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Criminology

197 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 5K ratings

Criminology is a true crime podcast that takes a deep dive into some of the most famous cases in the annals of crime. Hosts Mike Ferguson and Mike Morford will give you every details of these infamous crimes. New episodes come out every Saturday night at 10 PM.

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Episodes

The Murder of Zebb Quinn

September 20, 2020 02:00 - 42 minutes - 58.4 MB

In January 2000, 18-year-old Zebb Quinn disappeared from Asheville, North Carolina, and has not been seen since. Police developed a main Person of interest in connection with the case. It turns out, that fifteen years later, that same person of interest in Zebb’s disappearance pleaded guilty to the murders of a married couple and their unborn child. Join Mike and Morf as we try to unravel the mystery of what happened to Zebb Quinn?   An Emash Digital Production See omnystudio.com/policies...

The Murder of Anita Cobby

September 13, 2020 02:00 - 45 minutes

In February 1986, 26-year-old Anita Cobby was savagely brutalized and murdered by five men. This is a notorious and well-known case in Australia and sparked outrage among its citizens.  Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the life and murder of Anita Cobby. Anita was a beauty pageant winner who chose a life of helping others as a nurse over a modeling career. She was well-loved by all that knew her and had an incredible family unit. The horror that she endured at the hands of five men caused c...

The List Family Murders

September 06, 2020 02:00 - 53 minutes

John Emil List was what authorities term a family annihilator. In 1971, List murdered his mother, his wife, and his three children. A manhunt for List ensued but he was able to allude police for 18 years. It took the help of the television show America's Most Wanted to bring him to justice. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the bizarre and twisted case of John List. How could someone murder the people in their life that they are supposed to care for the most? For John List, he has cited over...

The Septic Tank Murders

August 30, 2020 02:00 - 46 minutes

In this episode, we're discussing three cases where victims were found in septic tanks. In 1977, an unidentified male was found in a septic tank in Tofield, Alberta. He was given the moniker of "Septic Tank Sam". Cam Lyman disappeared in 1987 from Hopkinton, Rhode Island leaving behind a lot of money and a suspicious trusted associate. Cam's body was found 10 years later. In 1978, five Louisiana teens disappeared in what appeared to be a series of kidnappings.  Join Mike and Morf as they disc...

The Alphabet Murders

August 16, 2020 02:00 - 50 minutes

Between 1971 and 1973, Rochester, New York, was shocked to its core when three little girls were brutally raped and murdered. Residents there noted that the first name and surname of each girl started with the same initial, and the killings became known as "The Alphabet Murders" or "The Double Initial Murders." Join Mike and Morf as they discuss this case that has baffled the public and law enforcement for close to 50 years. Carmen Colon, Wanda Walkowicz, and Michelle Maenza were killed in th...

The Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders

August 09, 2020 02:00 - 50 minutes

Camp Scott in Locust Grove, Oklahoma had been a camp for Girl Scouts since 1928. In June 1977, the camp welcomed over 130 Girl Scouts and Brownies for its first two-week session. Tragedy struck when counselors discovered that three young girls from tent #8 had been brutally murdered. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the tragedy that has become known as the Oklahoma Girl Scout murders. Lori Farmer, Denise Milner, and Heather Guse had all met for the first time when they were assigned to tent...

Lindy Sue Biechler

August 02, 2020 02:00 - 51 minutes

In 1975, 19-year-old Lindy Sue Biechler was starting her life in full. She had a job that she loved and she had recently married the man of her dreams. But, on December 5, 1975, Lindy pulled out of the parking lot of her job at the same time as her friend, ran a few errands, and then headed home to her apartment. Lindy's aunt and uncle came to the apartment for a visit and found Lindy dead inside before 9:00 PM. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the life and death of Lindy Sue Biechler. Inve...

Vanessa Guillen and The Fort Hood Mysteries

July 18, 2020 04:00 - 56 minutes

In April 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic, a beautiful young soldier named Vanessa Guillen disappeared from the U.S. Army base, Fort Hood. Vanessa was found murdered two months later. But, while searching, authorities found the remains of another soldier named Gregory Morales. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the cases of Vanessa Guillen and Gregory Morales. We also cover a number of Fort Hood soldier deaths over the years. The base has also been levied with complaints of sexual harassme...

The Osage Native American Murders

July 11, 2020 04:00 - 44 minutes

The Osage Native American Murders were a string of murders of tribal members in Osage County, Oklahoma, between 1921 and 1926. This was a period of time known in that state as the "Reign of Terror." At least 60 wealthy full-blooded Osage Native Americans were murdered over land rights. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the Osage Native American Murders. Of the many victims, five were from the family of Mollie Burkhart, a wealthy full-blooded Osage Native American. A massive investigation and...

Interview with The Golden State Killer's Former Brother-in-Law

July 04, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour

In this special episode, we're bringing you an interview with James Huddle. Huddle is the former brother-in-law of The Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo. James Huddle was part of DeAngelo's extended family for many years. He discusses some of the things that he has analyzed over the past couple of years after learning that DeAngelo was arrested for his crimes. Things that happened many years ago now have a new meaning. He also gives his thoughts on DeAngelo recently pleading guilty. You ca...

The Miami FBI Shootout

June 27, 2020 04:00 - 49 minutes

In 1986, a shootout took place in Miami, Florida between FBI agents and two bank robbers. Despite outnumbering the bank robbers, the FBI agents were seriously outgunned and suffered massive casualties. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss this infamous 1986 Miami FBI shootout. Two agents lost their lives and five others were wounded. In the aftermath of the shooting, officials had to examine what went wrong. The conclusion was that the agents, most of them carrying .38 caliber revolvers, were n...

The Tylenol Murders

June 20, 2020 04:00 - 57 minutes

In 1982, seven people in the Chicago area who took Tylenol capsules, for various illnesses, collapsed into a coma and died within minutes. After it was determined all had died from cyanide poisoning, detectives began the hunt for a sadistic killer. While one man remains a person of interest, the case is still unsolved nearly 38 years later.   Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the case of the Tylenol murders. The investigation was massive and a number of theories emerged. They ranged from dis...

The Keddie Cabin Murders

June 06, 2020 04:00 - 50 minutes

In April 1981, a quadruple murder shocked the small resort community of Keddie, California. Known as "the Keddie Cabin murders” or simply the Keddie Murders, the horrific slayings of a young mother, her two children, and a teenage friend have remained one of California's most infamous cases. While officially still unsolved, two main suspects, a possible cover-up and a new investigation have kept the case alive. Now, with modern DNA technology, can the Keddie Murders finally be solved? Join Mi...

The Lindbergh Kidnapping

May 30, 2020 04:00 - 57 minutes

In 1927, Charles Lindbergh gained extreme fame when he became the first pilot fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean. But as often happens, fame can bring about unwanted problems. In 1932, Lindbergh's son, Charles Jr, was kidnapped from the family home and later found dead in New Jersey. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the Lindbergh kidnapping that the press called the crime of the century. After much cloak and dagger, which included 13 ransom notes, the clues that police had gathered ...

The Washington Strangler

May 23, 2020 04:00 - 48 minutes

Between November 1976 and May 1977, four young women and girls were murdered in or near Washington County, Pennsylvania. For decades, authorities believe that this was most likely the work of a serial killer. It would take major advancements in DNA technology to prove that there were multiple killers. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the crimes of what the press originally dubbed The Washington Strangler. The murders struck fear in the hearts of residents in Washington County. Many years la...

The Texas Killing Fields Part2

May 16, 2020 04:00 - 51 minutes

We continue our discussion of The Texas Killing Fields case. So many people have been killed over the years along a stretch of I-45 in Texas between Houston and Galveston. In this episode, we discuss other cases that have been linked to the series. We also discuss possible suspects that have hit police radar through the years. Join Mike and Morf as they wrap up their discussion on the unsolved Texas Killing Fields cases. So many questions surround this case. How many perpetrators were operati...

