logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2023
1h 26m

Episode 425: The Clutter Family Murders

Morbid Network | Wondery
About this episode

In 1959 the state of Kansas was absolutely shocked to find that one of its most prominent and well-liked families, The Clutters, had been murdered. Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, two convicts that had recently been released from prison were the ones responsible. Both had been told by a fellow inmate while incarcerated that the Clutter family had a large amount of cash stashed in a safe on their property. The two broke into the family home and searched for the safe, they then woke up the family when they couldn't find it, tortured and murdered them one by one. 


thank you to exquisite David White for research assistance 



References

Capital Wire Service. 1959. "Two Itinerant Laborers Held for Murder Quiz." Topeka Daily Capital, November 20.

Capote, Truman. 1965. "In Cold Blood." The New Yorker, September 25.

Cowan, Carole. 2005. "Persons Unknown." New York Times, Jan 23: F6.

Garden City Telegram. 1965. "Last Words Attack Capital Punishment." Garden City Telegram, April 14: 1.

Gonsalves, Antone. 1984. "25 years later, 'In Cold Blood' murders still haunt." United Press International, November 11.

Greer, Bob. 1959. "Clutter Family Murders." Garden City Telegram, November 16: 1.

Hegeman, Roxana. 2009. "The Stains of In Cold Blood Still Fresh 50 Years Later." Guelph Mercury, November 10.

Hickock, Richard. 1960. "Spectre of Noose Haunts Prisoner." Topeka Daily Capital, March 25.

Kalbfleisch, Gay. 1959. "Empty Shell Cases, Fatal Shot Found." Topeka Daily Capital, November 19: 1.

Keglovitts, Sally J. 2004. "In Cold Blood Revisited: A Look Back at an American." Federal Probation: A Journal of Correctional Philosophy and Practice 68 (1).

Kull, Ron. 1960. "Crime Plans Listed." Topeka Daily Capital, 03 24: 1.

—. 1960. "'They'll Both Get the Rope'." Topeka State Journal, March 23: 1.

—. 1960. "'Wells Was to Get Cut,' Says Hickock." Topeka State Journal, March 26.

McAvoy, Gary. 2019. And Every Word is True. Bremerton, WA: Literati Editions.

New York Times. 1959. "Wealthy Farmer, 3 of Family Slain." New York Times, November 16: 39.

State Journal News Services. 1960. "Jury Tours Clutter Farm; Death Asked." Topeka State Journal, March 23.

State of Kansas vs. Hickock & Smith. 1961. 363 P.2d 541 (Supreme Court of Kansas, July 8).

Time Magazine. 1960. "Kansas: The Killers." Time Magazine, January 18.

Topeka State Journal. 1965. "Clutter Case Reporter Finds Relief in End of Long Story." Topeka State Journal, April 14: 1.

United Press International. 1959. "Fear, Grief Follow Murder Shock." Topeka Daily Capital, November 16: 1.


See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Yesterday
October Bonus Episode - Corpse Medicine: Tomb to Table
Weirdos! It's our SECOND BONUS EPISODE!!! This month, Ash is ready to give you a dose of corpse medicine! From mummy dust & king's drops to blood jam & human fat poultices, this month's bonus covers the weird remedies of yesteryear that will make you PRAISE modern medicine! Hoste ... Show More
51m 29s
Oct 9
The Dartmouth College Murders
On the evening of January 27, 2001, Roxana Verona arrived at the Etna, NH home of her friends Half and Susanne Zantop for a dinner the couple had planned with friends that night. When no one answered the door, Verona entered the home and found the brutalized bodies of Half and Su ... Show More
1h 20m
Oct 6
Forensics, Fiction, and the Fine Line Between Them: A Sit Down with Patricia Cornwell
Weirdos! Today we are joined by legendary crime novelist Patricia Cornwell, the mastermind behind the Kay Scarpetta series and one of the pioneers of the forensic thriller genre! Whether you’re a longtime Scarpetta stan or newly forensic-curious, this episode is packed with morbi ... Show More
1h 16m
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2023
44. The Hodges Family Murder
On this episode, Payton delves into the Hodges Family Murder, an incident that occurred in a quiet town, where an unknown assailant killed an entire family in their own home.Socials and more: https://linktr.ee/bingedpod Forensic Files, episode “Private Thoughts,” aired April 23, ... Show More
32m 37s
Feb 2024
SERIAL KILLER: The Alphabet Murders Part 2
Dozens of commuters see a young girl fleeing a car on the side of the expressway in Rochester, NY, but no one pulls over to help. The community is devastated when her body is discovered just days later, but it’s assumed to be a tragic but isolated incident. But when more young gi ... Show More
49m 11s
Jun 2023
The Murder of Marlene Warren
This week we are discussing Marlene Warren, a beloved mother whose murder went unsolved for 33 years, even after multiple witnesses saw someone dressed as a clown shoot her in broad daylight.  Research by Haley Gray with Haley Gray Research.  Check-out the Promo for Murder, She T ... Show More
1h 25m
Feb 2024
205. Murder in Paradise - Chris Farmer and Peta Frampton
In this episode, Payton and Garrett delve into the tragic case of Chris Farmer and Peta Frampton, two college students in search of adventure. However, their quest takes a devastating turn when they encounter the wrong individual, leading to the loss of their lives.NEW MERCH!http ... Show More
44m 46s
Dec 2023
The "Psychic Killer" | The Case of Lea & Maxx Porter | UNSEEN
“I would give up my life to find her” -- It’s June 3rd, 2014 and Maxx Porter is desperately trying to reach his little sister Lea, but she isn’t answering any of his calls. 8 days later, her family turns on the TV and there's a bizarre interview of a man with a disturbing sto ... Show More
22m 29s
Jan 2024
RLRC Daily 1/22/24 | Navy Commander Arrested for DUI, Hollywood Heir Charged with Brutal Murder, Woman Arrested for Assaulting Husband over Birthday Sex
In this episode, We discuss a murder case involving self-defense claims, the firing and arrest of a Navy Commander, a court case surrounding a Hollywood heir, and a peculiar incident of accusing neighbors of being pirates. Additionally, we touch on a fatal shooting during a vehic ... Show More
46m 58s
Dec 2023
Fan Favorite - "These People Actually Exist"
This story is a fan favorite that was previously published as Episode 8.On Christmas Eve in 1992, an 18-year-old woman named Danita Gullette stepped outside of her place of work into the freezing Dayton, Ohio night air, and began walking toward her mother's house. After a few min ... Show More
46m 50s
Feb 2024
Linda Dancer
The case of a beloved Kenosha social worker's murder resurfaces nearly a decade after leads run dry when an odd call from another state reveals the gruesome truth about a vengeful pack of killers. Season 30 Episode 03Originally aired: October 31 2021Watch full episodes of Snapped ... Show More
43m 21s
Feb 2024
The Callous Killing of Sylvia Fleming
This week, in a listener-researched and written episode, we head to Omagh in Northern Ireland, as we take a look at the brutal 1998 murder of 17-year-old Sylvia Fleming.On the cusp of adulthood, and with a difficult childhood now behind her, Sylvia thought she had struck gold whe ... Show More
1h 12m