Cousins By Blood

Cousins By Blood is a podcast investigation into a double homicide that took place in Dallas in the year 2000.  Ivan Cantu was convicted of killing his cousin James and James's fiancé Amy, but Ivan has maintained his innocence.    New evidence has been discovered and new suspects uncovered.  With Ivan on death row, the clock is ticking to his execution day unless this new evidence is enough for Ivan to get a new trial.

On November 4th, 2000, the bodies of James Mosqueda and his fiancé Amy Kitchen were found murdered.  Days later, James’s cousin Ivan Cantu was arrested for the murders.  Ivan was convicted and sentenced to death.  At this point, Ivan has been on Death...

Last episode, we heard Ivan's ex-girlfriend's side of the story.  This episode, we hear from Ivan.  Being on Death Row in the Polunsky Unit, Ivan is not permitted to use the phone.  So, in this podcast, you will hear one of the only phone calls Ivan has...

While Ivan Cantu and Amy Boettcher were on their way to Arkansas to visit her parents and announce their engagement, the murdered bodies of James and Amy Kitchen were found in Dallas on November 4th 2000.In this episode, we will hear from Amy B's...

After Ivan and Amy come back from Arkansas, their first stop is Tawny's residence, Ivan's ex-girlfriend.  After Ivan's was arrested,  Tawny found the murder weapon in her apartment.This episode we hear from Tawny and her belief that Ivan was not the one...

This is an 8 minute recap of the first 4 episodes.

So far, we've been following Ivan and Amy and their trip to Arkansas.  But, a lot was going on back in Dallas immediately following the murders.This episode we hear from Ivan's mother, Sylvia, and the revelation discovered about the evidence found in...

This episode Sylvia continues her timeline and chronicles Ivan's last few hours of freedom.  Suspicious conversations are overheard and other persons of interest emerge.

This episode we find out James and Amy Kitchen had a roommate.   A suspicious man lived with them for three weeks leading up to the murders... and he had knowledge about their time of death.

In this episode, you will hear the candid conversations between Ivan, him mom and his aunt Penny after his arrest.

This episode chronicles Ivan's time in jail and his court appointed attorneys.  Sylvia and Penny share their accounts leading up to the 2001 trial.Did Ivan really confess to the murders or did his lawyer play his own mother against him?

Episode 10:  What Happened to the Ring?In this season finale, Ivan's current lawyer discusses the 2001 trial.  Ivan's trial counsel called no witnesses and presented no evidence of his innocence.  Ivan even contemplated representing himself.It was...

Season 2 begins with the introduction of Ivan's biggest champion over the past 14 years, Ivan's wife Tammy.    In this episode, she discusses her fight to keep Ivan alive on death row.  As well, upcoming case investigations are established.

In this episode, the rolex that Ivan was convicted of stealing, is located.   This is proof that Amy committed perjury in her police statements.  More is learned about about all of the families... the Kitchens, the Mosquedas, and the Cantus.

This episode, Eichenberg and I head up to Minnesota in search of Amy.   Ivan's lawyer discusses the discovery of the rolex.  And there are more revelations about the bloody pair of jeans in the trashcan.

Amy's 2nd Statement

This episode we hear from  Amy's neighbor "TJ" and  what she has witnessed over the past 3 years.  We also hear the trial testimony from Amy's brother Jeff.  Jeff and Amy were the only two to ever see Ivan with a gun.  Ever.

This episode Amy Boettcher is interviewed.  She recounts what she says happened and reveals new information about the ring.

On 2/2/21 Amy Boettcher passed away.  TJ, Amy's former neighbor, discusses what she has heard about Amy's death.

In this episode, problems with the ballistics in this case are discussed.  A shell casing found at the crime scene lead 2 ballistics experts to believe a second gun may have been used in the murders.  Also, Eichenberg interviews Ivan and we hear if she finds him credible.

In this episode, new information is discovered indicating that Amy B was wearing an engagement ring prior to the murders.  Which would indicate, there would have been a second ring in play.  Also, new revelations are uncovered about phone calls and a mysterious syndicate.

Ivan has said for 20 years, that the ring Amy B was wearing the night of the murders belonged to Raina. After 20 years, "Raina" has finally been located. In this episode, Sylvia goes over to Raina’s house to ask her about the ring. Also, the sub rosa hearing in Ivan’s trial is covered.

The DNA is discussed in this episode.  As well as, a call with Ivan from 2020 prior to his DNA hearing.

This episode, the origin of the 34x32 Arizona brand jeans is explored and we hear from a close friend of James and Amy Kitchen.

In Part 1 of Season 2 Finale, we hear Carlos and Anthony's side of the story, their account of Ivan and the time leading up to the murders.

In Part 2 of Season 2 Finale, more is uncovered about James's drug business and mortgage business.  It is disclosed if there is any hard evidence tying Carlos and Anthony to the murders or setting up Ivan.  And the upcoming investigation is established...

In this Season 3 opener, the most significant piece of evidence tying Ivan to the murders is investigated -- the thumbprint found on the magazine of the murder weapon.   A video presentation and excerpt images of the fingerprint report is available at https://cousinsbybloodpodcast.com/fingerprint

**LISTEN TO EPISODE 23 FIRST This is supplemental audio for Episode 23, in which Dr. Simon Cole discusses the history of fingerprinting and the fallibility within the discipline. 

In this episode, the origin of the murder weapon is investigated.

The investigation into the origin of the murder weapon continues, as a previous interview with Gambino is analyzed.

At the time of James and Amy Kitchen's murders, there was another person living in their home.  This episode begins the 2 part investigation of Frank, the roommate.

Frank's actions and whereabouts on November 4th 2000 are investigated. 

In this episode, the anonymous tip that someone else killed James and Amy Kitchen is investigated, as well as other Oak Cliff connections are explored.

In this episode, a witness comes forward who says he saw a man driving a similar vehicle and had a similar appearance, as Ivan described "the Pizza Man."  Ivan said a man, dressed as a Dominos Pizza Man, came into his apartment, put a gun to his head and told him James owed them 250,000 dollars for drugs.  Ivan said the Pizza Man fired at the wall, to show him he meant business.  Ivan said the Pizza Man is the reason he went over to James's house the following evening, to warn James.

In this episode three new elements of the case are discussed; an upstairs neighbor's testimony, witness statements about Ivan asking James for money before the murders, and a bloody shirt.

Ivan was incarcerated in Collin County Jail after his arrest, awaiting his trial.  In this episode, another inmate comes forward with a story that puts a whole new spin on the Jail House Tapes.

In this episode, new information comes to light about Ivan considering fleeing to Mexico after the murders and the mysterious call from inside the apartment while Ivan was in Arkansas.  Also, Gambino is interviewed for a second time.

There was a third person in Ivan and Amy's apartment the night of November 3rd 2000.  She left just minutes before when Amy says Ivan committed the murders.  In this episode, you'll hear her account of the time leading up to the murders and her experience at Ivan's trial.

This episode is the deep dive into the main hours in question and additional witnesses are interviewed.

This episode will provide a comprehensive look at the forensic psychology, pathology, finger prints, ballistics, blood spatter, DNA and crime scene analysis Cantu Print Comparison on The Double Loop Podcast https://youtu.be/QJEgTbhTRlE

Ivan discusses the other main players, the evidence against him, and Amy Boettcher.

This episode begins the chronicle of the case over the past 20 plus years.

The episode chronicles 2002 to 2008; Ivan's Direct Appeal, State and Federal Writ of Habeas Corpus.  Additionally, Goeller's affidavit on Ivan's confession and the bloody shirt are discussed.

Finishing up the 20 Year Timeline, this episode chronicles 2008 to current day; which includes a 2010 Oral Argument Hearing, 2012 interview with Amy Boettcher, and the origin of the bloody shirt saga.