Too Close to Home

As a member of the WVHA, Rudy had unfettered access to everything involved in the concentration camp system, and it was his expertise that led him to spearhead Operation Hoess: The mass deportation and execution of Hungarian Jews. During this time, however, the Allies have successfully invaded Europe and the time of the Third Reich is nearing its inevitable end. We then touch upon the aftermath, the Nuremberg Trials, and the poetic justice which befalls Rudy as he is executed on the very grounds of Auschwitz he helped create.

With the Final Solution well underway, we first start by discussing the role of Sonderkommandos: Jewish prisoners who were responsible for the "dirty" work involved in the mass killings, and the horrors they had to perform and endure. During the miserable expansion of Auschwitz, we also take a detour into Rudy and his wife Hedwig's personal life, his scandalous "affair" with a prisoner servant, and Rudy's eventual promotion to the WVHA

The life of a concentration camp prisoner is something most people could never truly fathom. In part 3 of this series, we discuss a small part of what that was like; we touch upon the role of music, the conditions the prisoners and guards deal with, the advent of Zyklon B, and Hoess' transition of Auschwitz into a death camp to answer the question to the Final Solution. We are truly fixing to enter the darkest period in the history of humanity, and Rudolph Hoess is engineering and observing, front and center, with gas mask donned.

We pick up Rudolph Hoess' story from his beginnings at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, to his promotion to commandant, to the chaotic construction of the "zone of interest" which would grow into the most infamous concentration camp of all time under his leadership. At this time the evil machinations within Auschwitz are starting to become underway, and prisoners come to understand exactly what "Arbeit Macht Frei" means in the eyes of the Nazi regime.

We are beginning perhaps the darkest series we have ever produced: the rise of Rudolph Hoess, the commandant of Auschwitz, and the countless atrocities performed under his ever watchful gaze. In the first part of this series, we explore Rudy's idyllic yet stern childhood, the birth of his ideologies, his time as a soldier and prisoner in World War 1 and beyond, and how a developing friendship with Heinrich Himmler in the Artmanen League would be the lynchpin that leads to him donning the SS uniform. Warning: Please be advised that these episodes will feature suicide, abortion, death, desecration of bodies, political extremism, violence, genocide, human experimentation, cannibalism, starvation, anti-semitism, homophobia, religious intolerance, and harm to children.

She was an enigmatic, alluring dancer and seductress who turned into one of the most unlikely and infamous spies of all time; of course, we are talking about the international woman of mystery herself... Mata Hari! Born in the Netherlands, Mata Hari carefully crafted her image and became one of the most captivating attractions in Paris. When World War 1 breaks out and she is recruited as a French spy, it unleashes a hilarious web of espionage straight out of a Mr. Bean movie; albeit, one that could very well determine the fate of Europe.

We are taking a more somber turn this week as we discuss the tragedy and legacy of Kyle Plush: a 16-year old boy who suffered an avoidable death when Cincinnati police and 911 call center workers failed to rescue him. In the wake of a wrongful death suit and subsequent settlement, the city began taking steps to improve personnel training and 911 systems to ensure history does not repeat itself. But is it enough?

Just like some select vault dwellers from the Fallout universe, we have Fritzl's underground family finally coming to the surface and seeing the light of day; with the help of Dr. Reiter, the enormous task of healthcare and integration into society began. In the meantime, the investigation into Fritzl and his basement prison is well underway, and the things seen and heard rocked the country of Austria. Don't miss the thrilling yet sombering conclusion to this 4-part series!

As Josef Fritzl enters into his not-so-sexy sixties, we see him start providing his incestuous family with additional room and amenities, but this does not mask the horrifying health conditions that slowly accrue over time. While becoming slightly more docile, it does not stop Fritzl from his Viagra-fueled sexcapade trips or terrorizing both families on a regular basis. With age creeping in, the ability to keep the secret diminishing, and news outlets/doctors/police sniffing around, how will he handle the pressure?

