True Crime

Murder in the Mourning

A refreshing, light-hearted, and well-researched descent into the lesser-known true crime stories. Pour some coffee and join me twice a week for another (hopefully) fascinating true crime tale.

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 88 - The Axe of Iceland Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

For a history that spans centuries and has seen countless power shifts, you might think Iceland would have more serial killers.

However, only one person holds this title.

Axlar-Bjorn, of the 16th century, is Iceland’s only serial killer!

Let’s Mourn…

Sources:

Axlar-Björn, the only Icelandic serial killer, terrorized travellers on Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Icelandmag. (n.d.). https://icelandmag.is/article/axlar-bjorn-only-icelandic-serial-killer-terrorized-travellers-snaefellsnes-peninsula

Axlar-Björn: The only serial killer of Iceland. Medievalists.net. (2019, July 24). https://www.medievalists.net/2018/07/axlar-bjorn-only-serial-killer-iceland/

Donlevy, K. (2024, April 25). Ex-school cop accused of killing ex-wife, teen girlfriend died after shooting himself in front of infant son during chaotic police standoff. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2024/04/24/us-news/elias-huizar-killed-self-during-police-chase-after-double-murder/

Iceland’s only serial killer - The bloody story of the homicidal Axlar-Björn. Guide to Iceland. (n.d.). https://guidetoiceland.is/connect-with-locals/regina/iceland-s-only-serial-killer-the-blody-story-of-the-homicidal-axlar-bjoern

Smith, P. (2024, April 23). Former police officer wanted after 2 women are found dead and a child is abducted. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/police-hunt-former-cop-two-women-are-found-dead-child-abducted-rcna148910

Snorradottir, E. (2024, April 13). Axlar-Björn: Iceland’s own axe murderer. Icelandictimes.com. https://icelandictimes.com/axlar-bjorn-icelands-own-axe-murderer/

Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, March 6). Axlar-Björn. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axlar-Bj%C3%B6rn #icelandserialkillers #murderpodcast #murders #truecrime #germanserialkiller #serialkiller #murder #crimejunkie #bestpodcasts2023 #mfm #myfavoritemurder #truecrimecomedy #1900serialkillers #trending #trendingtruecrime #englishserialkiller #20/20 #abc #dateline #48hours #crimetime #comedy #comedypod #investigationdiscovery #wikipedia #murderpedia #irishkiller #australiankiller #washingtonserialkiller #seattleserialkiller #chaddaybell #lorivallow #doomsday #trial #exoneration

Ep. 87 - Try, Try, Try Again Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

A century ago, a man condemned to death showed just how resilient the human body can be. Michael Schiller murdered his wife in cold blood and would pay the price with his own.

However, his execution quickly went awry.

This is history’s most brutally botched execution you’ve never heard of.

Let’s Mourn…

Sources:

As lethal injection turns forty, states botch a record number of executions. Death Penalty Information Center. (n.d.). https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news/as-lethal-injection-turns-forty-states-botch-a-record-number-of-executions

Morrow, J. (n.d.). The most miraculous execution in American history (that nobody told you about). historicalcrimedetective.com. https://www.historicalcrimedetective.com/the-most-miraculous-execution-in-american-history-that-nobody-told-you-about-1904/ #germanserialkillers #murderpodcast #newpodcast #murders #classickillers #jacktheripper #truecrimepodcast #truecrime #germanserialkiller #serialkiller #murder #londonkiller #crimejunkie #bestpodcasts2023 #mfm #myfavoritemurder #jeffreydahmer #edkemper #truecrimecomedy #yorkshireripper #1900serialkillers #trending #trendingtruecrime #englishserialkiller #20/20 #abc #dateline # derekchauvin #48hours #crimetime #comedy #comedypod #investigationdiscovery #wikipedia #murderpedia #irishkiller #australiankiller #washingtonserialkiller #seattleserialkiller #jungyoojung #chaddaybell #lorivallow #doomsday #trial

Ep. 86 - The Puppy Cult Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

A deceased girl embalmed, preserved, and hidden for years: a high priestessand her Godly daughter. Oh, and don't forget the puppies...

Welcome, The Blackburn Cult!

Let’s Mourn…

Sources:

The Blackburn cult. (n.d.). http://www.laalmanac.com/religion/re720.php

CBS Interactive. (n.d.). 4 arrested, bodies found in connection with disappearance of 2 women in Oklahoma. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/veronica-butler-jilian-kelley-oklahoma-arrests-bodies-found/

Morrow, J. (n.d.). The Blackburn cult - historicalcrimedetective.com. https://www.historicalcrimedetective.com/the-blackburn-cult/

Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, May 28). May Otis Blackburn. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Otis_Blackburn

#germanserialkillers #murderpodcast #newpodcast #murders #classickillers #jacktheripper #truecrimepodcast #truecrime #germanserialkiller #serialkiller #murder #crimejunkie #bestpodcasts2023 #mfm #myfavoritemurder #yorkshireripper #1900serialkillers #trendingtruecrime #englishserialkiller #20/20 #abc #dateline #vintagecrime #vintage #vintagemurder #48hours #crimetime #investigationdiscovery #wikipedia #murderpedia #irishkiller #australiankiller #washingtonserialkiller #seattleserialkiller #jungyoojung #skiphollandsworth #exoneration #innocenceproject #jasonmorrow

Ep. 85 - Cordelia Botkin Case Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

A large, tight-knit Delaware family received a delightful box of poisoned chocolates. Little did they know that by week’s end, their family would be much smaller…

Plus, an extra feature story about the perplexing crime scene of Mrs. Nora Kelly!

Let’s Mourn…

Sources:

Morrow, J. (n.d.-a). Candy from a stranger: The cordelia botkin case of 1898. historicalcrimedetective.com. https://www.historicalcrimedetective.com/candy-from-a-stranger-the-cordelia-botkin-case-of-1898/

Morrow, J. (n.d.-b). The Sex Killer of Brooklyn, 1935. https://www.historicalcrimedetective.com/for-no-good-reason/

Ep. 84 - Hanging with Mom Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

What’s worse? Killing for money…or manipulating your children to kill for you?

A vintage murder went unsolved for years until a confession came from a child who was never supposed to remember.

Plus a bonus story involving the Six Mile Murder Inn!

Let’s Mourn…

Sources:

Feature stories - historicalcrimedetective.com. (n.d.). https://www.historicalcrimedetective.com/category/feature-stories/

Ep. 83 - Blockland Murders Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

You’ve never heard about these murders, because the family chose to never speak of that night…until recently.

Over half a century ago, a German farmer helplessly watched as all twelve members of his family were slaughtered in front of him. What he did in the wake of utter tragedy will shock you!

A special thank you to Lilli Heinemann, a descendant of those involved, for sharing the dark side of her family’s past and writing such a beautifully heartfelt piece.

PLUS! We finally have movement in the Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow case!

Let’s Mourn…

CBS Interactive. (n.d.). Jury selection begins in trial of Chad Daybell, accused in deaths of wife, 2 children after “Doomsday mom” Lori Vallow convicted. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chad-daybell-trial-begins-jj-vallow-tylee-ryan-tammy-daybell-deaths/

Heinemann, L. (2020, January 11). My grandfather’s whole family were murdered – but he found a way to forgive the Killers. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jan/11/my-grandfathers-whole-family-murdered-but-he-forgave-killers #germanserialkillers #murderpodcast #newpodcast #murders #classickillers #jacktheripper #truecrimepodcast #truecrime #germanserialkiller #serialkiller #murder #crimejunkie #bestpodcasts2023 #mfm #myfavoritemurder #yorkshireripper #1900serialkillers #trendingtruecrime #englishserialkiller #20/20 #abc #dateline # derekchauvin #48hours #crimetime #investigationdiscovery #wikipedia #murderpedia #irishkiller #australiankiller #washingtonserialkiller #seattleserialkiller #jungyoojung #skiphollandsworth #exoneration #innocenceproject

Ep. 82 - Knight Family Murders Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

To murder your uncle is cruel and hateful, but to leave no witnesses is vile.

The massacre of the Knight family has been slowly forgotten over the decades, but let’s not forget the kindness they exhibited that led to their deaths.

Plus, an update to The Dartmouth Murders!

Let’s Mourn…

Sources: Boehm, C. D., & Parker, J. H. (2021, January 27). The Dartmouth murders twenty years later. The Dartmouth Review. http://dartreview.com/the-dartmouth-murders-twenty-years-later/

Knight family killed 1958. Newspapers.com. (1958, April 26). https://www.newspapers.com/article/23589554/knight_family_killed_1958/

Morrow, J. (n.d.). The Knight Family Massacre. The knight family massacre, 1958 - historicalcrimedetective.com. https://www.historicalcrimedetective.com/the-knight-family-massacre-1958/ #germanserialkillers #murderpodcast #newpodcast #murders #classickillers #jacktheripper #truecrimepodcast #truecrime #germanserialkiller #serialkiller #murder #londonkiller #crimejunkie #bestpodcasts2023 #mfm #myfavoritemurder #jeffreydahmer #edkemper #truecrimecomedy #yorkshireripper #1900serialkillers #trending #trendingtruecrime #englishserialkiller #20/20 #abc #dateline # derekchauvin #48hours #crimetime #comedy #comedypod #investigationdiscovery #wikipedia #murderpedia #irishkiller #australiankiller #washingtonserialkiller #seattleserialkiller #jungyoojung #skiphollandsworth

Ep. 81 - Here Fishy Fishy! Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

The double homicide of an elderly couple in the Pacific Northwest rocked the residents of 19th-century Washington. However, this wasn’t the first time the murderer had struck.

