Besties, welcome to the first episode from our brand-new Cosy Crime Corner! ☕🎙️

This week, we're stepping slightly outside our usual true crime territory to look at something I've wanted to talk about for a long time: what happens when the places responsible for caring for animals fail them?

First, we're heading to South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria, where hundreds of animal deaths, repeated welfare concerns and serious safety failures would eventually come under intense scrutiny. We also look at the devastating death of keeper Sarah McClay, and the failures that allowed it to happen.

Then we're crossing the Atlantic for the story of Tilikum — the orca captured from the wild as a calf who would spend decades in captivity and become linked to three human deaths, including SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau.

We're looking beyond the headlines at captivity, animal welfare, human responsibility and the systems surrounding these animals — because this isn't really a story about “killer animals.”

It's about what happens when humans put wild animals into environments they were never designed for… and then act surprised when things go terribly wrong.

So grab a coffee, get comfy, and join me in the Cosy Crime Corner. 🤎

Stay safe. Stay curious.

⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses animal death and mistreatment, as well as fatal incidents involving humans and animals. Please listen with care.

🎥 The Cosy Crime Podcast is now on YouTube!

Full video episodes are available in the Cosy Crime Corner.

📸 Instagram: @cosycrimepod

🎵 TikTok: @cosy.crime.pod

Episode 3 – The Trial That Changed Everything

For almost ten years, Gisèle Pelicot was unknowingly drugged by her husband, Dominique Pelicot, while dozens of men entered her home and sexually assaulted her as she lay unconscious.

In the final part of this three-part series, we follow the case into the courtroom.

We'll explore the evidence that shocked the world, Dominique Pelicot's testimony, the trial of the fifty-one defendants, and the extraordinary courage shown by Gisèle as she chose to waive her anonymity and ensure the proceedings were heard in public.

Her words, "Shame must change sides," became a symbol of resilience around the world and changed the conversation about sexual violence forever.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of rape, sexual assault, drug-facilitated abuse, coercive control and domestic abuse. Listener discretion is advised.

📚 Sources

• A Hymn to Life – Gisèle Pelicot

• Le Monde

• BBC News

💜 Support

If this episode has brought up difficult feelings for you, or if you or someone you know has been affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence, support is available.

🇬🇧 National Domestic Abuse Helpline (24/7) – Run by Refuge

📞 0808 2000 247

🌐 National Domestic Abuse Helpline⁠

🇬🇧 Rape Crisis England & Wales

📞 0808 802 9999

🌐 Rape Crisis England & Wales⁠

🇬🇧 Women's Aid

🌐 Women's Aid⁠

🇬🇧 Victim Support

🌐 Victim Support⁠

If you are in immediate danger, always call 999. Support services are available for anyone affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence, regardless of gender.

GOV.UK +1

☕ Find me here

📸 Instagram: @thecosycrimepodcast

🎵 TikTok: @thecosycrimepodcast

⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the podcast and leaving a rating or review—it really helps independent creators like me reach more listeners.

⚠️ This is Part 2 of a three-part series. If you're new to the case, I'd recommend listening to Part 1 first.

After discovering that her husband had secretly drugged her and invited dozens of strangers to rape her over the course of almost a decade, Gisèle Pelicot's world had fallen apart.

But what happens after the police station?

In Part Two of this three-part series, we follow Gisèle through the days, weeks and months that followed her husband's arrest. From breaking the news to her children, to uncovering more of Dominique's secrets, navigating unimaginable grief, and slowly beginning to reclaim her voice, this is the story of survival long before the courtroom.

This episode explores the emotional aftermath of one of France's most shocking criminal cases and the remarkable resilience of a woman who refused to let someone else define her story.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, coercive control and psychological trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

Memoir

A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot (publisher page or retailer if there isn't an official page)

BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news⁠

(Search "Gisèle Pelicot BBC")

France 24

https://www.france24.com/⁠

(Search "Gisèle Pelicot")

Le Monde

https://www.lemonde.fr/⁠

(Search "Gisèle Pelicot")

The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/⁠

(Search "Gisèle Pelicot")

CNN

https://edition.cnn.com/⁠

(Search "Gisèle Pelicot")

If you've enjoyed this episode, please consider following The Cosy Crime Podcast, leaving a review, or sharing it with someone who might enjoy it. Your support really does help independent podcasts grow.

Before the world knew her name, Gisèle Pelicot was a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a woman who believed she had built a safe and happy life.

In Part One of this three-part series, we step away from the headlines and meet the woman at the heat of one of the most shocking criminal cases in modern French history.

Together we'll explore Gisèle's childhood, the love story she believed she'd found with Dominique Pelicot, the family life they built together over almost fifty years, and the terrifying medical mystery that left her searching desperately for answers.

Long before the interviews began, Gisèle knew something was wrong.

She just never imagined the truth was sleeping beside her every night.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of coercive control, drugging, sexual violence, and trauma. While no graphic details are included, listener discretion is advised.

Support: If anything discussed in this episode has affected you, support organisations are linked in the show notes.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

💜 Rape Crisis England & Wales

https://rapecrisis.org.uk⁠

💜 Victim Support

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk⁠

💜 Women's Aid

https://www.womensaid.org.uk⁠

💜 The Survivors Trust

https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org⁠

🎙️ Follow The Cosy Crime Podcast for new episodes every Thursday.

📱 TikTok: @thecosycrimepodcast

📸 Instagram: @thecosycrimepodcast

Sources used for this episode include:

A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot

French court reporting

BBC News

The Guardian

Davina McCall - Begin Again Podcast.

