Psychopedia: True Crime & Criminal Psychology

Love Has Won is a modern-day cult shrouded in mystery and controversy, heralding a woman named Amy Carlson as the Mother of All Creation. According to Amy’s devout followers, she was a 19-billion-year-old reincarnated deity with the power to cure all illness through love. Her advisory circle was an eclectic ensemble of dead celebrities with whom she claimed to be in direct communication. Amy Carls...

On a somber Sunday in 2010, the quiet town of Maesteg, South Wales, was shaken by tragedy when 15-year-old Rebecca “Becca” Aylward vanished after meeting her ex-boyfriend, Josh Davies. Her mother, Sonia Oatley, tirelessly searched the streets, driven by dread and mounting desperation. The search ended with a chilling call: "Stop searching. Come home." This confirmed Sonia's worst fears: Becca was...

In this episode, we are joined by special guest, comedian and Barstool podcaster, Grace O'Malley. The Ant Hill Kids, a dangerous cult led by the enigmatic and malevolent Roch Thériault, stands as a chilling testament to the depths of human vulnerability and the intoxicating power of charismatic manipulation. Nestled in the remote wilderness of Canada, this cult was not merely an isolated commune;...

The assassination of Kim Jong-Nam, brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un, was an outrageously mind-boggling event. It unfolded like a script where a spy thriller and a candid-camera show intersected and somehow, incredibly, changed history. Prank comedy, particularly in East Asia, has solidified its place in entertainment by capitalizing on the universal appeal of humor and surprise. This un...

In Part 2 of our deep dive into the notorious Irish "Scissor Sisters" case, we explore the investigation into the brutal slaughter of 39-year-old Farah Swaleh Noor. Sisters Charlotte and Linda Mulhall bludgeoned, stabbed, and dismembered Noor’s body in a crime so shocking that it continues to shock and disgust. How were these two sisters brought to justice? Moreover, how do their troubled pasts, m...

The notorious "Scissor Sisters" case ranks among the most brutal and shocking in Irish history, leaving a dark mark on the true crime genre. Linda and Charlotte Mulhall, despite a troubled existence marred by alcohol and drug addiction and a history of abuse, had never shown signs of extreme violence or serious legal troubles. That changed dramatically when they gruesomely stabbed, bludgeoned, and...

Some fates are worse than death. One such fate—physically melting into a couch, with flesh fusing to the fabric—was absolutely agonizing and tragically endured by a 36-year-old woman named Lacey Fletcher. Lacey faced various challenges that made her entirely dependent upon her parents, Sheila and Clay. However, instead of providing the necessary medical and psychological support that Lacey needed,...

"For those of you who don’t know what hell is like, you will find out." These were the foreboding words a prosecutor uttered in 1981, moments before playing 17 harrowing minutes of audio that documented the appalling abuse of a 16-year-old girl. The courtroom was enveloped in grief, with many in tears or compelled to leave…all except for Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris, the two perpetrators respo...

On what began as a seemingly ordinary afternoon on September 20, 2017, a dense cloud of smoke suddenly enveloped the affluent Southfields neighborhood in Wimbledon, London, casting an ominous veil over the area that signaled the start of an unforeseen and chilling scene. Firefighters, responding to what they initially believed was a routine call about a backyard bonfire gone awry, made a harrowing...

In an act that defied all notions of humanity and sanity, a 19-year-old college student named Austin Harrouff viciously stabbed and cannibalized an innocent couple living in Jupiter, Florida. When police arrived at the horrific scene in August of 2016, Austin was discovered swallowing and spitting out chunks of flesh from one of his victim's faces in an act so horrific, that it seemed to be the ma...

In the second installment of our exploration into Canada's most prolific serial killer, Robert "Willy" Pickton, we reach the harrowing climax of over a decade of unspeakable acts, and unveil the downfall of a truly vile man. We delve into the twisted psyche of Robert Pickton, probing the depths of human depravity to understand how a person could embody such evil. The ensuing investigation, the mos...

On this day one year ago, Psychopedia released its very first episode.  In honor of the podcast’s one year anniversary, and as a humble thank you to our beloved little psychos (the listeners), we’ve taken this opportunity to answer your questions while reflecting on the incredible journey of Year One. To all of our listeners - past, present, and future - THANK YOU! We could not be any more gratefu...

