Spooky season continues, and today we discuss some of the most famous curses in history.  We talk about the history of India’s Koh-i-Noor diamond, the sacred site of Uluru, the car that ended James Dean’s life, and a deadly chair. This episode is sponsored by Best Fiends: http://www.bestfiends.com E130: Cursed Objects

Today we’re talking about Urban Legends…the lies we tell for the thrill of a scare. Annie & Johanna share the creepiest, most hair raising tales of terror from around the world for the first episode in the spookiest month. So sit back, relax…and don’t forget to check the backseat! E129: Urban Legends

In the summer of 1928 workers find the burning body of a woman in a Viennese park. Who is the victim and who murdered her? And is this really an unsolved case? This week Johanna tells you the story of Katharina Fellner who was murdered at the Lainzer Tiergarten. E128: Katharina Fellner

In early 1917, the people of Wilkes-Barre, PA were terrified by a attacker who was stalking young women and cutting off locks of their hair. Fear turned to hysteria as young women and girls received terrifying letters warning them they would be next, their hair often cut at the scalp. Would police catch the person responsible... Continue Reading →

Mary Catherine Edwards was a beautiful, beloved second grade teacher. Her brutal murder in 1995 was devastating for her friends and family, and shocked her hometown Beaumont, Texas. The case was cold for 26 years until just recently, when a DNA match through an ancestry site gave detectives their first lead.  This episode is sponsored... Continue Reading →

Grace Mae Brown was the bright beautiful daughter of a family who ran a dairy farm in South Otselic, NY. Today Annie tells us about her cold blooded murder in the beautiful Adirondacks, and the sensational trial that followed.  Outro: Arthur Collins "Bill Baley, Won't You Please Come Home?" (1902)

In the Spring of 1922, a family living on a picturesque farm in France was devastated when their lovely 2 year old daughter went missing one day, in broad daylight. A month later the grieving family had a visit from the police who came with a photograph and news that their daughter had been found... Continue Reading →

Today Annie completes the story of the school bus full of children who were kidnapped, and buried alive in a remote area in California’s Alameda County. E123: Chowchilla 2

1976, Chowchilla, California: a school bus with 26 children and the driver on board just vanishes on a hot summer day. Annie tells us the story of the Chowchilla Kidnapping. This episode is sponsored by Best Fiends: http://www.bestfiends.com E122: Chowchilla Kidnapping 1

Today we read some of our favorite listener stories. These Hellions made us laugh and cry, and today we are sharing their stories with you! E121: Listener stories

Sugar can be a real killer, but usually not quite like this… We discuss the 1858 mass poisoning of more than 200 people in Bradford, England. The deadly consequences when an inert is accidentally replaced with arsenic, and the tragic aftermath E120: Humbug Billy

E119: Roos

Evelyn Grace Hartley was a 15 year old girl, who was abducted in 1953 while babysitting, in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. Annie tells Johanna the details of this terrifying, baffling, still unsolved case E118: Evelyn Grace Hartley

We have a lot of differences, but we both love the beauty, art, architecture and macabre aspects that come when visiting a historic place of worship, and today Johanna tells Annie about the famous St. Stephen’s cathedral in Vienna. This magnificent building’s mosaic tile roof might first catch your eye, but join us as Johanna... Continue Reading →

Today we discuss two cases of Reincarnation that we find particularly compelling.A child in America with memories of his death as a navy pilot in World War 2 is discussed, as well as the story of a woman from the, UK who used hypnosis to help retrieve childhood memories, and track down the surviving children... Continue Reading →

Johanna tells Annie about the devastating and infuriating murder of 8 year old Lucie Berlin. The trial was also notable, as some of the blood evidence presented in court was a first in the history of forensics E115: Lucie Berlin

We are back, this week with a bonus episode. Annie had the great pleasure to be a guest on Crimelines, True Crime. Charlie and Annie talk about the new developments in the mysterious case of the Lady of the Dunes. Will we soon learn the true identity of this unforgotten Jane Doe?

