True Murder: The Most Shocking Killers

In the summer of 1965, several Ku Klux Klan members riding in a pickup truck shot two Black deputies on patrol in Washington Parish, Louisiana. Deputy Oneal Moore, the driver of the patrol car and father of four daughters, died instantly. His partner, Creed Rogers, survived and radioed in a description of the vehicle. Less than an hour later, police in Mississippi spotted the truck and arrested its driver, a decorated World War II veteran named Ernest Ray McElveen. They returned McElveen to Washington Parish, where he spent eleven days in jail before authorities released him. Afterward, the FBI sent its top inspector to Bogalusa, Louisiana, to participate in the murder inquiry, the only civil rights era FBI investigation into the killing of a Black law enforcement officer by the KKK. Despite that assistance, lack of evidence and witnesses unwilling to come forward forced Louisiana prosecutors eventually to drop all charges against McElveen. The FBI continued its investigation but could not gather enough evidence to file charges, leaving the murder of Oneal Moore unsolved.Klan of Devils: The Murder of a Black Louisiana Deputy Sheriff is Stanley Nelson's investigation of this case, which the FBI probed from 1965 to 2016. Nelson describes the Klan's growth, and the emergence of Black activism in Bogalusa and Washington Parish, against the backdrop of political and social change in the 1950s and early 1960s. With the assistance of two retired FBI agents who worked the case, Nelson also explores the lives of the primary suspects, all of whom are now dead, and points to the Klansmen most likely responsible for the senseless and horrific attack. KLAN OF DEVILS: The Murder of a Black Louisiana Deputy Sheriff-Stanley Nelson

Schoolteacher Olivia Dare Christian was murdered in her Hampton, Virginia apartment in 1981. Her killer left few clues and the murder went unsolved. Three decades later, in 2011, next-generation detective Randy Mayer re-opened Olivia’s dusty cold case file and began unraveling the mystery. Mayer located a reluctant witness who was a teenager back in 1981. She recalled a suspicious man lurking outside Olivia’s apartment the morning of the murder and provided a detailed description of the man. Detective Mayer then researched hundreds of old cases, hunting for a person who fit the description and used a similar MO. He identified a prime suspect, a Smithfield Foods employee, by then in his 60s, previously convicted of several brutal sexual assaults. Digging further, Mayer linked him to two other unsolved Hampton homicides. Was this man a serial killer? Mayer enlisted the help of FBI agent Liza Ludovico and special prosecutor Phil Figura. Could the team uncover enough evidence to bring Olivia’s murderer to justice? Could the witness from 1981 identify him? And would a jury convict in a cold case based entirely on circumstantial evidence? EYES OF A MONSTER-Ron Peterson Jr.

Killer Psyche is a new weekly true crime podcast from Wondery that explores the minds behind infamous killers and criminals. They cover high-profile cases that have shocked the world, and host Candice Delong uses her five decades of experience as a clinical psychiatric nurse and FBI Criminal Profiler to dissect the motivations and behaviors of the most terrifying felons in history. In a recent episode, Candace examines the mind of Ed Gein, the notorious murderer who inspired the movies "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho." Candace dives deep into Gein’s mind — and how his mental illnesses led to his obsession with grave-robbing and murder. This is just a preview of Killer Psyche, but you can listen to the full episode at wondery.fm/KP_TrueMurder

In an incredible 6-year investigation, True crime writer and investigative journalist David McGrath tells the unbelievable story of one of the most prolific predators in American history. Wayne Chapman admitted to abusing 100 children over a 8-year span from 1967-76. What the world could never have known is that Chapman did not act alone. He worked in concert with other serial predators unbeknownst to parents and law enforcement. Chapman was suspected in multiple child murders, and was a completely fixated abuser. McGrath lifts the veil on Wayne Chapman, and a child sex-ring that operated in the area at the time, in this incredible true story. MONSTER: The Life and Crimes of Wayne Chapman-David McGrath