The Texas Killing Fields Part1

May 09, 2020 04:00 - 46 minutes

We're discussing the stretch of Interstate 45, between Houston and Galveston, TX, that has become known over the years as "The Killing Fields". Since the early 1970s, at least 30 women and young girls have disappeared or have been found murdered over this 53-mile stretch of land. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss this case that has baffled investigators for years. There have been so many victims over such a long period of time. Could these murders be the work of just one heinous predator? Or...

Mr Cruel

May 02, 2020 04:00 - 50 minutes

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a predator operated in and around Melbourne, Australia. The pressed dubbed this man "Mr. Cruel." Mr. Cruel preyed on younger females around the area and eventually turned murderous. He was very cunning, left few clues, and stalked his victims to know when they would be home alone. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the crimes of the brutal predator known as Mr. Cruel. This was a predator who wore a scary mask, or balaclava, that was stitched around the eyes ...

Charles Whitman

April 25, 2020 04:00 - 49 minutes

In 1966, Charles Whitman climbed the Tower at the University of Texas and began firing on the unsuspecting people below. This mass shooting on a college campus captivated and scared the nation. It would be discovered that Whitman had killed a number of people before he got to the tower, including his wife and his mother. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the life and crimes of Charles Whitman. This was a man with an extremely high IQ who had excelled in many different areas growing up. But a...

The Chasteen Family Murders

April 18, 2020 04:00 - 57 minutes

In 1979, Terry Chasteen and her three children were living a wonderful life in Indiana. Terry had a new love interest in her life and the two had discussed marriage. On April 28th, Terry loaded up the kids to take them to the babysitter before she went to work. They never made it. Their bodies were found in White Lick creek later that day. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the brutal and senseless murders of the Chasteen family. This family encountered a monster named Steven Judy who ended t...

The 1988 Kansas City Explosion

April 11, 2020 04:00 - 50 minutes

Just after Thanksgiving, in 1988, six Kansas City, Missouri firefighters lost their lives while responding to a truck fire at a construction site. What they didn't know was that explosive materials, five times the amount used by Timothy McVeigh in the Oklahoma City bombing, were in containers on the site. The resulting explosion was devastating. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss this devastating event in Kansas City's history. Five people were eventually convicted for setting the fire that c...

The Canal Murders

April 04, 2020 04:00 - 52 minutes

In 1975, several young women and teenage girls were found dead in or around canals in Broward and Dade counties in Florida. These murders shared very similar traits but the police were not convinced they were all connected. It turns out that they were correct.  Join Mike and Morf as they discuss what many have dubbed "The Canal Murders". You may also see this series of murders listed as the "Flat Tire Murders". No matter what you choose to call them, this a baffling series of murders, and all...

William Tyrrell

March 28, 2020 04:00 - 55 minutes

In this episode, we're headed to Australia to discuss one of that country's most infamous unsolved child disappearances. 3-year-old William Tyrrell disappeared in September 2014, and the pictures of the precious little boy displayed on the media captured the hearts of people from around the world. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the baffling disappearance of William Tyrrell. His biological parents had some problems in their marriage, including claims of domestic violence. This led to Willi...

Bobby Joe Long

March 21, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour

Bobby Joe Long was a serial killer who terrorized the area around Tampa Bay, Florida in an eight-month period in 1984. During that timeframe, Long murdered at least 10 women and victimized many more. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss this sadistic killer whose MO was to abduct, sexually assault, and then murder his victims. Prior to his murders, authorities believe Long was "The Classified Ad Rapist", a man who sexually assaulted women in their homes after they had placed an ad to sell somet...

