Stay ConnectedOnce Upon A Crime is a weekly true crime podcast that tells “the story behind the story” of real life crime. Told in a storytelling style, host Esther Ludlow digs into the details of each case to bring listeners the facts and information they won’t hear anywhere else.
Esther calls on her background in criminal psychology and includes biographical details of both victims and perpetrators to fully explore the circumstances and motivations behind the most heinous crimes.
Listen to this fascinating true crime story from an art world insider on the new podcast “Death of an Artist” a co-production from Pushkin Industries, Somethin’ Else, and Sony Music Entertainment. Episode one releases on September 23rd of you can binge the entire series by becoming a Pushkin+ subscriber in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm/plus.
A young man who identifies with as an Incel carries out a mass shooting at an Arizona mall while livestreaming it via Snapchat.
Special thanks to Dr. Sohom Das for lending his expertise in this episode. Check out his YouTube Channel A Psych for Sore Minds for more insights into the criminal mind and the psychology of true crime! https://www.youtube.com/c/APsychForSoreMinds
Resources:
“Dark Side: The Westgate Shooting” by Erica Stapleton for News 12 Phoenix, Feb 18, 2021.
“‘God had such mercy’: Mother of 19-year-old Westgate shooting victim speaks about son’s recovery” by BrieAnna J. Frank for The Arizona Republic, May 23, 2020.
“A Mass Shooter Live-streamed his Attack on Snapchat at an Arizona Mall” by David Gilbert for Vice News, May 21, 2020.
“This real-life Air Force superhero saved 28 people from an active shooter in Arizona” by David Roza for Task and Purpose, May 27, 2021.
“Armando ‘Junior’ Hernandez: Glendale Westgate Shooting Suspect Arrested” by Emliy Bicks fr The Heavy, May 21, 2020.
Links:
CrimeCon - www.crimecon.com and www.crimecon.co.uk - Use promo code ONCEUPON22 for 10% off your registration.
Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime
An heiress builds a grand mansion as a showplace on a hill in the San Francisco Bay Area. But, it would become a white elephant and an eyesore during its long history. And, in 1985, it became a house of horrors for two young women.
Resources:
People v. Raley, Supreme Court of California Appeal, June 18, 1992. Retrieved from Findlaw.com.
“Yesterday’s Crimes: The Hillsborough Mansion Murder” by Bob Calhoun for SF Weekly, Jan 30, 2018.
“Carolands mansion murder: Survivor Laurie McKenna speaks, 20 years later” by Howard Mintz for San Jose Mercury News, Sept 16, 2014.
The Heiress and Her Chateau: Chateau Carolands of California” (2014), Directors: Catherine Ryan and Gary Weimberg, Luna Productions.
This week I’ll discuss the Nicole Brown/Ron Goldman murders with my sister, Yolanda. We’ll go over the evidence, timeline, and motivation for the crimes that all point to OJ Simpson as the killer. We’ll also discuss why the jury may have decided to acquit Simpson of the double homicide even in the face of overwhelming evidence of his guilt.
Resources:
Evidence Dismissed: The Inside Story of the Police Investigation of O.J. Simpson, authors: Tom Lange, Phillip Vanatter, Dan Moldea, ©️1997, 2016.
(If) I Did It: Confessions of the Killer, written by O.J. Simpson and Pablo Fenjves, introduction by Fred and Kim Goldman, Beaufort Books, New York, ©️2007.
The OJ Simpson Case (1995), retrieved from Famous-Trials.com, https://famous-trials.com/simpson
“What Happened to Al Cowlings, O.J. Simpson’s Former Teammate and White Bronco Driver?”, Luke Norris for Sportscasting.com, August 11, 2020. https://www.sportscasting.com/what-happened-to-al-cowlings-o-j-simpsons-former-teammate-and-white-bronco-driver/
“Murder Timeline, June 12, 1994,” retrieved from BobAugust.com. http://www.bobaugust.com/timeline3.htm
“Inside the Short, Tragic Life of Nicole Brown Simpson and Her Hopeful Final Days,” by Natalie Finn for E!Online, June 12, 2019.
