The Halifax Slasher and the Deadly Power of Collective Fear

In November 1938, the town of Halifax, England, became paralyzed by fear. People stopped going to work. Businesses closed. Vigilante mobs formed in the streets. And a man took his own life because his coworkers thought he was a monster. The reason? A phantom attacker with a razor blade who probably never existed at all. This is the story of the Halifax Slasher, a case where the panic was more dangerous than the crime, where mass hysteria turned neighbors into hunters, and where the only real killer turned out to be fear itself. We're diving into one of the most fascinating examples of collective delusion in modern history, exploring how a single cut spiraled into two weeks of chaos, and asking the question nobody wants to answer: what happens when an entire town loses its grip on reality?

#TrueCrime #HalifaxSlasher #MassHysteria #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrimePodcast #HistoricalCrime #CrimeHistory

🔔 Subscribe for True Crime Cases multiple times a week

Never miss a story. Subscribe to 10 Minute Murder for bite-sized true crime episodes delivered fresh every week.

Discount codes from show sponsors. Support 10 Minute Murder and save money at the same time:

https://hypernaturalstyle.com/discount/10MM
https://zivo.life/discount/10MM
https://bigforkbrands.com/discount/10MM
https://prepstartsnow.com/discount/10MM


📱 Follow for Behind-the-Scenes Content Get exclusive case updates, research photos, and sneak peeks of upcoming episodes:

• Instagram: @10minutemurder on IG
• TikTok: @10minutemurder on TikTok
• Facebook: 10 Minute Murder on FB

💬 Have a Case Suggestion? Know a fascinating case that deserves coverage? I love listener suggestions and feature the best ones in upcoming episodes. Email: joe@10minutemurder.com Website: 10minutemurder.com ⭐ Help Grow the True Crime Community

• Rate & Review: Leave a 5-star review to help other true crime fans discover the show
• Share: Send this episode to fellow true crime enthusiasts
• Join the Discussion: Tag us in your episode reactions on social media

🎧 Want Even More True Crime? If you love the brief and bingeable vibe, check out my other podcast: 10 Minute Mystery - same bingeable storytelling, different cases. Search "10 Minute Mystery" wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for being part of the 10 Minute Murder community. Let's make 2025 the ultimate year for bite-sized true crime storytelling. 🖤





Become a supporter of this podcast: Back to Episodes