Once Upon a Crime
793 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 4.6K ratingsOnce Upon A Crime is a weekly true crime podcast that tells “the story behind the story” of real life crime. Told in a storytelling style, host Esther Ludlow digs into the details of each case to bring listeners the facts and information they won’t hear anywhere else.
Esther calls on her background in criminal psychology and includes biographical details of both victims and perpetrators to fully explore the circumstances and motivations behind the most heinous crimes.
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Episodes
S8 Ep317: Tarnished Hollywood: The Tragic Life and Bizarre Death of Lloyd Avery II
March 25, 2024 23:00 - 30 minutesIn this final episode of “Tarnished Hollywood,” I’ll share a story about a promising young actor who ran afoul of the law. His decision to immerse himself in gang culture at the expense of an acting career would lead to a life sentence in a prison cell and a brutal and bizarre end to his life at the age of 36. Sources: https://chicagodefender.com/how-an-infamous-boyz-n-the-hood-cameo-led-to-real-life-murder/ https://www.thetruecrimedatabase.com/case_file/kevin-roby/ Sponsor: www.fact...
S8 Ep316: Tarnished Hollywood: Grant and Amanda Hayes and the Murder of Laura Ackerson
March 18, 2024 23:00 - 45 minutesAmanda Hayes, an actress known for roles on The Sopranos and The Stepford Wives, was convicted of conspiring with her husband, Grant Hayes, to murder Laura Ackerson, his ex-wife and mother of his two children. The murder and its cover-up would be one of the most grisly crimes investigators had ever encountered. Sources: Bitter Remains, author Diane Fanning, Berkley Books, 2016. See No Evil: Who killed Laura Ackerson and where are they now? ID’s See No Evil: Who killed Laura Ackerso...
S8 Ep315: Tarnished Hollywood: Danny Masterson
March 11, 2024 23:00 - 44 minutesDanny Masterson is an American actor best known for his role in That 70’s Show. In 2020, he was charged with raping three women in 2001 and 2003. Masterson and his victims were all members of the Church of Scientology. The church’s policies and threats toward the victims caused a 20-year delay in bringing the crimes to justice. Sources: A Timeline of Danny Masterson’s Controversies, Skyler Caruso for People.com, Sept 7, 2023 https://people.com/tv/danny-masterson-charged-rape-timeline-of-a...
S8: Mysteries on the True Crime Express
March 08, 2024 17:00 - 1 hour...1 historic steam train... ...9 exceptional true crime podcasts... ...9 tales woven with the spirit of Women's Day... ...Will YOU unravel the mysteries aboard? This International Women's Day, join Shane Waters and Wendy Cee on an unprecedented journey through the heart of England to Crimecon UK in London. Mysteries on the True Crime Express is not just a podcast episode; it's an immersive voyage into the depths of true crime, history, and the indomitable spirit of women. Aboard this o...
S8 Ep314: The Palace with guest Gareth Russell
March 05, 2024 00:00 - 46 minutesIn this special episode, I speak with author Gareth Russell. His new book, The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of British History at Hampton Court, gives us a look at the storied history of what is called the most beautiful palace in England. But, behind the walls of Hampton Court, true tales of intrigue, sex scandals, assassination plots, and murder played out among the royals and court members. Links: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Gareth-Russell/50066089...
S8: “Murder in Boston” - An Interview with Adrian Walker
March 02, 2024 18:00 - 22 minutes“Murder in Boston” - An Interview with Adrian Walker (Bonus Episode) On October 23, 1989, 29-year-old Charles Stuart placed a 911 call to report that he and his wife, Carol, had been carjacked, driven to a secluded section of the city, robbed, and shot. A city-wide manhunt for the assailant began. But, from the start, police were suspicious about Charles Stuart’s story. Stuart was gravely wounded, but his wife, seven months pregnant with their first child, died, as did their unborn bab...
S8 Ep313: Royal Murders, Scandals, and Secrets: Mad King Eric
February 27, 2024 00:00 - 39 minutesIn history, there have been several monarchs known as “Mad Kings” - monarchs who were plagued by erratic and even violent behavior often attributed to mental illness. King Eric the XIV of Sweden is one such ruler. While intellectually brilliant, King Eric suffered from extreme paranoia, which led to erratic, violent, and even murderous behavior. Sources: Disturbed Facts About Eric XIV Of Sweden, The Butcher King - Factinate Eric XIV, King of Sweden, Britannica.com https://www.britannic...
S8 Ep312: Royal Murders, Scandals, and Secrets: The Prince and the Courtsan: Marguerite Alibert
February 13, 2024 00:00 - 38 minutesThis month, we’re taking a peek at royal families. What secrets and scandals lie behind these noble houses? In this week’s episode, I’ll tell you about an illicit affair an heir to the British throne engaged in with a French courtesan during WWI. Marguerite Alibert retained evidence of her affair with Prince Edward that she would later use as blackmail when she was on trial for the murder of another prince. Sources: Marguerite Alibert: Courtesan, Murderess and Blackmailer of a King - ...
S8 Ep311: Royal Murders, Scandals, and Secrets: Prince Andrew, Duke of York
February 06, 2024 00:00 - 39 minutesIn this month’s series, we’ll take a look at the dark side of royalty. I will detail crimes, sex scandals, and even murders that have occurred within royal families. First up, a member of the British royal family, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York’s reputation is muddied when his close, personal friend, Jeffrey Epstein, is exposed as a sex trafficker of underage girls. Prince Andrew will fall even further into disgrace when one of Epstein’s victims accuses him of sexual assault while she wa...
S8 Ep310: The Girl in the Box - Colleen Stan, Part 3
January 30, 2024 00:00 - 53 minutesIn the summer of 1984, a young woman kidnapped in Northern California finally makes her escape after seven years of violence, torture, imprisonment, and coercive control. While free from the physical restraints of her horrific experience, the emotional battle is just beginning. The investigation and legal battles unfold while the victim, Colleen Stan, attempts to rebuild her life. Resources: True Crime Documentary: The Girl in the Box - YouTube The 'Girl In The Box' Case And The Tragic ...
S8 Ep309: Colleen Stan - The Girl in the Box, Part 2
January 23, 2024 00:00 - 47 minutesIn 1977, a young woman kidnapped by a married couple while hitchhiking is taken to their home and imprisoned for the next seven years. During this time the woman is subjected to depraved torture, sensory deprivation, and sexual abuse. Deep and pervasive brainwashing and coercive control make it less and less likely she will ever escape, despite one of her captors eventually telling her the terrible truth which could facilitate her breaking free. Resources: True Crime Documentary: The Girl...
S8 Ep308: Colleen Stan - The Girl in the Box, Part 1
January 16, 2024 00:00 - 48 minutesIn this first part of a 3-part episode, I share an infamous kidnapping case that began in 1977 in northern California. The kidnapping of Colleen Stan become famously, and chillingly, known as “The Girl in the Box” case. It’s an incredible story of unprecedented evil but also one of faith, strength, and the courage of a young girl to survive a horrific nightmare at the hands of the worst kind of predator. Sponsors: Lume - LumeDeodorant.com - Use code ONCE for $5 of a Lume Starter Pa...
S8: "My Fugitive Dad” - An Interview with Ashley Randele (Bonus Episode)
December 29, 2023 00:00 - 25 minutesMy Fugitive Dad” - An Interview with Ashley Randele (Bonus Episode) Release Date: December 28, 2023 In 2021, 71-year-old Thomas Randele, revealed to his daughter, Ashley. that his real name was Theodore John Conrad. In 1969, Ted Conrad, a vault teller at a bank in Cleveland, Ohio, stuffed a bag with over $200,000 in cash and walked out, never to be seen again. The new season of the podcast Smoke Screen, titled My Fugitive Dad, tells the story with first-person accounts from those who ...
