Crisis & Consequences

Pillar of the community. Philanthropist. Medical doctor. Dorthea Puente was given – or gave herself – many different titles over the years, but in California in the 1980s, the one title that proved true was “serial killer.” On this episode of the Escape Pod, co-costs Charity and Julie are joined by friend-of-the-show Karabeth to discuss this “greedy granny” whose love of money may have driven her to kill some of the very people she was entrusted to help. 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1    6:19 Sacremento, CA, in the 1980s: A man with a mental health condition and other challenges goes missing after moving into Dorthea Puente’s home 

Resources & Links 

https://sports.yahoo.com/killing-her-boarders-burying-them-194503281.html 

https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/serial-killers/dorothea-puente/ 

https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/crime-history/death-house-landlady--a-look-back-at-unexpected-serial-killer-do  

https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/california-serial-killer-dorothea-puente-17318261.php 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6616525/Grandson-Dorothea-Puente-laced-cakes-poison-says-shared-real-connection-her.html  

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The Escape Pod is giving you a sneak peek “behind the paywall” with this special “March Mashup” of clips from some of the Bonus episodes dropping this month. Become a patron today to hear the full episodes, and know that your support supports a greater mission – empowering people to change their own lives for the better.  

DISCLAIMER: This minisode includes some adult language, as well as stories of violence against women and just plain old bad behavior. The Escape Pod team does not condone violence – no matter what music is being played on the jukebox. 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1 0:40 Beer Bonus: Christmas music pushes a bar patron too far. 

Resources & Links 

• Beer BONUS Minisode 

• CBS58.com. 01.03.2017. “Madison Man throws Beer Bottle at Bartender for turning on Christmas Music” 

• CBSNews.com. 12.29.2015. “Police: Man throws bottle at bartender for turning on Christmas music” 

• The Intruder BONUS Minisode 

• Military Murder Podcast 

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General email: [email protected]  

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Summary of Episode

A law enforcement agency’s review of dashcam footage in Ohio reveals predatory behavior by one of their own. Find out how this patrolman chose his victims and managed to get away with it for as long as he did. Plus, an Escape Pod co-host shares her own experiences with a creepy (former) cop and other stalkers who had a hard time taking “no” for an answer. 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1 9:13     A former police officer uses confiscated driver’s licenses as a reason to keep meeting up with two teenage girls. 

Resources & Links 

• SPARC-- Stalking Awareness, Prevention, and Resources Center https://www.stalkingawareness.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/SPARC_StalkngFactSheet_2018_FINAL.pdf  

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A marijuana grower who calls the cops when kids steal from his illegal crop; a would-be supermarket robber who posts his plans on social media; a vain vandal doesn’t like the photo on his “Wanted” poster – so he sends law enforcement a better one. 

What’s that saying? “You can’t make this stuff up?” You really can’t! 

Escape into the Escape Pod with co-hosts Julie and Charity for a not-so-terrifying episode about not-so-smooth criminals. Plus, we welcome back popular podcast guest Chad, who offers his own commentary on these ridiculous attempts at criminal activity. 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1 6:05 A man from the UK posts his plans to rob a supermarket on Facebook. 

Resources & Links 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6991115/Man-calls-police-CANNABIS-plants-stolen-charged-officers-more.html  

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-10/cannabis-theft-man-pleads-guilty-in-alice-springs/12338590  

https://www.businessinsider.com/scottish-man-jailed-after-reporting-stolen-marijuana-to-police-2011-10  

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-15259996  

https://www.smh.com.au/national/man-calls-cops-about-cannabis-theft-is-arrested-himself-20031217-gdhzy2.html  

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35785834 

https://metro.co.uk/2014/03/20/worst-burglar-ever-takes-selfie-at-crime-scene-sends-it-to-victims-colleagues-4667765/ 

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-32256720

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/01/12/an-ohio-fugitive-sent-police-a-selfie-because-he-didnt-like-his-mug-shot/  

https://www.police1.com/bizarre/articles/top-5-failed-attempts-to-beat-a-breathalyzer-FkOWtA57zyknSoCb/  

https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/florida-man-tries-to-pawn-stolen-jewelry-at-store-managed-by-woman-whose-home-he-just-robbed-6523630  

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/10/23/Dennis-Newton-was-on-trial-for-the-armed-robbery/7718498888000/  

https://list25.com/25-dumbest-criminals-and-how-they-got-caught/ 

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23421960 

Episode Link & Contact Information 

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Teen escape artist survives Aussie serial killers – Ep. 6

In 1986, four women go missing near Perth, Australia, in only a month’s time. But law enforcement doesn’t know there is a serial-killing couple in their midst until a very smart 17-year-old girl, realizing her captors have killed before, seizes an opportunity to make her escape. In doing so, she likely saved many other lives. 

