On December 2, 2018, the parents of twenty-one-year-old Grace Millane, a British tourist on vacation in New Zealand, became concerned when the birthday wishes they sent their daughter went unacknowledged. Having completed her degree at the University of Lincoln a few months earlier, Grace had spent several weeks traveling during her gap year but had been keeping in regular contact with her parents since leaving for her trip. When they still hadn’t heard from their daughter three days later, Grace’s parents called Auckland police and reported her missing. A week later, Grace Millane’s body was discovered in a suitcase near an access road in the Waitakere Ranges, a dense wooded area about twelve miles outside Auckland. A day later, investigators arrested twenty-six-year-old Jesse Kempson, who was the last person seen with Grace on the night of the murder when the two were captured together by a CCTV camera going up to Kempson’s room at the CityLife Hotel.Please Consider Signing this PetitionThank you to our favorite David White for research assistanceReferencesBBC News. 2018. Grace Millane: Man appears in court charged with backpacker's murder. December 10. Accessed May 3, 2023. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-46502649.Creed, Rebecca. 2021. "Former flatmate of Grace Millane's killer says he was." The Echo, November 15.Critchell, Matthew. 2019. "Backpacker Grace spoke to men on bondage chat rooms,." The Echo, November 20.Emes, Toby. 2019. "Accused killer admitted Grace was dead in second interview." The Echo, November 14.Faulkner, Doug. 2019. Grace Millane murder: A trial that gripped a nation. November 22. Accessed May 2, 2023. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-50515326.Feehan, Katie. 2018. "Brother of Wickford woman missing in New Zealand says lack." The Echo, December 5.—. 2018. "Police release last known image of missing Wickford woman." The Echo, December 6.Graham-Mclay, Charlotte. 2018. "After backpacker's killing, New Zealand looks again at violence against women." New York Times, December 13.—. 2018. "New Zealand murder case leads to rebuke of Google." New York Times, December 15.—. 2018. "New Zealander accused of killing tourist." New York Times, December 9.Humphries, Will, and Bernard Lagan. 2018. "Distraught father flies to join backpacker search." The Times, December 7.Jesse Shane Kempson v. The Queen. 2021. SC 11/2021 NZSC 74 (Supreme Court of New Zealand, June 29).Kirk, Tristan. 2019. "Guilty: Fantasist who killed Grace." London Evening Standard, November 22.—. 2019. "Guilty: Grace jury takes only five hours to return verdict of murder." London Evening Standard, November 22.Kolirin, Lianne. 2020. "Grace Millane's killer attacked other women." The Times, December 22.Lagan, Bernard. 2018. "Body found in search for missing backpacker." The Times, December 10.—. 2019. "British backpacker's 'killer' lied about their Tinder date." The Times, November 13.Lagan, Bernard, and Will Humphries. 2018. "Father appeals for clues to help find missing daughter." The Times, December 8.Leask, Anna. 2020. Who is Grace Millane's murderer? Unravelling labyrinth of lies and a fatal Tinder date. February 20. Accessed May 1, 2023. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/who-is-grace-millanes-murderer-unravelling-labyrinth-of-lies-and-a-fatal-tinder-date/PDGHMSM67MZQ5VBH4GT2XIXZ7Q/?c_id=1&objectid=12287282.MacDonald, Stuart. 2021. "'Rough sex' defence for murder could be banned." The Times, May 29.Roy, Eleanor Ainge. 2019. "Grace Millane trial: blood in hotel room likely backpacker's." The Guardian, November 8.—. 2019. "Grace Millane trial: witness says she feared she would die." The Guardian, November 11.—. 2019. "'She should have been safe here'." The Guardian, November 22.Smith, Anneka. 2020. "Grace Millane's life: far more than the details of her death." Radio New Zealand, February 21.South Wales Echo. 2020. "Grace's killer 'raped another Brit tourist'." South Wales Echo, December 23.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From Wondery and Bloomberg, the makers of The Shrink Next Door, comes a new story of incredible wealth, betrayal, and what happens when “doing good” goes really, really bad.When nerdy gamer Sam Bankman-Fried rocketed to fame as the world’s richest 29-year-old, he pledged to donate his billions to good causes. But when Sam's crypto exchange FTX collapsed, billions of dollars went missing, and Sam was in handcuffs, those who knew him were left wondering — who was Sam really? A well-meaning billionaire who made a mistake? Or a calculated con man?Listen to Spellcaster: Wondery.fm/SC_MorbidSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On May 23, 2000, teens Elizabeth "Liz" Reiser and Brandi Hicks went down to the local video store in New Philadelphia, Ohio to rent a movie. While there, they met a man who told them he had no way to get home and would pay them $20 if they would give him a ride. Both girls believed in helping their fellow human, so they agreed after a bit of hesitation. What began as a routine act of charity quickly spiraled out of control, resulting in the murder of Liz Reiser and the attempted rape and attempted murder of Brandi Hicks by the man they had intended to help, Mathew Vaca. The crimes committed against Reiser and Hicks were brutal and sent shockwaves through the small Ohio community. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the morning of December 26, 1997, police and fire services responded to a call about a structure fire at the home Bremerton, WA home of Nick and Dawn Hacheney. When they were finally able to extinguish the flames and search the home, they discovered the badly burned body of twenty-eight-year-old Dawn Hachney in her bed, where her husband had left her several hours earlier. After a brief investigation, Dawn’s death was determined to be the result of an accidental fire—a tragic end to a short life, nothing more.The case, which most had considered closed years earlier, was revived in April of 2001, when a woman went to Bremerton Police with a startling statement. She claimed to have been having an affair with Dawn’s husband Nick, at the time of Dawn’s death and that, at some point during their affair, he’d confessed to drugging his wife and setting the house on fire to cover up the murder. Investigators took the woman’s claims very seriously; however, Nick Hacheney was a former minister, which added Thank you to the gorgeous, vibrant and talented David White for Research assistanceReferences: Associated Press. 2002. "Former minister on trial in wife's death." The News Tribune, November 11: 16.Baker, Travis. 2003. "Angry words erupt at Hacheney Sentencing." Kitsap Sun, February 8: 1.—. 2002. "Defense presses woman who pointed finger." Kitsap Sun, November 27: 4.—. 2001. "Ex-minister might face life in prison without parole." Kitsap Sun, October 4: 1.—. 2001. "Ex-minister pleads innocent in wife's death." Kitsap Sun, September 18: 1.—. 2002. "Former minister guilty of murdering wife." Kitsap Sun, December 27: 1.—. 2001. "Hacheney denied reduced bail." Kitsap Sun, October 27: 4.—. 2002. "Judge: Jury will hear of alleged wife killer's affairs." Kitsap Sun, February 28: 10.—. 2002. "Pathologist testifies about changing autopsy results." Kitsap Sun, November 13: 3.—. 2002. "Sexual affairs not relevant, attorney argues." Kitsap Sun, February 9: 5.—. 2002. "Trial begins for ex-minister accused of killing wife." Kitsap Sun, November 4: 1.Kitsap Sun. 1997. "Dawn Hacheney Obituary." Kitsap Sun, December 30: 5.McCormick, Julie. 2001. "Former minister suspect in wife's death." Kitsap Sun, September 14: 1.Olsen, Gregg. 2010. A Twisted Faith: A Minister's Obsession and the Murder that Destroyed a Church. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press.State of Washington, Respondent, v. Nicholas Daniel Hacheney. 2007. 77767-5 (Supreme Court of Washington, May 31).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the evening of February 16, 1981, nineteen-year-old Arne Johnson stabbed his friend and landlord Alan Bono to death during an argument, after which Johnson fled the scene and was arrested several miles away later that night. Under normal circumstances, the murder of one man by another in a small town would hardly register on the scale of national, or even regional news, but if Arne Johnson was to be believed, these weren’t ordinary circumstances. According to Arne, the devil made him do it.Thank you to Dave White for research assistance.References:Associated Press. 1986. "Man released early in 'demon murder case'." Hartford Courant, January 23: 47.Brozek, Diane. 1981. "Teen-ager charged in 'possession' case." Hartford Courant, March 20: 11.Carl Glatzel Jr. et al v. Gerald Brittle et al. 2010. DBCV-08-4008461-S (Connecticut Superior Court Judicial District of Danbury, October 25).Christoffersen, John. 2007. "Suit vs. psychic says demon murder was a hoax." Record-Journal, October 10: M3.Clendinen, Dudley. 1981. "Defendant in murder puts the devil on trial." New York Times, March 23: B1.Galup. n.d. Religion. Accessed May 10, 2023. https://news.gallup.com/poll/1690/religion.aspx.Harris, John. 1981. "Bizarre happenings surround killing in Brookfield." Hartford Courant, February 27: 2.—. 1981. "Critics bedevil demonolgist, attorney in slaying case ." Hartford Courant, June 22: B1.—. 1981. "'Demon' murder case sent to Danbury jury." Hartford Courant, November 21: 8.—. 1981. "Exorcism, demons' role argued." Hartford Courant, March 15: 1.—. 1981. "Johnson guilty in demons case." Hartford Courant, November 25: 1.—. 1981. "Judge bars demonic possession defense." Hartford Courant, October 29: 1.Healion, James. 1981. "A barmaid testified Thursday that murder suspect Arne Cheyenne..." United Press International, November 5.—. 1981. "A judge Wednesday threw out the 'demon defense'." United Press International, October 28.—. 1981. "Judge Robert J. Callahan Thursday refused to reconsider his decision." United Press International, October 29.—. 1981. "The murder trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson in Danbury." United Press International, November 13.Pionzio, Melissa. 2007. "'Factual' exorcism book evokes past pain." Hartford Courant, October 14: B1.Putcamp, Luise. 1981. "Supernatural episodes form prelude to killing." Buffalo Evening News, July 30: 1.—. 1981. "Suspect's alibi: He was possessed." Buffalo Evening News, August 5: 2.Stagis, Julie. 2014. "Killer's defense: He was possessed." Hartford Courant, April 22: B1.2006. A Haunting. Directed by Stuart Taylor. Produced by Tom Naughton.United Press International. 1981. "'Demon slayer' gets 10-to-20 year sentence." United Press International, December 18.United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. n.d. Exorcism. Accessed May 8, 2023. https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/sacramentals-blessings/exorcism.Walzer, E.B. 1982. "Appeal dropped in 'demon' case." The Reporter Dispatch, March 19: 2.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A little after 10:00 pm on the evening of May 1, 1990, Pamela Smart returned home from work to find her husband, twenty-four-year-old Gregg Smart, lying dead just beyond the front door of their condominium, a single bullet hole in his head. Detectives from the small town of Derry, NH arrived to find what appeared to be the scene of a robbery; though, very little looked to have been stolen and to investigators the scene felt staged. Two days later, Derry Police Captain Loring Jackson announced that Gregg Smart’s death wasn’t a random attacked, he’d been murdered by someone who knew him. The murder of Gregg Smart, and the trial that followed, shocked the population of New Hampshire, where it remains perhaps the most notorious criminal trial in the state’s history. As the first criminal trial to be televised from beginning to end, the case of Pamela Smart and her teenage lover captivated a national audience, leading to television and feature films, several nonfiction books, and countless television specials in the decades that followed.Special thank you to the brilliant David White for research assistanceReferencesBaker, Frank. 1990. "Smart to be jailed until trial." Concord Monitor, August 14: 1.—. 1990. "Widow charged as accomplice." Concord Monitor, August 2: 14.Carton, Barbara. 1991. "The Pamela Smart story." Boston Globe, Marcg 21.1991. NH v. Smart: Opening Statements. Directed by Court TV. Performed by Court TV.Derry News. 1990. "Family and friends puzzle over murder." Derry News, May 4: 1.Englade, Ken. 1991. Deadly Lessons. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press.Gaines, Judith, and Alexander Reid. 1991. "Jurors say tales a key to their decision." Boston Globe, March 23: 1.Hernandez, Monica. 2023. Accomplice in Smart murder asks for sentence reduction. January 10. Accessed May 1, 2023. https://www.wmur.com/article/smart-murder-vance-lattime-sentence-reduction/42449265.Hohler, Bob. 1991. "3 guilty in N.H. killing." Boston Globe, January 30: 1.—. 1991. "Confidant was wired by police." Boston Globe, March 15: 21.—. 1991. "Smart is found guilty." Boston Globe, March 23: 1.—. 1991. "Smart pleaded for life, N.H. teen-ager testifies." Boston Globe, March 6: 19.—. 1991. "Tales of seduction." Boston Globe, March 12: 1.—. 1990. "Tape offered at Smart hearing." Boston Globe, August 14.—. 1991. "Witness: Smart asked for tips on reaction." Boston Globe, March 3: 27.—. 1991. "Youth says blood flowed, tears did not." Boston Globe, March 13: 35.Kilgannon, Corey. 2023. "Smart, who plotted with a teen lover to kill her husband, loses a parole bid." New York Times, March 30.Kittredge, Clare. 1991. "A verdict to take to son's grave." Boston Globe, March 23: 1.—. 1991. "Smart trial garners big TV audience." Boston Globe, March 17: 1.Richardson, Franci. 1990. "Mrs. Smart absolutely convinced husband surprised thief." Derry News, May 9: 1.Sawicki, Stephen. 1991. Teach Me to Kill: The Shocking True Story of the Pamela Smart Murder Case. New York, NY: Avon Books.Schweitzer, Sarah. 2015. "5 years later, shooter to go free: William Flynn was 16 when he was lured into murder by Pamela Smart." Boston Globe, March 13: A1.State of New Hampshire v. Pamela Smart. 1993. 622 A.2d 1197 (Supreme Court of New Hampshire, February 26).Wang, Beverley. 2005. "Pamela Smart accomplice released." Concord Monitor, June 15: 10.West, Nancy. 2016. Breaking Silence: Cecelia Pierce Speaks. October 12. Accessed April 24, 2023. https://www.nhmagazine.com/breaking-silence-cecelia-pierce-speaks/.West, Nancy, and David Mendelsohn. 2016. Pamela Smart: innocent of (still) guilty. October 13. Accessed April 29, 2023. https://www.nhmagazine.com/pamela-smart-innocent-or-still-guilty/  https://www.bostonherald.com/2015/03/09/brother-of-pamela-smarts-victim-killer-did-his-time/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mention the Pamela Smart case to someone in New Hampshire, and they'll know exactly what you're talking about. The case captivated the nation in the early 90's and at the center of it all, of course, was Pamela. A New Hampshire native, she had big dreams of becoming somebody and making a name for herself. She moved away from her small town and almost did, but in the name of love she moved back home and settled into her career as a School Administrator. It was via that position that she would meet young sophomore in High School, Billy Flynn. Pam groomed the boy, and had him thinking they were fully in love before she asked him a question that would change both of their lives forever: Would he murder her husband? In part one we'll cover the early life of both Pam and her husband, Gregg Smart, we'll break down how Pam and Billy became involved with each other and just how Pam got Billy to believe that murdering her husband was what it would take for them to be together forever.Special thank you to the brilliant David White for research assistanceReferencesBaker, Frank. 1990. "Smart to be jailed until trial." Concord Monitor, August 14: 1.—. 1990. "Widow charged as accomplice." Concord Monitor, August 2: 14.Carton, Barbara. 1991. "The Pamela Smart story." Boston Globe, Marcg 21.1991. NH v. Smart: Opening Statements. Directed by Court TV. Performed by Court TV.Derry News. 1990. "Family and friends puzzle over murder." Derry News, May 4: 1.Englade, Ken. 1991. Deadly Lessons. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press.Gaines, Judith, and Alexander Reid. 1991. "Jurors say tales a key to their decision." Boston Globe, March 23: 1.Hernandez, Monica. 2023. Accomplice in Smart murder asks for sentence reduction. January 10. Accessed May 1, 2023. https://www.wmur.com/article/smart-murder-vance-lattime-sentence-reduction/42449265.Hohler, Bob. 1991. "3 guilty in N.H. killing." Boston Globe, January 30: 1.—. 1991. "Confidant was wired by police." Boston Globe, March 15: 21.—. 1991. "Smart is found guilty." Boston Globe, March 23: 1.—. 1991. "Smart pleaded for life, N.H. teen-ager testifies." Boston Globe, March 6: 19.—. 1991. "Tales of seduction." Boston Globe, March 12: 1.—. 1990. "Tape offered at Smart hearing." Boston Globe, August 14.—. 1991. "Witness: Smart asked for tips on reaction." Boston Globe, March 3: 27.—. 1991. "Youth says blood flowed, tears did not." Boston Globe, March 13: 35.Kilgannon, Corey. 2023. "Smart, who plotted with a teen lover to kill her husband, loses a parole bid." New York Times, March 30.Kittredge, Clare. 1991. "A verdict to take to son's grave." Boston Globe, March 23: 1.—. 1991. "Smart trial garners big TV audience." Boston Globe, March 17: 1.Richardson, Franci. 1990. "Mrs. Smart absolutely convinced husband surprised thief." Derry News, May 9: 1.Sawicki, Stephen. 1991. Teach Me to Kill: The Shocking True Story of the Pamela Smart Murder Case. New York, NY: Avon Books.Schweitzer, Sarah. 2015. "5 years later, shooter to go free: William Flynn was 16 when he was lured into murder by Pamela Smart." Boston Globe, March 13: A1.State of New Hampshire v. Pamela Smart. 1993. 622 A.2d 1197 (Supreme Court of New Hampshire, February 26).Wang, Beverley. 