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Law&Crime | Wondery

The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke

A blizzard in Massachusetts. A Boston police officer found dead in the snow. His girlfriend, Karen Read, accused of murder. 

After last year's mistrial left the country divided, the courtroom drama is back in the spotlight—this time with higher stakes, new prosecutors, and explosive evidence emerging as the case unfolds in real time.

Law and Crime’s hit podcast series returns with a brand new season: KAREN: THE RETRIAL. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter Kristin Thorne, each episode delivers exclusive analysis, behind-the-scenes access, and expert interviews you won’t find anywhere else. 

With both sides fighting to control the narrative and new revelations coming to light, the search for truth is more urgent—and more complicated—than ever.

Listen to episodes of KAREN: THE RETRIAL, exclusively and ad-free, right now on Wondery+. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen Now: KAREN: THE RETRIAL

Ruby Franke, a Utah mom turned YouTube “momfluencer” who amassed 2.6 million subscribers, was known for her strict disciplinarian parenting style. But authorities now say that her "tough love" was actually child abuse. Ruby Franke's son escaped from the Utah home of her self-help business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. The boy was reportedly starved and tied up with duct tape along with his 10 year old sister. As law enforcement dug deeper, they uncovered injuries, torture, and emotional harm inflicted by both Franke and Hildebrandt. Law&Crime takes you behind the scenes, from Ruby and Jodi's path to internet stardom, to the investigation that brought them down. 

This 7-part series releases weekly on Mondays exclusively on Wondery+.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Introducing: The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke

They call themselves and their YouTube channel the “8 Passengers” — mom Ruby, dad Kevin, and their six kids in tow. By all appearances, they’re your stereotypical American Mormon family, but there’s something simmering under the surface. Loyal fans of the 8 Passengers page have been picking up on something startling over the years, and it’s not long before the genie is out of the bottle.

AURA

Stop leaving yourself vulnerable to data breaches. Go to my sponsor https://aura.com/rubyfranke to get a 14-day free trial and see if any of your data has been exposed

VENICE.AI

Go to my sponsor https://venice.ai/rubyfranke and use code rubyfranke to enjoy private, uncensored AI. Using my code will get you 20% off a pro plan.

You can listen to all episodes of The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start Your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/the-rise-and-fall-of-ruby-franke/ now. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meet the Frankes | 1

As 8 Passengers’ following grows, so do their subscribers' concerns about the welfare of Ruby Franke’s children. Specifically her oldest son, Chad, who becomes noticeably absent from vlogs in the summer of 2019. Viewers press in the comments for answers as to his whereabouts, and what they learn provides more clues into Ruby’s punitive parenting philosophy.

AURA

Stop leaving yourself vulnerable to data breaches. Go to my sponsor https://aura.com/rubyfranke to get a 14-day free trial and see if any of your data has been exposed

VENICE.AI

Go to my sponsor https://venice.ai/rubyfranke and use code rubyfranke to enjoy private, uncensored AI. Using my code will get you 20% off a pro plan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#FreeChad | 2

Ruby’s vlogs see a shift in their consistency and messaging. 8 Passengers’ family diary style videos are now peppered with self-improvement advice. Ruby shares news that she’s now affiliated with a program called “ConneXions”, which is owned and operated by a woman named Jodi Hildebrandt. And under the influence of Jodi’s counseling, both Ruby’s marriage and family life are turned upside down. 

AURA

Stop leaving yourself vulnerable to data breaches. Go to my sponsor https://aura.com/rubyfranke to get a 14-day free trial and see if any of your data has been exposed

VENICE.AI

Go to my sponsor https://venice.ai/rubyfranke and use code rubyfranke to enjoy private, uncensored AI. Using my code will get you 20% off a pro plan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Enter Jodi Hildebrandt | 3

Ruby has fully come into the ConneXions fold, and she’s no longer just promoting Jodi’s work – she’s become integral to her operation. Together, Jodi and Ruby forge a new venture on social media called “Moms of Truth.” But how well can they be trusted? Jodi’s past transgressions come to light, jeopardizing her authority. 

AURA

Stop leaving yourself vulnerable to data breaches. Go to my sponsor https://aura.com/rubyfranke to get a 14-day free trial and see if any of your data has been exposed

VENICE.AI

Go to my sponsor https://venice.ai/rubyfranke and use code rubyfranke to enjoy private, uncensored AI. Using my code will get you 20% off a pro plan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Under Her Thumb | 4

Law enforcement across Utah jump into action after a 911 dispatcher in Ivins receives an alarming call from Jodi Hildebrandt’s neighbor. As the day unfolds, the extent of Jodi and Ruby’s disciplinary practices are revealed, and they are nothing short of shocking. The two women are thrust into the national spotlight and are forced to face the consequences. 

AURA

Stop leaving yourself vulnerable to data breaches. Go to my sponsor https://aura.com/rubyfranke to get a 14-day free trial and see if any of your data has been exposed

VENICE.AI

Go to my sponsor https://venice.ai/rubyfranke and use code rubyfranke to enjoy private, uncensored AI. Using my code will get you 20% off a pro plan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

August 30, 2023 | 5

Ruby and Jodi’s abusive ways are no longer just speculative. Now that the two have been formally charged, the details of their actions become public record. What the court documents reveal are worse than anyone could have imagined. And, the treatment Russel and Eve suffered under Jodi’s roof catches the attention of someone from Jodi’s past who says they were subjected to nearly identical treatment. 

AURA

Stop leaving yourself vulnerable to data breaches. Go to my sponsor https://aura.com/rubyfranke to get a 14-day free trial and see if any of your data has been exposed

VENICE.AI

Go to my sponsor https://venice.ai/rubyfranke and use code rubyfranke to enjoy private, uncensored AI. Using my code will get you 20% off a pro plan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guilty as Sin | 6

Nearly 6 months after Ruby and Jodi were arrested and charged with four counts of aggravated child abuse, the two finally face sentencing. We learn how much time each woman could spend in prison, hear from mental health professionals about how the Franke children can heal, and explore ethical questions surrounding family vlogging.

AURA

Stop leaving yourself vulnerable to data breaches. Go to my sponsor https://aura.com/rubyfranke to get a 14-day free trial and see if any of your data has been exposed

VENICE.AI

Go to my sponsor https://venice.ai/rubyfranke and use code rubyfranke to enjoy private, uncensored AI. Using my code will get you 20% off a pro plan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Truth and Distortion | 7

On March 22, 2024, a month after Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were sentenced, the Washington County Attorney’s office released a treasure trove of never-before-seen documentation related to their cases, including phone calls from prison, body cam footage from the day of their arrests, Kevin Franke’s interviews with detectives, photographs, and Ruby’s journal. In this bonus episode, we dig into all the shocking details we didn’t know…until now. 

--

AURA

Stop leaving yourself vulnerable to data breaches. Go to my sponsor https://aura.com/rubyfranke to get a 14-day free trial and see if any of your data has been exposed

VENICE.AI

Go to my sponsor https://venice.ai/rubyfranke and use code rubyfranke to enjoy private, uncensored AI. Using my code will get you 20% off a pro plan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Truth and Distortion | 7

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