Chronology of O.J. Simpson Case, The Associated Press, Jan 21, 1995.
“5 other pieces of evidence that pointed to OJ as the killer,” by Debbie Lord for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mar 4, 2016.
In this episode I break down the myths and realities of infamous serial killer, Edmund Emil Kemper, “The Co-Ed Killer”. My special guest is Emerson Murray, author of The Murder Capital of the World. You can find out more about Emerson and purchase the book at www.emersonmurray.com/murder-capital-of-the-world
To enter a drawing to receive a copy of Murder Capital of the World sign up for texts from OUAC by texting “OUAC” to 408-676-1770 (Texting rates may apply. U.S. listeners only are eligible for this giveaway. Text messaging provided by Text Sanity). Deadline to enter drawing is December 22nd. Winners will be randomly chosen December 23rd.
A young girl living outside of New Delhi, India is found murdered in her own bedroom in a high-security apartment building with her parents sleeping mere feet away. Was her murder an inside job or caused by an unknown intruder? Join us for this “whodunit” that has been called the “JonBenet Ramsay case of India”.
Resources:
“Behind Closed Doors: How a 13-Year-Old’s Murder Ignited Class Warfare” by Nick Schager for The Daily Beast, July 14, 2019. “Arushi murder case: A timeline of events”, The Hindu, October 12, 2017.
“2008 Noida double murder case”, retrieved from Wikipedia.com.
The Talwars: Behind Closed Doors (2017), Directed by P.A. Carter for HBO Asia and Star World.
Links
Get links to all our social media at our website www.truecrimepodcast.com
The mysterious disappearance of a 4-year-old from her own bedroom takes a bizarre twist and rumors and conspiracy theories soon follow. This case would come to be known as “The JonBenet Ramsey Case of Mexico.”
Resources:
“Resignation in Mexican missing girl Paulette case”, BBC News, May 26, 2010
“Mexico Shocked by Discovery of Girl’s Body,” CBS News, April 5, 2010
Misterios favoritos en espanol/Unresolved Mysteries, reddit.com - https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/80s8r6/request_misterios_favoritos_en_espanol_what_are/
In this bonus episode, you’ll hear the live show from CrimeCon UK in London. Esther discusses the motivations and psychology behind mass shooters with Forensic Psychiatrist Dr. Sohom Das, host of the YouTube channel A Psych for Sore Minds.
Check out True Crime Week on Stitcher where they are kicking off the spookiest month of the year with the creepiest and crawliest True Crime Podcasts. Check out their curated homepage to find your next True Crime Pod obsession. If you’re on your phone you can download Stitcher in your app store or go to Stitcher.com
For tickets to CrimeCon UK, June 11-12, 2022 go to www.crimecon.co.uk. You can still use ONCEUPON21 for 10% off your pre-sale tickets.
For info on CrimeCon in Las Vegas in May 2022 go to www.crimecon.com.
Dr. Das’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/APsychForSoreMinds
To celebrate reaching 200 episodes we created a bonus episode to answer listener questions. Thanks everyone for submitting them!
Links:
www.Patreon.com/onceuponacrime
To listen to our "haunted" episode go to Episode #108 - Haunted Homicides: The LaLaurie Mansion. Some hear a "ghost" at minute 20 or so.
The Scott Peterson episodes with my sister, Yolanda is #71 and #72 - The 12 Crimes of Christmas - Laci Peterson, Part 1 and 2.
Special thanks to Lorena Garcia for co-hosting this episode with me and to all the listeners who sent in questions!
News, announcements and upcoming events for OUAC listeners!
Links:
Nominate Once Upon a Crime for the Discover Pods Awards at www.awards.discoverpods.com.
To sign up for a Patreon membership go to www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime
To register for Alta Asks Live Digital Event go to https://altaonline.com/true-crime-podcasts-alta-asks-live/.
