Once Upon A Crime

Latest Episodes:

Love Monsters: Daniel and Manuela Ruda, Part 1 Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

Daniel Ruda, a 26-year-old, self-described “black vampire” immersed himself in Germany’s goth and death metal scene as an outlet for his dark proclivities. In the year 2000, he was ready to find his soulmate or, as he put it, his “princess of darkness” and placed a singles ad in a German black-metal magazine. 23-year-old Manuela Bartel answered his ad and the two soon became inseparable. Separately, they participated in strange hobbies like sleeping in graves to “see what it felt like” and filing their teeth into fangs. But together they were deadly. In 2001, they jointly committed a gruesome murder. Was their violent behavior a result of mental illness or were they purely evil? Resources: The Best New True Crime Stories: Partners in Crime, Edited by Mitzi Szereto, Mango Publishing, 2022. Murder Dictionary Podcast: “Occult Murders: Daniel and Manuela Ruda” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/occult-murders-daniel-manuela-ruda/id1169967004?i=1000389846158 https://serialkillercalendar.com/A-MATCH-MADE-IN-HELL-DANIEL-AND-MANUELA-RUDA.php https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2002/nov/16/thefarright.uk https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2016/06/17/tom-leppard-tattooed-man--obituary/ https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1071&context=cj_fac https://www.cesnur.org/testi/gothic.htm

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Deep Cover: Never Seen Again with Jake Halpern Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

I’m pleased to have Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Jake Halpern, back with me again to discuss a new case he investigated for his podcast “Deep Cover”. Deep Cover, a Pushkin podcast, is all about people who lead double lives. In the new season, Jake follows the story of a girl who goes missing without a trace in South Carolina in 1999. Years later, the missing girl is connected to another missing person’s case on the other side of the country. There are twists and turns in this story that you won’t see coming connected to stolen identities, a female fugitive on the run from the law, and even espionage. Join me for this fascinating discussion with Jake where we talk about his latest case, female victims and perpetrators and how they are portrayed by the media, and the ethical dilemma faced by everyone who reports or podcasts about true crime. You can listen to episodes of Deep Cover: Never Seen Again beginning on January 30th. A new episode releases every Monday but you can binge the entire season by subscribing to Pushkin Plus. Go to www.pushkin.fm to find out more You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, and on YouTube

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Girl Who Cried Orphan - Barbora Skrlova, Part 2 Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

We continue the story of Barbora Skrlova from where we left of last week. In part two, you’ll learn all the details of the bizarre unfolding of events in the Mauerova home. I’ll conclude by telling you the unbelievable tale of how Barbora Skrlova almost escaped all responsibility for her part in this horrendous abuse case. Resources: Book: “The Kurim Case: A Terrifying True Story of Child Abuse, Cults & Cannibalism” by Ryan Green, 2016. The Kurim Case: https://youtu.be/DN3nelsuDx0 https://www.irishtimes.com/news/czechs-appalled-and-enthralled-by-obscure-cult-and-fake-identities-1.931498 https://mindlifetv.com/movies/torture-cannibalism-and-incestuous-sex-the-chilling-story-of-barbora-skrlova/# https://www.okaybliss.com/barbora-skrlova-now/ https://signalhorizon.com/orphan-first-kill-ending-explained-the-real-story-of-barbora-skrlova-and-a-fitting-origin-story-for-esther/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Girl Who Cried Orphan - Barbora Skrlova - Part 1 Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

For our first series of 2023, we’ll do a deep dive into a case that has so many bizarre twists and turns a Hollywood horror movie was later based on it. In this first part of a 2-part series, a child who has been placed in a children’s home after allegations of abuse goes missing. When he’s found over a thousand miles away in the company of a strange man, the police discover a shocking secret. He is not who he said he was - nor is he a young boy - but an adult woman. The story of Barbora Skrlova only becomes more strange as the truth is revealed. Resources: Book: “The Kurim Case: A Terrifying True Story of Child Abuse, Cults & Cannibalism” by Ryan Green, 2016. The Kurim Case: https://youtu.be/DN3nelsuDx0 https://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/boys-don-t-cry-woman-arrested-in-norway-for-impersonating-teen-a-528047.html https://www.irishtimes.com/news/czechs-appalled-and-enthralled-by-obscure-cult-and-fake-identities-1.931498 https://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-grail-movement-cult/amandasedlakhevener https://mindlifetv.com/movies/torture-cannibalism-and-incestuous-sex-the-chilling-story-of-barbora-skrlova/# Links: Human Monsters - Listen wherever you listen to podcasts or at https://humanmonsterspod.podbean.com. Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bad Behind Bars: Jodi Arias w/Special Guest Donavan Bering Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

In 2008, Travis Alexander was brutally murdered in his home in Mesa, Arizona. His ex-girlfriend, Jodi Arias, was convicted of the slaying and was later sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. A new Lifetime Television movie tells the behind-the-scene story of Jodi’s life behind bars. In this follow-up to one of Lifetime's most successful true crime dramas, JODI ARIAS: DIRTY LITTLE SECRET, we see a whole new side of Jodi and follow the story that has captivated the public for nearly a decade. In this episode, I speak with Donavan Bering, a cellmate of Jodi Arias’ who became her good friend and staunchest supporter - that is until she came to learn what kind of person Jodi really was and realized that her claims of innocence were all lies. Jodi Arias: Bad Behind Bars, produced for Lifetime by Cineflix Productions premieres Saturday, January 21 at 8/7c. Links: You can listen to Once Upon a Crime’s in-depth coverage of the Jodi Arias case in a 2-part series from Season 1. Listen to Episodes 43 and 44 on your favorite podcast app or listen on our website: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/episode-043-a-woman-scorned-jodi-arias-part-1/ https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/episode-044-a-woman-scorned-jodi-arias-part-2/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“I Am Vanessa Guillen" with Special Guest Margot from Military Murder Podcast Dec 26, 2022

Show notes

In this last of our special holiday episodes, Esther and Lorena discuss the Netflix documentary “I Am Vanessa Guillen" with Margot, host of the podcast Military Murder. Vanessa Guillen was a United States Army soldier who went missing from a Texas military base in 2020. Her family would face an uphill battle trying to get answers when Vanessa’s superiors closed ranks and did little to investigate her disappearance. But the efforts of her family through protests and social media posts that went viral sparked a movement that shone a spotlight on abuses that had, up to that point, gone unchecked. Margot’s podcast, Military Murder, is a true crime podcast that covers cases where the victims or the perpetrators are members of the military.. Margot has served in the military and her knowledge and experience provided additional insights and information regarding this case and the documentary. She covered Vanessa Guillen’s case on her podcast. Links: Link to the Netflix documentary: https://www.netflix.com/title/81460514 Link to an article about the Vanessa Guillen case: https://www.nytimes.com/article/vanessa-guillen-fort-hood.html Esther’s appearance on True Crime Binge w/Bob Ruff: https://audioboom.com/posts/8169182-esther-ludlow-once-upon-a-crime Esther’s appearance on Crawlspace Podcast w/Tim and Lance: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/335-once-upon-a-crime-with-esther-ludlow/id1187326340?i=1000588557865 And the YouTube video:https://youtu.be/-_VZFhz2uss Patreon: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist" with Special Guest Bob Ruff from Truth and Justice Podcast Dec 19, 2022

Show notes

In this special episode Esther and Lorena talk with Bob Ruff, host of the podcasts Truth and Justice and True Crime Binge. They discuss the Netflix documentary series "Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist" that details one of the most high-profile incidents of catfishing on record. Manti Te’o was a celebrated linebacker from Hawaii who played for Notre Dame and was on track to become a first round draft pick for the NFL when a scandal marred his future prospects. He’d been in a long-term relationship with a girl who, it turned out, didn’t exist. He’d been fooled into believing that his long-distance girlfriend, Lennay Kukua, had died from a chronic illness. But, instead, it was discovered that Te’o’s girlfriend was actually a man named Ronaiah Tuiasosopo. Esther and Lorena also talk about hanging with podcasters at the Generation Why 10- Year Anniversary Livestream, Bob’s latest investigation on Truth and Justice, and who he has coming up as special guests on True Crime Binge. Links: Link to the Netflix docuseries Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist: https:// www.netflix.com/title/81580141 A link to an article about the Manti Te’o catfishing case: https://www.usmagazine.com/ celebrity-news/pictures/the-manti-teo-catfish-controversy-a-complete-timeline/ Esther was recently a guest on True Crime Binge. Listen here: https://audioboom.com/ posts/8169182-esther-ludlow-once-upon-a-crime

