Horrorwood: True Crime in Tinseltown

Carole Lombard and William Powell were lovers-turned-spouses-turned-exes-turned-lovers again-turned-exes for real this time-turned-BFFs. Together they starred in the 1936 screwball comedy "My Man Godfrey," and despite both of them shining on screen, behind the cameras each faced periods of darkness and tragic loss. Then at the age of 33, a person's mistake brought Carole's life to a horrifying end...

In the center of downtown DeKalb stands the Egyptian Theatre—an architectural tribute to ancient times. But this isn’t just a historic theater; it’s a place where the past lingers in more ways than one. Built in 1929, the Egyptian has survived economic collapse, near demolition, and decades of change. Today, it’s not only a beloved cultural landmark but also one of the most haunted buildings in Il...

Zhang Yiyang was known for writing and singing love songs, which helped him gain celebrity status in his home country of China. His fame only grew once he transferred his talents to the screen, performing in various shows and films. So imagine the shock of his fans when they learned he'd committed an act so vile that he was sentenced to death.   Episode Sources: “China bans reality talent shows to...

A summer scare rooted in urban legend and real-life horror. From the hook-handed tale that haunted teenage lovers, to the Texarkana Moonlight Murders, to the film I Know What You Did Last Summer—and the chilling true story of author Lois Duncan’s murdered daughter. What begins as a cautionary campfire story spirals into a web of true crime, pop culture, and devastating personal loss. The truth beh...

Have you heard of the 'Superman' curse? We're not entirely convinced one actually exists, although the number of lawsuits, accidents, deaths and faltering careers would suggest otherwise...   Episode Sources: “Up, Up and Awa-a-y! The Rise of Superman, Inc.” by John Kobler, Saturday Evening Post, June 21, 1941 “Exhibit honors Superman's Cleveland roots: Leon Bibb Then and Now” by Leon Bibb and Susa...

Haing experienced extraordinary success in the entertainment industry after settling in the U.S., but did he make enemies along the way? Just as he pulled into his carport one evening, before he even had a chance to get out of the car, he was shot in the chest and killed. However, the gunman sped away without taking the thousands of dollars in cash Haing had on him at the time. Three men were char...

Haing Ngor's childhood in Cambodia was marked by political unrest leading up to the Cold War. As an adult, he survived the Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge regime to build a new life in Los Angeles, CA. His career took a surprising turn when he became an award-winning actor, but his life was cut short when he was gunned down in 1996. Did fame play a part in his murder?   Episode Sources: “...

A beloved actress, model, and trailblazing trans icon in the country of Georgia, Kesaria Abramidze used her voice to speak out against domestic violence and injustice—right up until the moment it took her life. Just one day after a sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ law passed in Parliament, Kesaria was found brutally murdered in her home. Her story isn’t just about one victim—it’s about a country at a crossroa...

At its peak, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus was one of the largest traveling shows in the country—until a tragic train wreck in 1918 brought it to a screeching halt. This story follows the rise of the American circus, the crash that claimed dozens of lives near Hammond, Indiana, and the haunting legacy of Showmen’s Rest, where many of the victims are buried. It’s a tale of spectacle, sorrow, and the...

When Frank Sinatra, Jr. checked into his motel room in Lake Tahoe, he never could have predicted the circumstances in which he'd be checking out. What ensued was a comedy of errors involving a snowstorm, a musical legend, and a hapless kidnapper with a heart of gold.   Episode Sources: “The Grand Scheme: Snatching Sinatra” hosted by John Stamos “The True Story of the 1963 Kidnapping of Frank Sinat...

Garrett Warren was at the top of his game when he was gunned down in the doorway of his home - and in front of his mother, no less. But why would anyone want to murder a man described as a kind, generous friend and focused professional? This case has some wild twists and turns involving a pizza parlor, a picture taken at a party and...Home Alone's Joe Pesci???? And how did one misspelled word put...

The infamous Annabelle doll may have become a Hollywood horror icon thanks to The Conjuring universe, but her real story is even creepier. Originally a possessed…ahem, manipulated…Raggedy Ann doll, Annabelle was investigated by paranormal legends Ed and Lorraine Warren in the 1970s. From her eerie beginnings with two nurses to her terrifying reputation for causing harm and death, Annabelle’s legen...

"There's trouble in Room 100." Those were the words muttered by a male caller to the man working the front desk of the Chelsea Hotel the morning of October 12, 1978. The "trouble" was that 20-year-old Nancy Spungen was dead in the bathroom from a single stab wound to her abdomen. Multiple people had been in and out of the room throughout the previous night, but only one was considered a suspect: S...