When we last left the incestuous Josef Fritzl, his now 18-year old little Liesl was re-captured, and it is here that the horrors truly begin. Trapped in a makeshift basement prison and repeatedly raped, Elisabeth was forced into bearing his children and raising them in her captivity. We are going from dark to darker (and not just because we are underground!), and it only gets worse from here, so let your heartstrings be tugged on as we get through this ordeal the only way we know how!

He was a Nazi sympathizer, a genius engineer, had a penchant for indecent exposure, and was also responsible for the incestuous imprisonment of his own daughter Elisabeth for 24 years. In part 1 of this series, we explore Josef Fritzl's humble beginnings in Amstetten, Austria; we look at his childhood, early adult life, and initial criminal behavior which were precursors for the horrors to come. Strap on your hosen and dirndls, and open your ears to schlager and the sound of music... It's about to be a bumpy ride.

We are stepping back into history for a quick little jaunt through the Papal States. More specifically, discussing umbrella maker and Mastro Titta (master of justice)... Giovanni Battista Bugatti. During his 68 year tenure, he was responsible for the execution of 514 "patients", and he kept a meticulous account of his justice-doling opportunities. It's time to look at executions through the eyes of a pious and empathic executioner.

When good manners break down and desperation is rampant, a reprieve in the form of rescue parties finally start trekking across the snow to save the devastated pioneers; however, some of the worst horrors have yet to come. While some are initially rescued, some too weak to continue are resigned to wait for further relief or their deaths… some of which come about “unnaturally” due to vapid hunger. We also discuss the fates of the survivors, from the adopted Donner daughters, to the Reeds and Breens, to the ghoulish Lewis Keseberg. We hope you're hungry for part 3 of this series… but not too hungry!

Hello friends! As we wrap up a crazy year, and celebrate our 100th episode, we take a look back at some of our favorite and most popular recordings. You will also be treated to some updates involving the Delphi murder case and the release of the Alaskan Avenger! We couldn't do any of this without the support and love of our listeners, and we are so blessed to be able to spread the sickness. Here's to 100 more episodes! To all our friends and family... Prost, Sláinte, Na Zdorovie, Salud, and happy holidays!

When we last left our fateful crew, they found themselves in the midst of a great salt desert. With supplies and water running low to non-existent, and oxen scattering off in all directions, things only get worse for the Donner party as they rejoin the trail and tensions rise. A moment of hope descends quickly into dread as an unexpected snowfall blocks off a pivotal pass over the mountains. Along the makeshift encampments surrounding Truckee Lake, and within the Forlorn Hope's camp of death... winter has come for our pioneers!

It's time to load up on your oxen and food supplies, because we are hitting the trail to manifest our destiny! While most people know at least some details about the fateful Donner family, there is far more to this journey than meets the eye. In part 1 of this series, we explore how the massive wagon train came to be, and the trials and tribulations which led to a splinter group which took the road less traveled... a decision which they will soon come to regret.

In part two of this wild sexcapade journey gone horribly wrong, we dive headfirst into the investigation of Bob Crane's death. From woefully amateur coroner and police work to John Carpenter's gift (or curse) of gab, we look at how the investigation went cold as quickly as it began. Many years later, a fresh investigation and subsequent trial hoped to shed new light on his mysterious murder. With the perpetrator not determined, it will take a television news anchor and new DNA evidence to finally get answers... or will it bring a whole host of new questions?

He was an eclectic radio personality, a saboteur of the Nazi regime, a sex addict and pornographer... and his mysterious death still leaves lingering questions to this day. We are discussing the eponymous hero of Hogan's Heroes himself: Bob Crane! His career, and subsequent relationship with John Carpenter, led him all across the United States, to many sex-fueled nights, and to his infamous death. Was this perpetrated by John Carpenter himself? Or perhaps his widow had something to gain?

