, and what may be coming next.”

The attorneys filed a motion for a mistral earlier this month alleging jury tampering in Murdaugh’s murder case and request a for new trial.

The attorney who represented Johnny Depp in his defamation trial against Amber Heard is speaking about “trial by media” at CrimeCon.

Camille Vasquez will appear alongside attorneys Matt Murphy and Kristen Gibbons Feden for a panel discussion about the “challenges of trying high profile cases and the impact of traditional and social media on case strategy”.

“They’ll reveal what it feels like to be in the spotlight, how they became social media sensations with hashtags and memes, and what no one else saw when the storm of media left the courtroom,” the CrimeCon website states.

Mr Murphy prosecuted Rodney Alcala, the “Dating Game” serial killer, while Ms Gibbons Feden served as a special prosecutor in Bill Cosby’s 2018 indecent assault trial.

Ms Vasquez’s tough cross-examination of Ms Heard during the June 2022 trial received plenty of attention. Depp was awarded just over $10m by a jury, while Ms Heard was awarded $2m in compensatory damages.

The discussion is being held at 11.40am on Saturday.

Thousands of true crime fanatics – along with some of the biggest names in the popular genre – will converge in Orlando this weekend for CrimeCon, a three-day conference focused on murder and mayhem and all things true crime.

It’s a unique opportunity to rub elbows with top investigators, forensic experts, and well-known true crime television and podcast personalities.

CrimeCon is an immersive, educational experience that gives attendees the chance to be citizen detectives by participating in crowd-solving and learning how to dig into a case properly without hindering the investigation.

It’s also a place where the true crime community can join forces to fight alongside the victims’ families and survivors of crime who are seeking justice.

The Independent’s Andrea Cavallier reports: