We Would Be Dead

Well fiends, we've made it to one whole year and you know what that means, it's time to cover Ted Bundy. This podcast came from a conversation Holly and Leslie had where they put themselves in the place of the victims of infamous crimes, namely those who died at the hands of Ted Bundy. It's so easy to say that when faced with a killer you would know better and get away, but the simple fact of the matter is that most of us wouldn't, and we would be dead. 

Ted Bundy was a real man, not a mythical monster and he killed real women not beautiful illustrations. This week we focus hard on that fact, and explore the danger in what we perceive to be "safe".

During his time Ted is said to have violently murdered over 28 women, we have all read his story and watched the documentaries, but we're going to try remove the sensationalism and expose the unfiltered picture of who Ted was, who he killed, and what happens when a predator knows exactly how to attract and exploit his prey. Strap in fiends, because we're navigating some perilous waters.

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Fiends, Leslie is back with her 2nd episode! And this one is full of eye rolls but also very heartbreaking. On the evening of November 25, 1996, Naomi Ruth Wendrof and Richard Wendrof were senselessly beaten to death in their home in Eutis, Florida by 16 year old Rod Ferrell. Rod Ferrell was the cult leader of Vampire Clan in Murray, Kentucky. He claimed to be a 500 year old vampire named Vesago, but he just really liked playing Vampire: The Masquerade. His small group of teenage clan members were also into the game and believed they too could be vampires like Rod. When Rod suggested they could all leave their mortal lives behind and join the Vampires of New Orleans, the clan packed their bags, piled in the car, and drove off. But they first needed to make a stop in Eutis, Florida to pick up Rod's friend, 15 year old Heather Wendorf, who also wanted to run away and join the clan. Little did heather know, that her plan to start a new life would lead to the brutal end of her parents life. 

Kentucky Teenage Vampires

Rod Ferrell Documentary: The Vampire Diaries

Deadly Cults - Episode 1, Season 1: Vampire Clan

The Embrace: A True Vampire Story by Aphrodite Jones

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2020 was a lot, fiends. We know that you're all overwhelmed, and that this year has taken a lot out of you. Just because a number has ticked over on the calendar doesn't mean the stress has stopped either. Now that we have a vaccine for the dreaded COVID-19, a lot of us are wondering: Is it safe? Is it effective? What about our children?

Knowing who to trust when the internet is buzzing with the current of a thousand panicked butterflies can be very hard, but let us ease your mind. In this episode, we recap 2020 and have a few laughs before giving you two extremely informative and thorough interviews (begins at 34:27) with actual doctors that cover everything you want to know about the COVID-19 vaccine.

It is so important for you to give this one a listen, fiends. We promise it will put your mind at ease. Special thanks to our guests Dr. Stephen McBride and Dr. Lisa Di Enno, and to all of our fiends who sent in questions. Stay safe, everyone.

Critical Updates on COVID-19

HealthyChildren.org

COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy Decision Aids

Dr. Lisa's TikTok

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On November 2nd 2007 Amanda Knox went home to her Italian Villa to take a shower and pack her bags before leaving on a weekend getaway with her boyfriend, but something was off. When Amanda arrived home she noticed blood spots in the bathroom sink, blood on the bath mat and her roommates were nowhere to be found. Shortly after that, the police would discover that Amanda's roommate Meredith had been brutally murdered in their home.

In the series of events that followed, police would mistake Amanda's behavior as that of a guilty woman and send her down 4 year spiral of wrongful convictions, imprisonment and a scorching media character assassination that would change the way many of us view the legal system, and make many of us pause and think about which people in our lives we could actually trust. 

In the second installment of this case we will cover Amanda's time in prison, her trials, appeals and ultimate exoneration. We also explore theories as to what actually happened to Meredith and the person (people) who committed this crime. 

Amanda's website with links to what she's doing now

Dr. Saul Kassin explains false confessions

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On November 2nd 2007 Amanda Knox went home to her Italian Villa to take a shower and pack her bags before leaving on a weekend getaway with her boyfriend, but something was off. When Amanda arrived home she noticed blood spots in the bathroom sink, blood on the bath mat and her roommates were nowhere to be found. Shortly after that, the police would discover that Amanda's roommate Meredith had been brutally murdered in their home.

In the series of events that followed, police would mistake Amanda's behavior as that of a guilty woman and send her down 4 year spiral of wrongful convictions, imprisonment and a scorching media character assassination that would change the way many of us view the legal system, and make many of us pause and think about which people in our lives we could actually trust. 

