Cumulus Media Releases Bonaparte -- A Cold Case About A 25-Year-Old Murder

Imperative Entertainment and Vespucci has released Bonaparte, a true-crime podcast series revealing the journey of one woman’s resolve to help piece together events surrounding the mysterious and unsolved death of her childhood friend 25 years prior. 

 The new 10-part podcast series, hosted by Jason Stavers, is available on all major podcast platforms and the Imperative Entertainment Premium Channel on Apple Podcast Subscriptions. Cumulus Media, through its Cumulus Podcast Network, distributes, markets, and monetizes all Imperative Entertainment podcasts.

Anne Champion, attorney and childhood friend of Laura Van Wyhe, said: “Laura’s death has always stayed with me. There are too many things that don’t add up. A few years ago, I decided to start pushing for answers. I’m working with Laura’s family to see if we can get people to come forward and share new details. Based on my review of the files, it's clear that there are many inconsistencies and many open issues begging for further investigation. I believe this is a cold case that can be solved, and solving it is long overdue for Laura's family and friends.”

Champion is a partner in the New York law office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. The Iowa City native recently defended President Trump’s niece, Mary Trump, against her family’s effort to stop publication of her best-selling book, "Too Much and Never Enough." She also represented CNN and White House correspondent Jim Acosta in their successful suit to reinstate Acosta’s White House press credentials when they were revoked after a contentious press conference. Now, she’s asking the public for help. She believes new evidence—whether from witnesses or enhanced DNA analysis—is the key to solving the murder.

Stavers is a journalist, writer, and editor living in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to his own work, he has collaborated on several New York Times best sellers, and on articles appearing in publications including New York magazine, the Economist, and the Washington Post.

Founded in 2014, Imperative Entertainment is the company is behind projects such as the Clint Eastwood film The Mule, Academy Award-nominated All the Money in the World, and the Academy Award® nominated and 2017 Palme d’Or ® winning film The Square by Ruben Ostlund. 

 Imperative Entertainment's podcast division successfully launched in the fall 2019. Thus far, their series include Raven, Fox Hunter, The World Beneath, American Coyote, The Red Note, and La Nota Roja, TRUE, In the Red Clay, The Syndicate, American Skyjacker: The Final Flight of Martin McNally, The Baron of Botox, Boomtown, and Gangster House.

Cumulus Media and its 7,300 affiliated stations through Westwood One, make it the largest audio network in America. Like many other media companies, the Cumulus Media has expanded its podcast network through a robust slate of original podcasts.