Category Archives: true crime

Rodney Alcala: The Dating Game Killer Part 1

Rodney Alcala grew to notoriety for having appeared on The Dating Game while he was in the midst of a murder spree. But what do we really know about him? 

In the first of this two part episode we look at Rodney’s early years, early arrests and far too many early releases which culminated in the start of a series of brutal murders. 

TW: Child abuse, rape, murder.

Haunted Franklin Castle

Franklin Castle is considered by some to be one of the most haunted places in the United States. But what’s the true history?

Hannes Tiedemann had the castle built. Was he a monster who killed his children and servants, damning them to forever haunt the halls or was his story a product of people desperate for a good story to explain some of the strange happenings? Join us as we delve into the true history of Franklin Castle. 

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Christina Kettlewell: The Eight Day Bride

Christina Kettlewell had only been married 8 days when her body would be found dead under mysterious circumstances. 

The ensuing investigation only amplified the bizarre circumstances surrounding her final months. How did she die? Was it suicide or could it have been murder? And how did her husbands longtime friend Ronald Barrie factor into the whole thing? 

The Los Feliz Murder Mansion: Part Two

TW: murder and suicide.

Most people have heard of the Los Feliz Murder House. If you have the internet, you’ve probably heard about it. A tale of a murder suicide in the 50’s during Christmas time, where a doctor had killed his wife, attempted to kill his daughter, then killed himself with Nembutal and pills. The house was then left as it was post murder for decades – a literal 1950’s time capsule – with rumors of the paranormal, eventually becoming a hot spot for dark tourism.

In part two of this two part topic, we discuss the history of the house, the curse associated with it, and the weirdness of patterns of deaths and abandonment of the home for years.  Is the house and property really haunted? Was it really lived in all those years? And who owns it now? Join us as we debunk this urban legend and bring some truth to the decades of bizarre stories. 

The Los Feliz Murder Mansion: Part One

Trigger Warning: murder and suicide.

Most people have heard of the Los Feliz Murder House. If you have the internet, you’ve probably heard about it. A tale of a murder suicide in the 50’s during Christmas time, where a doctor had killed his wife, attempted to kill his daughter, then killed himself with Nembutal and pills. The house was then left as it was post murder for decades – a literal 1950’s time capsule – with rumors of the paranormal, eventually becoming a hot spot for dark tourism.

In part one of this two part topic, we discuss the details of what actually happened the night of December 6, 1959, deep dive into the Perelson family history, and try to dissect what caused such a horrific event. Stay tuned for part two!

What Happened to Jean Spangler?

IT’S OUR 100th EPISODE!! 
In 1949, aspiring actress Jean Spangler would leave her home for the evening and never return. With few clues and far too few suspects, this case continues to baffle to this day. Was it her Ex Husband? The Mob? Or this mysterious Kurt mentioned in a note found in her purse. Or was she, as some believe, another victim of the person who murdered Elizabeth Smart, the Black Dahlia? 

John Tornow: The Wild Man of the Wynoochee

Wild men or feral men have long been a part of legend. Some even believe they account for some of the Bigfoot sightings throughout history. 

John Tornow reached legend status when his desire to be left alone in the wilderness turned murderous. But what really happened? Who was John Tornow and how much of the story reported was twisted by those who were left behind in the end? 

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The Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run: Part One

Few people realize that Cleveland had its own serial killer at the height of the Great Depression…a serial killer who was never caught…

Dubbed “The Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run” or “The Cleveland Torso Killer,” he didn’t just kill; he dismembered his victims. Regardless of race or gender, his victims were often the most vulnerable, and most of his victims not identified. In this first part of our two part episode, we look at the start of the murders and the investigation, headed by none other than Eliot Ness. 

Continue reading The Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run: Part One

Update! Lady of the Dunes and the Deaths of Manzanita and Dolores Mearns

The Lady of the Dunes has been identified as Ruth Marie Terry! But that’s only the first part of solving her murder. And the suspect may have killed before…

Shortly before her murder, Ruth Marie was married to a man named Guy Muldavin, a man whose previous wife and stepdaughter also mysteriously vanished… 

Continue reading Update! Lady of the Dunes and the Deaths of Manzanita and Dolores Mearns