Blaze Bernstein: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (Part 1)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.พ. 2025
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The experience of going away to college is a memorable milestone in each person's life. It is usually the time when we transition away from childhood and start down the path of adulthood. We often meet new friends whom we would not have encountered in our hometowns, and we are exposed to different cultures and ideas that can be explored and enjoyed. This was what Blaze Bernstein was looking forward to when he began attending the University of Pennsylvania in the Fall of 2016, and for a young man who was already exceptional, a wider array of personalities and experiences served to bring to light the man he would surely become. Blaze always faced each new chapter in his life with curiosity and bravery, because his hunger for learning and growing was endless. But when he flew back home to California for winter break, he encountered a challenge that he could not defeat with his light and love. On the evening of January 2nd, 2018, Blaze left the home of his parents to meet up with an old friend, and he never came home. He was not on the plane that was supposed to fly him back to Pennsylvania for the start of the new semester on January 7th, and on January 10th, Blaze’s brutalized body was found in a shallow grave, his bright and promising life snuffed out by ignorance and hate.
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The way Stephanie tells stories and Derrick gives his educated insight is so refreshing, by far my favorite podcast duo
Same!!!
Definitely mine to
Yes! Such a great balance
Couldn’t agree more!!!!
VERY refreshing to the duo in general with this podcast
I think the best response I heard to “slap gate” was from Ricky Gervais, known for roasting celebrities at awards shows: “I wouldn’t have made a joke about Jada’s haircut. That’s a cheap joke. I would have made a joke about her boyfriend.”
That’s an old joke
@@caligamer5364he's pretty young
I went to middle school with Blaze and grew up in the same area as him. We had history class together. We went to different high schools and never spoke after that but I remember being shocked out of my mind when I heard about this. Rest in peace Blaze.
I live very close to the area, it’s so incredibly heartbreaking, not something you expect in this area.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how that news must have felt, even if you hadn't seen him in years, you two were still once intertwined. I've actually not heard of this case and I'm not allowing myself to find out what really happened before watching this series, because I think that's the best way to give Blaze justice. Knowing every single detail about who he was and how many people loved him is what he deserves.
I’m sorry you’ve went through the loss of losing blaze as a part of your life forever. I’m just a few years older than he was, I graduated from Huntington Beach hs in 2014 and I’ve lost so many friends from there, but I can only imagine how it is to lose a classmate in such a brutal way.
Is his last name pronounced bern-shtine? 🤔
lmao he should of never installed ifunny😂
I love watching Derrick’s sixth sense go off when Stephanie gets to a dodgy part of the story. He sniffs it out every time. You two have the best format. 💕😊😂
Any parent that can get out the bed every day after losing a child is my hero. I have a friend that lost both of her grown sons within a year of each other and continues to carry on. I truly admire each and every one of you
Same. I truly don’t know how they do it.
Very well said. I can’t imagine, and I hope I never know. These are the people that teach us how to live. It’s truly devastating and inspiring at the same time. I can’t imagine even having the strength or care to be at a press conference. Losing a child sounds like a dark, never ending tunnel of terror and devastation. The way these people find the strength to stand up and take action is astounding. It really is a gift to the rest of us; an example of tenacity.
@@_Fluorescent_ Amen. I’m a mother of 4 and pray 🙏 every day for the Lord to spare my soul from that pain
I have a friend who lost her adult son and 11 months later her daughter passed as well. She's the strongest person I know! One thing I do know is she is more comfortable with me saying F prayers let's go punch things. And really hates the im praying for you business.
Well said, I would probably need to be in a padded room, as getting up wouldn’t be an option.
You guys should look into Jelani Day! His family has next to no answers, his body was found in water, with no clothes, miles from his car, clothes found in a different location, phone on the side of the highway. He was going to be a doctor, he deserves far more. #JusticeForJelaniDay
That is a very good suggestion. A very sad , strange case!
The case was done already I thought not sure
Oops it wasn't the both of. Them it was just Stephanie but it was very informative sorry for the mistake
@@bexlaine1956 can you please link it here as I cannot find it on her channel?
Yes please
as a fellow gay student who is preparing to major in creative writing in the fall (and edits for a literary publication as well), this hit so very close to home. being queer and always writing are two of the most tender experiences this world has to offer, and it’s too often that our own people are taken away. rest in peace, blaze. ❤️
❤️
best of luck at college ❤️
❤️❤️
❤️
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I usually don’t look ahead, but I’m not even all the way through part 1 and my heart is already shattered. As the big sister of a gay little brother who is also a chef, and although I “know” this hate exists in the world, I can’t believe it nor accept it.
This is the first time I hear someone cover this case. This happened like 20 mins from where I live and it really got to me. Thank you for covering this case. Rest In Peace Blaze.
me too , i actually know his cousin
I was just going to write the same thing. I don’t even remember hearing about it, and I’m in Costa Mesa!
@@ashleymahealani exactly! I am originally from Costa Mesa but now live in Garden Grove. I’m glad his story is finally being told 🙏🏼
John Lordan from LordanArts has a video on Blaze from around the time of occurrence. He's a lesser known YTer I feel like. He does a great job relaying cases, but without the extra commentary. I love Stephanie's commentary personally, but just facts is good too!
@@jezistar1881 thank you for letting me know. I’m gonna go watch!
Sadly, it sounded like a hate crime from the beginning. It is very upsetting to see such a bright light dimmed. The world would have been blessed with Blaze's talent.
@treedee8865 The a criminal context a hate crime is when someone targets u for being something immutable. Like attacking someone for being gay. straight people aren't attacked for being straight. There's almost always a reason, and the reason is rarely, I hate you for being who u are. Your comment sound ignorant to how hate crime kills in our communities
Agreed. My gut is telling me that someone reached out that Gideon didn’t normally get together with, lured him into getting killed for being gay. My son had a roommate in NYC from that area and he often talked about how ‘conservative’ the area is. Devastating.
Hi guys ♥ LOVE you both, huge fan. ♥
As a writer, *might I suggest changing the title format of the video?*
It's a great title, but currently reads as *"Blaze Bernstein: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing", which implies that Blaze himself is the wolf in sheep's clothing.* I naturally assumed from the intro he'd be the murderer, not the victim.
Just a suggestion from a longtime fan, zero disrespect intended! ♥Love your work and your in-depth approach to these stories.
I thought the same thing.
This is a great point! 👏 I too noticed this. Also a warning somewhere of the level of hatred/hate crime discussion would really help people to be aware of the nature of the case & protect themselves if necessary. 💗
So grateful for the telling of Blaze's story, he deserves to be known. 🙏
I thought the same thing. And then I thought it odd that they used the murderers name instead of the victims until I clicked the video.
I thought the same thing.
I thought the same.
Can we take a moment to appreciate how magical his writing was- in that admission letter at 20:14 . I'm a creative writer myself and I just found this so beautiful. Which makes it all the more heartbreaking.
@@Javajavajav So sorry for your boring and uncreative mind. Get well soon!
He was definitely going places. He should've been here opening eyes and hearts.
@@ghostmyers2019 No need to get personal. Adolescents do start out with rather cliched metaphors. Joni Mitchell did. Even Robert Lowell wrote a few at that age. I think Sylvia Plath didn't, but that is so rare.
Blaze's dad trying to stifle his crying during the press announcement was heartbreaking. You could really feel the pain in that moment. I felt so bad for them both. They had a very sweet kid who really cared about others and all of the little things in life. He surely made the space around him better while he was here and it is tragic that he couldn't continue that.
But she didn't!!!
What I love about this "dynamic duo" is how well you both know each other. It is not just a surface level friendship that you share. It is a deeper knowledge of each other's strengths, weaknesses, passions, skills,, etc. That is what makes this channel/podcast the absolute BEST one out there hands down!!! Thank you Stephanie and Derek for the stories that you tell and thank you for making it so damn good!
I was arrested for an assault charge my sophomore year of high school for 1 single slap. It absolutely does qualify as assault 😂
I was in middle school 😁
My boyfriend was charged with assault because he poked someone
blaze's words about how he feels about writing, made me tear up. he was so gifted
i know i’m 2yrs late to your comment but oh my god the pfp is sending me
@@anherogirl sasori is just that gworl lol
Can I just say Thankyou so much to both Stephanie and Derrick for covering this horrific story with such beautiful words and utter respect, for a soul that truly would have been a very bright light, a fire that burned deep and who had compassion and a deep love for others and learning so very very sad rip special blaze my thoughts go out to his family
I remember when this happened when he went missing. It’s so heartbreaking! Blaze had one of those sweet, innocent, looking faces.
You guys are the best true crime combination by far… Actually, I must thank you for helping me in my listening English skills. I went from 20 to 26 in my TOEFL score (try to guess what I’ve been binge watching 😅). Please, don’t judge my writing, that’s another story 🙃
Your English is great! And I agree, this is a very good podcast
Your English is better than mine and I'm actually English lol x
Your writing is perfect!