S8 Ep307: 2023 True Crime Year in Review
December 19, 2023 00:00 - 1 hourAs we wrap up 2023, I ask the question, “What was your true crime obsession this year?” In this episode, I’ll find out what true crime cases your favorite true crime podcasters were talking about. You’ll hear my discussions with Tyler from Minds of Madness, Michael from True Crime Guys, Leroy from Excuse Me, That’s Illegal, Jerri from FBI Retired Case File Review, and Eric, from True Consequences. I’ll also share the most exciting milestones and events for Once Upon a Crime in 2023 and...
S8 Ep306: Starkweather: The Untold Story of the Killing Spree That Changed America” w/author Harry MacLean
December 12, 2023 00:00 - 47 minutesIn 1958, 19-year-old Starkweather went on a killing spree that shocked the nation. He took his 14-year-old girlfriend, Caril, with him. The story of that crime spree has become a legend in true crime history, and Starkweather and Fugate have been portrayed as villains on par with Bonnie and Clyde. In this episode, I revisit this case by speaking with best-selling true crime author Harry MacLean. His new book Starkweather: The Untold Story of the Killing Spree That Changed America takes...
S8 Ep305: Talking True Crime with Erin Moriarty
December 05, 2023 00:00 - 39 minutesIn this month’s episodes, I’ll wrap up 2023 by discovering what listeners, podcasters, and other true crime experts list as their “true crime obsessions” this year. This week, I’m privileged to talk to veteran true crime journalist, correspondent, podcaster, and celebrity Erin Moriarty. Erin has been a correspondent for 48 Hours on CBS Television for over three decades. Her award-winning true crime podcast My Life of Crime has returned for season four. I’ll talk with Erin about her life as...
S8 Ep304: Psychic Detectives: The Murder of Ashley Howley
November 28, 2023 00:00 - 31 minutesA missing person’s case in Columbus, Ohio, grows cold. It seemed that what happened to 20-year-old Ashley Howley would remain a mystery until a psychic medium connected with the spirit of the missing girl. Did Ashley Howley return from beyond to solve her own murder? Resources: A Vision of Murder: Professional Psychic Medium, Shelly Stewart-Soldan, The Citizen Online, Oct 9, 2023. Missing woman’s family left to wait, The Columbus Dispatch, April 5, 2008. Metro Detroit psychic says sh...
S8 Ep303: Psychic Detectives: The Murder of Andre Daigle
November 14, 2023 00:00 - 23 minutesThe family of a missing man turns to a psychic in a desperate attempt to locate him. Rosemarie Kerr’s psychic predictions as to the fate of Andre Daigle would prove to be so accurate that she was later called to testify at his murder trial. Resources: “A Mysterious Murder and a Psychic Detective,” JournalOnline, March 19, 2022, https://journal.com.ph/a-mysterious-murder-and-a-psychic-detective/ State v. Horne, Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fifth Circuit, Dec. 13, 1989 https://www.ca...
S8 Ep302: Psychic Detectives: The Murders of Holly & Jessica
November 07, 2023 00:00 - 28 minutesTwo ten-year-old girls went missing in Soham, Cambridgeshire, England in 2002. After one of the most extensive searches in British criminal history, one of the girls’ parents consults a psychic in a desperate attempt to find them. When the perpetrator is identified, Dennis McKenzie’s predictions about what happened to the girls will be eerily accurate. Resources: Soham Murders, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soham_murders “I’m the Soham Psychic” - https://www.express.co.uk/expressyourse...
S8 Ep301: A Family Affair: Theresa Cross Knorr
October 30, 2023 23:00 - 53 minutesTheresa Cross Knor was jealous, controlling, and abusive to her partners and children. After murdering one husband and getting away with it, her children became her next targets. She would make her children complicit in the murders of two of their siblings and would almost get away with murder again. Resources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theresa_Knorr Theresa Knorr: The Mother Who Burned Her Daughter Alive, from The Lineup, May 9, 2019 Theresa Knorr: Murderpedia Mother’s Day, Denis...
S8 Ep300: Maze of Secrets
October 23, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour..1 eerie corn maze... ...9 haunting figures... ...9 spine-tingling tales... ...Will YOU find your way out? This holiday season, step into a labyrinth of shadows and suspense with Shane Waters as your guide. In this chilling collaboration, you'll encounter the hosts of 9 acclaimed true crime podcasts, each offering a dark tale and a life lesson to send shivers down your spine. This is not just a special episode; it's an immersive journey through a maze of twisted paths and unsolved myste...
S8 Ep299: A Family Affair: Diane and Rachel Staudte
October 16, 2023 23:00 - 48 minutesThis week I’m continuing the series “A Family Affair,” detailing cases of a parent involving their children in murder plots. This time a mother and daughter team up to murder family members for financial profit and to rid themselves of the “burden” of caring for them. This is the case of Diane and Rachel Staudte aka “The Antifreeze Murders”. Stay tuned at the end of the episode for a special bonus! I interviewed Laurah Norton, friend, and fellow podcaster, about her new book “Lay Them to...
S8 Ep298: A Family Affair: David and Cinnamon Brown
October 09, 2023 23:00 - 55 minutesIn this month’s series “A Family Affair,” I’ll share cases in which children are manipulated into involvement in criminal offenses - even murder - at the direction of a parent. First up, lust and greed spur a man to manipulate his 14-year-old daughter into committing murder. Later, when facing a lengthy prison sentence, loyalty to her father causes Cinnamon Brown to keep her father’s secret…at first. Resources: The Real Murders of Orange County: Stolen Youth, Season 3, Episode 9, July 21...
S8 Ep297: School’s Out…Forever: The Hazing Death of Tim Piazza
September 25, 2023 23:00 - 34 minutesA 19-year-old college student dies as a result of a fraternity hazing incident at Pennsylvania State University in 2017. It will result in the largest criminal indictment of a fraternity in American history. RESOURCE LINKS: “Penn State is Still Keeping Secrets on Frat Row” - https://video.vice.com/en_us/video/penn-state-drinking/5a74f2a3f1cdb375f62d5ddd “What Happened the Night of Beta Theta Pi’s Bid Acceptance Night” - https://onwardstate.com/2017/05/05/what-happened-the-night-of-beta...
S8 Ep296: School’s Out…Forever: The Frontier Middle School Shooting
September 18, 2023 23:00 - 43 minutesIn this month’s series, I detail crimes that happened on school campuses. In 1996, a 14-year-old walked into his 8th-grade math class and opened fire. This early school shooting would shock his community and spark a nationwide debate about violence in the media, school bullying, mental health, and gun control. But what was the real reason Barry Loukaitis brought terror to his classroom? Sources: State v. Loukaitis, Appeal from the Superior Court for Grant County, Decided July 2, 1996. ...
S8: Bonus Episode: OUAC LIVE at CrimeCon London with Minds of Madness
September 16, 2023 19:00 - 41 minutesLIVE FROM U.K. Tune in to this special bonus episode. We're pleased to offer you this special episode in collaboration with the amazing and very popular true crime podcast Minds of Madness! Esther and Tyler co-host this episode to unravel the mysteries surrounding this gruesome case from the U.K. Links: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s7-ep287-the-long-con-the-murder-of-mee-kuen-chong/ https://mindsofmadnesspodcast.com/listen/
S8 Ep295: School’s Out…Forever: The Murder of Colleen Ritzer
September 11, 2023 23:00 - 32 minutesIn this month’s series, I detail crimes that happened on school campuses. In this episode, A 14-year-old high school student commits a horrific act of rape and murder in a school bathroom. Was Philip Chism mentally ill, as his defense would later claim, or was he faking it to get away with murder? Sources: https://allthatsinteresting.com/philip-chism https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2015/12/17/12-questions-about-the-philip-chism-trial-answered/ https://www.masslive.com/politic...
S8 Ep294: Falling Stars: Instagram Star Alexis Sharkey
August 28, 2023 23:00 - 35 minutesIn this week’s episode, a successful, young entrepreneur gains a large following on Instagram by sharing her photos and videos of her life’s milestones over the years. Alexis Sharkey’s followers only saw the best times - fun with friends, professional achievements, and glamorous trips. But, in 2020, her life quickly took a dark turn hidden behind the idyllic images posted on social media. Sources: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10066217/Husband-influencer-killed-year-dead-guns...
