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 and Siera as Kayley walks us through the story of The Blood Countess and attempts to tell fact from fiction in this gruesome case. Sources: https://www.biography.com/crime/elizabeth-bathory https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1134&context=etd https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elizabeth-Bathory https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-69057709 Female Serial Killers: How and Why Women Become Monsters [https://www.amazon.com/Female-Serial-Killers-Become-Monsters-ebook/dp/B000UZQHXY/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.roU6uHT8tv4yQnSmkWuqgg.PytDtQxPSX9PQc1locLViVcl3gkJUmsuVNkkpL-7j7U&dib_tag=se&keywords=9780425213902&linkCode=qs&qid=1738951601&s=books&sr=1-1] by Peter Vronsky [https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Vronsky/e/B001H6IF26?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1738951601&sr=1-1]

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 worst of human apathy? Or did bad reportage lead to moralistic outrage surrounding an already tragic case? Join us this week as we delve into the bystander effect and the death of Kitty Genovese. Sources: https://www.history.com/topics/crime/kitty-genovese https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/bystander-effect https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/her-shocking-murder-became-the-stuff-of-legend-but-everyone-got-the-story-wrong/2016/06/29/544916d8-3952-11e6-9ccd-d6005beac8b3_story.html https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/03/10/a-call-for-help https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/06/insider/1964-how-many-witnessed-the-murder-of-kitty-genovese.html?_r=0 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/02/nyregion/sophia-farrar-dead.html

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 survive.  Sources: The primary source that I (Siera) used for this episode was a book written by Eliza Houghton, the daughter of George Donner. Her book is entitled The Expedition of the Donner Party and Its Tragic Fate, and it can be found for free on archive.org. Archive.org also contains several other books recounting the tragedy. For a quick introduction to the Donner Party, you can start with the articles below: https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/donner-party https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-should-know-about-the-donner-party

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/killer-matthew-hoffman-stockpiled-leaves-ohio-home-made/story?id=12877942 https://www.oxygen.com/twisted-killers/crime-news/why-matthew-hoffman-is-known-as-leaf-killer https://nypost.com/2010/11/20/slain-ohio-family-were-stabbed-to-death/ https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna40258902 https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/07/us/07brfs-GUILTYPLEAIN_BRF.html https://www.healthline.com/health/dendrophilia https://appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch/Search/Details/A645571

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/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-06-mn-15889-story.html?_gl=1*7xs3ci*_gcl_au*Njk2MjQzMjI3LjE3MDk0ODk5Nzk https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-nov-21-tm-dahlia47-story.html https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-dec-19-me-knowlton19-story.html https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jan-09-me-asdel9-story.html https://www.independent.com/2018/06/07/black-dahlia-never-dies/ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-nov-01-me-28619-story.html https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/26/black-dahlia-murder-steve-hodel-elizabeth-short https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/elizabeth-short-george-hodel-suspects-clues-13354993.php https://www.fbi.gov/image-repository/police-bulletin-short.png Books: American Detective: Behind the Scenes of Famous Criminal Investigations, Thomas A. Reppetto Black Dahlia Avenger: A Genius for Murder, Steve Hodel

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 Cleveland Torso Killer (also known as the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run) and how this "unsolved case" might've actually been cracked back in 1938.  After listening side note: As of summer of 2024, DNA testing is underway to identify the victims! The DNA Doe Project is working with the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office to use genetic genealogy testing to attempt to identify those who have for too long been nameless. They've exhumed two victims (one of which is the Tattooed Man, the other believed to be victim #6,).  So sorry I didn't mention this in the episode; I researched this back in May of 2024, and this hadn't been reported on at the time. Here's an article about it-take a look!  -Kayley https://www.cbsnews.com/news/torso-killer-cleveland-dna-testing-victims-identified/ Sources: https://www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/collections/torso-murders/ https://case.edu/ech/articles/t/torso-murders https://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/the-read/articles/case-closed- https://www.amazon.com/Wake-Butcher-Cleveland-Authoritative-Expanded-ebook/dp/B00J9F44GI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= In the Wake of the Butcher: Cleveland Torso Murders, Revised and Expanded by James Badal

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/Health/Beheader%2Bcriminally%2Bresponsible/1356476/story.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20090315135511/http:/www.edmontonjournal.com/Health/Beheader%2Bcriminally%2Bresponsible/1356476/story.html] https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2009/03/04/fateful_meeting_on_greyhound#:~:text=The%20Greyhound%20driver%20pulled%20to,his%20head%2C%20court%20was%20told. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2009/03/10/hearing-set-for-man https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/greyhound-beheading-10th-anniversary-1.4760074 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/vince-li-could-get-absolute-discharge-1.3968166 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/mother-of-tim-mclean-ends-petition-to-change-law-1.2502104 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/40-year-old-suspect-held-in-gruesome-manitoba-bus-killing-1.705008 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/greyhound-killer-believed-man-he-beheaded-was-an-alien-1.1131575

