*** Content Warning: Graphic Details of Murder including Skinning, Decapitation & Cannibalism ***
In February 2000, Katherine Mary Knight killed, then skinned, decapitated and finally cooked her lover John Price in rural Australia before attempting to feed his body to the victim’s adult children. Knight would go down as one of the most monstrous and wicked female killer’s in Australian criminal history to be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
*** Content Warning: Murder, Sexual Assault & Child Victims ***
In the annals of criminal history, few tales rival the chilling saga of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka. Once hailed as the epitome of a picture-perfect couple, their names now evoke fear and revulsion, synonymous with unspeakable horrors. Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka etched their names in infamy through a reign of terror that stained the Canadian landscape with blood. Together, they orchestrated a macabre symphony of abduction, sexual assault and murder, targeting the most vulnerable among us – innocent teenage girls. But what sets their crimes apart is the unfathomable depth of betrayal. Karla, once perceived as the loyal partner, became an active participant in the depravity, even betraying her own flesh and blood – her sister – allowing her to become one of the victims. Their atrocities shook the very foundations of Canadian society, leaving scars that linger to this day. This is the story of the Ken and Barbie Killers, a tale of twisted desire, manipulation, and the darkest depths of human depravity.
*** Content Warning: Murder ***
Holly Harvey was considered a typical rebellious teenager. She did what she wanted, went where she wanted, and saw who she wanted. That all changed in the spring of 2004 when Holly’s mother went to prison forcing her to move in with her conservative Baptist grandparents Carl and Sarah Collier, who immediately imposed strict rules. Holly’s life would become anything but typical when she went from rebellious teenager to murderer in just four months.
*** Content Warning: Murder, Child Victims & Mentions of Rape and Sexual Assault ***
On 4 August 2002, best friends Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, both aged 10, posed for a picture sporting their new red Manchester United football shirts before sitting down to dinner with family and friends. Shortly after dinner, Holly and Jessica stepped out of the house and went to a nearby sports centre to buy some sweets.
They were never seen alive again.
*** Content Warning: Murder & Sexual Assault ***
In the vast deserts of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, the quiet façade of a trailer concealed a chamber of unspeakable horrors. The man behind this nightmare was David Parker Ray, infamously known as the Toy Box Killer. The chilling moniker belied the true nature of his deeds, which plunged victims into a waking nightmare beyond imagination.
*** Content Warning: Mass Murder & Child Victims ***
Easter Sunday in 1975 was like any other in Hamilton, Ohio. Children hunted for eggs, mothers made last minute preparations for family dinners, and entire families were dressed in new clothes to attend morning church services. For the Ruppert family, the day started out happy. They worshipped together at an early service and then gathered at 635 Minor Avenue in Hamilton, a middle-class community about 30 miles from Cincinnati. But what happened that afternoon – March 30, 1975 – went down as the deadliest shooting to ever occur in a private home in American history – and it left a grim and troubling haunting behind.
Patreon Link --- www.patreon.com/ShadowCrimes
Hey there, fellow sleuths! Welcome to a special announcement episode of Shadow Crimes.
Today, I've got some exciting news to share with you.
As our community continues to grow and our investigations into the world of true crime deepen, I'm thrilled to announce that we've launched a Patreon page!
This Patreon is for anyone who wants to support the channel and unlock exclusive perks.
Right now, we have our first subscription tier called the Shadow Supporter, priced at just $1.50 USD per month. If you want to be part of our growing community, support the channel, and gain access to exclusive perks, head over to our Patreon page and become a Shadow Supporter today at www.patreon.com/ShadowCrimes
And remember, if you're not in a position to support the channel on Patreon right now, that's totally okay. Our main show will always be free for everyone to enjoy. We're incredibly grateful for each and every one of you who tunes in, listens, and joins us on this journey through the shadows.
Your support, whether it's through Patreon or simply by being part of our community, means the world to us. Thanks for being awesome, and let's continue unraveling the mysteries together!
