Best True Crime

Best True Crime

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Best True Crime Podcast is a division of Best True Crime Books, Games & Video, LLC. Every episode is a journey to explore crime, forensics, and historical cases. Join an award-winning criminologist who informs, educates, and entertains true crime enthusiasts through criminal justice and dark history tours.

Judith A. Yates

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    • Dec 19, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 20m AVG DURATION
    • 69 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Best True Crime

    Maria Mandl "Mistress of Life & Death" author Susan J. Eischeid

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 46:27


    Author SusanJ. Eischeid spent years writing the book "Mistress of Life & Death: The Dark Journey of Maria Mandl." We peer into the frightening and cruel mind of the head overseer at Auschwitz's women's camp during WWII. Mandl left her good, anti-Nazi family to become one of the most hated and feared leaders in the Third Reich. What led her to assist in the slaughter of thousands? Why did she join the political party that her loving family despised? Susan conducted hundreds of interviews, traveled thousands of miles, and relentlessly researched to tell the gripping, complex story of a woman who played classical piano after walking children to the gas chambers. The book details the entire life of Maria Mandl, from birth in a lovely small town to death in a prison. Susan J. Eischeid has created one of the best nonfiction books covering Holocaust history and personalized those who perpetrated the horror.

    The Oldest Female Bank Robber - she had her gun in her walker!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2024 10:48


    86-year-old Emily Coakley felt the Philadelphia bank had robbed her of $400. So, the next day, she went to the bank to get her money. She had a gun in her pocket and bullets hidden in her walker. From the book "Put the Money in My Purse! A history of female bank robbers".

    Texas Transgenders & Elimination - a new law threatens the trans community

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 43:28


    A new ordinance in Odessa, Texas, rewards citizens for reporting transgender people who use the public bathroom. Is this price for elimination an effort to eliminate this population? An eye-opening episode on what it means to be transgender and discrimination in the Lone Star State.(The views & opinions expressed are those of the speakers and don't necessarily reflect views or positions of any entities they represent.)

    “Do I Scare You?” Behind the Fear of Clowns

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 13:02


    Over 50% of Americans report a phobia called coulrophobia: fear of clowns. I hate clowns. So, I decide to face my own fears. Let's hold hands for support while discussing the fear of clowns including the history, the causes of our fear, and what some studies reveal. TRIGGER WARNINGS

    "I Was Going to Shoot My Teacher" - he carefully planned for campus carnage. Then he went home. What happened?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2024 48:55


    “Al” was standing less that 50 feet away from the teacher he hated. Al had a shotgun in his backpack, and he had a plan. He had schemed for days on storming the office and killing this instructor. What led to Al's plan, and how did it end? A rare interview with a school shooter who changed his mind and went home.

    The Truth About Airport Security

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2024 18:26


    Are the airline safety and security measures working, or do they make us feel safe?Let's discuss the biggest threat to our safety while flying.

    Lost Boy Found Lost: The Strange Case of Bobby Dunbar

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2023 23:01


    A 1912 missing child case is solved in 2004 thanks toa DNA test. Still, the DNA test leads to more questions than answers. Where is Bobby Dunbar?And who is Bobby Dunbar?

    Selfies at Auschwitz - why the graves of 6 million have become a backdrop

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 10:50


    Concentration camp sites in Europe have reported a rising number of tourists taking selfies and inappropriate pictures. Why have mass graves become some people's fun backdrop?

    The case of Diamond Alvarez: Teen Domestic Violence & Victim Witness Statements

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2023 16:02


    16-year-old Diamond Alvarez was murdered by her boyfriend in cold blood. Teen domestic violence did not make the news; the explosion in the courtroom did. Includes a discussion on victim impact statements.

    Burning As Capitol Punishment - History & Facts

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2023 13:37


    Execution by fire is part of world history. This is the true history about burning at the stake as capitol punishment, the stunning facts about fire and the body, and how fire continues as punishment today.

    Cargivers Turned Killers - the demise of Jazzmyne Fikes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2023 14:33


    Jazzmyne Fikes' days were supposed to be healthy. Her legal caregivers assisted her with a prolonged death,

    Funeral Crashed By A Woman Scorned

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2023 14:27


    Blair Whitten was a "woman scorn'd." So, she drove through her ex-lover's funeral in an SUV in an attempt to kill people.

    The Aramoana Massacre of New Zealand

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2023 20:33


    On November 13, 1990, gunman David Gray started the deadliest mass shooting in New Zealand's history for 29 years. It was 2 days of hell in the tiny village of Aramoana.

    Join A Cult! How members are recruited and why they stay

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 19:22


    Recruitment and membership in a cult is easier than most people believe. Also, my book "The Golden People- into the cult."

