Blood is Thicker: The Hargan Family Killings

Mark Stover was a talented dog trainer, better known as the dog whisperer of the Pacific Northwest. He was charismatic and attracted the attention of wealthy blonde heiress Linda Opdyke. They built a business together, along with a marriage. But Linda said Mark also had a dark side and when she tried to leave the marriage, he obsessively followed. She sought the protection of a security expert Michiel Oakes who soon became the new love of her life, her knight in shining armor. But when blood was found in Mark’s home and he was reported missing, detectives went looking for Michiel. In this dark love triangle, just who was the hunter and who was the hunted? Join 48 Hours correspondent Peter Van Sant for Trained to Kill: The Dog Trainer, the Heiress, and the Bodyguard, a gripping six-episode podcast that unravels this dark story.

More
Recent Episodes
  • Puppy Love
    Apr 9, 2025 – 34:08
  • Who Was The Hunter & Who Was The Hunted? | Trained to Kill
    Apr 2, 2025 – 02:39
  • The Aftermath | Blood is Thicker: The Hargan Family Killings
    Jun 12, 2024 – 36:02
  • Toe on the Trigger | Blood is Thicker: The Hargan Family Killings
    Jun 5, 2024 – 30:21
  • The Impersonator | Blood is Thicker: The Hargan Family Killings
    May 29, 2024 – 35:21
  • A Killer in Plain Sight | Blood is Thicker: The Hargan Family Killings
    May 22, 2024 – 33:40
  • The Boyfriend | Blood is Thicker: The Hargan Family Killings
    May 15, 2024 – 34:23
  • Home From Texas | Blood is Thicker: The Hargan Family Killings
    May 8, 2024 – 32:42
  • A Betrayal Like No Other | Blood is Thicker: The Hargan Family Killings
    Apr 23, 2024 – 02:58
Recent Reviews
  • orenishiii
    I paid the subscription fee
    And there are no episodes - why was I misled ???
  • KellisCoffee&Crime
    Love Peter’s Reporting
    I haven’t heard of this case but it’s got me sucked in right away with Peter’s reporting. Sounds like it’s going to be a sad case. Love 48 Hours.
  • OhMyPod21
    Don’t give away the whole series in your review!
    “Heartbreaking “ review was right at the top- now I have no need to listen to the series because it gave away the ending.
  • tlheck
    Heartbreaking
    This is so sad. A greedy daughter took so much away from a family. All for money. And all it got her was a lifetime in jail. And not only did they loose a mom and sister but then the grand daughter/niece. I hope some day they can be reconected.
  • brainzmatter
    RIP off
    I am subscribed but keep getting ads after the preview. No way!
  • 48857921670752
    Interesting story
    Great job from Peter Van Sant and 48 Hours. Megan would have gotten away with double homicide if not for Helen calling her boyfriend. He’s the hero of the story.
  • rkirz
    Great show
    Really enjoyed the podcast.
  • Doxiemom26
    Doxiemom26
    This us a great story very well reported and engaging
  • arenakay
    Blood is Thicker:
    Great story! LOVE this series… would LOVE to hear more!
  • 55 Bayside Avenue
    Hargan Family
    Very informative thread, thanks.
  • Beckyjack71
    Weak and repetitive
    Story could be told in 15 minutes but they stretched it waaaay out adding very little info. Do not recommend.
  • BriiTenn4
    The Ads are longer
    Great story but the ads seem to drag on longer than the actual series!
  • Teon77
    Good story
    Too dragged out mediocre narration
  • kduhhh
    The ads aren’t even bad
    I’ve literally stopped 5 times to see if the episode is replying because I hear the same thing over and over. Is this like an AI podcast?
  • stormyweather714
    Excellent
    Well done story
  • Bote Drinks
    Repeating and rambling
    More time is spent repeating the same thing. All 6 episodes could have been 75. Each episode repeats the same audio from previous episodes over and over.
  • Cdybb1233
    Short episodes and long ads
    Episodes are short and ads are long, I understand wanting to make money off your sponsors but I’d be more considerate of your listeners
  • KimGem87
    WOW-why 300 commercials
    Great show, but WAY too many commercials and there was absolutely no reason to split this into episodes. Should have just made it one episode.
  • Breeze6thgrade
    Too many commercials
    Too many commercials
  • TrillionWon
    ‘shock hyping’ news company flattens interesting story
    Between the ads , filler, and repeated content, i would say theres nothing there worth listening to. unfortunately they took a story thay could be insightful, but instead of spending time bringing out wisened points, the producers spent all their time on hype and shock
  • Millionth Maddow Fan
    Excellent
    Carefully produced, brilliantly reported.
  • cmpinva
    Great Job but…
    The story was told so well but good Lord, it did not have to be told over 6 short episodes. Why?
  • Sixxorcist
    Love It!
    I used to be fiercely loyal to Dateline and wouldn’t even entertain the thought of listening to or watching any other crime reporters, but after listening to a 48 Hours podcast on the way home from work one evening I have loved it ever since. I don’t mind paying for the Premium ad free version because it is just that good. “Blood is Thicker” was amazing and very well put together.
