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On the night of October 23, 1989, Charles and Carol Stuart were returning home from a childbirth class and drove through the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. According to Charles Stuart, they were stopped at a red light when a black teenager forced the driver’s door open and robbed the couple, then shot Charles and Carol before running off. Charles managed to call 911 from his car phone, but by the time emergency responders arrived, Carol was in a very bad state and would die a few hours later at a nearby hospital. The murder of Carol Stuart captured the attention of residents in and around Boston, and the story remained on the front pages in the weeks that followed. On one hand, it was a tragic story of a young couple on the verge of starting a family who were robbed of a future. On the other hand, it shined a bright spotlight on the city’s long-simmer racial tensions and the unequal treatment and application of law enforcement with regard to race. And those tensions would be significantly exacerbated when the truth about Carol Stuart’s murder was finally discovered. Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Brelis, Matthew. 1989. "Stuart suspect held on charges." , November 12: 1. Canellos, Peter. 1989. "Roxbury probe is criticized." , November 1: 29. Canellos, Peter, and Irene Sege. 1989. "Couple shot after leaving hospital; baby delivered." , October 24. Cullen, Kevin. 1989. "Stuart suspect linked to Brookline case." , November 13: 1. Hayes, Constance L. 1990. "Illusion and tragedy coexist after a couple dies." , January 7. Howe, Peter, and Jerry Thomas. 1989. "Reading woman dies after shooting in car." , October 25. Howe, Peter, Kevin Cullen, and Anthony Flint. 1990. "Police focus on brother, woman." , January 8: 1. Jacobs, Sally. 1989. "Stuart is said to pick out suspect." , December 29: 1. —. 1989. "Stuart reportedly reacted physically to suspect's picture." , November 23: 93. Jacobs, Sally, and Diego Ribadeneira. 1989. "No wallet, so killer opened fire." , October 26: 1. Koh, Elizabeth. 2023. "Stuart shooting timeline." , December 1. Kong, Dolores, and Sally Jacobs. 1989. "Infant of shooting victims dies of respiratory failure." , November 10: 1. Murphy, Sean. 1989. "Man questioned in shooting still held." , November 7: 17. New York Times. 1991. "U.S. won't indict Boston policemen." , July 5: D7. Rollins, Rachel. 2019. "30 years after Stuart case, Boston still healing." , November 9. Sharkey, Joe. 2015. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster. Walker, Adrian, Evan Allen, Elizabeth Koh, Andrew Ryan, Kristin Nelson, and Brendan McCarthy. 2023. "The untold story of the Charles and Carol Stuart shooting." , December 1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In October 2001, the dismembered remains of seventy-one-year-old Morris Black were found floating in Galveston Bay. A few days later, Black’s neighbor, Robert Durst, was arrested on suspicion of murder and released on $250,000 bail. After posting bail, Durst jumped bail and disappeared for six weeks, before being arrested by Pennsylvania authorities at the end of November. In the years that followed, investigators and prosecutors began combing through Durst’s life, discovering disturbing connections between the excentric millionaire and the mysterious disappearances and deaths of several people who were once close to Durst. Robert Durst had been a suspect in the murder of Morris Black, but was it possible he was in fact a multiple murderer who’d evaded detection for decades? Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Associated Press. 2001. "Fugitive is arrested in Galveston man's death." , December 1: 26. Babineck, Mark. 2001. "A mysterious trail left in Galveston." , October 20: 25. Bagli, Charles. 2020. "4 decades of Durst's past are traced as trial begins." , March 11. —. 2021. "Durst faces new charge for murder of his wife." , October 23. —. 2021. "Durst is convicted of murder after 2 decades of suspicion." , September 18. —. 2021. "Durst is sentenced to life in prison for 2000 murder of friend." , October 15. —. 2020. "Real estate scion admits he wrote note in case profiled in 'The Jinx'." , January 1. —. 2014. "Stranger than fiction? Try fact." , December 2. Bagli, Charles V., and Kevin Flynn. 2001. "A two-decade spiral into suspicion." , October 21: A33. Bagli, Charles, and Kevin Flynn. 2001. "On the run with a fugitive: tales of aliases and disguises." , December 7: D1. Bagli, Charles, and Vivian Yee. 2015. "Straight from TV to jail: Durt is charged in killing." , March 16. Cartwright, Gary. 2002. "Durst case scenarios." , February: 87-112. Collins, Marion. 2002. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press. Forbes. 2020. December December. Accessed March 28, 2025. https://www.forbes.com/profile/durst/. Gerber, Marisa. 2021. "The Hollywood ‘Mafia princess’ was Robert Durst’s best friend. Did loyalty lead to murder?" , May 21. Hale, Mike. 2024. "Conversations on murder." , April 24. 2015. Directed by Andrew Jarecki. Performed by Andrew Jarecki. Lozano, Juan. 2003. "Juey to see Galveston case evidence." , August 14: 21. —. 2003. "Officer testifies there's no direct evidence against heir." , October 21: 17. —. 2003. "Murder trial gets under way for multimillionaire Robert Durst." , September 23: 21. Miller, Julie. 2015. "Robert Durst may have had a Mission Impossible-style plan to flee the country." , March 18. Palmer, Alex. 2015. April 15. Accessed April 1, 2025. https://www.vulture.com/2015/04/robert-dursts-all-good-things-dvd-commentary.html. Reporter-Dispatch. 1950. "Durst death in Scarsdale ruled an accident." , November 10: 9. Stewart, Richard, and Kevin Moran. 2003. "Millionaire is acquitted of murder." , Nevember 12: 1. Streeter, Kurt. 2001. "N.Y. police had sought to quiz slain author." , January 9: 28. Zeman, Ned. 2020. "He also decided to kill her." , April 23. —. 2015. "The fugitive heir." , March 16. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In October 2001, the dismembered remains of seventy-one-year-old Morris Black were found floating in Galveston Bay. A few days later, Black’s neighbor, Robert Durst, was arrested on suspicion of murder and released on $250,000 bail. After posting bail, Durst jumped bail and disappeared for six weeks, before being arrested by Pennsylvania authorities at the end of November. In the years that followed, investigators and prosecutors began combing through Durst’s life, discovering disturbing connections between the excentric millionaire and the mysterious disappearances and deaths of several people who were once close to Durst. Robert Durst had been a suspect in the murder of Morris Black, but was it possible he was in fact a multiple murderer who’d evaded detection for decades? Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Associated Press. 2001. "Fugitive is arrested in Galveston man's death." , December 1: 26. Babineck, Mark. 2001. "A mysterious trail left in Galveston." , October 20: 25. Bagli, Charles. 2020. "4 decades of Durst's past are traced as trial begins." , March 11. —. 2021. "Durst faces new charge for murder of his wife." , October 23. —. 2021. "Durst is convicted of murder after 2 decades of suspicion." , September 18. —. 2021. "Durst is sentenced to life in prison for 2000 murder of friend." , October 15. —. 2020. "Real estate scion admits he wrote note in case profiled in 'The Jinx'." , January 1. —. 2014. "Stranger than fiction? Try fact." , December 2. Bagli, Charles V., and Kevin Flynn. 2001. "A two-decade spiral into suspicion." , October 21: A33. Bagli, Charles, and Kevin Flynn. 2001. "On the run with a fugitive: tales of aliases and disguises." , December 7: D1. Bagli, Charles, and Vivian Yee. 2015. "Straight from TV to jail: Durt is charged in killing." , March 16. Cartwright, Gary. 2002. "Durst case scenarios." , February: 87-112. Collins, Marion. 2002. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press. Forbes. 2020. December December. Accessed March 28, 2025. https://www.forbes.com/profile/durst/. Gerber, Marisa. 2021. "The Hollywood ‘Mafia princess’ was Robert Durst’s best friend. Did loyalty lead to murder?" , May 21. Hale, Mike. 2024. "Conversations on murder." , April 24. 2015. Directed by Andrew Jarecki. Performed by Andrew Jarecki. Lozano, Juan. 2003. "Juey to see Galveston case evidence." , August 14: 21. —. 2003. "Officer testifies there's no direct evidence against heir." , October 21: 17. —. 2003. "Murder trial gets under way for multimillionaire Robert Durst." , September 23: 21. Miller, Julie. 2015. "Robert Durst may have had a Mission Impossible-style plan to flee the country." , March 18. Palmer, Alex. 2015. April 15. Accessed April 1, 2025. https://www.vulture.com/2015/04/robert-dursts-all-good-things-dvd-commentary.html. Reporter-Dispatch. 1950. "Durst death in Scarsdale ruled an accident." , November 10: 9. Stewart, Richard, and Kevin Moran. 2003. "Millionaire is acquitted of murder." , Nevember 12: 1. Streeter, Kurt. 2001. "N.Y. police had sought to quiz slain author." , January 9: 28. Zeman, Ned. 2020. "He also decided to kill her." , April 23. —. 2015. "The fugitive heir." , March 16. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Despite the passage of fifty years since his last activity, the case of the Zodiac Killer continues to fascinate and frustrate law enforcement, the media, and the American public, making America’s most notorious unsolved murder case. Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Blankenstein , Andrew, and Wilson Wong. 2021. 'The case remains open': FBI rebuts claim Zodiac Killer case is solved. October 7. Accessed February 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/case-remains-open-fbi-refutes-claim-zodiac-killer-case-solved-n1281002. Chabria, Anita. 2018. "Vallejo police have sent Zodiac Killer DNA to a lab. Results could come in weeks." Sacramento Bee, May 3. Chronicle, San Francisco. 1970. "A Zodiac threat to newsman." San Francisco Chronicle , October 31: 7. Cole, Michael F. 2020. The Zodiac Revisted: The Facts of the Case. San Francisco, CA: Twin Prime Publishing . Drake, Rossiter. 2007. "A magnificent obsession with the Zodiac killer." San Francisco Examiner, March 2: 28. Flaherty, Frances. 1969. "New letter by Zodiac claims seven slayings." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), November 12: 1. —. 1969. "Teenagers' s;ayer still at large." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), March 30: 1. Flaherty, Francis G. 1968. "Investigators lacking clues in 2 slayings." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), December 22: 1. Glover, Malcolm. 1969. "Hundreds of 'Zodiac' tips flood Bay police." San Francisco Examiner, October 18: 1. Lowe, Lindsay. 2024. Who was Arthur Leigh Allen? October 29. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://www.today.com/popculture/zodiac-killer-arthur-leigh-allen-rcna176996. McClatchy Newspapers Service. 1969. "Vallejo Police seek gunman who killed woman, shot man." Sacramento Bee, July 5: 1. Michelman, Jordan. 2020. "What If You Solved the Zodiac Killer Mystery and No One Believed You? ." Portland Monthly, December 16. O'Connell, Oliver. 2021. Gary Poste: Who was the alleged Zodiac killer identified by ‘Case Breakers’? October 7. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/gary-post-zodiac-killer-suspect-b1933700.html. Peterson, Dave. 1969. "2 survivors tell what they can on 'Code Killer'." Times-Herald, October 1: 1. Sacramento Bee. 1969. "Officers check leads in Berryessa killing." Sacramento Bee, October 3: 27. San Francisco Examiner. 1969. "'Cipher Killer's' new letter." San Francisco Examiner, August 4: 1. —. 1969. "'Cypher Killer' hunt is pressed." San Francisco Examiner, August 6: 57. —. 1969. "School bus alert on mad killer." San Francisco Examiner, October 17: 1. —. 1969. "Sketch made of killer in taxi slaying." San Francisco Examiner, October 14: 6. —. 1970. "Zodiac 'greeting' to police: 'enjoy yourselves at my blast'." San Francisco Examiner, May 1: 50. Smith, Dave. 1971. "17-plus victims claimed in letter by Zodiac Killer." Los Angeles Times, March 16: 3. —. 1969. "Zodiac Killer--chilling portrait of madness." Los Angeles Times, October 15: 1. —. 1969. "'The Zodiac' lives inconspicuously, but murders with flourish." Sacramento Bee, October 10: E12. Smith, Jane. 1969. "Girl stabbing victim dies in Napa hospital." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), September 30: 1. Times-Herald. 1969. "Cryptogram deciphered by teacher." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), August 9: 1. —. 1968. "Hunt maniac in murders of teenagers." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), December 23: 1. —. 1969. "Lake attacks linked to Vallejo slayings." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), September 29: 14. —. 1969. "Mystery ciphers not decoded yet." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), August 2: 1. —. 1968. "Vallejo teenagers are shot to death near Lake Herman." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), December 21: 1. —. 1969. "Police seeking clues in Vallejo shootings." Times-Herald, July 6:1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Despite the passage of fifty years since his last activity, the case of the Zodiac Killer continues to fascinate and frustrate law enforcement, the media, and the American public, making America’s most notorious unsolved murder case. Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Belcher, Jerry. 1969. "Police certain Zodiac called." San Francisco Examiner, October 23: 1. Bernhard, Hubert J. 1969. "Killer of cabbie is linked to 4 murders." San Francisco Examiner, October 15: 3. Bernhard, Hurbert J. 1969. "TV 'Zodiac' reneges on surrender." San Francisco Examiner, October 22: 1. Blankenstein , Andrew, and Wilson Wong. 2021. 'The case remains open': FBI rebuts claim Zodiac Killer case is solved. October 7. Accessed February 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/case-remains-open-fbi-refutes-claim-zodiac-killer-case-solved-n1281002. Chabria, Anita. 2018. "Vallejo police have sent Zodiac Killer DNA to a lab. Results could come in weeks." Sacramento Bee, May 3. Chronicle, San Francisco. 1970. "A Zodiac threat to newsman." San Francisco Chronicle , October 31: 7. Cole, Michael F. 2020. The Zodiac Revisted: The Facts of the Case. San Francisco, CA: Twin Prime Publishing . Drake, Rossiter. 2007. "A magnificent obsession with the Zodiac killer." San Francisco Examiner, March 2: 28. Flaherty, Frances. 1969. "New letter by Zodiac claims seven slayings." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), November 12: 1. —. 1969. "Teenagers' s;ayer still at large." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), March 30: 1. Flaherty, Francis G. 1968. "Investigators lacking clues in 2 slayings." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), December 22: 1. Glover, Malcolm. 1969. "Hundreds of 'Zodiac' tips flood Bay police." San Francisco Examiner, October 18: 1. Lowe, Lindsay. 2024. Who was Arthur Leigh Allen? October 29. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://www.today.com/popculture/zodiac-killer-arthur-leigh-allen-rcna176996. McClatchy Newspapers Service. 1969. "Vallejo Police seek gunman who killed woman, shot man." Sacramento Bee, July 5: 1. Michelman, Jordan. 