We’re dropping into the feed today to share incredibly exciting news AND an invitation for you. Ashley Flowers and Max Cutler are holding a special event to celebrate the release of their books! It’s happening July 13th, and you can join them virtually or in-person. Listen to this message from Max to hear all about it, then go to parcast.com/cults to register! And a huge bonus: Max is matching all ticket sales up to $125,000 in a donation to Season of Justice, the nonprofit dedicated to...

On March 10th, 1928, 9-year-old Walter Collins vanished. Months later, police found the lost boy and reunited him with his mother Christine. But she protested that the rescued boy wasn't her son at all, and went on to sue the police officers who pressured her to take in the child.

On March 10th, 1928, 9-year-old Walter Collins vanished. Months later, police found the lost boy and reunited him with his mother Christine. But she protested that the rescued boy wasn't her son at all, and went on to sue the police officers who pressured her to take in the child. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is a story of murder, manipulation, and a confession that unraveled an entire community in the small town of Knutby. In the early 2000s, what seemed like an open-and-shut case revealed layers of gut-wrenching secrets — and it all starts with text messages from God.

This is a story of murder, manipulation, and a confession that unraveled an entire community in the small town of Knutby. In the early 2000s, what seemed like an open-and-shut case revealed layers of gut-wrenching secrets — and it all starts with text messages from God. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A mother, her teenage daughter, and her daughter’s friend went on a hike on a warm summer day in 1954. One of them never returned. As police investigated the site of her so-called accident, they came to a harrowing conclusion. 

A mother, her teenage daughter, and her daughter’s friend went on a hike on a warm summer day in 1954. One of them never returned. As police investigated the site of her so-called accident, they came to a harrowing conclusion.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A small-time crook made global headlines after kidnapping Freddy Heineken, the billionaire beer heir, then spent the next decades building an empire of his own. Wim Holleeder is the Netherlands’ most notorious crime boss — an untouchable gangster whose downfall came at the hands of his own family. 

A small-time crook made global headlines after kidnapping Freddy Heineken, the billionaire beer heir, then spent the next decades building an empire of his own. Wim Holleeder is the Netherlands’ most notorious crime boss — an untouchable gangster whose downfall came at the hands of his own family.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An hour outside of Dublin, the scenic Wicklow Mountains and surrounding towns have developed a dark reputation. Inexplicable disappearances and unsolved murders have plagued the area for four decades, prompting the creation of a special task force to investigate whether the cases were the work of a serial killer. 

An hour outside of Dublin, the scenic Wicklow Mountains and surrounding towns have developed a dark reputation. Inexplicable disappearances and unsolved murders have plagued the area for four decades, prompting the creation of a special task force to investigate whether the cases were the work of a serial killer.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On March 31st, 1922, an entire family was violently murdered on their farm. The gruesome investigation revealed a web of village feuds, incest, and even claims of paranormal activity. The massacre remains Germany's most incredible unsolved case.

On March 31st, 1922, an entire family was violently murdered on their farm. The gruesome investigation revealed a web of village feuds, incest, and even claims of paranormal activity. The massacre remains Germany's most incredible unsolved case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He was the 20th century's greatest outlaw. She was a peerless beauty trapped in a loveless marriage. Together they perpetrated a spree of brutal violence that left its mark on Brazil forever. This is the story of Lampião the Bandit King and his love, Maria Bonita. 

He was the 20th century's greatest outlaw. She was a peerless beauty trapped in a loveless marriage. Together they perpetrated a spree of brutal violence that left its mark on Brazil forever. This is the story of Lampião the Bandit King and his love, Maria Bonita.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1974, a missing persons case in Reykjavik, Iceland, turned into a murder investigation when six people confessed to two killings. The only problem: There were no bodies. No evidence. And the six suspects had no memory of committing any crimes.

In 1974, a missing persons case in Reykjavik, Iceland, turned into a murder investigation when six people confessed to two killings. The only problem: There were no bodies. No evidence. And the six suspects had no memory of committing any crimes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A family camping trip in 1980 ended with a cry that became a punchline, and a mother accused of murder. It would take three decades for the Australian government to acknowledge what Lindy Chamberlain had been saying all along — that her nine-week-old daughter Azaria had been killed by dingoes. But in that time, the shoddy investigation and sensational media coverage ensured there was more than one victim in this case. 

A family camping trip in 1980 ended with a cry that became a punchline, and a mother accused of murder. It would take three decades for the Australian government to acknowledge what Lindy Chamberlain had been saying all along — that her nine-week-old daughter Azaria had been killed by dingoes. But in that time, the shoddy investigation and sensational media coverage ensured there was more than one victim in this case.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1997, people in the small town of Aman Damai unearthed a woman's body in a sugarcane field. It was clear she'd been murdered — and she'd last been spotted visiting the local shaman. As authorities dug deeper, they learned that the woman was only the latest victim of a prolific serial killer.

In 1997, people in the small town of Aman Damai unearthed a woman's body in a sugarcane field. It was clear she'd been murdered — and she'd last been spotted visiting the local shaman. As authorities dug deeper, they learned that the woman was only the latest victim of a prolific serial killer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For almost two decades, a gruesome serial killer preyed on young lovers in the hills of Florence. And he wasn’t just out for blood — he wanted body parts. After a 40-year manhunt, hundreds have been accused of being the Monster, many have been jailed, but the real killer has never been caught.

For almost two decades, a gruesome serial killer preyed on young lovers in the hills of Florence. And he wasn’t just out for blood — he wanted body parts. After a 40-year manhunt, hundreds have been accused of being the Monster, many have been jailed, but the real killer has never been caught. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1996, a pair of fishermen hauled in a body from the English Channel. As police try to identify the victim, they find he has unexpected ties to one of the most wanted con artists in Canada.