Mysteries and Histories

In 1982, a steamer trunk abandoned near a quiet Maryland roadside was opened to reveal the decomposed body of a young woman, nicknamed the “Cheerleader in the Trunk,” also known as the “Woman in the Trunk” and “Lady in the Trunk.” She was likely a teenager or young adult, and to this day, no one knows her name, where she came from, or who put her in that footlocker. All that's left is a Jane Doe, a handful of clues, and a decades‑old question hanging over Frederick County: who was she, and why did her life end in a box in the woods?

Just how gay was Ancient Rome? To answer that, you have to step into a world where desire wasn't neatly labelled, and power mattered more than gender. Roman writers joked, bragged, and gossiped about sex with men and women, yet what really raised eyebrows wasn't who you slept with but whether you were in control. From emperors with male lovers to graffiti that left nothing to the imagination, Rome was a place where queerness was everywhere and nowhere at the same time: visible in daily life, yet filtered through strict rules about class, status, and shame.

In December 1989, 22‑year‑old pizza delivery girl Julie Hogg vanished from her home in Billingham, Teesside, leaving behind a locked house, an unfinished bath, and a family who knew instantly that something was wrong. For months, her disappearance hung over the town like a fog, no clear crime scene, no confession, just rumours and a chilling sense that the danger was closer than anyone wanted to believe. When Julie's body was finally discovered hidden inside her own home, the truth that followed exposed not only a killer, but a justice system that would take years, and multiple trials, to truly call him what he was.

Long before the pill became a symbol of choice and freedom, birth control was built on secrets, lies, and experiments done on bodies that never truly got to say “yes.” From dangerous early trials on poor and marginalized women to forced sterilisation laws and eugenics‑driven policies, the fight to control pregnancy has often gone hand in hand with attempts to control entire groups of people. Behind every neat little packet of pills and every “liberating” slogan sits a much darker truth: who got safe options, who got harmed in the name of progress, and who still pays the price for that history today.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Leigh Occhi or details about her disappearance is asked to call the Tupelo Police Department at (662) 841-6491 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at 1-800-773-TIPS (8477).On a stormy morning in 1992, 13‑year‑old Leigh Occhi vanished from her Mississippi home, leaving behind blood, questions, and a mother who insists she has no idea what happened. The front door was locked, the house was quiet, and Leigh was simply gone, as if she'd stepped out of her life mid‑routine. Decades later, her disappearance still lingers like a ghost over Tupelo, a mystery etched in storm clouds, unanswered phone calls, and a single, haunting question: how does a child disappear without a trace from her own home?

Giulia Tofana was the whispered secret of desperate wives: a woman who bottled death and sold it as salvation. Her creation, the infamous Aqua Tofana, slipped into wine and soup without taste or trace, leaving doctors baffled and husbands quietly buried. In the candlelit streets of 17th‑century Italy, her name became a rumour, a warning, and a legend, proof that sometimes the most dangerous killer looks like a helpful friend.

In 1984, the body of an unidentified man was found in Volusia County, Florida, leaving behind almost no clues to who he was, how he lived, or why he died. Decades later, investigators and online sleuths are still trying to put a name to this John Doe and piece together the final hours that led to his lonely death. This episode takes a broad, introductory look at the case, the few details we do know, and the haunting question at the heart of every unidentified victim: how does someone simply vanish from the record?

One killer, six young girls, one city gripped by fear. In the early 1970s, an unknown predator stalked the highways around Washington, D.C., snatching children off the streets and leaving their bodies by the roadside. In this episode, we step into the shadow of the Freeway Phantom: a faceless figure who taunted police, devastated families, and then vanished, leaving behind a trail of questions that still haunt investigators today.

Magdalene laundries were so‑called “refuges” or institutions where women and girls were sent for moral “correction”, often made to work long hours in harsh conditions with little or no pay. In this episode, we introduce the history of these laundries, why they existed, and how they affected the lives of those who passed through them.

FROM THE VAULT | In 1982, a series of sudden, unexplained deaths in the Chicago area sparked nationwide panic and forever changed how consumer products are packaged and protected. Victims had taken capsules of Tylenol that had been secretly laced with cyanide. The case, which became known as the Chicago Tylenol murders, remains one of the most chilling unsolved crimes in American history.

Adrienne Shelly was a gifted actress and filmmaker, best known for her work both in front of and behind the camera. In 2006, her life was tragically cut short in New York City under circumstances that initially raised more questions than answers. What first appeared to be a suicide was later revealed to be a devastating act of violence, forcing investigators, loved ones, and the public to confront the truth behind her death.