Waiting to be Heard by Amanda Knox

Honor Bound by Raffaele Sollecito

Meredith by John Kercher

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On November 19th 2011 Williamsburg West Virginia police got a series of disturbing 911 calls. There has been as terrible accident, and all that remained were a body in the middle of the road and a car idling against the guard rail 3/10 if a mile down the highway. Upon arrival authorities discovered the remains of 20 year old Jaleayah Davis, naked from the waist up, decapitated in the middle on interstate 77. Her bloodied jacket, shirt and bra were neatly hung on the guard rail, and her 2006 Silver Kia Optima was 3/10 of a mile away, idling in the shoulder of the road pressed against the guardrail, doors still locked, keys in the ignition.

When her family arrived on the scene they revealed that Jaleayah had been out with friends that night, and just moments before she was discovered, had made a series of disturbing phone calls to her sister, asking through tears to be picked up first from one location and then another. What Happened to Jaleayah Davis? Officially the Williamsburg police say she died in a single driver drunk driving accident, but there is so much more to this story. In this episode we discuss a truly senseless, tragic and mysterious death. We hope that some day the Davis family finds the answers they are looking for. PLEASE visit the Justice for Jaleayah Facebook page (link below) to learn more, and if you have any information about this case please message the facebook page immediately.

Justice for Jaleayah Facebook page

Kim Davis on The Bread Lab Live

How to watch Jaleayah's case on ID

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In late March of 1996 a box containing the mutilated remains of an unidentified man washed up on the shores of Miller Field in Staten Island. Little did authorities know that this discovery was indelibly linked to the who's who of New York City Nightlife, and the king of the club kids himself, Michael Alig. Join WWBD as we take an ultra deep dive into the world in 1980's and 90's New York City night life. We trace the road to the concept of being famous for being famous and explore the rise of the elusive, colorful, living works of art and influence that were known simply as the club kids. This counter cultural phenomenon would change the landscape of art, music, and night life in a way no one knew was possible, and sadly, it culminated in one of the most shocking and grizzly murders of it's time.  

*There were a great many sources this week, most of which you can find below, but we will post more of the talk show appearances in our social media this week. As always, we encourage you to read more if you can. Also Glory Daze will be available on Netflix soon, it is an incredible watch :)

Glory Daze: The Life and Times of Michael Alig

Party Monster on Tubi

Limelight on Tubi

Michael Musto's Village Voice article, originally published in 1996

More recent coverage by Michael Musto

Party Monster (originally titled "Disco Bloodbath" by James St. James

Clubland By Frank Owen

The Club Kids on Joan Rivers

DragCon 2017 NYC panel featuring Michael Musto, James St. James, Amanda Lepore and photographer John Simone

New York City Club Kids by WaltPaper.

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Gather 'round the fire fiends and let's bring back a time honored tradition: Christmastime ghost stories. This episode is perfect for a chilly and festive evening. Holly is reading you the classic chiller The Kit Bag by Algernon Blackwood, Leslie is reading the festive hide and seek scare fest 'Smee by A.M. Burrage, and finally, Holly offers an original ghost story in the traditional style called Mrs. Grove. We hope you enjoy, and maybe if all of us get on board, we can bring this fantastic tradition back to life. Merry Christmas, fiends!

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Step right up fiends, we're taking a trip to the sideshow! Join us as we explore the fascinating history of this uniquely American art form. Holly explores the roots of the side show and some of it's most famous human exhibits, Leslie recounts the haunting story of the Lobster Boy murders, and we have our first guest! Join WWBD as we explore the world of the modern sideshow from the perspective someone who lives it. Show organizer and performer Jason Lutz, AKA Mister E The Clown Prince of darkness, takes us behind the curtain for a unique look at the art, the magic and the reality of a working sideshow performer. 

Click to Learn More

Mister E on Instagram

Dead Flowers on Instagram

Dead Flowers on Facebook

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It was Christmas Eve 2008, and the Ortega family of West Covina, California, were enjoying the tail end of their annual Christmas Eve bash. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. It appeared that Santa Clause had come to town, only this time he didn't bring presents, he brought a small arsenal. As you may have guessed, the Santa in question hadn't come down from the North Pole. No, Bruce Pardo, the man behind the beard, had driven a rental car from his Montrose home to the Ortega's house with one goal and one goal only, and that was to annihilate them all. Hang on to your jingle bells fiends, because this week we tell the story of the baddest Santa there ever was. 

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