Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories

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.

Psycho Killer's Jacques Morrell. Thirty years as a copper, first on the beat, then a major crime detective, specialising primarily in homicide.In this new true crime series, Jacques opens his casebook to reveal gripping stories from a lifetime investigating murders, cold cases, and criminal minds. From serial killers to psychopaths, he shares behind-the-scenes insights into real police work and the psychology of killers.The Detective's Files offers a rare glimpse into the dark heart of crime, told by someone who's seen it all. Subscribe now for must-hear true crime stories, interviews, and expert analysis from the front lines of justice.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

ExplicitIn our last episode, we met Henri Désiré Landru: serial seducer, swindler, and killer — a man who lured lonely women to his villa at Gambais and turned them into ash.Now, the net is closing. In this second instalment of The Bluebeard of Gambais, we follow the tenacious detective who pursued Landru across a war-torn France — and finally brought him to justice.We'll take you inside the courtroom where Landru stood trial for eleven murders — and the public couldn't look away.With forensic precision and historical rigour, we examine the evidence, the gender politics, and the media frenzy that gripped a nation. From the witness box to the guillotine — this is true crime at its most shocking.You'll find our back-catalogue of gripping episodes on Spreaker and wherever you get your true-crime podcast fix.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

ExplicitThis is the chilling true story of Henri Désiré Landru — France's most infamous serial killer. He posed as a lonely hearts suitor… but behind the doors of his villa at Gambais, women disappeared without a trace.It took one of the most painstaking investigations in French criminal history — and a detective who refused to give up — to expose the horror Landru was hiding in plain sight.At Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories, we don't just recount the crimes. We go deeper. With forensic accuracy and historical integrity, each episode is crafted by veteran journalist Simon Ford and former major crime detective Jacques Morrell. Subscribe now — and discover why, over 60 episodes in, Psycho Killer has become true crime's most addictive descent into darkness.Slake your thirst for intelligent true-crime coverage at our website.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

UpdateLori Vallow Daybell, the doomsday cult follower who killed two of her children, has been handed two additional life sentences for a plot that led to her ex-husband's murder and the attempted murder of her niece's ex-husband. It marked the end of the road for the Arizona mother with doomsday religious beliefs who claimed evil spirits had possessed her family members. Simon Ford has the details.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

UpdatePolice in Cornwall have quashed speculation that multiple bodies have been found in woods near the town of St Austell.The County's Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez, has apologised for misleading remarks she made during an online meeting.  On Friday, 25 July, Alison Hernandez told a streamed meeting of Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel that “dead bodies” had been found in Paramoor Woods near the village of Sticker, approximately three miles southwest of St Austell.Simon Ford has more details.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

A man described as "a budding serial killer" by a District Attorney has been jailed for 40-80 years for stabbing a homeless man to death and seriously wounding another in Philadelphia. As Simon Ford reports, Dshawn Crawford disguised himself as a wrestler known as The Undertaker to carry out the attacks in 2023.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Bryan Kohberger has been given four consecutive life sentences for the murders of four University of Idaho students on 13 November 2022. The 30-year-old former criminal justice doctoral student agreed to life in prison without the possibility of parole or appeal under a deal that spared him the death penalty. Simon Ford has the details.Love true crime with a psychological twist?Explore dozens more gripping episodes in the Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories archive — from infamous serial killers to criminal minds you've never heard of.

ExplicitA murderer who cut up his victims, packed their remains into suitcases and threw the remains off Clifton Bridge in Bristol, has been told to expect a life sentence.Yostin Andres Mosquera, of Scotts Road, Shepherd's Bush Green, was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court of the murders of Paul Longworth and Albert Alfonso.The pair were killed at their Shepherd's Bush flat on 8 July last year in what police described as a "brutal and callous" attack – as Simon Ford reports.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

ExplicitIn the final part of our Ian Huntley trilogy, Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories asks: can a psychopath ever truly feel remorse? And if they can't be cured—can they at least be taught to reform?We explore Huntley's prison behaviour and recorded expressions of regret, set against the pioneering research of British forensic psychologist Dee Anand. His group, Beyond Diagnosis, argues that even psychopathy can be addressed—if we ask not “what's wrong with you?” but “what happened to you?”Featuring real psychological insight, forensic rigour, and professional expertise, Psycho Killer continues to set the standard for intelligent true crime storytelling.

In this second and final part of our deep dive into the Robert Parrington Jackson case — Bristol's oldest unsolved murder — we pick up where we left off: a dead cinema manager, a bullet fired in perfect sync with a wartime film reel, and a suspect so slippery he makes Keyser Söze look chatty.We'll explore false leads, post-war paranoia, deathbed confessions, and one very suspicious newspaper. And we ask: why has this case remained unsolved for nearly 80 years? In a story this cinematic, the ending should've been scripted by now.Of course, if you're a Psycho Killer Patreon member, chances are you've already heard this episode — ad-free, early, and possibly with a smug smile. Because Patreon is where you'll find all our bonus content, exclusive behind-the-scenes episodes, and a complete absence of mattress ads or meal-kit pitches.Simon Ford is your narrator-in-chief, bringing years of documentary experience, narrative insight, and just a dash of existential dread to every murder file.Jacques Morrell, meanwhile, is the former copper with a memory like a steel trap and the bedside manner of a pathologist — perfect for guiding us through murky motives, missing firearms, and motives muddier than the Avon. If you haven't already joined us on Patreon, this might just be the perfect time. Because while the suspects in our stories tend to disappear into the shadows, our best content doesn't have to.Subscribe, support, and above all —Keep your wits sharp. The killer usually has.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Breaking | ExplicitAn inquiry into the case of necrophiliac killer  David Fuller has concluded that offences such as those he committed could happen again because hospital mortuary security in England is ineffective.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

ExplicitIn the second part of our deep dive into the Soham murders, Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Podcasts examines Ian Huntley's disturbing psychological profile through the lens of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist (Revised). What does his score reveal about his mind—and his motives?We also explore the complex role of Maxine Carr: was she a willing accomplice, or a victim of coercive control? With forensic storytelling, gold-standard journalism, and insight from a real former detective, Psycho Killer goes beyond the headlines to uncover the uncomfortable truths behind this notorious case. 

ExplicitWhen 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman vanished from the quiet town of Soham in 2002, Britain was gripped by a tragedy that quickly spiralled into one of the most disturbing child murder cases in modern history. In this first episode of a three-part investigative series, Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories examines the early signs, missed red flags, and manipulative behaviours of Ian Huntley—the school caretaker who inserted himself into the heart of the investigation… while knowing exactly what had happened to the girls.

Welcome to Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories — the podcast that peers into the darkest corners of the human psyche, dusts off cold cases, and gives them a hard stare.This week, we're delving into Bristol's oldest unsolved murder — the mysterious shooting of cinema manager Robert Parrington Jackson in 1946. A real-life whodunnit with a cinematic twist: the killer timed the shot to coincide with gunfire in the film playing next door. All very Hitchcock meets hardboiled noir — minus the tidy ending.This is Part One of a two-part investigation. Part Two drops next Friday… unless, of course, you're a Psycho Killer Patreon member — in which case it's already waiting for you, ad-free and smugly ahead of the crowd. And speaking of what lurks behind the curtain — this episode was originally created as a Patreon exclusive: a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse inside the Psycho Killer engine room — or, if you prefer, the minds of your hosts. Enter if you dare.

ExplicitIn the second part of our investigation into Jimmy Savile, we go deeper into one of the most disturbing cover-ups in British criminal history. How did a man accused of hundreds of sexual assaults operate with impunity for decades—inside hospitals, children's homes, and even the BBC itself? Who protected him? And why did it take so long for victims' voices to be heard?With exclusive insight from veteran detective Jacques Morrell and gold-standard journalism from Simon Ford, this episode dissects the systemic failures, psychological profile, and chilling manipulation that made Savile Britain's most prolific sexual predator. We score him against the Hare Psychopathy Checklist to ask the critical question: Was Jimmy Savile a psychopath? If you thought Part One was shocking, Part Two is essential listening. Subscribe now and support the Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories on Patreon. You can also explore 70+ other gripping true crime cases on our website at psycho-killer.co.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

ExplicitJimmy Savile was one of Britain's most famous celebrities — a beloved TV presenter, tireless charity fundraiser, and knight of the realm. But behind the tracksuits, cigars, and catchphrases lay something far darker.After his death in 2011, hundreds of victims came forward, revealing him to be one of the most prolific sexual predators in British history. In this first episode of Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories, we dig beneath the surface to explore how Savile groomed an entire nation.How did he hide in plain sight for decades? Why did no one stop him? And what does his story tell us about power, celebrity, and institutional failure?We'll uncover chilling evidence, confront uncomfortable truths, and hear from experts who've studied his case in forensic detail, including how he measures up against the Hare Psychopathy Checklist.Whether you remember Jimmy Savile or are hearing his name for the first time, this story will shock you to your core. Subscribe now, and join us as we expose the mind — and the crimes — of a man who fooled the world.AcknoweldgementsBBC/slackbacker24, 2012. Jimmy Savile & Margaret Thatcher. [video] YouTube. BBC – Top of The Pops, 2025. The Most Vile Disturbing Jimmy Savile video. [video] YouTube Shorts. BBC – Radio 4, 2011. Jimmy Savile Death Announcement. [video] YouTube.BBC – The News Agents, 2023. Meirion Jones on Steve Coogan's portrayal in 'The Reckoning'. [video] YouTube. BBC – Jim'll Fix It, 2023. Disturbing Clip of Jimmy Savile and Gary Glitter... You Couldn't Make It Up!. [video] YouTube Shorts. BBC – Jim'll Fix It, 2025. Creepy Jimmy Savile encourages guests to kiss and grab girls. [video] YouTube.BBC/MusicalMemoryLane, 2010. The Jim'll Fix It theme tune. [video] YouTube.Channel 4 News, 2012. Broadmoor: Savile was 'a lunatic in charge of the asylum'. [video] YouTube.Channel 5 News, 2013. Savile victim speaks out. [video] YouTube.ITN, 2020. Sir Jimmy Savile, Charles and Princess Diana open the Stoke Mandeville Hospital. [video] YouTube.ITN/On Demand News, 2011. GOODNESS GRACIOUS: Jimmy Savile's golden farewell. [video] YouTube.ITV News/TVS, 2012. Allegations against Jimmy Savile increase. [video] YouTube.ITV News/The Telegraph, 2012. Jimmy Savile 'gave me cigarettes for sex'. [video] YouTube. Netflix, 2022. Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story | Official Trailer. [video] YouTube. Sky News, 2015. Gary Glitter Found Guilty Of Sex Offences Against Underage Girls. [video] YouTube. Surrey Constabulary/Alfred James Stewart, 2024. Sir Jimmy Savile Police Interview 1/09/2009. [video] YouTube.TvFilmMedia, 2025. Full Disturbing Fix-It Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris from 1976. [video] YouTube.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

ExpicitIt took over a decade and more than fifty brutal murders before Soviet authorities finally captured Andrei Chikatilo. Dubbed The Butcher of Rostov, his cold, clinical detachment stunned even the most hardened investigators.In this second part of our deep dive, Simon Ford and Jacques Morrell follow the hunt to its chilling conclusion – the arrest, trial, and execution of the USSR's most prolific serial killer. They perform a psychological autopsy of a man who sodomised, tortured, and cannibalised his victims – most of them women and children. What made him? How did he slip through the cracks for so long? And the most disturbing question of all: could it happen again – in a democracy, in our own time?Footage of Andrei Chikatilo's death sentence – the monster meets his fate.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

ExplicitHe looked harmless—bookish, quiet, almost invisible.But behind the thick glasses and timid manner, Andrei Chikatilo was a sadistic predator who haunted the Soviet Union for over a decade.Nicknamed The Butcher of Rostov, Chikatilo lured women and children, especially vulnerable runaways, with false promises of food, warmth and safety. What followed was unspeakable. His crimes were brutal, methodical... and astonishingly prolific.How did one of history's most savage serial killers slip through the cracks for so long?The answer lies in the secrecy, dysfunction and decaying infrastructure of the late USSR — a system so broken it let a monster roam free.In this chilling episode, Simon Ford and Jacques Morrell go beyond the headlines to ask two disturbing questions:Could a killer like Chikatilo strike again today?And more unsettling still — could it happen in a modern Western democracy?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Warning: strong language, suicide and genocide.Dive into the twisted psyches of Jeffrey Dahmer and Adolf Hitler in the latest episode of Psycho Killer: Shocking True Crime Stories—the true crime podcast that dares to ask why. Hosted by a veteran journalist and a former detective, we go beyond the headlines to explore the psychological roots of evil. Is psychopathy nature or nurture? What makes a killer? Packed with forensic insight, historical depth, and chilling clarity, this is true crime for minds that crave more.Subscribe now—because understanding evil is the first step to surviving it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

How do you solve a murder when the most crucial piece of evidence—the victim's body—is missing?That was the chilling challenge faced by detectives in Nottingham, England, when Polish street drinker Bogdan Nawrocki vanished without a trace. Forensic evidence pointed to a brutal and violent end, but without a body, could they prove it was murder? To this day, Nawrocki's remains have never been found. What happened to him—and how did investigators pursue justice without the one thing that could confirm his fate?Watch the video on YouTube.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Listener discretion advisedAs French police continue to investigate the violent deaths of British ex-pats Andrew and Dawn Searle, Simon Ford and Jacques Morrell discuss the possible behind-the-scenes developments of the inquiry.This podcast is also available as a video on YouTube.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Our next Psycho Killer podcast will probe the unsolved murder of Allan Graham, a schoolboy from Newcastle-upon-Tyne who disappeared while on an errand to the corner shop in 1970.His abduction and death have baffled detectives for more than 50 years. Allan's family keep his memory alive, hoping that one day, they will have closure and Allan can rest in peace.Could you support us on Patreon? Donations help us bring you the investigations you love!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Explicit content She looked like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, but little Mary Bell became the face of evil. So, who was this 11-year-old convicted of the manslaughter of two little boys? What motivated her? And did her punishment fit her crimes?This podcast explores the character of Mary Bell through the work of the author, Gitta Sereny, and TV documentaries broadcast since the child killer's release from prison.AcknowledgementsMary Bell: BBC Children of Crime (1998) BBC/Blakeway Productions. Available to watch on YouTube.Sereny, G. (1972) The Case of Mary Bell: A Portrait of a Child Who Murdered. Newspaper Publishing plc.Sereny, G. (1998) Cries Unheard: The Story of Mary Bell. MacMillan.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

"They chopped him." Those three words from the parents of Shawn Seesahai starkly describe their teenage son's death at the hands of two machete-wielding boys aged just 12, during a confrontation in a park in Wolverhampton, England.So, are murderers getting younger? Broadly speaking, the answer is 'yes'.Figures from the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the percentage of homicide convictions going to under-16s compared with other ages doubled over 10 years, from about one in 50 in 2012/13 to one in 25 in 2022/23.Sky News reports that the 2022/23 figure is the highest since at least 2008/09. But they caveat – since the percentage of under-16s is low overall, the averages can be heavily skewed by relatively few convictions.In this podcast, former major crime detective Jacques Morrell is joined by broadcaster Karl Cooper. They look at three murders carried out by children and discuss how the law balances retribution and rehabilitation.AcknowledgementsWe are grateful to the following news organisations for the illustrative clips used in this podcast:BBC ArchiveBBC NewsChannel Five NewsChannel Four NewsSky NewsThames TelevisionWest Midlands PoliceThe song, 'Just Know That I Bleached That', was performed by stackban6z.28(Casper Caponè) on TikTok.Watch the complete video recording of Mrs Justice Tipples' sentencing remarks in the Shawn Seesahai murder trial.Learn more about reporting restrictions for children in criminal cases with this plain English guide.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Join Jacques and Simon in the green room as they chat about future Psycho Killer true crime podcasts. If you'd like to hear more content like this – or there's a case you'd like us to cover – please let us know in the comments. And don't forget to like, share and all those other good things that help us to grow the podcast. Thank you, Psycho Killer fans everywhere!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.

Spring, 1945. As Italy collapsed into anarchy and the Allies drove north, the fate of fascist dictator, Benito Mussolini, was in the hands of a partisan militia claiming to represent the country's legitimate government.The death of Il Duce and his mistress Claretta Petacci marked the end of his rule, but not the end of Italian fascism. As Jacques Morrell discovered, the far right remains influential in present-day Italian politics.So what exactly happened in those chaotic days in April 1945? Did Mussolini receive justice, or were his executioners just as bad as he was? In an age dominated by posturing tyrants, did lesser psychopaths go unpunished?AcknowledgementsThe Associated Press/British MovietoneThe United States Signal Corps/FootagefarmWar LifeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/psycho-killer-shocking-true-crime-stories--5005712/support.