Sinister Crimes and Cocktails: A True Crime Podcast

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One of America’s most famous plays in Broadway history is Chicago- a musical set in the windy city in the early 1920’s. What makes the musical so appealing is that although the events unfolding on stage occurred almost 100 years ago, they feel current with its themes of fame, corruption and the sensationalism of the media, making it a clever satire of celebrity culture, entertainment and our justice system. The audience is captured in the musical’s storyline that seems to be ripped right from the front-page headlines, and that is because it was. The play was inspired and written by Chicago Tribune reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins who was assigned to the Cook County Jail’s infamous “Murderess Row.”  This is the true sinister criminal history behind America’s beloved musical Chicago.

References:

‘Chicago’: The Real Women of “Murderess Row” and the Woman Who Told Their Story – Broadway in Cincinnati News

Pioneering Tribune women in journalism – Chicago Tribune

A Tribune reporter wrote the hit play ‘Chicago’ after covering Cook County murder trials. Decades later, we owe her an obituary. – Chicago Tribune

Maurine Dallas Watkins

The girls of murder city

Vintage Chicago Tribune: Murder, mayhem and ‘all that jazz’ — the real women who inspired Oscar winner ‘Chicago’ – Chicago Tribune

This Famous Chicago 'Murderess' Didn't Kill Anyone, And New Book Proves It - University Village - Chicago - DNAinfo 

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Between 1970 and 1973, serial killer and sex offender Dean Corll also known as the Candyman or Piped Piper, abducted, raped, tortured and murdered at least twenty-eight teenage boys and young men in Houston and Pasadena, Texas. This sinister crime spree would later become known as the Houston Mass Murders and only came to light after one of one the two teenage accomplices Dean Corll groomed turned on him. So, what lead to Dean Corll becoming a serial killer and why did two teenage boys help him commit such heinous crimes?

References:

The Candy Man Who Wasn't So Sweet After All | Houstonia Magazine

He Lured Victims for the Notorious 'Candy Man' Serial Killer. Here's What He Had to Say for Himself

Gruesome Things Dean Corll Did To His Victims

Hideous crimes of the real 'candyman' killer who lured kids with sweets, raped and used 'torture board' on 28 victims | The US Sun

Elmer Wayne Henley, The Teen Accomplice Of 'Candy Man' Dean Corll

Dean Corll [The Candy Man Serial Killer]: Why He Kills? Forensic

Dean Corll And Elmer Henley, Of 'Mindhunter,' Were Real Houston Serial Killers

Dean Corll, The Candy Man Killer Behind The Houston Mass Murders

Serial Killer Dean Corll's Accomplice Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. Speaks Out in New ID Doc

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In June of 2017, 25-year-old Jacob Stockdale, who’s conservative Christian family appeared on the ABC hit show “Wife Swap” nine years earlier, fatally shot his mother Kathryn and younger brother James at their family home in the rural township of Bethlehem, Ohio. He then turned the gun on himself, though he survived his head wound. So, what led to Jacob Stockdale to killing members of his immediate family and then trying to commit suicide?

References:

True Crime Society - The murder/suicide of the ‘Wife Swap’ Stockdale family

The Tragic Story Of The Stockdale Family From Wife Swap

The ‘Wife Swap’ Murders: What Led Jacob Stockdale To Kill His Mother And Brother? | by Elli Mac | True Crime With Elli Mac | Medium

Stark County man pleads guilty to the 2017 murders of his mom and brother

New Harbor Bridge brings new routes for commuters

Inside the 'Wife Swap' Murders, and Family's Wholesome Image Shattered

The Wife Swap Murders: Why Jacob Stockdale Killed His Family

The Wife Swap murders: Tragic story of the Stockdale family killings

Inside The 'Wife Swap' Murders Committed By Jacob Stockdale

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Shelly Knotek or “Crazy Shelly” is one of America’s most infamous serial killer mothers. She seemed to have a perfect life- a caring husband and raising her three daughters in a home in rural Raymond, Washington. Shelly and her husband David were known for their selflessness and invited struggling friends and relatives to live with them. But then, those guests began to disappear. In 2003, she was arrested after her daughters went to the authorities, revealing the truth about the horrific crimes committed by not only their mother but as well as their father David. So, why did Shelly and David Knotek kill their family and friends whom they took into their home?

