Dark History: Where The Darkness See’s The Light

S4 E7 The Harpe Brothers - A Brutal Reign of Terror on the Frontier


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Dive into the chilling true story of Micajah "Big" Harpe and Wiley "Little" Harpe, America's first documented serial killers, in this gripping episode of The Dark History Podcast. Born in the brutal backcountry of 18th-century North Carolina, the Harpe brothers unleashed a wave of terror across the untamed frontier, leaving a trail of mutilated bodies and shattered lives in their wake.

Discover how these sadistic killers turned murder into an art form—weighting victims with stones, performing crude surgeries on pregnant women, and leaving grotesque tableaus of their crimes. With at least 28 confirmed murders (and possibly as many as 50), their brutality shocked even the hardened settlers of the early American wilderness.

Join us as we explore:

  • The Harpes' twisted upbringing and how the American Revolution fueled their bloodlust.
  • Their gruesome killing methods and the eerie "signatures" they left behind.
  • The dramatic manhunt that ended Big Harpe’s reign—and the shocking fate of his severed head.
  • Little Harpe’s desperate attempt to escape justice—and how he met his own gruesome end.

Perfect for fans of true crime, dark history, and unsolved mysteries, this episode uncovers the horrifying legacy of the Harpe brothers—the monsters who set the blueprint for serial killers to come. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with fellow true crime enthusiasts.

🔍 Keywords: America’s first serial killers, Harpe brothers true crime, frontier murders, 18th-century killers, brutal historical crimes, dark history podcast, unsolved mysteries, gruesome killings, Natchez Trace murders, early American horror.

Listen now—if you dare.

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