Fresh Hell Podcast

In 2003 a precious sculpture was stolen from the Museum of Art History in Vienna. Was it a meticulously planned heist or was the thief just lucky? And what even is this world famous Saliera exactly, who was the man behind the master piece and how did it end up in Vienna in the first place? Johanna tells Annie everything there is no to know about the theft of Cellini's Salt Cellar Learn more about...

Today Johanna tells Annie about Theresia Kandl, an Austrian murderer, whose story has become almost legend through the years. Did a Theresia carry her dead husband halfway through Vienna? Did she have help? Are her remains really on display at the Kriminalmuseum? Join us as we discuss the life and death of an abused woman, pushed over the edge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...

Annie tells Johanna some of the fascinating history of St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States. From the 'discovery,' and colonization of Florida by Spain's famed explorers, Juan Ponce de Leon and Pedro Menendez de Aviles, to the first Underground Railroad, of Native people helping escaped slaves find freedom in Fort Mose...through the second Spanish period, and the construction of the...

In 2014 the 28 year old German tourist Lars Mittank disappears in Bulgaria and nobody knows what happened to him. What might have started with a fight between soccer fans ended in one of the most mysterious missing person cases. If you have any information about the whereabouts of Lars Mittank, please contact your local authorities , +49 151 61378673,  or visit http://www.findet-lars-mittank.de/ L...

In the wake of the recent, tragic, mass shooting event in Nova Scotia, we thought we’d tell our listeners about one of the many times Nova Scotia, and the people of Canada managed to handle a time of crisis with dignity and great care. Canada was, of course, a safe refuge for countless air travelers on 9/11, but they also had a crucial role in the story of the Titanic. Today we are talking about t...

In today's episode, we discuss the terrible tragedy of the Silver Bridge Collapse, and the local legend of the Mothman, the infamous cryptid who called Point Pleasant, West Virginia, home. What exactly was the Mothman? A monster, a mutant, or the most ineffienct harbinger of doom, ever? Let us know what you think! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we want to distract you with two stories of people, who had to suffer through months and years of loneliness, despair and isolation, but who never gave up hope and lived through it. Ada Blackjack and Lt. Onoda Hiroo had to adapt to extremely harsh living conditions, but they just kept going! Outro: Kimigayo/ the Japanese National Anthem   This episode is sponsored by Podcorn: www.podcorn...

This week is the 26th anniversary of the hijacking of Fed Ex flight 705.What should have been a routine flight from Memphis to San Diego became an unbelievable fight for survival in the sky. Today Annie tells Johanna about the hero pilots of flight 705, and a plane that helped save their lives.   This episode is sponsored by Best Fiends: www.bestfiends.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m...

This week we decided to talk about four of the most bizarre moments in history, that hold some humor....dark humor! The unexpected death of Aeschylus, Tycho Brahe's unusual pet, the day Napoleon had to retreat from a fluffy army and the chaos that was the first Olympic marathon on US soil, during the Olympic games of 1904. We share with you a few of our favorite tales and strange deaths, while kee...

In this episode we are taking you back to the year 1770, when an Austrian farmer's wife was set on trial for the murder of her husband. They had only been married for a little over a month. Eva Faschaunerin was the last victim of judicial torture in the Habsburg Monarchy. This episode is sponsored by Best Fiends: www.bestfiends.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1970 Elmer Crawford spent a lot of time planning the murder of his wife and three children...this Family Annihilator almost got away with his plan to play the grieving husband and father...but even though one mistake made it clear he was the killer, would he ever be brought to justice? Annie tells Johanna all about this horrific Australian crime.   This episode is sponsored by Elemis. Got to ww...

Vermont is one of the most pastoral picturesque states in America, known for its covered bridges, cheese, stunning fall foliage, delicious maple syrup, winter sports, and a series of mysterious disappearances amd deaths in and around Bennington between 1945 and 1950. The Bennington Triangle is believed to be at the source of the mysterious cases. Join us as we discuss what may have happened to Mid...

In 1977, the Enfield Poltergeist tormented a North London family and remains, arguably, the most documented poltergeist case to date. Flying LEGO’s and superheated marbles, levitation, apparitions... this case has everything! You voted for this topic for our 1st anniversary episode, so join us as we discuss our listener choice, The Enfield Poltergeist, the inspiration for the film, The Conjuring 2...

This week Johanna tells Annie about the life and crimes of the sadistic Austrian spree killer, Werner Kniesek, and the tragic murder of the Altreiter family. Could these murders have been prevented?   This episode is sponsored by Best Fiends: https://bestfiends.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we cover the terrible axe murder that put the small town of Villisca, Iowa on the map. We’ll discuss the murder that destroyed both the Moore family and the Stillinger family, and explore the clues left behind by the killer. We’ll talk about the most likely suspects, and try to decide whether we think this savage, gruesome event was part of the work of an unnamed serial killer, or...

In 1911 and 1912 there was a series of murders, all near train tracks, through the Rocky Mountains region to the Midwest. Today we discuss these horrific crimes leading up to the axe murders in Villisca. Do you think they are all the same unknown serial killer?    This episode is sponsored by Podcorn. For more information go to www.podcorn.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...

54 hours! That’s how long it took to end the Gladbeck Hostage Crisis, that started as a bank robbery gone wrong and ended in three deaths: Emanuele de Giorgi, Silke Bischoff and Ingo Hagen. This week Johanna talks about this crime, that took place in August 1988, and about the role the media played in it.   This episode is sponsored by BEST FIENDS: https://bestfiends.com/ Learn more about your ad...

We’re headed back to Victorian London as we discuss John Snow and the discoveries he made regarding the spread of cholera. We discuss horrifically overcrowded cemeteries, body bugs, dancing on the dead at Enon Chapel, and take you on a ride on the London Necropolis Railroad. This episode is sponsored by Ballsy. Use promo code “FRESH20” for a 20% discount. Go to http://www.ballwash.com Learn more a...

In 1953 Teddington, England, was a town buzzing about the upcoming coronation of Elizabeth II. After the long hard years of World War II, the nation was looking forward to celebrating, and very few people in the charming town on the Thames realized a brutal rapist and murderer was on the loose. This is the story of the murder of 16 year old Barbara Songhurst and her best friend, 18 year old Christ...

In the second part, Annie and Johanna talk about the murder of Empress Elisabeth I. in Geneva and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Duchess Sophie in Sarajevo, which ultimately started WW I. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Habsburg dynasty ruled Austria for 640 years. In this two part episode we focus on the last decades of the dying empire. This week Annie and Johanna talk about the tragic and scandalous deaths of Crown Prince Rudolf and his 17 year old mistress Mary Vetsera. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1963 a brutal murder took place in the Viennese Staatsoper. The victim of the crime, that shocked the whole nation, was a 10 year old ballet student. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On December 24, 1988, Sergeant Al Powell, of the LAPD would face the most difficult day of his long and storied career on the force. Join us, as we reflect on the shocking and tragic hostage situation that turned strangers into friends and terrorists into thieves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wait, is spontaneous combustion really a thing? Annie decides to finally look into the subject of people spontaneously bursting into flame and burning to ash, and she’s going to tell Johanna everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martha Marek survived a deeply troubling childhood, and emerged a beautiful young woman who loved a nice carpet almost as much as she loved rat poison. Johanna tells Annie a twisted tale of greed, quality carpets, sincerely shocking levels of fraud, and of course...murder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices