Episode Details

On today’s episode of True Crime Time, Cyndi takes over the mic and begins with a thank-you to the Lifers—and a reminder of just how much the Real Life Real Crime community means to the people who trust Woody with their stories. After spending Saturday at Guardian Day at Firman Ranch, Cyndi talks about meeting listeners and seeing firsthand how many people approach Woody looking for help, hope, or simply a chance to say thank you.

Cyndi also shares the meaning behind Guardian Day, an annual fundraiser supporting first responders and their families throughout the greater Baton Rouge area. She recounts Cy Daquila’s emotional story of the first responders who entered his burning home in the middle of the night and woke his family, allowing Si, his wife Heather, their twins, and their older children to escape. At Saturday’s event, Si was able to publicly recognize and thank the first responders who helped save his family.

Then it’s time for true crime.

Cyndi starts locally with a story involving a Louisiana institution familiar to generations of Livingston Parish residents: Navarre’s Pastries in Springfield. Known throughout the area for its donuts and especially its famous king cakes, the Navarre family’s bakery history stretches back decades. Cyndi explains how the business grew from Ernie Navarre Jr.’s small donut shop into an operation whose king cakes have been shipped around the country and world, including orders from businesses, celebrities, politicians, and other high-profile customers.

But on August 12, authorities executed a search warrant at Navarre’s Pastries. According to the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, investigators uncovered what Sheriff Jason Ard described as a distribution hub for various narcotics. Authorities reported seizing suspected cocaine, MDMA, Adderall, Vyvanse, Xanax, Valium, anabolic steroids, cash, and 52 firearms, including one reportedly stolen weapon.

Jules Navarre, one of Ernie Navarre’s sons, was arrested and reportedly faces 62 charges, including numerous firearm-related counts and possession-with-intent-to-distribute allegations. Cyndi also explains what remains unknown: publicly available information has not yet revealed what initially led investigators to the bakery or whether the case began with a tip, surveillance, another investigation, or some other source. She stresses that she found nothing indicating other members of the Navarre family were involved and reminds listeners that Jules Navarre is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Then Cyndi returns to the crime that happened on this day in 1985 and takes listeners inside the terrifying story of Richard Ramirez—the Night Stalker.

Beginning with Ramirez’s childhood in El Paso, Texas, Cyndi examines the violence, head injuries, drug use, and disturbing influences that surrounded his early years—including his older cousin Mike, a Vietnam veteran who reportedly showed the young Ramirez graphic photographs of violence and told him stories of rape, torture, and killing. At 13, Ramirez then witnessed Mike shoot and kill his wife directly in front of him. Cyndi is careful to make an important distinction: childhood trauma and brain injuries do not turn someone into a serial killer, and none of Ramirez’s experiences excuse the choices and horrific crimes that followed.

By the mid-1980s, California was terrified. Ramirez invaded homes, murdered, sexually assaulted, burglarized, and attacked victims with no easily identifiable pattern. Men, women, young people, elderly people, individuals and couples could all become targets. Even his methods varied, making the Night Stalker particularly difficult for investigators to profile.

Investigators Frank Salerno and Gil Carrillo began conn