    FBI profiler Mark Safarick on the Bittaker-Norris case

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 43:17


    Criminologist and FBI profiler Mark Safarick discusses Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris. Bittaker and Norris murdered at least five girls in 1979. We also discuss sadistic killers, victimology, and bust the myth of "that" tape: the Shirley Ledford "torture recording."

    Effects of childhood bullying on adults - how schoolyard bullying continues

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2023 24:41


    Studies show how schoolyard bullying continues to affect people well after high school graduation. Social media posts reveal how adults continue to feel the repercussions of their childhood bullying.

    Unit 731 - A Crawl Through Hell No One Survived

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2023 15:47


    Unit 731 was a covert warfare research facility of the Imperial Japanese Army operating from 1936 to 1945. No prisoners survived. And America benefitted from the atrocities. (WARNING Disturbing Content)(photo of Unit 731 Photo By 松岡明芳 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

    Old Episcopal Burying Grounds - the Underground Railroad, cholera and faith

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2023 33:02


    The Old Episcopal Burying Grounds sits hidden in the middle of Lexington, Kentucky. A dedicated volunteer is shedding light on dark history that includes a hero who history forgot. Until now.

    The Nashville School Shooting

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2023 17:57


    On the morning of March 27, 2023, a lone female gunman walked into a Nashville, TN. school and opened fire.. Why? BONUS PODCAST

    Drag Haters & Law Makers- Tennessee's time warp

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2023 18:51


    Tennessee is the first state this year to outlaw drag shows, “a prurient interest.” Have they moved through a time warp?

    Meet Apache Female Warrior “Two Spirit” Dahteste

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2023 15:11


    Dahteste was a warrior, mother, wife, and two- spirit. Meet one of the fiercest warriors of her time. Her spirit is revered despite what was done to her life.

    The “Massacre of Hungerford”

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2023 21:30


    The 7,000 residents of Hungerford, England never experienced violent crime Then Michael Ryan picked up guns...(Explicit content)

    Pregnant Widow Missing In Bizarre Case

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2023 13:42


    Missing pregnant widow “Liz” Jasso was last seen visiting her husband's grave before having induced labor of her twins. The truth was delivered instead...

    Coffee Talk with True Crime Author Ron Franscell

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 29:58


    True crime author Ron Franscell has stepped out of the true crime genre to bring us ‘Def Row,” his first fiction in more than 20 years. We discuss this book along with criminal theory, writing true crime, and the voices in our heads.

    The Art of Entomology

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2023 18:34


    Forensic Entomology is the study of the insects associated with a human to determine elapsed time since death. For one entrepreneur, it is an art form – meet a woman who took her study of insects to another level.

    “Bullicide” - The Truth About Bullying & Suicide

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 15:56


    In September 2015, in a Tennessee public park, fourteen-year-old Sherokee Harriman stabbed herself in front of her alleged bullies. It was called "Bullicide." Can bullying make a child commit suicide?Warning: triggers

    Meet China's “Jack The Ripper”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2023 24:14


    His crimes were so terrible this serial killer was given a moniker: “China's Jack The Ripper.” Mild mannered Gao Chenyong was China's most elusive serial killer.

    The Werewolf Trial of 1589

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2023 18:37


    In a 1589 German trial, a farmer named Peter Stummp admitted to being a werewolf He was tried in one of the most famous “werewolf trials” – and the ghastliest. (GRAPHIC)

    The Enyobeni Tavern – A Disaster In Waiting

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2023 23:40


    With its illegal practices, alcohol service to minors and construction, the Enyobeni Tavern was a disaster in waiting. In June 2022, 21 victims paid with their lives. Their ages ranged from 13 to 17.

    The Lisa Presley I Knew

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2023 14:33


    As a journalist I met and interviewed Lisa Marie Presley many times over her career. “You understand me,” she told me once. I also adored her for who she really was.

    Take A Ride with Stagecoach Mary the first black female of the US *** route mail

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2023 19:00


    Saddle up, grab your Winchester rifle and let's move ‘em out - You are about to ride shotgun with “Stagecoach Mary” Fields: the first black woman to be a star route mail carrier.

    BONUS: Behind The Affidavit: A hard look at probable cause in Moscow IN murders.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2023 23:12


    Behind the scenes of the probable cause affidavit for Bryan Kohberger, Moscow IN murders suspect. Answering the questions you asked me.

    The Titanic Card Sharps – Sharks Have Come Aboard! Part 2 of 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2023 21:46


    Come aboard RMS Titanic in April 1912 and meet the rascals and n'er -do -wells who boarded the ship to scam rich passengers. The biggest scam of all continues. Part 2 of 2

    The Titanic Card Sharps – Sharks Have Come Aboard! p.1 of 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2023 16:28


    Come aboard RMS Titanic in April 1912 and meet the rascals and n'er do wells who have boarded the ship to scam rich passengers. Part 1 of 2.