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 tree? While we may never know the answer to these question, perhaps somewhere out there, someone does. Sources: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-07/mystery-over-who-put-bella-down-the-wych-elm-/102171844 https://crimereads.com/who-put-bella-in-the-wych-elm/ https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/31-days-of-halloween-who-put-bella-down-the-wych-elm https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b04c9dfn https://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/articles/who-put-bella-in-the-wych-elm/

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.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjYyMDUyNTE1MCwiaWF0IjoxNjk5NzMxNjI5LCJleHAiOjE2OTk4MTgwMjl9.vz9cXkZ9zenSUHFlPJgFl27Ye1buJNG4eGVaiX8T-DM https://www.today.com/popculture/orphaned-sea-tere-now-tells-story-wbna36964672 https://www.today.com/news/murder-rampage-left-girl-orphaned-adrift-2D80555998 https://allthatsinteresting.com/terry-jo-duperrault In the future, we hope to revisit this story after reading the book Alone: Orphaned on the Ocean by Richard Logan and Tere Fassbender.

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 https://www.scotclans.com/pages/the-legend-of-sawney-bean

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://www.marshallindependent.com/news/local-news/2015/10/gaining-ground-in-the-search-for-missing-adults/ https://www.house.mn.gov/sessionweekly/art.asp?ls_year=86&issueid_=43&storyid=1297&year_=2009 https://www.jonfrancisfoundation.org/ https://www.mprnews.org/story/2007/07/26/hikerfound https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/forms-documents/Documents/MMIW%20Task%20Force/MP%20Power%20Point%20MMIW%207-15-20.pdf https://www.twincities.com/2015/10/13/brandon-swanson-search-resumes-in-western-minnesota/ https://thecrimewire.com/true-crime/Missing-Since-2008-Brandon-Swanson

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 this months ago. My "post it , run away, and don't look back" tactic works much better when I actually, you know, post the episode. --Kayley 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 three of this three part series, Kayley walks us through the trial and appeals process and how two documentaries caused public outrage once again--only this time, the public's outrage helped the West Memphis Three finally get a retrial. Sources: Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three—Book by Mara Leveritt https://www.gq.com/story/west-memphis-three-trial-story-sean-flynn-gq-december-2011 https://www.oxygen.com/the-forgotten-west-memphis-three/crime-news/victims-injuries-animal-predation-west-memphis-three-case https://www.eonline.com/news/1135012/inside-the-unknown-story-of-the-forgotten-west-memphis-three https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/23/us/west-memphis-three-dna-court-hearing/index.html https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/04/06/ark-supreme-court-decides-favor-west-memphis-3-damien-echols-appeal/ https://www.britannica.com/event/West-Memphis-Three https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/west-memphis-three-3039/

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 the three, the police's newest and most unexpected (and unqualified) detective, and walks through how a seemingly coerced confession ends in a three way conviction. Sources: Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three—Book by Mara Leveritt https://www.gq.com/story/west-memphis-three-trial-story-sean-flynn-gq-december-2011 https://www.oxygen.com/the-forgotten-west-memphis-three/crime-news/victims-injuries-animal-predation-west-memphis-three-case https://www.eonline.com/news/1135012/inside-the-unknown-story-of-the-forgotten-west-memphis-three https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/23/us/west-memphis-three-dna-court-hearing/index.html https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/04/06/ark-supreme-court-decides-favor-west-memphis-3-damien-echols-appeal/ https://www.britannica.com/event/West-Memphis-Three https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/west-memphis-three-3039/

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 on their lead suspects, as well as how the case is bungled from the very start. Now, just days after the 30 year anniversary of the murders, we still can't be sure if justice was served for the three young boys who lost their lives.  Sources: Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three—Book by Mara Leveritt https://www.gq.com/story/west-memphis-three-trial-story-sean-flynn-gq-december-2011 https://www.oxygen.com/the-forgotten-west-memphis-three/crime-news/victims-injuries-animal-predation-west-memphis-three-case https://www.eonline.com/news/1135012/inside-the-unknown-story-of-the-forgotten-west-memphis-three https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/23/us/west-memphis-three-dna-court-hearing/index.html https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/04/06/ark-supreme-court-decides-favor-west-memphis-3-damien-echols-appeal/ https://www.britannica.com/event/West-Memphis-Three https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/west-memphis-three-3039/