The 2016 psychological thriller “Hounds of Love” is a fictionalized portrayal of what the media referred to as the Moorhouse murders, the crimes having taken place on Moorhouse Street in a Perth suburb. 

While the Escape Pod is a “No Excuse Zone,” we leave room for explanations – the factors that might cause people to do what they do. In this episode, co-hosts Charity and Julie go beyond the gory details of the Birnies’ behaviors in ‘86 and explore how these two people with deeply troubled pasts came to fall in love – and commit their crimes together. 

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussions of rape and other forms of violence against women. 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1 7:28 – Nov. 9, 1986: 17-year-old girl goes missing in Perth, Australia 

Resources & Links 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_and_Catherine_Birnie 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4206264/How-Kate-Moir-escaped-notorious-serial-killers.html 

https://au.news.yahoo.com/how-i-escaped-the-house-of-horrors-hostage-of-australia-s-most-evil-killers-tells-how-she-fled-david-and-catherine-birnie-34371633.html  

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/catherine-birnie-the-parasite-serial-killer-who-now-wants-freedom/news-story/7dbb6c2671d66234fd63230e8e85fbc9  

https://www.crimelibrary.org/serial_killers/partners/birnie/5.html  

https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/david-and-catherine-birnie-the-macabre-and-sadistic-moorhouse-murderers/news-story/d1937accb6dfdbb6cc89074e7eb7c241 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_and_Catherine_Birnie 

Movie: Hounds of Love (did not watch) 

Episode Link & Contact Information 

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You’ve likely heard or used the phrase “problem child” in discussing a kid who creates challenges at home, school, or elsewhere, but in some families a parent (or two!) can be the kindling for chaos. In this episode, Escape Pod co-host Charity describes life in her household through her teenage years, how higher education (and her bedroom window) helped her escape those unhealthy cycles, and how it all influences the work she does now. 

SPOILER ALERT: Thirty years after the violent altercation that turned her into the escape artist she is today, she still says nice things about her dad. Why? Listen to find out! 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1 4:40 – “Not everybody’s cut out for parenthood”; Charity’s teen parents 

Episode Link & Contact Information 

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Poop Duty: Shart Art on display and the people who have to deal with it – Ep. 4 

We’re heavy on the “aumedy” of traumedy in this episode of the Escape Pod! People “unload” their problems in a variety of ways. Podcast guest Chad, a veteran of the human services sector, brings some humor to the Escape Pod with true tales of bad bathroom behavior taken to new lows – sometimes even to public spaces. We consider the “whys” behind such acts and laugh a lot along the way because – as the saying goes – if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry! 

*DISCLAIMER: The behaviors of the (anonymous) individuals discussed in this episode are not reflective of the majority of people who struggle with poverty, homelessness, and mental health issues. These are special cases that, in hindsight, give us a good chuckle. 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1 4:58 – Trigger warning: feces.  

Resources & Links 

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Summary of Episode 

April 2014: The “bubble” that is Murrysville, PA, bursts when a 16-year-old student goes on a mass stabbing rampage at a local high school, injuring nearly two dozen people but traumatizing many more in the school and community. On this episode, co-hosts Charity and Julie welcome a guest into the Escape Pod – a mom whose son witnessed and escaped the horror in the hallways that day. 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1 4:50 - Charity sets the scene at Franklin Regional H.S. on April 9, 2014 

Resources & Links 

• https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/multiple-students-reported-stabbed-at-franklin-regional-high-school/  

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Summary of Episode 

An estimated 1 in 12 teens are victims of dating violence. In this episode, Escape Pod co-host Charity shares her own experience with a high school boyfriend who, on their first (and last) anniversary, made her fear for her life; plus, a Pennsylvania teen tries to end a relationship but meets a tragic end at a train station; and we offer a few tips to help people, regardless of age, avoid and – if needed – escape these difficult situations. 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

• Topic #1 6:33 – Charity discusses “craving” the attention of men 

Resources & Links 

• https://www.nsvrc.org/blogs/teen-dating-violence-prevention-resources-2022#:~:text=Over%2071%25%20of%20women%20and,under%20the%20age%20of%2025.  

Call to Action, Episode Link & Contact Information 

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