2005. "Pamela Smart accomplice released." Concord Monitor, June 15: 10.West, Nancy. 2016. Breaking Silence: Cecelia Pierce Speaks. October 12. Accessed April 24, 2023. https://www.nhmagazine.com/breaking-silence-cecelia-pierce-speaks/.West, Nancy, and David Mendelsohn. 2016. Pamela Smart: innocent of (still) guilty. October 13. Accessed April 29, 2023. https://www.nhmagazine.com/pamela-smart-innocent-or-still-guilty/  https://www.bostonherald.com/2015/03/09/brother-of-pamela-smarts-victim-killer-did-his-time/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We've got a listener tale up in here!! This week we are joined by Alaina's #bffAF, the one and only Jon Lee Brody. On today's installment we feature stories of spooky road adventures, badass moms, asshole friends & some demon encounters.Check out That Was Pretty Scary New episodes every Wednesday!If you have a listener tale that you would like to send in please do so and direct it to Morbidpodcast@gmail.com with "Listener Tale" somewhere in the subject line :)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the final chapter of our coverage of H.H.Holmes, we talk about the theories connecting him to Jack the Ripper, his final days on the run and a trial and execution that has gone down in history. Thank you to Dave White for research assistance.ReferencesBoston Daily Globe. 1895. "At Burlington." Boston Daily Globe, August 8: 7.—. 1894. "Believes husband dead." Boston Daily Globe, November 20: 1.—. 1894. "Believes husband dead." Boston Daily Globe, November 20: 1.—. 1895. "Hard and Selfish." Boston Daily Globe, August 7: 5.—. 1894. "In the toils." Boston Daily Globe, November 18: 1.—. 1895. "Mother's Love." Boston Daily Globe, August 6: 5.Chicago Chronicle. 1895. "Tells of one crime." Chicago Chronicle, July 30: 2.—. 1895. "Trail of the fiend." Chicago Chronicle, July 21: 1.Chicago Tribune. 1894. "Spins his own web." Chacgo Tribune, November 22: 1.—. 1895. "Holmes recognized in Toronto." Chcago Tribune, July 17: 12.Daily Boston Globe. 1895. "Good Fisherman." Daily Boston Globe, August 9: 4.Galveston Daily News. 1894. "Two Texas Girls." Galveston Daily News, November 22: 1.Geyer, Frank P. 1896. The Holmes-Pitezel Case: A History of the Greatest Crime of the Century and of the Search for the Missing Pitezel Children. Philadelphia, PA: Publishers' Union.Kerns, Rebecca, Tiffany Lewis, and Cailtin McClure. 2012. Herman Webster Mudgett: Dr. H.H. Holmes or Beast of Chicago. Lecture, Radford, VA: Department of Psychology, Radford University.Larson, Erik. 2003. Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America. New York, NY: Crown Publishers.Mudgett, Herman W. 1895. Holmes' Own Story. Philadelphia, PA: Burke and McFetridge Company.New York Times. 1895. "A boy Holmes' first victim." New York Times, July 31: 3.—. 1896. "Appeal of murderer Holmes." New York Times, February 4: 8.—. 1895. "Claims an alibi." New York Times, July 17: 1.—. 1896. "Holmes cool to the end." New York Times, May 8: 1.—. 1895. "Holmes enters a plea of guilty." New York Times, May 29: 1.—. 1896. "Holmes in a ton of cement." New York Times, May 9: 1.—. 1895. "Holmes sentenced to die." New York Times, December 1: 13.—. 1894. "May be charged with murder." New York Times, November 19: 2.—. 1895. "The Williams girls' fate." New York Times, July 21: 10.Philadelphia Inquirer. 1894. "Cause of death a mystery." Philadelphia Inquirer, September 6: 6.—. 1896. "Holmes' chronology." Philadelphia Inquirer, April 12: 18.—. 1896. "Holmes Confesses 27 murders." Philadelphia Inquirer, April 26: 1.Philadelphia Times. 1894. "All looking for Pitezel." Philadelphia Times, November 21: 1.—. 1894. "Perry's Peculiar Death." Philadelphia Times, September 5: 3.Selzer, Adam. 2017. H.H. Holmes: The True History of the White City Devil. New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing.St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 1894. "Arrested Again." St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 29: 8.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part 4 of H.H. Holmes, it gets even wilder. This man has now headed to Texas with his 500th wife and is ready to join his partner in crime, Benjamin Pitezel to steal Minnie Williams' inherited land. He has plans. He plans to now build a Texas murder castle like the one he created in Chicago. But first, Pitezel and Holmes need to scheme their way into a payday, using an insurance scam and faking Pitezel's death. When it looks like Pitezel might back out, things go sour and Holmes goes on a murder spree that brings him to several states and even Canada. Strap in, friends. It's complicated and horrific here.Thank you to Dave White for research assistance. Resources: Philadelphia Inquirer. 