Hey everyone, it's Erica. I have a quick announcement that I want everyone to take a few seconds

to listen to. The Apex and the Abyss will be going on hiatus in the fall of 2019. I know I have

had a sporadic schedule the last year or so, but typically I didn't see those delays coming,

and to be honest, I didn't want them. However, this time around, I know that my schedule this

fall is going to be jam-packed, and I will not have as much time to dedicate to the show as I would like. I want to state that this show is not going away. I just need a small break to focus on spending time with family and my fall semester at school. During this break, I will be resetting and planning a restructuring of the show. While I'll be busy with a lot this fall, I will still be writing and working on

cases. My end goal is to start releasing episodes within a structured season and have scheduled time

off. So with that update, please don't unsubscribe, because like I said, the show isn't going

anywhere. I just need some time, like we all do at some point in our lives. I wanted to give you guys

full transparency

as to why there will be some radio silence in the next few months, and I hope you will still

keep sticking around. With that, on with the show.

This episode of The Apex and the Abyss contains graphic descriptions, audio, and language that may be unsettling to some individuals.

Listener discretion is advised.

I recently got home from my trip to Chicago.

When I was there, I took part in the first ever true crime podcast festival.

It was such an incredible time and event.

I was so thrilled to interact with listeners of this show and to meet some of my friends.

This was the first time I met any of them face to face.

This trip to Chicago ticked off quite a few firsts for me.

This was the first time I ever had flown on a plane, my first podcast festival, and my first time to Illinois.

While there, I tried my best not to stick out like a tourist, but at the same time I wanted to see what made Chicago so great.

Coming from a popular city myself, I was curious as to what

...