References:

Michelle Knotek – Serial Mom | The Scare Chamber

The Malevolent Mother Shelly Knotek | BroadBiography

Vicious killer Shelly Knotek tortured and murdered her lodgers inspiring 'If You Tell' book

David Knotek, Shelly Knotek’s Abused Husband And Accomplice

The Messed Up Truth About Serial Killer Mom Shelly Knotek

Michelle Knotek | Photos | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers

Kids of murderer Michelle 'Shelly' Knotek warn their mom could kill again

Michelle Knotek's Daughters Warn She's Still A Danger As Prison Release Nears

Shelly Knotek, The Serial Killer Mom Who Tortured Her Own Kids

America's 'most evil' mother Shelly Knotek is released from prison | Daily Mail Online

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Between 1870 and 1873, a Kansas family now known as the “Bloody Benders” ran a small inn and store- the Bender Inn- for travelers along the Osage Mission Trail in Labette County, Kansas. The Bender family comprised of John Sr., his wife Elvira, their son John Jr., and daughter Kate, murdered travelers who stopped at their inn looking for rest before heading back out in their search for land. After abandoning their inn suddenly in 1873, bodies of people who had gone missing, turned up buried on their property. Despite a nationwide manhunt, the Bender family was nowhere to be found. These killings were the first documented mass murders in United States history. So, why did the Bender family go on such a sinister killing spree and where did they disappear too.
References:

The Bloody Benders: What Happened to this Family of Killers? - Historic Mysteries

The Truth About The Bloody Benders Serial Killer Family

The Kansas Homestead Where America's First Serial Killer Family Committed Its Crimes Is Up for Sale

Bender Family Serial Killers Welcomed Weary Travelers — Then Butchered Them

The Bloody Benders: Homestead of Horrors | Headlines & Heroes

'The Bloody Benders': America's First Serial-Killer Family

The Bloody Benders: The Serial Killer Family Of 1870s Kansas

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For our past three episodes we have been taking a deep dive into the Victorian serial killer Jack the Ripper who stalked the streets of London’s East End Whitechapel district during the 1888 “Autumn of Terror”, killing five female prostitutes known as the canonical five. Jack the Ripper, who was never captured, mutilated their bodies in an unusual manner, indicating that the killer had a knowledge of human anatomy. All five of their murders took place within a mile of each other, in or near the Whitechapel district. These five stood out from other violent crimes at the time, being marked by sadistic butchery, and a sociopathic and hateful mind. The case which has inspired countless books, films, and theories, with more than 100 possible suspects named, was met with several hindrances. It was plagued by poor communication between police divisions, a lack of forensic techniques and evidence, a degree of misinformation and false testimony, public pressure and tight regulations by the Scotland Yard. Despite countless investigations and psychological profiles, the killer’s motives remain unknown. But the biggest unanswered question for over the last century by far is: Who was Jack the Ripper?

References:

Jack the Ripper - Identity, Victims & Suspects | HISTORY

Jack The Ripper Case Files Released For The First Time

Who Was Jack The Ripper? Inside The Evidence About His Identity

Was Aaron Kosminski Jack The Ripper? Inside The Evidence

A Brief History of the Jack the Ripper Murders

Has Jack the Ripper’s Identity Been Revealed? | HISTORY

Jack the Ripper police file made public after 136 years | UK News | Sky News

Man who discovered DNA on 100-year-old shawl 'confirming' Jack the Ripper’s identity speaks out on his finding

Jack the Ripper: 1888 Autumn of Terror in Whitechapel, London

Who was Jack the Ripper? These are the 10 most likely suspects.

DNA evidence reveals the identity of Jack the Ripper, scientists claim

Jack the Ripper's identity revealed after DNA breakthrough: historian

Leather Apron - John Pizer

Casebook Suspects: Hyam Hyams - JackTheRipper

Hyam Hyams – Jack the Ripper Map

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Now if you remember from our last two episodes, we began taking a deep dive into one of history’s most infamous serial killers Jack the Ripper, who stalked the streets of London’s East End Whitechapel district during the 1888 “Autumn of Terror”, killing female prostitutes who crossed his path. The Victorian serial killer who was never captured, killed at least five women known as the "canonical five", mutilating their bodies in an unusual manner, indicating that the killer had a substantial knowledge of human anatomy. All five of their murders took place within a mile of each other, in or near the Whitechapel district with four occurring out in the open. These five murders stood out from other violent crimes at the time, being marked by sadistic butchery, and a sociopathic and hateful mind. So far, we have looked at four of the “canonical five” murders those of Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes as well as several letters claiming to be written by Jack the Ripper himself. Up until now no arrests have been made.

References:

Jack the Ripper - Identity, Victims & Suspects | HISTORY

Jack The Ripper Case Files Released For The First Time

Jack the Ripper - Crime Museum

Jack The Ripper's Victims: Inside Their Tragic Stories

A Brief History of the Jack the Ripper Murders

Jack the Ripper Photos - Victims, Sites, Streets.