S8 Ep293: Falling Stars: YouTube Star Christina Grimmie
August 21, 2023 23:00 - 30 minutesThis week, I’ll tell you about a rising singing star who began her career on YouTube before making it to Hollywood to compete on a nationally televised talent show. Christina Grimmie had a bright future ahead of her as an entertainer in 2016 when an obsessed fan cut her career short with an unprovoked act of violence. Resources: The cold-blooded murder of Christina Grimmie was Orlando's most tragic and shocking crime ... for about 26 hours (orlandoweekly.com) Christina Grimmie Murder...
S8 Ep292: Falling Stars: TikTok Star Ali Abulaban
August 07, 2023 23:00 - 20 minutesThis month I’ll be detailing true crime cases that involved rising stars who made names for themselves in social media. In this first episode, a young comedian boasts almost a million followers on TikTok alone. But Ali Abulaban’s out-of-control jealousy and possessiveness will lead to a double murder charge instead of internet stardom. Resources: https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/tiktok-star-accused-of-double-murder-speaks-to-fox-5-from-jail/ https://lionessrue.medium.com/the-t...
S8 Ep291: Love Triangles: Sheila Davalloo - Fatal Attraction
July 31, 2023 23:00 - 30 minutesSheila Davalloo made it a habit of looking outside her relationships for passion and sex. But she soon turned cold toward her secret lovers once these relationships became routine. That is until she met a man who rejected her for a new love interest. That’s when her attraction turned into a deadly obsession. Sources: Sheila Davalloo | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers Sheila Davalloo:Tangled Web, Love, Lies, Murder (wickedness.net) Murder of Anna Lisa Raymundo by Sheila Dav...
S8 Ep290: Love Triangles: A Deadly Affair - Candy Montgomery
July 24, 2023 23:00 - 1 hourIn this week’s episode, Lorena joins me to discuss another true crime that resulted from a love triangle. Betty Gore was brutally murdered with an axe in the summer of 1980 in her small town of Wylie, Texas. The community would initially be terrified that a psychotic axe murderer was on the loose. But the reality would shock them even more when it was discovered a respected and well-liked member of the local church choir had wielded the axe, killing Betty Gore with 41 whacks. This is the...
S8 Ep289: Love Triangles: The Case of the Killer Clown
July 10, 2023 23:00 - 32 minutesIn this episode, two people in committed relationships become infatuated with one another. When one of their spouses is murdered, investigators quickly zero in on the star-crossed lovers. However, investigators will find it challenging to prove who killed Marlene Warren due to the baffling description of the attacker. Sources: A Clown At The Door | A Court TV Special Michael Warren Now: Where is Marlene Warren's Ex-Husband Today? Update (thecinemaholic.com) What happened to Marlene W...
S8 Ep288: Revisiting “The Staircase”: The Owl Theory
July 03, 2023 23:00 - 47 minutesIn this episode we’ll revisit the Michael Peterson case aka “The Staircase Murder”. My guest, author Tiddy Smith, will discuss an alternate theory to explain the death of Kathleen Peterson detailed in his new book Death by Talons. Links: Tiddy Smith’s Author Page: https://wildbluepress.com/death-by-talons-tiddy-smith-true-crime/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SmithTiddy https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponACrime
S8 Ep287: The Long Con - The Murder of Mee Kuen Chong
June 11, 2023 23:00 - 44 minutesOn June 10th, 2021, an elderly woman vanished without a trace from her own home in Wembley, London. 16 agonizing days later, and a staggering 200 miles away, visitors exploring the seaside town of Salcombe stumbled across a horrific scene. There amidst the beauty of the coastal landscape, lay a headless body. Join us to unravel the mysteries surrounding this gruesome case. We're pleased to offer you this special episode in collaboration with the amazing and very popular true crime podcas...
S8 Ep286: 7 Case Updates from 7 Years of Once Upon a Crime
June 05, 2023 07:00 - 28 minutesWe’re celebrating our 7th anniversary of the podcast by bringing you 7 case updates of crimes we’ve covered since 2016. Thank you all so much for making this crazy true crime ride possible! Episodes referenced: Episode 1: Lost and Found: Jaycee Dugard Date released: June 9, 2016 Link to episode: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/episode-072-the-12-crimes-of-christmas-laci-peterson-part-2/ Episode 71 & 72: The 12 Crimes of Christmas: Laci Peterson Date released: December 18, 2017 Link...