  • Guilie73
    GREAT work!
    Didn’t expect any less from the 48 Hours crew, but — man, this story is so wild, and you all did such a fantastic job telling it. Thank you!
  • N0VAKID
    Drawn out
    Between credits ,commercials, mood music, and repeated info, there is more filler than content!!!
  • nordseg
    Very good podcast -
    Art great to hear voice again, I have really enjoyed this podcast and I feel bad for the family. I cannot fathom how someone can do that to a 12 yearboy
  • Alexander DiFilippo
    Like watching paint dry
    This was a decent case, but it was very painful to listen to over many episodes. The story moved so slowly, the narrator spoke very slowly. I considered fast forwarding through the episodes, but I thought maybe I would miss some big bombshell. However, the bombshell never happened. The person that detectives first suspected, in fact, did commit the crime. Just an overall sad case, but way too drawn out.
  • Ttabls23!!
    Great
    Very interesting and unsure of what would happen. Well done!!!
  • RenNLui
    Annoyed.
    From a listeners perspective, it’s annoying to do all these short episodes when this could be an awesome 1.5 hour podcast. Waiting a whole week for 20 min of the case is kind of ridiculous.
  • Emmy-Anne 28
    Good reporting buuuuut could have been accomplished in 3 episodes
    First off, great reporting and the show kept me engaged. I just felt like they drug out the episodes with details that seemed repetitive. I think they could have told this story in 3 episodes vs the 6 for this series. I’m not a reporter/producer/podcaster so maybe it wasn’t that easy. I recommend this series…IF you’re patient.
  • Franjola.4.Life
    Good story telling
    Fascinating and sad story. Glad I saved all the episodes to binge all at once instead of waiting. Episodes are short with ads.
  • Twags007
    Great podcast
    Good listen. Really well done. Some good twist and turns
  • Equis1107
    Crazy story, excellent narration!
    This was such a sad story! But the narration and the podcast in general was excellent
  • xyz-Akte ungelöst
    Nice, but not going to pay for a subscription.
    I like the show, but not going to pay for the missing episodes/ending of the story. I just google case and research about the outcome.
  • paysocal
    Hard to hear above the crying
    I like these episodes but when they are talking to the victims and they are talking while crying through the entire episodes is really hard to get through. All of the dateline shows are like this.
  • menjeyers
    Overly dramatic, repetitive, bad transitions
    It’s a compelling story but the narrator is super dramatic and the episodes end very abruptly. I enjoyed being introduced to the content but found independent research more rewarding than the podcast itself.
  • DustinND
    Crazy case. Great podcast
    A great podcast by 48 Hours. It’s told so well by Peter and the story is intriguing.
  • HabenV
    Too short.
    Love the show, but the episodes are entirely too short. Especially with the ads.
  • ThatGirl24
    Don’t bother
    This is so badly told I’m surprised 48 Hours is behind it. Listen to the first episode and skip to the last. The whole series gives about 40 minutes of necessary content but covered over what seems like 100 years. I’m so bored.
  • Роб
    Crazy case
    I was a juror on the second trial. Wild Stuff.
  • Yoopergal66
    Subscribe after 4 episodes?
    I found this podcast extremely interesting. But when I tried to listen to episode 5, I find you have to subscribe and once again pay out money to hear the rest of the podcast. Disappointing to say the least.
  • Andy C in DC
    Edge of your seat
    The CBS team do an amazing job of telling this story. You will want the next episode immediately!
  • Kitt456
    Releases are not good!
    This is a binge-worthy story! Releasing one 30 minute episode per week does work for the listener. I refuse to subscribe to one more thing. It’s too bad because it’s an interesting family drama.
  • Jaded215
    Good story, bad podcast
    This could have been 2 episodes. Breaking it up is frustrating and it appears other feel the same. Early and ad free is a joke.
  • bohosoul77
    Terrible host and vile cops
    This podcast confirms what everyone already knows about cops. Detective Needles is a vile human. He and his pals lie, coerce, and verbally abuse Meghan. She was never offered an attorney. The host of this podcast never points out that confessions - especially under these circumstances - are often false. Shameful. I hope karma puts their loved ones in similar situations one day. They deserve the worst.
  • dwatson1068
    Early access
    I paid and I am not getting early access. Why?
  • YummyCereal
    Waste of time
    Episodes are extremely repetitive. After listening to the 4th episode learned hardly anything new. The etire story could be told in a couple episodes. Much better options for criminal podcasts. Don't waste your time listing untill all episodes are out. And maybe completely reconsider.
  • AccioPixie196
    Odd production choices
    The story is an interesting one (though it’s obvious early on who did it) but I’m distracted by the background music choices… the narrator is describing details that are somewhat serious or even supposed to be scary & the music choice tends to be more akin to a children’s show (feels light & bouncy?)… there doesn’t even need to be music but the songs used totally undercut the tone…
  • Rudy9427
    Scam
    Having people pay for early access when there is none, as well as making them wait a week for 20 minute episodes is a legit Scam. Do better. Back to dateline 🤷‍♂️
  • Mr Lungs
    Good story bad pod
    Episodes too short to wait a week for…not worth the price tag, at all.
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