FROM THE VAULT | Natalie Wood was one of Hollywood's brightest stars - a child actress turned icon whose career spanned decades and generations. But in 1981, her life was cut short under circumstances that remain deeply controversial. When Natalie drowned off the coast of Catalina Island during a weekend aboard a yacht with her husband Robert Wagner and co-star Christopher Walken, questions quickly overshadowed the official explanation.

n 1910, Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen was convicted of murdering his wife and became the first criminal ever captured with the help of wireless technology. For over a century, the case has been considered closed.But what if it isn't?New DNA analysis has raised unsettling questions about the evidence used to condemn Crippen, challenging long-held assumptions about the remains found beneath his London home. Was the body really his wife's? And if not, how did a case built on circumstantial evidence, forensic uncertainty, and media frenzy lead to one of the most infamous executions in British history?

FROM THE VAULT | In the late 20th century, a chilling pattern emerged in Ireland. Young women vanished without warning from a small geographic area stretching across the east of the country. leaving behind few clues, no bodies, and families desperate for answers. The region would come to be known as the Irish Vanishing Triangle.

In August 2010, experienced cave diver Ben McDaniels entered the depths of Florida's Vortex Spring and was never seen again. What began as a routine dive quickly spiralled into one of the most baffling missing-person cases in modern adventure history. Despite extensive search efforts by elite recovery teams, no trace of Ben was ever found - not even in a place where escape seemed impossible.

In 2000, 23-year-old Leah Roberts packed up her Jeep and set out on what seemed to be a spontaneous road trip across the American Northwest. Searching for meaning after loss, Leah told no one exactly where she was going - or why. Nine days later, her SUV was discovered wrecked and abandoned deep in the forests near Bellingham, Washington, sparking one of the most perplexing missing-person investigations of the decade.

Aileen Wuornos is one of the most polarising figures in American true crime; a woman whose life story is as tragic as the crimes that made her infamous. In the early 1990s, Wuornos claimed the lives of several men along Florida's highways, becoming one of the nation's most widely known female serial offenders. But behind the headlines was a life marked by trauma, instability, and a desperate struggle to survive.

In 1935, a quiet English town was rocked by one of the most notorious forensic cases in British history. When dismembered remains were discovered in a ravine near the Scottish border, investigators confronted a mystery that seemed impossible to untangle - until groundbreaking science changed everything. In this episode, we delve into the story of Dr. Buck Ruxton, the respected physician whose carefully maintained façade hid a violent undercurrent. Through innovative detective work, early forensic anthropology, and a nationwide investigation, the truth behind the Ruxton murders reshaped criminal science to this day.

In 1989, Patty Stallings rushed her sick infant son to the hospital, unaware that this desperate act would ignite one of the most shocking wrongful conviction cases in American history. What doctors believed was poisoning was actually a rare genetic disorder. But before the truth could surface, Patty was arrested, charged with murder, and forced to grieve the loss of her child from behind bars. Join us as we examine the heartbreaking story of Patty Stallings - a mother fighting to clear her name - and the lesson her case still teaches about justice, science, and the devastating cost of getting it wrong.

In 17th-century Italy, whispers spread of a mysterious woman whose 'beauty' potions promised freedom. Her name was Giulia Tofana, and she turned the art of poison into a quiet rebellion against the oppressive world women lived in. 

A few times a year, I like to take a look back at old cases I've covered and give you the latest updates: new evidence, solves, identifications, big news. Today we're going to be taking a look at how the Yogurt Shop Murders have finally been solved, the identification of Rea Rasmussen (Bear Brook Murders), the latest updates in the LISK trial and more. 

In the 1980s, Japan was terrorized by an invisible enemy. A shadowy group calling itself The Monster with 21 Faces taunted police, blackmailed corporations like Glico and Morinaga, and brought an entire nation to its knees - all without ever being caught. They sent letters to the media, poisoned candy, and turned the country's trust in public safety into fear.

Rabies is one of the deadliest viruses on Earth, almost always fatal once symptoms appear. But in 2004, a teenage girl in Wisconsin did the impossible: she survived. This episode unravels the extraordinary story of Jeanna Giese, the first known person to beat rabies without receiving the vaccine in time. 

In 1932, the U.S. Public Health Service launched what they claimed was a study on “bad blood” in rural Alabama. In reality, it was a 40-year-long lie: hundreds of Black men with syphilis were deliberately left untreated, even after penicillin became the standard cure. Known today as the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, this shocking violation of trust exposed deep systemic racism and reshaped the way medical research is conducted.

FROM THE VAULT | In the late 1980s and early 90s, Melbourne, Australia, was gripped by fear as a masked predator known only as Mr. Cruel stalked the suburbs. He was cunning, calculated, and terrifyingly methodical, breaking into homes, abducting young girls, and vanishing without a trace. Despite massive police investigations and public outcry, his true identity remains one of Australia's biggest unsolved mysteries.

