Gilles de Rais, a prominent figure in 15th-century France, remains a controversial figure in history. Celebrated as a brave military leader and companion of Joan of Arc, he was later convicted and executed for the horrific crimes. Following his military career, extravagant spending and poor financial decisions led to a rapid decline in his wealth. This period coincided with a shift in behavior, marked by cruelty and a growing obsession with the occult. While many accept his guilt,...

Peter Manuel's crimes were motivated by more than just the need for money. While material gain played a role in many of his offenses, the sources highlight additional driving forces behind his actions From his early attacks on women in Mount Vernon to the murder of Anne Kneilands, Manuel's crimes frequently had a sexual element. Manuel seemed to derive excitement from the danger and risk associated with his crimes. This is evident in his assault on Mary McLachlan, where he was aroused by the...

Randy Steven Kraft, a seemingly ordinary computer programmer, was a sadistic predator who terrorized Southern California for over a decade. Kraft targeted young men, many of whom were hitchhikers or frequenters of gay bars. His crimes, marked by torture, mutilation, and sexual assault, earned him the moniker "Scorecard Killer" due to a chilling list found in his car that investigators believe documented his victims.

He swore to do no harm. Instead, he left a trail of bodies across two continents. Dr. Michael Swango, a seemingly charming and gifted physician, harbored a dark secret: a deadly obsession with toxins and a compulsion to kill. This podcast examines the chilling story of Swango's transformation from promising student to one of the most prolific serial killers in history. Listen as we uncover the twisted psychology of a medical monster, tracing Swango's path of deception and murder. Hear...

In "The Butcher Baker," journey into the disturbing double life of Robert Hansen, a soft-spoken baker and family man in Anchorage, Alaska, who hid a terrifying secret. Known as "The Butcher Baker," Hansen’s mild-mannered appearance masked his darkest tendencies. Between 1972 and 1983, he abducted, tortured, and murdered at least 17 women, many of whom were sex workers. Hansen lured his victims to the remote Alaskan wilderness, where he unleashed his twisted fantasies by hunting them like...

Unmask the shocking dual life of Keith Hunter Jesperson, the so-called "Happy Face Murderer," in this compelling true-crime podcast. Happy Face Murderer delves into the twisted story of Jesperson, a seemingly ordinary truck driver whose confessions of brutal killings were marked by chillingly cheerful letters signed with a smiley face. Follow Jesperson's dark journey across America's highways as he committed a series of heinous murders, taunted law enforcement, and manipulated the media....

Explore the chilling and elusive mind of Tommy Lynn Sells, one of America's most notorious and unpredictable serial killers, in Cross Country Killer. In this gripping true-crime podcast, we dive into the life and crimes of Sells, who traversed the United States, leaving behind a trail of unspeakable horror. His haunting encounters with law enforcement, and the tragic stories of his victims. Through interviews, expert analysis, and firsthand accounts, we uncover how Sells evaded capture...

In the summer of 1974, a handsome drifter named Paul John Knowles embarked on a killing spree across America that left at least 18 people dead. Knowles, a petty thief with a history of violence against women, had recently been paroled from prison and was on his way to California to marry his fiancée when she rejected him. Enraged and heartbroken, he escaped from jail after getting into a bar fight. That night, he began killing. Knowles was not your typical serial killer. He had no real...