In the first installment of our in-depth look at Robert "Willy" Pickton, Canada's most prolific serial killer, we delve into the dark and tragic saga of 49 innocent women who met their untimely deaths in the most horrific ways imaginable. These victims, who were pushed to the fringes of society by poverty, addiction, and the necessity of survival sex work, fell prey to a merciless killer who lever...

Courtney Clenney, better known as Courtney Tailor to millions of her followers and paying subscribers on social media, catapulted to fame with her seductive photos and explicit content on OnlyFans and Instagram. Yet, beyond this curated online persona, Courtney harbored an extremely volatile nature, as well as an alleged addiction to alcohol and recreational drugs. Deeply entwined in a toxic relat...

This week, we had the privilege of taking a seat with Chris Hansen, renowned television personality, investigative journalist, and esteemed advocate against child sexual abuse. Delving into his extensive career dedicated to the pursuit of justice, we explored the intricacies of apprehending child predators in the act, particularly amidst televised sting operations. Ever wondered how a grown man ac...

Unveiling the story of Mexico's first documented serial killer, Juana Barazza, presents a narrative steeped in stark contrasts and harrowing realities. At the age of 48, this single mother's life was shadowed by a disturbing past filled with horrific childhood abuse and sexual exploitation. Juana's journey as an adult was a vivid study in contradictions: In the public eye, she was celebrated as "L...

On Valentine's Day 2013, a truly devastating tragedy unfolded: Reeva Steenkamp, a 29-year-old South African former model, TV personality, and law graduate, adored for her vibrant spirit, was brutally gunned down in her boyfriend's bathroom. The scene that law enforcement encountered was one of stark and shocking contrast: beside Reeva's bloodied and broken form stood none other than global icon Os...

Wrongful accusation and conviction is a living nightmare, a devastating storm of confusion, fear, and disbelief that tears at one's soul and destroys the human spirit. False accusations cut deep, transforming the world into an alien landscape where truth fades and your voice, crying out in innocence, is drowned out by the roar of judgment in a deeply flawed legal system. In the U.S., thousands suf...

"The Joker," a pinnacle of cinematic villainy, has been an emblem of unadulterated chaos for nearly a century. This character is the very personification of turmoil and lawlessness, marked by a deranged psyche and a telltale, sinister smile. In a chilling parallel to this fictional entity, Jamie Osuna, a real-life criminal bearing a permanent smile tattooed on his face, manifested a similarly dist...

In the early 1990s, the quiet town of Beelitz, Germany was haunted by a grotesque and horrifying figure known as “The Beast of Beelitz.” This serial killer preyed upon innocent and unsuspecting victims, and subjected them to unspeakable acts of violence before taking their lives. His depravity knew no bounds as he sought to fulfill his twisted desires, which did not end with his victims’ tragic de...

In the heart of New Orleans' vibrant French Quarter, the catastrophic case of Addie Hall and Zach Bowen unfolded as a tragic narrative of love descending into darkness. Zack, a former soldier and war veteran, struggled with PTSD and addiction, a turbulent backdrop to his volatile relationship with Addie. Their story, which began as a whirlwind romance amidst the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Katr...

As we delve into the sensitive and taboo subject of incest, particularly focusing on a devastating father/daughter scenario in Poland, we face a complex and challenging aspect of victimology: when victims of abuse or trauma become perpetrators themselves. This scenario calls into question the cyclical nature of violence, the psychological impact of trauma, and how it can warp an individual's moral...

Dolls, those eerie, lifeless figures designed to mimic human form, occupy a strange and unsettling place in our psyche, often stirring a blend of intrigue and fear. As rational adults, we typically view dolls as mere objects made of plastic, porcelain, or other synthetic materials. But...what if a doll was not made out of artificial elements? What if the doll was, in actuality, human? This horrify...

On what was meant to be a festive and joyous holiday on Christmas Day in 2010, Pierre and Jacqueline Bamu, a Congolese couple living in Paris, faced an unimaginable tragedy. Rather than unwrapping presents and opening boxes, they were confronted with the heartbreaking task of opening their 15-year-old son's coffin. This heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded when their precious son, Kristy, was discover...

The case of Alex Skeel highlights a gut-wrenching story of domestic abuse that unfolded in the UK. Alex, a young man in his teens/early twenties, suffered years of horrific physical, emotional, verbal, and psychological abuse at the hands of his depraved girlfriend, Jordan Worth. Alex sustained absolutely brutal physical injuries, psychological torment, and devastating isolation as Jordan wielded...