Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories

The Zodiac didn't just kill — he performed.In this episode of A-Z of Psychopaths, we examine the crimes and communications of the Zodiac Killer, whose letters, cyphers, and taunts terrorised Northern California in the late 1960s and continue to fascinate investigators and psychologists today. Rather than focusing on suspect speculation, this episode analyses Zodiac's behaviour through the lens of forensic psychology and criminal profiling. Using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist as a framework—while acknowledging its limitations—we explore whether Zodiac's actions are consistent with psychopathy, narcissism, sadism, or a dangerous blend of traits driven by control and attention.We also look at the role of media amplification, the psychology of anonymous offenders, and how unresolved cases evolve into cultural mythology. This is not a hunt for answers—but an examination of what the evidence actually supports.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

Content warning: This episode discusses filicide, postpartum psychosis, severe mental illness, and religious delusion. Listener discretion is strongly advised.Andrea Yates remains one of the most disturbing—and misunderstood—cases in modern criminal history.This episode does not sensationalise her crimes. Instead, it examines postpartum psychosis, religious delusion, and the profound failures that preceded the deaths of her children. Crucially, we ask why Andrea Yates does not meet the criteria for psychopathy—and what her case teaches us about the dangers of oversimplification in true crime.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Eight murders. One night. One man's shocking killing spree.In January 2009, a quiet town in Hubei Province, China, became the scene of one of the country's most shocking acts of mass violence. Xiong Zhijun — also known in court records and media reports as Xiong Zhenlin — murdered eight people in less than 15 hours, including a toddler. The killings followed a pattern of personal grievance, rejection, and rage, culminating in an attack that stunned even seasoned investigators. In this episode of The A-Z of Psychopaths, we examine:The timeline of Xiong's spree killingsHis background and psychological stressorsWhether his actions suggest clinical psychopathy, or a grievance-fuelled violent collapseThe role of capital punishment and mental health assessment in the Chinese legal systemThis is not a story of genius or mystery — it is a study in resentment, entitlement, and catastrophic violence.Listener discretion advised.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

She was bad to the bone – a heartless, lying serial killer – but was Aileen Wuornos insane, too?In this episode of The A–Z of Psychopaths, we examine one of the most controversial figures in modern true crime. Aileen Wuornos was convicted of murdering seven men in Florida between 1989 and 1990 and was executed in 2002 — but debate continues over how her crimes should be understood. Was Wuornos a psychopath in the clinical sense? Or was her violence the result of extreme trauma, abuse, and mental illness? Drawing on the Hare Psychopathy Checklist and Wuornos's own recorded words, this episode explores psychopathy, gendered violence, media narratives, and the dangers of simplistic labels.Listener discretion advised: this episode discusses sexual violence, murder, and execution.AcknowledgementsThis episode includes audio clips from 'Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer', directed by Nick Broomfield and produced by Lafayette Films for Channel Four (1994). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

“Eating people is like eating pears.”Dorángel Vargas—known in Venezuela as El Comegente (“The People Eater”)—is one of the most disturbing figures in modern true crime. A homeless man living beneath bridges in the Andean state of Táchira, Vargas confessed to killing and eating multiple men during the late 1990s.But this episode of The A-Z Of Psychopaths asks a question that most true crime podcasts avoid:Was Dorángel Vargas actually a psychopath? Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, Vargas presents a serious challenge to simplistic labels. Using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) as a clinical framework, this episode examines his behaviour, motives, and mental state—carefully distinguishing psychopathy from severe mental illness.This is not a sensational account of cannibalism. It is a forensic and psychological analysis of where diagnosis, responsibility, and danger intersect—and why misclassifying offenders matters. Hosted by Simon Ford, The A-Z of Psychopaths explores one case per episode, questioning myths around serial killers, violence, and psychopathy through evidence-based analysis.Listener discretion advised.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Suave, urbane, and prone to strangling women with their underwear – Jack Unterweger fooled high society.Jack Unterweger was once held up as a symbol of rehabilitation: a convicted murderer who became a celebrated writer, journalist, and cultural figure. Released early from prison, he was embraced by politicians, intellectuals and the media — and even invited to lecture on criminal reform. Then women began to die. Again. In this episode of The A-Z of Psychopaths, we examine how Unterweger used charm, intellect and social manipulation to deceive an entire system. We explore his crimes across Austria, Germany and the United States, and assess whether he fits the psychological profile of a psychopath — or something more unsettling still.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Ottis Toole: the serial killer who confessed to almost everything. Ottis Toole is remembered as one of America's most disturbing serial killers — a drifter, arsonist, alleged cannibal, and prolific confessor who claimed responsibility for dozens of murders, including some he almost certainly did not commit.In this episode of The A-Z Of Psychopaths, Simon Ford examines the life and crimes of Ottis Toole, separating what is known from what is claimed. From his chaotic childhood and cognitive impairments to his close association with Henry Lee Lucas, Toole's case raises an uncomfortable question at the heart of true crime: what happens when investigators want a confession more than the truth?Using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) as a framework — and with appropriate caveats — this episode explores whether Toole was a psychopath, a deeply damaged man, or a useful monster in a broken criminal justice system. This is not a story about how many people he killed.It's a story about why we believed him.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

A trusted family GP.A reassuring bedside manner.With a liking for lethal injections.Harold Shipman is believed to have murdered more than 200 patients, making him the most prolific serial killer in British history. He didn't stalk strangers or lurk in the shadows — he operated in plain sight, protected by professional status, routine, and trust.In this episode of The A–Z of Psychopaths, Simon Ford examines how Shipman exploited authority, medical knowledge, and the assumptions of those around him — and why his crimes represent a catastrophic failure not just of one man, but of an entire system.This is a case that cannot be fully explored in five minutes — and one that deserves a much deeper, longer-form investigation.

Richard Ramirez didn't stalk victims because they were chosen. He stalked them because they were there. Armed with no fixed pattern, no consistent victim type, and a worldview steeped in chaos, Ramirez terrorised California in the mid-1980s — breaking into homes at random, switching methods, and leaving behind scenes of extraordinary violence.In this episode of The A–Z of Psychopaths, Simon Ford examines what made Ramirez so uniquely frightening: his lack of boundaries, his thrill-seeking brutality, and the unsettling truth that chance — not planning — often decided who lived and who died. Because when a killer has no rules, everyone is at risk.

Wherever she went, death followed – but the authorities never had the evidence to convict her.Marie Besnard was accused of murdering at least a dozen people over three decades, quietly dispatching husbands, relatives, and neighbours with arsenic while maintaining the image of a respectable provincial widow. But here's the twist: after years of trials, scientific disputes, and forensic confusion, Besnard walked free. So was she a calculating serial poisoner — or the victim of flawed science, hysteria, and a justice system struggling to keep up with toxicology?In this episode of The A–Z Of Psychopaths, Simon Ford explores one of the most unsettling cases in French criminal history: a woman surrounded by corpses, arsenic in the soil, and doubt everywhere else. Because when murder leaves no blood, no struggle, and no witnesses, certainty can be the first casualty.

He shot his girlfriend through a bathroom door. Discover why this grey-area case belongs in the A–Z of Psychopaths.Oscar Pistorius is not a psychopath. He doesn't fit the classic profile. No predatory patterns. No serial victims. And yet, the combination of fear, jealousy, and fragile self-esteem made him capable of lethal violence. In this episode of The A–Z of Psychopaths, we explore why Pistorius represents a crucial grey area — an exception that sharpens the rule — and what his case teaches us about the limits of psychopathy, and the dangers of misjudging human volatility.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Let's take stock of the catalogue of carnage to date.We've reached the halfway point of The A–Z of Psychopaths — and before plunging headlong into the rest of the alphabet, it's time to pause, reflect, and ask an uncomfortable question: Who is the worst psycho killer… so far?In this special mid-series episode, I'll rank the most disturbing figures we've covered to date using a deliberately unscientific but brutally honest scoring system — weighing body count, cruelty, manipulation, remorse (or lack of it), cultural impact, and that indefinable “ick” factor.From high-volume predators to sadists, cult leaders and killers who outsourced the violence, this is a top five nobody wants to top — with one name emerging as the most chilling presence we've encountered yet.And just before we move on… a teaser for the next letter, involving fame, firearms, paranoia, and a conviction that didn't end where it began. This is snack-sized true crime, with a warning label — and a reminder that some stories deserve a much longer, deeper reckoning.

Thanks for your support during a fantastic year!Hi, it's Simon here. On behalf of Jacques and me, we want to wish you a very merry Christmas and all the best for 2026!This year has been huge — three new strands, a growing community of true-crime fans, and more ambitious plans ahead.Listen in for a festive message and a glimpse of what's coming in the New Year, including bonus content, Patreon perks, and our back catalogue for binge-worthy listening.Become a Patreon supporter for more of the authentic, true-crime content you love!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

"The gun went off through the driver's window ... and he shouts, 'Call 999! We've got an armed man!' "Paul Cullen was a teenager hanging out with a friend when a series of dramatic events catapulted him into the criminal history books. His actions on a cold December night in 1975 helped bring Britain's most wanted fugitive – the elusive and deadly Black Panther – to justice.Neilson had hijacked a police car and was holding the occupants, PCs Stuart McKenzie and Tony White, at gunpoint. In a last, desperate attempt to escape, they crashed their patrol car outside the fish and chip shop where Paul, who was eighteen at the time, was eating a takeaway supper. With thirty years on the force, both in uniform and as a detective, I was keen to find out more about the ordeal of policemen in the car, and the reason why they chose the Junction chippie as their last resort for getting help.Paul Cullen joined Psycho Killer's Jacques Morrell on location to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Black Panther's capture.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

He built a torture bunker and videotaped acts of depraved cruelty.Charles Ng is one half of one of America's most disturbing criminal duos. Alongside Leonard Lake, he participated in a series of kidnappings, tortures, and murders carried out in a remote bunker in the foothills of California.Their videotapes — cold, clinical, and horrifying — remain among the most chilling pieces of evidence in US criminal history. In this episode, Simon Ford examines Ng's background, his manipulative personality, and the toxic partnership that allowed Lake's violent fantasies to become reality.We also look at Ng's years-long legal battles, his shifting stories, and the forensic evidence that connected him to the crimes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

