Criminalia

Some people knew Christian Gerhartsreiter as Chris Gerhart, a University of Wisconsin film student. Others knew Christopher Chichester, a descendant of British royalty. Still others knew him as Christopher Crowe, a film and TV producer. But most people knew him as Clark Rockefeller, who claimed to be heir to the Rockefeller dynasty. And he pulled it for three decades.

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David Lamar was known for walking about Manhattan with his diamond-studded walking stick, for being brash and cutthroat in his dealings, and went on to become a legend for his financial scams as well as impersonating powerful and influential people.

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On May 25, 1861, Emma Edmonds became Private Franklin Thompson and was mustered into Company F of the Second Michigan Regiment of Volunteer Infantry as a 3-year recruit. Fueled by love of her country and a see slavery's end, Emma, as Frank, volunteered to fight for the Union armies.

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Mary Baker adopted a disguise that she hoped would make her more interesting to those she considered commoners. She became Princess Caraboo, a fictional royal pretending to come from the far far away island of Javasu.

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We were curious if some historical stalking crimes would seem different today, and whether any of these stalkers would emerge as, perhaps, sympathetic characters. What we found was that yes, a modern look does often cast a different light.

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Maria Trimarchi and Holly Frey are back with season three of Criminalia! Tune in for the new season starting April 20. 

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When Cristin Keleher broke into George Harrison's Maui estate, she ate frozen pizza, did a load of laundry, and called her mother. Two weeks later, Michael Abram broke into Harrison's Friar Park estate, stabbing Harrison repeatedly.

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Olga “Janina,” a protofeminist and Polish pianist, was known for stalking Hungarian composer Franz Liszt. 

Franz’s name may or may not ring a bell, but he was recognized as a musical “rockstar” during the Romantic era. He composed a number of popular classical pieces that are still heard of today (“Hungarian Rhapsody”). 

Sure, fans may have screamed and thrown their undergarments at the composer during his performances back in the day. But from writing “fictional” stories about Liszt, to threatening homocide and suicide, Olga took what is called “Lisztomania” to a whole new level. 

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Adele Hugo (1830-1915) was the youngest child of Victor Hugo, a major French writer of the Romantic era. She also was known for stalking a British officer known as Lieutenant Albert Pinson in the mid-1800s. 

The lieutenant at one time asked for Adele’s hand in marriage, but Adele declined the proposal. As Pinson moved on however, Hugo’s daughter displayed obsessive behaviors, from wearing disguises, to renting rooms near where he would stay. 

Though tragic, Adele’s tale displays a good breakdown of the characteristics of Erotomania.

Executive Producers: Maria Trimarchi and Holly Frey

Producer & Editor: Casby Bias

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Jane Bigelow (1829-1889) goes down in history as a socialite who once stalked the great English writer Charles Dickens.

As the “Oliver Twist” author toured the U.S. in the late 1860s, Jane displayed obsessive efforts that went far beyond the actions of other screaming fans.

From threatening individuals who got close to Dickens, to even assaulting an elderly widow, spectators all agreed that Jane was quite the “incubus” - er, “succubus.”

Executive Producers: Maria Trimarchi and Holly Frey

Producer & Editor: Casby Bias

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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