Episodes

Roman Polanski lives a life of hardship and tragedy before becoming an award winning director - and a fugitive from justice after being charged with the rape of a 13-year-old girl. We'll hear from my special guest AJ Benza, the host of the podcast Fame is a Bitch about the inner workings of Hollywood and his first-hand impressions of Roman Polanski. #hollywoodcrimes #charlesmanson #celebritycrime Resources: Jeffrey Toobin, The New Yorker, "The Celebrity Defense: Sex, fame and the case of Rom...

The Academy Awards is held annually to honor the best of Hollywood. But, there is a darker side of this star-studded ceremony. The first is the true story of the crime portrayed in the Academy Award winning film Dog Day Afternoon. #bankrobberies #johnwojtowicz #chasemanhattanbank #newyorkcrimes Resources: Movie: Dog Day Afternoon, Starring Al Pacino, John Cazale & Charles Durning (1975) Documentary: The Dog, Written, produced and directed by Alison Berg & Frank Keraudren (2014)

A teenage hitchhiker is picked up by a violent rapist in Northern California in 1978. The attack upon her would horrify the public and Lawrence Singleton would serve as a terrifying warning about accepting rides from strangers. Music on today's episode is by St. Patrick. You can purchase the music on iTunes at this link or on the website www.captainfathands.com. Several resources were used in the research for this episode including: Paul Dean, The Los Angeles Times, "Mary Vincent Speaks Out: ...

A woman leaves her abusive husband and spends months trying to get law enforcement authorities to help her escape her abuser. In 1983, she survives one of the most brutal and vicious incidents of domestic violence I've ever encountered. She will file a civil lawsuit against the city an the police department for failing to protect her. Patricia Brennan, The Washington Post, "A Cry for Help," Oct 1, 1989. Thurman v. City of Torrington, Ruling on Motion to Dismiss, Retrieved from Harvard.edu, Oct...

A young woman is offered a ride by a nice looking man in Salt Lake City in 1974. By the end of the day she would be attacked and almost killed by the infamous serial killer, Ted Budy. My special guest, Rhonda Stapley, is the author of "I Survived Ted Bundy: The Attack, Escape and PTSD That Changed My Life". You can find it here on Amazon. Rhonda can be found on Facebook here. If you are someone you know would like help and/or information about post-traumatic stress you can go to www.ptsd.va.gov...

A young girl is abducted on her way home from school in Lugoff, South Carolina in 2006. Resources Sarah Beckett, Investigation Discovery Channel, "Surviving Evil: Underground Terror," 2013. Mike Celizic, Today, "Kidnapped teen describes bunker ordeal," Mar 7, 2008. Follow us on: Twitter: @uponacrime Patreon: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime Facebook and Instagram: @onceuponacrimepod

I continue my discussion of the Laci Peterson case with my co-host, Yolanda of the Not Perfect or Functional Podcast. In this episode we take a deep dive into the background and psychology of Scott Peterson and what we believe contributed to his crime. Holiday Greetings in this episode from: The True Crime Guys The Fall Line Hillbilly Horror Stories Not Perfect or Functional Happy Holidays!

On Christmas Eve day, 2002, an 8-month pregnant woman went missing from her home. A large-scale search was started right away, but suspicion immediately fell upon her husband, Scott Peterson. This episode will be a little different for OUAC. I have a special co-host, Yolanda Norris from the Not Perfect or Functional Podcast who will be discussing the case with me. Yolanda is my sister so this is a real holiday treat for me - and I hope it will be for you too! Also, while you may think you know...

We're talking Black Friday Madness, Grinchy burglars, and more true crime holiday craziness on this special holiday edition episode. Hear holiday greetings from some of my pod friends including Canadian True Crime, True Crime Garage, Southern Fried True Crime, Insight Podcast, True Crime Island, Murder Road Trip, The Cleaning of John Doe, Killifornia Dreaming and Done Disappeared.