Half dog. Half fish. All otter. The utterly royal Dobhar-chú, or water hound, is an infamous creature within the oral traditions of Irish and Scottish folklore. From 17th century Ireland to present day, there are stories aplenty of close encounters and death by these magical beasts. As dangerous as it is well-traveled, the king otter has supposedly been seen swimming and wreaking havoc across the Atlantic. Is it a time-traveler? Is it an immature offspring of Nessie? Tune in to find out, and hail to the king, baby!

The tale of Vicky and Casey White (no relation) is a love story for the ages. One of them was a well-respected security guard for a small-time jail... the other was a career criminal and inmate under her charge. In 2020, a blooming and very overt romance began within the confines of Lauderdale County Jail; a romance which would lead to an ill-conceived prison escape and tragedy two years later. Drink your Sun Drop and get ready for some love!

We are taking a slightly more serious turn with this episode by discussing the horrible murder at Lehigh University that led to the creation of The Clery Act of 1990 (officially known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act): a law that requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to disclose crime and safety data on on-campus and affiliate locations. We also educate you on the fine print of the Clery Act which details the protection and welfare support for students across the country.

Put on your creepiest Nicolas Cage smile, because we are heading to The Rock itself... Alcatraz Island! Through research and our own firsthand experiences, let us take you on a little ferry ride as we explore the beginnings of Alcatraz and the events that led to its formation as one of the most notorious prisons in the United States prison system. We will discuss the details of our evening tour, and perhaps also some infamous residents who called The Rock home. Only two men have ever broken out. Now all your lives depend on two women breaking in.

What happens when you bring a number of bushy and bright-eyed college students to play guards and inmates for the awesome pay of $15 a day? We find out within the confines of Jordan Hall at Stanford University: a prestigious research institute that may like to remove this event from its history. During this morally questionable 1971 prison experiment, we see how situational variables may have transformed the researcher and participants into monsters… or maybe some were monsters all along?

Athlete. Ladies' man. Drug pusher. Anti-hero. Operative. These are just some of the words you could use to describe Jimmy Keene, the individual recruited by the FBI to befriend (and gather incriminating evidence against) Larry Hall. We discuss Jimmy Keene's upbringing, the sequence of events which lead to his subsequent imprisonment, and the unlikely yet deceitful friendship with Hall which resulted in his successful conviction.

Get ready to fix bayonets and charge while letting your epic mutton chops flutter in the wind, because we are about to discuss re-enactment soldier, Mopar enthusiast, and suspected serial killer Larry Hall! In part 1 of this series, we look at Hall's humble beginnings in the womb, his relationship with his (much better looking) brother Gary, his love for mock battles... and his association with the case surrounding the disappearance and murder of Jessica Roach. Is he just an unintelligent wannabe who likes to take credit? Or is there something far more devious to Larry Hall than meets the eye?

Guess who's back and ready to unleash more true crime, more ghosts, more cryptids, and tons of other spooky stories to whet your dark appetites? *I'll give you a hint: It's not Slim Shady* New Too Close To Home coming soon!

We are going way back in time for a cautionary true crime tale, y'all... one that involves an ancient king, a corrupt judge, and the ultimate "f*#$ around and find out" symbolic punishment! In this short and sweet episode, we will divulge a little background on Cambyses II, some of the controversies surrounding his reign (which may or may not be truthful), and the event, memorialized in painting, which shows his penchant for truth, justice, and the Persian way... and "leather" upholstery. Karma is truly a bitch, and anyone who sits upon the chair will dutifully remember that.

As we begin part 2 of this series, we see the firsthand account provided by Tony Harris concerning Herb Baumeister's modus operandi, and how old Herb's life gets turned upside down (but not in a fresh prince sort of way). While Herb's metaphorical and literal "skeletons in the woods" are discovered, he takes fate into his own hands in the woodlands of Canada. In the second half of this episode, we look at the Graves family's anecdotal evidence surrounding the haunting of Fox Hollow Farm, and perhaps also what drew paranormal investigators (including certain controversial dude bro's) to the location. Is there a portal in the swimming pool? Are there dark entities within the woods of Fox Hollow Farm? Grab your digital recorder and find out!

How can one improve upon the thrift shop business model? What is the taste of human urine? These are important questions asked by Herbert the Pervert... suspected serial killer and future owner of Fox Hollow Farm. With his fascination with urophilia, multiple mental disorders, and levels of bizarre behavior matched only by his work ethic, it's little surprise there were eventually skeletal remains found in his backyard. But what is the story behind these murders? How do we know if he was the perpetrator or not? Was he the unidentified I-70 Strangler? There are more questions than answers, and in part 1 of this series on Herb Baumeister and Fox Hollow Farm, we see if we can't separate the fact from fiction.

Today we are going a bit off the rails and looking into a different flavor of cult: one that is not based on faith, but on one of the most popular video games of all time... Final Fantasy 7! After providing some background on the video game franchise and the story-beats/characters of the 7th installment, we explore a bizarre tale of manipulation, abuse, and "soulbonding" which infamously made waves on the internet in the early 2000's. Brandish your Buster Sword and equip your finest Materia, because we are about to do battle with Jenova; not Final Fantasy 7's extra-terrestrial calamity from the skies, but Jennifer Cornett from State College, Pennsylvania... the elusive and glittery human who twisted an innocent fandom into a living nightmare.

In this hilarious and different episode, we bring in a very special guest: Jenn's little sister... the rainbow agent of chaos herself... Kelly! In the first half, the librarian brings her own little fun facts and corrections to past episodes. To finish out, she educates us on the brief history of the screeching swole lord of the Pine Barrens: The Jersey Devil! Is it the cursed 13th child of Mother Leeds? What is it's association with Benjamin Franklin? Did Napolean Bonaparte's elder brother actually see the devil? It is time for a little GTL in southeast New Jersey. This episode is dedicated in loving memory of Jenn and Kelly's father, Ernest Strickland. May he enjoy that everlasting safety meeting in the sky.

In part 2 of our story on the intelligent and evil "Monster Preacher" Gary Heidnik, we see the events that transpire in a true basement of horrors. A series of kidnappings is followed by terrible physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, and that does not even count the atrocities performed inside the hand-dug hole in the basement floor. Beware what's cooking in the kitchen, because it may not actually be pot roast. We apologize for the delay, Jenn lost her father to a terminal illness this past week. We can't thank you enough for your patience and support!

"It puts the lotion on its skin"... everyone knows the chilling words of fictional serial killer Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb; some people may even know that his modus operandi was based on the traits of real serial killers. The least known of this murderous mash-up was an intelligent, manipulative, and eccentric monster named Gary Heidnik. With a very flavorful soup filled with childhood trauma, military service, religious cults, and cookies shoved down the throat by the devil himself, part one of his story is just as eclectic and deviant as the very thing he helped inspire. Listen on Podurama!

This week we have a unique split episode as we recover from William Bonin's crimes. We begin with an interview with a friend, Candace, on a missing loved one and the update that we have gotten since recording. For the second half we speak to her son Eli on his first-hand bigfoot encounter which is, as we all know, one of our favorite subjects! While we're green with envy, Eli has a unique story that will have you rethinking who Bigfoot is and why he has this special connection. Thanks to Candace and her husband Michael for their support and their trust to share their stories! Listen on Podurama!

We are finally here at the end of the road, and the end sure didn't come fast enough! In the conclusion of this 5-episode arc, we see Bonin initially held on the charge of rape of a minor, but with the mixture of mounting evidence and flapping jaws (I guess Bonin didn't consider his co-conspirators to be "witnesses"...), a grisly picture is painted; one that will forever change the landscape of southern California. Listen on Podurama! https://podurama.com

After a long time period of seemingly unrelated murders, the dots were at last connected; the news media dubbed this monster the "Freeway Killer", and the story gained traction everywhere very quickly. In part 4 of this series, Bonin relishes in his infamy as he continues down his road of terror with new (and old) accomplices. As bodies are found, police start gravitating toward their suspected perpetrator, and it's only a matter of time before Bonin takes his last joy ride.

Welcome back to the uplifting, feel-good story of William Bonin! In the third part of this series, we see his escalation and brutality evolve during both his solo and accomplice-supported murders. With a jail sentence looming on the horizon, Bonin wastes no time in making sure he gets his "fix" before imprisonment. Of course, it doesn't stop there; the ramping up continues after his early release, and a twisted dream of his finally becomes fulfilled.

If you're anything like us, you need a bit of a break from the madness of old creepy Billy Bodin, so we're coming at you with one of Jenn's favorite haunts (BA-DUM-TISS)! It is sometimes said you can't walk around any part of historic Savannah without being mere feet above the dead; from its founding in 1733 to present day, Savannah has been infamous for tales of piracy, grave defilement, bizarre deaths, and the paranormal. We present just a snippet of these famous stories which should whet your appetite for the spooky macabre... or at the very least, make you want to hire a dandy ghost for all your housekeeping needs.

It begins with some good old satanic panic-era Dungeons & Dragons and city-wide morbid games of Clue, but the games are about to take a much darker turn. Freshly released from prison, a new and improved ("cured?") Bonin has entered a new city, embraced a new group of friends, and is about to begin his first string of brutal, sexual murders. You will learn fairly quickly that when you enter the death van, you don't leave it alive. This may not be the type of tale you want to discuss over an ice-cold Pepsi.

One of the most vile and disgusting serial killers in American history is on full display as we begin the dark, dark drive down a highway system of terror and death. In part 1 of this horrifying series on the man who will come to be known as "The Freeway Killer", we look at Bonin's questionable early school life, increasingly violent urges, military service, and "extended" stay at Atascadero State Hospital. Not helped by a deadly combination of the gaming of the system and the failure of the system itself, this serial killer soup is slowly but surely turning a man into a monster. This is the beginning of the highway to hell.

In part 2 of our series on the legendary Yeti, we continue learning the mysteries and controversies surrounding the eponymous cryptid. The surprises keep coming as we discuss everything from Yeti hand heists involving Jimmy Stewart, to US government-mandated rules for Yeti hunting (during the Cold War nonetheless), to modern evidence brought to us by sources such as the BBC and Destination Truth's Josh Gates. Is this just another case of a misidentified bear or ape, or are the stories really true?

While you were trekking up the snow-covered mountains of the Himalayas, you saw a large footprint you couldn't explain... you heard calls that echoed across the peaks... maybe it's a sign of oxygen deprivation, maybe it's a sign of the abominable snowman... the legendary Yeti! A staple of Himalayan and Buddhist folklore, the Yeti has evaded and entranced the eyes of everyone from locals to the conqueror of Mount Everest himself: Sir Edmund Hillary. Brought to you by our very own (self-appointed) Doctor of Cryptozoology, Becky Johnson, PhD, we explore the early mysteries and expeditions involving the Yeti in our very first multi-part cryptid episode!

The clock has ticked its last tock for the mad monk of Pokrovskoye and the Romanov dynasty. For the finale of this series, we first discuss the Looney Tunes-like assassination of Grigori Rasputin: a man who just refused to die, and more than you ever wanted to know about the fate of Rasputin's most prized "possession". We then proceed down more somber territory as we cover the imprisonment, tightening chokehold, and execution of the Romanov family. This brutal demise, along with the ridiculous mishaps by the Bolsheviks in an effort to "bury" the truth, marked the true beginning of Soviet Russia.

Grab your nearest bottle of Madeira wine, and ready your most touching drunken sermons! In Part 3 of our series, Rasputin goes off the deep end with his drinking habits and theatrical antics. While the powerful and stinky libertine parties, a wedge is being drawn between Rasputin, the populace, the government, and the royal family… one that spells the beginning of the end for the Romanov dynasty.