*** Content Warning: Topics of Rape and Sexual Assault are discussed in this episode ***
Elizabeth Holmes was an American biotechnology entrepreneur who was convicted of fraud in connection to her blood-testing company, Theranos. The company's valuation soared after it claimed to have revolutionised blood testing by developing methods that needed only very small volumes of blood, such as from a fingerprick. In 2015, Forbes had named Holmes the youngest and wealthiest self-made female billionaire in the United States on the basis of a $9-billion valuation of her company. In the following year, as revelations of fraud about Theranos's claims began to surface, Forbes revised its estimate of Holmes's net worth to zero, and Fortune named her in its feature article on "The World's 19 Most Disappointing Leaders".
Every Friday, join us for a quick dive into the intriguing world of true crime with our 'Did You Know' short fact episodes. In this weeks' episode we explore the Great Brink's Robbery.
In the crisp, early hours of January 17, 1950, the streets of Boston lay cloaked in darkness—a veil that masked the impending chaos about to unfold. As the city slumbered, a group of daring criminals orchestrated one of the most audacious heists in American history—the Great Brink's Robbery.
The target was the Brink's Armoured Car Depot in the North End of Boston—a fortress-like facility thought to be impervious to theft. Guarded by armed personnel and fortified with state-of-the-art security measures, the depot was considered impenetrable. But the gang of thieves, led by mastermind Anthony "Fats" Pino, had other plans.
*** Content Warning: Child Victim ***
Sarah Payne possessed an infectious spirit that radiated joy wherever she went. At just eight years old, Sarah was known for her bright smile and boundless energy, which she often shared with her brothers and sister during playful adventures in the English countryside. With a love for outdoor exploration, Sarah cherished the moments spent with her family, relishing in the simple pleasures of childhood. Her curiosity knew no bounds, and she approached life with an innocence that captivated those around her. Whether she was chasing butterflies in the garden or giggling with her siblings during games of hide and seek, Sarah's presence brought warmth and light to those who knew her. But on that fateful day on July 1st 2000, tragedy struck, shattering the tranquillity of their lives and plunging them into a nightmare they could never have imagined. The abduction and murder of Sarah Payne would not only rob her family of their beloved daughter and sister but also send shockwaves through the nation, igniting a fervent search for justice and sparking a national conversation about child safety.
Every Friday, join us for a quick dive into the intriguing world of true crime with our 'Did You Know' short fact episodes. In this weeks' episode we explore the Rotenburg Cannibal.
In the serene countryside of Rotenburg, Germany, a quaint village nestled among verdant fields and rolling hills, an unimaginable horror unfolded—a tale so macabre that it sent shockwaves through the world and left an indelible mark on the annals of true crime history. At the heart of this chilling story was Armin Meiwes, a seemingly ordinary man whose insatiable appetite for human flesh would lead him down a path of darkness and depravity.
It began innocently enough, with Meiwes' exploration of online forums dedicated to extreme fetishes and taboo desires. It was here that he encountered Bernd Brandes, a man who shared Meiwes' dark proclivities and who would ultimately become his willing victim.
*** Content Warning: Child Victims ***
Born in difficult circumstances herself and owing her own life to the nurses that helped save her: Lucy Letby was born with a desire to help people and save lives. This desire took a dark turn to become a nightmare for the families of the infants entrusted to her care. As Letby embarked on her career as a nurse, her actions veered into the realm of suspicion and fear. What drove her to betray the very oath she took to heal and protect? And how did her journey from a promising young nurse to a convicted serial killer unfold?
Every Friday, join us for a quick dive into the intriguing world of true crime with our 'Did You Know' short fact episodes. In this weeks' episode we explore the Manson Family Cult.
In the tumultuous landscape of late 1960s America, a charismatic and enigmatic figure emerged, captivating a group of young followers with promises of revolution and transcendence. This figure was Charles Manson, the leader of the infamous Manson Family cult—a group that would become synonymous with terror and violence.
*** Content Warning: Mass Murder & Terrorism ***
On the morning of April 19, 1995, an ex-Army soldier and security guard named Timothy McVeigh parked a rented Ryder truck in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City.
He was about to commit mass murder.
Inside the vehicle was a powerful bomb made out of a deadly cocktail of agricultural fertilizer, diesel fuel, and other chemicals. McVeigh got out, locked the door, and headed towards his getaway car. He ignited one timed fuse, then another. At precisely 9:02 a.m., the bomb exploded.
Within moments, the surrounding area looked like a war zone. A third of the building had been reduced to rubble, with many floors flattened. Dozens of cars were incinerated and more than 300 nearby buildings were damaged or destroyed. The human toll was still more devastating: hundreds were dead, including 19 children, with several hundred more injured.
It was and still remains the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in American history.
Every Friday, join us for a quick dive into the intriguing world of true crime with our 'Did You Know' short fact episodes. In this weeks episode we explore the Bind, Torture, Kill (BTK) case.
In the heartland of America, amidst the tranquil streets of Wichita, Kansas, a phantom stalked the night, leaving behind a trail of fear and devastation. From the 1970s to the early 2000s, the city was haunted by the specter of BTK—the moniker given to one of the most notorious serial killers in American history.
*** Content Warning: Murder and Graphic Violence ***
The Valentine's Day Massacre of 1929 stands as one of the most notorious chapters in the annals of American crime history. Occurring on February 14th, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, this brutal event marked a pivotal moment in the Prohibition-era gang wars that gripped the city. Seven members of the North Side Gang, led by George "Bugs" Moran, were brutally gunned down in a garage by rival gangsters disguised as police officers. The massacre, attributed to the notorious Al Capone's Chicago Outfit, sent shockwaves across the nation, highlighting the extreme violence and lawlessness that characterised the era.
Every Friday, join us for a quick dive into the intriguing world of true crime with our 'Did You Know' short fact episodes. In this weeks episode we explore the Monster of Florence.
In the rolling hills of Tuscany, where vineyards sprawl under the warm Italian sun, a chilling spectre lurked in the shadows, haunting the idyllic landscape with a reign of terror that would span decades. The tale of the Monster of Florence, a mysterious and elusive killer whose identity remains shrouded in mystery, is a dark chapter in the annals of Italian crime.
*** Content Warning: Hijacking ***
On November 24, 1971. During the flight from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington, a man who identified himself as Dan Cooper told a flight attendant he was armed with a bomb, demanded $200,000 in ransom (equivalent to approximately $1,500,000 in today’s money) and requested four parachutes upon landing in Seattle. After releasing the passengers in Seattle, the hijacker instructed the flight crew to refuel the aircraft and begin a second flight to Mexico City, with a refueling stop in Reno, Nevada. About 30 minutes after taking off from Seattle, the hijacker opened the aircraft's aft door, deployed the staircase, and parachuted into the night over southwestern Washington. Thus began one of the great unsolved mysteries in American history.
Every Friday, join us for a quick dive into the intriguing world of true crime with our 'Did You Know' short fact episodes. In this weeks episode we explore the Green River Killer.
In the quiet suburbs of Seattle, Washington, the serene façade belied a growing darkness that would cast a long and chilling shadow over the region. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, the Green River Killer, a malevolent force whose true identity would elude investigators for years, roamed the Pacific Northwest, leaving a trail of fear and despair along the riverbanks.
*** Content Warning: Gun Violence ***
The North Hollywood shootout, also known as the Battle of North Hollywood, was a confrontation between two heavily armed and armored bank robbers, Larry Phillips Jr. and Emil Mătăsăreanu, and members of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in the North Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California, United States on February 28, 1997. Both robbers were killed; twelve police officers and eight civilians were injured, and numerous vehicles and other property were damaged or destroyed by the nearly 2,000 rounds of ammunition fired by the robbers and police.