Once Upon A Crime | True Crime

A desperate mother reports her car stolen, claiming her two young sons were trapped inside. As the nation rallies behind her, authorities launch a massive search to find the missing boys. But after nine agonizing days, the truth emerges—and it’s more horrifying than anyone could have imagined. In this episode of Monstrous Moms & Dastardly Dads, we examine the case of Susan Smith, a mother whose shocking confession left the world stunned. What drove her to commit such an unthinkable act, and what were the devastating consequences? Join us as we unravel this tragic and deeply disturbing case of deception, desperation, and murder.

In 1971, an entire family is found murdered in their home—meticulously executed by the very man who was supposed to protect them. John List, a devout churchgoer and seemingly devoted father, killed his wife, mother, and children before vanishing without a trace. For nearly two decades, authorities searched for the elusive killer. How did he evade capture for so long? And what finally led to his shocking discovery? In this episode of Monstrous Moms & Dastardly Dads, we uncover the chilling case of John List—a man who believed murder was his only way out.

A quiet Oregon road. A frantic mother covered in blood. Three children shot in cold blood. In 1983, Diane Downs burst into a hospital emergency room, claiming a stranger had ambushed her family in a brutal attack. But as investigators dug deeper, her story unraveled, revealing a tale of obsession, deception, and unthinkable betrayal. Could a mother really commit the unthinkable? Join us as we uncover the chilling details of this shocking case and the dark secrets that led to one of the most infamous trials in true crime history.

Mass murder is often associated with male perpetrators, but history holds chilling exceptions. In this episode, we uncover the rare and terrifying phenomenon of female mass murderers—women who shattered the stereotype and left devastation in their wake. From the U.S. to Germany to Kuwait, these shocking cases reveal the dark motives and deadly methods behind some of the most notorious female mass killers. What drives a woman to commit such an unthinkable act? And how do their crimes compare to their male counterparts? Tune in as we explore these haunting cases and the psychology behind them.

July 18, 1984—lunchtime at a bustling McDonald’s in San Ysidro, California turned into a nightmare. A heavily armed man walked in and, without warning, unleashed terror on innocent customers and employees. By the time the siege was over, 21 men, women, and children lay dead in what was, at the time, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. What led to this horrifying act of violence? Who was the man behind the massacre, and what drove him to commit such a brutal crime? In this episode, we examine the chilling details, the harrowing survivor accounts, and the lasting impact of this tragedy.

On a hot July night in 1966, terror descended upon a quiet Chicago townhouse. Eight young student nurses were brutally murdered—one by one—at the hands of a cold-blooded killer. By morning, only one survivor remained to tell the harrowing tale. This is the case of Richard Speck, a drifter with a violent past who committed one of the most shocking mass murders in American history. How did he gain access to the nurses’ dormitory? What psychological demons drove him to kill? And how did the lone survivor help bring him to justice? Join us as we unravel the chilling details of the crime that gripped a nation and changed history forever.

On September 6, 1949, the quiet streets of Camden, New Jersey, became the scene of America’s first recorded mass shooting. Armed with a Luger pistol and a hit list, World War II veteran Howard Unruh walked through his neighborhood, killing 13 people in just 12 minutes. What drove this seemingly ordinary man to commit such a brutal rampage? Was it lingering trauma from the war, personal grudges, or something even darker? In this episode, we break down the events of that fateful day, the psychology behind Unruh’s actions, and how his case shaped the way we understand mass murderers today.

They promised love—but delivered death. In the 1940s, Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck posed as a charming couple seeking romance through "Lonely Hearts" ads. But behind their affectionate facade lurked something far more sinister. Together, they deceived, robbed, and ultimately murdered vulnerable women searching for companionship. What drove this twisted pair to kill? How did their deadly scheme unravel? And what fate awaited them when justice finally caught up? Join us as we uncover the dark and disturbing true story of The Lonely Hearts Killers—a case of love, deception, and murder.

In 1958, two teenagers left a trail of blood across America’s heartland. Charles Starkweather, 19, and Caril Fugate, 14, embarked on a brutal killing spree that claimed 11 lives in just two months. Fueled by rebellion, rage, and a deadly sense of invincibility, their crimes shocked the nation and inspired films, books, and even a haunting Bruce Springsteen song. Was Caril a willing accomplice or a hostage trapped in Starkweather’s deadly fantasy? What drove this young couple to kill? And how did their rampage finally come to an end? Join us as we unravel the chilling true story of America’s Teenage Killers.

A summer of terror. A nationwide manhunt. Two killers with nothing to lose. In the summer of 1984, Alton Coleman and Debra Brown embarked on a brutal multi-state crime spree, leaving a trail of devastation across the Midwest. Their violent rampage included robbery, assault, kidnapping, and cold-blooded murder—forcing the FBI to launch an urgent manhunt to stop them before they could kill again. What fueled their deadly partnership? How did they evade capture for so long? And what finally brought their reign of terror to an end? Join us as we dive into one of the most chilling serial killer duos in American history.