"There had been families going into the park during the day, dog walkers, you know, it was very well used, and she was there all at the time."Fifty years ago, two boys were growing up on opposite sides of the English Midlands — unaware that a killer was shaping both their childhoods. One lived just yards from the place where Donald Neilson — the Black Panther — held kidnapped heiress Lesley Whittle in terrifying captivity.The other grew up in the Nottinghamshire coalfield, where Neilson's violent reign finally came to an end on 11 December 1975.Those two boys were PC Andy Adams and Jacques Morrell. They later met at police training college in the 1980s, where Andy shared his memories of living in the shadow of Britain's most wanted armed robber.In this special episode of Psycho Killer, Andy joins Jacques to discuss the Black Panther, the fear he inspired, and the impact his crimes had on a generation.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Join us live at 19.30 GMT, Thursday, 11 December 2025, from the exact location where the Black Panther was brought down.For Lynn Dorling, Thursday, 11 December 1975, was just another day at the village school in Blidworth, where she was head teacher. But the next day, Friday, would be a day like no other.Overnight, just down the road in Rainworth, another colliery community, Britain's most wanted fugitive had been arrested in dramatic circumstances. The children arrived bursting with the news – and bursting with pride at the bravery of the grown-ups who'd helped tackle an armed killer with their bare hands.The police soon followed, conducting house-to-house enquiries, seeking witnesses, and looking for evidence to build the case against the armed robber, killer and kidnapper Donald Neilson – the infamous Black Panther.When Simon Ford spoke to Lynn Dorling, he started by asking her what those coalfield communities were like – and the camaraderie, grit and courage that defeated Neilson on a winter's night 50 years ago.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

To mark 50 years since the capture of Britain's most wanted fugitive, Jacques and Simon retrace the Panther's movements on the night he was caught.Donald Neilson, dubbed the Black Panther for his ruthless cunning and stealthiness, thought he was above the law. Invincible, even. So when a couple of Bobbies asked him what he was up to one night in December 1975, Neilson responded by hijacking their patrol car at gunpoint.His plan? Nobody really knows, but we suspect it would have been curtains for the unfortunate cops. Then, providence threw them a lifeline.In this special episode, presenters Simon Ford and Jacques Morrell drive the route taken by Neilson and his hostages, PCs Stuart McKenzie and Tony White, from the side street where they were seized to the fish-and-chip shop where the drama concluded.Follow along with what3wordsStainforth Street: translated.test.loveOld Mill Lane/Leeming Lane: quite.mini.garageOak Tree Lane junction (Forest Town): doll.stone.daringBlidworth Lane/Southwell Road: wished.compelled.elevatorJunction Fish Bar: removed.plus.bucklingDon't forget to join our live stream on Thursday evening, 50 years to the day that the Panther was finally caged. We'll be live on location in the former colliery village of Rainworth – right where the action unfolded.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

A predator with a shotgun. A village that refused to let him escape.On 11 December 1975, armed robber and murderer Donald Neilson — the Black Panther — was finally captured in the Nottinghamshire village of Rainworth. In this 10-minute on-location scene setter, presenter Simon Ford revisits the streets where it happened, explaining who the Panther was, why he was feared, and how the people of Rainworth helped bring him down.The episode includes gripping eyewitness testimony from local man Paul Cullen, who, as a teenager, watched the dramatic struggle outside the village fish-and-chip shop.On 11 December 2025, Simon Ford and Jacques Morrell will return to Rainworth to retrace the final hours of Britain's most wanted man. Follow us on our socials for livestream details, and join us as we revisit one of the most dramatic arrests in modern British criminal history.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Manson didn't kill people. He convinced people to kill.Charles Manson never stabbed, shot, or strangled any of the victims in the Tate–LaBianca murders — yet he was the driving force behind every killing. Through psychological manipulation, apocalyptic ideology, and a cult-like hold on his followers, Manson created one of the most disturbing criminal networks of the 20th century. In this episode, Simon Ford examines the roots of Manson's influence, the psychology that underpinned his control, and the crimes that cemented his place in true-crime history. From the counterculture backdrop to the forensic details of the investigations, we unravel the man behind the myth.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

A polite smile, a marriage proposal, and a stove full of ashes.Henri Désiré Landru was one of France's most notorious killers — a polite, moustachioed gentleman who lured vulnerable women with promises of marriage during World War I. Once they entered his villas, they vanished forever. In this episode, Simon Ford examines Landru's double life, his careful record-keeping, and the forensic evidence that shocked France. Was he a cunning predator shaped by wartime chaos, or a calculating psychopath hiding in plain sight?We break down his crimes, his psychology, and the extraordinary trial that captivated the nation.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Mob enforcer. Contract killer. Self-made legend.Richard “The Iceman” Kuklinski is one of America's most infamous contract killers — a man who claimed to have murdered more than 100 people while working for New Jersey and New York crime families. But behind the macabre legend lies a killer who blended real violence with outright invention. In this episode, Simon Ford looks at the psychology, the mob connections, and the mythmaking behind Kuklinski's criminal career. From freezing bodies to confuse coroners to his chilling interviews with forensic psychologist Dr Park Dietz, Kuklinski remains a disturbing figure at the crossroads of true crime and dark folklore.AcknowledgementsThe Iceman – Millennium Entertainment, 2012.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Unmasking the psychology behind London's most infamous phantom.In this 5-minute deep dive into criminal history, journalist and true crime storyteller Simon Ford revisits the most famous unsolved murder spree of all time.Jack the Ripper murdered at least five women—Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly—in a frenzy of theatrical brutality that shocked Victorian London. But beyond the myth, the fog, and the fear… who was he? This episode explores:The killings and their escalating violenceWhy the identity of Jack the Ripper remains fiercely debatedOur long-form investigation into prime suspect Robert D'Onston StephensonThe behavioural traits that strongly suggest psychopathy.For the full investigation, listen to:Jack the Ripper: Psycho or Satanist? Next in the series: K is for Kuklinski — The Iceman.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

