Tea Time Crimes

Welcome to Tea Time Crimes spooky month! In August of 1612, twelve people were accused of witchcraft in Lancashire, England. The star witness was nine-year old Jennet Device who calmly accused each person on trial, including members of her own family. Join us as we explore the fears that gripped this small town and the fate of Jennet herself.  Tea of the Day: Mixed Berry Black Tea Theme Music by B...

At the turn of the 19th century, both Katie Cook and Amy Hill confessed to murder. These cases should have been open and shut, but public sympathy and perceptions of females set both these women free. Were the courts right or did both these women get away with murder? Tea of the Day: Tea Forte Purify  Theme Music by Brad Frank Sources: Deadly Women: Season 13 Episode 8 Deadly Women Season 7 Episod...

Leonarda Cianciulli, a caring mother in late 1930s Italy, believed in magic. Her life had not been an easy one, made worse by the curse her spiteful mother put on her at a young age. So after endless heartache, Leonarda is desperate to put an end to the curse to protect her children. But how far will she go to break the spell? (Spoiler: Way too far) Tea of the Day: Queen Elizabeth Theme Music by B...

In 2006, caring, life-loving Susan Walters was attacked in her own home by a complete stranger. Expecting to relax after a long shift in the ER, Susan instead fought for her life, drawing on years of nursing and self-defense training. Would it be enough to save her and unravel the mystery behind this assault? Self Defense Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVpxP3ZZtAc https://www.youtube.com/...

In the spring of 1935, famous architect, Francis Rattenbury, was attacked in his home. When he died five days later, both his wife, Alma, and her much younger lover, George Stoner, were charged with murder. The press attacked Alma and she took the blame, but did she actually do it or was she just trying to protect the man she loved?  Suicide Hotline: Dial 9-8-8 Tea of the Day: Amazon Guayusa Tea T...

Welcome to Tea Time Crimes! 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.

Belle Gunness collected many nicknames during the early 1900s including “Hell’s Princess,” “The Indiana Ogress,” and–most dramatically–“The Mistress of the Castle of Death.” She was known for her strength and the parade of males visiting her 48-acre farm. The problem was, all these men mysteriously disappeared. Join us for part two and finale of the Belle Gunness mystery. Content Warning: Child mo...

Belle Gunness collected many nicknames during the early 1900s including “Hell’s Princess,” “The Indiana Ogress,” and–most dramatically–“The Mistress of the Castle of Death.” She was known for her strength and the parade of males visiting her 48-acre farm. The problem was, all these men mysteriously disappeared. Join us for part one of the Belle Gunness mystery. Content Warning: Child mortality   T...

In June 2015, Claudine “Dee Dee” Blanchard was found murdered and her daughter, Gypsy Rose, missing from the house they shared. Fearing for Gypsy’s safety, police work quickly to untangle the clues left behind. It’s not long before investigators realize this case is unbelievably complicated and nothing appears as it seems.    1-800-4-A-CHILD (National Child Abuse Hotline) Tea of the Day: Cold-Brew...

Meet Elizabeth Bathory, a noble woman from the 16th century, believed to have killed and tortured well over 600 women. These horrific stories earned Elizabeth the nickname of The Blood Countess, and inspired much of the vampiric lore we know today. But is it possible Elizabeth was just a threat the crown wanted neutralized? Grab a cup of tea and find out! Tea of the Day: Lady Grey Theme Music by B...

After a frightening assault in her adolescence, Ruth Finley finally has everything she wants: a loving husband, two sons, and a safe house in the suburbs. But one summer day, her past catches up. Terrifying phone calls, deliveries at work, and poems threatening to take Ruth’s life arrive at a constant rate. It's clear to everyone around her that Ruth is in danger, but can the police find the culpr...

Today’s case was an absolute sensation of “unbridled, vulgar passion” in 1898. Cordelia Botkin couldn’t help falling in love with war correspondent John Dunning, despite both parties being married. But what happens when one wants to end the affair? Join us with a saucy tea and enjoy this wild ride.  Tea of the Day: Queenly Conjure Chai (https://www.queenlyconjure.com/about) Theme Music by Brad Fra...

Content Warning: Sexual assault and violence against children Between 1971 and 1972, the Freeway Phantom assaulted and killed six young Black girls in the Washington D.C. area. Vietnam Protests, investigative mistakes, and lack of media coverage stopped these horrific crimes from ever being solved. But someone somewhere may know something. Something that could lead to closure and justice for the f...

Martha Freeman wasn’t happy at home. But after a trial separation, she realized she wasn’t ready to quit on 10 years of marriage. At least that’s what she told her husband, Jeffrey, who was willing to work it out. That is, until he was murdered in cold blood. Sit with us as we remember this sweet man and the tragedy that befell him.  Tea of the Day: Pineapple Waikiki Black Tea Theme Music by Brad...

With a discreet poison, two serial killers take out as many as 600 men. One to free women from the abuse of the 1600s and the other to secure the family fortune. Murder is murder, but how far would you be willing to go in a different time, in a different place?  Tea of the Day: Jasmine Green Tea Theme Music by Brad Frank Sources: http://www.italianrenaissanceresources.com/units/unit-2/essays/husba...

In the 1920’s, Georgia Tann re-invented adoption. At a time when children were often only taken in as hired help, Tann instead found permanent placements for abandoned children. Except most of these children were never willingly surrendered. Listen as Tann manipulates, steals, lies, and neglects innocent lives across generations for the purpose of money and power.  Tea of the Day: Turmeric Active...

Meet Dolly Oesterreich, a woman so charming men were willing to do anything for her: provide a lavish lifestyle, shower her with gifts, even kill for her. But murder is not the only secret Dolly is keeping. Tea of the Day: Genmaicha  Theme Music by Brad Frank Sources: Show: A Crime to Remember, Season 4, Episode 6 https://www.milwaukeemag.com/the-legend-of-milwaukees-most-infamous-love-triangle/ h...

Content Warning: Suicide ideation  On the night of March 10th, 1980, Dr. Herman Tarnower, best-selling author and one of America’s most respected cardiologists, was shot in his own home. His long-time companion, Jean Harris, met police at the house demanding medical attention for Dr. Tarnower while also admitting SHE was the shooter. This seemingly open-and-shut case turned into a complicated stor...

Navigate a gruesome landscape with us as we travel to 19th century Kansas, where a simple pioneer family was devastatingly underestimated. As they say, a family that kills together, stays together. Note: This episode is not for the Alana’s of the world.  Tea of the Day: Lords Tea Theme Music by Brad Frank Source Notes: Hell's Half Acre by Susan Jonusas https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ks-benders/...

When 19-year-old Ruth Brown meets Albert Snyder, she falls head over heels in love. Twelve years her senior, Albert is able to give Ruth the life she has always wanted. But it’s not long before the marriage turns sour and Ruth finds herself looking to other men for love…and murder.  National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/ Tea of the Day: Darjeeling Margaret’s Hope Theme Mus...

Join us as we travel through the life of America’s first female serial killer. By the late 1800’s, “Jolly” Jane Toppan was considered the best private nurse in the Boston area. Of course, no one knew what Jane was up to in the early hours of the morning as she cared for her patients. By the time Jane was done with her “experiments,” nearly 30 people had died under her watchful eye. Tune in to find...

Today, we’d like to bring awareness about the frequent violence Native American women face through the story of Savanna Greywind. A beautiful, young mother-to-be goes missing from her parent’s home in Fargo, North Dakota. (For listeners who want to jump right to Savanna's story, head to minute 14) Support Line: https://www.sovereign-bodies.org/contact Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: https:/...

Join us as we go over the infamous Lizzie Borden case. Was Lizzie truly responsible for the death of her father and step-mother, or is it possible she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Tea of the Day: Duke & Duchess Honey Breakfast Tea Theme Music by Brad Frank Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6VKFYdUrfg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU5Hk-mFi9Y https://youtu.be/3vz6Ybl2uvU...

On an ordinary fall day in 1961, dependable mother of two, Joan Risch, vanished from her home. All that was left behind was a kitchen smeared in blood. Sit with us as we go through the details of this unsolved case and try to make sense of what happened to a sweet soul with an unkind past.  Tea of the Day: Lapsang Souchong - Gong Fu Tea Theme Music by Brad Frank Sources: https://wickedhorror.com/f...

Get ready for a gnarly episode, but maybe not in the way you think. Meet Candace Mossler, a once small-town girl who became the socialite jewel of Texas. There’s nobody who doesn’t adore her, doesn’t rave about her generosity, and doesn’t love her parties. But a dark secret might unravel it all… Tea of the Day: Pu Erh Imperial by Palais Des Thes Theme Music by Brad Frank Sources: https://www.itexa...