Category Archives: true crime

Arthur Shawcross: The Genesee Killer, Part One

Before he became known as the Genesee River Killer, Arthur Shawcross’s violent urges first surfaced in two brutal murders that shocked upstate New York. Long before his killing spree along the Genesee River, Arthur Shawcross’s darkness emerged in 1972, when two young victims vanished under chillingly similar circumstances. In Part One, we trace Shawcross’s early life, the disturbing patterns that began to take shape, and the investigation into his first known murders, crimes that should have been a warning of the horrors yet to come.

Edited by Max Holechek 

The Disappearance of Ann Marie Burr

In the early hours of August 31, 1961, 8-year-old Ann Marie Burr vanished from her home in Tacoma, Washington, with no forced entry. No witnesses. No trace. 

More than six decades later, her disappearance remains one of the most haunting unsolved cases in the Pacific Northwest, made even more chilling by its possible connection to one of America’s most infamous serial killers.

Edited by Maxwell Holechek

Charles Albright: The Eyeball Killer

In the early ’90s, the bodies of women began turning up around Dallas—murdered, and missing one chilling detail—and soon, the name “The Eyeball Killer” would haunt the headlines.  

When the bodies of several women began turning up in the early ’90s, there was one eerie detail connecting them all—something missing that pointed to a far more sinister obsession. As the police followed the clues, suspicion fell on a seemingly upstanding man with a passion for art, anatomy, and taxidermy. But was Charles Albright the monster behind the murders, or was something even stranger going on beneath the surface? We peel back the layers of a case that’s as unsettling as it is unforgettable.  

Edited by Maxwell Holechek

The Genius Killer: Edward Rulloff’s Criminal Mind, Part Two

Part two dives into the chilling story of Edward Rulloff, a 19th-century scholar-turned-serial criminal whose brilliance masked a deeply antisocial and violent nature. Despite multiple arrests and a murder conviction, Rulloff repeatedly evaded justice, charming intellectuals and manipulating legal systems with ease, much like Ted Bundy. His eventual execution and the postmortem study of his unusually large brain sparked debates that reshaped early neuroscience, especially around psychopathy and moral responsibility. Join us as we discuss how Rulloff’s legacy endures as both a cautionary tale and a pivotal case in the history of criminal psychology.

Edited by Maxwell Holechek

The Genius Killer: Edward Rulloff’s Deadly Double Life, Part One

Before H.H. Holmes or Jack the Ripper, there was Edward Rulloff—a Victorian-era serial killer whose intellect was as notorious as his crimes. In Part One of this two-part deep dive, we explore the early life, toxic relationships, and shocking beginnings of Rulloff’s criminal career. From his obsessive pursuit of linguistic fame to the brutal and mysterious disappearance of his wife and child, we unravel the chilling contradictions of a man some called “The Victorian Hannibal Lecter.” Stay tuned for Part Two, where we’ll examine his escape, final crimes, the potential for psychopathy, and the bizarre legacy his brain left behind.

Edited by Maxwell Holechek

Death House Landlady: Dorothea Puente, Part Two

In the second part of our two-part episode, Dorothea Puente’s dark crimes begin to unravel. Still, the question remains: Can anyone truly believe this seemingly harmless “little old lady” is capable of murder?

As we dig deeper into her chilling history, some believe the spirit of Dorothea herself lingers, haunting the very boarding house where her horrific acts took place.

Audio edited by Maxwell Holechek

Death House Landlady: Dorothea Puente, Part One

In November of 1988, detectives are called to the boardinghouse of Dorothea Puente to investigate the disappearance of one of her residents and are quickly shocked as bodies start to be unearthed. 

In the first part of our two-part episode, we look at Dorothea Puente’s childhood, her life, and what may have led a woman to commit such horrific crimes. 

Edited by Maxwell Holechek

Heaven’s Gate: The End, Part Two

In this part two episode, we continue our exploration of Heaven’s Gate, focusing on the group’s evolution during the 90s, their adoption of technology, and Marshall Applewhite’s increasingly apocalyptic teachings that culminated in the tragic mass suicide of 1997. We delve into the psychological, social, and cultural factors that contributed to the group’s beliefs, their reliance on sci-fi themes described in Star Trek, and the profound impact on survivors, families, and society. Join us as we analyze the legacy of Heaven’s Gate, exploring how collective belief and charismatic leadership led to one of the most haunting chapters in modern history.

TW: This episode discusses suicide.

Audio edited by Max Holechek

Heaven’s Gate: The Beginning, Part One

Join us as we delve into the fascinating and chilling story of Heaven’s Gate, the UFO cult. In Part One of this two-part episode, we explore the early days of this enigmatic group, led by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles, whose blend of Christian apocalypticism, UFO beliefs, and strict communal life captivated followers and led to one of the most infamous cult stories in modern history. We discuss how ordinary people were drawn into a movement that promised salvation among the stars and ultimately ended in tragedy. 

Trigger warning: this episode discusses themes of suicide.

Edited by Max Holecheck