Once Upon a Crime artwork

Once Upon a Crime

793 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 4.6K ratings

Once 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.

True Crime History crime criminals criminology truecrime
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Episodes

S1 Ep16: Fatal Fans: Chapter 4: John Hinckley

October 11, 2016 19:00 - 47 minutes

John Hinckley, Jr. tries to impress an actress by killing President Ronald Reagan. Was he legally insane? This is the final chapter in the series "Fatal Fans".  Please rate and review us on iTunes! Twitter: @UponACrime Facebook: OnceUponaCrimePod     Resources: "At the Edge of Death" by Edmund Morris for Newsweek, October 4, 1999. Dutch: A Memoir of Ronald Regan by Edmund Morris, Random House, 1999. 

Episode 014: Fatal Fans: Rebecca Schaeffer

October 04, 2016 19:00 - 27 minutes

An unhinged fan has murderous plans towards young actress Rebecca Schaeffer.stalkers, celebrity crime, Robert John Bardo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 014: Fatal Fans: Chapter 2: Rebecca Schaeffer

October 04, 2016 19:00 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MB

An unhinged fan has murderous plans towards young actress Rebecca Schaeffer.     Rebecca Schaeffer Robert John Bardo in court. Resources: "An Innocent Life, A Heartbreaking Death" by Pete Axthelm, People Magazine, July 31, 1989.  "In the Mind of a Stalker" by M. Tharp, U.S. News and World Report, Feb 17, 1992. 

S1 Ep14: Fatal Fans: Chapter 2: Rebecca Schaeffer

October 04, 2016 19:00 - 26 minutes

An unhinged fan has murderous plans towards young actress Rebecca Schaeffer. Resources: "An Innocent Life, A Heartbreaking Death" by Pete Axthelm, People Magazine, July 31, 1989.  "In the Mind of a Stalker" by M. Tharp, U.S. News and World Report, Feb 17, 1992. 

S1 Ep13: Fatal Fans: Chapter 1: Theresa Saldana

September 13, 2016 19:00 - 40 minutes

A young actress is stalked by an unhinged drifter who is intent on killing her. Facebook: OnceUponACrimePod Twitter: @UponACrime Celebrity crime, stalking victims, true crime.

Episode 013: Fatal Fans: Chapter 1 Theresa Saldana

September 13, 2016 19:00 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MB

A young actress is stalked by an unhinged drifter who is intent on killing her. Facebook: OnceUponACrimePod Twitter: @UponACrime Celebrity crime, stalking victims, true crime. Theresa Saldana arrives at the court house 2 weeks after her near fatal attack.   Arthur Jackson in court charged with first degree attempted murder.     Save

Episode 013: Fatal Fans: Theresa Saldana

September 13, 2016 19:00 - 41 minutes

A young actress is stalked by an unhinged drifter who is intent on killing her. celebrity crime, stalking, Arthur Jackson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 012: The Day the Music Died: Chapter 4: Selena

September 09, 2016 19:00 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MB

The Queen of Tejano Music is gunned down by a fan in 1995. Resources: Music: Selena - Ones - (Greatest Hits Album) DVD: Selena - the Movie  Book: To Selena with Love - by Chris Perez To connect with the show: On Twitter: @uponacrime On Facebook and Instagram @OnceUponaCrimePod Website: www.truecrimepodcast.com     Save

S1 Ep12: The Day the Music Died: Chapter 4: Selena

September 09, 2016 19:00 - 38 minutes

The Queen of Tejano Music is gunned down by a fan in 1995. Resources: Music: Selena - Ones - (Greatest Hits Album) DVD: Selena - the Movie  Book: To Selena with Love - by Chris Perez To connect with the show: On Twitter: @uponacrime On Facebook and Instagram @OnceUponaCrimePod Website: www.truecrimepodcast.com     Save

Episode 012: The Day the Music Died: Selena

September 09, 2016 19:00 - 38 minutes

The Queen of Tejano Music is gunned down by a fan in 1995.Selena Quintanilla, Yolanda Saldivar, fatal fans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S1 Ep11: The Day the Music Died: Chapter 3: Tupac and Biggie

August 28, 2016 19:00 - 59 minutes

Two of music's biggest rap stars are cut down in their prime. But, who killed them? This week's episode - Tupac and Biggie. Follow us on Twitter @UponACrime and on Facebook and Instagram @OnceUponaCrimePod Resources for this episode: Music: 2Pac's Greatest Hits The Notorious B.I.G. Greatest Hits   Books: Tupac Shakur: The Life and Times of an American Icon - Tayannah Lee McQuillar and Fred L. Johnson III, PhD Notorious C.O.P.: The Inside Story of Tupc, Biggie and Jam Master Jay Investig...

Episode 011: The Day the Music Died: Tupac and Biggie

August 28, 2016 19:00 - 1 hour

Two of music's biggest rap stars are cut down in their prime. But, who killed them? This week's episode - Tupac and Biggie.Tupac Shakur, Biggie Smalls, Christopher Wallace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 011: The Day the Music Died: Chapter 3: Tupac and Biggie

August 28, 2016 19:00 - 59 minutes - 55.2 MB

Two of music's biggest rap stars are cut down in their prime. But, who killed them? This week's episode - Tupac and Biggie. Follow us on Twitter @UponACrime and on Facebook and Instagram @OnceUponaCrimePod Resources for this episode: Music: 2Pac's Greatest Hits The Notorious B.I.G. Greatest Hits   Books: Tupac Shakur: The Life and Times of an American Icon - Tayannah Lee McQuillar and Fred L. Johnson III, PhD Notorious C.O.P.: The Inside Story of Tupc, Biggie and Jam Master Jay Inve...

S1 Ep10: The Day the Music Died: Chapter 2 Kurt Cobain

August 17, 2016 19:00 - 1 hour

The second installment in the series about the tragic endings of musical icons this time I discuss the life and death of Nirvana's frontman, Kurt Cobain. Justin Evans from the Generation Why and The Peripheral podcasts weighs in on "Soaked in Bleach" and the murder theory. www.TheGenerationWhyPodcast.com www.theperipheral.libsyn.com Click on the links below for resources and to purchase the music. Books: Heavier than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain - Charles R. Cross Videos: Kurt Cob...

Episode 010: The Day the Music Died: Kurt Cobain

August 17, 2016 19:00 - 1 hour

The second installment in the series about the tragic endings of musical icons this time I discuss the life and death of Nirvana's frontman, Kurt Cobain. Justin Evans from the Generation Why and The Peripheral podcasts weighs in on "Soaked in Bleach" and the murder theory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 010: The Day the Music Died: Chapter 2 Kurt Cobain

August 17, 2016 19:00 - 1 hour - 88.7 MB

The second installment in the series about the tragic endings of musical icons this time I discuss the life and death of Nirvana's frontman, Kurt Cobain. Justin Evans from the Generation Why and The Peripheral podcasts weighs in on "Soaked in Bleach" and the murder theory. www.TheGenerationWhyPodcast.com www.theperipheral.libsyn.com Click on the links below for resources and to purchase the music. Books: Heavier than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain - Charles R. Cross Videos: Kur...

Episode 009: The Day the Music Died: Marvin Gaye

August 02, 2016 19:00 - 54 minutes

This series tells the tragic stories of recording artists who were killed or died under mysterious circumstances. In the first chapter, Marvin Gaye, a top R&B recording artist is murdered by a family member in 1984. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S1 Ep9: The Day the Music Died: Chapter 1: Marvin Gaye

August 02, 2016 19:00 - 54 minutes

This series tells the tragic stories of recording artists who were killed or died under mysterious circumstances. In the first chapter, Marvin Gaye, a top R&B recording artist is murdered by a family member in 1984. Books: Marvin Gaye: My Brother by Frankie Gaye Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye by David Ritz      

Episode 009: The Day the Music Died: Chapter 1: Marvin Gaye

August 02, 2016 19:00 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MB

This series tells the tragic stories of recording artists who were killed or died under mysterious circumstances. In the first chapter, Marvin Gaye, a top R&B recording artist is murdered by a family member in 1984.   Books: Marvin Gaye: My Brother by Frankie Gaye Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye by David Ritz      

Episode 008: Killer Kids: Brenda Spencer

July 26, 2016 19:00 - 48 minutes

The first school mass shooting in the U.S. is committed by a 16-year-old year girl. Brenda Spencer, school shootings, mass shootings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 008: Killer Kids Chapter 3 Brenda Spencer

July 26, 2016 19:00 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MB

The first school mass shooting in the U.S. is committed by a 16-year-old year girl.    Brenda Spencer's mugshot. January 29, 1979. Wearing her "lucky" hat. Brenda Spencer goes to court. "Does Anyone Like Mondays? The Brenda Spencer Murder Case" by Eric Hart Follow us on Twitter @UponACrime Subscribe on iTunes   

S1 Ep8: Killer Kids Chapter 3: Brenda Spencer

July 26, 2016 19:00 - 47 minutes

The first school mass shooting in the U.S. is committed by a 16-year-old year girl.    Brenda Spencer's mugshot. January 29, 1979. Wearing her "lucky" hat. Brenda Spencer goes to court. "Does Anyone Like Mondays? The Brenda Spencer Murder Case" by Eric Hart Follow us on Twitter @UponACrime Subscribe on iTunes   

