“The Hippie Trail Killer” Charles Sobhra...

A charismatic leader convinces his devoted followers that salvation awaits aboard an alien spacecraft trailing a comet—leading the Heaven’s Gate cult to a tragic, otherworldly mass suicide that exposed the dangerous power of blind faith and cosmic delusion.Sources for this episod ... Show More

A brilliant con man turns his life into a high-stakes romantic heist, embezzling fortunes and pulling off mind-bending jailbreaks—all to keep the man he loves in the lifestyle he thinks he deserves. Sources for this episode include: I Love You Phillip Morris : A True Story of Lif ... Show More

26-year-old "trunk murderess" Winnie Ruth Judd killed her two best friends one hot Phoenix night in 1931. Then she stuffed both of them into trunks and loaded them on a train to Los Angeles. What the press assumed was a simple case of jealousy only got messier with each new versi ... Show More

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Charles Sobhraj was one of the most elusive con artists in the world. Though his cons were elaborate, he knew he would be able to prey on unsuspecting Western tourists traveling along the “Hippie Trail,” the road between Istanbul and Bangkok. Le ... Show More

He required his members to cut all ties with outside influences. And then in 1997, he convinced them to do the unthinkable in order to enter a higher existence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 

A man claiming to be a thousand-year-old angel moved his small commune from state to state, never staying too long. When money ran tight, the mysterious deaths of his followers — and their life insurance payouts — kept him going. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastcho ... Show More

Captain Every led his men in a revolt that brought them to the far side of the world. Now it was time to make their fortune — and escape before England caught up with them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 

Sarah Chesham was executed for a series of murders she swore she didn’t commit. Was she a victim of England’s poison panic? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 

After sending a message with the destruction of the Protestant Caesar, Blackbeard knew he needed to make a bigger name for himself. So, he decided to do the unthinkable: hold an entire city hostage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 

After his abduction on July 7th, 1960, Graeme Thorne's body was discovered in a vacant lot in Sydney, Australia. The entire country longed to see his killer brought to justice, and the identity of his killer would surprise everyone who followed the case. Learn more about your ad ... Show More

Arthur Shawcross was paroled after less than 15 years in prison. Had the authorities known what was next, they never would have let him out.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

On October 30th, 1975, 15-year-old Martha Moxley was murdered less than a 100 yards from her front door. The police felt certain of the identity of her killer, but wouldn't be able to press charges for over twenty years. Sponsors! Gabi - Take 2 minutes and see if you can save up ... Show More

Did the King of Rock ‘n' Roll kick the bucket due to a drug overdose? Or did an out of shape—past his prime—lonely rockstar intentionally find his way out of the spotlight? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices