True Crime and Punishment

The Blood Countess--Evil Incarnate, or an elaborate smear campaign? Elizabeth Báthory  was a Hungarian noblewoman serial killer active in the late 1500s to the early 1600s. Remembered for her cruelty towards her servants, Báthory is said to be the inspiration for the Evil Queen in Snow White as well as legends about retaining ones's youth by bathing in the blood of virgins.  Join Kayley...

In the early morning of March 13, 1964, Kitty Genovese was attacked and stabbed to death while she was walking home from work.  The brutality of the murder was made more sensational by reports that thirty eight people stood at their windows and watched while she was murdered. Reportedly, out of these thirty eight people, no one attempted to help or call the police. Was this a case of the wors...

In this episode, the American dream turns into an infamous nightmare for the members of the Donner Party, a group of pioneers traveling to California in the 1800s. After facing multiple setbacks along their journey, their wagon train become stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. As the snow accumulates and their supplies dwindle, the Donner Party must commit unthinkable acts in order to sur...

On November 10, 2010, Tina Herrmann didn't report for her shift at Dairy Queen. When concerned coworkers called police to report her missing, no one could expect the scene that would be found in Herrmann's home. Join Kayley and Siera as they cover murder, abduction, and . . . leaves?  Sources: https://www.nbc.com/twisted-killers/video/the-leaf-killer/9000226741 https://abcnews.go.com/US/kille...

This unsolved case revolves around confusion and speculation. Who was the mysterious woman dubbed the Black Dahlia, and who was her likely killer? Join Siera and Kayley as they delve into these questions and also ponder the roles of journalism and speculation in the world of true crime. Sources:  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jan-09-me-asdel9-story.html https://www.latimes.com/...

A mad butcher terrorized the Roaring Third in Cleveland Ohio from 1935 to 1938, leaving a trail of bodies and mystery in his wake.  At least twelve victims are attributed to this unknown murderer, and most were never identified. While the killer was never caught, his killings mysteriously stopped in 1938, and the butcher was never heard from again. Join Kayley and Siera as they discuss the Cl...

A brutal bus killing shocks Canadians and leads to questions regarding convicted killers rejoining society.  Sources: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/greyhound-killer-believed-man-he-beheaded-was-an-alien-1.1131575 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/please-kill-me-accused-begs-in-court/article657590/ https://web.archive.org/web/20090315135511/http://www.edmontonjournal.com/...

Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm? This is a question that has been asked for nearly eighty years, and one that may never be answered. This week, Kayley presents a case surrounding an unknown woman whose bones were found inside a hollow wych elm tree in April 1942. While this case is unsolved, there are several prevalent theories that remain. Who is “Bella”? How did she come to be in an old hollow tre...

A kindly crew rescues a man adrift on the ocean. The man, Julian Harvey, claims to be the only survivor of the Bluebelle, a boat that went down in a tragic accident. But as events unfold, people soon have good reason to question Harvey's narrative. Sources: https://miamiherald.newspapers.com/image/620525150/?clipping_id=127150055&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaW...

This week, come with us to Scotland as Kayley tells us about the infamous Alexander “Sawney” Bean—the story of a cannibal family that left Scottish travelers wary of caves for hundreds of years.  Sources: https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Sawney-Bean-Scotlands-most-famous-cannibal/ https://allthatsinteresting.com/sawney-bean https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-21506077...

The story of Brandon Swanson is a story of separation and sadness, but also of hope. One family’s response to tragedy lights the way for others who suffer loss in today’s episode of True Crime and Punishment. Sources: https://www.house.mn.gov/sessionweekly/art.asp?ls_year=86&issueid_=43&storyid=1297&year_=2009 http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/01/18/grace.coldcase.swanson/index.html https:...

Let's start with an apology. No excuses, just an apology. The lateness of this episode is entirely my  fault. Essentially, I thought I'd posted this in June, and I hadn't. Please ignore the "we'll be back after the summer lol" at the end of this episode. Now that Siera is back, consistency will be through the roof, 'cause she's the responsible one here. Once again, I apologize for not posting...

On May 6, 1993, three eight-year old boys were found murdered in a water-filled ditch in Robin Hood Hill in West Memphis, Arkansas. The town of West Memphis is terrified that someone who could do this is on the loose. As they begin their investigation, police get hung up on one possibility: a satanic cult was responsible. In part two of this three part series, Kayley introduces the third member of...

On May 6, 1993, three eight-year old boys were found murdered in Robin Hood Hill in West Memphis, Arkansas. The town of West Memphis was terrified that a vicious murderer was on the loose. As they began their investigation, police got hung up on one possibility: a satanic cult was responsible. In part one of this series, Kayley walks us through the beginning investigation and how detectives land o...

Dorothea Puente looked like a harmless grandmotherly figure running a boardinghouse for people down on their luck. However, the discovery of buried bodies in her backyard called Puente's benevolent persona into question.  Articles: https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8b85fn5/entire_text/ https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-xpm-2011-mar-28-la-me-0328-dorothea-puente-20110328-stor...

The Chicago Tylenol murders took place in Chicago in 1982. Seven people were killed after multiple pills containing cyanide were placed in extra strength Tylenol bottles and sold to an unsuspecting public. The Tylenol murders were never solved, but thanks to a speedy response from manufacturers, the public was able to return to taking over-the-counter medications once again. However, in 1986, 52 y...

On September 11, 2016, officers responded to a call to the Holton residence. When officers responded, Jesse "Madison" Holton, April and Michael Holton's 17-year old son was waiting with his hands cuffed behind his back. His parents had called police over a party the teen had thrown. After learning that juvenile court would not open until the following Monday, Madison's parents decided to wait unti...

Join Siera and Kayley as they tackle a tough topic in today's Tangent Tuesday: capital punishment. Emotions can quickly rise to the surface when we consider the sensitivities surrounding life, death, and justice.  On Tangent Tuesdays, we take a break from covering cases to discuss general true crime topics. If you would like to join in the conversation, feel free to email your thoughts to us...

In 1987, a shocking discovery launched a long investigation in the desert outside El Paso, Texas. The case of 6 murdered young women ended in a conviction--but no closure. Join Siera and Kayley as they cover their first serial killer case: The Desert Killer. Articles: https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1987-bodies-identified-karen-baker-and-maria-rosa-casio/480260001/ https://ww...

On Christmas day 2006, Ryan Waller was taken into custody following the murder of his 21 year old girlfriend Heather Quan. This case gained internet infamy because the entire hour long interrogation is available on Youtube. What first seems like an open and shut case turns out to be anything but. Ryan Waller, eye swollen shut and face bruised, is detective's number one suspect in the murder of Hea...

In 2015, a murder-suicide gained national coverage for the choice of weapon--a chainsaw.  Join Siera and Kayley as they discuss the sad circumstances surrounding the deaths of Christopher and Nicole Peppleman. Their deaths shocked their community and inspired family members to reach out to others experiencing domestic abuse. Sources News Articles: https://www.q13fox.com/news/coroner-no-drugs-...

First episodes, love triangles, and a murder--oh my! Join co-hosts Kayley and Siera as they dive into the case of the Bermondsey horror.  In the first episode of the True Crime and Punishment podcast, we'll take a look into 1800s London. Marie de Roux, a Swiss maid looking for a way to pull herself up in the world, meets two eligible bachelors. Patrick O'Connor, a wealthy Irish man nearly twi...

Join Siera and Kayley, two friends who are applying their professional writing degrees to research the motivation, perpetration, and investigation of true crime cases.