Female Criminals

Over the ages, arsenic has had many lives — beauty fad, household product, medical prescription… and weapon of choice wielded by killers everywhere from Alabama to ancient Rome. Brine your turkey, knead your dough, and listen to our Thanksgiving Special on the regime-changing, assassination-aiding King of Poisons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Their sinister life insurance scheme had worked once — now, 74-year-old Helen and 72-year-old Olga were ready to strike again. But their “perfect murder” had a hitch: an insurance investigator who took a look at their policies, and found red flags all over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Their upbringings couldn't have been more different, but by the time they meet, Helen and Olga have one important thing in common: They're schemers, willing to bend the world to their will if it means making a quick buck. In the 1990s, they hatch a plot more devious than all the rest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In South Carolina, legend tells of a woman who lured weary travelers to their deaths — turning her inn into a murder house. But there's more to Lavinia Fisher's story than bodies beneath floorboards. Was she really America's first female serial killer? Or was she really only guilty of raising a little hell? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After marrying the heir to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1862, Sarah Winchester was seemingly set for life. But while her finances never despaired, Sarah did — experiencing a string of tragedies that would haunt her. She built a strange and sweeping mansion to try and escape her ghosts, but in the process, built an even bigger legend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She was a singular woman in Gold Rush-era San Francisco: an entrepreneur, an abolitionist, and extraordinarily wealthy. But Mary Ellen Pleasant's mere presence was enough to rattle her neighbors, and the accusations levied against her were enough to shock: she practiced black magic; she murdered a business associate; she cursed a family. Now she's rumored to haunt a park in the very city that helped her swim, then watched her sink. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 17th century, a middle-aged woman remakes her life in New England. But her fresh start turns sour after her neighbors decide she's a witch. Jailed several times over, Goody Cole is never quite able to reclaim her reputation... so a new crop of townspeople do it for her, hundreds of years later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listeners, we're back with the finale of The Candy Box Killings from Solved Murders: 44-year-old Cordelia Botkin was the sole suspect in a murder-by-mail case that killed two sisters and involved two jurisdictions on two different coasts. Authorities knew she had an affair with the husband of one of the victims. But could they find enough evidence to prove it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listeners, this week we're sharing an episode of Solved Murders we think you'll love: The Candy Box Killings. In the summer of 1898, two sisters died after eating chocolates they received in the mail. Their suffering was inexplicable — until their father discovered a sinister clue. We'll be back soon with new Female Criminals episodes. In the meantime, enjoy!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the deaths of Jacob and Jane Young, Nancy Clem became a prime suspect. As a business partner of Young's, she had the motive. But at the time, it was unheard of for a woman to participate in a pre-meditated murder. And that's precisely what Clem hoped the jury would think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She became financially stable after her husband's death by loaning out money to friends in return for high-interest repayments. Once remarried, Nancy Clem went into business with two locals who ran a confidence game. But when one of them wanted out, he wound up dead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some people would do anything for family. Seventeen-year-old Abby Catt was one of those people. So when her dad and brother said they needed her for a bank heist, she said she would help. But her sense of loyalty would be tested when her dad tried to get her to take the fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1950s Texas, a teenage runaway sets clubs ablaze with her improvisational dance style. Then she starts making headlines. In today's episode: the traumatic — and whirlwind — origins of her career, how a club owner manufactured her image as a gun-toting stripper, and the sting operation that some claim was a conspiracy to take her down. Who really was the woman behind the stage name? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When her husband died unexpectedly, it brought Sante Kimes and her son Kenny closer together in an unexpected way. And without access to her husband's money, the two would need to take drastic action. Sante had the plans. Kenny just needed to follow through on them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She didn't want to pay for something if she could take it for free. And now that Sante Kimes had a millionaire boyfriend who could literally bail her out of any jam, she raised the stakes. Instead of stealing bread as she did as a kid, she graduated to lifting mink coats, swiping high-end automobiles, and even human trafficking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In her early childhood, she didn't have much. So as Sante Kimes got older, she was motivated by one idea: enough is never enough. And even after she moved in with millionaire real-estate investor Kenneth Kimes, she continued to take what she wanted, even if it meant breaking the law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Elizabeth Holmes found more investors, she had to answer more questions about her company. But she always found a way to buy more time, hoping to turn her lies into truths — until a whistleblower contacted the Wall Street Journal. The truth was coming, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She burst into Silicon Valley promising to revolutionize healthcare. Her pitch was so convincing that she raised tens of millions of dollars. But the technology didn't work. Investors believed Elizabeth Holmes was on the cusp of something remarkable. Others claim she was simply a con artist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There was no debate over whether Betty Lou Beets killed two of her husbands. But there was great concern over her motivation. Did she do it out of fear or for money? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All she really wanted in life was freedom. But Betty Lou Beets wound up trapped in abusive marriage after abusive marriage. It was only a matter of time before she would strike back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She initially struggled with her decision, but ultimately Chelsea Manning became the biggest whistleblower in American history. Though she did what she thought was right, it cost her her freedom. And while incarcerated, she faced a whole new set of challenges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She wanted to find structure and serve her country. But after joining the Army as an intelligence officer, Chelsea Manning felt American citizens weren't getting an accurate version of the country's overseas conflicts. So she sought out someone who could help her show the world the truth. Parcasters, we have exciting news! Our first book hits bookshelves July 12th. Don't miss this chilling summer read that takes you deep into the darkest sides of human nature. Learn more at www.parcast.com/cults! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Known to her followers as “La Madrina,” Sara Aldrete was targeted by a charming cult leader as part of a plot to make money and recruit new members. But as the animal sacrifices turned to human sacrifices, she realized it was too late to turn back. Countdown to the CULTS book release! Parcast's first book hits shelves July 12th. It's an unflinching exploration of shame, secrecy, power, exploitation, and destruction. Learn more at www.parcast.com/cults!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Known as the Queen of the French Quarter, Norma Wallace raked in cash and protected her girls. But the one thing she couldn't protect was her heart. She fell in love with a younger man while she was in her 60s, and they moved in together. They seemed happy... until she found out about his infidelities.  Parcasters, we have exciting news! Our first book hits bookshelves July 12th. Don't miss this chilling summer read that takes you deep into the darkest sides of human nature. Learn more and grab your copy at www.parcast.com/cults! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Growing up in poverty, Norma Wallace saw that neighborhood sex workers had nice clothes, sparkling jewels, and cash. So as a teenager, she pursued the trade — only to find that the real money was in management. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Belle Gibson's diet and wellness business, The Whole Pantry, thrived off her devoted followers, who believed Belle had cured her brain cancer by eating healthy. She was an unprecedented sensation, backed by huge corporations. As her brand grew, so did the lies — until 2015, when one of her friends decided she'd had enough. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2012, after spending most of her childhood lying for attention, 20-year-old Belle Gibson turned to Instagram to find a new audience. She was a good photographer and an even better storyteller, but the content behind her posts were just that… stories. And they were hurting her followers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After her husband's body is found in the Sequoia National Forest, Brookey makes a fresh start in Las Vegas. Her mother Christine is once again by her side — until Christine's body is discovered stuffed in a garbage can. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Brookey Lee West was 7 years old, her mother shot the man she was having an affair with. Brookey vowed to never be like her mom. But as she became an adult and tried to establish her own identity, she discovered that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Georgia Tann's adoption "business" was raking in money. She orchestrated adoptions for movie stars and politicians. She gave kickbacks to judges to look the other way. She was virtually untouchable. But all things come to an end. And it wouldn't be the law or a victimized parent that would bring her down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Georgia Tann built a career out of placing orphans into adoptive homes at a time when adoption carried a harsh stigma. While her enterprise might've started out of kindness, greed became her main motivation. She'd do anything to make a profit — including stealing babies from poor, single mothers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Panic spreads across Louisiana after multiple families are cut down by an ax murderer. Is this the work of a train-hopping serial killer? Or a voodoo cult allegedly led by a teenager? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While Peggy Ann Fulford claimed to be a financial advisor, she was actually a con woman making a living by scamming professional athletes out of their money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most Americans thought justice had been served when Barbara Graham was sentenced to death for the murder of Mabel Monahan. But after an interview was published with Barbara's version of events, people doubted her guilt. With a perjury conviction on her record, could she ever be trusted? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a botched burglary led to the murder of 64-year-old Mabel Monahan in Burbank, California, an anonymous tipster gave police their first big break in the case. But was 29-year-old Barbara Graham pinned for a crime she never committed? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After losing favor in California, Liz fled to Texas where she hoped to start selling her three-wheeled car to a whole new market. But she didn't fare any better. Facing a list of charges, Liz went on the run again — only to be brought down by the most unlikely source. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She started out as a con woman who eventually had to go on the run. Once she had a fresh start, she became a charismatic businesswoman who could sell anything. But not everybody wanted to see her succeed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the thrill of her first murder, Mary Bell decided to do it again. She found a new victim and – just like last time – walked away afterward, pretending to know nothing about it. But when detectives interviewed kids from the neighborhood, Mary's story unraveled. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

By the time she was eight, Mary Bell had survived years of sexual and physical abuse. But as she got older, she realized she didn't have to be the victim anymore. She could be the abuser. And in 1968, just before her 11th birthday, she would do the unthinkable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the fall of 2011, a 17-year-old model struck up an online relationship with NBA player Chris “Birdman” Andersen. But someone else was pulling the strings of their ill-fated romance. From Crimes of Passion, a Spotify Original from Parcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Jenelle Potter's crush, Billy Payne, started dating another woman, she used Facebook to spread rumors about the couple. But when a CIA agent contacted her parents, informing them that Payne was a threat to Jenelle's life, they took matters into their own hands. From Crimes of Passion, a Spotify Original from Parcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An online love triangle between 18-year-old Tommy, 17-year-old Jessi, and 22-year-old Brian turned tragic when their romantic fantasy world collided with their harsh realities. From Crimes of Passion, a Spotify Original from Parcast.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices