Tristan Balagtas

Tristan Balagtas is a Las Vegas-based crime writer and reporter. She previously reported for People and TV news stations in Washington and Texas. Tristan graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

Latest from this author

A couch is covered in dirt and has a pile of trash on it. The couch is in a room with a blue wall

Crime + investigation

Lacey Fletcher’s Parents Let Her Die, But Claimed Their Daughter, Who Had Autism, Refused Care

The non-verbal, 36-year-old with autism died in January 2022.

6m read

Crime + investigation

Why Investigators Didn’t Give Up on Identifying Baby Hope After More Than 30 Years

The infant was found stabbed to death in a trash can in 1994.

7m read

Black Mass Year : 2015 UK / USA Director : Scott Cooper Johnny Depp. Image shot 2015. Exact date unknown.

Crime + investigation

From 'Black Mass' to 'The Departed': How Whitey Bulger Inspired Movie and TV Mob Bosses

Johnny Depp played the crime boss in 'Black Mass' 10 years ago.

6m read

Crime + investigation

Everything to Know About Mary Kay Letourneau’s Family

The infamous schoolteacher started two families.

5m read

Taken in July 1998, the ADX Federal Prison where French terrorist Zacarais Moussaoui will be for detained for life.

Crime + investigation

Inside ADX Florence, the Highest Security Federal Prison in the United States

The Colorado facility is America's only federal supermax prison.

7m read

The image depicts a prison facility with barbed wire fencing and birds flying overhead against a cloudy sky.

Crime + investigation

How ‘Houdini of Florida’ Mark DeFriest’s 4-Year Prison Stint Turned Into a Life Sentence

He's attempted to break out of prison 13 times over the decades.

6m read

Shauna Redford And Robert Redford At The International Center of Photography

Crime + investigation

How Robert Redford’s Connection to a 1983 Cold Case Revived the Investigation

The suspect in the murder of Sid Wells is still at large.

5m read

Crime + investigation

The Case of Room 1046 Remains Unsolved 90 Years Later

Artemus Ogletree was found barely alive at the President Hotel.

6m read

Roseville, California, USA. 31st Oct, 2023. DANIEL SERAFINI, 49, is arraigned on suspicion of the homicide of his father-in-law Robert Gary Spohr and the attempted homicide of his wife, Wendy Wood, at their Lake Tahoe home during his arraignment at the Placer County Superior Court Tuesday. (Credit Image: © Paul Kitagaki Jr./ZUMA Press Wire) EDITORIAL USAGE ONLY! Not for Commercial USAGE!

Crime + investigation

Why Former MLB Player Dan Serafini Killed His Father-in-Law for His Wife’s Inheritance Money

Dan Serafini lost millions through bad investments and divorce.

6m read

Crime + investigation

Mushroom Murderer Erin Patterson Killed Her Relatives with Poisonous Beef Wellington

Her in-laws went to the hospital soon after having lunch in 2023.

6m read

A young African American boy in a suit sits solemnly in a courtroom setting, with wooden benches and walls visible in the background.

Crime + investigation

After 2 Mistrials, A.J. Armstrong Was Found Guilty of Murdering His Mom and Former NFL Player Dad

Armstrong was on house arrest before being sentenced to life.

6m read

Crime + investigation

All About Hillside Stranglers Angelo Buono and Kenneth Bianchi, and the Victim They Spared Because of Her Famous Father

Two cousins terrorized L.A. by targeting young girls and women.

5m read

Child in costume holding a pumpkin bucket on halloween night

Crime + investigation

9-Year-Old Lisa French’s Halloween Murder Forever Changed Trick-or-Treating in a Wisconsin Town

The 9-year-old girl's 1977 killing led to trick-or-treat changes.

5m read

The warm glow of lit rooms from a remote Scottish Highland croft at night

Crime + investigation

Was Brandon Woodruff Wrongfully Convicted of His Parents’ Murder Due to Anti-Gay Bias?

He was arrested 20 years ago in relation to his parents' deaths.

7m read

The film premiere of In Cold Blood, based on Truman Capote’s book.

Crime + investigation

How Truman Capote’s 'In Cold Blood' Pioneered True-Crime Novels

The author first published the story of the Clutter family's murder in 1965. In 2005, *Capote* recounted how it came together.

5m read