Free Bonus: The Doppelgänger (Matthew D. Keirans)
Summary
This episode details the bizarre identity theft case of Matthew Kierens, who assumed the name William Donald Woods for decades. The real Woods, homeless in Los Angeles, was arrested and imprisoned for crimes committed by Kierens, who lived a successful life in Wisconsin. A university detective eventually uncovered the truth through DNA testing, leading to Kierens' conviction and Woods' exoneration.
Topics discussed
Intro and Fousey's clip of helping a homeless man
Fousey meets Bill and plans a help series
Bill's backstory: abuse and early life
The 'Fastest Weenie Man' and first robbery
Life in San Diego and move to LA
Fousey questions Bill's sanity and stories
Bill disappears after motel payment issue
Sponsor: Blueland cleaning products
Bill discovers $200k in debt on credit report
Bank visit reveals a second William Woods
Arrest and court proceedings in California
Institutionalization and no-contest plea
Bill's continued fight to reclaim identity
Detective Mallory investigates the discrepancy
Sponsor: Gusto payroll software
Mallory finds evidence linking Bill to father
DNA test confirms Bill is the real William Woods
True identity of the imposter: Matthew Kearrens
Kearrens' life as William Woods in Wisconsin
Sponsor: Zenni glasses
Arrest and confession of Matthew Kearrens
Charges and guilty plea for Kearrens
Sentencing and aftermath for both men
Current status of William Woods
Outro and listener messages
Listen ad-free on Castria