murder, mystery & the macabre
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 the story of the murder of 16 year old Barbara Songhurst and her best friend, 18 year old Christine Reed, the victims of the Towpath Murders.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 U.S. history, and the medical advances made as a result.
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 the apparition’s account. Edward, found guilty of murder, was sentenced to the state prison. Only known case in which testimony from a ghost helped convict a murderer.” This is the story of Zona Heaster Shue, the Greenbrier Ghost.
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?”.
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 before, but Annie takes a deep dive, so join us, and we’ll tell you everything…
In this special episode Annie and Johanna talk about their paranormal encounters and read letters sent in by the audience.
The exorcism of Anneliese Michel inspired the film “The Exorcism of Emily Rose”. The true story is much more sad, and disturbing than one can imagine. Johanna and Annie cover this incredibly shocking and tragic case.
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…
murder
Johanna tells Annie another cannibal story, the third in her German Cannibal trilogy… and now Annie thinks it’s time to phase out some of their traditional fairy tales… Join us for yet another disturbing and surprisingly sad story, that leaves Annie and Johanna feeling sorry for everyone involved.
macabre
Life in an early 19th century London slum was hell. Until one day, it suddenly became even worse, in the strangest and most surprisingly horrific way. Join us as Annie tells Johanna about the Great London Beer Flood of 1814.
murder
Evelyn Nesbit was one of the great American beauties, a Gibson girl who captured many hearts. Two in particular, famed architect Stanford White, and Harry Thaw, bon vivant and heir to a massive fortune, found themselves in a shocking triangle of violence, madness, obsession and, ultimately, murder.
murder
In 1989 Boston was shocked by the brutal, senseless attack on Charles Stuart and his pregnant wife, Carol. Their tragedy was captured by a live television crew, which captivated and horrified the city of Boston, and the nation.
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!