Obsession. Betrayal. A gunshot that shocked the nation. In 1992, 17-year-old Amy Fisher became infatuated with an older, married man—auto mechanic Joey Buttafuoco. But when his wife, Mary Jo, stood in the way, Amy took matters into her own hands. The result? A near-fatal attack that made headlines across the country and turned Fisher into the infamous Long Island Lolita. But as the story unfolded, it became clear that the truth was far more twisted than anyone first believed. Was Amy a naive teenager manipulated by an older man, or a calculated would-be killer? And how did this scandal turn into one of the most sensationalized true crime cases of the decade? Join us as we unravel the real story behind lust, lies, and attempted murder in suburbia.

A billion-dollar mystery. A museum left in ruins. And a case that remains unsolved to this day. On March 18, 1990, two men disguised as police officers walked into Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum—and walked out with 13 priceless works of art. In just 81 minutes, they pulled off the biggest art heist in history, vanishing without a trace. Decades later, the stolen masterpieces, worth over half a billion dollars, remain missing. Who was behind this daring crime? Was it the work of a criminal syndicate, an inside job, or something even more unexpected? And will these lost treasures ever be recovered? Join us as we explore the twists, turns, and theories surrounding one of the world’s greatest unsolved heists.

Fame. Rejection. Revenge. One gunshot that changed art history forever. On June 3, 1968, pop art icon Andy Warhol was nearly killed when radical feminist writer Valerie Solanas walked into his Manhattan studio and opened fire. Warhol survived—but the attack left both him and the art world forever altered. What drove Solanas, the author of the SCUM Manifesto, to attempt murder? Was she a revolutionary or a deeply troubled woman seeking vengeance? And how did this moment expose the darker side of Warhol’s Factory scene? Join us as we explore the complex relationship between Solanas and Warhol, the shooting that shook the art world, and the lasting impact of this near-fatal encounter.

The great artist Caravaggio lives an unparalleled life as a painter of masterpieces and as a mercurial and violent young man who became a convicted murderer before the age of 35. Resrouces: Book: Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane by Andrew Graham-Dixon  Facebook & Instagram: @OnceUponACrimePod Twitter: @UponACrime    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The series "Artful Crimes" details cases of crimes committed by and against artists. In Chapter 1 we'll explore the death of Vincent Van Gogh - suicide or murder?   Resources: Book: Van Gogh: A Life by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith Music: Vincent (Starry Starry Night) by Don McLean www.truecrimepodcast.com Vincent Van Gogh Art History Artists Impressionism Suicide True Crime MurderSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A man leads police to a body buried in a snowbank on Christmas Day, 1977. This murder in Madison, Wisconsin, would captivate the public with a tale of sex, murder, drugs and money.     Resources: Book: Winter of Frozen Dreams - by Karl Harter Video: Winter of Frozen Dreams  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Christmas Day, 1929, one of the country's worst mass murders took place in North Carolina. This is Chapter 2 of Holiday Homicides: The Lawson Family Murders.  Resources: Book: The Meaning of Our Tears: The True Story of the Lawson Family Murders by Trudy J. Smith Ballad: The Lawson Family Murder by Doc WatsonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the early morning hours of Christmas Eve, 1881, a brutal attack was perpetrated on three sleeping teens in Ashland, Kentucky. Poem: The Ashland Tragedy, composed as a ballad by Peyton Buckner Byrne of Greenup County, Kentucky. Music: The Cherry Tree Carol and Carol of the Bells from An Appalachian Christmas, Composer Mark O'ConnorSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A 9-year-old girl is abducted in Arlington, Texas. The community and, ultimately, the country would call for changes in the way law enforcement responds to missing and abducted children   You can find the video about Amber and her family here: WFAA Amber Hagerman Documentary Click here to find out more about the AMBER Alert System The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children can be contacted at 1-800-THE-LOST or www.missingkids.org . You can see a list of active AMBER alerts here. Tips to keep your children safe: 1) Have a code word phrase. This is a phrase that you would share with your children, especially as it relates to adults they should and can trust. They should know that if you send someone to pick them up from school or any activity, the code word will be used. Make it something funny or personal so it’s easy for the kids to remember. A child should only go with someone who tells them that phrase. 2) Teach your kids that adults don’t need help from kids. If an adult needs directions, help

The murder of a young girls leads to sweeping changes in sentencing laws. Polly Hannah Klaas was 12 years old when she was abducted by a stranger out of her own bedroom. Resources:  People v. Davis, Appeal Record, Superior Court of California, June 1, 2009 "The Man Who Kept Going Free" by Jeffrey Toobin for The New Yorker, March 7, 1994.  Polly's Story - www.pollyklaas.org  "An Angel Named Polly" by Elizabeth Gleick and Maria Eftimiades for People Magazine, Nov 28, 1994.  Book recommendation: American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst by Jeffrey Toobin   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.