Episode 007: Killer Kids: Chapter 2: Mary Bell

July 19, 2016 19:00 - 40 minutes - 37.1 MB

An 11-year-old is accused of murdering two boys in the 1960s. Several resources were used in the research for this episode including:  Gitta Sereny, The Case of Mary Bell (London:Pimlico), 1995.  Audio Clip: The Mary Bell Case. YouTube, uploaded by chewyisacat, March 7, 2013. https://youtu.be/moFhGzE_xRI     

S1 Ep7: Killer Kids: Chapter 2: Mary Bell

July 19, 2016 19:00 - 40 minutes

An 11-year-old is accused of murdering two boys in the 1960s. Several resources were used in the research for this episode including:  Gitta Sereny, The Case of Mary Bell (London:Pimlico), 1995.  Audio Clip: The Mary Bell Case. YouTube, uploaded by chewyisacat, March 7, 2013. https://youtu.be/moFhGzE_xRI     

Episode 007: Killer Kids: Mary Bell

July 19, 2016 19:00 - 41 minutes

An 11-year-old is accused of murdering two boys in the 1960s.British crime, kids who kill, killer kids Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S1 Ep6: Making a Murderer in Conversation

July 13, 2016 19:00 - 33 minutes

A bonus episode partially recorded at The Warfield Theater in San Francisco, CA. Making a Murderer's Dean Strang and Jerry Buting on their speaking tour "A Conversation on Justice". To subscribe to Once Upon a Crime on iTunes, click here. To subscribe to Once Upon a Crime on Stitcher, click here. Our Twitter feed is here. 

Episode 006 Bonus Episode Making a Murderer in Conversation

July 13, 2016 19:00 - 33 minutes

A bonus episode partially recorded at The Warfield Theater in San Francisco, CA. Making a Murderer's Dean Strang and Jerry Buting on their speaking tour "A Conversation on Justice".Steven Avery, Brendan Dassey, Theresa Halbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 005: Killer Kids: Chapter 1: Jesse Pomeroy

July 05, 2016 19:00 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MB

A young serial killer terrorizes South Boston in 1872.                                     Book links: The Wilderness of Ruin: A Tale of Madness, Fire and the Hunt for America's Youngest Serial Killer by Roseanne Montillo Fiend: The Shocking True Story of America's Youngest Serial Killer by Harold Schecter The Autobiography of Jesse H. Pomeroy written by Himself Murder, serial killers, true crime, Jesse Pomeroy, Boston, Massachusetts  

S1 Ep5: Killer Kids: Chapter 1: Jesse Pomeroy

July 05, 2016 19:00 - 25 minutes

A young serial killer terrorizes South Boston in 1872.                   Book links: The Wilderness of Ruin: A Tale of Madness, Fire and the Hunt for America's Youngest Serial Killer by Roseanne Montillo Fiend: The Shocking True Story of America's Youngest Serial Killer by Harold Schecter The Autobiography of Jesse H. Pomeroy written by Himself Murder, serial killers, true crime, Jesse Pomeroy, Boston, Massachusetts  

Episode 005: Killer Kids: Jesse Pomeroy

July 05, 2016 19:00 - 26 minutes

A young serial killer terrorizes South Boston in 1872. historical crime, serial killers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 004: Bonus Episode: Stockholm Syndrome and Patty Hearst

June 23, 2016 19:00 - 18 minutes

When kidnap victims are held for a period of time the public often wants to know "why didn't they try to escape?" This episode explains a psychological phenomenon known as "Stockholm Syndrome", how it might apply to the victims I discussed in the series "Lost and Found", and share probably the most well-known case of Stockholm Syndrome, the kidnapping of Patty Hearst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S1 Ep4: Stockholm Syndrome and Patty Hearst

June 23, 2016 19:00 - 17 minutes

When kidnap victims are held for a period of time the public often wants to know "why didn't they try to escape?" This episode explains a psychological phenomenon known as "Stockholm Syndrome", how it might apply to the victims I discussed in the series "Lost and Found", and share probably the most well-known case of Stockholm Syndrome, the kidnapping of Patty Hearst. Kidnappings, true crime, Stockholm Syndrome, Patty Hearst  

S1 Ep3: Lost and Found: Chapter 3: The Cleveland Kidnappings

June 09, 2016 19:01 - 1 hour

Three girls go missing over as many years in a Cleveland, Ohio neighborhood.  Years go by before they are ever seen again. When it was revealed who had taken them and what they were subjected to the city was stunned to find that the perpetrator had been right under their nose all along. Book: The Lost Girls: The True Story of the Cleveland Abductions by John Glatt    True crime stories told one chapter at a time: kidnappings.  

Episode 003: Lost and Found: Chapter 3: The Cleveland Kidnappings

June 09, 2016 19:01 - 1 hour - 57.5 MB

Three girls go missing over as many years in a Cleveland, Ohio neighborhood.  Years go by before they are ever seen again. When it was revealed who had taken them and what they were subjected to the city was stunned to find that the perpetrator had been right under their nose all along. Book: The Lost Girls: The True Story of the Cleveland Abductions by John Glatt    True crime stories told one chapter at a time: kidnappings.  

Episode 003: Lost and Found: The Cleveland Kidnappings

June 09, 2016 19:01 - 1 hour

Three girls go missing over as many years in a Cleveland, Ohio neighborhood.  Years go by before they are ever seen again. When it was revealed who had taken them and what they were subjected to the city was stunned to find that the perpetrator had been right under their nose all along. Ariel Castro, Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, abductions, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 002: Lost and Found: Elizabeth Smart

June 09, 2016 19:00 - 27 minutes

This is our second installment in the series "Lost and Found". Elizabeth Smart was a 14-year-old girl from a loving, Mormon family living in Salt Lake City, Utah. The family's kindness towards a local transient would make her a target for kidnapping. Her ordeal would encompass months of captivity and hundreds of miles before the final outcome in her story. Brian David Mitchell, Wanda Barzee, child abductions, kidnapping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 002: Lost and Found: Chapter 2: Elizabeth Smart

June 09, 2016 19:00 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MB

This is our second installment in the series "Lost and Found". Elizabeth Smart was a 14-year-old girl from a loving, Mormon family living in Salt Lake City, Utah. The family's kindness towards a local transient would make her a target for kidnapping. Her ordeal would encompass months of captivity and hundreds of miles before the final outcome in her story. 

S1 Ep2: Lost and Found: Chapter 2: Elizabeth Smart

June 09, 2016 19:00 - 27 minutes

This is our second installment in the series "Lost and Found". Elizabeth Smart was a 14-year-old girl from a loving, Mormon family living in Salt Lake City, Utah. The family's kindness towards a local transient would make her a target for kidnapping. Her ordeal would encompass months of captivity and hundreds of miles before the final outcome in her story. 

S1 Ep1: Lost and Found: Chapter 1: Jaycee Dugard

June 09, 2016 18:30 - 23 minutes

This is the first installment in our series "Lost and Found". When a loved one goes missing the families are left in a terrible limbo. How long do you hold out hope for your loved one to be found? Many never give up hope and, for a few, a miracle happens and their prayers are answered. In this first episode, an 11-year-old girl is abducted by strangers in broad daylight. The abductors have carefully planned for their captive. The story of this well-publicized kidnapping is even more bizarre ...

Episode 001: Lost and Found: Chapter 1 - Jaycee Dugard

June 09, 2016 18:30 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MB

This is the first installment in our series "Lost and Found". When a loved one goes missing the families are left in a terrible limbo. How long do you hold out hope for your loved one to be found? Many never give up hope and, for a few, a miracle happens and their prayers are answered. In this first episode, an 11-year-old girl is abducted by strangers in broad daylight. The abductors have carefully planned for their captive. The story of this well-publicized kidnapping is even more bizarre ...

Episode 001: Lost and Found: - Jaycee Dugard

June 09, 2016 18:30 - 23 minutes

This is the first installment in our series "Lost and Found". An 11-year-old girl is abducted by strangers in broad daylight. The abductors have carefully planned for their captive. The story of this well-publicized kidnapping is even more bizarre and unbelievable than you might have heard.   Jaycee Lee Dugard, Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, Phillip Garrido Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 000: Welcome to Once Upon A Crime!

June 09, 2016 17:30 - 5 minutes

Welcome to Once Upon a Crime the true crime podcast that tells the story behind the story of real life crime.  New episodes release every Monday. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pandora or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Once Upon a Crime!

June 09, 2016 17:30 - 4 minutes

Welcome to Once Upon a Crime the true crime podcast that tells the story behind the story of real life crime.  New episodes release every Monday. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pandora or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Clips from show are from the following episodes: Episode 142: Taunting Terrors: Shari Faye Smith Episode 146: Rocktober: Altamont, The Rolling Stones and the Hells Angels Episode 158: Bad Seeds: Lowell Lee Andrews Episode 149: Fugitives from Jus...

Guests

Jack Luna
1 Episode

Twitter Mentions

@uponacrime 39 Episodes
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