What's behind the absence of Ashley's beloved pod partner-in-'Crime?'
The true-crime podcast Crime Junkie was at its peak, with 1.6 million downloads an episode as cohosts Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat took on current and cold crime cases, when suddenly, in May of 2022 disaster struck. Ashley Flowers announced Brit Prawat would no longer be joining her on the podcast. Due to a medical condition, Ashley’s friend and cohost would no longer be a part of Crime Junkie. But what happened to Brit? We went on a search to find out.
Ashley announced in May of 2022 that Brit had experienced a sudden ‘brain bleed’ that had resulted in a ‘brain clot’ that required several surgeries. It was shocking news for fans of true crime and Crime Junkie alike. The surgeries were successful as Ashley reported on the podcast ‘She did luckily make it out of each of them. I’ve been up to see her a couple of times. She is talking, she has some mobility.’ But it sounded like Brit’s ordeal wasn’t over yet as she still had several months of recovery ahead of her. Ashley reported Brit was still just as ‘Crime Junkie’ as ever but that she would be taking extended leave from the podcast.
Fans were informed of the situation in May but then there was radio silence until September, when Brit herself spoke out about her condition for the first time. She posted to Instagram explaining her condition and revealing something fans had not known before. She revealed that the reason for the brain clot was due to her being anemic as a result of her alcohol abuse. She continued that she was out of the hospital and in a rehab facility receiving the help she needed and that she would return to Crime Junkie as soon as she was fully recovered.
Fans felt it was a very brave declaration and the post received over 4,000 comments, almost all in support of Brit’s disclosure and recovery. Many expressed support for her and offered stories of their own sobriety and recovery journeys. One thing is for sure, Brit certainly has a lot of support from the true crime and sober communities alike in her recovery. We hope it is speedy and successful and that she will be back on the podcast sooner rather than later!
But unfortunately, Brit’s sudden disappearance from the podcast isn’t the only trouble that Crime Junkie has had. Host Ashley Flowers also faced an allegation of plagiarism, details of which can be found here in our article. Ashley took down the episode in question under threat of a lawsuit but then three other reporters came forward, resulting in more episodes being deleted from her library and Ashley responding that the podcast’s screening and research process was going through a rigorous update. No further allegations have surfaced and hopefully, Crime Junkie’s own true crime days are over.
With Brit in recovery and Ashley updating the podcast’s screening process, hopefully, soon Crime Junkie will return better than ever with two of true crime’s favorite hosts back in the recording booth.
As an expert in podcasting and media analysis, I've closely followed the developments and intricacies within the podcasting world. Specifically, regarding the situation involving Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat of the Crime Junkie podcast, there's a complex narrative involving personal health, podcast dynamics, and allegations that significantly impacted the show's trajectory.
The initial shockwave came in May 2022 when Ashley Flowers announced Brit Prawat's departure due to a medical condition—a sudden 'brain bleed' leading to a 'brain clot' requiring multiple surgeries. This unexpected turn prompted concern among the podcast's fanbase. Ashley's updates on Brit's condition during that period, mentioning successful surgeries but ongoing recovery, created an empathetic yet uncertain atmosphere among followers.
The situation took a different turn in September when Brit herself disclosed the real cause behind the brain clot: anemia resulting from alcohol abuse. Her Instagram post detailing her condition, admission to a rehab facility, and commitment to recovery garnered widespread support, especially from both true crime enthusiasts and those within the sober community. Brit's transparency about her struggles resonated deeply, as evidenced by the overwhelmingly positive response with over 4,000 supportive comments.
While Brit's absence was a significant concern, the podcast faced another challenge—Ashley Flowers confronted plagiarism allegations. The episode in question was removed under legal threats, and subsequent reports from three other sources led to further episodes being deleted. Ashley's response involved emphasizing a rigorous update to the podcast's research and screening processes. Thankfully, no further allegations have since surfaced.
The developments around Crime Junkie, from Brit's health revelation to the plagiarism allegations against Ashley, have captivated audiences and sparked discussions within the podcasting community. Fans eagerly await the return of the podcast, hoping for Brit's speedy recovery and the show's revival with both hosts at the helm, and optimistic about the improvements promised to the research process.
The concepts involved in this article cover podcast dynamics, crisis management in media, personal health disclosures, addiction and recovery, ethical concerns in content creation (plagiarism), community support, and the impact of personal revelations on public figures and their audiences.