When we ended Part 1, Nancy had just moved from New York to London and met The Sex Pistols' bassist Sid Vicious. In Nancy's opinion, Sid was an incredibly talented musician and wonderful boyfriend, but Sid had a violent side...   Episode Sources: “In Search of Sid” - Radio 4 Documentary about Sid Vicious with Jah Wobble “Sad Vacation: The Last Days of Sid and Nancy” dir. Danny Garcia, 2015 “The No...

There was nothing simple about Nancy Spungen, punk rock fanatic and girlfriend of "The Sex Pistols" bassist Sid Vicious. Her life was a revolving door of psychiatric clinics, prescription-happy physicians and an undiagnosed mental illness stemming from a traumatic birth. The details of her death have remained a topic of discussion for decades. Police say it was a murder and Sid is the one to blame...

Welcome to the life of Benjamin Jonson—widely regarded as the second-best playwright of the Elizabethan era and ALWAYS in competition with Shakespeare. Before rising to literary fame, Jonson was part of the Admiral’s Men acting troupe in London, where he found himself caught in deadly dramas on and offstage. In 1598, he killed actor Gabriel Spencer in a duel—an encounter that turned fatal with a m...

We're talking today about the beloved children's classic that features a demonic recluse who delights in the torture of children, while his enslaved factory workers are forced to sing and dance in unison. Believe it or not I actually love this film. Come with me, Misfits. It'll be a scrumdiddlyumtious good time!   Episode Sources: “Pure Imagination: The Making of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Fact...

As a teenager, Adriana Piñon took night classes in addition to her regular high school curriculum so that she could graduate early and focus on her acting and modeling career. At 17 she landed a gig as a recurring extra on "The Young and the Restless," and after her 18th birthday producers informed her they were upgrading her to a speaking role. Adriana was elated, but tragically someone robbed he...

Pasinetta Prince was conquering the theatre world one starring role at a time. In February of 2006 she was in rehearsals for August Wilson's "Seven Guitars" at the esteemed John Beasley Theatre in Omaha - her hometown. Tragically, her life ended in a brutally violent way in her very own home.   Episode Sources: “Suspect Arrested for Murder of Omaha Actress” by Meghan Youker, Fox42, June 23, 2009 “...

Wow, Broadway in the 1920s was a VIBE. Flappers were flapping, mobsters were mobstering, and rich people were indulging in all sorts of debauchery in the hidden corners of seedy speakeasies. Today's episode focuses on one rich person in particular - Joseph Force Crater. Joseph was a judge who enjoyed the company of Broadway's young and beautiful chorus girls, but when the judge mysteriously went m...

***Watch this VIDEO episode on Patreon, Spotify, Facebook or YouTube*** Misfits, we had such a blast at the Ambies Monday night so we thought we'd just share with you what our experience was like! Thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in each week, and your good luck wishes on social media. We love you guys!

CW: This episode contains discussion of SA. Nine people attend a small house party. Eight make it out alive. How did 31-year-old Stuart Lubbock end up dead in the pool of one of the most famous entertainers in the UK?   Episode Sources: Justice4Stuart Official Page - X https://x.com/justice4stuart His Name Was Stuart Lubbock https://justice4stuart.wixsite.com/justice4stuart His Name Was Stuart Lub...

CW: This episode contains discussions of suicide and SA. Imagine being eleven years old and told that you have what it takes to be a star. All you have to do to achieve this success is drop out of school, move out of your parents' house, go on a strict diet, train until you pass out, learn multiple languages, maybe get plastic surgery, possibly bleach your skin, never say the wrong thing, and be,...

We're diving into the twisted tale of Neville Heath—a killer who inspired Hitchcock's unfinished film "Kaleidoscope." With a history of fraud, false identities, and a penchant for deception, Heath’s charm masked a sadistic nature that led to the brutal murders of Margery Gardner, a bohemian artist and film extra, and Doreen Marshall, a young woman seeking rest at the seaside. We’ll explore his cal...

In this episode we dive into the rise, fall and shocking fraud behind MoviePass—the too-good-to-be-true subscription service that promised unlimited movies for just $9.95 a month. From its explosive growth to deceptive business tactics, investor scams and a jaw-dropping federal indictment, we unravel how greed and lies brought down a Hollywood dream. Plus, we explore its unexpected comeback—can Mo...