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-story.html https://www.jstor.org/stable/23400917 https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/in-print-dorothea-puentes-killer-cookbook/

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 year old Bruce Nickell came home from work with a headache. According to his wife, 42 year old Stella Nickell, Bruce took four extra strength Excedrin capsules and, minutes later, collapsed. Though it was years later, someone was once again tampering with over-the-counter pain medication. Only this time, the case of the Excedrin murders would not go cold, and the mystery of who was placing poison on store shelves would be solved. Sources: The Tylenol Murders https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Tylenol_murders https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/cold-cases/chicago-tylenol-murders/ https://www.chicagohistory.org/tylenol-murders/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tylenol-murders-investigation-new-dna-tests-40-years-later/ pbs.org/newshour/health/tylenol-murders-1982 [http://pbs.org/newshour/health/tylenol-murders-1982] The Excedrin Murders: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/woman-convicted-for-tampering-with-excedrin https://www.insider.com/woman-told-how-her-mom-was-killed-by-cyanide-poisoner-2022-11 https://murderpedia.org/female.N/n/nickell-stella.htm https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung [https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/emphysema#:~:text=Emphysema%20is%20one%20of%20the,alveoli%20(tiny%20air%20sacs).] https://www.wcjn.org/Stella_Nickell.html https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=93160&page=1     bv

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 until Monday to potentially press charges. However, eleven minutes after leaving the Holton residence, police returned. This time, officers found Michael Holton dead and April clinging to life. Both had been shot in the head, and Madison was still waiting with his hands cuffed behind his back. Join Kayley and Siera as they ask the question: What happened to April and Michael?  Sources: https://www.oxygen.com/dateline-secrets-uncovered/crime-news/did-madison-holton-kill-parents-michael-and-april https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-jesse-madison-holton-now/ https://heavy.com/news/2019/04/jesse-madison-holton/ https://www.wsfa.com/story/33273902/new-evidence-revealed-during-hearing-for-teen-charged-with-parents-murder/ https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/crime/2016/09/28/case-slain-eclectic-parents-goes-grand-jury/91234752/ https://www.alexcityoutlook.com/news/new-indictment-handed-down-in-eclectic-double-homicide/article_1c71444f-0908-5a6d-8092-3e3a7746ed11.html https://www.foxnews.com/us/alabama-teen-once-charged-with-killing-his-parents-claims-sheriff-is-still-looking-for-ways-to-put-him-in-jail https://thecinemaholic.com/april-and-mike-holton-murder/

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 at truecppodcast@gmail.com. 

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://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1987-buried-body-identified-desiree-wheatley/480421001/ https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1987-4th-body-identified-dawn-smith/480561001/ https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1987-david-wood-rape-suspect-served-7-years-sex-offenses/480608001/ https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1987-police-identify-fifth-body-angelica-jeannette-frausto/480762001/ https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2017/08/10/murdered-missing-women-tied-serial-killer-david-leonard-wood/551097001/ https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1988-david-wood-ready-fight/481038001/ https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1988-6th-body-identified-police-ivy-williams/480993001/ https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1990-convicted-rapist-david-wood-now-state-prison/481268001/ https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1991-desert-deaths-trial-set-open/481307001/ https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/2009-david-wood-scheduled-executed-aug-20/488213001/ https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/2009-execution-stayed-woods-mental-ability-issue/488399001/ https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/2014-convicted-el-paso-serial-killer-loses-appeal/488778001/ https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2017/08/10/desert-killer-david-leonard-wood-legal-saga-remains-tied-up/548308001/ https://apnews.com/article/de6a76455abbc93a619563e37e1d5400 Brief from the Supreme Court: https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/18/18-9262/112415/20190814184654950_Wood%20Second%20BIO%20ID.pdf 

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 Heather Quan. However, as the interrogation proceeds, it becomes more evident that something is seriously wrong. Waller's story is all over the place, and he's claiming that two men with bows and arrows shot him in the eye. What happened in Phoenix, Arizona on Christmas day 2006? The answer is mind boggling.  Sources: this is monsters interview with Don Waller-- https://www.podcastone.com/episode/Searching-For-Justice-The-Ryan-Waller-Story The interrogation video--  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI8G0KOOtqk&t=1309s https://www.vizaca.com/ryan-waller/ okaybliss.com/ryan-waller-story/ https://www.maricopacountyattorney.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=185 https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/ryan-waller-obituary?pid=177547295