Tea Time Crimes

Today, we are covering three female assassins who span the centuries and cross the globe. First up, Charlotte Corday, a French revolutionist who wants to spare her country more bloodshed. Next, travel to China to meet Shi Jianqiao, a family loyalist who must avenge her father. Lastly, Margaretha Zelle, a charming, charismatic woman caught up in a world of men at war. Cheer, or boo, as these women...

Reputation is everything; at least it was for Helen Potts and her family. So when the dutiful, obedient teenager eloped, she made the perilous decision to keep it a secret. After all, keeping this quiet was what her new husband, Carlyle Harris, wanted, and Helen was willing to do anything to keep him happy. Unfortunately for Helen, their marriage became a secret so big, Carlyle would do anything t...

Claire and Dora Williamson were wealthy sisters who enjoyed traveling the world and exploring new techniques for health and wellness. In 1911, the women discover Dr. Linda Hazzard who claims to be able to heal anything from kidney disease to paralysis with her unique techniques. The sisters place themselves in the care of Dr. Hazzard, isolated from the outside world in order to fully immerse thems...

Join us in 1930s Japan where we find 30-year-old Sada Abe on the run. After a hard life of being thrown from one man to another, Sada finally finds a man she deems suitable and caring, despite the fact that he’s married. When she senses that he’s about to return to his wife, she makes a choice she will forever regret.  Tea of the Day: New Years Tea Theme Music by Brad Frank Check out Ignorance Was...

Meet Fredricka Mandelbaum, a German-born Jewish immigrant who came to New York in 1850, fleeing persecution. Living in New York during that time wasn’t easy: disease was rampant, money was hard to come by, and the city was full of corruption. But Fredricka wasn’t about to let that stop her from building an empire. Join us as we explore Fredricka’s impressive evolution into The Queen of Thieves. Te...

This tale is not for the light-hearted. At the center of it are two sisters and a gruesome double murder. But what happened to make these women, who had never committed a single act of violence, carry out such a grisly crime? Join us as we traverse this shocking case and get to the bottom of why it all happened.  Note: Skip ahead to minute 8:15 to get right to the tea review, although you will mis...

One true crime enthusiast and one true crime hater come together to explore women’s stories under the lens of murder and mayhem. Grab a cup of tea as we delve into the psychology of killers, the strength of survivors, and everywhere in between.

Australia in the 1890s was not an easy place to live, and there was no exception for Martha Needle. She grew up in extreme poverty and suffered an unfortunately wide range of abuse which then continued to her adulthood. Eventually, she found a stroke of good luck when a man named Otto took pity on her and offered her a chance at a decent life. However, when this new livelihood is threatened, Marth...

Toni Jo Henry did not have an easy life. At age 14, she was working as a sex worker and dealing with a traumatic life of abuse and addiction. That is, until she met Claude “Cowboy” Henry, a man who saw her and loved her for who she truly was. The two married immediately and had their hearts set on a happily-ever-after. Sadly, Cowboy’s own past came back to haunt him and he is sentenced to 50 years...

In 1969, Reyna Marroquín disappeared. This hardworking, happy-go-lucky woman traveled by herself to the United States from El Salvador three years earlier to escape heartbreak and create a new life for herself. She worked long hours in a factory and attended school at night, all while sending money home to her family and writing regular letters to her mother. Then in the winter of 1969, those lett...

Travel back in time with us to 18th century England, where one Catherine Hayes is never satisfied. She jumps from one lover to another, even after she’s married to hardworking John Hayes. Unfortunately for John, Catherine devises a plan that will give her total control of the house. With the help of two of her lovers, John Hayes is violently murdered on March 1, 1726. But Catherine’s freedom is sh...

Forty-one year old Malvina Krutz was found dead in her bathtub on January 29th, 1958, by her husband, Charles. With signs of a struggle, and eye witness accounts of a man fleeing the scene, it’s clear to police that Malvina fell victim to foul play. But as police try desperately to find evidence, they are left with more questions than answers. What really happened to Malvina Krutz that day and who...

In Detroit, 1895, Dr. Horace Pope was found brutally murdered with an axe. There were three people home besides the victim: his wife, Nellie Pope, his daughter, Bernice, and Nellie’s nurse, William Brusseau. William confesses, claiming self-defense, but days later changes his entire story to pin the blame on Nellie. Nellie is immediately painted as an evil, vile woman who controlled both men in he...

It’s Paris in 1889 (oui, oui!). Much to Alana’s dismay, we have a body found rotting in a traveling trunk and a man named Toussaint-Augustin Gouffé has gone missing. In a classic case of lovers turning to crime to save their hide, both Gabrielle Bompard and Michel Eyraud are charged with murder. But what really happened to Toussaint-Augustin Gouffé? And whose story is true?  Tea of the Day: Zealon...

Content Warning: Violence against a child  Today, we cover the sad story of Christine Jessop, who went missing in 1984 in Ontario, Canada. Her body was eventually discovered, but the lack of evidence left investigators with an  incredibly confusing case, and the wrongful conviction of an innocent man. However, 36 years later, through scientific advancements, they were able to discover who was resp...

For this Christmas episode, we have something very special. It’s all about Alana! Grab a cup of eggnog or hot cocoa and enjoy the stories of two incredible women: Mary Fields and Virginia Hall…no gruesome crime involved! Sit in awe while we discuss the jaw-dropping strength of these women. We also have a very special guest today, Mary Kate Boylan, who will share some of her debut Christmas album a...

June 11th, 1986, started out like any other day for 40-year-old Sue Snow. She went to her bedroom to get ready for work, but fell to the floor unconscious. She was rushed to the hospital and tragically would never regain consciousness again. Immediately, her death became a mystery that cast suspicion on those closest to her. Join us as we untwist this disturbing case and learn things are not alway...

Eva Coo had a successful roadhouse during the 1920s, but once prohibition ended, she found herself hard up for cash. With bills looming, and her lifestyle at risk, Eva employs the help of her friends to carry out a ruthless and terrible plan.  Tea of the Day: Winter Spice Tea Theme Music by Brad Frank Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U34d3PPnH4w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQiWflFWFXo...

Everyone called Bertha Gifford the Good Samaritan: she offered her home to those in need, she sat by the sick, and administered their medicine or made them a home cooked meal. As years passed, neighbors started to notice that several of Bertha’s patients never seemed to recover, even when the doctor was confident they would. Eventually, this Good Samaritan would be labeled a serial killer, but was...

It’s the Wild West in the late 1800s, and we’re wrangling the past of the infamous Pearl Hart. Learn how she became a pants-wearing, gun-slinging lady bandit and everything she did to survive her dangerous childhood to her tumultuous fame. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, call 1-800-662-HELP. If you or someone you know is in a domestic abuse situation, call 800-799-7233. Te...

On December 12, 1910, perfume heiress Dorothy Arnold set out to buy a dress and was never seen again. Not wanting to risk her reputation, her family held off on calling the police, losing any immediate leads. Did she escape to Europe and change her name? Was she kidnapped? Did her boyfriend do her harm? Or was she in the wrong place at the wrong time? Join us as we dig through the details and try...

Lofie Louise Preslar was fixated on the high life: wealth, parties, and thrilling encounters. She was known for her week-long passionate affairs and tendency for shiny items to go missing when she was around. But why was there a trail of dead men behind her as she jumped from city to city? Buckle up for a wild ride and find out if her victims got the justice they deserved. Content warning: Mention...

In 1989, the Wyricks bought a new home in Ellerslie, Georgia, and they couldn’t be more excited. That is, until their daughter, Heidi, starts meeting strangers in the yard. Terrified of a possible child abduction, her parents remain vigilant and warn Heidi to stay away. But these men return over and over again, until the family realizes they are in the middle of a paranormal nightmare. Enjoy this...

In 1957, Betty Fabiano and her husband, Peter, spent the night handing out Halloween candy in their idyllic Sun Valley neighborhood. After the doors were locked and the house was dark, a lone trick-or-treater knocked on the door. When Peter opened the door, a bowl of candy in hand, he was shot dead with a single bullet to the chest. To solve this crime, the investigators must navigate through a ta...

Two women, one from the 1890s and one from the 1970s, are discovered dead with no culprit to be found. What do these cases have in common? Ghosts. That’s right. For this week’s Halloween episode, two murders are exposed by spirits beyond the grave. Is it truly supernatural or is there another reason behind all the spook? Grab a spiced cup of tea and find out! Tea of the Day: Hot Apple Cider Tea Th...