You can read my interview in Alta Magazine here: https://altaonline.com/true-crime-podcast-denise-hamilton/
Register for CrimeCon House Arrest online event here: https://www.crimecon.com/housearrest. You can enter to win one of two free live passes by following us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OnceUponACrimePod/ or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/onceuponacrimepod/ to get all the information.
To get information and register for CrimeCon 2021 in Austin, Texas, June 4-6, 2021 go to https://www.crimecon.com/CC21.
To get information and register for CrimeCon UK in London, June 12 - 13, 2021 go to https://www.crimecon.com/international.
Use my offer code ONCEUPON21 when registering for either event for 20% off your CrimeCon registration!
Our website: www.truecrimepodcast.com
A few summer news items and announcements for Once Upon a Crime listeners.
Podcast Awards: www.podcastawards.com
Links:
Excuse Me, That's Illegal - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excuse-me-thats-illegal/id1526994548
Twitter - @real_leroy_luna
Let's Taco 'Bout True Crime - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-taco-bout-true-crime/id1452118167
Twitter - @tacoboutcrime
Once Upon a Crime social media links:
Twitter - @uponacrime
Facebook and Instagram - @onceuponacrimepod
Facebook Fan Page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1730325570622505/
Email: esther@truecrimepodcast.com
Website: www.truecrimepodcast.com
A mother seeks help for her special needs child, but a church prayer service ends tragically.
Several resources were used in the research for this episode including:
Book:
True Stories of Law and Order by Kevin Dwyer and Jure Fiorillo
Articles:
Death by Exorcism by David Krajicek for the New York Daily News, October 8, 2006
Sponsor:
Native Deodorants - www.nativedeodorant.com - Use promo code ONCE for 20% off your first purchase.
Subscribe to "Let's Taco 'Bout True Crime"
On iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-taco-bout-true-crime/id1452118167
On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7k3cQGC0unJGSMhlEZRiWG?si=dLyaqKydRDi_SA3wYkhWnw
On Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=379086
On this bonus episode I take you along with me to CrimeCon 2019 in New Orleans and my travels to New York City and Toronto for the Toronto True Crime Film Festival.
#CrimeCon #NewOrleans #TorontoTrueCrimeFilmFestival #truecrimedocumentaries #NewYorkCity
In the conclusion of the story of Louise Peete, the convicted murderess is released from prison and, before long, goes on to commit another violent crime.
Several resources were used in the research for this episode including:
Dead Woman Walking:Louise Peete by Joan Renner - www.derangedlacrimes.com
Black Widow, Mara Bovsun, Daily News New York, November 18, 2001
She Buried Them All by Bill Walker in Saga: The Magazine for Men, January 1962.
I'm pleased to announce my new podcast "Let's Taco 'Bout True Crime"! Each episode will feature me and a special guest host talking about what's new, hot, and trending in true crime - in a fun and casual format.
First episode drops on February 19th!
Subscribe here on Apple Podcasts or search for "Let's Taco 'Bout True Crime" on your favorite podcast platform. It's rolling out to more podcast platforms as we speak!
On Christmas week 1992, a series of murders took place in Dayton, Ohio. Some would call it a case of “thrill killing” others would point to juvenile delinquency, dysfunctional family issues or just plain bad kids. The identified “ringleader” would fit none of these stereotypes and yet, made the decision to go on a murder spree that would shock his community.
#MarvallousKeene #DaytonOhio #thrillkillers #Christmascrimes
Surprise! Here's an extra episode for you since I'm off this week. This is as bonus episode that I would normally make available only for Patreon members, but I'll give you a little sneak peek of Patreon bonus content by sharing it with everyone.
This is the story of another murder committed by the Aum Doomsday Cult that did I did not talk about on Episode #86: Last Stop: Chapter 3: The Tokyo Subway Attack.
To become a Patreon supporter of Once Upon a Crime go to www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime.
A young woman is offered a ride by a nice looking man in Salt Lake City in 1974. By the end of the day she would be attacked and almost killed by the infamous serial killer, Ted Budy.