You are doing fantastic had you not said anything I would never had known it wasn't your first language. Xxx
You write English as if it were your first language.
Wow he looked like such a kind hearted kid. His college essay was beautiful
This case gave me a nightmare and that has never happened before. Hearing his dad cry on TV gave me shivers down my spine! I truly do not understand monsters like this, but as always looking forward to part 2.
I cried my eyes out when his dad spoke. I can’t imagine their pain.
Me either. As a mother of 3 that is hands down my worst fear. I don't know how they do it.
I Also got a nightmare from this
The way you told this young man's story truly touched me. Thank you for honoring his memory and telling his story in such a dignified way. ❤
I speak German and had the biggest ah ha moment when Stephanie said that "Adam Walton" was "Atomwaffen." Germany just raided a bunch of Atomwaffen-esk organizations the other day. These groups have been especially problematic because so many of the members are in law enforcement or the military (i.e. a small percentage of officers make up a large chunk of these groups).
Unfortunately we also have a lot of white supremacist/neo-nazi types joining/infiltrating our police forces in the US as well. Definitely not the type of person I want policing our communities, that's for sure...
I'm a native German speaker and I had no idea what she was saying. I thought it was the name of a person.
the way she pronounced Waffen like waffle....
"Adam Woffen" cracked me up too! Scary stuff though
Swedish speaker here... I thought she said Adam Waffle 🤣
Great work, Stephanie & Derrick. One correction: Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) is a public charter school. Students must go through an admissions process, which may involve an audition or submission of student work, but the school does not charge tuition.
Tysm for that!
Oh man, I thought I couldn't Love Stephanie more...until she was talking about humanizing people and looking for that little detail about the victims. 🥺😭💗 This is the kind of passion we need in All our true crime channels- not just parroting or fishing for views. TYSM Derrick and Stephanie for All the hours. Love Yal!!
Anyone else here to appreciate the way Derik just peacefully let Stephanie say “ba-hom-ean” when he clearly knew it was pronounced “ba-hay-mee-un”. 😊😊
That’s why I love him. ♥️
Huh
Yes he said exactly how it's pronounced
I'm pretty sure he's just tired of her fighting him on what's correct even though you can easily figure majority of it out. That's one reason why I wish he knew the cases already but I too love the element of surprise so it's a battle for me.
Neither is correct, its actually Bahaman.
"One little fight and his mom got scared. She said 'You're moving in with your auntie and uncle in Bel Air.'" I was laughing so hard. Great shot, Stephanie!
😂😂😂 right?? 👍👍❤️
I nearly DIED! 😂🤣😭😭
by far my favorite true crime podcast/duo, stephanie goes so in depth with so much passion for every victim, derrick’s input/police instinct and the way he puts things together/theorizes just works perfectly.
you guys should really look into the solved case of 4 year old gabrielle barrett, it happened two streets over from where i live, it’s not a very well known case and i think you two would do gabby and her case so much justice!
Derrick is totally right. I’ve known MANY “secretly” gay/bi men who were/are struggling so bad with it. Tons of denial, tons of anger. I remember talking to an old friend who told me about his gay experiences, asking for advice on how to do certain things, when I asked “do you think you might be bi?” He lost it on me to where I felt unsafe. For him, his entire family was conservative Christian, they were very involved with church and if they found out, he’d be disowned. No excuse for someone to murder someone though.
I’m so sorry you had to be in this situation 😢
Humans are Truly sooooo unpredictable 😞
I hate the impact that certain religious beliefs have on members of the LGBTQ+ community. It hurts my heart.
@@mememe217 they really are 😬😩
My mother and father used to say when I was younger, always be the better person. Control your anger. So I learned how to express it with words that they didn't know. Worked great for me.
Absolutely! I agree. This scenario is the first thing I thought of!
I’m not sure how it happened, but I’m so glad that the two of you found each other! Stephanie, the passionate advocate, and Derrick, the voice of reason… my favorite true crime duo ever imaginable! 🤗
Absolutely, perfectly said ❤
This is so mind blowing to me. I can’t believe people/groups like this still exist. I sickens me to hear them use the Bible with their rhetoric and hate. The exact opposite of the Bible. I had no idea that this case was going to go this way. Thanks for all of your extensive work on this case.
The Bible is full of incest, pedophilia, violence, hypocrisy, murder, injustice and sexism. You should read it sometime.
I missed where they mention the Bible being used by this group, do you have the time at which it was mentioned?
@@margingains2937 the guy said that if he was stranded on an island all he would need is a Bible and a gun.
No matter your beliefs, hate is NEVER the answer. You can disagree with someone being homosexual, but that doesn't mean you hate them. Love and truth go together. Hate is never part of the equation.
@@aHavenForTheLost exactly ♥️
The wording the DA used in that statement was so personal. I really like that. The statement about his mind and having the heart of a poet seems to express how well they got to know Blaze while trying to solve what happened to him. It depicted him as more than a case#......as he should be. ❤
Stephanie, your voice is so soothing. I know it’s true crime & shouldn’t be calming but listening to your voice just helps me relax & zone out from all the anxiety & stress. I know your kids must love bedtime story time!
This story has my heart really heavy !!
Seeing Blaze and his incredible beautiful face … breaks my soul !! He deserved a gorgeous life . He would have moved mountains ! If anyone watching this knew him .. my heart is with you xo
3am here in Australia, insomnia has set in again! Soooo happy to see you again… I didn’t realise how much I missed you 😮
Derrick and Stephanie thanks for your enthralling content… I sometimes feel as though you are here, just hanging and talking. Love it 🥰
Hey girl, Queenslander here! 🖐🏼🇦🇺
@@GlitterGlamGal hi, are you safe or flooded in? We’ve got rivulets all around the house 🏠 and the driveway looks l like a muddy swamp!! However, all the grass and trees 🌲love it!! Also our water tank is full/ overflowing into reserve tank… yay washing, washing and more washing!! 🧺🍻
Love 💕 from NSW mid north coast.🌞🌻✌️
@@kathrynbillinghurst188 Thankfully we are only about 12 km from Brisbane and have not had any flooding at all here. I know south at Logan area and north was in a bad way. Very fortunate not to have any problems at all here. Hopefully it clears up for you as I’ve seen some heartbreaking things with others not so lucky.
@@GlitterGlamGal thanks sweetie pie 🥧 🤞 I hope you stay safe!
🌈☀️🍭🍻🍤🥨🥜
Melbourne looking at you😃
As a viewer most ‘they lit up the room, never met a stranger’ doesn’t move me. But Blaze. 😱 he is truly amazing to me. I love these quirky human experiences, adds so much depth that makes me wish I knew him.
I just can’t imagine how exhausting it must be to hate a group so much just because they are different 🤷♀️
My thoughts exactly, a group of sociopaths is my biggest fear.
Unfortunately there are lots of hate groups. And from different races/nationalities. There are black Jewish Israelites who say white ppl are “white devils” and every bad person written about in the Bible was white, and they believe white ppl should be eradicated. Black on white hate crimes have been HEAVILY hidden/not mentioned my media, but I can assure you, there are some ppl so full of hate from every walk of life, and it’s very scary how prominent it is.
Love that Stephanie used the phrase "I call bullshit" that is exactly what I was thinking at that moment... my heart goes out to this family!
My first day getting a break from the kids in over a month! I love my babies, but momma needed this today ❤️ and to top it off, my favorite people!
I hope you have a nice relaxing day!!!
Yall got the perfect format...the devoted new England hip accedemic like stephanie...and a brilliant enthuastic right brained professional w/o ego like derrick...Stephanie with the most accurate info out there and derickk usually blind but with instincts clearer than most vision..don't change a thing
It couldn't be a more appropriate time to cover this case. Holocaust survivors are almost gone and antisemitism is on the rise. Thank you for bringing attention to poor Blaze and to these stories
Just curious-who is perpetuating all of the antisemitism hate crimes?? Like actual violence?
@@amandasummers7881Um … antisemites?
Usually so called christians@@amandasummers7881
my grandparents go to the same temple as blaze's family. i only met blaze once and it was a few months before he was killed and he gave me directions to subway but from that short encounter i had with him, he was very sweet. thank u for covering this case!
I spent like a month watching an episode a day to catch up and now that I’m caught up an episode a week just isn’t enough😂 I love you guys😍
If you need a distraction I adore the Red Collar Crime podcast. And there is one called Killer Couples
Thank you, Derrick, for being so straight forward about social-econimic inequality we're facing every day in most of the countries! Love you, guys 💗 You are one of the two true crime podcasts I absolutely live for because of how deep you always dig
I think that the myth that every homophobic hateful person is just secretly gay needs to end. Some people are just purely full of hate, and do violent things from that hate.
Do you know for a fact it's a myth? I am sure not every homophobe is gay but why are you so sure they're not?
Yea but what about Chris Rocks interview about when he was growing up he was bullied so bad and the bulling was sexual also. So watch that interview it’s heartbreaking.
@@theautuitiveishere Did I say that it never happens lol? I just hate the stereotype that someone is just hateful for that reason. Did he hate Jewish people because he was secretly jewish too?
@@Katiethewizard I completely have your back, I think it's an extremely hateful ideology to have to think all homophobic individuals are homosexual themselves. They're saying it's easier to accept they're an evil gay person, than someone who just is evil and spiteful for no reason. Such a sad way to think, that feels anti-gay.
Sam IS gay. I'm sure not every homophobe is gay, but you're ignoring a huge issue in the gay community if you didn't acknowledge that men being pressured to stay in the closet in some way will act out really violently sometimes. It does feel anti gay though to point it out, but it's not because they're gay it's because they're being pressured to be in the closet.
Stephanie, you're right that this case is heavy. It's so tremendously sad, and heavy... but I think as heavy as it is, it's also incredibly important. Bringing light to these hate groups, especially in the current social climate, is difficult but necessary. We need to know that this is going on and who is responsible for it. You guys are really doing important work here. Sending love and looking forward to part 2 next week.
If you're ever looking for more content from Stephanie, this an amazing podcast for you! These two are such dynamic duo, both intelligently weighing in on the case. Such a whirlwind 😢my heart goes out to the family.
The more and more I watch you guys, I see such a refinement in your work, the podcast, the storytelling, the chemistry between the two of you! I absolutely came at first for the crime content but you have really hit on something special here! I love how Stephanie is flawlessly prepared, yet sassy, and Derrick is shooting straight from the hip from his experience and training. Truth be told, I came here from Stephanie’s channel but I LOVE Derrick as the voice of reason and order!!!! Keep it up kids! Just don’t make us wait too long for part 2, 3, etc! 😘
This is one of the most sad and touching stories you have done thus far, IMO. Blaze sounds like an amazing person, and someone that anyone would have been glad to know 💕
Agreed!!
Stephanie, it's SO unbelievably refreshing to come to this podcast AND your channel as a whole and see that you cover true crime because you GENUINELY CARE.. as of late, SOOO many channels have switched over to true crime content ALL BECAUSE it gets views. It comes off so disingenuous and it's always SO obvious that these people don't give 2 shits about the actual victims and real people who have had their lives ruined by the events they're talking about while casually stuffing their faces with mountains of food. Forgive my hostility but it REALLY bothers me to see these channels be so callous and nonchalant while covering these truly horrendous cases. With that being said, keep up the amazing work, Stephanie ☺️🖤🖤
Yay! I finally started watching crime weekly after just watching Stephanie for a while. I was afraid I wouldn’t like it… I love Stephanie and Derrick together! So knowledgeable and I love Stephanie’s sass 😂
I was the same. Finally watched one and have not looked back. Now I have double the content.
I felt the same way, but it really is so good!
This one hurts. They all hurt, but this one hurts and, as a human, I mourn (and I’m angry that we lost) the world we could’ve had if Blaze wasn’t taken from us. We are immeasurably worse off. RIP.
Is it because he was gay?? Ask yourself deep down if you feel more sad bc of who he slept with, rather than him as a person. I’m just curious…??
This case is entirely new to me. Recently, any case (especially such an interesting one,) being totally new to me is v uncommon since I'm such a veracious consumer of all things true crime.
Another thing that doesn't happen all that much but I lovvvvee is when these two hype each other up, like in this episode when discussing writing. The fact that it doesn't happen very frequenly makes it more special (and cute) when it does. I also love that Stephanie obviously gets embarrassed when she's being praised.
The casual way Derrick says you're welcome after Stephanie says now I'm really worried thanks was just pure gold lol 😆
I recently found your guys’ channel through Derrick! (Bb fan) I quickly binged all your videos and love both of your guys’ attention to detail! Best true crime podcast by far!
Blaze just looks like someone everyone would want to be friends with (and who would be friends with everyone). This whole story is so heartbreaking. He reminds me of so many of my friends from high school
He tried to rape someone and he died for it
Wednesdays are my favorite day, thank to y'all! I appreciate all your hard work to get these stories researched, and recorded for us!
I love listening and watching you guys. It's one of my most looked forward to things. We have school holidays here in Australia so I have had to get creative with my watching. Dont want the 7 year old listening to this stuff just yet. Definatly when she is old enough. It helps me to be more aware and I want that for her as she grows. Anything to help her stay safe and you guys do that. Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou.
Anyone that wants to skip the Chris Rock/ Will Smith talk jump to 15min in lol. I appreciate ya'll talk about current events too but I was super disappointed that was included. Didn't come here for that lol. Its already everywhere I look and is getting super old to hear about.
Loved the rest of the video! Your deep dives are top notch!
Agreed. I skipped too. Just because I'm sick of it being everywhere
The way Stephanie was describing Blaze was beautiful … This one definitely made me shed a tear. Rip Blaze 🕊️
I've already seen this series but man, it really strikes me how much we lost in Blaze. When you're describing him at the beginning, I had a non-stop smile on my face and my brain was just buzzing with the possibilities of where he might go in his life. Then of course, I take myself a little outside your narraration and I feel so immensely sad. We will never know who he would have been because of hatred and stupidity.
Also, his name really suited him. He was a bright, blazing fire of a human (in the best ways).
Right, He sounded ike a beautiful beautiful person .. I shed some tear for Blaze
The thing that i have always loved about Stephanie’s videos is that attention to the victim, i grew up watching true crime with my dad on like the history channel and it’s always so easy with those shows to forget that a real person lost their life
My bestie would go meet random people on tinder in college and it scared me so much! Thankfully nothing like this ever happened to him, but I literally always worried about it! This is scary because Blaze new his killer, but anyone with bad intentions can pretend to be anyone on social media; and everyone should be careful about what they share and who they share it with online.
This case hits so different. I went to college with Samuel from 2017-2018 and lived in the same dorm building as him. He was always so quiet and reserved. The news of this shocked the whole town. Gut wrenching.
We lost an amazing author in Blaze- even that paragraph about how his writing is in a constant state of flux, is really exquisite
I think its really important to talk about crimes like this. It gives awareness to these horrible groups & what signs to look for in an individual or "friend".
This case just makes my blood boil and my heart hurt. For him to have a Holocaust survivor in his family and then that same hateful ideology trickle down and take his life-it’s unbelievable.
I feel the same. I knew Blaze's grandmother from my fundraising career. Knowing all she went through and to have her grandson murdered by someone with such sick views just really hurts my heart.
Agreed.
my dog is sick and has not been able to sleep but i put on your video and he’s sound asleep now❤️ thank u guys! love this podcast!!
Such a heavy and heartbreaking case, Blaze and his parents are incredibly amazing, I feel for them so much. I can't believe how many evil people are among us.. I'm 24 but to see and just thinking that kids and teens are being killed and abuse every day makes me sick..
I appreciate you guys for covering this case, it actually opened my eyes that there's even more bad people than I already thought there was 😭
I just need to throw in some major props to Blaze. That portion of his essay that you read was FANTASTIC. The fact that an 18 year old could write so eloquently and thoughtfully and descriptively.
Blaze should have been able to go on and be as creative and brilliant and beautiful as he was and as he could have become. RIP, Blaze. He seems like he was such a loving and brilliant light in the world and it's devastating that he was stolen from his family and the life he could have lived.
I agree with you Stephanie - if my partner felt the need to "defend" me in the way that Will allegedly "defended" his wife, it would be a HUGE turnoff and I wouldn't see him the same way after that. That's not how you love someone.
And I still say he wasn’t defending any but his own damn ass! He was laughing so damn hard then we see Jada’s face and he’s on stage slapping Chris. I say he saw he f*cked up and tried to fix it….
I absolutely LOVE these 2. I always tell my family god forbid anything ever happen to me…. I want Stephanie to tell my story . She’s the best writer.
I’m so happy that Stephanie has seen Jay and Silent Bob!! Yay for Kevin Smith!!
I think Dogma is one of the most underrated movies of the last 25 years. It was brilliant.
@@melaniemarrone9521 agreed.
@@melaniemarrone9521 Clerks. Brilliant. One of my all-time favorites.
Yasssss!!! Dogma is soooo underrated!! ""
@@amelie9271 I will have to check out Clerks. Never saw it!
That Euphoria reference is so spot on. It makes me so sick to know Blaze, someone who loved and embraced himself and was loved and supported by his parents, was a victim to Sam’s denial and self hate. Stephanie and Derrick, thank you for getting people’s stories out there!
Blaze sounds incredible. My stomach was in knots listening to his parents (I tend to switch between podcast app & TH-cam) - the way they’ve turnt this around into a foundation etc for him, is beautiful & so fitting for the kind of man Blaze sounds like 💙
Please put a vlog or something when you come to the UK 🇬🇧 x
As much as I’m bored of the Will Smith chatter, I’m so glad you addressed it the way you did and stated that violence isn’t the answer, end of story!x
Finally getting to watch part 1 of the Blaze Bernstein case, before part 2 comes out on podcast, which is usually where I get my Crime Weekly doses.
This guy does seem rather special and already I feel sad at the thought of the loss of such an intelligent human being with massive potential. Don't take me wrong: every single life matters and we all have the same value, regardless of talent, I.Q. or academic achievements.
I'm not familiar with this case, so I'm watching and listening eagerly.
I don’t know if it’s coming, but I’m interested in how Sam ended up in the arts school to begin with. Was he at one point promising in some area…sounds like accounts from teachers / students point to him always being an issue- not that someone can’t have issues but also be talented - but his attitudes and actions described (possibly even before being radicalized) don’t seem to jive with the kind of personality and support at home it would take to go to this kind of school seems odd. Not that it matters much to the overall case but in the interest of having all the info etc. …it sticks in my mind. Thanks for covering this case…the lone wolf issue alone has been a huge problem for a long time that remains somewhat unknown by the general public.
Exactly my thought as well. This was an expensive private school and geared towards the more academically gifted and liberal arts leaning. How does someone like Sam end up there? Who were his parents? Where were they at when all of this is going down? What type of upbringing did he have? Questions, questions, questions.
I wondered the same as well
@Canyon Lynn excellent questions. 👌
I was curious about this too! And someone said it’s a charter school and you have to submit your work in order to be admitted.
I went to highschool with Blaze and Raiah and also the perpetrator. It’s absolutely heart wrenching to know that some of the most creative people I got to finish my scholastic years of learning had their life taken away. Rest in Peace Blaze 😢❤️
To lose a child.. I can't imagine anything worse. I would lose my freaking mind. You would have to hospitalize me. These parents are so smart and so strong. May Blaze rest ❤️
I love you guys. I've followed Stephanie for a couple years and this podcast for a while now. Love the way you banter. As I'm driving in my commute, I'm just talking to you guys and agreeing with you.
It's such a unique perspective, how Stephanie does her "deep dive" and Derrick adds his law enforcement input. Just love this. Keep up the great work!
Wow, 4 years have past... The Bernstein's lived one street up from our house (Foothill Ranch) and my daughter went to the Elementary school. I always stood by 2 facts - Sam was hiding Blaze's body and moved/buried it post park search (there is no way - knowing that park well, that his body would have been missed by search dogs, drones, volunteers, police, emergency crews, etc) and secondly, that Sam was a closeted gay man.
What were his family like?
That's right! I was curious what street he lived on. Most people probably don't understand this school, which is pretty much the park is actually in a track of homes which is like at the end of the street. Also, I'm afraid there is more to the narrative that is bigger than most people see. Why isn't there anything about this kids childhood or parents. I mean he supposedly lived in Corona del Mar a hop skip and a jump from Laguna Beach, why target this kid who has moved back East, and then I'm confused was he living in Texas or Colorado? Why would Blaze be interested in this kid or want anything to do with him? Especially reading those supposedly posted messages? It serms the narrative is more important than the crime, Blaze gets lostt in the story. Did you catch the Red Flag Law. They hit all the targets...sounds more like the Hegalian dialectic to me--there is definitely more to this story and maybe what it's real intent is? I'm not speaking at all blaming Stephanie and Derrick, but thevstory itself--there is a lot of things that make you question much like the supposed friend who tells every bad thing about Sam while he was in the performing arts school, but apparently is still good friends with him? And then said, "I'm knew Blaze was dead when he said he was meeting him" Why would he tell her he was meeting him? If he was taking a knife, sounds like it was planned? And the girl considers Sam a friend? And conveniently conversations were on snap chat? Too many cliches for me to not question what is really going on here? .
I think that's one of the things I love most about your channels Stephanie-- you write such amazing scripts and share these victims stories with the world. I love that you give them a voice and your scripts are not just about the killers or the tragedy. 💕
And the banter between Derrick and Stephanie is just the best! I love hearing you guys just discuss different current events.
Ooo fresh Crime Weekly ep! Can't wait! I love you guys so much, you both do such a fantastic job with your analysis and conversation ❤️ Just heard your intro, my heart is already breaking on this one, hate crimes are still so prevalent today. Rest in Peace, Blaze. ❤️
Y'all are the perfect duo to do True Crime together 💯
The fear that Blaze must have felt really hurts my soul and I am sure his poor mother suffered over it. He thought he was meeting a friend, then the panic of trying to get away, but not being able to.
