Throughout his shocking rampage that left dozens of people injured or dead, the newly dubbed “Vampire of Düsseldorf” Peter Kürten grew more and more confident — even writing into a local paper with the location of a victim’s body. But his confidence would be his undoing.
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Aug 31
The Young Hippies Who Hijacked a Plane
In 1972, two young hippies hijack a commercial airplane in a wild attempt to free a famous political activist from jail, setting off one of the strangest, most idealistic crimes of a radical era. Sources for this episode include: The Skies Belong to Us: Love and Terror in the Gol ... Show More
38m 31s
Aug 24
The Greek Robin Hood Who Kidnapped Billionaires and Escaped Prison in a Helicopter
In the craggy peaks of Greece, a modern outlaw proves that you can rob a bank, kidnap a billionaire, and still be the most beloved man in the mountains. This is the story of Vassilis Paleokostas: the 'Robin Hood' who treats his hostages like guests and uses a helicopter as his pr ... Show More
40m 36s
Aug 17
Stanley Alpert, the Kidnapping Victim Who Outsmarted his Captors
Kidnapped on his 38th birthday by criminals who think every federal prosecutor is secretly wealthy, a calm-under-pressure lawyer survives a chaotic 25-hour ordeal—part hostage crisis, part absurd comedy—by befriending his captors. Sources for this episode include: The Birthday Pa ... Show More
30m 57s
Oct 2022
Peter Kürten: The Vampire of Düsseldorf
The Vampire of Düsseldorf is perhaps one of the most demented, sadistic, monstrous, depraved, and literally bloodthirsty individuals we’ve ever covered on this show - yes, even worse than Pedro Lopez. So fair warning - here be monsters.
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1h 5m
Nov 2018
Episode 340: Peter Kürten Part II - Dr Chuckles
<p>On the conclusion to our series, we cover the worst of Peter Kürten's murder spree from his carnival double murder to the depths of his vampiric tendencies, plus his dubious confession claims and his eventual execution. </p><p> </p>
<p><p><strong>For Live Shows, Merch, and Mor ... Show More
1h 7m
Oct 2025
140. The Vampire: Peter Kurten, the Blood Sucking German Serial Killer // MONSTERS SERIES
Heart Starts Pounding is a Signal Awards Finalist! Go to https://vote.signalaward.com/ by October 9th to cast your vote for the Listener's Choice Award. In 1929, bodies were turning up all over Dusseldorf, Germany with one horrifying thing in common. It looked like someone ha ... Show More
40m 37s