In 1966, two Brazilian electronics technicians were found dead on a hill outside Rio de Janeiro, wearing strange lead masks and formal suits, with a cryptic note at their side. Known as the Lead Mask Case this chilling mystery has baffled investigators for decades. Were they victims of a bizarre scientific experiment, a secret ritual, or something far stranger? 

In 1986, Sherri Rasmussen, a 29-year-old newly married nurse, was found brutally murdered in her Los Angeles home. The case stunned her family and baffled detectives. For over two decades, it was believed to be a botched robbery... until DNA evidence revealed a shocking twist.

From ancient herbal remedies to modern-day contraceptive pills, the history of birth control is as fascinating as it is complex. In this episode, we trace the evolution of how humans have tried to prevent pregnancy - through science, culture, trial, and error. Today we explore the innovations, setbacks, and key figures who shaped the path toward reproductive autonomy. From ancient Egypt to the feminist movements of the 20th century, this is a journey through time that reveals how birth control has influenced health, freedom, and society as a whole.

In the late 15th and 16th centuries, a terrifying illness swept through England with brutal speed - striking healthy people in the morning and leaving them dead by nightfall. It was called the Sweating Sickness, and to this day, no one knows exactly what it was. In this episode, we investigate the chilling history of this mysterious epidemic that haunted Tudor England. Was it a virus? A toxin? An early form of hantavirus? We explore the symptoms, the panic it caused (even in royal circles) and why it vanished as suddenly as it appeared.

You've heard the punchline: a woman spills McDonald's coffee in her lap and sues for millions. But behind the jokes and late-night talk show fodder lies a story that's far more shocking, and far more human, than you've been told. In this episode, we dig into the truth behind the 1994 Liebeck v. McDonald's case, where 79-year-old Stella Liebeck's life was forever changed by a scalding cup of coffee. We explore the media spin, the corporate defense strategy, and the public's misunderstanding of a landmark case that sparked national debate over personal responsibility, corporate accountability, and tort reform.

Joan Robinson Hill had it all: wealth, beauty, and prestige as a celebrated equestrian in Houston's high society. But in 1969, her sudden and suspicious death at just 38 years old shocked the city and set off a tangled saga of scandal, betrayal, and murder that would haunt Texas for decades. In this episode, we unravel the gripping true story of Joan's life and death, the strange behavior of her husband Dr. John Hill, and the explosive chain of events that followed - including a grand jury, a sensational trial, and a deadly act of vengeance. Was Joan the victim of a medical mystery or something far more sinister?

At the turn of the 20th century, a simple accessory ignited a wave of fear, controversy, and legislation. In this episode, we explore the Hatpin Panic - a bizarre and fascinating moment in history when women's fashion clashed with societal expectations and public safety. As women began to assert their independence in cities around the world, long steel hatpins (used to secure extravagant hats) became symbols of both elegance and defiance… and, to some, dangerous weapons.

Between 1975 and 1980, at least 13 women were murdered in Yorkshire, England, spurring on one of the biggest manhunts the UK had ever seen. Eventually, Peter Sutcliffe was captured. Who was he? Who were his victims? And how did he remain on the loose for so long?

FROM THE VAULT | Today, we dive into one of France's most haunting true crime mysteries: the Dupont de Ligonnès murders, also known as the Nantes murders. In April 2011, five members of the Dupont de Ligonnès family were found buried beneath the patio of their home, sparking a nationwide manhunt and leaving the world gripped by unanswered questions. At the center of the case is Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès — husband, father, and the prime suspect — who vanished without a trace.

In 2014, a teenage boy came across a human head in the woods and called the authorities. They expected to find decomposed remains, but were shocked to find the head was fully intact and, strangely, embalmed. How did an embalmed head end up here and more importantly, who did it belong to?

We've probably all heard of Jack the Ripper, one of the most famous English unsolved mysteries. He was responsible for the murders of at least five women near Whitechapel in London's East End between August and November 1888. But do you know all the details?

The Pendle witch trials, held in 1612, were a series of witchcraft trials in Lancashire, England, where 10 people were accused of witchcraft and executed, with the trials centred around the area of Pendle Hill. They predated Salem by 80 years, but the events were eerily similar. Why and how did these two things happen, thousands of miles apart?

In September 1988, schoolboy Lee Boxell left his home in Cheam to go and hang out with a friend before saying he might go and watch a football match at the local Selhurst Park stadium. And then he disappeared, never to be seen again. In the last 37 years there have been countless leads and theories as to what happened to him, but answers remain illusive. 

Today I have a brand new case updates episode for you, where I look back over the cases I've covered in the past and share new information!

In this episode, we explore the mysterious death of Natalie Wood, the Hollywood star whose life was tragically cut short under circumstances that still spark debate. Found drowned off the coast of Catalina Island in 1981, questions remain about what really happened that fateful night on the yacht Splendour. Was it a tragic accident, or is there more to the story?

In this episode, we examine the terrifying case of Mr. Cruel, the unidentified predator who terrorised Melbourne, Australia, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Known for his calculated attacks and chilling anonymity, Mr. Cruel left behind a legacy of fear and unanswered questions. Who was he? How did he evade capture? And could he still be out there? 

In this episode, we unravel the haunting case of Mary Marrs Carwein, a mystery that has baffled investigatorsf or decades. What really happened to Mary, and who was responsible for her fate? We explore the circumstances surrounding her case, the suspects, the theories, and the lingering questions that remain unanswered. Join us as we take a deep dive into this chilling story, separating fact from speculation in our search for the truth.

Today we dive into the chilling story of Andrew Cunanan, the manipulative and dangerously charismatic man who became one of America's most infamous spree killers. Best known for the murder of fashion icon Gianni Versace, Cunanan's killing spree spanned four states and left five men dead before ending in a dramatic police manhunt. 

FROM THE VAULT: today we uncover the incredible yet often overlooked story of Henrietta Lacks, the woman whose cells revolutionised modern medicine. Born in 1920, Henrietta's cells—taken without her knowledge—became the first immortal human cell line, known as HeLa cells. These cells played a crucial role in medical breakthroughs, from the polio vaccine to cancer research, IVF, and even COVID-19 treatments. Join us as we explore the ethics, impact, and legacy of Henrietta Lacks and her family's fight for justice.

FROM THE VAULT: today we're diving into one of the most haunting unsolved cases in American history: The West Mesa Murders. In 2009, a woman walking her dog in Albuquerque, New Mexico, made a shocking discovery - the remains of 11 women and an unborn child buried in the desert. The case, linked to a suspected serial killer known as the West Mesa Bone Collector, remains open to this day, with no arrests and more questions than answers. Who were the victims? What clues have investigators uncovered? And could the killer still be out there?

FROM THE VAULT: Today we delve into the chilling case of Peter Sutcliffe, the man who terrorised northern England as the Yorkshire Ripper. Between 1975 and 1980, Sutcliffe brutally murdered 13 women and attacked 7 others, evading capture for years as fear gripped the region. His crimes exposed deep flaws in the police investigation, leading to one of the most infamous manhunts in British history. How did Sutcliffe evade justice for so long? What were the mistakes that allowed him to continue his reign of terror?

FROM THE VAULT: In September 1994, 30-year-old Camille Dardanes Dotson vanished after leaving the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Despite decades passing, her case remains unsolved, leaving her family and friends searching for answers. In this episode, we delve into Camille's life, her sudden disappearance, and the efforts to uncover what really happened to her.

FROM THE VAULT: In the 1980s and '90s, the AIDS epidemic devastated communities around the world—yet governments, media, and society largely turned a blind eye. In this episode, we uncover the early days of the crisis, the devastating loss of life, and the fearless activism that forced the world to pay attention. From the rise of organizations like ACT UP to the scientific breakthroughs that changed the course of the epidemic, we explore the human stories behind one of the most tragic and transformative public health crises in history.

FROM THE VAULT: In honour of it being LGBTQ+ history month here in the UK, today I'm going to be sharing the tragic story of Matthew Shepard. In October 1998, Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old college student, was brutally attacked and left for dead in Laramie, Wyoming - simply for being gay. His murder shocked the nation and became a turning point in the fight against hate crimes. 

FROM THE VAULT: In the 1950s and 60s, a "miracle drug" promised relief from morning sickness but left a devastating legacy. The thalidomide scandal shook the world as thousands of babies were born with severe birth defects due to a drug marketed as completely safe. In this episode, we delve into the harrowing stories of those affected, the corporate negligence that allowed it to happen, and the fight for justice that followed. How did this tragedy change drug regulations forever? Join me as we explore one of the most infamous medical scandals in history.

FROM THE VAULT: Today we uncover the chilling story of the Victoria Cilliers case, also known as the parachute murder plot. When a routine skydive went horribly wrong in 2015, investigators uncovered a web of deceit, betrayal, and a sinister plan by her husband, Emile Cilliers, to kill her. Was it greed, lust, or something darker that drove him? Join us as we unravel the shocking details of this real-life thriller and explore the psychology behind betrayal and survival.