Historical True Crime

In January 1932, the icy wilderness of Canada’s Yukon Territory became the stage for an extraordinary manhunt. Known as the “Mad Trapper of Rat River,” Albert Johnson eluded law enforcement for weeks, battling the elements and evading capture with near-supernatural skill. Join us as we unravel the legend of Albert Johnson—a tale of isolation, endurance, and a mystery that continues to baffle nearl...

In this episode, we explore the tragic and mysterious case of Barbara and Patricia Grimes, two sisters from Chicago who vanished in December 1956. Their disappearance sparked a massive search that culminated in the discovery of their bodies nearly a month later, revealing a chilling crime that remains unsolved to this day. Source Materials: https://medium.com/@natasha.leigh/the-gruesome-unsolved-m...

In this episode, we dive into the infamous 1850 trial of Dr. John White Webster, a Harvard professor accused of murdering fellow doctor George Parkman. We explore the high-profile case, the groundbreaking forensic evidence presented in court, and how this tragedy unintentionally helped launch the field of forensic anthropology. Source Materials: https://www.boston.com/news/history/2017/11/22/a-19t...

In this episode, we dive into the infamous Red Barn Murder of 1828, exploring the tragic tale of Maria Marten and her lover William Corder. Source Materials: https://headstuff.org/culture/history/william-corder-red-barn-killer/ https://the-line-up.com/the-red-barn-murder-1827 https://fiveminutehistory.com/if-only-the-dead-could-talk-the-ghost-of-the-red-barn-murder/ https://murderpedia.org/male. C...

In this episode, we explore the tragic death of Carl Switzer, best known as Alfalfa from The Little Rascals , and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his shooting in 1959. We also look at the untimely deaths of other cast members, raising questions about a possible "curse" that shadowed the beloved series. Source Materials: The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang by Leonard Maltin...

In this episode of Historical True Crime , we explore the chilling story of the Bath School Massacre, the deadliest school attack in U.S. history. In 1927, a small Michigan town was shattered by Andrew Kehoe, a local farmer whose meticulously planned act of terror left 45 dead and a community forever changed. Source Materials: Ellsworth, Monty J. (1991) [1927]. "Chapter Three — Life of Andrew Keho...

In this episode of Historical True Crime , we dive into the tragic events at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin. What began as an idyllic retreat for Wright and his lover, Mamah Borthwick, turned into a horrific scene of violence and betrayal. We explore the shocking massacre, the mystery surrounding Julian Carlton’s motives, and the relentless media storm that followed. Finally, we examine Wright’s de...

In this episode, we uncover the horrifying story of Dean Corll, also known as The Candy Man , who committed one of the most brutal series of murders in American history. Join us as we explore Corll’s seemingly ordinary life, his twisted relationships with teenage accomplices, and the shocking chain of events that led to his capture. Source Materials: https://allthatsinteresting.com/dean-corll-cand...

In this episode of Historical True Crime , we unravel the chilling events surrounding the 1932 kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr., the son of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh. From the initial abduction and the frantic ransom negotiations to the shocking discovery of the child's remains, we explore the twists and turns of a case that captivated the nation and forever altered American society. Sour...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most infamous events in Chicago's history: the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties and Prohibition, we unravel the bloody feud between Al Capone and Bugs Moran, leading to the brutal execution of seven men in a North Side garage. Source Materials: https://www.history.com/topics/crime/saint-valentines-day-massacre h...

Explore the mysterious death of pioneering filmmaker Thomas Ince, whose untimely passing in 1924 sparked rumors of scandal and murder. Dive into the facts, the rumors, and how Ince’s legacy became overshadowed by one of Hollywood’s most enduring mysteries. Source Materials: https://collider.com/westerns-thomas-h-ince/ https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/mysterious-death-of-hollywood-pioneer-pic/ https://...

In this special 100th episode, we dive deep into the infamous case of Jack the Ripper. From the prime suspects to the ongoing debates about his identity, we unravel the mysteries surrounding the brutal murders in Victorian London. Source Materials: https://allthatsinteresting.com/jack-the-ripper-suspects https://www.jack-the-ripper.org/ https://www.casebook.org/intro.html https://history.howstuffw...

This episode takes us back to the chilling night of December 21, 1908, in Glasgow, where 83-year-old Marion Gilchrist was found brutally murdered in her upscale home. The investigation quickly led to Oscar Slater, a man with a dubious past, but the evidence was flimsy and the conviction controversial. Join me as we delve into the murder of Marion Gilchrist, the flawed trial of Oscar Slater, and th...

Between 1900 and 1909, Dayton, Ohio, was shaken by a string of brutal murders that would forever change the city. In this episode, we explore the chilling crimes of the Dayton Strangler, a killer who preyed on young women with terrifying precision. Dubbed "Jack the Strangler" by the press, the killer left a trail of fear and suspicion, and the city—once known for its industrious spirit and progres...

In this episode, we delve into the notorious Hatfield-McCoy feud, a brutal conflict that raged between two Appalachian families in the late 19th century. What began as a dispute over a stolen hog spiraled into decades of violence, bloodshed, and revenge. Discover the events that ignited one of America's most infamous family feuds. Source Materials: https://time.com/5672415/hatfields-mccoys-feu...

In this episode we cover the Preller and Brooks case—a deadly 19th-century friendship that ended in murder. Explore the notorious trunk crime and the speculation surrounding their relationship. Join us as we unravel this chilling tale and its tragic conclusion. Source Materials: https://scholarship.law.nd.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4148&context=ndlr https://www.historicalcrimedetective.co...

In this episode, we unravel the chilling tale of the Ardlamont murder, a case that shook Scotland in the late 19th century. Join us as we delve into the mysterious death of Windsor Dudley Cecil Hambrough, the manipulative schemes of Alfred John Monson, and the groundbreaking forensic testimony that linked this real-life drama to the legendary Sherlock Holmes. From the Scottish countryside to the c...

In this episode, we delve into the chilling case of William Guldensuppe, a grisly murder that gripped New York City in 1897. We explore how the discovery of his dismembered body ignited a fierce media rivalry between William Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World . Source Materials: https://www.historicalcrimedetective.com/ccca/the-murder-of-william-guldensuppe-189...

This episode covers George Joseph Smith, the man behind the infamous "Brides in the Bath" murders. Discover how Smith, a cunning con artist and bigamist, lured vulnerable women into marriage, only to end their lives in a horrifyingly calculated manner. Explore the investigation that exposed his crimes and the groundbreaking forensic work that brought him to justice. Source Materials http...

In this episode we cover the story of Amy Archer-Gilligan, a seemingly devoted caregiver whose nursing home in early 20th century Connecticut became a house of horrors. We explore how her case reshaped elder care regulations and inspired the dark comedy classic "Arsenic and Old Lace." Join us as we reveal the twisted motives behind her crimes and the legacy that continues to resonate tod...

In this gripping episode, we cover the chilling story of Peter Woodcock, one of Canada's most notorious serial killers. From a childhood marred by neglect and abuse to a life of unimaginable violence, Woodcock's tale is one of profound tragedy and horror. Source Materials: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-december-3-2018-1.4929818/arrested-youth-should-not-be-interrogate...

In this episode, we delve into the tragic and gruesome murder of Pearl Bryan, a young woman from Greencastle, Indiana, whose life was cut short in 1896. Discover how her shocking death unraveled a sinister plot, led to a sensational trial, and left behind haunting legends and folk songs that keep her memory alive over a century later. Source Materials: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/crime/2...

Uncover the gripping tale of the 1963 Great Train Robbery, where a daring heist shook England to its core. Join us as we delve into the audacious crime that captured the world's attention. Source Materials https://www.postalmuseum.org/collections/great-train-robbery/ https://www.btp.police.uk/police-forces/british-transport-police/areas/about-us/about-us/our-history/crime-history/great-train-r...

In this episode, we delve into the chilling summer of 1898 in Gatton, Queensland, where the brutal murders of the Murphy siblings remain one of Australia’s most infamous unsolved crimes. Join us as we explore the events of Boxing Day, the discovery of the bodies, and the theories that have emerged over a century. Source Materials: https://www.cracked.com/blog/4-terrifying-crimes-that-well-never-so...

In this episode, we journey back to the early 20th century to uncover the chilling story of Tillie Klimek, a seemingly ordinary woman with a deadly secret. Tillie, a Polish immigrant living in Chicago, possessed an uncanny ability to predict the deaths of those around her—because she was orchestrating them herself. Source Materials https://www.jezebel.com/lady-killers-tillie-klimek-high-priestess-...