Family Annihilators Killer Kids Multi-part Episodes

Episode 169: Last Dance: The Pelley Murders - Part 2

This is Part 2 of "The Pelley Murders".  In this episode I'll tell you about Jeff Pelley's trial, theories of the murders, and give you a strange and compelling story about who else may have been responsible for the murders of Bob Pelley and his...

Family Annihilators Killer Kids Multi-part Episodes

Episode 168: Last Dance: The Pelley Murders - Part 1

A 17-year-old is suspected in the murder of four of his family members because he was forbidden from attending his prom.  Was this a case of a homicidal teen or a rush to judgement?  Resources:  The Prom Night Murders: The True Story of...

Killer Kids

Episode 167: Last Dance: Adam Sapikowski

In this series, "Last Dance", I share stories of crimes that happened on prom night.  In the first episode, a teenager commits an act of parricide then attends his prom and holds a party at the crime scene.  Resources:  Adam Sapikowski...

Child Abuse/Domestic Violence International Crimes Killer Kids

Episode 166: StepMonsters - Joshua and Jerome Ellis

An abusive stepfather gets his comeuppance when his stepsons turn on him resulting in a grisly murder.  Resources: "Joshua and Jerome Ellis guilty of stepfather killing", BBC News, Feb 26, 2014.  "Kids Who Kill: Responsible Child inspired by...

Child Abuse/Domestic Violence International Crimes

Episode 165: StepMonsters: Tracey Wright

A child, unwanted from birth and neglected by her birth parents, is hopeful that her new stepmother will love her like a daughter. It is not to be and her story will become a cautionary tale in the U.K. of how the child protective system spectacularly...

Child Abuse/Domestic Violence Missing Persons

Episode 164: StepMonsters: The Disappearance of Charlie Bothuell

In our new series, “StepMonsters,” I’ll share stories of bad stepparents whose actions became true crime news.  In this first episode I'll share the story of a young boy who went missing and was found in a very unlikely place.  Was he...

Historical Crimes Killer Spouses

Episode 163: Swan Songs: Evelyn Dick

A gruesome crime would become a media sensation in Canada in 1946 when a beautiful young woman was accused of the grisly murder.  This is the case of the infamous Evelyn Dick and the Torso Murder of 1946. Link to listen to the song "Evelyn Dick"...

Abductions/Kidnapping Sex Crimes/Rape

Episode 162: Swan Songs - Gerald Friend - "Polly"

In 1991, Kurt Cobain released a song on the album Nevermind. Titled "Polly" the song was inspired by a kidnapping and rape of a young girl in Tacoma, Washington.  This is the story of that crime. Listen to "Polly" by Nirvana here: ...

Murder Sex Crimes/Rape

Episode 161: Swan Songs: Jennifer Levin

A young girl is brutally murdered in New York's Central Park in 1986. Her killer, Robert Chambers, would be dubbed "The Preppy Killer" in the press and his victim's name would be dragged through the mud. This is the real story of "The Preppy Murder"...

Mysteries

Episode 160: Swan Songs: Katherine Korzilius

The mysterious death of a young girl inspires Jon Bon Jovi to record a song dedicated to her.  This is the case of Katherine Korzilius.  Resources used in the research for this episode:  Unsolved Mysteries, Season 10: Episode 7 - ...

Family Annihilators Historical Crimes Killer Kids

Episode 159: Bad Seeds: Leslie Arnold

In Nebraska, in 1958, a high school junior holds animosity towards his mother and takes deadly revenge.  He is caught and imprisoned and, years later, disappears for decades.  Where is Leslie Arnold today?  Resources used in the...

Family Annihilators Historical Crimes Killer Kids

Episode 158: Bad Seeds: Lowell Lee Andrews

In Kansas in 1958, an 18-year-old kills both of his parents and his only sibling. Was it a case of greed, mental illness, or was Andrews just a "bad seed"?   #parricide #InColdBlood #TheBrothersKaramazov #deathrow #familyannihilators ...

Killer Kids

Episode 157: Bad Seeds: Marlene Olive

In 1975, a rebellious teen enlists her boyfriend to kill her parents in a small, Northern California town. The gruesome crime would be dubbed "The Barbecue Murders" in the press.  Sources:  "Kill My Parents: The story of Marlene Olive" by...

Female Killers Serial Killers

Episode 156: Behind the Crime: Aileen Wuornos

In this special episode I'll do an in-depth look at the infamous serial killer Aileen Wuornos.   Time stamps: Early Life: 02:41 Teen Years: 13:25 Young Adult Life: 32:17 On the Road: 35:30 Criminal Activity: 36:12 Tyra: 47:30 The Victims: 55:57...

Bonus Episodes

Bonus Episode: Happy New Year from Once Upon a Crime

On this bonus episode I share the highs and lows for 2019, list the top episodes of last year, talk about upcoming events and share the last word on the 2019 plagiarism scandal.   Links: Let's Taco 'Bout True Crime -   Facebook Fan Group - ...

Child Victims Guest-hosts Murder Mysteries

Episode 155: Analyzing the JonBenet Ramsey Case with Jack Luna

On this special episode my guest is Jack Luna from Dark Topic and 911 Calls with the Operator.  We discuss the evidence and theories behind the JonBenet Ramsey Case. Sources:  Foreign Faction: Who Really Killed JonBenet? by A. James Kolar, Ventus...

Guest-hosts

Episode 154: The Mysterious Death of Mrs. Jerry Lee Lewis w/Erica Kelly

On this special episode, I discuss the death of Shawn Stephens Lewis. Shawn was the fifth wife of Jerry Lee Lewis, the rock and country music star.  When Shawn Lewis was found dead in Lewis's mansion on August 24, 1983, many questions would...

Q&A Episode

Episode 153: AMA and Case Updates for 2019

On this year-end wrap up episode, I answer listener questions and share updates on cases I've covered in past episodes.  Sponsors:  Detective Trapp:   Native Deodorant:  - use promo code ONCE for 20% off your first order. ...

Abductions/Kidnapping Bizarre Crimes Female Killers Fugitives

Episode 152: Fugitives from Justice: Ruth Eisemann-Schier

In this last episode about fugitives on the run from the law I tell you the story of the very first woman ever to make the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List.  Ruth Eisemann-Schier, along with her boyfriend, Gary Krist, carried out a bizarre kidnapping...

Fugitives Sex Crimes/Rape

Episode 151: Fugitives from Justice: Alex Kelly

A young man from a wealthy family is accused of committing two rapes while still in high school. Before he could be tried on these charges he'd flee the jurisdiction and disappear for eight years before finally being brought to justice....

Female Killers Fugitives

Episode 150: Fugitives from Justice: Nazira Ugalde and Brenda Delgado

In this episode I’ll share two separate cases of women who became part of a very small and exclusive club - women who made the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List.   Nazira Ugalde killed for financial gain and flees to South America.  A young...

Abductions/Kidnapping Fugitives

Episode 149: Fugitives from Justice: Jesse James Hollywood

A small time drug dealer kidnaps a rival's younger brother in order to settle a debt.  The unfolding series of events would become one of California's most bizarre and tragic kidnapping cases on record and would even inspire an award-winning...

Celebrity Crime Hauntings/Horror

Episode 148: Rocktober: Rock and Roll Haunts

In this episode I dig into my file of spooky stories to share some haunted happenings in the world of rock and roll.   #themansionatlaurelcanyon #redhotchilipeppers #slipknot #hauntedhouses #bonscott #joshuatreeinn #halloween...

Celebrity Crime

Episode 147: Rocktober: The Bob Marley Assassination Attempt

Bob Marley went from singing R&B harmonies in Trenchtown, Kingston, Jamaica to becoming a pioneer of reggae music, bringing his own blend of reggae, rock and ska music to a global audience. But as a popular figure in Jamaica, he was...

Celebrity Crime

Episode 146: Rocktober: Altamont, The Rolling Stone and The Hells Angels

A free concert took place in northern California in December of 1969 featuring The Rolling Stones.  It would descend into chaos due to poor planning, rampant drug use and the ill-advised use of the Hells Angels as concert security.  ...

Bizarre Crimes Hoaxes And Frauds

Episode 145: Taunting Terrors: Ruth Finley and The Poet

A woman begins receiving harassing phone calls and letters from a stalker.  It would take years to discover who the anonymous man was, but when he was finally identified a shocking secret would be revealed.  Several resources were used in...

Abductions/Kidnapping Murder Serial Killers

Episode 144: Taunting Terrors: Susan Jaeger

A 7-year-old goes missing while on a family camping trip in 1973.  Anonymous calls would be placed demanding a ransom, but, the trail would grow cold until exactly one year later when the kidnapper would call her mother to brag about taking her...

Abductions/Kidnapping Murder

Episode 143: Taunting Terrors: Little Gregory and The Crow

In a small French village, a little boy goes missing and the family receives anonymous letters from a person taking responsibility who is dubbed "The Crow".  This strange case could be considered the Jon Benet Ramsey case of France.  ...

Abductions/Kidnapping Serial Killers

Episode 142: Taunting Terrors: Shari Faye Smith

A young girl goes missing in South Carolina in 1985.  Soon after, her kidnapper would begin calling her family - but not to make demands for her safe return, but only to cruelly taunt them.  This is the first chapter in the series "Taunting...

Celebrity Crime Hauntings/Horror

Episode 141: Cursed Hollywood: The Poltergeist Curse

A horror film franchise is seemingly cursed when it experiences tragedies including hauntings, serious accidents, fatal illness and murder.   Today's sponsors: Italic -  - Use offer code ONCE for $15 off your purchase.  NutraThrive - ...

Celebrity Crime

Episode 140: Cursed Hollywood: The Little Rascals

From 1922 to the 1940s over 40 child actors would be cast in a popular series of short films and many of them would later fall victim to strange accidents, illnesses, drug addiction, financial hardship, murder and suicide.  This is The Curse of...

Celebrity Crime Mysteries

Episode 139: Cursed Hollywood: The Curse of Superman

Every manifestation of the Man of Steel - comic books, television shows and films - has been marked by bad blood, shattered careers, tragic accidents and even murder.  This is the Curse of Superman.  Several resources were used in the...

Celebrity Crime

Episode 138: Cursed Hollywood: Diff'rent Strokes

Three child actors become stars after being cast in the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes in 1978.  But, all three would go on to live troubled adult lives including drug addiction, legal troubles and untimely death.  These are the stories of Todd...

Female Killers Killer Spouses

Episode 137: Deadly Therapy - Susan Polk

Susan Polk enters into a relationship with her therapist when she is a young girl. Years later, after 20 years of marriage, she will claim she has been abused by her husband for decades.  After he is found dead in their guest house the question...

Bizarre Crimes Murder

Episode 136: Deadly Therapy: Terrance Cottrell

A mother seeks help for her special needs child, but a church prayer service ends tragically.   Several resources were used in the research for this episode including: Book: True Stories of Law and Order by Kevin Dwyer and Jure Fiorillo ...

Bizarre Crimes Murder

Episode 135: Deadly Therapy - Candace Newmaker

In the second chapter of the series "Deadly Therapy" a young girl who grows up in an unstable home is placed up for adoption.  Her adoptive mother finds her behavior problematic and has her undergo a new and controversial therapy - with tragic...

Bizarre Crimes

Episode 134: Deadly Therapy: James Arthur Ray

In this month's series, "Deadly Therapy", I’ll detail cases of people who sought help from experts, but rather than receiving healing and transformation, their journeys came to an abrupt and deadly end.  In this first chapter, you’ll hear how...

Bizarre Crimes

Episode 133: Twin Terrors: Sunny and Gina Han

Identical twin sisters, Sunny and Gina Han were lifelong rivals.  One sister's jealousy would lead her to plot her twin's murder.    Several sources were used in the research for this episode including:  Court Transcripts: People...

Bonus Episodes Interviews

Once Upon a Crime LIVE at CrimeCon 2019

In this bonus episode, I interview Jan Broberg and Skye Borgman about their documentary film "Abducted in Plain Sight" LIVE at CrimeCon 2019 in New Orleans. #AbductedinPlainSight #truecrimedocumentary #CrimeCon2019

Bonus Episodes

Bonus Episode - CrimeCon 2019 and Travel Tales

On this bonus episode I take you along with me to CrimeCon 2019 in New Orleans and my travels to New York City and Toronto for the Toronto True Crime Film Festival.   #CrimeCon #NewOrleans #TorontoTrueCrimeFilmFestival #truecrimedocumentaries...

Bizarre Crimes International Crimes

Episode 132: Twin Terrors: The Gibbons Sisters - Part 2

I continue the story of the Gibbons Sisters - twins who were locked in a battle their entire lives. Neither believed they could survive without the other, but controlled each other so completely they only spoke to or associated with one another....

Bizarre Crimes International Crimes

Episode 131: Twin Terrors: The Gibbons Sisters - Part 1

June and Jennifer Gibbons were identical twins who, from a very young age, were so bonded to one another that they created their own “twin language” to communicate speaking only to one another.  They rejected any other relationships...