murder, mystery & the macabre
mystery
This week Johanna tells Annie about the mysterious disappearance and death of Frauke Liebs, the chilling and confounding continued phone calls from her, to her loved ones, and her tragic end. Was she another victim of the infamous Höxter Horror House?
murder
Everyone knows the story of the assassination of President Licoln, but what about the story of Clara Harris and Henry Rathbone, the couple who attended the play with them that fateful night? Annie tells Johanna this incredible true story of love, tragedy, madness, murder, and a ghost! This tale has everything, join us as we make this old news fresh again.
mystery
In February, 1959, 9 hikers from the Ural Polytechnical Institute embarked on a difficult hike into the Ural Mountains… they never came home.
Led by Igor Dyatlov, the pass where their bodies were recovered is now know known as the Dyatlov Pass Incident. One of the great mysteries of Soviet era, Johanna & Annie lay out the facts of the case and discuss what happened to make 9 experienced hikers cut themselves out of their tent and flee into the night, half dressed. This is one of our favorite unsolved mysteries, and, we think, one of the creepiest true stories we know.
macabre
Deadly wallpaper, exploding combs, burning ballerinas, murder bottles, and more macabre stories… Join us on a Victorian Death Trip, where we discuss all the horrible and shocking ways you could die in this fascinating era!
murder
Johanna tells Annie about the horror house of Höxter, Germany, where Wilfried and Angelika W. tortured and killed helpless victims. This is an incredibly sad and disturbing tale of abuse and murder. Listener discretion is advised.
murder
It was about 100 years ago that a killer known as the Axe Man terrorized New Orleans, and demanded that the Crescent City ‘jazz it,’ or get the axe. Annie & Johanna talk about the terrible attacks rocked the Big Easy and toast a widow who was pushed to the edge. Was the Axe-man really a demon from hell, or something a bit more…pedestrian? Laissez les terrifiant temps rouler!
In a very special episode we break from our usual format, and cover some of the murders, mysteries and macabre stories from countries our listeners are from.
In Malta, the murder of Sylvia King and the mysterious elongated skulls found in the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum.
In Greece, the 1991 disappearance of 21 month old Ben Needham.
In Puerto Rico, we talk about the the Aguadilla UFO incident.
In Venice, Italy, we cover the insane curse of the Palazzo Dario.
In Sweden, the case of the Atlas Vampire.
In Singapore, the horrific Toa Payoh Ritual Murders
In Poland we discuss Czocha Castle and the many, many hauntings that make this ‘Polish Hogwarts’ a place we now plan to visit.
murder
In the summer of 1974 a girl and her beagle found the badly decomposed body of a murdered woman in the dunes of Provincetown, Massachusetts, and it remains one of the Cape Cod’s most well known cold cases. Who was this woman? Was Whitey Bulger involved in her death? Might she be an extra in the film Jaws?
Annie, who is from Cape Cod, tells Johanna and Jam all about this baffling cold case.
Stay tuned to the end for a bonus ramble.
murder
War brings chaos, creating the perfect environment for a serial killer to prey on unsuspecting victims. Join us as Johanna tells Annie about the infamous Fritz Haarmann, who preyed upon post war Germany. This is the second part of her German Cannibal trilogy.
Annie tells Johanna about the tragic 2011 murder of 18 year old Lauren Astley, which happened on her street in Wayland, Massachusetts. We discuss the issue of breakup violence, especially in teenagers. Please join us as we discuss this terribly senseless murder and it’s aftermath.
mystery
Johanna covers the mysterious YOG’TZE incident, a mysterious death that has haunted Germany and the rest of Europe since the 80s. Was it murder or madness that caused the mysterious death of Günther Stoll. Don’t forget to tell us what you think…
mystery
This is the second and final part of the Rebecca Zahau case. In 2011, the affluent beach town of Coronado, California was rocked by not one, but two mysterious deaths, both at the historic Spreckles Mansion. Six year old Max Shacknai suffered a fatal fall, which some to this day believe was no accident. Days later, his father’s girlfriend, Rebecca Zahau, was found hanging from a balcony in the courtyard of the home. The circumstances around Rebecca’s death are disturbing and bizarre, to say the least… was she murdered, or did she take her own life, as the police claim?
mystery
In 2011, the affluent beach town of Coronado, California was rocked by not one, but two mysterious deaths, both at the historic Spreckles Mansion. Six year old Max Shacknai suffered a fatal fall, which some to this day believe was no accident. Days later, his father’s girlfriend, Rebecca Zahau, was found hanging from a balcony in the courtyard of the home. The circumstances around Rebecca’s death are disturbing and bizarre, to say the least… was she murdered, or did she take her own life, as the police claim?
macabre
We’ve been fascinated with mummies for as long as we can remember. Join us as we discuss ancient Egyptian mummification, the strange history of mummies through the Victorian era, and the amazing discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. Was the boy king murdered, and did opening the tomb unleash a terrible curse? We’ll tell you everything!
murder
This episode is not for the faint of heart! Johanna tells Annie about the grisley case of Karl Denke, one of the most gruesome cannibal cases in Germany.
mystery
Natalee Holloway vanished on the last night of her graduation trip, on the beautiful island of Aruba. Join us as we discuss her infamous and tragic disappearance, as well as the brutal and senseless murder of Stephany Flores Ramirez, by Joren van der Sloot.
murder
The shocking story of the Papin sisters is perhaps the most well known, and most horrific case of follie a deux, or twin madness. This famous French case devastated the Lancelin family, and rocked Le Mans, and the rest of Europe.
mystery
In June of 1980, Zigmund Adamski left his home to walk to the market to buy some produce for dinner. His family never saw him alive again. His body was found five days later, with strange burns, partially dressed and lying on his back on a pile of coal. What on Earth happened to this man? Was it something not of this Earth? One of the officers involved did have a close encounter, and that area of England is known for UFO activity…Join us as we get into the very strange case of the disappearance and death of Zigmund Adamski.
murder
Annie thought she knew everything about the gruesome and baffling Hinterkaifek case, until she covered it with Johanna, who speaks German. This unsolved family massacre is haunting and perplexing, creepy and disturbing. Join us as we go over this infamous and terrible unsolved case.
mystery
Annie realized she didn’t actually know this story, so she decided to cover it and learn everything. In part two we cover popular theories and the trial of Bruno Richard Hauptman, who many believe was innocent to this day. Join us for a deep dive on this infamous case.
mystery
Annie realized she didn’t actually know this story, so she decided to cover it and learn everything. In part one we cover the history of the Lindbergh’s and why they’d be a target for a kidnapping. We also talk about the kidnapping itself, the bizarre series of ransom notes, and the tragic conclusion. We also cover popular theories, and the trial of Bruno Richard Hauptman, who many believe was innocent to this day. Join us for a deep dive on this infamous case.
mmmhistory
The true story of the mutiny on The Bounty is one of Joanna’s favorite true stories of adventure and betrayal.
Annie thought it was about pirates, and when she found it was not, she begged Johanna to cover it on the podcast. Join us for the second and final part of an absolutely harrowing tale of duty, honor and betrayal at sea.
mmmhistory
The true story of the mutiny on The Bounty is one of Joanna’s favorite true stories of adventure and betrayal.
Annie thought it was about pirates, and when she found it was not, she begged Johanna to cover it on the podcast. Join us for an absolutely harrowing tale of duty, honor and betrayal at sea.
murder
In 1908 Hiram Badger went on a shooting rampage down Main Street in Wakefield, Massachusetts. The quaint Boston suburb was shocked by the violent events of the day, but his worst deeds were yet to be discovered… Join us for this terribly tragic story of madness and murder.
macabre
In the summer of 1916, a series of shark attacks rocked the busy beaches of the New Jersey shore, where swimmers had previously believed that sharks never attacked people. But surely you’d be safe miles from the ocean, swimming in a freshwater creek? Think again. You’ve heard it mentioned in the movie JAWS, this is an amazing, shocking, and tragic true story, and we’ll tell you everything.
murder
Johanna tells Annie about the cold case that haunted her childhood in Austria. In 1973 9 year old Gabi was walking home from school and never made it home. Her body was found in the park close to her home and the details of the brutal, bizarre crime will leave you cold cold cold…
murder
Years before Lizzie Borden took an axe, another terrible axe murder shocked the New England coast. This is the story that inspired the book The Weight of Water, by Anita Shreve, and the film that followed. Join us as we tell you the harrowing true tale of murder, greed, and survival, and the devastating, brutal crime on a small, isolated island in the Atlantic Ocean.
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!