He was meeting up for sex with strangers though right?
thank you both for being such empathetic storytellers. the amount of respect you show whenever talking about the victims, their families, and all those who could relate in some way to what you're talking about warms my heart.
podcast starts @14:58 if you want to avoid hearing more about the oscars drama
Thank you!! I love Stephanie and Derrick so no offense to them, but I am beyond tired of hearing everyone AND their mama give their opinion about the Oscars incident.
*Oscars
Thank you!
@@hiyella04 yes that haha ty
Thank you. I love Steph and Derrick but if they could cut their pre show chatter in half that would be perfect.
When I listen to you, you make me feel like I know the person that you’re talking about. Thank you. Much love.
I hope Blaze heard Stephanie tell his story 💙 He'd love it.
Just so you know, most Jewish Americans don't believe in an afterlife. If you wish to give condolences to someone who is Jewish it's best to say "may his memory be a blessing"
@@mischr13 yikes, thank you! I'm atheist but y'know, it'd just be nice if he could!
@@amya.9509 I know what you mean❤
the way you described Blaze made him so real, as if he was standing right in front of me. I started tearing up at the start just when you were describing him as a person. What did we collectively lose as a society with the loss of this young man? He definitely would have done something incredible. My heart breaks for his family. The special circumstances makes me sick. How insecure in yourself and just sick do you have to be to hate people for literally no reason? I've never heard this case so thank you for covering it.
as we say in Jewish spaces, may Blaze’s memory be for a blessing❤️
i will think of him the next time i say the mourner’s kaddish in synagogue ❤️ this is absolutely heartbreaking.
honestly wow how blaze described writing straight away hooked me with his words so sad and great loss.
It’s amazing to think what Blaze would’ve become....maybe he would’ve found the cure for cancer or aids......he was clearly a genius.
He wrote beautifully! This case is so heartbreaking. He was a bright light....and it’ll continue to shine from above ✨♥️
I am binge watching your videos for at least a week. This time I’m at the 2. minute and I realize I can not watch this. Blaze seem so innocent, so beautiful I don’t wanna learn what they did to him 🥹 I hope his parents did find the peace. 🙏 Let’s watch another episode from crime weekly
Oh my...I knew Blaze's grandmother during the early part of my fundraising career when working for two Jewish founded hospitals. This is the first I have heard of her grandson being murdered. My heart goes out to Blaze's family and loved ones.
I have to watch this in short segments, but as a gay person and a survivor of a hate crime related to it, I love that you’re speaking about these acts against our community.
Case starts 16 minutes in, in case anyone interested
Thank you so much .
Thank you. I literally stopped working to come fast forward this dumb shit. I don't wanna hear about the Oscars. Unrelated and disrespectful to the actual topic.
Thank you. I’m watching this 2 weeks after it came out so the Oscar news is old news now. I know they made a sarcastic remark about people criticizing them for spending too long on it but… they did spend way too long on it
@@kvetcherkit I mean, Stephanie and Derek are human beings. They’re allowed to talk about things besides murder. I think many of their fans, myself included, enjoy seeing them talk back and forth about more lighthearted things.
I misspelled Derrick 🤦🏼♀️ that’s embarrassing
Stephanie - I’m best in written form too, so I get you, girl. Not to ignore your amazing research and script writing skills, but I love the passion you have and show to the victims. Your passion is your strength. Derrick, love your humanity combined with your law enforcement perspective. And your goodness. Your goodness is your strength. Y’all are a great team. Just wanted you to know today that you are both appreciated for who you are and what you do ❤️
Thank you for covering this! I'm very old and I still remember my grandma's best friend Frieda, they were both from "the old country." Frieda had the numbers on her arm and had survived Auschwitz. They'd sit at the kitchen table and talk for hours in German. I didn't learn what they were really talking about until years later, when I took a course (and then majored in) Holocaust literature. I think all any of us want is that memory not fade and to avoid repeating history. It's so sad that people are so easily steered in a direction of hate; it seems that it eats them from the inside out, and once it's out, eats others.
This case went down a rabbit hole for sure. Definitely a case that grabbed my attention and people need to hear about. Thank you both for doing deep dives together. You guys make a great team! Best YT channel! I can't wait for next week! Love to you both. RIP Blaze 💗