Mysteries and Histories

Joan Robinson Hill had it all: wealth, beauty, and prestige as a celebrated equestrian in Houston’s high society. But in 1969, her sudden and suspicious death at just 38 years old shocked the city and set off a tangled saga of scandal, betrayal, and murder that would haunt Texas for decades. In this episode, we unravel the gripping true story of Joan’s life and death, the strange behavior of her h...

At the turn of the 20th century, a simple accessory ignited a wave of fear, controversy, and legislation. In this episode, we explore the Hatpin Panic -  a bizarre and fascinating moment in history when women’s fashion clashed with societal expectations and public safety. As women began to assert their independence in cities around the world, long steel hatpins (used to secure extravagant hats) be...

Between 1975 and 1980, at least 13 women were murdered in Yorkshire, England, spurring on one of the biggest manhunts the UK had ever seen. Eventually, Peter Sutcliffe was captured. Who was he? Who were his victims? And how did he remain on the loose for so long?

FROM THE VAULT | Today, we dive into one of France's most haunting true crime mysteries: the Dupont de Ligonnès murders, also known as the Nantes murders. In April 2011, five members of the Dupont de Ligonnès family were found buried beneath the patio of their home, sparking a nationwide manhunt and leaving the world gripped by unanswered questions. At the center of the case is Xavier Dupont de Li...

In 2014, a teenage boy came across a human head in the woods and called the authorities. They expected to find decomposed remains, but were shocked to find the head was fully intact and, strangely, embalmed. How did an embalmed head end up here and more importantly, who did it belong to?

We've probably all heard of Jack the Ripper, one of the most famous English unsolved mysteries. He was responsible for the murders of at least five women near Whitechapel in London's East End between August and November 1888. But do you know all the details?

The Pendle witch trials, held in 1612, were a series of witchcraft trials in Lancashire, England, where 10 people were accused of witchcraft and executed, with the trials centred around the area of Pendle Hill. They predated Salem by 80 years, but the events were eerily similar. Why and how did these two things happen, thousands of miles apart?

In September 1988, schoolboy Lee Boxell left his home in Cheam to go and hang out with a friend before saying he might go and watch a football match at the local Selhurst Park stadium. And then he disappeared, never to be seen again. In the last 37 years there have been countless leads and theories as to what happened to him, but answers remain illusive. 

Today I have a brand new case updates episode for you, where I look back over the cases I've covered in the past and share new information!

In this episode, we explore the mysterious death of Natalie Wood , the Hollywood star whose life was tragically cut short under circumstances that still spark debate. Found drowned off the coast of Catalina Island in 1981, questions remain about what really happened that fateful night on the yacht Splendour . Was it a tragic accident, or is there more to the story?

In this episode, we examine the terrifying case of Mr. Cruel , the unidentified predator who terrorised Melbourne, Australia, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Known for his calculated attacks and chilling anonymity, Mr. Cruel left behind a legacy of fear and unanswered questions. Who was he? How did he evade capture? And could he still be out there? 

In this episode, we unravel the haunting case of Mary Marrs Carwein, a mystery that has baffled investigatorsf or decades. What really happened to Mary, and who was responsible for her fate? We explore the circumstances surrounding her case, the suspects, the theories, and the lingering questions that remain unanswered. Join us as we take a deep dive into this chilling story, separating fact from...

Today we dive into the chilling story of Andrew Cunanan , the manipulative and dangerously charismatic man who became one of America’s most infamous spree killers. Best known for the murder of fashion icon Gianni Versace , Cunanan’s killing spree spanned four states and left five men dead before ending in a dramatic police manhunt. 

FROM THE VAULT: today we uncover the incredible yet often overlooked story of Henrietta Lacks , the woman whose cells revolutionised modern medicine. Born in 1920, Henrietta’s cells—taken without her knowledge—became the first immortal human cell line, known as HeLa cells . These cells played a crucial role in medical breakthroughs, from the polio vaccine to cancer research, IVF, and even COVID-19...

FROM THE VAULT: today we're diving into one of the most haunting unsolved cases in American history: The West Mesa Murders . In 2009, a woman walking her dog in Albuquerque, New Mexico, made a shocking discovery -  the remains of 11 women and an unborn child buried in the desert . The case, linked to a suspected serial killer known as the West Mesa Bone Collector , remains open to this day, with n...

FROM THE VAULT: Today we delve into the chilling case of Peter Sutcliffe , the man who terrorised northern England as the Yorkshire Ripper . Between 1975 and 1980, Sutcliffe brutally murdered 13 women and attacked 7 others , evading capture for years as fear gripped the region. His crimes exposed deep flaws in the police investigation, leading to one of the most infamous manhunts in British histor...

FROM THE VAULT: In September 1994, 30-year-old Camille Dardanes Dotson vanished after leaving the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Despite decades passing, her case remains unsolved, leaving her family and friends searching for answers. In this episode, we delve into Camille's life, her sudden disappearance, and the efforts to uncover what really happened to her.

FROM THE VAULT: In the 1980s and ’90s, the AIDS epidemic devastated communities around the world—yet governments, media, and society largely turned a blind eye. In this episode, we uncover the early days of the crisis, the devastating loss of life, and the fearless activism that forced the world to pay attention. From the rise of organizations like ACT UP to the scientific breakthroughs that chang...

FROM THE VAULT: In honour of it being LGBTQ+ history month here in the UK, today I'm going to be sharing the tragic story of Matthew Shepard. In October 1998, Matthew Shepard , a 21-year-old college student, was brutally attacked and left for dead in Laramie, Wyoming - simply for being gay. His murder shocked the nation and became a turning point in the fight against hate crimes. 

FROM THE VAULT: In the 1950s and 60s, a "miracle drug" promised relief from morning sickness but left a devastating legacy. The thalidomide scandal shook the world as thousands of babies were born with severe birth defects due to a drug marketed as completely safe. In this episode, we delve into the harrowing stories of those affected, the corporate negligence that allowed it to happen, and the fi...

FROM THE VAULT: Today we uncover the chilling story of the Victoria Cilliers case, also known as the parachute murder plot. When a routine skydive went horribly wrong in 2015, investigators uncovered a web of deceit, betrayal, and a sinister plan by her husband, Emile Cilliers, to kill her. Was it greed, lust, or something darker that drove him? Join us as we unravel the shocking details of this r...

FROM THE VAULT: On a chilly March night in 1964, Kitty Genovese was brutally murdered near her home in Queens, New York—a crime that shocked the nation and changed the way we think about human behavior. The tragedy became infamous for reports that 38 bystanders heard her cries for help but did nothing. Was it urban apathy, or is the truth more complicated? In this episode, we unravel the myths, ex...

On 23rd December 1993, delivery driver Paul Logan was tasked with delivering a Chinese takeaway to a nearby farm. When he arrived, the homeowners said they hadn't made any order. By the time he got to the end of the driveway, Paul was dead. 31 years on, who lured him to his death, and why?

In July 1994, the body of a man was found floating in the North Sea, of the coast of Heligoland, Germany. He was found wearing a suit, hence his nickname of 'Gentleman', but all clues have led to dead ends. Who was he? How did he end up in the water?

In this episode, we delve into the twisted story of Cary Stayner, a man whose name is forever tied to one of California's most infamous crime sprees. Known as the "Yosemite Killer," Stayner committed a series of brutal murders that shocked the nation. But his story takes an even darker turn when juxtaposed with the haunting legacy of his younger brother, Steven Stayner, a national hero who escaped...