We talked about their lives, and deaths. But what happened to Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Katherine Parr after their deaths? This week we talk about their funerals, or lack thereof, and the places they allegedly haunt. And did they, in fact, rest in peace? E114

As some of you are starting to plan for future trips, we thought we could give you a few travel suggestions. From haunted hotels to the Door to Hell, we got you covered. This episode is sponsored by Best Fiends: http://www.bestfiends.com E113

This week Johanna tells Annie all about a Japanese singer, who landed a smash hit all around the world with his first solo single, and also about his tragic death in the deadliest single aircraft accident, that caused the death of 520 people. E112: Kyu Sakamoto Link to flight voice recorder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfh9-ogUgSQ

This week we take a look at some of the lighter spookier coincidences we know of.  Did Mark Twin predict his own death?  What are the coincidences between Lincoln & Kennedy? How does nature vs. nurture play a role in the story of the Jim Twins? Can Sir Anthony Hopkins please confirm a rumor about his role... Continue Reading →

This week Johanna tells Annie the story of the Beast of Gévaudan, who is thought to be responsible for over 100 deaths. But what, or who, was this creature that haunted the remote French region in the middle of the 18th century? E110: The Beast of Gévaudan

Known as the ‘Merry Widow of Weymouth,’ by the police who were occasionally called to end parties, Grayce Asquith was a woman who had survived a lot of loss, but had found happiness again, only to be brutally murdered and dismembered, at the age of 41.John Lyons, the man she intended to marry, was missing,... Continue Reading →

This is considered to be the first high profile missing person case of the US. What happened to New York socialite Dorothy Arnold, who disappeared in December of 1910, after she bought a box of chocolate? This episode is brought to you by Best Fiends: http://www.bestfiends.com E108: Dorothy Arnold

This is part two of a two part episode covering the unsolved 1981 murders that rocked a small Northern California town, the former Keddie resort. Annie tells Johanna about Glenna Sue Sharp and her five kids. Their dream of starting a fresh life had come true, but they were only there for five months when... Continue Reading →

This is part one of a two part episode covering the unsolved 1981 murders that rocked a small Northern California town, the former Keddie resort. Annie tells Johanna about Sue Sharp and her five kids. Their dream of starting a fresh life had come true, but they were only there for five months when they... Continue Reading →

Johanna and Annie discuss the events surrounding the disappearance of three lighthouse keepers on a desolate island off the windswept coast of Scotland. Was there a supernatural force at play, or a more pragmatic explanation? Join us as we discuss the theories and please share your own thoughts with us as we discuss this enduring... Continue Reading →

Johanna tells Annie the story of Mathias Kneißl, a Bavarian folk legend from the 1800’s. How did this accordion playing carpenter become a killer, and wanted man? Did he manipulate the system, or was he a victim of it?  E103: Kneißl

In today's episode we are discussing the lives and deaths of wives 4, 5 & 6: Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Katherine Parr E102: Six Wives part II

Today Annie & Johanna cover the highlights of the lives and deaths of the six women who married King Henry VIII. In today’s episode we’ll discuss Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, and what King Henry was really like. E101: Six Wives part I

Today we’re celebrating our 100th episode by sharing some of your stories of murder, mystery and the macabre. CW: this episode touched on suicide, addiction, and other difficult topics, listener discretion is advised! E100

Today we conclude the Sylvia Likens case by telling you about the abuse and torture she suffered during the weeks leading up to her death. We also discuss the trial that followed and the aftermath. This episode is particularly difficult to listen to! E99: Sylvia Likens II

This case is still considered to be one of the most horrendous crimes in the State of Indiana. In 1965, 16 year old Sylvia Likens had to endure months of torture and abuse by a woman who was supposed to take care of her. But Gertrude Baniszewski was not the onl< one involved in this... Continue Reading →

Annie tells Johanna about a long forgotten murder on the beautiful island of Bermuda. This is a tragic case of domestic abuse and murder, at the hands of her husband, Edward Skeeters...perhaps with a supernatural twist? You decide if it was coincidence or something unexplained that gave the lovely, kind Anna the justice she deserved,... Continue Reading →

When the Thorne family, of Bondi, won the 10th Opera House lottery their lives changed overnight.  But instead of a dream come true that helped their hardworking family, the lotto win quickly became a nightmare when their 8 year old son, Graeme was taken on his way to school. The kidnapping of Graeme Thorne shocked... Continue Reading →

