Once Upon A Crime

Latest Episodes:

Monstrous Moms and Dastardly Dads: Charles Rothenberg Apr 25, 2017

Show notes

A bitter custody battle takes a horrifying turn when a father, driven by revenge and resentment, commits an unthinkable act against his own child. In this episode of Monstrous Moms & Dastardly Dads, we examine the case of Charles Rothenberg, a man who attempted to murder his 6-year-old son in a twisted plot to punish his ex-wife.

How could a father commit such a monstrous act, and what became of the young survivor? This is a heartbreaking and infuriating case of betrayal, cruelty, and resilience.

⚖️🔥 #TrueCrime #CharlesRothenberg #FamilyBetrayal #MonstrousMoms #DastardlyDads

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Monstrous Moms and Dastardly Dads: Susan Smith Apr 18, 2017

Show notes

A desperate mother reports her car stolen, claiming her two young sons were trapped inside. As the nation rallies behind her, authorities launch a massive search to find the missing boys. But after nine agonizing days, the truth emerges—and it’s more horrifying than anyone could have imagined.

In this episode of Monstrous Moms & Dastardly Dads, we examine the case of Susan Smith, a mother whose shocking confession left the world stunned. What drove her to commit such an unthinkable act, and what were the devastating consequences?

Join us as we unravel this tragic and deeply disturbing case of deception, desperation, and murder.

😢🚗💔 #TrueCrime #SusanSmith #FamilyBetrayal #MonstrousMoms #JusticeForMichaelAndAlex

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Monstrous Moms and Dastardly Dads: John List Apr 11, 2017

Show notes

In 1971, an entire family is found murdered in their home—meticulously executed by the very man who was supposed to protect them. John List, a devout churchgoer and seemingly devoted father, killed his wife, mother, and children before vanishing without a trace.

For nearly two decades, authorities searched for the elusive killer. How did he evade capture for so long? And what finally led to his shocking discovery?

In this episode of Monstrous Moms & Dastardly Dads, we uncover the chilling case of John List—a man who believed murder was his only way out.

🕵️‍♂️🏡🔫 #TrueCrime #JohnList #FamilyAnnihilator #MonstrousMoms #DastardlyDads

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Monstrous Moms and Dastardly Dads: Diane Downs Apr 03, 2017

Show notes

A quiet Oregon road. A frantic mother covered in blood. Three children shot in cold blood.

In 1983, Diane Downs burst into a hospital emergency room, claiming a stranger had ambushed her family in a brutal attack. But as investigators dug deeper, her story unraveled, revealing a tale of obsession, deception, and unthinkable betrayal. Could a mother really commit the unthinkable?

Join us as we uncover the chilling details of this shocking case and the dark secrets that led to one of the most infamous trials in true crime history.

🎧 Listen now—if you dare.

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#TrueCrimePodcast #TrueCrime #DianeDowns #CrimeStory #MurderMystery #TwistedTales #OnceUponACrime

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Murder Methods - Mass Murder: Female Mass Murderers Mar 27, 2017

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Mass murder is often associated with male perpetrators, but history holds chilling exceptions. In this episode, we uncover the rare and terrifying phenomenon of female mass murderers—women who shattered the stereotype and left devastation in their wake.

From the U.S. to Germany to Kuwait, these shocking cases reveal the dark motives and deadly methods behind some of the most notorious female mass killers. What drives a woman to commit such an unthinkable act? And how do their crimes compare to their male counterparts?

Tune in as we explore these haunting cases and the psychology behind them.

🎧 Listen now—because the truth is often more terrifying than fiction.

Resources: 📌 Dept. of Homeland Security – How to Respond to an Active Shooter Situation 📌 ADT Webinar – Active Shooter Preparedness and Response

🔗 More true crime content: www.truecrimepodcast.com 📧 Contact us: esther@truecrimepodcast.com 🎙️ Check out Suspect Convictions: www.SuspectConvictions.com

#TrueCrimePodcast #TrueCrime #MassMurder #FemaleKillers #CrimeStory #OnceUponACrime #DarkHistory

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Murder Methods - Mass Murder: The San Ysidro McDonald's Massacre Mar 20, 2017

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July 18, 1984—lunchtime at a bustling McDonald’s in San Ysidro, California turned into a nightmare. A heavily armed man walked in and, without warning, unleashed terror on innocent customers and employees. By the time the siege was over, 21 men, women, and children lay dead in what was, at the time, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

What led to this horrifying act of violence? Who was the man behind the massacre, and what drove him to commit such a brutal crime? In this episode, we examine the chilling details, the harrowing survivor accounts, and the lasting impact of this tragedy.

🎧 Listen now—because history should never be forgotten.

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#TrueCrimePodcast #MassMurder #SanYsidroMcDonaldsMassacre #CrimeHistory #DarkStories #OnceUponACrime

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Murder Methods - Mass Murder: Richard Speck and The Crime of the Century Mar 14, 2017

Show notes

On a hot July night in 1966, terror descended upon a quiet Chicago townhouse. Eight young student nurses were brutally murdered—one by one—at the hands of a cold-blooded killer. By morning, only one survivor remained to tell the harrowing tale.

This is the case of Richard Speck, a drifter with a violent past who committed one of the most shocking mass murders in American history. How did he gain access to the nurses’ dormitory? What psychological demons drove him to kill? And how did the lone survivor help bring him to justice?

Join us as we unravel the chilling details of the crime that gripped a nation and changed history forever.

🎧 Listen now—because some nightmares are real.

📖 Book Recommendation: The Crime of the Century: Richard Speck and the Murders that Shocked a Nation – Dennis Breo & William J. Martin

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Murder Methods - Mass Murder: Howard Unruh and the Walk of Death Mar 07, 2017

Show notes

On September 6, 1949, the quiet streets of Camden, New Jersey, became the scene of America’s first recorded mass shooting. Armed with a Luger pistol and a hit list, World War II veteran Howard Unruh walked through his neighborhood, killing 13 people in just 12 minutes.

What drove this seemingly ordinary man to commit such a brutal rampage? Was it lingering trauma from the war, personal grudges, or something even darker? In this episode, we break down the events of that fateful day, the psychology behind Unruh’s actions, and how his case shaped the way we understand mass murderers today.

🎧 Listen now—because history’s darkest moments still echo today.

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Sweetheart Killers: The Lonely Hearts Killers Feb 28, 2017

Show notes

They promised love—but delivered death.

In the 1940s, Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck posed as a charming couple seeking romance through "Lonely Hearts" ads. But behind their affectionate facade lurked something far more sinister. Together, they deceived, robbed, and ultimately murdered vulnerable women searching for companionship.

What drove this twisted pair to kill? How did their deadly scheme unravel? And what fate awaited them when justice finally caught up?

Join us as we uncover the dark and disturbing true story of The Lonely Hearts Killers—a case of love, deception, and murder.

🎧 Listen now—because not every love story has a happy ending.

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#TrueCrimePodcast #LonelyHeartsKillers #SweetheartKillers #CrimeHistory #DarkLoveStories #OnceUponACrime

Thank you and congrats to Podcast 1289 - our 1500th Twitter follower!

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Sweetheart Killers: Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate Feb 21, 2017

Show notes

In 1958, two teenagers left a trail of blood across America’s heartland.

Charles Starkweather, 19, and Caril Fugate, 14, embarked on a brutal killing spree that claimed 11 lives in just two months. Fueled by rebellion, rage, and a deadly sense of invincibility, their crimes shocked the nation and inspired films, books, and even a haunting Bruce Springsteen song.

Was Caril a willing accomplice or a hostage trapped in Starkweather’s deadly fantasy? What drove this young couple to kill? And how did their rampage finally come to an end?

Join us as we unravel the chilling true story of America’s Teenage Killers.

🎶 Music Feature: Nebraska – Bruce Springsteen

🎧 Listen now—because some love stories are written in blood.

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#TrueCrimePodcast #Spreekillers #TeenageKillers #AmericanMurderers #CouplesWhoKill #OnceUponACrime

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