Wicked Words - A True Crime Talk Show with Kate Winkler Dawson

Several years ago, Patricia Cornwell wrote a book about Jack the Ripper called, Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper, Case Closed.  This book presents Patricia’s opinion on his identity based on her extensive research. She believes that Jack the Ripper was a German-British artist named Walter Sickert. A controversial opinion, according to some Ripperologists. In this episode with the author, you’...

Kate Winkler Dawson's true crime talk show Wicked Words is back! On each new episode of Wicked Words, Kate interviews journalists, podcasters and authors about their fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from their investigations into the world of true crime.  On Wicked Words, Kate talks to prolific true crime author Patricia Cornwell, award-winning journalist and podcast host Mandy Matney and man...

Lizzie Borden is acquitted but that section of Fall River isn’t free from its murderous past. Less than a century later, the nearby Catholic church is the focus of a mystery and a murder as Satanic Panic grips the United States. How will this end?  Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Bertha Manchester and another familiar name are whispered throughout Fall River in connection to Lizzie Borden’s upcoming trial. Eliza Borden and her family's history will also come into play during the trial. Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Decades after the death of Eliza Borden, someone is murdered with an ax. Not Lizzie Borden’s parents, but an innocent farm girl. How is she connected to Lizzie Borden’s case?  Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1848 Fall River, Eliza Borden clearly needs help. She is struggling with depression and her husband, Lawdwick appears to be of little help. This will not end well.  Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On July 2, 1843, a deadly fire ripped through that section of Fall River, nearly destroying a large portion of the city, including the house next door to Lizzie Borden’s future home. Five years later in that house, the Borden family experiences continued tragedy when Lizzie Borden’s great aunt, Eliza Hathaway Darling Borden, appears to have severe post-partum depression.  Support this podcast by s...

There is a section of Fall River, Massachusetts spanning just two blocks, where several media-grabbing tragedies occurred over a century. These were not simple domestic disputes or deadly bank robberies, they were deaths that seemed so out of the norm that perhaps they were triggered by something other-worldly.  Written, researched and hosted by Kate Winkler Dawson  Producer Jason Wehling   Senior...

This is “A Blessing and a Curse,” the twelfth season of Tenfold More Wicked on Exactly Right. This season is very different from what we’ve done before. It isn’t just about one crime or one tragedy within one family…it’s about a section of a city that has seen many atrocities over the years.    It’s also about one family with many connections, reaching back to our last season and the Rebecca Brigg...

Thomas Cornell Junior is arrested and put on trial for his mother’s murder. Rebecca’s spirit, which visited her brother, was a central witness. Would Thomas be wrongfully convicted? Would he get away with murder? Or was he really guilty?  Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

As investigators interview more witnesses, someone comes forward and recalls a disturbing conversation with Rebecca Briggs Cornell. She feared her son, but she was also severely depressed. Had she even contemplated suicide?  Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebecca Briggs Cornell’s body is reexamined and something odd is found. Her son, Thomas, is interrogated for her murder if there was one. Was there evidence to prove the case against him in 1673? Is there now? Thomas Cornell Junior might be guilty, it might have been an accident and there may be other possibilities.  Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this...

Thomas and his family make a terrible discovery in his mother’s room one night in February of 1673. Rebecca Briggs Cornell led a respectable life only to have it end in tragedy. She’s buried, but she’s not gone. One night, Rebecca’s brother falls asleep and receives a supernatural visitor. Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI...

Rebecca Briggs Cornell really dislikes her son’s new wife Sarah Earle. Rebecca is concerned that his daughter-in-law is violent. Her son, Thomas, neglects her and he clearly wants to take over the property, striking fear in Rebecca. Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s 1673 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Rebecca Briggs Cornell and her husband Thomas are the town’s founders and have already survived a raft of trauma. They’ve seen their closest friend murdered in New York and were banished from Boston for their religious beliefs. Now they’re concerned about the safety of their family. When Thomas dies, their son Thomas Junior takes over the family property. Sup...

This is “Fire and Brimstone,” the eleventh season of TENFOLD MORE WICKED, our oldest story yet. This time we’re traveling to colonial Rhode Island in 1673. This story came from a longtime Tenfold More Wicked listener and distant relative of the victim. Believe it or not, this case is still local lore for residents of the area. Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotion...

John Chiswell is found dead in his home. Was it suicide, murder, or even an accident? The middle and lower classes of Williamsburg don’t believe he’s really dead. Are they right? Will Robert Routledge’s friend ever see justice for his death? Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

John Chiswell’s well-connected friends have saved him from a public jail, but they might not be able to save him from the noose. As his murder trial approaches, Chiswell goes quiet and that’s not good.  Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Chiswell holds a bloody sword, a blade he pulled from the body of Robert Routledge, a man he once considered his friend. But was it murder or self-defense? Luckily for John Chiswell…he has some very powerful friends.   Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One morning in June, John Chiswell visits a favorite tavern, only to be confronted by a drunk, abusive merchant. At least that was Chiswell’s version of events. So he picked up a sharp sword…and nothing good can come of that.  Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Chiswell’s powerful son-in-law, John Robinson is gravely sick. Robinson is Chiswell’s most important business partners. They’re both keeping secrets and, if Robinson dies, Chiswell’s secret will be uncovered.  Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colonel John Chiswell is one of Colonial Williamsburg’s most respected men. He married into a famous family and his daughter married one of the most powerful people in Virginia. But Chiswell’s life was a house of cards…and by 1766, it was teetering.    Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 Written, researched and hosted by Ka...

“Entitled” is the tenth season of Tenfold More Wicked. It’s a historical true crime story that meets a political scandal in the colony of Virginia, ten years before the Revolutionary War. “Entitled” is about the deaths of three men in the 18th century, how they changed history and about protecting the wealthy and the powerful.  Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotio...

This episode isn’t about a typical true crime story. There’s no murder, but there doesn’t need to be to make it a wild story. This is about manipulation, tragedy…and obsession. Lots of obsession. Author Michael Finkel documented all of it in his book: The Art Thief.   Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 Buy my books:  katew...

One of my most favorite blogs is one called Murder by Gaslight. It focuses on historical true crime. The writer behind it is Robert Wilhelm and he’s also a nonfiction author. He tells us the story of Pearl Bryan from his book, So Far From Home. Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link:  https://bit.ly/4dsqzI1 Buy my books:  katewinklerdawson.com    If y...