Serial Killers & Murderous Minds

Latest Episodes:

The Black Widow of Idaho Pt. 2 Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Serial Killers and Murderous Minds, Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristin Engels continue the chilling story of Lyda Southard as her confidence grows and her crimes escalate. With multiple husbands dead and suspicion quietly mounting, Lyda refines her methods while authorities begin connecting the dots. This episode follows her final murders, her attempt to flee justice, and the forensic breakthroughs that exposed her crimes. Through psychological analysis and historical context, the episode examines how greed, manipulation, and a desire for control transformed Lyda into the woman history would remember as “Lady Bluebeard.”

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The Black Widow of Idaho Pt. 1 Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Serial Killers and Murderous Minds, Vanessa Richardson and forensic psychologist Dr. Tristin Engels are joined by Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole from Crime House's new show, The Final Hours. They explore the early life of Lyda Southard, a woman trapped by poverty, rigid gender roles, and rural isolation in the early 20th century. What begins as a story of a young woman longing for independence quickly turns sinister as Lyda discovers a deadly path to freedom. Through a chilling pattern of illness, arsenic poisoning, and life insurance payouts, the episode traces Lyda’s first murders and the psychological motivations behind her calculated cruelty—setting the foundation for one of America’s most disturbing female serial killer cases.
Listen to and follow The Final Hours with Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole wherever you listen to podcasts: https://play.megaphone.fm/zl8pwmgtteoqb01h_o7oww

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Cyberstalking to Contract Killing Pt. 2 with Annie Elise Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Serial Killers and Murderous Minds, true crime creator Annie Elise returns to frame the conclusion of the Brenda Delgado case, examining the aftermath of Kendra Hatcher’s murder and the unraveling of the plot behind it.
Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristin Engels follow investigators as they close in on Brenda, tracing her attempts to control the narrative, manipulate witnesses, and ultimately flee the country. As the case unfolds, the cracks in her story deepen, revealing how obsession and entitlement shaped every decision she made.

Later, Annie sits down with Dr. Tristin Engels for an in-depth psychological discussion, exploring the fallout of unchecked fixation, the need for control, and how these traits ultimately sealed Brenda’s fate—ending in a conviction that brought long-delayed justice.

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Introducing: 10 to Life with Annie Elise Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

With over 500 million downloads, 10 to Life is one of the leading true crime podcasts and YouTube channels covering the cases everyone is talking about — and the ones no one else is.

If you love deep dives, real-time updates, and the full story behind the headlines, don’t miss 10 to Life.

🎙️ Listen to 10 to Life every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/annie-elise/id6463443612

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yLKPOt94HdrzVUoqEpZVa?si=055b7fa380c444ec

📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube at YouTube.com/annieelise

Cyberstalking to Contract Killing Pt. 1 with Annie Elise Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Serial Killers and Murderous Minds, true crime creator Annie Elise brings a case that has stayed with her—the murder-for-hire of Kendra Hatcher. Annie opens the episode by sharing what drew her so deeply to this disturbing story and why it stands out to her as a chilling example of emotional fixation spiraling out of control.

Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristin Engels then examine how jealousy, entitlement, and unresolved loss pushed Brenda down a dark and irreversible path. After losing the man she believed was her future, Brenda began quietly surveilling her ex and fixating on the woman who replaced her—allowing resentment to fester and violent fantasies to take hold.
Later, Annie sits down with Dr. Tristin Engels for an in-depth psychological discussion, breaking down the behavioral patterns, motivations, and warning signs that reveal how unmet expectations can distort reality—and ultimately lay the groundwork for murder.

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The FBI Affair Murder Pt. 2 Feb 12, 2026

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Behind the badge, Mark Putnam was hiding a devastating secret. When an affair threatened his career and family, desperation took over—with fatal consequences. This episode examines the psychological toll of pressure, fear, and entitlement as Putnam crossed an irreversible line. As investigators close in, the carefully maintained image of a model agent collapses, exposing a shocking betrayal of trust and duty. It’s the story of how ambition, secrecy, and panic turned a lawman into a killer.

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The FBI Affair Murder Pt. 1 Feb 09, 2026

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From childhood, Mark Putnam dreamed of becoming an FBI agent—and he achieved it through relentless ambition and fierce competitiveness. But when pressure mounted and his personal boundaries blurred, his need to protect his career spiraled into catastrophe. This episode traces Putnam’s rise through the Bureau, his struggle to prove himself, and the risky decisions that pulled him into an illicit relationship with an informant. What began as a quest for success slowly eroded his moral compass, setting the stage for a crime that would forever change the FBI’s history.

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The American Bluebeard Pt. 2 Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

As suspicions around Helmuth Schmidt grow, neighbors, loved ones, and authorities begin to notice the cracks in his carefully constructed lies. Multiple identities, missing women, and chilling discoveries point to a pattern far more sinister than fraud alone. This episode follows the unraveling of Schmidt’s crimes as bystanders finally step in, leading to shocking revelations beneath the surface of his home. It’s a haunting look at how manipulation thrives on silence—and how even the most confident predators eventually lose control.

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The American Bluebeard Pt. 1 Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

In the early 1900s, a charming German immigrant used lies, fake identities, and newspaper marriage ads to lure women into his web. What began as romance quickly turned into manipulation, financial ruin, and disappearance. Known as “The American Bluebeard,” Helmuth Schmidt built a double life fueled by control, deception, and a growing appetite for risk. As his lies multiplied and his behavior escalated, the women closest to him paid the price. This episode explores how Schmidt crafted his image, exploited trust, and crossed the line from fraud into something far more dangerous—setting the stage for one of America’s most disturbing early serial killers.

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MURDEROUS MINDS: The Mysterious Romanov Family Assassination Pt. 2 Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

In the early hours of July 17, 1918, the Romanov family was led into a basement—and history was forever changed. In the gripping conclusion, Killer Minds unpacks the brutal execution of the former royals, the chaotic cover-up that followed, and the decades of rumors that convinced the world at least one child survived. From false Anastasia claims to groundbreaking DNA discoveries nearly a century later, this episode examines why humanity clings to legends when reality is too horrific to face—and how the truth ultimately came to light.

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