The Springfield Three

March 14, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour

In June 1992, Sherrill Levitt, Suzie Streeter, and Stacy McCall vanished from Springfield, Missouri. The three, and their disappearance case, would become known as The Springfield Three. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the mysterious case of The Springfield Three. The police had a number of leads and tips that they worked but turned out to be rabbit holes. Law enforcement developed a number of theories in the case and they had a number of suspects. But, they could never put together enough...

The Jamison Family Deaths

March 07, 2020 05:00 - 50 minutes

Bobby and Sherilyn Jamison, along with their young daughter Madyson, disappeared in Oklahoma in 2009. The family's pickup truck was found in a rural area with a lot of their personal belongings and a large sum of cash still inside. On a cell phone, police found a picture of young Madyson that people have debated for years. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the mysterious disappearance of the Jamison family. This is a case that has baffled online amateur sleuths for years and a large number o...

Introducing The Dating Game Killer

March 05, 2020 08:30 - 9 minutes - 8.99 MB

In 1978, Rodney Alcala won a date on the popular TV show, The Dating Game. What no one knew was that he was a prolific serial killer in the middle of a cross-country murder spree. In this six-part series, co-hosts Tracy Pattin (Hollywood & Crime) and Stephen Lang (Avatar, Don’t Breathe) take listeners on an unbelievable journey into Alcala’s twisting secret life.  He hid behind normal jobs as a typesetter at a prominent newspaper and a summer camp counselor. How did this predatory monster foo...

The Rogers Family Murders

February 29, 2020 05:00 - 54 minutes

In 1989, Joan Rogers, and her two daughters, Michelle and Christe, left their hometown in Ohio on a Florida vacation. They were packing in as much family fun as they could when they encountered a monster. On June 4th, boaters found the bodies of Joan, Michelle, and Christe. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss this terrifying case. The police had some information to go on, including a description of a man that they wanted to talk to and some handwriting on a brochure. It took them three years t...

Ray Gricar and Jonathan Luna

February 22, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour

For the 100th episode of Criminology, we're tackling two cases of murdered prosecutors that some people may be related. Ray Gricar was a prosecutor in Pennsylvania who was murdered in 2005. Jonathan Luna was a federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney's office in Baltimore, Maryland who was killed in 2003. Both men were found in rural areas of central Pennsylvania. The investigations into both of these murders revealed some very interesting information. But, police have not been able...

Rachael Runyan

February 15, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour

In 1982, 3-year-old Rachael Runyan and her two young brothers were playing at the playground just beyond their backyard. Their mother Elaine was watching them through the window of the house as she prepared lunch. Elaine's whole world changed when one of her sons burst in and said that a man had taken Rachael, put her in his car, and sped off. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the disappearance and murder of Rachael Runyan. Elaine joined us for a conversation to talk about the day that Racha...

Tina Marie Lauser

February 08, 2020 05:00 - 42 minutes

Tina Marie Lauser's parents learned early in her childhood that she was deaf. Tina struggled in school, primarily because there were no schools in the early 60s specifically designed to help her. Tina graduated, got a job, and met her future husband at the Wilmington Club for the Deaf. In January 1981, Tina left her job at the Bank of Delaware to drive to get something to eat on her lunch break. She never returned and the investigation into her disappearance was launched. Two months later, he...

Marlene Warren

February 01, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour

In 1990, Marlene Warren opened the front door of her Florida home to find someone dressed in a clown suit holding balloons and flowers. The clown pulled out a gun and shot Marlene to death. Marlene's son was home at the time and raced to the front door and saw both the clown running away and his mother lying in a pool of blood. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the details surrounding the murder of Marlene Warren and the twists and turns in the case afterward. Marlene's husband Michael caugh...

Gail Matthews and Tamara Berkheiser

January 25, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour

In 1994, the bodies of 23-year-old Gail Matthews and her 5-year-old daughter, Tamara Berkheiser, were found in their Williamsport, Pennsylvania home. The double murder shocked the community of Williamsport and police were determined to solve it. One man was charged twice with the murders, but both times the charges were dropped due to lack of evidence. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the baffling double murder of Gail Matthews and Tamara Berkheiser. There have been a large number of suspec...

