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Chicago Ripper Crew — Part 1: The Van of Death | Rituals, Control & the Devil in a Red Van
Chicago, 1981.
A city drowning in crime, corruption, recession — and something darker lurking beneath the surface.
In this episode of Dark Dialogue, John takes Angela (and listeners) into the heart of one of the most disturbing cases in American criminal history: the Chicago Ripper Crew, a cult-like group led by Robin Gecht that turned a red van into a mobile house of horror.
From the first victim, Linda Sutton, to the escalating ritual murders that followed, this episode exposes how four men — Gecht, Edward Spreitzer, and brothers Andrew and Thomas Kokoraleis — carried out some of the most sadistic crimes Chicago has ever seen. Through forensic detail, survivor testimony, psychological insight, and meticulous research, we trace the rise of a cult built on fear, manipulation, and ritual mutilation.
Angela provides a full breakdown of Chicago and DuPage County in the early ’80s — the environment that allowed the Crew to operate in plain sight.
Together, we follow the killings of:
And ultimately, the survivor who brought the truth into the light: Beverly Washington — the woman whose testimony placed Gecht behind bars for 120 years.
This is Part 1 of a four-episode investigation that exposes the rituals, psychology, and forensic realities surrounding Chicago’s most terrifying cult murders.
⭐ Support the Show & Join the Community
If you believe in what we’re doing — honoring victims, exposing failures, and shining light on the darkest corners of crime — you can support us directly:
• Ko-fi – one-time or recurring support
• Substack – written deep dives, updates, behind-the-scenes research
Join the Dark Dialogue Collective — our boots-on-the-ground volunteer network of researchers, analysts, and advocates who help move cold cases forward.
Adopt-a-Victim Program: Take on a real case through research, advocacy, or field work and help keep their story alive.
All links are on DarkDialogue.com.
📩 Contact & Socials
Have a tip, theory, correction, or case suggestion? Email us anytime: [email protected]
Follow & subscribe on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
🎙️ Closing Note
Stay curious. Stay compassionate.
And keep the dialogue alive.
View all episodes
By darkdialoguemainChicago, 1981.
A city drowning in crime, corruption, recession — and something darker lurking beneath the surface.
In this episode of Dark Dialogue, John takes Angela (and listeners) into the heart of one of the most disturbing cases in American criminal history: the Chicago Ripper Crew, a cult-like group led by Robin Gecht that turned a red van into a mobile house of horror.
From the first victim, Linda Sutton, to the escalating ritual murders that followed, this episode exposes how four men — Gecht, Edward Spreitzer, and brothers Andrew and Thomas Kokoraleis — carried out some of the most sadistic crimes Chicago has ever seen. Through forensic detail, survivor testimony, psychological insight, and meticulous research, we trace the rise of a cult built on fear, manipulation, and ritual mutilation.
Angela provides a full breakdown of Chicago and DuPage County in the early ’80s — the environment that allowed the Crew to operate in plain sight.
Together, we follow the killings of:
And ultimately, the survivor who brought the truth into the light: Beverly Washington — the woman whose testimony placed Gecht behind bars for 120 years.
This is Part 1 of a four-episode investigation that exposes the rituals, psychology, and forensic realities surrounding Chicago’s most terrifying cult murders.
⭐ Support the Show & Join the Community
If you believe in what we’re doing — honoring victims, exposing failures, and shining light on the darkest corners of crime — you can support us directly:
• Ko-fi – one-time or recurring support
• Substack – written deep dives, updates, behind-the-scenes research
Join the Dark Dialogue Collective — our boots-on-the-ground volunteer network of researchers, analysts, and advocates who help move cold cases forward.
Adopt-a-Victim Program: Take on a real case through research, advocacy, or field work and help keep their story alive.
All links are on DarkDialogue.com.
📩 Contact & Socials
Have a tip, theory, correction, or case suggestion? Email us anytime: [email protected]
Follow & subscribe on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
🎙️ Closing Note
Stay curious. Stay compassionate.
And keep the dialogue alive.