logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
31m 2s

The Forgotten Meltdown

Wondery | Ballen Studios
About this episode

It’s 1961 in Idaho Falls. The US government’s attempt to set the course for America’s nuclear future turns tragic when the SL-1 reactor explodes, leading to the gruesome death of three soldiers. But what caused this tragedy? Was it really a murder/suicide inspired by a jealous love triangle? Or was this an excuse to hide something much darker? 


Follow Redacted: Declassified Mysteries with Luke Lamana on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/redacted/ now.

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

Up next
Aug 27
Introducing: American Criminal
Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole are two of history’s most prolific serial killers. Or they’re liars who aren’t to be trusted. Either way, they’ve both got red in their ledger – all stemming from their twisted beginnings. American Criminal takes you inside the minds of some of our ... Show More
16m 23s
Aug 19
WikiLeaks: The Hacker Who Exposed America's Darkest Secrets
When Julian Assange released classified footage of a U.S. helicopter strike that killed two journalists and several civilians in 2010, it catapulted WikiLeaks into global headlines. As Assange unleashed a flood of classified documents, he sparked protests, fractured alliances, an ... Show More
35m 39s
Aug 12
Castle Bravo: America's Deadliest Nuclear Mistake
On March 1, 1954, a Japanese fishing boat called the Lucky Dragon No. 5 was sailing near the Marshall Islands when its crew was caught in the fallout of a secret U.S. hydrogen bomb test. Code named Castle Bravo, the test released far more radiation than scientists had anticipated ... Show More
29m 51s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 4
Fan Favorite | The Carancas Curse
Following the epic crossover between MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted: Declassified Mysteries, hosted by Luke Lamana, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes where the line between medical mystery and dark conspiracy becomes blurred.In September 2007, a meteor str ... Show More
30m 36s
Oct 2024
The Hack | 1
Binge episodes 1-6 and weekly new episodes of Kill List by signing up for Wondery+ on Apple or Spotify.A frantic 911 call sparks an investigation into a suspicious death. The case takes an unexpected turn when the victim’s name is discovered among those on a dark net kill list.Li ... Show More
41m 36s
Sep 9
Fan Favorite | Culture Clash
Following the epic crossover between MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted: Declassified Mysteries, hosted by Luke Lamana, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes where the line between medical mystery and dark conspiracy becomes blurred.When a quiet town in Oregon is ... Show More
31m 22s
Jan 2025
Challenger Disaster | Revisiting the Tragedy | 5
Like most people who were alive in 1986, filmmaker Steven Leckart remembers the Challenger disaster. He was a kid in elementary school at the time. But as an adult, Leckart set out to explore the aftermath of what happened through interviews with astronauts’ family members, engin ... Show More
36m 41s
Aug 19
Fan Favorite | Blood Feast
Following the epic crossover between MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted: Declassified Mysteries, hosted by Luke Lamana, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes where the line between medical mystery and dark conspiracy becomes blurred.One night in 1944, over 300 pat ... Show More
24m 59s
Mar 2025
Negotiation with the Devil | 5
Charlie finally has a plan to save her brothers from the scam factory when she gets a chilling phone call. Now, she must race to rescue them before it’s too late.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wonder ... Show More
28m 32s
Jan 2025
A look back...
The Missing released its first episode in December 2020. In the four years since, we’ve covered more than seventy missing person cases, across the UK and Ireland. In the course of our work, we’ve spoken to hundreds of people, whose brave and unvarnished testimonies have shone a l ... Show More
52m 49s
Sep 2
Fan Favorite | Sudden Insanity
Following the epic crossover between MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries and Redacted: Declassified Mysteries, hosted by Luke Lamana, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes where the line between medical mystery and dark conspiracy becomes blurred.When an elderly man in New Brun ... Show More
25m 1s
Feb 2025
The Butcher’s Block | 3
Charlie excels at her new job, which has devastating consequences for two women who pay the price. And one of them won’t let Charlie get away with it. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, here are some resources:The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can ... Show More
32m 42s
Oct 2024
Jamestown | A Hell of Darkness | 2
In January 1608, fire blazed through the English settlement in Jamestown, Virginia. Nearly every building was reduced to ash. The destruction meant that the colonists would have to brave the winter with nothing but the clothes on their backs. More than ever before, their survival ... Show More
40m 34s