    Another Weird Kid – Bryan Kohberger, suspect in the Moscow, ID Quadruple Homicides

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2023 18:59


    Friends describe Bryan Kohberger as “The Weird Kid.” And now he is the suspect in the Moscow, Idaho quadruple homicides.

    Yellow fever, A Blacksmith & Walnut Street: The First Bank Robbery of the United States

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2022 14:59


    Travel back to 1798 and solve the first official bank robbery of the United States. Meet the first official suspect, the first official bank robbers, and the first stupid mistake that got a bank robber caught.

    Nobody Wins -The Jackpot, Parole & Shannon's Murder

    Play Episode Play 100 sec Highlight Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 25:11


    On April 18, 1996, wife and mother, Shannon Sanderson hit the jackpot at a casino in Tunica, Mississippi. And then she just- disappeared. Did her luck run out because the courts allowed a dangerous man on the street? This is a BONUS only for PATRONS ONLY.

    Molly Williams - the first black person, and woman to serve as a firefighter

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2022 15:08


    You are about to meet Molly Williams, the first black person, and woman to serve as a firefighter. This is a story of discrimination and heroism.

    "Gatching" – the cruelest form of ancient capital punishment

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2022 16:36


    The Persians used “Gatching” as a capital punishment to prevent and deter crime and punish offenders. “Gatching” combined history, politics, and social issues. In August 1896, you are about to witness this cruel and unusual punishment in Shiraz.

    This serial killer was released from prison 2 of 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2022 14:58


    Two serial killers murdered children and the elderly. They drive down the street where your kids play and shop beside your elderly parent. Because they were released from prison.

    This serial killer was released from prison. 1 of 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2022 17:32


    Two serial killers murdered children and the elderly. They drive down the street where your kids play and shop beside your elderly parent. Because they were released from prison. This is 1 of 2 .

    Leonarda Ciancuilli - Why Did She Feed Her Victim's Flesh To An Unsuspecting Public? Part 2 of 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2022 24:52


    Leonarda Ciancuilli is considered Italy's first Female Serial Killer. She fed her victim's flesh to an unsuspecting public. Was her criminal behavior caused from an abusive environment that begin from the womb? Part 2 of 2.

    Leonarda Ciancuilli - Why Did She Feed Her Victim's Flesh To An Unsuspecting Public? part 1 of 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2022 17:40


    Leonarda Ciancuilli is considered Italy's first Female Serial Killer. She fed her victim's flesh to an unsuspecting public. Was her criminal behavior caused from an abusive environment that begin before her birth? Part 1 of 2

    "The Bandit Queen" From Mudhole to Millionaire

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2022 13:11


    In the 1980s a serial burglar hit Florida mansions for 5 million dollars in goods by committing over 500 burglaries in a crime spree lasting almost 6 years. They called her “The Bandit Queen.”

    He Set Himself Ablaze in Church - help solve this baffling mystery

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2022 22:46


    In 1995, a man set himself on fire and died in front of the largest cathedral in Britain. His last words were haunting. Who was he?

    The Female Serial Killer Who Never Existed

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2022 12:18


    She committed 40 crimes in 15 years including 6 murders in 4 countries without any evidence except DNA. Who was the Phantom of Heilbronn? PART 2 of 2

    The Female Serial Killer Who Never Existed

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2022 12:39


    She committed 40 crimes in 15 years including 6 murders in 4 countries without any evidence except DNA. Who was the Phantom of Heilbronn? PART 1 of 2

    "HELP ME." Mental Illness & The School Shooter

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2022 17:37


    “The thoughts won't stop. Help me.” One school shooter wrote hours before his rampage. Is a failing mental health system partially responsible for school shootings?

    Serial killer Garland Milam - “addicted to sucking souls out of people”

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2022 17:47


    Serial killer Garland Milam was “addicted to sucking souls out of people” when he savagely murdered them. What caused the "Soul Sucker Killer"?

    Cannibal Issei Sagawa's Wanted Ad: “People who would willingly be eaten by me.”

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2022 15:52


    Issei Sagawa is a murderer, cannibal, and necrophiliac who practices bestiality. He walks the streets free, seeking his next fantasy: a beautiful female to kill him or to willingly be his next meal. A legal system kept “Japan's Jeffrey Dahmer” out of prison.

    Halloween History with Special Guest Gale Carrier

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 24:00


    Special Guest Gale Carrier is a Halloween historian, astrologist, psychic, and genealogist. She joins us to discuss halloween history- pagans, costumes, and the veil between the living and the dead.

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