He buried “kill kits” across America… but that was only the start of Israel Keyes' monstrous planning.Israel Keyes is one of the most terrifying killers in modern American history — not because of the crimes we can prove, but because of the ones we can't. Keyes built “kill kits” years before he used them, travelled thousands of miles to find random victims, and prided himself on having no recognisable pattern.In this episode, Simon Ford unpacks the forensic details, psychological insights, and chilling contradictions behind Keyes' double life. From his calm, calculated interviews to the cold efficiency of his crimes, Keyes remains a disturbing reminder that the most dangerous predators are the ones you never see coming.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Sometimes love is blind… and sometimes it's deadly.In 1958, Charles Starkweather and his 14-year-old girlfriend Caril Fugate embarked on a killing spree across Nebraska that left 11 people dead and America terrified. But was Caril a victim—or an accomplice? In this episode, Simon Ford and Jacques Morrell dissect the couple's toxic relationship, their violent road trip, and the long shadow the case still casts over true crime, youth culture, and media sensationalism.Hear how the courts ruled, what happened to Caril, and why the debate over her guilt or innocence continues today. New to Psycho Killer? Prepare for deep dives into dark minds, flawed justice systems, and stories that linger long after the tape stops.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Enter the "Murder Castle" in our latest, chilling, bite-sized episode.H.H. Holmes is often described as America's first serial killer, but that title barely captures the scale of his crimes. A charming conman and medical swindler, Holmes built a three-storey “Murder Castle” in Chicago during the 1893 World's Fair — complete with secret passages, soundproofed rooms, and hidden furnaces.In this episode of The A–Z of Psychopaths, Simon Ford explores Holmes's chilling psychology. From pathological lying and manipulation to financial fraud, bigamy, and murder for profit, Holmes exhibited the hallmarks of a true psychopath decades before criminology had language for it.Join Simon Ford as he uncovers how Holmes engineered a building — and a life — designed for deception and death.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Beneath the clown makeup, he hid 33 bodies — and the soul of a psychopath.John Wayne Gacy — the “Killer Clown” — was one of America's most horrifying murderers.By day, he was a respected businessman and community volunteer. By night, he tortured and killed young men, burying thirty-three bodies beneath his suburban Chicago home.In this chilling episode of The A–Z of Psychopaths, Simon Ford examines Gacy's double life and the psychological traits that made him such a dangerous predator. Using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, he uncovers how superficial charm, narcissism, and total lack of remorse transformed a pillar of the community into a monster.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

When Bonnie met Clyde, a myth began — but what actually drove them to kill?Step into the story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow — but not as you know it. This isn't a simple love-and-crime saga. It's a study of two personalities colliding, of fear and fascination, of power and vulnerability. In this episode of It Takes Two, journalist Simon Ford and former major-crime detective Jacques Morrell bring you:The historical backdrop of 1950s America — from juvenile delinquency panic to the lure of the motor-car getaway.An in-depth look at the personal dynamic of Bonnie and Clyde: the 14-year-old girl, the 19-year-old man, and the deadly path they shared.A new angle: how culture, violence and identity merged in one of the most notorious outlaw romances of the 20th century.Whether you're a true-crime enthusiast or interested in the psychology of partnership and coercion — this one is for you.AcknowledgementsThe sound effects of the 1936 Ford Flathead V8 are courtesy of AutoEsoterica on YouTube.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

He called himself “a real-life boogeyman.”Albert Fish was every parent's worst nightmare. A kindly old man on the outside, but beneath the surface — a sadist, cannibal, and predator of children. In this deeply disturbing episode of The A–Z of Psychopaths, Simon Ford examines the twisted psychology of “The Brooklyn Cannibal” — a man whose crimes shocked America and still haunt the true-crime world today.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Police speak in code — but what does it really mean when a detective says ‘ABH gone wrong'?When a detective says “ABH gone wrong,” what do they really mean? Is it code, cold detachment — or something darker? Behind every headline and police press briefing lies a secret language: blunt, efficient, and sometimes brutal. In this episode of The Detective's Files, Simon Ford and former detective Jacques Morrell decode the jargon of murder investigations — uncovering how words can reveal, conceal, and even distort the truth. It's a rare glimpse inside the mind of the police and the media they feed — and a chilling reminder that in the world of crime, language can be as deadly as the act itself.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Grave robber and the real-life inspiration for Norman Bates and Leatherface.Ed Gein, the mild-mannered handyman from Plainfield, Wisconsin, shocked the world when police discovered what lay behind his farmhouse walls: human remains, skin masks, and grisly trophies made from corpses. But beneath the horror lies a deeper psychological question — what drove him to do it? In this episode of The A–Z of Psychopaths, Simon Ford dissects the life and crimes of Ed Gein, the so-called “Butcher of Plainfield.” They explore his twisted devotion to his mother, Augusta, his macabre “projects” inspired by loneliness and delusion, and his lasting influence on horror icons from Psycho to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.Finally, we use three key traits from the Hare Psychopathy Checklist to examine whether Ed Gein really fits the profile of a psychopath — or whether he was something even more disturbing.The A–Z of Psychopaths is a Psycho Killer production.Special Mention: Laurie Metcalf's extraordinary performance as Augusta Gein in Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Netflix) brings chilling realism to one of the most controlling maternal figures in criminal history. In our view, she deserves an Emmy. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