My special guest, Rhonda Stapley, is the author of "I Survived Ted Bundy: The Attack, Escape and PTSD That Changed My Life". You can find it here on Amazon.
Rhonda can be found on Facebook here.
If you are someone you know would like help and/or information about post-traumatic stress you can go to www.ptsd.va.gov.
I continue my discussion of the Laci Peterson case with my co-host, Yolanda of the Not Perfect or Functional Podcast. In this episode we take a deep dive into the background and psychology of Scott Peterson and what we believe contributed to his crime.
Holiday Greetings in this episode from:
The True Crime Guys
The Fall Line
Hillbilly Horror Stories
Not Perfect or Functional
Happy Holidays!
A couple deceive, rob and, ultimately, kill women who place ads in "Lonely Hearts" columns in the 1940s.
www.truecrimepodcast.com www.facebook.com/OnceUponaCrimePod www.instagram.com/OnceUponaCrimePod www.Twitter.com/UponaCrime www.Patreon.com/OnceUponaCrime
Thank you and congrats to Podcast 1289 - our 1500th Twitter follower!
A 9-year-old girl is abducted in Arlington, Texas. The community and, ultimately, the country would call for changes in the way law enforcement responds to missing and abducted children
You can find the video about Amber and her family here: WFAA Amber Hagerman Documentary
Click here to find out more about the AMBER Alert System
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children can be contacted at 1-800-THE-LOST or www.missingkids.org .
You can see a list of active AMBER alerts here.
Tips to keep your children safe:
1) Have a code word phrase. This is a phrase that you would share with your children, especially as it relates to adults they should and can trust. They should know that if you send someone to pick them up from school or any activity, the code word will be used. Make it something funny or personal so it’s easy for the kids to remember. A child should only go with someone who tells them that phrase. 2) Teach your kids that adults don’t need help from kids. If an adult needs directions, help finding a pet or anything else, they should ask another adult, not a child.
3) Let your child know it’s OK to yell, scream, and say no to an adult if they feel uncomfortable or scared. We teach children to listen to adults and not to be disruptive, but there are times they should disobey and be loud. It’s a good idea to practice with your kids. Give them a scenario and have them practice say no firmly and loudly, screaming, and running away.
4) Be careful of sharing too much identifying information on the internet. Of course, we like to share pictures and information about the cute and fun things are children do on Facebook and other social media. But predators can get information about a child's location, routine, etc., if identifying information is shared such as school names, names of parks you frequent, even locations of meeting places like scout troop meetings, sports fields, etc. So, just keep that information to a minimum and without details. Family members and good friends already probably know it so it's not necessary to share.
The murder of a young girls leads to sweeping changes in sentencing laws.
Polly Hannah Klaas was 12 years old when she was abducted by a stranger out of her own bedroom.
Resources:
People v. Davis, Appeal Record, Superior Court of California, June 1, 2009
"The Man Who Kept Going Free" by Jeffrey Toobin for The New Yorker, March 7, 1994.
Polly's Story - www.pollyklaas.org
"An Angel Named Polly" by Elizabeth Gleick and Maria Eftimiades for People Magazine, Nov 28, 1994.
Book recommendation: American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst by Jeffrey Toobin
An abused woman spends years being beaten and terrorized by her husband while police and others turn a blind eye. In desperation, she takes the law into her own hands.
Resources:
The National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.) 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Victim Support (U.K.) www.victimsupport.org.uk
Domestic Violence Resource Centre (AU) www.dvrcv.org.au
U.S. Dept. of Justice Office on Violence Against Women www.justice.gov/ovw
Book: The Burning Bed by Faith McNulty
People show support for the defendant at the trial of Francine Hughes./Farrah Fawcett's portrayal of Francine in "The Burning Bed".
The Queen of Tejano Music is gunned down by a fan in 1995.
