Murder in the Mourning

“I hug the people I hate so I know how big to dig their hole in my backyard...” Who said chivalry was dead?! Would you like to guess what else is still alive and well? 

Cannibalism. 

Less than a decade ago, one man from Tennessee abducted a woman in hopes of honoring his hero–The Night Stalker.

Let’s Mourn…

Blanco, J. I. (n.d.). Gregory Hale: Murderpedia, the Encyclopedia of Murderers. Gregory Hale | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers. https://murderpedia.org/male.H/h/hale-gregory.htm

CBS Interactive. (n.d.). Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann charged with killing 2 more women. indictment describes “blueprint” for murders. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/gilgo-beach-murders-rex-heuermann-new-murder-charges/

Some would consider Hollywood itself a cult, or religion for that matter. So what do you get when you mix Hollywood, religion, and two cult leaders?

The Ministry of Evil–ran by lovers and con artists Tony and Susan Alamo. This cult may have begun in the 1970s, but they have loyal followers to this day. 

Let’s Mourn…

CBS Interactive. (2019, June 16). Amanda Knox “traumatized” by media firestorm surrounding her return to Italy. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amanda-knox-traumatized-by-media-firestorm-surrounding-her-return-to-italy/?intcid=CNI-00-10aaa3a

CBS Interactive. (n.d.-a). Amanda Knox back on trial in Italy in lingering case linked to roommate Meredith Kercher’s murder. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amanda-knox-trial-slander-italy-case-linked-meredith-kercher-murder/?intcid=CNI-00-10aaa3a

CBS Interactive. (n.d.-b). Amanda Knox reconvicted of slander in Italy in case linked to her quashed murder conviction. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amanda-knox-italy-trial-slander-meredith-kercher-murder/

Guardian News and Media. (2024, April 9). Ministry of evil: The twisted cult of tony alamo review – An astonishing tale of brainwashing. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/apr/09/ministry-of-evil-the-twisted-cult-of-tony-alamo-review-an-astonishing-tale-of-brainwashing

Press, T. A. (2017, May 4). Tony Alamo, Apocalyptic Ministry leader convicted of sex abuse, dies at 82 (published 2017). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/03/us/obituary-tony-alamo-minister-sexual-abuse.html

Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, May 4). Alamo Christian Foundation. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamo_Christian_Foundation

Kateřina of Komárova, a notorious noblewoman turned serial murderer. Amidst a beautiful Bohemian backdrop, servants of this 16th-century Katerina endured extreme torture. For her crimes, she suffered a punishment fit for a fairy tale! 

Plus, an update on Chad Daybell and HERB BAUMEISTER!!! 

Let’s Mourn…

Karlstejn Castle - https://www.visitcentralbohemia.com/experience/karlstejn-castle/

Scavenger's Daughter - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHyrkKQrEPI

Sources:

Deliso , M. (n.d.). Doomsday author Chad Daybell found guilty in triple-murder case. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/chad-daybell-verdict/story?id=110647686

DeLong, W. (2024, January 31). How the thumbscrew torture device was gruesomely used to elicit prisoner confessions. All That’s Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/thumbscrew

Estephe, St. (n.d.). Kateřina of komárova, serial killer aristocrat – bohemia, 1533. Kateřina of Komárova, Serial Killer Aristocrat – Bohemia, 1533. http://unknownmisandry.blogspot.com/2020/05/katerina-of-komarova-serial-killer.html

Karlštejn Castle. Central Bohemia. (2024, January 28). https://www.visitcentralbohemia.com/experience/karlstejn-castle/

Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, March 16). Kateřina of komárov. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate%C5%99ina_of_Kom%C3%A1rov#:~:text=Kate%C5%99ina%20of%20Kom%C3%A1rov%20(died%2015,she%20tended%20during%20his%20absences.

YouTube. (2023, August 19). The Scavenger’s daughter - history’s most brutal torture method? YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHyrkKQrEPI

Arguably the first woman serial killer of all time, Locusta of Gaul was an expert in ancient poisons. From humble beginnings to skillful kingmaker, she earned her title of Imperial Poisoner after years of service to both Emperor Nero and his mother, Agrippina the Younger. 

Unfortunately, poison is a deadly game no person is immune to.

Let’s Mourn…

Sources:

Carlton, G. (2021, October 7). Meet Locusta of gaul, emperor Nero’s personal poison maker and perhaps history’s first serial killer. All That’s Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/locusta

Poisons, poisoning, and poisoners in Rome. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/. (n.d.). https://www.ucl.ac.uk/~ucgajpd/medicina%20antiqua/sa_poisons.html#:~:text=Vegetable%20poisons%20were%20best%20known,)%2C%20yew%20extract%20and%20opium.

Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, May 29). Gauls. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauls

Wright, J. (2021, November 1). Locusta of gaul: Rome’s imperial poisoner and possibly the world’s first serial killer. CrimeReads. https://crimereads.com/locusta-of-gaul-romes-imperial-poisoner-and-possibly-the-worlds-first-serial-killer/

Spanning a mere two centuries, the LDS Church has a history as violent as some ancient religions. From the Lafferty brothers to Mark Hofmann to the countless polygamy cults, death never seems far off.

The Children of Thunder are no different—a murderous trio following a false prophet searching for glory.

Let’s Mourn…

Cotter, H., & Downey, K. (2024, May 22). Newport evidence search related to cases linked to so-called Connecticut River Valley Serial Killer. WMUR. https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-connecticut-river-valley-killer/60861289

Helzer brothers: Murderpedia, the Encyclopedia of Murderers. Helzer brothers | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers. (n.d.). https://murderpedia.org/male.H/h/helzer-brothers.htm

Scheeres, J. (n.d.). Children of thunder: The helzer brothers. “It’s Kool-aid” - Murderous Glenn Helzer and Justin Helzer called their cult The Children of Thunder - Crime Library. https://www.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/classics/helzer_brothers/9.html

Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, April 12). Glen Helzer. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Helzer

From the unsolved Santa Rosa hitchhiker murders to Kai the hatchet-wielding hitchhiker to the infamous Münsterland murders, tales of serial killers hunting the open road have gripped us for decades. 

The Aachen Strangler of Germany is a lesser-known monster known for kidnapping and killing young, female hitchhikers during the 1970s and ‘80s. 

Let’s Mourn…

Sources:

CBS Interactive. (2024, May 20). Arizona man gets life in prison in murder of wife who “vigorously struggled” after being buried alive, prosecutors say. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sandra-pagniano-buried-alive-2017-david-pagniano-sentenced-life-prison-arizona/

Goldfarb, K. (2018, December 16). Serial killer electrocutes himself to death during prison sex act gone wrong. All That’s Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/egidius-schiffer-death

Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, April 21). Egidius Schiffer. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egidius_Schiffer

Colorado’s history is splattered with mysteries and murders ranging from The Black Widow to Scott Lee Kimball to even Ted Bundy! However, none date as far back as the killer on Capitol Hill in Denver. 

At the turn of the 20th century, a string of at least 10 women were bludgeoned in the back of the head while walking alone.

Some would survive, while others wouldn’t. Welcome, Colorado's first serial killer.

Let’s Mourn…

Sources:

Denver’s “Capitol hill thug” - historicalcrimedetective.com. (n.d.). https://www.historicalcrimedetective.com/denvers-capitol-hill-thug/

McGUIRK, R. (2024, May 14). Army whistleblower who exposed alleged Australian war crimes in Afghanistan is sentenced to prison. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/mcbride-whistleblower-court-prison-afghanistan-war-crimes-e3fd2301d22d35ee348668b91b02d6bb

Tom. (n.d.). The thug case: How captain Armstrong earned a promotion to police chief of Denver, Colorado. Steemit. https://steemit.com/history/@donkeypong/the-thug-case-how-captain-armstrong-earned-a-promotion-to-police-chief-of-denver-colorado

The legend of Ned Kelly is as historic as it is polarizing. A thief from the ripe young age of fourteen, Kelly robbed banks and stole horses for the men he learned from. 

Quickly, he became Australia’s most revered and most wanted bushranger. Or as I like to call them, land pirates! 

Plus, a bonus story about Angela Gosser–a Kentucky woman who recently went on a deadly shooting rampage. 

Let’s Mourn…

Sources:

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2024, March 19). Ned Kelly. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ned-Kelly-Australian-bandit

Mercer, P. (2013, January 20). Ned Kelly: The Outlaw who divides a nation. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21077457

Price, S. (2024, May 9). Kentucky woman goes on shooting rampage, kills husband, sister before dying in shootout with brother: Police. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2024/05/09/us-news/kentucky-woman-angela-gosser-kills-husband-and-sister-before-dying-in-shootout-with-brother/

Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, May 6). Ned Kelly. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_Kelly

In the vast wilderness of British Columbia, near the Northern Rockies, three people were murdered and left for dead. 

Described as ‘introverted loners’ by their grandmother, two young men went on a killing spree that led to the largest manhunt in Canadian history. 

Let’s Mourn…

Sources:

CBC/Radio Canada. (2019, December 21). Inside Last Summer’s RCMP manhunt for admitted killers Bryer Schmegelsky and Kam McLeod | CBC news. CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/northern-bc-murders-ito-1.5401732

Guardian News and Media. (2019, September 28). Canadian fugitives who murdered three planned to kill more, say police. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/28/canada-murders-fugitives-who-killed-three-planned-for-more-victims-say-police

Last prisoner project - cannabis reform nonprofit. Last Prisoner Project - Cannabis Reform Nonprofit. (n.d.). https://www.lastprisonerproject.org/

Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, April 24). 2019 northern british columbia murders. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Northern_British_Columbia_murders