1894. "Cause of death a mystery." Philadelphia Inquirer, September 6: 6.—. 1896. "Holmes' chronology." Philadelphia Inquirer, April 12: 18.—. 1896. "Holmes Confesses 27 murders." Philadelphia Inquirer, April 26: 1.Philadelphia Times. 1894. "All looking for Pitezel." Philadelphia Times, November 21: 1.—. 1894. "Perry's Peculiar Death." Philadelphia Times, September 5: 3.Selzer, Adam. 2017. H.H. Holmes: The True History of the White City Devil. New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part 3 H.H. Holmes isn't done being adulterous and he's taking evil to another level. He's conning wives left and right and then takes to arson to earn a quick buck. Today, we go deeper into the design of his "murder castle" while also watching this con man/killer descend further into madness. What will be his undoing? Stay tuned...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In part 2 we talk about the infamous "Murder Castle" and begin to dive into the crimes committed there. Holmes' brutality and savagery knew no bounds and now he has a whole building to do it in.Thank you to Dave White for research assistance! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Boston police arrested Dr. Henry Howard Holmes in a West End boarding house on November 17, 1894, they assumed they had apprehended an interstate criminal guilty of defrauding the Fidelity Insurance company of $10,000 and of being a horse thief in Texas. Holmes had been tracked to New England by the Pinkerton Detective Agency, who had suspected him of other crimes in various cities across the country; yet even the most seasoned and creative detective couldn’t have imagined the horrific scope and magnitude of crimes he’d committed.Thanks Dave for this magnificent synopsis!Thanks to Care/of for being a sponsor of this episode. For 50% off your first Care/of order, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter code MORBID50.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When the body of fourteen-year-old Chris Steiner was discovered floating in the Wisconsin River on July 10, 1994, it brought a heartbreaking end to the search for the boy who had mysteriously disappeared from his Baraboo, Wisconsin home a week earlier. Officially, the cause of death was drowning. His death was a tragic accident, and nothing more.But was it? A year later, a harrowing 911 call from 14 year old Thad Phillips would bring to light a monster in the boys' own neighborhood, one that would change the ruling in Chris Steiner's death and horrify the community forever.ReferencesAssociated Press. 1997. Court awards $21M in torture case. October 14. Accessed April 6, 2023. https://apnews.com/article/5ded061aa228f6b8a597557fb8724258.—. 1995. "Teen-age suspect in kidnapping-torture was taunted by peers about 1994 death." Wisconsin State Journal, August 11: 24.Chickering, Pam. 1994. "Baraboo teen-ager missing." Baraboo News Republic, July 8: 1.Clark, Anita. 1996. "Expert: Clark is a sadist, not insane." Wisconsin State Journal, September 18.Dvorak, Rich, and Troy Laack. 1994. "Clue's sought in teen's death." Baraboo News Republic, July 13: 1.—. 1994. "Missing youth's body found." Baraboo News Republic, July 12: 1.Elbow, Steven. 1997. "Expert witness denied voice at Clark trial." Baraboo News Republic, November 7: 1.—. 1996. "Formal charges filed in Steiner case." Portage Daily Register, September 26: 1.Grunig, Tara. 1995. "Clark charged as adult in Phillips case." The Daily Register, September 8: 1.Jaeger, Richard. 1995. "Autopsy discovers broken bones." Wisconsin State Journal, August 5: 1.—. 1995. "Kidnapping-torture similar to year-old case." Wisconsin State Journal, August 3: 1.—. 1995. "Teen questioned in '94 drowning." Wisconsin State Journal, August 4: 1D-2D.O'Connell, Mike. 1995. "13-year-old boy kidnapped, tortured." Baraboo News Republic, August 2: 1.—. 1996. "Clark's defense." Baraboo News Republic, September 17: 1.—. 1996. "'Do you know Chris Steiner'." Baraboo News Republic, September 17: 1.—. 1996. "Jurors bring swift decision; Clark faces 110 hard years." Baraboo News Republic, September 19: 1.—. 1995. "Report confirms incident details." Baraboo News Republic, August 2: 1.Seely, Ron. 1994. "Teen's parents left to wonder." Wisconsin State Journal, August 7: 21.State of Wisconsin v. Joseph C. Clark. 1998. 97-3584-CR (Court of Appeals of Wisconsin, September 3).State of Wisconsin v. Joseph C. Clark. 