Resources: Music: Selena - Ones - (Greatest Hits Album)
DVD: Selena - the Movie
Book: To Selena with Love - by Chris Perez
To connect with the show: On Twitter: @uponacrime On Facebook and Instagram @OnceUponaCrimePod Website: www.truecrimepodcast.com
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Two of music's biggest rap stars are cut down in their prime. But, who killed them? This week's episode - Tupac and Biggie.
Follow us on Twitter @UponACrime and on Facebook and Instagram @OnceUponaCrimePod
Resources for this episode:
Music: 2Pac's Greatest Hits The Notorious B.I.G. Greatest Hits
Books: Tupac Shakur: The Life and Times of an American Icon - Tayannah Lee McQuillar and Fred L. Johnson III, PhD Notorious C.O.P.: The Inside Story of Tupc, Biggie and Jam Master Jay Investigations - Derrick Parker The Rose that Grew from Concrete: Poems by Tupac Shakur
Movies and Documentaries: Tupac: Resurrection Notorious Biggie and Tupac: The Story Behind the Murders of Rap's Biggest Superstars
The second installment in the series about the tragic endings of musical icons this time I discuss the life and death of Nirvana's frontman, Kurt Cobain. Justin Evans from the Generation Why and The Peripheral podcasts weighs in on "Soaked in Bleach" and the murder theory.
www.TheGenerationWhyPodcast.com
Click on the links below for resources and to purchase the music.
Books: Heavier than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain - Charles R. Cross
The first school mass shooting in the U.S. is committed by a 16-year-old year girl.
Brenda Spencer's mugshot. January 29, 1979. Wearing her "lucky" hat.
Brenda Spencer goes to court.
"Does Anyone Like Mondays? The Brenda Spencer Murder Case" by Eric Hart
Follow us on Twitter @UponACrime
An 11-year-old is accused of murdering two boys in the 1960s.
Several resources were used in the research for this episode including:
Gitta Sereny, The Case of Mary Bell (London:Pimlico), 1995.
Audio Clip: The Mary Bell Case. YouTube, uploaded by chewyisacat, March 7, 2013. https://youtu.be/moFhGzE_xRI
A bonus episode partially recorded at The Warfield Theater in San Francisco, CA. Making a Murderer's Dean Strang and Jerry Buting on their speaking tour "A Conversation on Justice".
To subscribe to Once Upon a Crime on iTunes, click here.
To subscribe to Once Upon a Crime on Stitcher, click here.
When kidnap victims are held for a period of time the public often wants to know "why didn't they try to escape?" This episode explains a psychological phenomenon known as "Stockholm Syndrome", how it might apply to the victims I discussed in the series "Lost and Found", and share probably the most well-known case of Stockholm Syndrome, the kidnapping of Patty Hearst. Kidnappings, true crime, Stockholm Syndrome, Patty Hearst
Three girls go missing over as many years in a Cleveland, Ohio neighborhood. Years go by before they are ever seen again. When it was revealed who had taken them and what they were subjected to the city was stunned to find that the perpetrator had been right under their nose all along.
Book: The Lost Girls: The True Story of the Cleveland Abductions by John Glatt
True crime stories told one chapter at a time: kidnappings.
This is our second installment in the series "Lost and Found". Elizabeth Smart was a 14-year-old girl from a loving, Mormon family living in Salt Lake City, Utah. The family's kindness towards a local transient would make her a target for kidnapping. Her ordeal would encompass months of captivity and hundreds of miles before the final outcome in her story.
Welcome to Once Upon a Crime the true crime podcast that tells the story behind the story of real life crime.
New episodes release every Monday. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pandora or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Clips from show are from the following episodes:
Episode 142: Taunting Terrors: Shari Faye Smith
Episode 146: Rocktober: Altamont, The Rolling Stones and the Hells Angels
Episode 158: Bad Seeds: Lowell Lee Andrews
Episode 149: Fugitives from Justice: Jesse James Hollywood
Episode 156: Behind the Crime: Aileen Wuornos
Social Media:
Twitter: @uponacrime
Facebook and Instagram @onceuponacrimepod
Join our Patreon: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime
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