We kick our true crime holiday season with stores of Santas who go bad. #Christmascrime #badsantas #historicalcrime

Two cousins from a prominent and wealthy family seek revenge on their own relatives and turn to murder. Resources: Books: Bitter Blood: A True Story of Southern Family Pride, Madness and Multiple Murder by Jerry Bledsoe Movies/Television: In the Best of Families: Marriage, Pride and Madness (Also known as "Bitter Blood") starring Harry Hamlin and Kelly McGillis (1994)

A mother-son team of grifters turns to murder to get away with their financial schemes. #serialkillers #SanteKimes #KennyKimes #conartists Patreon: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

One of the most prolific serial killer families in history was discovered in Jalisco, Mexico in 1964. This is the story of the Gonzalez Sisters. www.Patreon.com/onceuponacrime - become a Patron starting at only $2 month for merch, early release episode, series wrap-up discussions and bonus episodes.

Our new series "Murder in the Family" details cases where family members commit murder together. First up, the story of The Briley Brothers who went on an 8-month crime spree in Richmond Virginia.

As a special treat I'll share a couple of creepy urban legends...with a twist. These tales are actually based on true crime stories. Son of Sam, The Zodiac Killer, 3x Killer, The Watcher Podcast Recommendations: Murder Road Trip They Walk Among Us Ticklish Business

A pregnant mother dies as a result of a car accident. Thousands of Facebook friends mourn her loss. Could her whole life have been fabricated online? Chapter 2 tells the fascinating story of a case of Munchausen by Internet. Thanks to Taryn Harper Wright for her help with this episode. Find her at www.warriorelihoax.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/warriorelihoax.

Welcome to Once Upon A Crime, where I uncover the most elaborate and bizarre cases of deception. In this episode, we dive into the shocking story of an Australian woman, Belle Gibson— who built an empire on lies. Claiming to have cured her terminal cancer through holistic remedies, she gained fame, fortune, and a massive following. But the truth? It was all a carefully constructed hoax. Join me as we explore this disturbing case of Munchausen by Internet, unravel how Belle Gibson fooled th...

In our last chapter of "With Friends Like These" four young people are gunned down in Clear Lake City, Texas. A bullied girl had been taken under their wing - did their kindness cost them their lives? Resources: Book: Never See Them Again by M. William Phelps

A woman goes missing in a small town in Tennessee. Soon, a kidnapper calls demanding a ransom. The communication from him becomes more bizarre and townspeople begin to believe the culprit might be one of their own community members.

A group of teens conspire to kill a young man - the best friend of one of the conspirators - in Hollywood, Florida in 1993. Resources: Book: Bully: A True Story of High School Revenge by Jim Schutze Movie (based on this case): Bully Link to Survey: http://survey.libsyn.com/onceuponacrime

Our new series "With Friends Like These" I detail cases where friends turn upon friends - and become deadly. The first is a case of high school jealousy. Kirsten Costas is attacked by a classmate in Orinda, California. Recommendations for other true crime podcasts: Kiwi Crimes (New Zealand Crimes) Canadian True Crime S'laughter (UK Crimes)

Marie Hilley poisons her husband to death and attempts to kill her daughter in Alabama. When her crime is discovered she goes on the run. What she does next is one of the most bizarre tales of true crime in U.S. history. Resources: Book: Poisoned Blood by Philip E. Ginsburg Television show: American Monster - Alabama Murder Mystery

The story of Marie Hilley's life is one of the most strange and bizarre true crime cases I've encountered. There are so many twists and turns in this case that I've split it into two parts. Once Upon a Crime Podcast Fan Page on Facebook

Our second chapter focuses on a case of Munchausen by Proxy - but this time the perpetrator is a health care worker preying on unsuspecting hospital patients. Beverley Allitt was a British serial killer dubbed "The Angel of Death". Many believe she killed because she had Munchausen's Syndrome. Others simply believe she was an evil person who used her position to attack the most vulnerable - the young and helpless.