The Lane Bryant Murders

January 18, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour

In February 2008, a lone gunman entered the Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park, Ilinois, and shot six women. Five of the women died that day while the sixth barely survived. The store manager managed to call 911 just before the shooting began. The resulting search for the killer would turn into a massive investigation. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the Lane Bryant Murder case. The surviving victim was able to give a description of the killer but police have not been able to identify him. T...

Introducing The Sneak

January 14, 2020 09:00 - 8 minutes - 7.92 MB

The Sneak tells true crime stories from in and around the world of sports. In this season, they look at a bizarre heist planned by a disgraced former athlete. Listen now at http://wondery.fm/TheSneak_Criminology See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Crane

January 11, 2020 05:00 - 54 minutes

Bob Crane was a handsome and charming comedic actor. He rose to fame when he landed the leading role on the hit television comedy Hogan's Heroes. The show ran from 1965 to 1971. After it ended, Bob received income through its syndication but he struggled to find continued acting success. In June 1978, Bob was found bludgeoned to death in his apartment. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the life and death of Bob Crane. Fans were shocked to find out that Crane wasn't exactly the same man that ...

Ireland's Vanishing Triangle

January 04, 2020 05:00 - 57 minutes

For this first episode of 2020, we're headed to Ireland to talk about an area around Dublin that has been called The Vanishing Triangle. Between 1993 and 1998, eight young women disappeared in this area. The police investigation resulted in a number of possible suspects but to date, none of the women have been found and no one has been held responsible. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss Ireland's Vanishing Triangle. Are these cases connected? Some people believe they are but many do not. In ...

Introducing Scene of the Crime Season 1: Delphi

January 02, 2020 12:00 - 6 minutes - 5.99 MB

Introducing the new true crime podcast, Scene of the Crime. In season 1, Scene of the Crime explores the February, 2017 murders of Abby Williams and Libby German in Delphi, Indiana. https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/sceneofthecrime?selected=HIM1005356840 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Infamous Christmas Week Murders

December 21, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour

In this episode, we are discussing three infamous murders that occurred around Christmas. The Lawson family massacre took place in North Carolina in 1929 when Charlie Lawson murdered seven members of his family. The Los Feliz mansion murders took place in California in 1959 when Dr. Harold Perelson murdered his wife and most likely would have murdered his children had they not been able to flee the home. The Covina Massacre took place in 2008 when Bruce Pardo, dressed as Santa Claus, murdered...

Sarah DeLeon

December 14, 2019 05:00 - 53 minutes

It was 30 years ago this month that 18-year-old Sarah DeLeon was murdered after she left her boyfriend's house in the early morning hours of December 29, 1989. Police had few suspects and little evidence to go on and eventually Sarah's case went cold. Five years later, another woman named Diana Ault was murdered. Again, police struggled to solve the murder, and at the time, they had no idea there was a connection between the two cases. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the murder of Sarah De...

Jamie Grissim

December 07, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour

16-year-old Jamie Grissim disappeared from Vancouver, Washington on December 7, 1971. She has never been heard from or seen since. Jamie is thought to be the first victim of suspected serial killer Warren Leslie Forrest. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the disappearance of Jamie Grissim and the life and suspected crimes of Warren Leslie Forrest. Forrest was convicted of one murder, but authorities believe he is responsible for many more. Jamie's sister Starr joined us for this episode to h...

Arlis Perry

November 30, 2019 05:00 - 55 minutes

In 1974, 19-year-old newlywed Arlis Perry was murdered inside the Memorial Church on the campus of Stanford University. Her murder was brutal and savage which led many to think it was connected to a satanic cult. Investigators worked the case but couldn't connect anyone to the murder. It took 44 years, and some amazing advances in DNA technology, to put together the pieces of this 44-year-old murder case. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the murder of Arlis Perry. There were suspects along ...

The Rest Stop Murders

November 23, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour

In this episode, we're covering three separate murder cases that occurred while the victims were at rest stops. Dexter Stefonek was traveling back home to Wisconsin after visiting family in Oregon. His vehicle was found burning at a rest stop in Montana. A couple later found his body at a trash site. Jane Snow was traveling with her two young sons in 1979 when her body was discovered by her sons inside the women's restroom at a rest stop. There have been several suspects in Jane's murder but ...

Rhonda and Donnie Wicht

November 16, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour

In 1978, Rhonda Wicht and her 4-year-old son Donnie were killed inside their Simi Valley, California apartment. Rhonda's on-again/off-again boyfriend Craig Coley was arrested and convicted of the murders. He spent 39 years behind bars before DNA evidence set him free. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss this case that is tragic all around. It is tragic due to the loss of Rhonda and Donnie, and it's tragic that Craig if he indeed had nothing to do with the crimes, spent a large part of his life...

The Boca Raton Mall Murders

November 09, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour

In 2007, the affluent area of Boca Raton, Florida, experienced a number of attacks and murders that occurred at the local mall. The crimes shared eerie similarities. The perpetrator or perpetrators targeted women who drove dark expensive SUVs. The victims were bound and made to wear goggles or sunglasses that were blacked out so that they could not see. In some cases, the victims were made to drive to ATMs to withdraw money. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss these baffling Boca Raton mall at...

The I-70 Killer

November 02, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour

In the spring of 1992, a string of murders occurred in the Midwest. All of these murders occurred inside small businesses located near Interstate 70. All were shootings and the killer left no evidence behind. The killer targeted women alone in smaller types of stores but one man was killed during the series. The media dubbed this murderer The I-70 Killer. And then, all of a sudden, the killings stopped. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the murders of the I-70 Killer. Police have had suspect...

The Villisca and Hinterkaifeck Ax Murders

October 26, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour

In this Halloween week episode of Criminology, we're discussing two horrific and infamous ax murder cases. In 1912, in Villisca Iowa, eight people were murdered in the Moore family farmhouse. All six members of the Moore family were killed along with sisters Lena and Ina Stillinger who were staying the night. In 1922, at the Hinterkaifeck farm in Bavaria, Germany, 5 members of the Gruber family and their maid were brutally murdered. These are two very infamous unsolved cases of massacres carr...

Christine Rothschild

October 19, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour

18-year-old Christine Rothschild was an intelligent and beautiful student at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Her lifeless body was found on May 26th, 1968, outside of Sterling Hall at the college. Police could not develop any leads or suspects regarding Christine's murder. But many believe that she was killed by a middle-aged medical resident who was obsessed with Christine. He had asked her out and began harassing and stalking her after she turned down his advances. Join Mike and Mor...

The Zeigler Furniture Store Murders

October 12, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour

On Christmas Eve, 1975, four people were murdered in Winter Garden Florida inside the Zeigler furniture store. Tommy Zeigler, who by that time, was the president of Zeiglers was arrested, tried, and convicted of the murders. The victims that night included Tommy's wife Eunice, Eunice's father and mother, and a family friend named Charlie Mays. Many individuals had something to say about the events that transpired that night. And, as often happens, there were many different variations regardin...

Brianna Maitland

October 05, 2019 04:00 - 59 minutes

17-year-old Brianna Maitland disappeared from a small town in Vermont on March 19, 2004, Brianna vanished after leaving her job at the Black Lantern Inn. Her car was later found backed into an abandoned house. This is just one of many bizarre events surrounding Brianna's disappearance. Join Mike and Morf as they discuss the disappearance of Brianna Maitland. Brianna's father Bruce joined us for this episode to help shed light on the facts and rumors surrounding her disappearance. This is a ve...