She baked pies for her neighbours — and buried her husbands in the garden. Meet Nanny Doss: The Giggling Granny.She looked like everyone's favourite grandmother — smiling, baking, and always laughing.But Nanny Doss's laughter hid a terrible secret. Over three decades, she poisoned, smothered, and strangled 11 members of her own family — husbands, children, her mother, even her sister.Her motive? A twisted mix of romance, resentment, and control. Known as The Giggling Granny, Doss confessed with a smile — and kept on giggling as she described each killing in detail.In this episode of The A–Z of Psychopaths, Simon Ford uncovers the monstrous psychology behind the apron and the smile. Was Nanny Doss simply a product of her time… or something far more chilling?Like and share with your psychopathically inclined friends — and tell us which psycho you'd like to hear next because we can always start again at A. There's no shortage of psychopaths in our sick, sad world… is there?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

She was convinced her children would die unless she made a human sacrifice.In Episode 3 of The A-Z of Psychopaths, Simon Ford delves into one of Italy's most macabre murderers: Leonarda Cianciulli — the Soap-Maker of Correggio.During the chaos of World War II, Cianciulli murdered three women and used their remains to make soap and teacakes.But behind the horror lies a deeper question: what twisted psychology drove a superstitious mother to kill in the name of protection?Discover the disturbing blend of delusion, ritual, and maternal obsession that defined her crimes.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

She lured peasant girls to her castle, and they were never seen again.In the second episode of The A-Z of Psychopaths, Simon Ford investigates the legend — and the truth — behind Countess Elizabeth Báthory, often called “The Bloody Countess.”Accused of torturing and killing hundreds of young women, Báthory's story sits at the crossroads of myth, misogyny, and madness.Was she a sadistic noblewoman or a victim of political intrigue? We separate fact from folklore in this haunting mini-episode.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

He really did go on TV in the middle of his murder spree.In the first episode of The A-Z of Psychopaths, we explore the chilling crimes of Rodney Alcala, infamously known as “The Dating Game Killer.” Join Simon Ford as he unpacks Alcala's manipulative personality, his methodical approach to murder, and the psychological patterns that made him one of America's most notorious serial killers.This episode sets the stage for our A-to-Z exploration of history's most disturbing minds.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

When love turns lethal: the Ken and Barbie Killers.In this episode of It Takes Two…, Simon Ford and Jacques Morrell explore Canada's most chilling criminal couple: Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka. Were they partners in evil — or a manipulator and his victim? A gripping, psychological deep dive into love, power, and shared psychopathy.References & AcknowledgementsWe gratefully acknowledge the following sources that informed this episode:Radio-Canada Interview with Karla Homolka (Joyce Napier, 2005) — Parts 1 & 2 available on YouTube:Part 1Part 2This rare interview features Homolka shortly after her release, as she reflects on rehabilitation and public perception.Martin DeCoder – “Paul Bernardo Case Study | Police Interview Statement Analysis” — in the Criminals playlist on YouTube.Watch here“The Effect of Embedded Lies on the Verbal Quality of …” (Maastricht University Study, 2020) — analysing deceptive language in criminal interviews, including those with Bernardo.Read the studyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Murder Was The Glue That Bound ThemIan Brady and Myra Hindley are remembered as the Moors Murderers. But beyond the horror, their story forces us to ask: how does a psychopath recruit a partner, and what happens when love and loyalty become tools of murder? In this episode of Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories, Simon Ford and Jacques Morrell explore the dark synergy between Brady and Hindley — complementary fit, closed-world isolation and the momentum of co-offending.We revisit psychiatrist Jeremy Coid's insight that Brady may have been “born evil,” and hear Alan Bennett's moving account of meeting Hindley in prison as he searched for his brother Keith's body.Lastly, was Hindley coerced, complicit or both? And why does her name still provoke outrage decades after her death?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

The victims never stood a chance against their combined cruelty.Some killers act alone. Some form a partnership so toxic and unstoppable that the results are catastrophic.In this episode of It Takes Two, Simon Ford and Jacques Morrell examine Fred and Rose West, Britain's most infamous killer couple. We explore Fred's early life and pre-existing crimes, Rose's abusive upbringing, and how two damaged people fused into a dark partnership.From their home in Gloucester to the courtroom, discover the psychological dynamics that made them so lethal, and the lessons learned for law enforcement and social services.It Takes Two is the brand-new Autumn 2025 series from Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories, soon to be followed by the bite-sized companion series The A–Z of Psychopaths.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

It Takes Two to Kill: Leonard Lake & Charles NgSerial killers usually act alone. But sometimes, two broken personalities collide — and the result is catastrophic. In the launch episode of our new series, It Takes Two, Simon Ford and Jacques Morrell investigate Leonard Lake and Charles Ng, a sadistic duo who turned a remote cabin in California into a chamber of horrors.We explore their warped backgrounds, the psychology of killer partnerships, and the devastating human toll of their crimes. What happens when one man's fantasies meet another's lack of restraint? Together, Lake and Ng became far deadlier than either would have been alone. 