1999. 98-2402-CR-NM (Court of Appeals of Wisconsin, March 25).Wisconsin State Journal. 1996. "Broken-bome assault case brings plea of no contest." Wisconsin State Journal, September 6.—. 1996. "Shooting delays murder hearing ." Wisconsin State Journal, October 11.—. 1997. "Teen killer who tortured victims gets life in prison." Wisconsin State Journal, November 21.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the morning of January 25, 2019, Seminole County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a home in Chuluota, Florida to conduct a well-being check on thirty-one-year-old Cody Amato, who failed to show up for work that day. Upon entering the home, officers discovered the bodies of Cody, Chad, and Margaret Amato, all dead from apparent gunshot wounds—there were no signs of a break-in and nothing was missing. The crime scene looked as though it had been staged to look like a murder-suicide and suspicion quickly fell on the Amato’s youngest son, Grant, who was missing from the home.Thank you so much to the lovely David White for research assistanceReferencesDukes, Amanda. 2019. Grant Amato, man found guilty of killing family members, sentenced to life in prison. August 13. Accessed March 22, 2023. https://www.wesh.com/article/penalty-phase-for-grant-amato-to-begin-monday/28670352#.Seminole County Sheriff's Office. 2018. CJIS Report. Missing Person; Well-Being, Chuluota, FL: Seminole County Sheriff's Office.State of Florida vs. Grant Tiernan Amato. 2019. 20190000740 (Circuit Court of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Seminole County, Florida, January 28).Swenson, Kyle. 2019. "He spent $200,000 on a Bulgarian 'cam girl.'." Washington Post, January 29.Williams, Michael. 2019. "Accused killer seeks millonaire for help with jail bond, emails reveal." Orlando Sentinel, May 15: A1.—. 2019. "Amato's lawyers ask judge to sequester jruy." Orlando Sentinel, June 12: B2.—. 2019. "Grant Amato verdict: Guilty of first-degree murder in killings of family." Orlando Sentinel, July 31.—. 2019. "'I have become somewhat of a celebrity,' accused killer Grant Amato says in letter." Orlando Sentinel, April 27: B2.—. 2019. "'I want to believe you,' surviving sibling says." Orlando Sentinel, March 28: A1.—. 2019. "Judge grants $750k bond for suspect in family murders." Orlando Sentinel, April 26: B1.—. 2019. "Obsession, money, lies tore this family apart." Orlando Sentinel, July 14: A1.—. 2019. "Records give glimpse into Chulota man's relationship with model." Orlando Sentinel, May 30: B1.Williams, Michael, Jeff Weiner, and Gal Lotan. 2019. "'I hate myself for what I did"." Orlando Sentinel, April 16: A1.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We have another fantastic batch of listener tales about the time some of our listeners MET a MURDERER!!! Only this one is super special because we are joined by the exquisite Bailey Sarian!! How fucking exciting. This batch of tales includes a tattoo from a murderer, a present from a murderer and oh no... a date with... a SERIAL KILLER!Check out Murder, Mystery & Makeup & listen to Dark History anywhere you get your podcasts!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we are looking at CURSES. We talk about the curse of Micah Rood and his bloody apples which stems from murder, execution and a haunting! Then, we get into the truly real, fatal and terrifying events surrounding the production of the horror film, The Omen. Deaths, plane crashes and bombings? Was it really the wrath of the devil or something else entirely?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On a cold October afternoon in 1966, billionaire heiress Doris Duke returned to her palatial Newport estate in the company of friend and interior decorator Eduardo Tirella, stopping her car just outside the large iron gate that barred entrance to the driveway. Having offered to open the gate, he stepped out of the car and walked toward the gate, when the car began rolling forward, knocking Eduardo to the ground and crushing him under the two-ton weight of Duke’s station wagon. Within four days of Tirella’s death, the Newport Police had closed the case, calling it an “unfortunate accident,” but the residents of Newport, Rhode Island weren’t as convinced. Thank you so much to the remarkable David White for research assistance!ReferencesDuca, Rob. 2021. "Newport police closed Doris Duke case, again." Newport This Week, November 24.Duke, Pony, and Jason Thomas. 