New episodes every Thursday.

Stay safe, stay curious.

What really happened inside Britain's most haunted house?

This week, we're opening the very first Paranormal File as we step inside the infamous Ancient Ram Inn in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire.

Built in 1145, the Ancient Ram Inn has gained a reputation for ghostly apparitions, shadow figures, unexplained voices, demonic legends and terrifying paranormal encounters. But how much of its history is fact... and how much is folklore?

In this episode we explore:

👻 The history of the Ancient Ram Inn

🕯️ Ley lines, pagan burial ground and witch legends

🏚️ The Bishop's Room, Witch's Room and the infamous attic

🎥 Investigations by Most Haunted, Ghost Adventures and other paranormal teams

☕ And finally... my own overnight experience inside Britain's most haunted house.

Whether you believe in ghosts or think there's a logical explanation for everything, this is one story guaranteed to make you question what really happened inside those walls.

Sources & Further Reading

📖 The Ancient Ram Inn (Official Website)

https://ancientraminn.co.uk/⁠

👻 Haunted Happenings

https://www.hauntedhappenings.co.uk/⁠

📚 The Little House of Horrors – Ancient Ram Inn History

https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/the-ancient-ram-inn/⁠

💜 Let's keep the conversation going!

📱 TikTok: @cosy.crime.pod

📸 Instagram: @thecosycrimepodcast

Have you ever visited The Ancient Ram Inn?

I'd love to hear your experience.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of paranormal claims, folklore and alleged supernatural experiences. These stories are presented for discussion and entertainment. Some historical claims remain disputed.

Stay safe... stay curious. ☕👻

On December 18th 1994, 27-year-old Alison Botha returned home after a wonderful evening with friends. Less than ninety minutes later, she would become the victim of one of the most brutal attacks ever documented.

After being abducted by two men in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Alison was subjected to unimaginable violence and left for dead.

But Alison Botha refused to die.

In this episode of The Cosy Crime Podcast, we explore Alison's extraordinary story of survival, courage and determination. We'll follow the events of that night, the investigation that brought her attackers to justice, and the incredible life Alison built afterwards.

This episode contains discussions of sexual violence, attempted murder and extreme violence. Please take care while listening.

Alison's story isn't just about surviving the unimaginable. It's about refusing to let evil decide how your story ends. 💜

Alison's book:

I Have Life: Alison's Journey by Alison Botha and Marianne Thamm

Amazon +1

I Have Life: Alison's Journey⁠

Documentary:

Alison (2016) directed by Uga Carlini

IMDb +1

Alison (2016) Documentary on Prime Video⁠

Podcast:

Morbid Podcast — Alison Botha case episode (the episode that got me absolutely obsessed with this case!) 💜

Morbid Podcast Official Website⁠

If anything discussed in today's episode has affected you, or someone you know, please know that support is available.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Rape Crisis England & Wales — Support and information for anyone affected by sexual violence.

Rape Crisis England & Wales⁠

The Survivors Trust — Support services for survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

The Survivors Trust⁠

Victim Support — Free and confidential support for victims of crime.

Victim Support UK⁠

Samaritans — Available 24 hours a day if you're struggling or need someone to talk to.

Samaritans UK⁠

"This episode is dedicated to Alison Botha — a woman who proved that even in the face of unimaginable evil, courage, hope and humanity can still prevail." 💜☕🎙️

Last week, we followed Gabby Petito's journey across America and explored the events leading up to her disappearance.

In Part 2, we pick up the story as investigators discover Brian Laundrie has returned to Florida without Gabby.

We follow the search that captured the world's attention, examine the witness statements that helped investigators piece together Gabby's final movements, and look at the evidence that ultimately led search teams to her.

We also explore Brian's disappearance, the nationwide manhunt that followed, and the contents of the notebook found alongside his remains.

Finally, we discuss the incredible legacy Gabby's family have created in her honour and the changes that have been made to help protect victims of domestic abuse.

⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses domestic abuse, homicide and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

---

Resources & Support

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, support is available.

Gabby Petito Foundation

https://gabbypetitofoundation.org/

National Domestic Abuse Helpline (UK)

📞 0808 2000 247

https://refuge.org.uk/

Women's Aid

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, please call 999.

in the first full case fille of The Cosy Crime Podcast, we're discussing the case of Gabby Petito.

Before she became a headline, Gabby was a daughter, a sister, a friend and an aspiring travel blogger with a dream of seeing the world.

in Part 1, we'll see who Gabby was, how she met Brian Laundrie, the early warning signs in their relationship, the infamous Moab police stop, and the events leading up to her disappearance.

By September 11th 2021, Gabby's family had finally received one answer:

Brian Laundrie was home.

But Gabby was nowhere to be found.

Grab a coffee , get comfortable, and let's open today's case file.

Resources:

The Gabby Petito Foundation:

hhtps://gabbypetitofoundation.org/

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, support is available and you do not have to face it alone.

Stay safe, stay curious.

Rosie x

Grab a coffee and get comfortable...

Welcome to The Cosy Crime Podcast — the cosy corner of the internet where we open case files and unpack true crime stories from around the world.

In this short introduction episode, you'll meet your host, Rosie, learn what inspired the podcast, and get a glimpse of what's to come.

From infamous cases to lesser-known stories, we'll explore the timelines, investigations and courtroom moments that changed everything.

So grab a coffee, besties... and let's open our first case file together.

New episodes coming soon. ☕🎙️🕵️‍♀️