Crimes of the Basquelands

In our compact Txikisodes, Julie and Douglas tag-team to serve up quick doses of recent crime stories either unfolding in the Basque Country or intricately connected to it. In this week's Txikisode, Julie and Douglas dive into various stories from the Basquelands. They discuss two recent femicides in Miami and Bilbao, shed light on the issue of contraband cigarettes in Navarre, explore allegations...

In this week’s episode, we’re shaking things up a bit as Douglas takes the lead with a fascinating historical crime story. Get ready to step back in time, all the way to the 17th century, as we dive headfirst into the riveting world of the Basque witch trials. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill witch-hunt narrative. Douglas is about to provide us with a fresh perspective, one that will have us ex...

In this week’s episode, Julie and Douglas delve into a truly heart-wrenching and astonishing event that shook the foundations of the Marcelino Ugalde public school in Ortuella, Bizkaia, back in October of 1980. Join us as we unravel the details surrounding this tragic incident, examining the profound impact it had on the community and its lasting legacy. Content warning: this story involves the de...

In our compact Txikisodes, Julie and Douglas tag-team to serve up quick doses of recent crime stories either unfolding in the Basque Country or intricately connected to it. In this week's 'Txikisode', Julie and Douglas cover a pot bust, a baby napping scandal, and a story that reveals how your homeowners' insurance plays a role in pickpocketing. But there's more! A plutonium smuggling operation ta...

This week, Julie and Douglas are taking a time machine back to 1800s Vitoria-Gasteiz for the gripping second part of our story. We’re delving into the chilling escalation of De Garayo’s crimes—the infamous ‘sacamantecas’—and the pursuit that ultimately led to his capture and punishment. But here’s a friendly reminder: If you haven’t tuned in to episode 4 yet, we highly recommend going back and lis...

This week on our true crime podcast, Julie and Douglas are taking a trip to Vitoria-Gasteiz to uncover a chilling chapter in Euskadi’s history—a local rendition of a ‘Jack-the-Ripper’ case that unfolded at the turn of the 20th century. Meet ‘El Sacamantecas,’ the sinister figure who cast a dark shadow over the capital of the Basque Country, turning the quaint town into a hotbed of fear and paranoi...

In our compact Txikisodes, Julie and Douglas tag-team to serve up quick doses of recent crime stories either unfolding in the Basque Country or intricately connected to it. In this week's Txikisode, Julie and Douglas explore a range of stories from the Basquelands. They cover a police officer arrested for drug trafficking, a robbery-murder case in Colombia, and a paraglider rescue operation, among...

In this week’s thrilling installment of our true crime podcast, Julie and Douglas are back to explore a story that’s as riveting as it is unbelievable. Imagine what happens when you combine two “bad apples,” a staggering 95 kilos of speed, a Santander nightclub, and a brothel hidden away on the outskirts of a picturesque Basque town. Join us as we unravel the complex narrative of this true crime s...

In today’s episode, Julie and Douglas are getting cozy and discussing the rise and demise of a popular martial arts instructor. Picture this: a self-proclaimed spiritual guru decides to set up shop right in the heart of Bizkaia’s capital (Biscay). At first, it’s just another dojo in the Basque city, but hold onto your “Txapela” because this tale takes a wild turn that no one saw coming. Join us as...