2020. "What If You Solved the Zodiac Killer Mystery and No One Believed You? ." Portland Monthly, December 16. O'Connell, Oliver. 2021. Gary Poste: Who was the alleged Zodiac killer identified by ‘Case Breakers’? October 7. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/gary-post-zodiac-killer-suspect-b1933700.html. Peterson, Dave. 1969. "2 survivors tell what they can on 'Code Killer'." Times-Herald, October 1: 1. Sacramento Bee. 1969. "Officers check leads in Berryessa killing." Sacramento Bee, October 3: 27. San Francisco Examiner. 1969. "'Cipher Killer's' new letter." San Francisco Examiner, August 4: 1. —. 1969. "'Cypher Killer' hunt is pressed." San Francisco Examiner, August 6: 57. —. 1969. "School bus alert on mad killer." San Francisco Examiner, October 17: 1. —. 1969. "Sketch made of killer in taxi slaying." San Francisco Examiner, October 14: 6. —. 1970. "Zodiac 'greeting' to police: 'enjoy yourselves at my blast'." San Francisco Examiner, May 1: 50. Smith, Dave. 1971. "17-plus victims claimed in letter by Zodiac Killer." Los Angeles Times, March 16: 3. —. 1969. "Zodiac Killer--chilling portrait of madness." Los Angeles Times, October 15: 1. —. 1969. "'The Zodiac' lives inconspicuously, but murders with flourish." Sacramento Bee, October 10: E12. Smith, Jane. 1969. "Girl stabbing victim dies in Napa hospital." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), September 30: 1. Times-Herald. 1969. "Cryptogram deciphered by teacher." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), August 9: 1. —. 1968. "Hunt maniac in murders of teenagers." Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA), December 23: 1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This episode is available early and ad-free for Wondery+ members and will be released on all platforms on Thursday, April 24th. To stay up-to-date on new podcasts and more from Wondery, sign up on https://wondery.fm/morbid-wondery-newsletter. Weirdos! it's Episode 666- Listener Tales of the BEAST! Today we just wanted to be ourselves again- and enjoy some demonic Listener Tales that are brought TO you, BY you, FOR you, FROM you, and ALLLLL about you! Don't forget to check out the VIDEO from this episode available on YouTube on 4/24/2025! If you’ve got a listener tale please send it on over to Morbidpodcast@gmail.com with “Listener Tales” somewhere in the subject line- and if you share pictures- please let us know if we can share them with fellow weirdos! :) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On the morning of August 26, 1986, a cyclist in New York’s Central Park discovered the body eighteen-year-old Jennifer Levin. Among other things, Levin had been strangled, there were superficial injuries on her face, and her shirt was pulled up. Later, the medical examiner reported that Jennifer had died only about an hour before she was discovered. It didn’t take long for investigators to find Levin’s assailant, after several patrons at a nearby bar reported seeing her with a man the night before. That man turned out to be nineteen-year-old Robert Chambers Jr., a privileged members of New York’s Upper East Side high society. At first, Chambers denied having anything to do with the murder, but soon changed his story and claimed Levin had died during consensual “rough sex” initiated by Levin herself. Nicknamed the “The Preppy Killer” by the press, a reference to his good looks and obvious privilege, Chambers’ trial became a media circus. Over the course of more than a year, people around the country watched as the defense tried—and with the help of the press, succeeded—to put the responsibility for Levin’s murder on the victim, emphasizing her sexual history and manner of dress, among other things. Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Associated Press. 1994. "Central park killer is denied parole again." , December 23: B4. —. 1997. "Chambers says he is a 'political pawn'." , Janaury 10: 28. —. 2003. "In statement, Chambers says he regrets his actions." , February 14: B3. —. 1996. "Parole again denied in '86 killing in park." , December 17: B2. Freedman, Samuel. 1986. "Darkness beneath the glitter: life of suspect in park slaying." , August 28: 1. Fried, Joseph. 1986. "Chambers gives not guilty plea in park slaying." , September 23: B2. Hevesi, Dennis. 1988. "Grandfather faults tactics in park trial." , March 27: 32. Johnson, Kirk. 1988. "Chambers case turning on truth of confession." , Janaury 18: B3. —. 1988. "Chambers, with jury at impasse, admits 1st degree manslaughter." , March 26: 1. Nix, Crystal. 1986. "Slain woman found in park; suspect seized." , August 27: B1. Raab, Selwyn. 1986. "Lawyer weighs plea of insanity in park slaying." , August 30: 29. Rimer, Sara. 1986. "Slaying's notoriety touches young crowd on 'the circuit'." , August 29: 1. Stone, Michael. 1986. "East side story." , November 10. Sullivan, Ronald. 1988. "Chambers gets 5 to 15 years and offers apology in court." , April 16: 33. Taubman, Bryna. 1988. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press. Today Show. 2016. "Dubbed by the press as 'The Preppy Killer,' Robert Chambers pleaded guilty." , 01 01. Worth, Robert. 2003. "Robert Chambers to be freed after serving maximumu in 1986 killing." , February 13: B3. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Californians were terrorized by multiple killers including notorious serial killers like the Zodiac Killer, the Hillside Stranglers, Herbert Mullin, and Ed Kemper. While the decade may have ended with these killers disappearing or apprehended, the threat of violence and murder simply moved north. Though less known than his contemporaries, David Carpenter was no less prolific and frightening a killer than those men mentioned above. Nicknamed “The Trailside Killer” by the press, Carpenter terrorized Point Reyes and Santa Cruz County for a decade, assaulting, kidnapping, and killing at least eight people, but he was suspected of more. Like those other killers, Carpenter had a long history of violent and antisocial behavior going back to his childhood, including multiple arrests and incarcerations. How was it that a man with such an alarming history of violence could go uncaught for a decade? Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Associated Press. 1980. "Trail Killer will strike again." , December 1: 1. Burkhardt, Bill. 1979. "Woman found murdered on Mt. Tam." , August 21: 1. Graysmith, Robert. 1990. New York, NY: Onyx. Keraghosian, Greg. 2020. "'Do not hike alone': For 21 months, the Trailside Killer terrorized Bay Area's outdoors." , October 25. Leader, Lewis. 1980. "Identification ends dad's long quest." , December 2: 2. San Francisco Examiner. 1960. "MP's shots foil attack on woman." , July 13: 1. —. 1961. "Presidio attacker gets 14 yrs." , March 10: 11. —. 1960. "Sex case insanity plea." , October 8: 5. Santa Cruz Sentinel. 1970. "Boulder Creek girl attacked." , January 29: 22. —. 1970. "Grand jury indicts con." , July 17: 7. —. 1970. "SLV kidnap suspect flees Calaveras jail." , April 27: 1. 1997. S004654 (Superior Court of Los Angeles County, April 28). 1999. S006547 (Superior Court of San Diego County, November 29). Todd, John. 1980. "Tam closed in hunt for clues." , October 16: 1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Californians were terrorized by multiple killers including notorious serial killers like the Zodiac Killer, the Hillside Stranglers, Herbert Mullin, and Ed Kemper. While the decade may have ended with these killers disappearing or apprehended, the threat of violence and murder simply moved north. Though less known than his contemporaries, David Carpenter was no less prolific and frightening a killer than those men mentioned above. Nicknamed “The Trailside Killer” by the press, Carpenter terrorized Point Reyes and Santa Cruz County for a decade, assaulting, kidnapping, and killing at least eight people, but he was suspected of more. Like those other killers, Carpenter had a long history of violent and antisocial behavior going back to his childhood, including multiple arrests and incarcerations. How was it that a man with such an alarming history of violence could go uncaught for a decade? Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Associated Press. 1980. "Trail Killer will strike again." , December 1: 1. Burkhardt, Bill. 1979. "Woman found murdered on Mt. Tam." , August 21: 1. Graysmith, Robert. 1990. New York, NY: Onyx. Keraghosian, Greg. 2020. "'Do not hike alone': For 21 months, the Trailside Killer terrorized Bay Area's outdoors." , October 25. Leader, Lewis. 1980. "Identification ends dad's long quest." , December 2: 2. San Francisco Examiner. 1960. "MP's shots foil attack on woman." , July 13: 1. —. 1961. "Presidio attacker gets 14 yrs." , March 10: 11. —. 1960. "Sex case insanity plea." , October 8: 5. Santa Cruz Sentinel. 1970. "Boulder Creek girl attacked." , January 29: 22. —. 1970. "Grand jury indicts con." , July 17: 7. —. 1970. "SLV kidnap suspect flees Calaveras jail." , April 27: 1. 1997. S004654 (Superior Court of Los Angeles County, April 28). 1999. S006547 (Superior Court of San Diego County, November 29). Todd, John. 1980. "Tam closed in hunt for clues." , October 16: 1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In the winter of 1973, director William Friedkin released his iconic horror classic , a film that has shocked and terrified audiences for more than fifty years. Based on William Peter Blatty’s novel of the same name, tells the story of a young girl who becomes possessed by a demonic entity, and the two Catholic priests who attempt to exorcise the demon. Even more terrifying than the content of the film, however, was the fact that was supposedly based on a true story. William Peter Blatty had always stated The Exorcist was based on a supposedly true story he’d heard while at Georgetown University. According to Blatty, a Maryland boy, known as “Roland Doe,” had become possessed by a demonic entity and, among other things, underwent a negative personality change and began exhibiting impossible abilities including an ability to speak Latin. It was only through the dedication of one Jesuit priest that the boy was eventually freed of his possession and went on to live a normal life. Since the release of both the novel and the film in the 1970s, a great deal more has been learned about “Roland Doe” and the supposedly true story that inspired The Exorcist, raising many questions about the veracity of the original claims. Who was “Roland Doe,” and was he truly possessed by a demon, or just the intense emotions of an adolescent boy? Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Allen, Thomas. 1993. New York, NY: Doubleday. Associated Press. 1949. "'Evil spirit' cast out of 14-yearf-old." , August 10: 8. McGuire, John M. 2005. "Priest was last of three who did 1949 exorcism." , March 3: A1. News and Observer. 1964. "Tar Heel develops space ceramics." , September 3: 27. Nickell, Joe. 2001. "Exorcism!: Driving Out the Nonsense." 20-24. Opsasnick, Mark. 1999. "The haunted boy of Cottage City, the cold hard facts behind the story that Inspired The Exorcist." Young, Maya. 2010. December 20. Accessed March 17, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/20/the-exorcist-boy-named-magazine. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Throughout the early 1970s, California’s Bay Area was in the grip of terror as multiple serial killers operated at the time same time and in more or less the same space. In time, some of these killers, like Ed Kemper, would be caught, while others, like the Zodiac Killer, would remain unidentified. Yet it was the ones who appeared to kill at random, without any preferred victim, that would prove the most terrifying and most difficult to catch. Herbert Mullin was one such killer, and while he may have been active for a very short period, he managed to do a tremendous amount of damage in such a little amount of time. Over a five-month period in late 1972 and early 1973, Herbert Mullin killed thirteen people, including a college girl, a Catholic priest, and a former high school friend and that friend’s neighbors. To investigators, Mullin’s victims appeared to be—and indeed largely were—chosen at random and the weapons used were chosen more out of convenience than pathology. Had Mullin’s final murder not been committed in full view of witnesses, there’s a very good chance he would have gone on to kill many more people before being caught, if he ever was. Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Associated Press. 1972. "Dragnet set up for Catholic priest's slayer." , November 4: 34. Dowd, Katie. 2022. "'Murder capital of the world': The terrifying years when multiple serial killers stalked Santa Cruz." , August 21. Green, Ryan. 2024. Herefordshire, UK: Independent. Honig, Tom. 1973. "Did Mullin slay fourteen." , August 10: 1. —. 1973. "Mullin enters plea: innocent, insanity." , June 13: 1. —. 1973. "Mullin explains his reason for killing." , August 15: 1. —. 1973. "Mullin is found guilty." , August 20: 1. —. 1973. "'Overtones' of drugs in five slayings." , January 28: 1. —. 1973. "Slaying suspect called a 'quiet, regular guy'." , February 15: 1. Lunde, Donald, and Jefferson Morgan. 1980. New York, NY: Norton. Santa Crus Sentinel. 1973. "Suspect charged in six shootings." , February 15: 1. Santa Cruz Sentinel. 1972. "Another disturbance at SC County Jail." , September 14: 19. —. 1972. "Body of slain transient is identified." , October 16: 10. —. 1972. "Investigator hired to find Cabrillo coed." , November 26: 46. —. 1972. "Priest slain in confessional box of church." , November 3: 2. Smith, Dave. 1973. "Killer of killers? Town waiting for answer." , February 19: 3. United Press International. 1973. "Friends claim man charged with 7 deaths used drugs." , February 16: 21. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Throughout the early 1970s, California’s Bay Area was in the grip of terror as multiple serial killers operated at the time same time and in more or less the same space. In time, some of these killers, like Ed Kemper, would be caught, while others, like the Zodiac Killer, would remain unidentified. Yet it was the ones who appeared to kill at random, without any preferred victim, that would prove the most terrifying and most difficult to catch. Herbert Mullin was one such killer, and while he may have been active for a very short period, he managed to do a tremendous amount of damage in such a little amount of time. Over a five-month period in late 1972 and early 1973, Herbert Mullin killed thirteen people, including a college girl, a Catholic priest, and a former high school friend and that friend’s neighbors. To investigators, Mullin’s victims appeared to be—and indeed largely were—chosen at random and the weapons used were chosen more out of convenience than pathology. Had Mullin’s final murder not been committed in full view of witnesses, there’s a very good chance he would have gone on to kill many more people before being caught, if he ever was. Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Associated Press. 1972. "Dragnet set up for Catholic priest's slayer." , November 4: 34. Dowd, Katie. 2022. "'Murder capital of the world': The terrifying years when multiple serial killers stalked Santa Cruz." , August 21. Green, Ryan. 2024. Herefordshire, UK: Independent. Honig, Tom. 1973. "Did Mullin slay fourteen." , August 10: 1. —. 