Welcome, Washington’s first serial killer.

Let’s Mourn…

CBS Interactive. (n.d.). California woman says her bloody bedroom was not a crime scene. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jane-dorotik-bob-dorotik-california-murder-crime-scene-48-hours/

Documentation for the execution of Martin Stickles. Online Content | M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections & Archives. (1901a, January 25). https://archives.albany.edu/concern/daos/41687z34r

Documentation for the execution of Martin Stickles. Online Content | M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections & Archives. (1901b, January 25). https://archives.albany.edu/concern/daos/41687z34r

Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, October 23). Martin Stickles. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Stickles

#murderpodcast #newpodcast #truecrimepodcast #truecrime #crimejunkie #newpodcasts2024 #mfm #myfavoritemurder #truecrimecomedy #20/20 #abc #dateline #48hours #crimetime #comedy #skiphollandsworth #unsolved #coldcase #vermont #eurporeanserialkiller #gmm #mystery #victorianserialkiller #victorianera #victoriancrime #victoriankiller #robertbaker #fabiosementilli #sementilli #investigationdiscovery #wikipedia #murderpedia #texasmonthly #cbs #janedorotik #bobdorotik #exoneration #exonerations

Ep. 80 - The Bloodiest Book Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

The most powerful General in China’s history, who led the bloodiest rebellion, and forever changed their regional landscape–was born an outsider.

An Lushan, a legendarily large man, fled to China as a boy and rose through the ranks, becoming close friends with the emperor himself. But, all good things must come to an end.

Let’s Mourn…

Carter, J. (2021, February 4). The end of China’s Golden Age. The China Project. http://thechinaproject.com/2021/02/03/the-end-of-chinas-golden-age/

CBS Interactive. (n.d.). C.J. Rice exonerated after serving 12 years behind bars for 2011 attempted murder he did not commit. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/philadelphia-cj-rice-exonerated-2011-falsely-accused-attempted-murder/

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2024, February 12). An lushan. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/An-Lushan

How people live in contemporary China. The World of Chinese. (n.d.). https://www.theworldofchinese.com/

Szczepanski, K. (2019, January 14). The An Lushan Rebellion in tang China. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/the-an-lushan-rebellion-195114

#murderpodcast #newpodcast #truecrimepodcast #truecrime #crimejunkie #newpodcasts2024 #mfm #myfavoritemurder #20/20 #abc #dateline #48hours #comedy #skiphollandsworth #unsolved #coldcase #vermont #eurporeanserialkiller #gmm #mystery #victorianserialkiller #victorianera #victoriancrime #victoriankiller #robertbaker #chinesewars #investigationdiscovery #wikipedia #murderpedia #texasmonthly #dynasties #dynasty #ancientchina

Ep. 79 - Huff Huff Homicide Mar 25, 2024

Show notes

Most often a father is their son's teacher, and a son is their father’s shadow. But what happens when the roles are reversed?

Can a child teach his father to kill?

Let’s Mourn…

Sources:

Blanco, J. I. (n.d.). Aleksandr Rubel: Murderpedia, the Encyclopedia of Murderers. Aleksandr Rubel | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers. https://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/rubel-aleksandr.htm

Janisch, K. (2011, March 8). Courts commit woodbury man who wanted to be a serial killer to a mental hospital. Woodbury, MN Patch. https://patch.com/minnesota/woodbury/courts-commit-woodbury-man-who-wanted-to-be-a-serial-e8489a177d

Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, November 27). Aleksandr Rubel. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Rubel

#murderpodcast #newpodcast #truecrimepodcast #truecrime #crimejunkie #newpodcasts2024 #mfm #myfavoritemurder #truecrimecomedy #20/20 #abc #dateline #48hours #crimetime #comedy #skiphollandsworth #unsolved #coldcase #vermont #eurporeanserialkiller #gmm #mystery #victorianserialkiller #victorianera #victoriancrime #victoriankiller #robertbaker #fabiosementilli #sementilli #investigationdiscovery #wikipedia #murderpedia #texasmonthly #estonia #estonianserialkiller #tallinn #toompea #estonianmurder

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