She was a singular woman in Gold Rush-era San Francisco: an entrepreneur, an abolitionist, and extraordinarily wealthy. But Mary Ellen Pleasant’s mere presence was enough to rattle her neighbors, and the accusations levied against her were enough to shock: she practiced black magic; she murdered a business associate; she cursed a family. Now she’s rumored to ... Show More
Nov 2022
Thanksgiving Special: Just Add Arsenic
Over the ages, arsenic has had many lives — beauty fad, household product, medical prescription… and weapon of choice wielded by killers everywhere from Alabama to ancient Rome. Brine your turkey, knead your dough, and listen to our Thanksgiving Special on the regime-changing, as ... Show More
42m 41s
Oct 2022
Sarah Winchester, Mistress of the Mystery House
After marrying the heir to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1862, Sarah Winchester was seemingly set for life. But while her finances never despaired, Sarah did — experiencing a string of tragedies that would haunt her. She built a strange and sweeping mansion to try and ... Show More
41m 26s
Aug 2020
Mary Willcocks Pt. 1: “Princess Caraboo”
In the early 1800s, Mary Willcocks was a young, restless woman struggling in poverty. Drifting around England as a beggar, she eventually donned a disguise and spoke in a made-up language, hoping to lure more charity. The ruse worked, and her bizarre alias was born. Learn more ab ... Show More
44m 27s
Dec 2024
Lady Mafia | 1. “Anna Delvey of the OC”
Sara King, a high powered lawyer in Orange County, had scammed investors out of $10 million. Her story splashed the headlines. But to this day, she says she’s no con artist. So what the hell happened? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
34m 28s
Sep 15
Profit Killer: Dorothea Puente
She dressed like a grandmother, lied about her age, and acted like a guardian angel… while secretly killing the very people she claimed to help. At her Sacramento boarding house, Dorothea Puente took in elderly, sick and disabled tenants. But once their social security checks arr ... Show More
37m 34s
Jul 2018
“The Murder Factory” Pt. 2 - Amy Archer-Gilligan
Amy Archer-Gilligan owned and operated a home for elderly residents in Windsor, Connecticut, but fell deeply into debt. Over time, she developed a deadly business model - stealing money from residents, then poisoning them - ultimately killing more than two dozen victims over a tw ... Show More
46m 4s
Dec 2024
The Human Trafficking Illegal Casino Kingpin Who May Have Been a Chinese Spy
Alice Guo was a Philippine success story, a homeschooled farmhand who rose to become a millionaire business leader. But when Guo ran for mayor of the small town of Bamban in 2022, eyebrows were raised. Sure, she was rich: but how did Guo own a helicopter, $200,000 jewelry and a M ... Show More
54m 27s
Dec 2023
Poisoned by Her Son’s Ex-Girlfriend or Someone Else? The Suspicious Death of Mary Yoder
Mary Yoder was the picture of health, she loved the outdoors, tending to her garden, and working at her family-owned chiropractic office with her husband, Bill. But in July of 2015 she became mysteriously ill. After 2 days in the hospital, and 8 total heart attacks, Mary lost her ... Show More
1h 1m