1973. "Mullin enters plea: innocent, insanity." , June 13: 1. —. 1973. "Mullin explains his reason for killing." , August 15: 1. —. 1973. "Mullin is found guilty." , August 20: 1. —. 1973. "'Overtones' of drugs in five slayings." , January 28: 1. —. 1973. "Slaying suspect called a 'quiet, regular guy'." , February 15: 1. Lunde, Donald, and Jefferson Morgan. 1980. New York, NY: Norton. Santa Crus Sentinel. 1973. "Suspect charged in six shootings." , February 15: 1. Santa Cruz Sentinel. 1972. "Another disturbance at SC County Jail." , September 14: 19. —. 1972. "Body of slain transient is identified." , October 16: 10. —. 1972. "Investigator hired to find Cabrillo coed." , November 26: 46. —. 1972. "Priest slain in confessional box of church." , November 3: 2. Smith, Dave. 1973. "Killer of killers? Town waiting for answer." , February 19: 3. United Press International. 1973. "Friends claim man charged with 7 deaths used drugs." , February 16: 21. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When Luigi Mangione allegedly gunned down UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, the media called it a senseless crime. But online, a different story emerged—one of rage, reckoning, and a suspected killer turned folk hero. More than just a true crime podcast, , hosted by Jesse Weber, dares to look beyond the crime and the accused to explore a cultural tipping point in America, asking you to decide - is the status quo enough, or is it time for a cultural reckoning? Listen to Law&Crime’s exclusively on Wondery+ and follow the show page to keep up on all the latest developments. You can join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Visit www.wondery.com/links/luigi http://www.wondery.com/shows/luigi and start your free trial now! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On the night of August 14, 1985, twenty-year-old Kristin O’Connell left a party in Ovid, NY to go for a walk. Two days later, her nude body was discovered near a cornfield along a rural county road; she had been stabbed in the chest and her throat was cut. The unsolved murder of Kristin O’Connell has baffled local New York investigators for decades. At the time of her murder, Kristin had traveled from Minnesota to New York to visit a young man she’d met a few months earlier while on Spring Break in Florida. According to witnesses, Kristin wasn’t wearing shoes when she left the party and she wasn’t carrying a purse. Several witnesses reported having seen Kristin walking that night between 11:30 pm and 12:15 am, when she was seen talking to one or possible two men in a car. Roughly ten minutes later, several people reported hearing a loud scream coming from the area where her body was discovered. In the decades since Kristin’s murder, police have interviewed dozens of witnesses and followed up on thousands of leads, yet the case remains no closer to being solved than it was in the days following the discovery of the body. Please sign the Petition to override the decision to not permit 'touch DNA' to potentially solve this cold case! visit https://www.change.org/p/family-demands-dna-testing-by-othram-labs-in-the-kristin-o-connell-cold-case Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Allen, Matha. 1985. "Slain woman's parents seek comfort from her letter." , August 18: 35. Associated Press. 1987. "Psychics seeking slues to 1985 murder in Ovid." , August 22: 12. —. 2009. "DNA may solve '85 slaying." , August 13: 1. Democrat and Chronicle . 1985. "Police ask help in Ovid murder." , August 20: 11. Democrat and Chronicle. 1985. "Lab to test items from slaying." , August 19: 7. Ebert, Alex. 2009. "A Burnsville mother won't let her daughter's murder case go cold." , August 13. Gillis, Jackie. 2023. March 2. Accessed March 2, 2025. https://www.mytwintiers.com/news-cat/local-news/what-happened-to-kristin-oconnell/. Lighty, Todd, and John Hartsock. 1985. "Brutal slaying shakes Seneca town." , August 18: 1. Pfifer, Jim. 1996. "Police suspect imprisoned man for 1985 murder in Ovid." , January 28: 1. Pittman, Mark. 1985. "Minn. woman found dead in Seneca." , August 17: 1. Ritter, Carol. 1985. "4 deaths, few answers in Seneca." , August 22: 14. —. 1986. "Parents on pilgrimage of grief." , August 16: 1. —. 1985. "Slaying no longer the talk of Ovid, but investigation, reaction continue." , September 25: 11. Shaw, David. 2009. "Police seek help on cold case." , August 13. —. 1986. "Kristin O'Connell's murderer thwarts police." , February 21: 1. —. 1986. "Murder case takes police out of state." , January 8: 14. —. 1985. "Cops place an ad in hunt for killer." , August 29: 1. —. 1985. "Police hope TV reenactment of killing will help solve case." , September 13: 15. —. 1985. "Slaying's legacy: a bounty and fear." , August 30: 95. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Weirdos! Today we just wanted to be ourselves- and enjoy some Listener tales that are brought TO you, BY you, FOR you, FROM you, and ALLLLL about you! Throw on a comfy sweatshirt and join use as we talk about paranormal experiences at creepy schools! Don't forget to check out the VIDEO from this episode available on YouTube on 3/27/2025! If you’ve got a listener tale please send it on over to Morbidpodcast@gmail.com with “Listener Tales” somewhere in the subject line- and if you share pictures- please let us know if we can share them with fellow weirdos! :) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
January 15, 1919 was an unusually warm day in Boston, a welcome change from the typically cold temperatures Bostonians had experienced in the previous days. A little after 12:30 pm, the residents of the city’s North End neighborhood were going about their usual routines when all of the sudden they felt the ground shake, followed by a loud rumbling roar, as though the train had gone off the tracks. Then, without warning, a wave of molasses—reportedly fifty feet high—flooded the neighborhood with more than 2.5 million gallons of syrup, destroying buildings, toppling the nearby elevated train line, and killing twenty-one people. One of the lesser told and remembered stories in Boston’s history, the great molasses flood of 1919 caused untold damage to one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods and injured more than 150 people, in addition to the twenty-one dead. Yet for an event so remarkable and strange, it is still unknown precisely what caused the Purity Distilling Company’s molasses storage tank to burst and dump its contents across the North End, making it one of Boston’s most bizarre pieces of folklore. Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Boston Daily Globe. 1919. "Death toll from tank disaster 13." , January 18: 1. —. 1919. "Martin Clougherty awoke in a sea of sticky molasses." , January 16: 7. —. 1919. "Molasses tank explosion injures 50 and kills 11." , January 16: 1. —. 1919. "No Bill returned in tank disaster." , February 13: 3. —. 1919. "Official police report of North End disaster." , January 16: 7. —. 1919. "Scenes of anguish at relief station." , January 16: 7. Buell, Spencer. 2019. "Anarchists, horses, heroes: 12 things you didn't know about the Great Boston Molasses Flood." , Janaury 12. Daily Boston Globe. 1919. "Explosion theory favored by expert." , January 16: 1. —. 1919. "Mayor appalled, promises probe." , January 16: 1. Dwyer, Dialynn. 2019. "What people saw and felt in the first moments of Boston's dead Great Molasses Flood." , January 13. Jabr, Ferris. 2013. "The science of the Great Molasses Flood." , August 1. Park, Edwards. 1983. "Without warning, molasses surged over Boston 100 years ago." , November 1. Puleo, Stephen. 2004. Boston, MA: Beacon Press. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On December 18, 1994, twenty-seven-year-old Alison Botha was abducted from the parking lot of her apartment in Port Elizabeth by two men she didn’t know and had never seen. After forcing her into her car, her abductors drove her to a remote field, where she was sexually assaulted, stabbed dozens of times, nearly decapitated, and left for dead. Miraculously, Alison didn’t die in that field, but instead managed to get to a nearby road, where she found help and was transported to the nearest hospital where she received life-saving treatment. Because she remembered everything about her attackers, Alison was able to describe the men and they were quickly arrested and confessed to the assault. Since enduring her horrific attack, Alison Botha has become a symbol of endurance and for decades her story of survival has inspired and empowered young women across South Africa and around the world. Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Marianne, Thamm. 2018. Cape Town, South Africa: Penguin Random House South Africa. Reddy, Tash. 2006. "Alison has life - and she truly cherishes it." , December 2. —. 2006. "Miracle survivor Alison inspires." , December 3. Sanpath, Arthi. 2010. "Will to survive triumphs incredible story of courage inspires all." , August 23. Thamm, Marianne. 2024. "Alison Botha health update — Reunited with family and fighting for recovery." , October 27. The Mercury. 2023. "Rapist pair get paroled after serving 28 years." , July 6. The Star. 2012. "Rape victim's parole shock." , January 19. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A little past midnight on July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis, a US Navy cruiser, had just delivered the uranium that would be used in the first nuclear bomb dropped on Japan, and was returning to the Philippines when it was struck by a Japanese torpedo. The ship was badly damaged in the attack and within ten minutes it rolled onto its side, dumping 890 crewmen into the pitch-black ocean and dragging the remaining 300 down with the ship. Those who survived the torpedo strike did what they could to grab supplies before abandoning ship, but there were very few life boats or life jackets, so many of the sailors had to float in the water or cling to the few rafts they did manage to take before jumping from the boat. To make matters worse, their mission had been highly confidential and no one in the Navy knew where the Indianapolis was, much less that it had sank. The surviving crew thought things were about as bad as they could get, then the sharks began showing up. Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Associated Press. 1945. "Indianapolis sunk with 883 killed." , August 15: 1. Austin, Daryl. 2021. "How a WWII Japanese sub commander helped exonerate a U.S. Navy captain." , June 6. Buckley, Chris. 2017. "Wreckage of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, lost for 72 years, is found in Pacific." , August 21. Charles B. McVay, III, interview by US Naval History and Heritage Command. 2003. (April 20). Newcomb, Richard F. 1958. "Court's verdict surprises, irks public." , November 30: 22. —. 1958. "Rescue operation put in motion." , November 24: 1. —. 1958. "Survivors begin ordeal in sea." , November 22: 1. Paridon, Seth. n.d. "Surviving the sinking of the USS Indianapolis." Phillips, Kristine. 2017. "USS Indianapolis survivor recalls four days in shark-filled sea." , August 20. 1975. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Performed by Robert Shaw. US Navy Court of Inquiry. 1945. Summary, Washington, DC: United States Government. Vincent, Lynn, and Sara Vladic. 2018. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Spooky Lakes time, everyone! Alaina brings us to Big Moose lake in New York State and shares the tragic story of Grace Brown’s murder. Grace’s ghost has been seen many times at the lake since she was murdered in 1906 and at the nearby Covewood lodge. We then follow Ash across the country to Oregon, more specifically Crater Lake in Crater Lake National park. Ash shares about all the mysterious disappearing planes, a double murder from 1952 and of course she could never forget the Old Man of the Lake. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When Jean Harris met Herman Tarnower in the winter of 1966, she quickly fell in love the charming doctor. Having just come out of a disappointing twenty-year marriage, Harris was desperate to find the love and stimulating partnership she’d long dreamed of, and believed she’d finally found it in the intellectual Tarnower and the two would live happily ever after. But fourteen years later, Tarnower was dead and Harris was on trial for his murder, her fantasy of happily ever after having crumbled around her. Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Alexander, Shana. 1983. Very Much a Lady: The Untold Story of Jean Harris and Dr. Herman Tarnower. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster. Clendinen, Dudley. 1981. "Jean Harrids as a witness: sad, humorous, cutting." New York Times, January 28: B2. Faron, James. 1980. "'Scarsdale Diet' doctor slain; headmistress charged." New York Times, March 12: A1. Feron, James. 1981. "Defiant Jean Harris sentenced to mandatory fifteen years." New York Times, March 21: 1. —. 1980. "Hard questioning is screening out Tarnower jurors." New York Times, November 13: B2. —. 1980. "Jean Harris jury told of clothing found 'slashed'." New York Times, December 3: B1. —. 1981. "Jurors in Harris trial re-enacted night of murder in deliberations." New York Times, February 26: A1. —. 1980. "Policeman tells how Mrs. Harris described fight." New York Times, December 12: B1. Haden-Guest, Anthony. 1980. "The headmistress and the diet doctor." New York Magazine, March 31. The People of the State of New York v. Jean S. Harris. 1981. 84 A.D.2d 63 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department, December 30). United Press International. 1981. "Juror says Mrs. Harris's tesimony was the key to murder." New York Times, February 25: B2. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Join us for a special bonus episode with Tobias Forge, the man behind the mythos that is The Band Ghost. Hear exclusive news about their latest album, the process behind the music and some you heard it here first moments. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out the new music video for Satanized! Want more? Preorder the album 'Skeleta' which drops on 4/25/25! See Ghost LIVE in the upcoming SkeleTour World Tour! Grab the 4 issue 'Sister Imperator Comic'! You can find all things Ghost on https://ghost-official.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When Jean Harris met Herman Tarnower in the winter of 1966, she quickly fell in love the charming doctor. Having just come out of a disappointing twenty-year marriage, Harris was desperate to find the love and stimulating partnership she’d long dreamed of, and believed she’d finally found it in the intellectual Tarnower and the two would live happily ever after. But fourteen years later, Tarnower was dead and Harris was on trial for his murder, her fantasy of happily ever after having crumbled around her. Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Alexander, Shana. 1983. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster. Clendinen, Dudley. 1981. "Jean Harrids as a witness: sad, humorous, cutting." , January 28: B2. Faron, James. 1980. "'Scarsdale Diet' doctor slain; headmistress charged." , March 12: A1. Feron, James. 1981. "Defiant Jean Harris sentenced to mandatory fifteen years." , March 21: 1. —. 1980. "Hard questioning is screening out Tarnower jurors." , November 13: B2. —. 1980. "Jean Harris jury told of clothing found 'slashed'." , December 3: B1. —. 1981. "Jurors in Harris trial re-enacted night of murder in deliberations." , February 26: A1. —. 1980. "Policeman tells how Mrs. Harris described fight." , December 12: B1. Haden-Guest, Anthony. 1980. "The headmistress and the diet doctor." , March 31. 1981. 84 A.D.2d 63 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department, December 30). United Press International. 1981. "Juror says Mrs. Harris's tesimony was the key to murder." , February 25: B2. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Weirdos! Today we've got a special guest -Andrew McMahon of 'Something Corporate', 'Jack's Mannequin', and 'Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness'. In addition to heating about his journey as an artist, Alaina dives into some dark history and tells us about dancing plagues and other instances of hysteria. Want to check out Andrew's music, or purchase merch or tour tickets? Visit https://andrewmcmahon.com/ Don't forget to check out the 'Dear Jack Foundation' which provides impactful programs benefiting adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer and their families. For more information visit the foundation's website at https://www.dearjackfoundation.org/ . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Weirdos! Grab your sleepingbag, bags of snacks, and facemasks, and get ready for a slumber party! This month, we're giving you a fresh batch of listener tales brought TO you, BY you, FOR you, FROM you, and ALLLLL about you! Today we're talking dreams and astral projection! We have MULTIPLE prophetic dreams, lucid dreams, demons, and a BEAUTIFUL meetcute in a shared dreamscape that brings the entire pod lab to tears! Don't forget to check out the VIDEO from this episode available on YouTube on 2/27/2025! If you’ve got a listener tale please send it on over to Morbidpodcast@gmail.com with “Listener Tales” somewhere in the subject line- and if you share pictures- please let us know if we can share them with fellow weirdos! :) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
You know those messages that you get all the time, the ones that pop up out of nowhere? They could be real, but something about them seems fishy. You likely dismiss these texts and emails as mere annoyances, thinking you’ve stopped some random stranger from ripping you off. But the shocking truth is, the person behind that message might be trapped inside a “scam factory” on the other side of the world and forced to scam others against their will. From Wondery, comes a new series about the brutal reality behind these operations, where one family discovers a horrifying truth: the only way out is to scam their way out. Listen Now: Wondery.fm/Scam_Factory http://wondery.fm/Scam_Factory See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On the morning of January 15, 1947, a woman walking with her young daughter spotted something pale and white lying in the weeds of a vacant lot. When the woman walked closer to get a better look, she made a horrifying discovery: the bisected body of a young woman, brutally murdered and like trash in the abandoned overgrown lot. The woman in the lot would soon be identified as twenty-two-year-old aspiring actress Elizabeth Short, who the press nicknamed “The Black Dahlia.” Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Associated Press. 1947. "Mrs. Phoebe Short can't believe slain girl hers." Los Angeles Times, Janaury 17: 2. Bartlett, Jim. 2017. The Black Dahlia: Los Angeles' most famous unsolved murder. January 8. Accessed January 14, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38513320. Daily News. 1947. "Body of girl mutilated by murderer." Daily News (Los Angeles, CA), January 15: 1. Federal Bureau of Investigation. 1947. Correspondence, Identification Division, FBI. Letter from R.B. Hood, SAC to Director Hoover, re: Black Dahlia identification, Washington, DC: United States Department of Justice. Gilmore, John. 1994. Severed: The True Story of the Black Dahlia. Gardena, CA: Zanja Press. Goffard, Christopher. 2024. "The killing of Elizabeth Short, dubbed the Black Dahlia, has inspired endless theories." Los Angeles Times, October 26: B1. Hodel, Steve. 2003. Black Dahlia Avenger: A Genius for Murder. New York, NY: Arcade Publishing. Lait, Matt. 1991. "Memories of murder." Los Angeles Times, June 22: B1. —. 1991. "Search fails to turn up evidence of '47 murder." Los Angeles Times, June 23: B1. Los Angeles Times. 1947. "Beth Short slaying suspect jailed after asserted admission of crime." Los Angeles Times, January 29: 2. —. 1947. "'Black Dahlia' knife braggart terroizes girl." Los Angeles Times, February 5: 7. —. 1947. "'Black Dahlia's' love life traced in search for her fiendish murderer." Los Angeles Times, Janaury 18: 3. —. 1947. "'Dahlia' clues fail; inquest conducted." Los Angeles Times, Janaury 23: 2. —. 1947. "Elizabeth Short case slayer baffles police." Los Angeles Times, Janaury 31: 2. —. 1947. "Girl victim of sex fiend found slain." Los Angeles Times, January 16: 2. —. 2004. "Janice Knowlton claimed a link to Black Dahlia murder." Los Angeles Times, December 19: B7. —. 1947. "'Killer' fails to surrender in Elizabeth Short death." Los Angeles Times, January 30: 2. —. 1947. "Mystery envelope sent in 'Dahlia' case; address book gives dozens of fresh leads." Los Angeles Times, January 25: 3. —. 1947. "Police await second 'Dahlia' letter for clue to break murder case." Los Angeles Times, January 27: 2. —. 1947. "Police free red-haired salesman as suspect in 'Black Dahlia' murder." Los Angeles Times, Janaury 21: 2. —. 1947. "Police stumped in beauty killing." Los Angeles Times, February 2: 2. —. 1947. "Soldier's 'Dahlia' date tale newest clue in slaying." Los Angeles Times, February 6: 2. —. 1947. "Soldier's leave time checked in 'Dahlia' murder." Los Angeles Times, February 7: 2. —. 1947. "Suspect detained for questioning in 'Black Dahlia' mutilation murder." Los Angeles Times, January 20: 2. —. 1947. "Tooth cavities clue checked in beauty slaying." Los Angeles Times, February 4: 2. Nightingale, Suzan. 1982. "Author claims to have found 1947 murderer." Los Angeles Herald Examiner, Janaury 17. United Press. 1947. "'Sick' veteran is booked in Dahlia death." Fresno Bee, January 29: 1. —. 1947. "Spurned lover is hunted in murder of 'Black Dahlia'." Fresno Bee, January 17: 1. —. 1947. "L.A. Police hope Dahliua murderer will surrender." Sacramento Bee, January 28: 4. Weller, Sheila. 2015. "The sins of the father." Dujour, June 01. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On the morning of January 15, 1947, a woman walking with her young daughter spotted something pale and white lying in the weeds of a vacant lot. When the woman walked closer to get a better look, she made a horrifying discovery: the bisected body of a young woman, brutally murdered and like trash in the abandoned overgrown lot. The woman in the lot would soon be identified as twenty-two-year-old aspiring actress Elizabeth Short, who the press nicknamed “The Black Dahlia.” Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Associated Press. 1947. "Mrs. Phoebe Short can't believe slain girl hers." Los Angeles Times, Janaury 17: 2. Bartlett, Jim. 2017. The Black Dahlia: Los Angeles' most famous unsolved murder. January 8. Accessed January 14, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38513320. Daily News. 1947. "Body of girl mutilated by murderer." Daily News (Los Angeles, CA), January 15: 1. Federal Bureau of Investigation. 