Fingerprints may not grab headlines like DNA, but they've been solving crimes for over a century. In this episode, Jacques Morrell shares stories from his detective career where fingerprints cracked cases ranging from burglary and cheque fraud to cold-blooded murder.Simon and Jacques also trace the history of fingerprinting: from its discovery in the 19th century, to the first conviction in Argentina in 1892, and high-profile British murder cases where a single print made all the difference.Join us as we reveal how fingerprints remain one of the most reliable—and sometimes overlooked—tools in forensic science.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Why Bureaucracy, Hollywood, and the NRA Helped Serial Killers ThriveWhy does America remain the global epicentre of serial killers? In Part Two of Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories, Simon Ford and Jacques Morrell uncover how bureaucracy, pop culture, and gun culture shaped the rise of American serial murderers.From the FBI's behavioural profiling to the National Rifle Association's influence, from Hollywood's romanticisation of killers to the chilling question of whether Millennials and Gen Z will break the cycle, this episode digs deeper into America's darkest shadows.We examine cases where red tape let killers roam free, the dangerous glamorisation of Bundy and Dahmer, and how easy access to firearms made serial murder uniquely lethal in the United States.Support us on Patreon for just £5 a month.TranscriptWhat if the system that's meant to protect you is the very thing that lets a killer slip through the cracks? What if the weapons are legally bought and the warning signs ignored? What if Hollywood's obsession with serial murder isn't just entertaining, but prophecy? In Part Two of 'Why Does The United States Have More Serial Killers Than Any Other Country On Earth?' we ask: has America created the perfect breeding ground for serial murderers and psychopaths? And as we race towards 2030, is there still time to stop the next one? But before we dive in, a quick shout out to our friends at Podcast Today, that's podcast dot today. They featured our Ian Huntley episode, 'A Psychopath at School', in their Quick Listens category. If you love discovering new true crime stories, head to podcast dot today and see what else they've lined up. It's free, it's daily and it's curated just for you. Welcome back to Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories. I'm Simon Ford and I'm Jacques Morrell. If you haven't heard part one yet, hit pause and listen to that first. We explored the growth of suburbia, the aftershocks of war, and the cracks in American policing. Today, in part two, we widen the lens. Bureaucracies that enable killers. Pop culture that glorifies them, guns that empower them, and a generation that might just change everything. Welcome to NBC News Daily. This Tuesday, we're going to start with breaking news. Quadruple murder suspect Austin Drummond is in custody after an intense days long manhunt in Tennessee. Drummond was wanted for the killings of four people, all members of the same family. We've talked about fragmented law enforcement. We've examined the challenges of jurisdictional chaos and under-resourced police departments. But there's another, less visible force at play in the story of America's serial killers. Something deeper, something colder. Bureaucracy? Yeah. Killer bureaucracy. It might sound like the title of a dystopian novel, but in real life, it's one of the quiet enablers of mass murder. Behind many of America's most notorious cases, you'll find crucial opportunities missed, not through lack of intelligence or even intent, but because the gears of the system ground too slowly or didn't turn at all. I think Mr. Little will get his final judgment. Before he died at 80 year old Samuel Little sketched the faces of the women he killed. And I'm sure these jurisdictions will go and try to connect the dots to deal with what he's come to. Take Samuel Little, for example. Officially recognised as America's most prolific serial killer. 89 confirmed victims, possibly over 90. He operated across state lines from the 1970s into the 2000s, murdering vulnerable women, mostly women of colour. And yet, for decades, law enforcement agencies failed to connect the dots. Why? Well, part of it is what we've already discussed decentralised policing. But even what agencies did have the information, there was no unified system compelling them to share that information in a usable way. For much of Little's killing spree. His victims weren't even being recorded as linked cases. And here's the irony. In 1985, the FBI launched ViCAP, the violent criminal apprehension program designed specifically to catch serial offenders by identifying patterns in unsolved cases. But ViCAP was optional. Local departments weren't required to use it. Many didn't. There are 60 confirmed victims so far. Authorities will continue the hunt for the dozens of others. It won't stop, even though little is dead. You know, you just take in for what it's worth. And people like me live with that. And that's bureaucracy for you. A powerful tool. Locked in a cupboard. Because nobody mandate the key. The FBI is still actively searching for information to connect the dots in several of Little's murders. If you have any information, call this number one 800. Call FBI. The weekend I picked up a woman backpack, I weighed. And Matthew was next to me in the seat, and she hopped in. And then two and three. And my son was there, and I killed her. They'll. Sure my son didn't see it, but that only happened one time. So why didn't you do it again? I didn't want my son to see it. And that brings us to something that should chill. Anyone listening to this? In the case of Gary Ridgeway, the green River killer, dozens of women died while multiple police departments worked in silos hoarding information. Detectives even suspected Ridgeway early on. But internal politics and procedural rigidity meant he slipped through their fingers. He kept getting interviewed, kept passing polygraphs. He even gave a cheek swab DNA sample in 1987, but they didn't have the resources to process it properly. Not until the early 2000. That delay. It wasn't because no one was working the case. It was because the system was working exactly as designed, just too slowly. And there's something tragic about that. These weren't rogue officers. This wasn't corruption. This was paperwork. Process. Budgetary constraints. Misalign and incentives. In short, bureaucracy. Now, let's be fair. There have been improvements.   ViCAP is more widely used now. DNA databases are better integrated, but there's still no national mandate for data sharing in violent crime investigations. You've still got over 18,000 separate law enforcement agencies in the United States, and no centralised leadership structure. Compare that to the U.K., where a single body like the National Crime Agency can operate across the country. Or Canada's RCMP. In the US, you've got sheriff's departments, city police, state bureaus, federal agencies all working side by side, just not always together. And it's the gaps in those seams where monsters slip through. The killer may be holding the knife. But too often the system is holding the door. So what can be done? That's the million dollar question. Reform, decentralisation,  improved training, cross-agency collaboration. These are all part of the conversation. But until bureaucracy becomes more nimble, more coordinated, and more accountable, serial killers will keep finding places to hide. And we'll keep digging into the stories. The stories that reveal just how much damage can be done when no one is steering the ship. It's a firearm in the course of that murder, which is a violation of Penal Code section 12-0-22.5. Do you admit or deny that? I admit. It is further legend in counts 2 through 13... Now we're going to talk about the elephant in the room. The Second Amendment. It's just 27 words long and ratified in 1791. A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. At the time, the fledgling United States didn't have a standing army. The founders feared tyranny from without and within. The idea was that every able bodied citizen could take up arms to protect the Republic. But here in the 21st century, bearing arms has morphed into something far more removed from that original context. You don't need to be in a militia. You don't need to register your guns. In many states, and in some places, you don't even need a background check at a gun show. That's not what George Washington had in mind. And if you think we're anti-gun, then hold that thought, because there is an irony here. In a country with a disproportionate number of serial killers, maybe owning a .38 revolver for home defence is, well, just plain common sense. Let's get forensic. Do serial killers actually use guns? Statistically, no. Most serial killers prefer up close and personal methods. Strangulation, blunt force knives. Because for many of them, it's not about killing. It's about control. Exactly. Ted Bundy used a crowbar. Jeffrey Dahmer drugged his victims, then strangled them. John Wayne Gacy, he used rope, torture and pain. A lot has happened in just the past 24 hours as the sniper manhunt literally went nationwide. It began with a task force phone tip from someone claiming responsibility for the sniper killings. One of the few exceptions was the D.C. sniper case. In 2002, John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo. They used a Bushmaster .223 rifle hidden inside the trunk of a blue Chevy Caprice. Random, distant, terrifying but isolated. Don't forget that most serial killers want that proximity. They want intimacy. And that's what makes them so disturbing. They're not looking to pick off targets at a distance. They want to look you in the eye. Police in Nashville are releasing this chilling surveillance video showing the terrifying moments the shooter blasted their way into the small, private Presbyterian school. But while serial killers themselves rarely rely on guns, the wider epidemic of gun violence in America is impossible to ignore. The video also shows the armed person entering a church office and later stalking the halls with an AR-style weapon drawn. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

A CID Detective Relives His First UK Murder Case — 1989Step inside the world of real homicide investigation with The Detective's Files: Episode 3. In this gripping instalment, former CID officer Jacques Morrell takes us back to 1989, when he faced his very first murder case.With 30 years of policing experience, Jacques reveals the reality of moving from the beat into CID, the pressures of working homicide over the Christmas period, and the shocking discovery that forced his team to live at work while chasing down a killer. This is not fiction. These are the real stories behind the uniform — long hours, emotional strain, and the painstaking work of solving violent crime in 1980s Britain.If you're fascinated by true crime, murder investigations, and the hidden world of UK policing, this episode takes you inside the case that changed everything for Jacques Morrell. Subscribe to Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories for more authentic detective insights, real case files, and chilling explorations into the minds of killers.00:00 Intro – Detective's Files with Jacques Morrell01:00 Life in uniform and move to CID03:00 First murder case: the call that changed everything05:00 Inside a real UK homicide investigation08:00 Reflections on a detective's first caseBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Inside America's Darkest Secret: The Serial Killer Capital of the World.Why does the USA have more serial killers per capita than any other country?From Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer to the Golden State Killer and Samuel Little, the United States has produced almost 70% of all known serial murderers—despite making up less than 5% of the world's population. In this episode of Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories, Simon Ford and Jacques Morrell uncover the data, the history, and the psychology that explain America's dark reputation.We explore post-war suburbia, the impact of Vietnam, the failures of fragmented policing, and how psychopaths hide in plain sight. Is the American Dream itself a breeding ground for killers? Tune in to Part One: The Perfect Storm to find out.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Behind every sudden death, there's a story—and a detective who has to uncover it.In this second episode of The Detective's Files, Jacques Morrell sits down with Simon Ford to explore how the police investigate unexpected deaths.From natural causes to cases of suicide, Jacques reflects on his time in uniform—sharing first-hand experiences with the deceased and their families, and explaining the vital roles of the police surgeon and coroner.While procedures have changed over the years, Jacques reveals that professionalism is always defined by calmness, compassion, and respect in the face of life's most difficult moments.If you or someone close to you is struggling, support is available. In the UK and Ireland, you can call Samaritans on 116 123. In the US, dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For immediate emergencies, call 999 in the UK or 911 in the US.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Osama Bin Laden masterminded 9/11, evaded the world's most powerful armies, and reshaped global politics. But who was he, really?In this second episode of Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories, Simon Ford and Jacques Morrell go beyond the headlines to explore Bin Laden's psychology — from fugitive years and obsessive micromanagement to the chilling revelations in the Abbottabad files.Using the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP), we ask: Was Bin Laden a prophet, a prisoner of his own ideology, or a psychopath? We examine his messianic self-image, emotional detachment, and controlling dominance, alongside his death in Abbottabad and the fractured legacy of al-Qaeda and ISIS.This is not just the story of one man, but of the world he made — and the fear, violence, and divisions that still echo today. Was Osama Bin Laden mad, bad, or something far more dangerous? Listen now and decide for yourself.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

This month marks 24 years since the 9/11 attacks on America — the deadliest terror strike since Pearl Harbour. To mark the anniversary, Psycho Killer investigates the rise and fall of Osama Bin Laden. Was he a religious zealot, a freedom fighter, or a psychopath? Perhaps all three.Using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) and the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP), Simon Ford and Jacques Morrell apply two clinical tools to Bin Laden's life and legacy. The result? More than one conclusion — and a portrait of a man whose blend of belief, power, and manipulation shaped the world we live in today.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Explicit – contains surgery details.Walter J. Freeman II thought he was a revolutionary. And in a way, he was. He operated during three revolutionary decades of the twentieth century – years that saw the coming of nuclear power, antibiotics and mankind's first tentative steps into space. But his technique was more medieval than post-modern. The cutting edge of his trademark instrument was the point of an icepick – or at least, a wicked-looking tool derived from one. Yet, here was an individual who convinced himself he was doing humanity a service, while all around, patients were wheeled away on gurneys with their humanity neutralised. Was Freeman mad, bad, psychopathic... or just deluded? And where does the dividing line fall that separates those traits? Indeed, can they be separated, or do they seep into each other, like blood seeping into bandages, until all we see is crimson? The red mist of a horror too awful to comprehend – a physician sworn to not harm, acting with official sanction in a way that no physician should.In the second part of The Lobotomist, we answer that question as dispassionately as we can, despite the trail of bodies and tortured souls the good doctor left in his wake. What tools do we have to comprehend the incomprehensible paradox of Walter J. Freeman II? Was he well-meaning, misguided, or something much darker? Ladies and gentlemen, take your seats, because the jury is in.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

An American “hitwoman” is starting a 30-year prison sentence in the United Kingdom for trying to murder her lover's business rival. Aimee Betro, from Wisconsin, flew to the UK in August 2019 and spent more than two weeks in the country before trying to shoot the man outside his home in Birmingham—Simon Ford reports.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Explicit – surgery detailsThe story of Walter J. Freeman II is as disturbing as it is bizarre. He pioneered the transorbital lobotomy, a radical and, to modern minds, barbaric form of brain surgery. Freeman left behind him a trail of devastation – shattered lives and a body count that reached the hundreds. Yet it took the authorities two decades to come to their senses and stop him. During those years, he worked with official approval at institutions across the United States. He even became a travelling sales-surgeon, peddling his procedure like snake oil, driving from state to state in a vehicle that came to be known as the 'lobotomobile'. His patients, which we would now call victims, included the rich and famous. Some gave consent. Others did not. Until his death, Freeman insisted he had altruistic intentions. He wanted to cure the incurable with his ground-breaking surgical technique. He tried to send people back to their families the way they used to be, before mental illness took hold. That is the case for the defence. The prosecution alleges that Walter J. Freeman II was something darker. That his motives were far from selfless. That he was, in fact, a psycho killer of the first order. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Step inside one of true crime's strangest afterlives. In this bonus episode of Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories, we follow the grisly journey of Henri Désiré Landru's severed head—from the guillotine in 1920s France to its eerie display in Hollywood's infamous Museum of Death.Landru, known as the “Bluebeard of Gambais,” was convicted of murdering at least ten women and a teenage boy during World War I. But what happened to his head after the blade fell is a mystery tangled in rumour, lost records, and bizarre twists.Was it preserved for science, smuggled as a macabre trophy, or simply passed from collector to collector? Join us as we explore the historical trail, the ethical questions, and the unsettling fascination with turning killers into curiosities.AcknowledgementsKCAL News (2015). 'The Museum of Death is filled with lively exhibits – if you don't faint.' Available on YouTube.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

An Australian serial killer has been granted parole after almost three decades behind bars. James Vlassakis was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 26 years for committing four of 11 murders in South Australia between 1992 and 1999.  The case became known as "the bodies in the barrels" serial killings, because the dismembered bodies of the victims were found in barrels of hydrochloric acid in the vault of a disused bank in Snowtown, a remote community 93 miles north of Adelaide.  As Simon Ford reports, Vlassakis was jailed with three other men after one of the longest and most publicised trials in Australian legal history.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.