

A BRUSH WITH DEATH
This unique true-crime YouTube series combines storytelling and artistry, delving into the lives, legacies, and untimely deaths of its subjects. Each episode focuses on a real-life case, as Cayce Hanalei narrates the compelling story of the person’s life while painting their portrait. The series provides a heartfelt and respectful exploration of their achievements, struggles, and the events leading up to their death. The mesmerizing fusion of true crime and art offers a meditative, poignant perspective on the human stories behind the headlines, making it a must-watch for both art enthusiasts and true crime fans alike.

Latest Episode
Episode 22 - Rachel Morin
In this video, we dive into the heartbreaking and powerful story of Rachel Morin—a mother of five whose life was tragically cut short while walking a familiar trail in Bel Air, Maryland. As I paint a piece inspired by Rachel’s strength, spirit, and the light she brought to those around her, we walk through the timeline of the case, the shocking forensic breakthrough that helped catch her killer, and the ongoing conversation around immigration, justice, and public safety.

















The Manson Family, a commune of devoted followers led by Manson’s twisted ideology, carried out the Tate-LaBianca murders in an attempt to ignite "Helter Skelter"—a race war Manson falsely believed was coming. Their victims, including the pregnant Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, and the LaBiancas, were senselessly slaughtered in what became one of history’s most infamous crime sprees. This case left a scar on the 1960s counterculture, forever changing the perception of the free love movement and exposing the terrifying power of cult manipulation.
🕵️♂️ What We’ll Cover:
✅ The last time Caylee was seen alive
✅ The 31 days Casey didn’t report her missing
✅ Casey’s bizarre behavior (partying, the "Hot Body" contest, and more)
✅ The chilling 911 call from Cindy Anthony
✅ The discovery of Caylee’s remains just miles from home
✅ The trial, shocking defense strategy, and controversial not guilty verdict
✅ Where Casey Anthony is now


In this video, as I paint a tribute to the victims, I’ll take you through the disturbing details of the Long Island Serial Killer case. We’ll examine the key evidence, the chilling phone calls, and the twisted mind of the suspected killer. But more importantly, we’ll remember the women who were too often ignored—because they were never ‘less dead.’
-How Keith Jesperson got away with murder for years
-The cryptic Happy Face letters that led police to the truth
-The wrongful convictions that nearly let him escape justice
-The stories of the victims—the names that truly matter


In this true crime deep dive, I explore one of the most disturbing and morally complex cases in recent memory: the murder of Dee Dee Blanchard by her daughter, Gypsy, and Gypsy’s secret online boyfriend. As I paint a symbolic tribute to true motherhood—the kind that protects, nurtures, and sets children free—we’ll examine the haunting reality of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, and how it turned Gypsy's world into a medical prison.