1947. Correspondence, Identification Division, FBI. Letter from R.B. Hood, SAC to Director Hoover, re: Black Dahlia identification, Washington, DC: United States Department of Justice. Gilmore, John. 1994. Severed: The True Story of the Black Dahlia. Gardena, CA: Zanja Press. Goffard, Christopher. 2024. "The killing of Elizabeth Short, dubbed the Black Dahlia, has inspired endless theories." Los Angeles Times, October 26: B1. Hodel, Steve. 2003. Black Dahlia Avenger: A Genius for Murder. New York, NY: Arcade Publishing. Lait, Matt. 1991. "Memories of murder." Los Angeles Times, June 22: B1. —. 1991. "Search fails to turn up evidence of '47 murder." Los Angeles Times, June 23: B1. Los Angeles Times. 1947. "Beth Short slaying suspect jailed after asserted admission of crime." Los Angeles Times, January 29: 2. —. 1947. "'Black Dahlia' knife braggart terroizes girl." Los Angeles Times, February 5: 7. —. 1947. "'Black Dahlia's' love life traced in search for her fiendish murderer." Los Angeles Times, Janaury 18: 3. —. 1947. "'Dahlia' clues fail; inquest conducted." Los Angeles Times, Janaury 23: 2. —. 1947. "Elizabeth Short case slayer baffles police." Los Angeles Times, Janaury 31: 2. —. 1947. "Girl victim of sex fiend found slain." Los Angeles Times, January 16: 2. —. 2004. "Janice Knowlton claimed a link to Black Dahlia murder." Los Angeles Times, December 19: B7. —. 1947. "'Killer' fails to surrender in Elizabeth Short death." Los Angeles Times, January 30: 2. —. 1947. "Mystery envelope sent in 'Dahlia' case; address book gives dozens of fresh leads." Los Angeles Times, January 25: 3. —. 1947. "Police await second 'Dahlia' letter for clue to break murder case." Los Angeles Times, January 27: 2. —. 1947. "Police free red-haired salesman as suspect in 'Black Dahlia' murder." Los Angeles Times, Janaury 21: 2. —. 1947. "Police stumped in beauty killing." Los Angeles Times, February 2: 2. —. 1947. "Soldier's 'Dahlia' date tale newest clue in slaying." Los Angeles Times, February 6: 2. —. 1947. "Soldier's leave time checked in 'Dahlia' murder." Los Angeles Times, February 7: 2. —. 1947. "Suspect detained for questioning in 'Black Dahlia' mutilation murder." Los Angeles Times, January 20: 2. —. 1947. "Tooth cavities clue checked in beauty slaying." Los Angeles Times, February 4: 2. Nightingale, Suzan. 1982. "Author claims to have found 1947 murderer." Los Angeles Herald Examiner, Janaury 17. United Press. 1947. "'Sick' veteran is booked in Dahlia death." Fresno Bee, January 29: 1. —. 1947. "Spurned lover is hunted in murder of 'Black Dahlia'." Fresno Bee, January 17: 1. —. 1947. "L.A. Police hope Dahliua murderer will surrender." Sacramento Bee, January 28: 4. Weller, Sheila. 2015. "The sins of the father." Dujour, June 01. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On the afternoon of August 7, 1972, sixteen-year-old Jeannette DePalma left her house in Springfield, NJ and was never seen alive again. Six weeks later, Jeannette’s remains were discovered when a neighborhood dog returned to its owner at a newly built apartment complex, carrying Jeannette’s badly decomposed arm in its mouth. The news of Jeannette’s death spread quickly around the small town and the rumors about the circumstances were not far behind. According to witnesses, the girl’s body was surrounded by occult symbols and objects, and within a few weeks news outlets began reporting that Jeannette had been the victim of ritual human sacrifice. For more than five decades, the murder of Jeannette DePalma had fascinated New Jersey residents and has even captured the attention of news outlets from around the country and occasionally around the world. Yet the more coverage the case receives, the more the rumors of occult murder and Satanism seem to grow, obscuring the more relevant facts and the tragedy at the heart of the case. Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Associated Press. 1972. "Police probe death of girl." , October 3: 11. —. 1972. "Witchcraft seen possible in teen-age girl's death." , September 30: 3. —. 1972. "Was girl black magic victim?" , September 30: 1. Burks, Edward. 1971. "'Satan cult' death, drugs jolt peaceful Vineland, N.J." , July 6: 35. Chadwick, Bruce. 1972. "Priest's theory: devil's disciples killed girl." , October 4: 399. Hughes, Sarah A. 2021. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. Lenehan, Arthur. 1972. "Springfield cops find girl's body." , September 21: 10. —. 1972. "'Witchcraft' implicated in DePalma murder." , October 3: 8. Muscavage, Nick. 2019. "What happened to Springfield teen found dead near Watchung Reservation in 1972?" , August 23. Pollack, Jesse, and Mark Moran. 2015. Gloucestershire, UK: The History Press. Schwartz, Art. 2015. "Conspiracy or serial killer?" , January 25. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Two decades before the Lindbergh baby became America’s most famous missing child, four-year-old Bobby Dunbar, went missing in Opelousas, Louisiana, setting in motion one of the strangest kidnapping stories in the nation’s history. In the summer of 1912, the Dunbar family took a trip to Swayze Lake in St. Landry Parish, where Bobby wandered off and disappeared. The boy’s disappearance was followed by an eight-month search across the American south, until Bobby was ostensibly found in the company of William Walters, a handyman traveling through the Mississippi. Bobby’s parents were elated to have their son back after such a long absence, but the problem was, very few people seem convinced that the boy was in fact Bobby Dunbar. After extensive news coverage of the search, Walters’ trial for kidnapping, and the joyful return of Bobby to his family, interest in the case began to fade, but for the Dunbar family, questions remained about Bobby’s identity. Had the Dunbars, in their desperation to find their son, unintentionally kidnapped someone else’s child? Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Crowley Post-Signal. 1913. "Charges fell to ground." , April 11: 5. Daily Advertiser. 1914. "Walters' trial at Opelousas." , April 21: 1. —. 1914. "Supreme court frees Walters." , June 30: 1. McThenia, Tal, and Ira Glass. 2008. "The Ghost of Bobby Dunbar." Chicago, IL: Chicago Public Media, March 14. New York Times. 1912. "$6,000 for missing boy." , November 10: 1. —. 1912. "Kidnapped boy murdered." , December 15: 14. Ray, S.W. 1914. "Opelousas jury hears life story of other mother." , April 23: 8. St. Landry Clarion. 1912. "No trace of lost Bob Dunbar." , September 7: 1. —. 1912. "Robert Dunbar, 4 years old, mysteriously disappears." , August 31: 4. —. 1914. "Asks that fair play be given to the accused." , April 18: 1. —. 1914. "Fair play for Walters." , April 18: 1. Times-Democrat. 1913. "Recognizes playmates." , April 26: 1. —. 1913. "Does not identify boy." , April 22: 1. —. 1913. "Dunbar boy talking." , May 20: 4. —. 1913. "Hunting for kidnappers." , April 27: 1. —. 1913. "Is not Bruce Anderson." , April 26: 1. —. 1913. "Now believes boy hers." , May 3: 1. —. 1912. "Scores search for missing lad." , August 25: 1. —. 1912. "Suspicion turns toward negroes." , September 2: 1. —. 1913. "Movements of Tinker." , May 23: 1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Today we are joined by Emmy award winning film directors, Chapman & Maclain Way to discuss the wild story behind their Netflix Documentary "The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga". This documentary was expertly crafted and features the often unbelievable folklore surrounding the 2013 Presidential Ricin Attacks. Haven't watched it yet? Check it out by visiting https://www.netflix.com/title/81903247 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
