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Cousins By Blood

Cousins By Blood

Matt Duff

True Crime

4.71.2K Ratings

Overview

Cousins By Blood is a true crime podcast investigation, unfolding episode by episode. In 2000, Ivan Cantu was arrested for the murders of his cousin James Mosqueda and Amy Kitchen, James's fiancé. Now 20 years later, questions about Ivan's guilt or innocence remain and the case has been reinvestigated. New suspects are uncovered, new evidence has been discovered, and the clock is ticking to Ivan's Execution Day.

53 Episodes

Episode 48: The Final Chapter

The Final Chapter The Collin County Courthouse Rally (Death Penalty Action Live Stream)https://www.youtube.com/live/ZdfHTb9YPIM?si=Snz4PkdNNNJfTGwc Tammy's Eulogy from Ivanhttps://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1027871238845388&id=100048675650967&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=kTV5ioPm9smKyF97# PATREONhttps://www.patreon.com/cousinsbyblood DONATEhttps://cousinsbybloodpodcast.com/donate

Transcribed - Published: 1 March 2025

Episode 47: Ivan's 3rd Execution Date

In this episode Ivan is interviewed by reporter Michael Hagerty and the latest bombshells are brought to light.

Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2024

Episode 46: Sister Helen Prejean

An interview with Ivan's Spiritual Advisor.

Transcribed - Published: 14 February 2024

Episode 45: The Bullet

In this episode, podcast listeners have come together to help with the investigation.  The Pear Ridge wall bullet comes into question.

Transcribed - Published: 9 February 2024

Episode 44: The Jury Foreman

In this episode, the jury foreman in Ivan's 2001 trial is interviewed. He shares his thoughts on the newly discovered information and if Ivan should be entitled to a new trial.

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2024

Case Update: The CCA Dismissed Ivan's Habeas Application

Episode 44 of Cousins By Blood will be coming out on this RSS feed ASAP.

Transcribed - Published: 24 August 2023

Cousins By Blood Trailer

Cousins By Blood is a podcast investigation into a double homicide that took place in Dallas in the year 2000.  Ivan Cantu was convicted of killing his cousin James and James's fiancé Amy, but Ivan has maintained his innocence.    New evidence has been discovered and new suspects uncovered.  With Ivan on death row, the clock is ticking to his execution day unless this new evidence is enough for Ivan to get a new trial.

Transcribed - Published: 28 February 2023

Episode 1: If The Jeans Don't Fit

On November 4th, 2000, the bodies of James Mosqueda and his fiancé Amy Kitchen were found murdered.  Days later, James’s cousin Ivan Cantu was arrested for the murders.  Ivan was convicted and sentenced to death.  At this point, Ivan has been on Death...

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2023

Episode 2: When Ivan Met Amy

Last episode, we heard Ivan's ex-girlfriend's side of the story.  This episode, we hear from Ivan.  Being on Death Row in the Polunsky Unit, Ivan is not permitted to use the phone.  So, in this podcast, you will hear one of the only phone calls Ivan has...

Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2023

Episode 3: Not His First Rodeo

While Ivan Cantu and Amy Boettcher were on their way to Arkansas to visit her parents and announce their engagement, the murdered bodies of James and Amy Kitchen were found in Dallas on November 4th 2000.In this episode, we will hear from Amy B's...

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2023

Episode 4: Under the Couch Cushion

After Ivan and Amy come back from Arkansas, their first stop is Tawny's residence, Ivan's ex-girlfriend.  After Ivan's was arrested,  Tawny found the murder weapon in her apartment.This episode we hear from Tawny and her belief that Ivan was not the one...

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2023

Pre Episode 5 Recap

This is an 8 minute recap of the first 4 episodes.

Transcribed - Published: 23 February 2023

Episode 5: The Trash Can Without a Lid

So far, we've been following Ivan and Amy and their trip to Arkansas.  But, a lot was going on back in Dallas immediately following the murders.This episode we hear from Ivan's mother, Sylvia, and the revelation discovered about the evidence found in...

Transcribed - Published: 22 February 2023

Episode 6: Put the Plastic Out

This episode Sylvia continues her timeline and chronicles Ivan's last few hours of freedom.  Suspicious conversations are overheard and other persons of interest emerge.

Transcribed - Published: 21 February 2023

Episode 7: The Roommate

This episode we find out James and Amy Kitchen had a roommate.   A suspicious man lived with them for three weeks leading up to the murders... and he had knowledge about their time of death.

Transcribed - Published: 20 February 2023

Episode 8: The Jailhouse Tapes

In this episode, you will hear the candid conversations between Ivan, him mom and his aunt Penny after his arrest.

Transcribed - Published: 19 February 2023

Episode 9: Let's Go to Cancun

This episode chronicles Ivan's time in jail and his court appointed attorneys.  Sylvia and Penny share their accounts leading up to the 2001 trial.Did Ivan really confess to the murders or did his lawyer play his own mother against him?

Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2023

Episode 10:  What Happened to the Ring?

Episode 10:  What Happened to the Ring?In this season finale, Ivan's current lawyer discusses the 2001 trial.  Ivan's trial counsel called no witnesses and presented no evidence of his innocence.  Ivan even contemplated representing himself.It was...

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2023

Episode 11: Ivan's Wife

Season 2 begins with the introduction of Ivan's biggest champion over the past 14 years, Ivan's wife Tammy.    In this episode, she discusses her fight to keep Ivan alive on death row.  As well, upcoming case investigations are established.

Transcribed - Published: 16 February 2023

Episode 12: The Rolex

In this episode, the rolex that Ivan was convicted of stealing, is located.   This is proof that Amy committed perjury in her police statements.  More is learned about about all of the families... the Kitchens, the Mosquedas, and the Cantus.

Transcribed - Published: 15 February 2023

Episode 13: Finding Amy

This episode, Eichenberg and I head up to Minnesota in search of Amy.   Ivan's lawyer discusses the discovery of the rolex.  And there are more revelations about the bloody pair of jeans in the trashcan.

Transcribed - Published: 14 February 2023

Episode 13 Bonus: Amy's 2nd Statement

Amy's 2nd Statement

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2023

Episode 14: What's Amy Been Up To?

This episode we hear from  Amy's neighbor "TJ" and  what she has witnessed over the past 3 years.  We also hear the trial testimony from Amy's brother Jeff.  Jeff and Amy were the only two to ever see Ivan with a gun.  Ever.

Transcribed - Published: 12 February 2023

Episode 15: The State's Star Witness

This episode Amy Boettcher is interviewed.  She recounts what she says happened and reveals new information about the ring.

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2023

Pre Episode 16 - Case Update: Amy Boettcher Passed Away

On 2/2/21 Amy Boettcher passed away.  TJ, Amy's former neighbor, discusses what she has heard about Amy's death.

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2023

Episode 16: One Single Shell Casing

In this episode, problems with the ballistics in this case are discussed.  A shell casing found at the crime scene lead 2 ballistics experts to believe a second gun may have been used in the murders.  Also, Eichenberg interviews Ivan and we hear if she finds him credible.

Transcribed - Published: 9 February 2023

Episode 17: The Syndicate

In this episode, new information is discovered indicating that Amy B was wearing an engagement ring prior to the murders.  Which would indicate, there would have been a second ring in play.  Also, new revelations are uncovered about phone calls and a mysterious syndicate.

Transcribed - Published: 8 February 2023

Episode 18: "Raina"

Ivan has said for 20 years, that the ring Amy B was wearing the night of the murders belonged to Raina. After 20 years, "Raina" has finally been located. In this episode, Sylvia goes over to Raina’s house to ask her about the ring. Also, the sub rosa hearing in Ivan’s trial is covered.

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2023

Episode 19: The DNA

The DNA is discussed in this episode.  As well as, a call with Ivan from 2020 prior to his DNA hearing.

Transcribed - Published: 6 February 2023

Episode 20: Bad Blood

This episode, the origin of the 34x32 Arizona brand jeans is explored and we hear from a close friend of James and Amy Kitchen.

Transcribed - Published: 5 February 2023

Episode 21: Carlos and Anthony (part 1)

In Part 1 of Season 2 Finale, we hear Carlos and Anthony's side of the story, their account of Ivan and the time leading up to the murders.

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2023

Episode 22: Carlos and Anthony (part 2)

In Part 2 of Season 2 Finale, more is uncovered about James's drug business and mortgage business.  It is disclosed if there is any hard evidence tying Carlos and Anthony to the murders or setting up Ivan.  And the upcoming investigation is established...

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2023

Episode 23: The Thumbprint

In this Season 3 opener, the most significant piece of evidence tying Ivan to the murders is investigated -- the thumbprint found on the magazine of the murder weapon.   A video presentation and excerpt images of the fingerprint report is available at https://cousinsbybloodpodcast.com/fingerprint

Transcribed - Published: 2 February 2023

Episode 24: The Murder Weapon

In this episode, the origin of the murder weapon is investigated.

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2023

Episode 25: Gambino

The investigation into the origin of the murder weapon continues, as a previous interview with Gambino is analyzed.

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2023

Episode 26: Frank, the Roommate (Part 1)

At the time of James and Amy Kitchen's murders, there was another person living in their home.  This episode begins the 2 part investigation of Frank, the roommate.

Transcribed - Published: 29 January 2023

Episode 27: Frank, the Roommate (Part 2)

Frank's actions and whereabouts on November 4th 2000 are investigated. 

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2023

Episode 28: Oak Cliff

In this episode, the anonymous tip that someone else killed James and Amy Kitchen is investigated, as well as other Oak Cliff connections are explored.

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2023

Episode 29: The Pizza Man

In this episode, a witness comes forward who says he saw a man driving a similar vehicle and had a similar appearance, as Ivan described "the Pizza Man."  Ivan said a man, dressed as a Dominos Pizza Man, came into his apartment, put a gun to his head and told him James owed them 250,000 dollars for drugs.  Ivan said the Pizza Man fired at the wall, to show him he meant business.  Ivan said the Pizza Man is the reason he went over to James's house the following evening, to warn James.

Transcribed - Published: 26 January 2023

Episode 30: The Bloody Shirt

In this episode three new elements of the case are discussed; an upstairs neighbor's testimony, witness statements about Ivan asking James for money before the murders, and a bloody shirt.

Transcribed - Published: 25 January 2023

Episode 31: Mark or Marty

Ivan was incarcerated in Collin County Jail after his arrest, awaiting his trial.  In this episode, another inmate comes forward with a story that puts a whole new spin on the Jail House Tapes.

Transcribed - Published: 24 January 2023

Episode 32: Loose Ends

In this episode, new information comes to light about Ivan considering fleeing to Mexico after the murders and the mysterious call from inside the apartment while Ivan was in Arkansas.  Also, Gambino is interviewed for a second time.

Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2023

Episode 33: Dirty Pool

There was a third person in Ivan and Amy's apartment the night of November 3rd 2000.  She left just minutes before when Amy says Ivan committed the murders.  In this episode, you'll hear her account of the time leading up to the murders and her experience at Ivan's trial.

Transcribed - Published: 22 January 2023

Episode 34: The Night

This episode is the deep dive into the main hours in question and additional witnesses are interviewed.

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2023

Episode 35: The Forensics

This episode will provide a comprehensive look at the forensic psychology, pathology, finger prints, ballistics, blood spatter, DNA and crime scene analysis Cantu Print Comparison on The Double Loop Podcast https://youtu.be/QJEgTbhTRlE

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2023

Episode 36: Ivan's Final Interview

Ivan discusses the other main players, the evidence against him, and Amy Boettcher.

Transcribed - Published: 19 January 2023

Episode 37: The Twenty Year Timeline - Part 1

This episode begins the chronicle of the case over the past 20 plus years.

Transcribed - Published: 18 January 2023

Episode 38: The Twenty Year Timeline - Part 2

The episode chronicles 2002 to 2008; Ivan's Direct Appeal, State and Federal Writ of Habeas Corpus.  Additionally, Goeller's affidavit on Ivan's confession and the bloody shirt are discussed.

Transcribed - Published: 17 January 2023

Episode 39: The Twenty Year Timeline - Part 3

Finishing up the 20 Year Timeline, this episode chronicles 2008 to current day; which includes a 2010 Oral Argument Hearing, 2012 interview with Amy Boettcher, and the origin of the bloody shirt saga.

Transcribed - Published: 16 January 2023

Episode 40: The Closing Arguments

In this episode the investigation is concluded, the closing arguments are given and we wait on the outcome.

Transcribed - Published: 15 January 2023

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Matt Duff, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

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