Laura Smither, twelve, was taken from the road in front of her home in the small suburban Texas town of Friendswood. Sandra Sappaugh barely escaped with her life when she was abducted from a Waffle House parking lot in the tiny Texas coastal town of Webster. Kelli Cox vanished from the police department parking lot in the Texas college town of Denton. Anjanette Sorrentino fled into woods in Harris County, trying to escape a man with murderous intentions. He caught her. Tiffany Johnston was raped and murdered in the Oklahoma City suburb of Bethany. She was washing her car when she disappeared. Jessica Cain was on her way home from dinner with friends to the Village of Tiki Island, Texas, population seven hundred and seventy-eight.Within five months in 1997, all six (most likely more; some say many more) suffered the same fate. They met a monster wearing the face of a man. WHAT EVIL LURKS: The Good Samaritan Killer-Donna Fielder

In January of 1995, 17-year-old Lizzette Martinez met Grammy-winning musician and record producer R. KELLY at Aventura Mall in Florida where he was performing. At first, it seemed that her hopes of becoming a professional singer were about to come true when he offered to help boost her career. However, this mentorship quickly turned into sexual grooming, leading to years of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.After struggling to free herself of the relationship and rebuild on her own, Lizzette’s successful new life, far away from the entertainment industry, was interrupted in 2017 by allegations against R. Kelly by other women. This led her to coming forward to the authorities with her own history of abuse by the music icon.In January 2019, she participated with other survivors in a documentary series with Lifetime called “Surviving R. Kelly.” It should have been a healing experience but instead left them feeling abandoned and fearful for their lives.In August 2021, Kelly went on trial in New York on racketeering and sex trafficking charges and was found guilty of all charges. JANE DOE # 9: How I Survived R. Kelly-Lizzette Martinez

It’s one of the most haunting murder cases you’ll ever hear about, and it takes place in a small town in Israel. Tair Rada was only 13-years-old when her body was found inside a locked bathroom stall. She was viciously murdered during a school day, and yet no one saw or heard a thing. The police arrested the janitor, Roman Zadorov, and he eventually confessed, but this was far from being the end of it. Based on the hit true-crime series from Netflix, the podcast "Shadow of Truth" will take you on a journey into one of the wildest and most contested murder cases in the history of Israel, as it reaches its final resolution, 15 years after it all started.Listen to Shadow of Truth It’s one of the most haunting murder cases you’ll ever hear about, and it takes place in a small town in Israel. Tair Rada was only 13-years-old when her body was found inside a locked bathroom stall. She was viciously murdered during a school day, and yet no one saw or heard a thing. The police arrested the janitor, Roman Zadorov, and he eventually confessed, but this was far from being the end of it. Based on the hit true-crime series from Netflix, the podcast "Shadow of Truth" will take you on a journey into one of the wildest and most contested murder cases in the history of Israel, as it reaches its final resolution, 15 years after it all started.Listen to Shadow of Truth: http://wondery.fm/SOT_TrueMurder

Serial Slaughter is the story of the infamous Zodiac Killer. The killer roamed California, especially Northern California for decades. He announced himself with dramatic flair corresponding with Law Enforcement and the media in order to gain the attention he craved. "This is the Zodiac Speaking" & "This is the murderer of the 2 teenagers last Christmas at Lake Herman & the girl on the 4th of July." Making sure they knew his kills, connecting the dots for them. Fading away as promised in 1969, he continued to kill & ceased to "help" those who would hunt him. Details now included are new. The crimes are looked at, thoroughly researched, investigated, and written about with a new perspective. Great new finds of information at last to add to the story. The cases of murdered women and girls are brought back to the surface as the author works to bring attention once again to their cases. SERIAL SLAUGHTER ZODIAC KILLER-Anne Penn

South Florida in the 1970s was one of the nation's most dangerous locations. Behind the image of sun and surf, young women were the victims of a brutal killer. In the mid-1970s, over a dozen young women were murdered and found in canals. These cases became known as the Flat Tire Murders and the Canal Murders. Only one case was ever solved. More than four decades have passed since these crimes, and no arrests were ever made.This is the first book to explore these murders in depth, as well as a bizarre series of murders occurring in the years earlier, known as the Gold Sock Stranglings. Interviews with the detectives that originally worked to solve these cases provide an intimate view of the attempt to capture the killer that terrorized South Florida. In addition to the cases themselves, the book explores several suspects, including the infamous serial killer Ted Bundy. Detailed maps of South Florida illustrate the complex canal system that became the victims' graveyard. THE FLAT TIRE MURDERS: Unsolved Crimes of a South Florida Serial Killer-Michael P. Burns

On May 12, 2013, 48-year-old Vicky Isaac of rural Puxico, Missouri―a woman with a history of learning disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and drug addiction― loaded a .22 caliber handgun and shot her violent addict husband while he slept in the trailer they shared with Vicky’s adult son. Or did she? According to police reports, Vicky called 911 and confessed to the crime.Was this another sad case of murder amongst addicts or something more?Betty Frizzell escaped her family’s legacy of crime, addiction, and abuse to become a respected law enforcement officer and teacher. Drawn back to the town and people of her past, Betty works to uncover the truth of murder and her family’s history of violence. Her investigation uncovers sad realities about mental illness, small-town politics, and a society that doesn’t care about “poor, white trash”.There are never easy answers when the odds are stacked against you and no amount of “elegies” will save your family. IF YOU CAN'T QUIT CRYIN', YOU CAN'T COME HERE NO MORE: A Family's Legacy of Poverty, Crime and Mental Illness in Rural America-Betty Frizzell

A small town cop known as “GI Joe” is gunned down in a swamp in the summer of 2015 and quickly becomes a martyr in the national media. But when a dogged investigator and his team set out to get justice, they uncover unsettling secrets about Joe, the local police department, and the village of Fox Lake. From Wondery, the makers of The Shrink Next Door and Dr. Death comes the third season of Over My Dead Body: Fox Lake. Hosted by Matt Baglio. Listen to Over My Dead Body: wondery.fm/FL_TrueMurder

Set in Jazz Age San Diego against the backdrop of yellow journalism, notorious Hollywood scandals, Prohibition corruption and a lively culture war, Mystery At The Blue Sea Cottage tells the intriguing true crime story of a beautiful dancer, a playboy actor, and a debonair doctor.In January 1923, 20-year-old Fritzie Mann left home for a remote cottage by the sea to meet a man whose identity she had revealed to no one. The next morning, the barely clad body of the beautiful and bewitching dancer washed up on lonely Torrey Pines beach, her party dress and possessions strewn about on the sand.The scene baffled investigators. Was it suicide, murder, or an accidental drowning? A botched autopsy created more questions than it answered. However, the investigation revealed a scandalous secret and, possibly, a powerful motive for murder.After a suspect was arrested and charged with murder, an ambitious district attorney battled a high-profile L.A. private counsel in the most sensational trial in San Diego’s history that was followed avidly across the nation. The big question: What really happened at the Blue Sea Cottage? MYSTERY AT THE BLUE SEA COTTAGE: A True Story of Murder in San Diego's Jazz Age-James Stewart

In October of 1977, David Bowman moved to Las Vegas as a 16 year old kid with his parents and older brother. Bowman chronicles his journey through the streets of Las Vegas for the next 3 years. Bringing Down Cullotta, Bowman tells us how he worked his way into the most elite criminal organization in Las Vegas. He recounts how he became the "point man" in the Las Vegas Organized Crime Strike Force's investigation of the Chicago Outfit and Tony Spilotro and his right-hand man Frank Cullotta, the leader of the Hole in the Wall Gang. BRINGING DOWN CULLOTTA: The. Story Casino Couldn't Tell You-David Bowman

“Ted Bundy: Examining The Unconfirmed Survivor Stories,” is the first publication to collate the known and frequently discussed stories of those individuals who shared their encounters with Ted Bundy decades after the execution of the serial killer. It compares these reports with data compiled by investigators, psychologists and contemporaries of Ted Bundy, as found in police files, psychological assessments and relevant literature. Includes thorough investigations into the accounts of “Blondie” singer Debbie Harry, Rhonda Stapley, Sara A. Survivor, Sotria Kritsonis, as well as numerous other unconfirmed survivors. Features the self-debunked story of a woman who had previously believed to be a Ted Bundy survivor. Delves into the possible motivations of deliberate and indeliberate victim-players, as well as Dr. Elizabeth Loftus' discoveries of the malleability of human memory. Erin Banks, who was mentored by Ted Bundy expert Kevin M. Sullivan, previously contributed a chapter to the author's sixth book on the case, “The Enigma Of Ted Bundy: The Questions And Controversies Surrounding America's Most Infamous Serial Killer.” TED BUNDY: Examining The Unconfirmed Survivor Stories-Erin Banks

What would you do if a singular moment changed your life forever? This is Actually Happening is a weekly podcast from Wondery that features extraordinary life-changing stories told by the people who lived them...wondery.fm/TIAH_TrueMurder