Too Close to Home Podcast

He was a Nazi sympathizer, a genius engineer, had a penchant for indecent exposure, and was also responsible for the incestuous imprisonment of his own daughter Elisabeth for 24 years. In part 1 of this series, we explore Josef Fritzl's humble beginnings in Amstetten, Austria; we look at his childhood, early adult life, and initial criminal behavior which were precursors for the horrors to come. S...

We are stepping back into history for a quick little jaunt through the Papal States. More specifically, discussing umbrella maker and Mastro Titta (master of justice)... Giovanni Battista Bugatti. During his 68 year tenure, he was responsible for the execution of 514 "patients", and he kept a meticulous account of his justice-doling opportunities. It's time to look at executions through the eyes o...

When good manners break down and desperation is rampant, a reprieve in the form of rescue parties finally start trekking across the snow to save the devastated pioneers; however, some of the worst horrors have yet to come. While some are initially rescued, some too weak to continue are resigned to wait for further relief or their deaths… some of which come about “unnaturally” due to vapid hunger....

Hello friends! As we wrap up a crazy year, and celebrate our 100th episode, we take a look back at some of our favorite and most popular recordings. You will also be treated to some updates involving the Delphi murder case and the release of the Alaskan Avenger! We couldn't do any of this without the support and love of our listeners, and we are so blessed to be able to spread the sickness. Here's...

When we last left our fateful crew, they found themselves in the midst of a great salt desert. With supplies and water running low to non-existent, and oxen scattering off in all directions, things only get worse for the Donner party as they rejoin the trail and tensions rise. A moment of hope descends quickly into dread as an unexpected snowfall blocks off a pivotal pass over the mountains. Along...

It's time to load up on your oxen and food supplies, because we are hitting the trail to manifest our destiny! While most people know at least some details about the fateful Donner family, there is far more to this journey than meets the eye. In part 1 of this series, we explore how the massive wagon train came to be, and the trials and tribulations which led to a splinter group which took the roa...

In part two of this wild sexcapade journey gone horribly wrong, we dive headfirst into the investigation of Bob Crane's death. From woefully amateur coroner and police work to John Carpenter's gift (or curse) of gab, we look at how the investigation went cold as quickly as it began. Many years later, a fresh investigation and subsequent trial hoped to shed new light on his mysterious murder. With...

He was an eclectic radio personality, a saboteur of the Nazi regime, a sex addict and pornographer... and his mysterious death still leaves lingering questions to this day. We are discussing the eponymous hero of Hogan's Heroes himself: Bob Crane! His career, and subsequent relationship with John Carpenter, led him all across the United States, to many sex-fueled nights, and to his infamous death....

Half dog. Half fish. All otter. The utterly royal Dobhar-chú, or water hound, is an infamous creature within the oral traditions of Irish and Scottish folklore. From 17th century Ireland to present day, there are stories aplenty of close encounters and death by these magical beasts. As dangerous as it is well-traveled, the king otter has supposedly been seen swimming and wreaking havoc across the...

The tale of Vicky and Casey White (no relation) is a love story for the ages. One of them was a well-respected security guard for a small-time jail... the other was a career criminal and inmate under her charge. In 2020, a blooming and very overt romance began within the confines of Lauderdale County Jail; a romance which would lead to an ill-conceived prison escape and tragedy two years later. Dr...

We are taking a slightly more serious turn with this episode by discussing the horrible murder at Lehigh University that led to the creation of The Clery Act of 1990 (officially known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act): a law that requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to disclose crime and safety da...

Put on your creepiest Nicolas Cage smile, because we are heading to The Rock itself... Alcatraz Island! Through research and our own firsthand experiences, let us take you on a little ferry ride as we explore the beginnings of Alcatraz and the events that led to its formation as one of the most notorious prisons in the United States prison system. We will discuss the details of our evening tour, a...

What happens when you bring a number of bushy and bright-eyed college students to play guards and inmates for the awesome pay of $15 a day? We find out within the confines of Jordan Hall at Stanford University: a prestigious research institute that may like to remove this event from its history. During this morally questionable 1971 prison experiment, we see how situational variables may have tran...

Athlete. Ladies' man. Drug pusher. Anti-hero. Operative. These are just some of the words you could use to describe Jimmy Keene, the individual recruited by the FBI to befriend (and gather incriminating evidence against) Larry Hall. We discuss Jimmy Keene's upbringing, the sequence of events which lead to his subsequent imprisonment, and the unlikely yet deceitful friendship with Hall which result...

Get ready to fix bayonets and charge while letting your epic mutton chops flutter in the wind, because we are about to discuss re-enactment soldier, Mopar enthusiast, and suspected serial killer Larry Hall! In part 1 of this series, we look at Hall's humble beginnings in the womb, his relationship with his (much better looking) brother Gary, his love for mock battles... and his association with th...

We are going way back in time for a cautionary true crime tale, y'all... one that involves an ancient king, a corrupt judge, and the ultimate "f*#$ around and find out" symbolic punishment! In this short and sweet episode, we will divulge a little background on Cambyses II, some of the controversies surrounding his reign (which may or may not be truthful), and the event, memorialized in painting,...

As we begin part 2 of this series, we see the firsthand account provided by Tony Harris concerning Herb Baumeister's modus operandi, and how old Herb's life gets turned upside down (but not in a fresh prince sort of way). While Herb's metaphorical and literal "skeletons in the woods" are discovered, he takes fate into his own hands in the woodlands of Canada. In the second half of this episode, we...

How can one improve upon the thrift shop business model? What is the taste of human urine? These are important questions asked by Herbert the Pervert... suspected serial killer and future owner of Fox Hollow Farm. With his fascination with urophilia, multiple mental disorders, and levels of bizarre behavior matched only by his work ethic, it's little surprise there were eventually skeletal remains...

Today we are going a bit off the rails and looking into a different flavor of cult: one that is not based on faith, but on one of the most popular video games of all time... Final Fantasy 7! After providing some background on the video game franchise and the story-beats/characters of the 7th installment, we explore a bizarre tale of manipulation, abuse, and "soulbonding" which infamously made wave...

In this hilarious and different episode, we bring in a very special guest: Jenn's little sister... the rainbow agent of chaos herself... Kelly! In the first half, the librarian brings her own little fun facts and corrections to past episodes. To finish out, she educates us on the brief history of the screeching swole lord of the Pine Barrens: The Jersey Devil! Is it the cursed 13th child of Mother...

In part 2 of our story on the intelligent and evil "Monster Preacher" Gary Heidnik, we see the events that transpire in a true basement of horrors. A series of kidnappings is followed by terrible physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, and that does not even count the atrocities performed inside the hand-dug hole in the basement floor. Beware what's cooking in the kitchen, because it may not ac...

"It puts the lotion on its skin"... everyone knows the chilling words of fictional serial killer Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb; some people may even know that his modus operandi was based on the traits of real serial killers. The least known of this murderous mash-up was an intelligent, manipulative, and eccentric monster named Gary Heidnik. With a very flavorful soup filled with childhood trauma, mili...

This week we have a unique split episode as we recover from William Bonin's crimes. We begin with an interview with a friend, Candace, on a missing loved one and the update that we have gotten since recording. For the second half we speak to her son Eli on his first-hand bigfoot encounter which is, as we all know, one of our favorite subjects! While we’re green with envy, Eli has a unique story th...

We are finally here at the end of the road, and the end sure didn't come fast enough! In the conclusion of this 5-episode arc, we see Bonin initially held on the charge of rape of a minor, but with the mixture of mounting evidence and flapping jaws (I guess Bonin didn't consider his co-conspirators to be "witnesses"...), a grisly picture is painted; one that will forever change the landscape of so...

After a long time period of seemingly unrelated murders, the dots were at last connected; the news media dubbed this monster the "Freeway Killer", and the story gained traction everywhere very quickly. In part 4 of this series, Bonin relishes in his infamy as he continues down his road of terror with new (and old) accomplices. As bodies are found, police start gravitating toward their suspected pe...