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"The Watcher" with Special Guest Tim and Lance from Crawlspace Podcast Dec 12, 2022

Show notes

In this special holiday episode Esther and Lorena discuss the Netflix series "The Watcher" with Tim and Lance from Crawlspace Podcast. We compare and contrast this fictionalized version of the true mystery "The Watcher House". In 2014, Derek and Maria Broaddus purchased a home in New Jersey. Soon afterward they began receiving letters from an anonymous person who said they were watching the house and young family. When the letters became threatening they questioned whether they should give up their dream home. Resources: A link to an article about this case with photos of the house: https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/12/us/the-watcher-house-stalker-trnd/index.html Esther covered this case on Halloween Tales: Volume 2 in 2017, Episode #64. Link here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/once-upon-a-crime-true-crime/id1122650415?i=1000393914220 Here's a link to the Netflix series: https://g.co/kgs/gvwymw Esther was recently a guest on Crawlspace. Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/335-once-upon-a-crime-with-esther-ludlow/id1187326340?i=1000588557865 or watch on their YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/-_VZFhz2uss

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Holidays in Hell: The Richmond New Year’s Murder Spree Nov 28, 2022

Show notes

For many people around the world, ringing in the new year brings with it the promise of new hope, a fresh start, and renewed possibilities. But each year of Ricky Javon Gray’s short life brought only violence, brutality, and death ending in a shocking murder spree over New Year’s weekend 2006. Resources “The Visitors” by Melissa Scott Sinclair for Style Weekly, October 20, 2010. https://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/the-visitors/Content?oid=1381013 “Man convicted of grisly murders of Virginia couple, daughters” Associated Press, August 17, 2006. “String of Slayings Shatters Richmond” by Carol Morello for The Washington Post, Jan 15, 2006. “Gray v. Commonwealth”, Supreme Court of Virginia, Decided June 8, 2007. Retrieved from FindLaw.com. “Cold Blooded” on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck1M87CT1Tk “Lawyers describe childhood abuse as ‘sexual slavery’ as they argue Ricky Gray should be spared from death” by Gary A. Harki for PilotOnline.com, Dec 13, 2016. “Ricky Gray’s execution took more than 30 minutes. His attorneys want to know why” by Rachel Weiner for The Washington Post, Jan 19, 2017. “Virginia Becomes First Southern State to Abolish the Death Penalty” by Samantha O’Connell, AmericanBar.org, March 21, 2021.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Holidays in Hell: Little Boy Blue Nov 21, 2022

Show notes

On Christmas Eve, 1985 a grim discovery was made on a frozen field outside of Chester, Nebraska. The body of a child had been abandoned. The mystery of who the anonymous child who locals dubbed “Little Boy Blue” would take two years to solve. When the responsible party was identified, investigators began to suspect that an Amish man, Eli Stutzman, just might be a serial killer. Resources: Mystery of 'Little Boy Blue' solved - UPI Archives Crimes of Eli Stutzman, aka The Amish Serial Killer, investigated on ID (monstersandcritics.com) Eli Stutzman | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers Friday marks 25 years since Christmas Eve tragedy - Hebron Journal Register STUTZMAN, DANIEL, LITTLE BOY BLUE - Thayer County, Nebraska | LITTLE BOY BLUE STUTZMAN, DANIEL - Nebraska Gravestone Photos (nebraskagravestones.org) Eli Stutzman Part 01 : Barn Fires & Bodies - YouTube Eli Stutzman Part 02 : Little Boy Blue - YouTube The Amish Serial Killer Eli Stutzman Was Anything But Provincial (ranker.com)\ Types of Amish (Who Are They, and How Do They Live?) (amishbaskets.com) Links: www.Patreon.com/onceuponacrime YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/OnceUponACrimePodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected