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PODCAST

Once Upon A Crime

Step into the darker side of history with Once Upon A Crime, a true-crime podcast that delves deep into some of the world’s most gripping cases. Hosted by an expert storyteller, Esther Ludlow, each episode unravels the mysteries behind notorious crimes, exploring the lives of victims, perpetrators, and the intricate details of the investigations that followed. With carefully researched narratives, thematic series, and thoughtful insights, Once Upon A Crime offers listeners a captivating blend

true crime

All Episodes

42:23

S8 Ep319: Manipulated to Murder: Pamela Smart

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/04/22

Pamela Smart became a household name - not for being the next Barbara Walters as she’d hoped but for orchestrating the cold-blooded murder of her husband - using her teenage lover as the trigger man. The case became a media sensation when it hit the news cycle in 1990. It was such a high-profile case that millions watched the trial unfold live on television. It was the very first time a murder trial in the U.S. received “gavel-to-gavel” coverage on a newly launched cable television channel

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38:22

S8 Ep318: Manipulated to Murder: Hilma Marie Witte

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/04/15

In this month’s series, we’ll look at people who were manipulated into committing murder. First up, we’ll take a look at a case where a mother pressures her child to kill his father. That fact alone would make this story truly horrible but it was not the last murder Marie Witte orchestrated. The next one would be as cold-hearted as it was

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44:36

S8: The Bishop and the Butterfly. A conversation with...

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/04/08

In this special bonus episode of Once Upon a Crime, I speak with Michael Wolraich, the author of a new true crime book, The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age. In 1931, Vivian Gordon’s body was found in a gully in the Bronx’s Van Cortlandt Park. She’d been brutally strangled, her body dumped. The investigation into her murder would uncover blackmail plots, sex scandals, and corruption at the highest levels of the New York government. The Bishop and the

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30:32

S8 Ep317: Tarnished Hollywood: The Tragic Life and...

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/03/25

In this final episode of “Tarnished Hollywood,” I’ll share a story about a promising young actor who ran afoul of the law. His decision to immerse himself in gang culture at the expense of an acting career would lead to a life sentence in a prison cell and a brutal and bizarre end to his life at the age of

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45:35

S8 Ep316: Tarnished Hollywood: Grant and Amanda Hayes...

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/03/18

Amanda Hayes, an actress known for roles on The Sopranos and The Stepford Wives, was convicted of conspiring with her husband, Grant Hayes, to murder Laura Ackerson, his ex-wife and mother of his two children. The murder and its cover-up would be one of the most grisly crimes investigators had ever encountered. Sources: Bitter Remains, author Diane Fanning, Berkley Books, 2016. See No Evil: Who killed Laura Ackerson and where are they now? ID’s See No Evil: Who killed Laura Ackerson and

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44:24

S8 Ep315: Tarnished Hollywood: Danny Masterson

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/03/11

Danny Masterson is an American actor best known for his role in That 70’s Show. In 2020, he was charged with raping three women in 2001 and 2003. Masterson and his victims were all members of the Church of Scientology. The church’s policies and threats toward the victims caused a 20-year delay in bringing the crimes to justice.Sources: A Timeline of Danny Masterson’s Controversies, Skyler Caruso for People.com, Sept 7, 2023

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89:04

S8: Mysteries on the True Crime Express

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/03/08

...1 historic steam train......9 exceptional true crime podcasts... ...9 tales woven with the spirit of Women's Day... ...Will YOU unravel the mysteries aboard? This International Women's Day, join Shane Waters and Wendy Cee on an unprecedented journey through the heart of England to Crimecon UK in London. Mysteries on the True Crime Express is not just a podcast episode; it's an immersive voyage into the depths of true crime, history, and the indomitable spirit of women. Aboard this old-world

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46:31

S8 Ep314: The Palace with guest Gareth Russell

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/03/05

In this special episode, I speak with author Gareth Russell. His new book, The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of British History at Hampton Court, gives us a look at the storied history of what is called the most beautiful palace in England. But, behind the walls of Hampton Court, true tales of intrigue, sex scandals, assassination plots, and murder played out among the royals and court members.

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22:50

S8: “Murder in Boston” - An Interview with Adrian Walker

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/03/02

“Murder in Boston” - An Interview with Adrian Walker (Bonus Episode)On October 23, 1989, 29-year-old Charles Stuart placed a 911 call to report that he and his wife, Carol, had been carjacked, driven to a secluded section of the city, robbed, and shot. A city-wide manhunt for the assailant began. But, from the start, police were suspicious about Charles Stuart’s story. Stuart was gravely wounded, but his wife, seven months pregnant with their first child, died, as did their unborn baby. The

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39:50

S8 Ep313: Royal Murders, Scandals, and Secrets: Mad...

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/02/27

In history, there have been several monarchs known as “Mad Kings” - monarchs who were plagued by erratic and even violent behavior often attributed to mental illness. King Eric the XIV of Sweden is one such ruler. While intellectually brilliant, King Eric suffered from extreme paranoia, which led to erratic, violent, and even murderous behavior.Sources: Disturbed Facts About Eric XIV Of Sweden, The Butcher King - Factinate Eric XIV, King of Sweden,

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38:04

S8 Ep312: Royal Murders, Scandals, and Secrets: The...

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/02/13

This month, we’re taking a peek at royal families. What secrets and scandals lie behind these noble houses? In this week’s episode, I’ll tell you about an illicit affair an heir to the British throne engaged in with a French courtesan during WWI. Marguerite Alibert retained evidence of her affair with Prince Edward that she would later use as blackmail when she was on trial for the murder of another prince. Sources: Marguerite Alibert: Courtesan, Murderess and Blackmailer of a King - Historic

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39:13

S8 Ep311: Royal Murders, Scandals, and Secrets:...

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/02/06

In this month’s series, we’ll take a look at the dark side of royalty. I will detail crimes, sex scandals, and even murders that have occurred within royal families. First up, a member of the British royal family, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York’s reputation is muddied when his close, personal friend, Jeffrey Epstein, is exposed as a sex trafficker of underage girls. Prince Andrew will fall even further into disgrace when one of Epstein’s victims accuses him of sexual assault while she was a

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53:33

S8 Ep310: The Girl in the Box - Colleen Stan, Part 3

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/01/30

In the summer of 1984, a young woman kidnapped in Northern California finally makes her escape after seven years of violence, torture, imprisonment, and coercive control. While free from the physical restraints of her horrific experience, the emotional battle is just beginning. The investigation and legal battles unfold while the victim, Colleen Stan, attempts to rebuild her life. Resources: True Crime Documentary: The Girl in the Box - YouTube The 'Girl In The Box' Case And The Tragic Story Of

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47:59

S8 Ep309: Colleen Stan - The Girl in the Box, Part 2

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/01/23

In 1977, a young woman kidnapped by a married couple while hitchhiking is taken to their home and imprisoned for the next seven years. During this time the woman is subjected to depraved torture, sensory deprivation, and sexual abuse. Deep and pervasive brainwashing and coercive control make it less and less likely she will ever escape, despite one of her captors eventually telling her the terrible truth which could facilitate her breaking free. Resources: True Crime Documentary: The Girl in the

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48:42

S8 Ep308: Colleen Stan - The Girl in the Box, Part 1

Once Upon A Crime ·

2024/01/16

In this first part of a 3-part episode, I share an infamous kidnapping case that began in 1977 in northern California. The kidnapping of Colleen Stan become famously, and chillingly, known as “The Girl in the Box” case. It’s an incredible story of unprecedented evil but also one of faith, strength, and the courage of a young girl to survive a horrific nightmare at the hands of the worst kind of predator. Sponsors: Lume - LumeDeodorant.com - Use code ONCE for $5 of a Lume Starter Pack and

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25:40

S8: "My Fugitive Dad” - An Interview with Ashley...

Once Upon A Crime ·

2023/12/29

My Fugitive Dad” - An Interview with Ashley Randele (Bonus Episode) Release Date: December 28, 2023 In 2021, 71-year-old Thomas Randele, revealed to his daughter, Ashley. that his real name was Theodore John Conrad. In 1969, Ted Conrad, a vault teller at a bank in Cleveland, Ohio, stuffed a bag with over $200,000 in cash and walked out, never to be seen again. The new season of the podcast Smoke Screen, titled My Fugitive Dad, tells the story with first-person accounts from those who knew Ted

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101:43

S8 Ep307: 2023 True Crime Year in Review

Once Upon A Crime ·

2023/12/19

As we wrap up 2023, I ask the question, “What was your true crime obsession this year?” In this episode, I’ll find out what true crime cases your favorite true crime podcasters were talking about. You’ll hear my discussions with Tyler from Minds of Madness, Michael from True Crime Guys, Leroy from Excuse Me, That’s Illegal, Jerri from FBI Retired Case File Review, and Eric, from True Consequences. I’ll also share the most exciting milestones and events for Once Upon a Crime in 2023 and tell

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47:00

S8 Ep306: Starkweather: The Untold Story of the...

Once Upon A Crime ·

2023/12/12

In 1958, 19-year-old Starkweather went on a killing spree that shocked the nation. He took his 14-year-old girlfriend, Caril, with him. The story of that crime spree has become a legend in true crime history, and Starkweather and Fugate have been portrayed as villains on par with Bonnie and Clyde. In this episode, I revisit this case by speaking with best-selling true crime author Harry MacLean. His new book Starkweather: The Untold Story of the Killing Spree That Changed America takes a

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43:15

S8 Ep305: Talking True Crime with Erin Moriarty

Once Upon A Crime ·

2023/12/05

In this month’s episodes, I’ll wrap up 2023 by discovering what listeners, podcasters, and other true crime experts list as their “true crime obsessions” this year. This week, I’m privileged to talk to veteran true crime journalist, correspondent, podcaster, and celebrity Erin Moriarty. Erin has been a correspondent for 48 Hours on CBS Television for over three decades. Her award-winning true crime podcast My Life of Crime has returned for season four. I’ll talk with Erin about her life as a true

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31:09

S8 Ep304: Psychic Detectives: The Murder of Ashley...

Once Upon A Crime ·

2023/11/28

A missing person’s case in Columbus, Ohio, grows cold. It seemed that what happened to 20-year-old Ashley Howley would remain a mystery until a psychic medium connected with the spirit of the missing girl. Did Ashley Howley return from beyond to solve her own murder? Resources: A Vision of Murder: Professional Psychic Medium, Shelly Stewart-Soldan, The Citizen Online, Oct 9, 2023. Missing woman’s family left to wait, The Columbus Dispatch, April 5, 2008. Metro Detroit psychic says she

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418 results

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