Obscura: A True Crime Podcast

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80: Marc Dutroux: Atrocity Exhibition, Part 03 Jul 05, 2023

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The conclusion to the jam-packed three-part series. You wouldn’t expect it possible after last episode. But things somehow get darker. Now… let’s get on with it.
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79: Marc Dutroux: Atrocity Exhibition, Part 02 Jun 21, 2023

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In 1995, 8-year-olds Melissa Russo and Julie Lejeune disappeared while playing in their neighbourhood in the south of Belgium. The following month, 17-year-old An Marchal and her 19-year-old friend Eefje Lambrecks disappeared on the north coast of the country while on a holiday with friends. There had been no sign of any of the girls, and their anguished families were without any answers. In mid-1996, 12-year-old Sabine Dardenne and 14-year-old Laetitia Delhez were abducted a month apart. Thanks to observant members of the public, police arrested unemployed electrician Marc Dutroux, his wife Michelle, and their accomplice Michel Lelievre for the abduction of Sabine. Unbeknownst to the Belgian public, Marc had already been convicted of raping 5 young women in the 1980s and had served prison time - but had been released well before the end of his sentence.
Free to wander the street and do as he pleased, Marc took up where he’d left off. But this time, he made sure that at least 4 of his victims wouldn’t live to tell the tale.
In 1996, with Marc, Michelle and Lelievre in custody, it was only then that 40 year old Marc revealed to police that he was also holding Laetitia captive. She and Sabine had both been kept in a dungeon in the cellar of Marc’s home, where they were repeatedly raped, but were thankfully rescued by police soon after. But Melissa, Julie, An, and Eefje were still missing. What investigators were about to uncover was something that pushed Belgians to the verge of revolt against their government.
CW: suicide, sexual assault, child abuse, drug use, family violence
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78: Marc Dutroux: Atrocity Exhibition, Part 01 Jun 07, 2023

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In June 1995, 8-year-old friends Melissa Russo & Julie Lejeune went for a walk to a park near their neighbourhood outside the Belgian capital city of Brussels. When they failed to return home, their parents reported their disappearance to police. But nothing came of any subsequent publicity or desperate TV appeals. It was as though the pair had vanished into thin air.
2 months later, 17-year-old An Marchal & 19-year-old Eefje Lambrecks went out for the evening while on a Belgian seaside holiday with a group of friends. When the girls failed to return to their accommodation or make contact, the rest of their group knew something was very wrong. But local police failed to take the disappearance seriously.
In the spring of 1996, 12-year-old Sabine Dardenne was riding her bike to school near the French-Belgian border. When Sabine failed to show up at school that day or return home, posters were distributed in the local area. But no one had seen hide nor hair of her.
It wasn’t until August that same year, when 14-year-old Laetitia Delhez disappeared while walking home from her local swimming pool, that things started to heat up in terms of a police investigation. Local police patrols around the country weren’t aware of girls and young women going missing in other parts of Belgium, but one select police branch did. And a specific suspect was on their radar. Following witness tip offs, officers identified a man and brought him in for questioning. As he spoke to investigators, a horrifying story started to unfold. What the man had to tell police would rock Belgian law enforcement, the judiciary, and the very fabric of Belgian society and its people to the core for years to come.
CW: suicide, sexual assault, child abuse, drug use, family violence
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77: Black Label: Accelerant May 24, 2023

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David Joseph is in his home minding his own business when members of his family grab his attention. There’s a fire outside of their window and they want him to investigate. Outside there’s a woman. Her name is Hyphernkemberly Dorvilier and she’s twenty two years old. She’s standing over something and it’s on fire. David rightfully asks what she’s burning outside of his residence. Hyphernkemberly responds that it’s dog feces. Frustrated and likely confused by why this young woman is burning dog shit outside of his window, David grabs some water and puts out the fire. It’s at this moment he hears the baby crying.
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76: The Devil and Black Jesus May 10, 2023