S7 Ep285: Dead Woman Walking: Shawna Forde
May 29, 2023 07:00 - 40 minutesIn this series, I share true crime cases that resulted in women being sentenced to Death Row. In 2009, a woman victimized by a childhood of abuse and violence becomes immersed in anti-immigrant vigilante groups. Her zeal and dedication to this cause result in a home-invasion plot that results in the murders of a Hispanic man and his young daughter. Resources: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/shwna-forde-kid-killing-minutewoman-sentenced-to-65-years-in-prison-in-addition-to-death...
S7 Ep284: Deadly Devotion: Motherhood and Mayhem, Part 2
May 22, 2023 07:05 - 1 hourThis Mother’s Day, join Shane Waters on a chilling adventure featuring 14 podcasters (including Once Upon A Crime) as they share sinister stories of motherhood. Mother’s Day is typically a time to honor the love and sacrifices of mothers, but today we’ll be exploring the twisted tales that lurk behind the shadows. Part 2: Once Upon A Crime [https://www.truecrimepodcast.com] PNW Haunts & Homicides [https://www.pnwhauntsandhomicides.com] The Trail Went Cold [https://www.trailwentcold.com...
S7 Ep283: Deadly Devotion: Motherhood and Mayhem, Part 1
May 22, 2023 07:00 - 1 hourThis Mother’s Day, join Shane Waters on a chilling adventure featuring 14 podcasters (including Once Upon A Crime) as they share sinister stories of motherhood. Mother’s Day is typically a time to honor the love and sacrifices of mothers, but today we’ll be exploring the twisted tales that lurk behind the shadows. Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: Part 1: Foul Play: Crime Series [www.itsfoulplay.com] Music City 911[https://musiccity911.com] Crimes from the East [https:/...
S7 Ep282: Who Killed Robert Wone? A Conversation with Paul Epstein
May 08, 2023 07:00 - 32 minutesWho Killed Robert Wone? Streaming on Peacock: https://pck.tv/3XzPVui On the night of August 2, 2006, a call comes in to 911 to report a man has been stabbed by an intruder at a Washington D.C. home. First responders arrive to find attorney Robert Wone already dead in the guest room. With little blood at the scene and no signs of struggle or robbery, suspicions heighten after police interview the three housemates. Believing the men know more than they are revealing, the investigation soon un...
S7 Ep281: Dead Woman Walking: Christa Pike
May 01, 2023 07:00 - 44 minutesIn 1995, a troubled young woman, jealous of one of her peers, enlists the help of two others to eliminate her enemy. But when the full and horrifying details of the plan emerge, the public is aghast at how a young woman could be capable of such depravity. Resources: Christa Pike | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers Christa Gail Pike v. State of Tennessee :: 2011 :: Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Decisions :: Tennessee Case Law :: Tennessee Law :: US Law :: Justia STATE v. P...
S7 Ep280: April Fools: World’s Worst Criminals w/ Leroy Luna
April 24, 2023 07:00 - 46 minutesOn our final collaborative episode for the series “Fool Me Once,” Leroy and I share true stories about criminals who were very bad at their jobs. Resources: Taco Shop Turns Burglary Footage Into Awesome Ad (newser.com) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzdv4FUHqP8 Suspect Busted by Police Near Liberty, Missouri, After Farting (newser.com) Million Dollar Moron Walmart clerk rejects $1 million bill - UPI.com Vain Vandalizer Sends Selfie https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35284...
S7 Ep279: Fool Me Once: Metal or Murder
April 17, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutesWe continue our “April Fools” series with a fun game for all you Metalheads! Play along as I try to stump Leroy Luna, host of Excuse Me, That’s Illegal, as he tries to guess I’m quoting serial killers or lyrics from metal songs. We also discuss how rock and metal bands’ music has been tied to and even blamed for some horrific true crimes. Resources: Article: “10 Heavy Metal Bands That Were Blamed for Seriously Heinous Crimes” by Michael Berdan for The Pit, Mar 17, 2023. https://www.wea...
S7 Ep278: Fool Me Once: Fake or Felony? With Guest Co-Host Leroy Luna
April 03, 2023 07:00 - 56 minutesWe’re celebrating April, the month of “April Fools” by having a little fun with true crime. The best person I know to help me with this is my friend and fellow podcaster Leroy Luna, host of Excuse Me, That’s Illegal. Leroy will be my co-host on April’s episodes, so come and join us for true crime stories and quizzes. This week, we try to stump each other with a guessing game called “Fake or Felony?”. Resources: https://clickhole.com/ California man who beat wife to death with cement bloc...
S7 Ep277: The Devil’s Luck: The Zodiac Killer Survivor
March 27, 2023 07:00 - 35 minutesA young couple out for a leisurely day at the lake find themselves faced with one of the most infamous killers of the 20th century. Bryan Hartnell and Cecelia Shepard were victims of a brutal attack by a hooded man who called himself “The Zodiac.” They survived the initial attack after being left for dead but still faced a fierce battle to summon help. Only one would survive. Resources: Zodiac, Robert Graysmith, Penguin Random House Publishers, 1986. Napa Valley Sheriff’s Department ...
S7 Ep276: The Devil’s Luck: The Moorhouse Murders Survivor
March 13, 2023 07:00 - 47 minutesThis month I’m sharing cases of people who, against all odds, survived some of the worst killers in modern history. In this week’s story, a teenage girl is picked up by a seemingly ordinary couple and then spends two days trapped in a nightmare. She is the fifth victim of one of the rarest types of killers on record - a serial killer couple. But Kate Moir would keep her wits about her, and even though she was only seventeen, she outsmarted the evil duo, ending their killing spree. Resources...
S7 Ep275: The Devil’s Luck: The Bluebelle Massacre Survivor
March 06, 2023 08:00 - 48 minutesIn this month’s episodes I’ll tell you stories of people who were fortunate enough to survive horrifying experiences. In this episode, a family dream vacation turns into a nightmare on the sea. All seems lost when the ship sinks with all onboard. But by some miracle, a sole survivor is found. The story she tells about what happened onboard The Bluebelle will horrify all who hear it. Resources: Delivered From Evil: True Stories Of Ordinary People Who Faced Monstrous Mass Killers and S...
S7 Ep274: Love Monsters: Daniel and Manuela Ruda, Part 2
February 20, 2023 08:00 - 27 minutesIn this second part of a two-part episode, in their quest to be transformed into vampires, Daniel and Manuela Ruda conclude that the only way to prove their loyalty to Satan is by performing a human sacrifice. Their crime would be described as “a picture of cruelty and depravity” such as had never been seen before in the German town of Witten. The subsequent trial would become a media circus with the two perpetrators proudly displaying their bizarre antics in front of the press and the pu...
S7 Ep273: Love Monsters: Daniel and Manuela Ruda, Part 1
February 13, 2023 08:00 - 28 minutesDaniel Ruda, a 26-year-old, self-described “black vampire” immersed himself in Germany’s goth and death metal scene as an outlet for his dark proclivities. In the year 2000, he was ready to find his soulmate or, as he put it, his “princess of darkness” and placed a singles ad in a German black-metal magazine. 23-year-old Manuela Bartel answered his ad and the two soon became inseparable. Separately, they participated in strange hobbies like sleeping in graves to “see what it felt like” an...
S7 Ep272: Deep Cover: Never Seen Again with Jake Halpern
February 06, 2023 08:00 - 59 minutesI’m pleased to have Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Jake Halpern, back with me again to discuss a new case he investigated for his podcast “Deep Cover”. Deep Cover, a Pushkin podcast, is all about people who lead double lives. In the new season, Jake follows the story of a girl who goes missing without a trace in South Carolina in 1999. Years later, the missing girl is connected to another missing person’s case on the other side of the country. There are twists and turns in this story ...