UMVA has learned that a new true crime podcast is taking a fresh look at the 25-year-old case of Andrew Wieman, a University of California, Davis student found dead in his fraternity dorm room with 29 stab wounds.
Wieman, a 20-year-old junior and member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, was discovered lifeless inside his locked room on January 4, 2001. The case was officially ruled a suicide after a 13-month joint investigation involving local authorities and the California Department of Justice.
Investigators pointed to several factors supporting their conclusion, including a handwritten note in Wieman's room, fingerprints on the knife believed to have caused the wounds, and no signs of forced entry or struggle. Officials also noted Wieman's room was locked, windows were secured, and all keys were accounted for.
But Wieman's family has never accepted the official ruling, pushing for answers and raising concerns about the case. Now, Emmy Award-winning producer Kyle Olson is revisiting the case in Season 2 of the true crime podcast "Love & Justice," which premieres on May 26.
Olson said his team was immediately struck by several details, including the 29 stab wounds, lack of drugs or alcohol in Wieman's system, and the fact that he was found tucked into bed and wearing earplugs. These factors, Olson says, "make you scratch your head" and raise questions about the case.
The podcast host said the investigation will use modern forensic reconstruction technology and fresh expert analysis to re-examine the case. Olson emphasized that the podcast does not attempt to force a predetermined conclusion but instead seeks to explore all sides and potentially uncover new information.
One of the biggest questions Olson wants to answer is whether it's feasible for someone to inflict 29 stab wounds on themselves, especially when multiple wounds are fatal. He also hopes that the passage of time may encourage people to come forward with information they previously kept hidden.
For Olson, finding justice for Andrew Wieman is personal. His own experience with a childhood friend's unsolved murder has given him a deeper understanding of how families continue living with unanswered questions long after investigations end.
The podcast aims to shed new light on a case that has left many questions unanswered for decades. As Olson said, "We're here to find out what the truth is." If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