1996. Too Rich: The Family Secrets of Doris Duke. New York, NY: Harper Collins.Lance, Peter. 2021. Homicide at Rough Point: The Untold Story of How Doris Duke, the Richest Woman In America, Got Away with Murder. Auburn, NH: Tenacity Media.—. 2021. The triple 'murder' of Eduardo Tirella, gay confidant of Doris Duke. November 29. https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/11/29/triple-murder-eduardo-tirella-gay-confidant-doris-duke-newport-rhode-island.—. 2021. "The Doris Duke Cold Case Reopens: The Only Known Eyewitness Speaks for the First Time." Vanity Fair, August 5.Mansfield, Stephanie. 1992. The Richest Girl in the World: The Extravagant Life and Fast Times of Doris Duke. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam & Sons.New York Times. 1964. "Divorce suit filed against Doris Duke." New York Times, January 11: 14.—. 1935. "Doris Duke is wed to J.H.R. Cromwell." New York Times, February 14: 23.—. 1966. "Duke estate death ruled an accident." New York Times, October 12: 25.Newport Daily News. 1967. "Crash victim's kin asks $2.5 million of Doris Duke." Newport Daily News, December 8: 1.—. 1966. "Death of Miss Duke's friend ruled 'unfortunate accident'." Newport Daily News, October 10: 1.—. 1966. "Doris Duke kills friend in crash." Newport Daily News, October 8: 1.—. 1966. "Press blasts police chief Radice on handling public information." Newport Daily News, November 3: 1.Schwarz, Ted, and Tom Rybak. 1997. Trust No One: The Glamorous Life and Bizarre Death of Doris Duke. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Some say Lavinia would lure men to the inn and lull them into a false sense of calm, before robbing and killing them, then dumping their bodies in the cellar under Six-Mile House. Others say Lavina would drug the weary travelers with a special tea, before pulling the lever on a trap door and dropping the men into the basement, where they would be robbed and killed by John Fisher. And still others believed Lavina guilty of much darker practices involving the devil. But stories—especially local legends—have a way of shifting and changing over time, exchanging mundane facts for sensational speculations, and in this case, begging the question, who was the real Lavinia Fisher and just what was she guilty of?Thank you Dave White for research assistance.Special thanks to Suruthi and Hannah from RedHanded for joining us today! Listen to RedHanded wherever you get your podcasts, or listen early and ad-free on Amazon Music: https://link.chtbl.com/MorbidRedHandedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In late June 1836, a group of boys hunting rabbits on a hillside on Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh, discovered a small cave hidden behind three slabs of slate, each piece carved into a rough conical shape. When they moved the pieces of stone, they found hidden within seventeen hand-carved miniature coffins, each containing hand carved figures. For nearly two hundred years, the mystery of the miniature coffins has baffled and delighted tourists and locals alike, all wondering who carved the coffins and why. Theories have been put forth claiming they’re everything from a satanic spell or witchcraft to an ancient custom or even the work of notorious Scottish serial killers and body-snatchers Burke and Hare.Many thanks to the smashing David White for research assistance :)ReferencesBlackburn Standard. 1836. "Strange discovery." Blackburn Standard, 07 27.Brown, Allan. 2000. "Coffins that came back from the grave." Sunday Times, September 17.Chapman, Robert. 1958. "Seventeen Tiny Coffins." Derby Evening Telegraph, July 04: 18.Dash, Mike. 2013. Edinburgh’s Mysterious Miniature Coffins. April 15. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/edinburghs-mysterious-miniature-coffins-22371426/.Dundee Courier. 1836. "The Lilliputian coffins." Dundee Courier, August 25.Harrison, Jody. 2018. "Edinburgh coffin-doll mystery 'cracked at last', claims writer." The Herald, April 17.Horton, Julia. 2005. "Buried secrets of the city murder dolls." Edinburgh Evening News, December 2.National Museums of Scotland. n.d. The mystery of the miniature coffins. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/scottish-history-and-archaeology/mystery-of-the-miniature-coffins/.O'Neill, Emma. 2019. Sevene facts you may not know about Arthur's Seat. February 28. Accessed March 19, 2023. https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/seven-facts-you-may-not-know-about-arthurs-seat-1494785.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.