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Just because the portrayal has Voodoo hasn’t always been accurate, it doesn’t mean there aren’t those who have used inaccurate portrayals as a muse for their evil deeds.
In today’s episode we explore such crimes. Crimes with an air of mystery due to the obvious voodoo influence connected to them.
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Deadly Devotion: Motherhood and Mayhem, Part 2 May 10, 2023

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This Mother’s Day, join Shane Waters on a chilling adventure featuring 14 podcasters as they share sinister stories of motherhood. Mother’s Day is typically a time to honor the love and sacrifices of mothers, but today we’ll be exploring the twisted tales that lurk behind the shadows.
It’s an extra special, two parts, more than two-hour, Mother’s Day event.
Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance:
Part 1:

Part 2:

If you enjoyed this holiday collaboration special, check out the other collaboration specials: Deceptions & Resurrections, Bloody Valentine, and A Nightmare before Halloween . Until our next adventure, stay safe and stay vigilant.

Deadly Devotion: Motherhood and Mayhem, Part 1 May 09, 2023

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Part 2:

75: Victoria Climbié: Expanded and Complete Apr 26, 2023

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By the late 1990s and early 2000s, hundreds of children from West Africa were entering Britain and Europe every year under private fostering arrangements. The educational and personal development opportunities available to youngsters outside their home countries meant their families often sacrificed raising their children temporarily, to give them a better life elsewhere. Under this common tradition, a child usually lived with someone who was trusted, such as a family member who was already an EU or British resident or a citizen. In a way, it was the African equivalent to British parents sending their children away to elite boarding schools. And there was a convenient loophole, in Britain at least. Given the informality of these arrangements, any person who became a child’s primary guardian was not required to register as a foster parent. This meant there was therefore less monitoring of a child’s care under such an arrangement.
In a developed country like Britain, African parents were confident their children were in good hands. They were hopeful that their offspring would forge new friendships, thrive in a far more equitable school environment, and enjoy creature comforts they wouldn’t otherwise have been able to experience. And after all, children were always safest with family members, no matter how distant the blood ties. This is what the family of 7 year old Victoria Climbie thought when they sent her to France with her great aunt in 1998. Surely in Europe, Victoria would have a better life.
CW: extreme child abuse, family violence, self harm
Black Label Episodes AND Ad-Free episodes are now available on Apple Podcasts Premium.
Find us on all podcasting platforms.
Support Obscura on Patreon and unlock the exclusive Black Label episodes.
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74: Black Label: The Outbuilding Apr 12, 2023

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There was no hope for justice in a case like this. That went out the window long before an arrest was ever made. Be that as it may, Richardson had to be held accountable for his crimes. Prior to his guilty verdict, Richardson also needed to be given the benefit of the doubt. Regardless of how heinous a crime, all defendants have the right to a fair trial.
During this trial, jurors, police officers, court officials, and family members alike were brought to tears, often needing to leave the room as the ruins of Teagan Skiba’s unfathomable last days were put on display. Lawyers clinically refer to such ruins as ‘evidence.’ It's a deceptive description of what was being presented to the court. At one point, attorneys argued over whether or not the jury should see photographs of what happens when a four-year-old child experiences something the devil wouldn’t abide in the darkest caverns of hell.
Lucky jurors: someone had their best interests at heart.
Black Label Episodes AND Ad-Free episodes are now available on Apple Podcasts Premium.
Find us on all podcasting platforms.
Support Obscura on Patreon and unlock the exclusive Black Label episodes.
Visit us online.
Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Deceptions & Resurrections, Part 2 Apr 04, 2023

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This Easter, join Shane Waters on a whimsical adventure featuring 13 podcasters as they share true stories of con artists and fake deaths. Delve into the magical world of the Enchanted Easterlands, where you’ll encounter peculiar characters and captivating true crime tales. Discover the history and origins of Easter, and experience a journey like no other.
It’s an extra special, two part, more than two-hour, Easter event.
Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance:
Part 1:

Part 2:

If you enjoyed this holiday collaboration special, check out the other collaboration specials: My Bloody Valentine and A Nightmare before Halloween. Stay tuned for upcoming holiday collaborations for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Until our next adventure, stay safe and stay vigilant.

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