Join Lisa, Matt, Jules, and Noa for a chilling conversation with historian and author Peter Vronsky, as we explore the dark world of serial killers, cold cases, and the terrifying legacy of Richard Cottingham, known as the Torso Killer.
Peter, a Toronto-based historian and author who has spent years researching serial murder, takes us deep into his work surrounding the Cottingham case and the broader phenomenon of serial killers who terrorized communities throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
But Peter's connection to this subject isn't purely academic.
He shares the deeply unsettling story of his own encounter with a torso murder victim in 1979—an experience that would leave a lasting impression and ultimately become part of his lifelong fascination with understanding serial killers and their crimes.
In this episode, we examine why the 1970s and 1980s became such a notorious era for serial murder, how investigators identified patterns between seemingly unrelated killings, and why so many cases remained unsolved for decades. Peter draws from his experiences researching and interviewing serial killers to discuss behavioral patterns, psychopathy, and what investigators can—and cannot—learn from studying these offenders.
We also explore the evolution of serial killer investigations and how advances in DNA technology, forensic science, databases, and investigative techniques have transformed cold cases. But even with modern technology, countless victims remain unidentified and countless cases remain unsolved.
Peter and Matthew also discuss the importance of independent investigations, the challenges surrounding law enforcement cooperation, and why revisiting old cases can sometimes uncover connections investigators missed decades earlier.
And then there's the question that always fascinates true crime audiences: What actually makes someone a psychopath?We discuss Peter's experience with psychopathy testing and the complicated reality behind the labels frequently used to describe serial killers.
From the Torso Killer and Richard Cottingham to cold cases, serial killer psychology, psychopathy, forensic investigation, and the evolution of true crime, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how we try to understand some of the most disturbing crimes in history.
If you're fascinated by true crime podcasts, serial killers, cold cases, unsolved murders, criminal psychology, forensic science, and the history of serial murder, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Please note all opinions in the show are our own and solely in regards to the specific case we are discussing in this episode
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Cover Art Created by: Rachel Gregorino, [email protected]
Music: GarageBand Mix made by Lisa
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