Bear Brook
Hosted by NHPR
About this Show
Bear Brook, hosted by Jason Moon, is the critically-acclaimed true crime podcast from New Hampshire Public Radio.
Season 1 - Two barrels. Four Bodies. And a cold case that’s changing how murders will be investigated forever.
Season 2: A True Crime Story - Jason Carroll is serving life in prison for a murder he says he didn’t commit. The only evidence against him? His own taped confession. More than 30 years later, is it possible to get to the truth – and who gets to tell it?
Season 3: A Private Matter - A Christmas tree farmer vanishes from his small town. His wife never reports him missing. Can anyone find out why? New episodes starting Oct. 21, 2026.
Stephen King called both seasons “the best true crime podcasts I've ever heard. Brilliant, involving, hypnotic.” The New Yorker said season one “stands out for its ambition, complexity, and thoughtful tone.”
Latest Episodes
A Private Matter, Episode 2
Jay's daughter explains how she finally realized her father was missing and shares another side to Patty most people don't know. Police make a new discovery about the timing of Jay's disappearance. To hear this season of Bear Brook ad-free, click here to become a member of our Patreon. Be...
A Private Matter, Episode 1
A Christmas tree farmer with dementia named Jay Hickey vanishes from his small town in rural New Hampshire. Jay's wife Patty never reports him missing. A tipster claims "a lot of strangeness is starting to emerge" – and they're right. To hear this season of Bear Brook ad-free, click here to be...
Trailer | Bear Brook Season 3: A Private Matter
A Christmas tree farmer with dementia disappears. His wife never reports him missing. Can anyone find out why? A Private Matter is the third season of Bear Brook, the critically-acclaimed true crime podcast from New Hampshire Public Radio hosted by Jason Moon. New episodes starting October 21, ...
S1, Ep. 11 | Update: The Middle Child
Investigators make a discovery that brings the case of the Bear Brook murders to a close after 40 years – and reveals a new mystery. Click here to check out more podcast series from NHPR's Document team. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your su...
S2, Ep. 9 | Update: The Reversal
The state of New Hampshire has made a sudden about-face: Prosecutors have now agreed to DNA test old evidence in Jason Carroll’s case. It’s the biggest development in the case in 35 years – and one step closer to possibly learning who killed Sharon Johnson. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public ...
S2, Ep. 8 | The Box
The true crime media spotlight shines on Jason Carroll. Then, a chance encounter leads to a surprising discovery that changes the course of his case. For more on the case and to see selected data on exonerations, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio statio...
S2, Ep. 7 | This Side of the Line
How could someone possibly confess to murder if they didn’t do it? A modern understanding of confessions sheds new light on Jason Carroll’s case. For more on the case and to see selected data on exonerations, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. R...
S2, Ep. 6 | ‘Don’t Roll the Dice’
Jason Carroll stands trial twice – and the juries come up with their own versions of what happened. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. Click here to make a donation. Thank you. Photos, transcript...
S2, Ep. 5 | Trial in a Trial
A new true crime story is told and when juries hear it, it leads to different results for all three defendants. During the first trial, the lead detective makes a big mistake. For more on the case and to see a table of confession discrepancies, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. Bear Brook is made...
S2, Ep. 4 | ‘Promises Have Been Made’
One set of confessions leads to another and three men are arrested for Sharon Johnson’s murder. Then, an alleged secret comes to light that changes everything. For more on the case and to see a timeline of the interrogations, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public...
S2, Ep. 3 | The Breaking Point
Police interrogate a second teenager named Jason Carroll – with help from Jason’s own mother. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. Click here to make a donation. Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and ...
S2, Ep. 2 | The Pursuit
We begin with the story police told about Sharon Johnson’s murder. The veteran detective on the case develops a theory involving her husband and a teenager. A surprising admission leads to a new break in the case. For more on the case and to see a timeline of Sharon's last day, visit bearbrook...
S2, Ep. 1 | Extraordinary
Sharon Johnson’s family and friends have spent the last 35 years coping with her brutal murder. But what if that story was based on a lie? Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. Click here to make a dona...
Trailer | Bear Brook Season 2: A True Crime Story
Jason Carroll is serving life in prison for a murder he says he didn’t commit. The only evidence against him? His own taped confession. More than 30 years later, is it possible to get to the truth – and who gets to tell it? Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts...
S1, Ep. 10 | The In-Between
A clue is found buried on an internet message board. DNA is wrestled from rootless hair. Two investigators work parallel leads, and authorities call a press conference. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we d...