Johanna takes Annie back to the Habsburg era, to discuss one of Austria’s serial killers, Hugo Schenk. This imposter, con-man and murderer was charming, brutal and ruthless, and he didn’t work alone. Most infuriating? His motive.       This eispde is sponsored by Best Fiends: http://www.bestfiends.com E95: Hugo Schenk

In this episode we read back through some of the top headlines of 2020, most of which are...not good. We discuss some of the major events in a particularly awful year and conclude with some of the more interesting New year's traditions around the world. Join us and remember everything we survived this year E94:... Continue Reading →

What started as a run of the mill burglary on Christmas Eve would end in one of the most violent attacks this small town in Illinois would ever witness. Soon the question would be: Who is the hunter and who is the prey?! Talking about children with violent tendencies is never easy, especially during the... Continue Reading →

It was Christmas Eve 1945, when a fire destroyed the home of George and Jennie Sodder, where they lived with their 10 children. The remains of 5 of their children could not be found. What happened to Maurice, Martha, Louis, Jennie and Betty. This episode is brought to you by https://www.springrooskin.com/ E92: The Sodder Children

It was on Christmas Day 1929, when Charles D. Lawson went on a 20 min killing spree, that resulted in the death of almost his entire family. What had caused this horrendous crime? This episode is sponsored by Best Fiends: www.bestfiends.com Outro: "The Murder of the Lawson Family" by Carolina Buddies E91: Lawson family

This week we discuss some of the more disturbing early medical treatments, how witches played a role in healing, and why you might want to spend some quality time neck deep in a whale carcass. From early forms of contraception and abortion to literally blowing smoke up your arse, we’ll discuss it, in this episode,... Continue Reading →

Today Annie & Johanna conclude their discussion of the Madeleine McCann case. We travel from the UK to Portugal and finally to Germany, where Madeleine’s likely killer is behind bars for an unrelated crime. We discuss the ‘man’ the German authorities refer to as Christian B, his disturbing criminal past, and share our final thoughts... Continue Reading →

In a departure from their more usual episodes, Annie and Johanna discuss the 2007 disappearance of British 3 year old, Madeleine McCann, while her family were on holiday in Portugal. E88: Madeleine McCann

This week Johanna tells Annie about an Austrian police officer, forced to use his weapon on the job. But this was no simple officer involved shooting.  You will also learn, how this case ties in with last week's episode, the murder of Ilse Moschner. This story is sad and dark! Psychiatrische Soforthilfe für Wien (24h... Continue Reading →

In this, our second annual Halloween episode, we share our own and our listener's stories of the unexplained, the weird, the inspiring, and of course, the spooky... Cover art: Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels E85: Halloween2020

Two women the same age are murdered on the same day, in the same place, but over 150 years apart...Annie & Johanna share the details of the tragic unsolved murders of Mary Ashford & Barbara Forrest, and discuss the shocking similarity in the two crimes that have perhaps literally haunted Erdington, England for the past... Continue Reading →

Today Annie & Johanna are talking about some of the lesser known ghost ships! What happened to the crew of the Sea Bird- do you think the fictional story printed in an 1885 newspaper is close to the truth? Do the stories of ships like the Octavius and Gloriana, found with their crew frozen solid,... Continue Reading →

The Babysitter and the Man Upstairs is one of the urban legends that scared Annie the most as a kid. And like many urban legends, this one has a true story, a terrible murder, that inspired it, and terrified the people of Columbia Missouri. Annie tells Johanna the legend and the unsolved murders of 20... Continue Reading →

Beware! Spooky Fuckery Season is upon us and we decided to start off the month of October with a light hearted epsiode about Austrian Ghosts. Johanna talks about a White Lady and a Red Ivan, who both live at Burg Bernstein. She also tells the legend of a highway ghost, and about 3 famous ghosts,... Continue Reading →

In the second part, Annie talks about the case, that started her research: ther murder of Josie Langmaid. Was her brutal death connected to the murders of the Fountie women and Marietta Ball? Was Joseph LaPage indeed a serial killer? Outro: Suncook Town Tragedy by Mabel Wilson Tatro E80

Once more, Annie went down a rabbit hole. What she thought to be a horrible,yet straight forward murder case turned out to be the possible spree of a serial killer. A pre-Jack the Ripper serial killer, on the loose in New England and Canada. This two part case is not for the faint of heart.... Continue Reading →

This week we are returning to Floreana to tell you the rest of the story surrounding Dr. Friedrich Ritter and Dore Strauch. New settlers come to the island: not only the family Wittmer from Germany, but also a mysterious Austrian Baroness with her two lovers and big plans. How will this tropical soap opera end? ... Continue Reading →

The roaring 20s brought jazz, the modern woman, flapper fashion and bathtub gin. But one misanthropic German couple decided to leave all material possessions behind and run away to a deserted island in the Galapagos, where they would start a new life, dedicated to the study of Nietzsche. Instead they found a hard unforgiving life... Continue Reading →

Annie & Johanna discuss the weird, wonderful and often macabre history of the Empire State Building, including its record breaking construction, infamous and tragic suicides, the B-25 bomber crash, seances, and more. This episode will have you ready with disturbing facts to delight your friends and family with the next time you visit the Big... Continue Reading →

macabre Today Annie and Johanna discuss the many ways you might be tortured to death in medieval times. Meet the Iron Maiden, the Spanish Donkey, the Scavenger's Daughter and many more E75: Torture

Annie tells Johanna about the tragic, unsolved murder of millionaire championship dog breeder, Cam Lyman. A member of one of the elite Boston Brahmin families, Cam was only 54 when he was killed, likely killed by someone he knew, and trusted. This episode is sponsored by http://www.podcorn.com

Johanna is back and tells Annie about an Austrian case from 2016. A fight between neighbors gone deadly. If you have information on the murder of Frauke Liebs, please visit Frauke-liebs.de E73: Neighbors

Annie discusses the tragic death of Caleb Schwab on Schlitterbahn’s Verrückt Waterslide in Kansas City, Kansas. Also covered is Action Park in Vernon, New Jersey, the water park with so many injuries, they had to buy new ambulances for the local hospital.

macabre E71: Waterparks

Today Johanna tells Annie the tragic and terrifying 1981 case of kidnapped 10 year old, Ursula Herrmann in Bavaria, Germany. What happened to this bright beautiful child on her way home from her cousin’s house, only a 15 minute bike ride? We’ll tell you everything. E70: Ursula Herrmann

murder Annie tells Johanna about the brutal unsolved murder of 19 year old co-ed Peggy Andrews in Columbus, Ohio E69: Peggy Andrews

Today Johanna tells Annie the rest of the horrific details of the crimes of (alleged) serial killer, Jack Unterweger, who murdered women in Europe and the United States. Do you think he’s guilty? This episode is sponsored by http://www.podcorn.com E68: Jack Unterweger pt.II

In the early morning hours of Valentine's Day, 2000, a bright, beautiful 9 year old girl left her home, and walked out into a storm, never to be seen again. Today Annie tells Johanna about the mysterious disappearance of Asha Jaquilla Degree, who disappeared from her loving family in North Carolina twenty years ago. What... Continue Reading →

This week Johanna tells Annie everything she needs to know about the beginings of the most notorious Austrian serial killer: Jack Unterweger E66: Unterweger I

murder The murder of a young, beautiful aspiring stage actress, known as Gay Gibson, shocked post WWII England, and the tabloids were a welcome diversion from the austerity of England in the late 1940s, especially   due to the unusual circumstances of the case. The trial would be more about her past than her stolen future,... Continue Reading →

https://www.slamonline.com/the-magazine/where-to-donate-support-black-lives-matter/

In 2003 a precious sculpture was stolen from the Museum of Art History in Vienna. Was it a meticulously planned heist or was the thief just lucky? And what even is this world famous Saliera exactly, who was the man behind the master piece and how did it end up in Vienna in the first... Continue Reading →

murder Today Johanna tells Annie about Theresia Kandl, an Austrian murderer, whose story has become almost legend through the years. Did a Theresia carry her dead husband halfway through Vienna? Did she have help? Are her remains really on display at the Kriminalmuseum? Join us as we discuss the life and death of an abused... Continue Reading →

Annie tells Johanna some of the fascinating history of St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States. From the 'discovery,' and colonization of Florida by Spain's famed explorers, Juan Ponce de Leon and Pedro Menendez de Aviles, to the first Underground Railroad, of Native people helping escaped slaves find freedom in Fort Mose...through the... Continue Reading →

In 2014 the 28 year old German tourist Lars Mittank disappears in Bulgaria and nobody knows what happened to him. What might have started with a fight between soccer fans ended in one of the most mysterious missing person cases. If you have any information about the whereabouts of Lars Mittank, please contact your local... Continue Reading →

macabre In the wake of the recent, tragic, mass shooting event in Nova Scotia, we thought we’d tell our listeners about one of the many times Nova Scotia, and the people of Canada managed to handle a time of crisis with dignity and great care. Canada was, of course, a safe refuge for countless air... Continue Reading →

In today's episode, we discuss the terrible tragedy of the Silver Bridge Collapse, and the local legend of the Mothman, the infamous cryptid who called Point Pleasant, West Virginia, home. What exactly was the Mothman? A monster, a mutant, or the most ineffienct harbinger of doom, ever? Let us know what you think! E59: Mothman

This week we want to distract you with two stories of people, who had to suffer through months and years of loneliness, despair and isolation, but who never gave up hope and lived through it. Ada Blackjack and Lt. Onoda Hiroo had to adapt to extremely harsh living conditions, but they just kept going! Outro:... Continue Reading →

macabre This week is the 26th anniversary of the hijacking of Fed Ex flight 705.What should have been a routine flight from Memphis to San Diego became an unbelievable fight for survival in the sky. Today Annie tells Johanna about the hero pilots of flight 705, and a plane that helped save their lives. This... Continue Reading →

This week we decided to talk about four of the most bizarre moments in history, that hold some humor....dark humor! The unexpected death of Aeschylus, Tycho Brahe's unusual pet, the day Napoleon had to retreat from a fluffy army and the chaos that was the first Olympic marathon on US soil, during the Olympic games... Continue Reading →

murder In this episode we are taking you back to the year 1770, when an Austrian farmer's wife was set on trial for the murder of her husband. They had only been married for a little over a month. Eva Faschaunerin was the last victim of judicial torture in the Habsburg Monarchy. This episode is... Continue Reading →

murder In 1970 Elmer Crawford spent a lot of time planning the murder of his wife and three children...this Family Annihilator almost got away with his plan to play the grieving husband and father...but even though one mistake made it clear he was the killer, would he ever be brought to justice? Annie tells Johanna... Continue Reading →

mystery Vermont is one of the most pastoral picturesque states in America, known for its covered bridges, cheese, stunning fall foliage, delicious maple syrup, winter sports, and a series of mysterious disappearances amd deaths in and around Bennington between 1945 and 1950. The Bennington Triangle is believed to be at the source of the mysterious... Continue Reading →

mystery In 1977, the Enfield Poltergeist tormented a North London family and remains, arguably, the most documented poltergeist case to date. Flying LEGO’s and superheated marbles, levitation, apparitions... this case has everything! You voted for this topic for our 1st anniversary episode, so join us as we discuss our listener choice, The Enfield Poltergeist, the... Continue Reading →

murder This week Johanna tells Annie about the life and crimes of the sadistic Austrian spree killer, Werner Kniesek, and the tragic murder of the Altreiter family. Could these murders have been prevented? This episode is sponsored by Best Fiends: https://bestfiends.com/ E51: Kniesek

murder In this episode we cover the terrible axe murder that put the small town of Villisca, Iowa on the map. We’ll discuss the murder that destroyed both the Moore family and the Stillinger family, and explore the clues left behind by the killer. We’ll talk about the most likely suspects, and try to decide whether... Continue Reading →

murder In 1911 and 1912 there was a series of murders, all near train tracks, through the Rocky Mountains region to the Midwest. Today we discuss these horrific crimes leading up to the axe murders in Villisca. Do you think they are all the same unknown serial killer?  This episode is sponsored by Podcorn. For more... Continue Reading →

