This week in crime history, we revisit two of the most infamous kidnappings that shocked the world. In 1973, 17-year-old John Paul Getty III, grandson of one of the world’s richest men, was freed in southern Italy after five harrowing months in captivity. His ordeal exposed the cold greed and dysfunction of America’s wealthiest family.
Then, we travel back to 1927 Los Angeles, where 12-year-old Marion Parker was abducted from her school by a man posing as her father’s coworker. What followed became one of the most gruesome and sensational kidnapping cases in U.S. history.
From ransom demands and ruthless criminals to media frenzy and family betrayal, host Vanessa Richardson unpacks how these two abductions defined public obsession with wealth, innocence, and the dark side of desperation.

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Scams, Money and Murder to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Scams, Money and Murder is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

🎧 Need More to Binge? 

Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Crime House Daily, Killer Minds, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts!

Follow me on Social

Instagram: @Crimehouse

TikTok: @Crimehouse

Facebook: @crimehousestudios

X: @crimehousemedia

YouTube: @crimehousestudios