Jack the Ripper: 1888 Autumn of Terror in Whitechapel, London

Jack the Ripper: Biography, Serial Killer, Suspects, Identity

Jack the Ripper - History, Victims, Letters, Suspects.

Jack the Ripper - Identity, Victims & Suspects | HISTORY

Jack the Ripper | Identity, Facts, Victims, and Suspects | Britannica

The Life and Death of Mary Ann "Polly" Nichols - 1845 -1888.

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Now if you remember from our last episode, we began taking a deep dive into one of history’s most infamous serial killers who stalked the streets of London’s Whitechapel district during the 1888 “Autumn of Terror”, Jack the Ripper. Jack the Ripper, who was never captured, killed at least five women known as the "canonical five", mutilating their bodies in an unusual manner, indicating that the killer had a substantial knowledge of human anatomy. 

The "canonical five" which includes Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly, were well-known prostitutes in London’s East End district of Whitechapel. All five of their murders took place within a mile of each other, in or near the Whitechapel district and stood out from other violent crimes being marked by sadistic butchery, and a sociopathic and hateful mind.

After murdering his last victim in November of 1888, Jack the Ripper seemed to disappear without a trace. He left few clues behind, and investigators have spent more than a century trying to decipher his true identity. However, Jack the Ripper did — allegedly — send several horrifying and disturbing messages during his murder spree. 

References:

Jack The Ripper's Letters: From 'Dear Boss' To 'From Hell'

Catherine Eddowes: The Fourth Victim Of Jack The Ripper

The Life and Death of Mary Ann "Polly" Nichols - 1845 -1888.

Jack the Ripper Letters • From Hell Letter • Dear Boss Letter

Jack the Ripper | Identity, Facts, Victims, and Suspects | Britannica

Jack the Ripper - Identity, Victims & Suspects | HISTORY

Jack the Ripper: Biography, Serial Killer, Suspects, Identity

Has Jack the Ripper’s Identity Been Revealed? | HISTORY

A Brief History of the Jack the Ripper Murders

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Jack the Ripper remains one of history’s most infamous serial killers, who stalked the streets of London’s Whitechapel district during the 1888 “Autumn of Terror”. The culprit who was never captured, killed at least five women, mutilating their bodies in an unusual manner, indicating that the killer had a substantial knowledge of human anatomy. Despite countless investigations and psychological profiles, the killer’s motives remain unknown. But the biggest unanswered question for over the last century by far is: Who was Jack the Ripper?

References:

Jack the Ripper - Identity, Victims & Suspects | HISTORY

Jack the Ripper - Crime Museum

Jack The Ripper Case Files Released For The First Time

Jack The Ripper's Victims: Inside Their Tragic Stories

Who Was Jack The Ripper? Inside The Evidence About His Identity

A Brief History of the Jack the Ripper Murders

Jack the Ripper Photos - Victims, Sites, Streets.

Has Jack the Ripper’s Identity Been Revealed? | HISTORY

Jack the Ripper: 1888 Autumn of Terror in Whitechapel, London

Jack the Ripper: Biography, Serial Killer, Suspects, Identity

Jack the Ripper - History, Victims, Letters, Suspects.

Jack the Ripper - Identity, Victims & Suspects | HISTORY

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In October of 2021, New Hampshire native, Joseph Ferlazzo, murdered and dismembered his wife Emily Jean Schwarz, while the two were vacationing in Vermont to celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary. During his trial, Joseph claimed that he killed his wife in self-defense, however, police discovered dismembered body parts of Emily in the couple’s vehicle. So, did Jospeh Ferlazzo kill Emily Jean Schwarz, his wife of one year in self-defense or was there something more sinister at play?

References:

Man Convicted of Dismembering Wife During Anniversary Trip, Left Remains in Camper Bathroom

VT v. Joseph Ferlazzo: Van-Life and Death Murder Trial

Joseph Ferlazzo found guilty of killing wife Emily Jean

‘A voice that deserved to be heard’: judge recalls victim and sentences her killer to 42½ years - VTDigger

Joseph Ferlazzo sentenced for murdering wife during anniversary trip to Vermont

Jury convicts New Hampshire man of first-degree murder in fatal shooting of his wife in Bolton - VTDigger

NH man sentenced decades in prison for 2021 murder of his wife

Man sentenced for murdering wife during anniversary trip in Vermont

Man sentenced for killing, dismembering wife in VT - Vermont Daily Chronicle

VT v. Joseph Ferlazzo: Van-Life and Death Murder Trial | Court TV

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