In 1991, Isaac Wright Jr. was wongfully convicted and faced a life in prison. But he kept going and fought for justice, not only for himself, but also for fellow inmates. After 7 years his charges were finally dismissed and Isaac Wright Jr. set out to study law and to become an advocate for people... Continue Reading →

murder 54 hours! That's how long it took to end the Gladbeck Hostage Crisis, that started as a bank robbery gone wrong and ended in three deaths: Emanuele de Giorgi, Silke Bischoff and Ingo Hagen.This week Johanna talks about this crime, that took place in August 1988, and about the role the media played in... Continue Reading →

macabre We're headed back to Victorian London as we discuss John Snow and the discoveries he made regarding the spread of cholera.We discuss horrifically overcrowded cemeteries, body bugs, dancing on the dead at Enon Chapel, and take you on a ride on the London Necropolis Railroad. This episode is sponsored by Ballsy. Use promo code... Continue Reading →

murder In 1953 Teddington, England, was a town buzzing about the upcoming coronation of Elizabeth II. After the long hard years of World War II, the nation was looking forward to celebrating, and very few people in the charming town on the Thames realized a brutal rapist and murderer was on the loose. This is... Continue Reading →

In the second part, Annie and Johanna talk about the murder of Empress Elisabeth I. in Geneva and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Duchess Sophie in Sarajevo, which ultimately started WW I.  E34: Habburg Tragedies part II

The Habsburg dynasty ruled Austria for 640 years. In this two part episode we focus on the last decades of the dying empire. This week Annie and Johanna talk about the tragic and scandalous deaths of Crown Prince Rudolf and his 17 year old mistress Mary Vetsera. E44: Habsburg part I

New year - new promo! Feel free to share...

murder In 1963 a brutal murder took place in the Viennese Staatsoper. The victim of the crime, that shocked the whole nation, was a 10 year old ballet student.  E43: Dagmar Fuhrich

On December 24, 1988, Sergeant Al Powell, of the LAPD would face the most difficult day of his long and storied career on the force. Join us, as we reflect on the shocking and tragic hostage situation that turned strangers into friends and terrorists into thieves. E42: Al Powell

macabre Wait, is spontaneous combustion really a thing? Annie decides to finally look into the subject of people spontaneously bursting into flame and burning to ash, and she’s going to tell Johanna everything.  E41: SHC

murder Martha Marek survived a deeply troubling childhood, and emerged a beautiful young woman who loved a nice carpet almost as much as she loved rat poison. Johanna tells Annie a twisted tale of greed, quality carpets, sincerely shocking levels of fraud, and of course...murder. E40: Martha Marek

In this episode we do not only talk about the Krampus, we also face our childhood holiday traumas and begin to heal. Join Annie and Johanna in this rather chatty episode, when they laugh in the face of the Krampus!  E39: Krampus

macabre On Thanksgiving weekend, after a shocking upset at a Boston Collge vs. Holy Cross football game, the popular night spot, Cocoanut Grove, was the place to see and be seen. What should have been a joyous holiday weekend ended in unimaginable horror. Annie tells the story of one of the most devastating fires in... Continue Reading →

murder Somewhere along a picturesque highway in the mountains of West Virginia is a sign that reads, “Interred in nearby cemetery is Zona Heaster Shue. Her death in 1897 was presumed natural until her spirit appeared to her mother to describe how she was killed by her husband Edward. Autopsy on the exhumed body verified... Continue Reading →

mystery In 2007 a young man disappeared in Vienna, never to be seen again. Since then his mother is trying to find answers to the question "What happened to Aeryn Gillern?".  E36: Aeryn Gillern

murder It was the biggest crime story in New Jersey since the Lindbergh kidnapping.In 1971, the entire List Family was found murdered, execution style in their sprawling, empty mansion known as Breeze Knoll. The only missing family member was John List, the son, husband and father of the victims. You may have heard this story... Continue Reading →

In this special episode Annie and Johanna talk about their paranormal encounters and read letters sent in by the audience.  E34: Halloween

murder This week Annie tells Johanna the story of the Hammersmith Ghost Murder, a shocking tale of murder and mischief from the early 1800s that may still haunt the area to this day... E32: Hammersmith Ghost Murder

Listen to this little teaser episode, where we talk about ourselves, where we are from and how we ended up fascinated by murder, mysteries and the macabre.  You will also learn why beagles are not dogs, why Annie scares her husband and how we both ended up in prison! Teaser: Introduction