In part 2 of our series on the controversial history between Rasputin and the Romanovs, we start with Tsarina Alix's desperate attempts to birth a male heir, and how the canonized Seraphim perhaps worked a miracle to usher the birth of son Alexei: an heir to the royal curse. How will they secure their dynasty in this dark hour? Enter Rasputin, who entranced the royals and populace with his mysticism, rock and roll lifestyle, and peasant ways… but will he be the savior they needed, or an instrument of their ultimate downfall?

There lived a certain man in Russia long ago… whether you know him as the subject of a disco hit or the villain of an animated classic, the mysteries surrounding Grigori Rasputin have captured the imagination for over a century. We begin part 1 of this series with a twofold story. In one hand, we discuss the early life of the mad monk and the curious (and stinky) journey that led him to St. Petersburg. In the other, the rise of Czar Nicholas II and the events which led the Romanovs to eventually seek the man himself.

This is NOT an April Fool's joke! We are back and ready to spread the sickness, baby! We hope you have missed us as much as we have missed you! For our first episode of 2023, we are keeping things light and warming up the palate for all the madness that will follow; we are discussing the two-dicked Canadian terror of Lake Utopia… a cryptid affectionately known as Old Ned! He has been sighted throughout the past few centuries, but what is Old Ned? A mutation? A basking shark? Grab yourself a hot cup of Timmy Ho Ho's and enjoy the scoop!

It has been an amazing first year, and we are wrapping up this season of content with some good old-fashioned game show nostalgia... and bigfoot, because that is how we roll! We will break down 4 bigfoot variants' looks, temperaments, hobbies, eating habits, and everything in between. Which one would you choose to be kidnapped by? There is only one way to find out! From all of us at Too Close To Home, thank you for making our first year as content creators both amazing and memorable. We couldn't do it without your support! Happy Holidays everyone! Here's to you, to us, and to the future S.S. Clutch My Pearls! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tooclosepodcast/support

Stephen and Cary may have been brothers, but they were alike in blood only. While one embodied goodness, the brother we are covering in part 2 of this series had wires crossed from the beginning. Exacerbated and awoken from the vast familial and media attention surrounding Stephen, Cary's murderous tendencies led to a killing spree in 1999 which made him known as the Yosemite Park Slayer. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tooclosepodcast/support

As we all are enjoying our families during this holiday season, it is important to remember that some families out there have missing loved ones. Rachel Carroll from Tamaqua, Pennsylvania reached out to us seeking help in finding a loved one of her own: Jesse Farber-Rex. In this special episode, Rachel was kind and brave enough to allow a personal interview to help shed light and bring exposure to Jesse's disappearance.  On August 11, 2015 Jesse called family for help at 8:43 PM stating he was in the mountains behind Tamaqua High School or Elementary School in a tree with several coyotes surrounding him. He urged his family to bring guns and save him. When asked for confirmation of where he truly was, he began to answer as his phone died. This is the last contact anyone has had with him and his family and law enforcement have searched several areas from airshafts to underwater searches without any sign. There was a book bag found in a tree that is suspected to be his but with the sudden appearance after thorough searches, foul play is suspected. Jesse has two young children that have long awaited their father's return as well as a partner who is doing all she can to keep his case open and spread awareness! There is a FB page “Finding Jesse Farber” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087575703036... Please contact the Tamaqua Police Dept. at (570) 668-5000 or his family at (570) 789-3007 with any tips or information on his whereabouts. If you have seen something - say something and help us bring Jesse home! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tooclosepodcast/support

In this heart-wrenching series, we are looking at the tragedies that fell upon the Stayner family, and these events are on completely different ends of the spectrum. In part one, we look into the kidnapping and sexual abuse of 7-year old Stephen Stayner at the hands of child molester Kenneth Parnell. Stephen's innocence is matched only by the goodness in his heart, and his bravery saved not only his own life, but the life of another potential victim as well. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tooclosepodcast/support